Life

It seems that life and death have been very present to me lately. I guess it began with the seemingly premature death of Michael Billings. Then on Sunday I was privileged to be a part of something I had never participated in before. Something, in fact, that I had never heard of before. On Sunday our church family and many others gathered for a memorial service for the tiny baby of our friends.

What was unique about this service is that this baby was only about 8 weeks into his or her development. But at 8 weeks gestational age it was no less a person than you or I, and it’s parents wanted to honor and recognize the personhood of their baby.

Our pastor preached a wonderful sermon on Joy in a Fallen World. He reminded us of the joy we have even in our sufferings, and the strength and power our testimony gains when the Lord has brought us through trials.

Then there was a very moving "graveside" service and the burial of the little baby.

What a wonderful time of healing for the parents. What a wonderful testimony about the value we, as Christians, place on life. So many women suffer miscarriages and don’t feel free to grieve the loss of the babies they never knew as deeply as they would the loss of born children. So many people act as though miscarriage is a more of a medical procedure or illness rather than the loss of a child. Not a child that was to be, but a child that was. I’m grateful that I was allowed to be a part of it.

Her First Recital

She played "O Come Little Children," and she was wonderful.

Hypocrisy

hypocrisy: an expression of agreement that is not supported by real conviction

When we pass laws that allow the death of unborn children to be called murder, but we continue to call those same unborn children a mass of cells so their mothers can kill them without repercussion, we are HYPOCRITES.

Yesterday in the van I heard that there is man who is facing 99 years for murder if he is convicted. Who is he charged with murdering? The pre-born baby his girlfriend was carrying. HUH??

He is accused with slipping her a mickey in the form of RU-486, the morning after drug. They found traces of it in a drink he prepared for her. It was her second miscarriage in 10 months, and apparently he is implicated in the first as well.

Now, I agree that he should face the same penalty for causing the death of a pre-born child that he would if that child had been born. But I am choking on the irony. If she didn't want the baby, she could have trotted down to the local abortionist and there wouldn't have been a thing he could do about it. A pre-born baby is just a mass of cells until it's momma loves it. Then it magically becomes a baby. Maybe we think babies are a lot like the velveteen rabbit, and only the love of a mother can bring them to life.

But oh! The horror, the unfairness, the tragedy, of daddy snuffing out the life of his child when he finds it doesn't really fit into his plans. The murder of pre-born babies is strictly reserved for Mom. The dad of the inconvenient child is just expected to pony up the cash, either to the abortionist or in the form of child-support payments. Her choice. Hypocrites.

It's another one of the wonderful gifts that feminism has brought to us. And if you still think feminism has been good for women, I've got a bridge I'd like to sell ya ;)

Gifts from Above

Let me just apologize in advance for the way everything is running together. Blogger seems to have a glitch and I am out of time to figure it out :)

Hmmm, what's that you say? Why is she showing us a picture of art supplies? Who cares??? Well, these are not any ordinary art supplies, these are my encouragement. And my children's encouragement and blessing.

The story you say?!? You don't get it? Well, we are home from our 3 week trip to visit family in CA and AZ. A trip which entailed several long days in a car with a screaming baby. (Although, the last leg of that trip was much happier due to a bottle of chamomile tea sweetened with stevia for the baby and earplugs for me.)

Anyway, we came home to the whirlwind of December violin recitals, piano recitals and concerts. There were (are) clothes to buy, lessons to attend, and no food in the house. So, we set out to remedy the situation. Haircuts, violin lessons, several stores and several hours later the general attitude was whiny, hungry, and cranky. And the kids weren't in a good mood either! :)

I am exhausted and working hard to keep everyone cooperating and civil. We stop at Costco to eat dinner (cheap!) and pick up a few things. We have just enough time before they close. I order a pizza and settle in for the 20 minutes it's going to take the thing to cook. But hey, at least someone else is cooking it :)

So, there we are at our little table. Eli wanted the one with the umbrella but it wouldn't hold us, Ezra wanted a hot dog instead of pizza, someone looked at Sierra wrong, Ty wants to nurse, and mom wants to crawl in bed with a pint of Ben and Jerrys; and this isn't even the last stop.

I get up to fill drink cups and this older woman, dressed all in purple, approaches me. "Hi! I'm a teacher," she says. Uh oh... "Your children are so adorable and sweet, can I give them these pencils?!?" "Sure, they'll love them." "Oh, and there is a website listed on the pencils where you can get information about our reading program!" "GREAT!", I say. (no, I'm not going to add a sarcastic comment. Jeesh!)

So, back to the table I go with pencils all around. Seeing the sweet, adorable children a little clearer.

About 15 minutes later, as their sweetness is beginning to fade into grumpy hunger, another woman approaches. "Excuse me," she says to this nursing mama. "Yes," I say with a smile that conveys a lot more good cheer than I am feeling. "I have never done this before, but I have been watching your children and they are so cute and well behaved. I have just really been enjoying them and I thought how nice it would be for them to have this, and I wanted to give it to them!" "Wow! Thank you so much, that is such a blessing!"

And "this" of course, is the above art set.

The children were thrilled and the rest of the time flew by with much improved dispositions. I wish I had told both of those woman how the Lord had used them to encourage me. And I'm grateful he used us to encourage them. But I so wish I had praised the Lord to those ladies, and not just to my children. I really need to work on having His praises always on my tongue.

Oh, and just to round out our Costco experience. As we were clearing up our trash a man called me over. "Excuse me? Miss?" "Yes?" "Are you Pentacostal?" Huh!! "Umm, no.." "Oh, those girls in dresses and stuff. I thought maybe you were Pentacostal." "Oh. No, we're baptist actually." "Huh, Southern Baptist, no doubt!" "No. Actually we're Reformed Baptist." "Huh. Well you have a great family. Great testimony for dresses." ummmm "thanks."

All in all, Costco was quite an eventful stop for us. Our steps were a little lighter as we left. We were grateful to the Lord for His blessing and encouragment. And we left to spread the gospel of dresses. Not!

Joy in the Midst of Sorrow

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

1Thess. 4:13-14

Last night I was privileged to be a part of a special time of remembrance and praise for the life and death of an extraordinary young man. To our minds, he was taken far too soon. But truly, "precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."

I don’t intend this post to be a tribute to life of this man. Although his life is truly worthy of tribute and remembrance, others have and will do so far more eloquently than I.

Instead I want to comment on the blessing that it is for the saints to come together in times of sorrow. It was a glorious thing to see these young men, tears streaming down their faces, praise our savior for His goodness. What an important gift we give our children when they see weeping with hope. Sorrow with praise. Devastating loss coupled with trust and joy unspeakable.

When we sang "It is Well With My Soul," it was maybe the most beautiful, glorious thing I have ever heard. The power and emotion in that song vibrated the very cup in my hand. Music is a gift to us from our creator, and we are told to praise Him with it. It is always a glorious thing to hear and join in the lifting up our voices to our mighty God. But it is even more glorious when we are with those who have purposed to train their voices to the glory of God. It convicted me that since we are told to praise our God in song; we ought to endeavor to make that song as beautiful as we can. The musical training of my children took on a whole new dimension. We have always stressed that music was to glorify God, but my understanding is fuller and richer now.

Last night was such an encouragement to continue to run the race that is set before me. To finish well. To walk alongside my children; discipling them, praying for them, training them up to be mighty defenders of the faith. Every moment is precious; life is truly but a vapor.

By the grace of God I pray that I will not waste it. That my children will not waste it. That their youth will not be spent in foolish pursuits, but that they will be about their Fathers business all the days of the lives. This young man was not granted many days on this earth. But those days were lived to the fullest; he was about the things of men. His fervent desire was to know his Lord and to serve Him. We need not weep for him; we weep only for ourselves. What a tremendous gift, there is nothing more I want for my children.

updated 10:34 pm to add links to tributes

Happy Birthday to Me

Today marks the completion of my 40th revolution around the sun. Wow! The earth seems to be moving faster all the time. I'm now officially older than my father :)

Last night I was contemplating God's grace and mercy in my life. I have a wonderful family, health, enough for all of my needs and some of my wants, good friends who walk alongside me and encourage me to righteousness, a husband who love me like Christ loved the church and daily lays down his life for me, and many more too enumerable to list. He is so good who takes an undeserving sinner and restores life and brings joy. There have been hard days, many of them. And joy in the midst. And peace. What a blessing.

The girls made me breakfast this morning. We bought pasteries at Costco yesterday and Sierra made a really good fruit salad to go with them. Hailey set a lovely table using the red glasses and red cystal bowl. I should have taken a picture.

Chance is taking us to dinner tonight. We might go see Bella, I can't decide if it would be good for the children or not.

The only thing missing is Mike. But I will get to seem him next week! All in all, a good day :)

A Contest!

Kim at Life in a Shoe is doing a great give-away just in time for Christmas. $250 worth of Vision Forum merchandise will be given away to 3 lucky providentially selected winners! So, I'm making my wish list and entering the contest, it ends tonight!

The Life and Campaigns of Stonewall Jackson
Christ in the Camp
Seargent York and the Great War
Jamestown Quadricentennial Audio
Southern Lady Doll Dress
Medieval Princess Doll Dress
Providential Battles II
Doll Quilt Kit

He Cracks Me Up

Chance spends time every evening talking with the children and praying with them now that Mike is gone.

The other night he was talking to the boys about the need to "take care of ladies". He often shares about the importance of this and then gives various scenarios.

Here is a little excerpt:

C: Do we always take care of ladies?
Boys: Yes!
C: Even if we are afraid, do we still take care of ladies?
Boys: Yes!!
Eli: ...I'm afraid of some ladies, but I still take care of them.

Goodnight!

Where Have I Been

I guess it's been quite a while since I have posted anything of any substance, or written anything at all for that matter. My brain has not quite recovered from the pregnancy mush, and frankly we are just in baby nirvana over here! Downtime isn't spent writing, it's spent playing with the baby, talking about the baby, or watching the baby sleep while sighing about how adorable he is. We all love having a baby in the house. It is such a gift and we are just savoring every second of it. And it is such a joy to see my older children so in love with him, so thrilled to have a new sibling.

Although Eli has reminded me a few times that Titus will get spankings when he is older :)

And Ezra has started sucking his thumb :0 So, more time is spent on snuggling with the littles too.

And then there is the matter of the house... And people still want to eat. 3 TIMES A DAY!! And my other half is missing.

All that to say, we're busy :) And while I have much I am thinking about, and frequently intend to blog about, I just never seem to have the time to put it into a coherent and interesting format :)

But I'll try harder. Really. I will. Tomorrow :)

Morning Ritual

How Cute Is He?!?

Miss You Daddy!