Girl time!

Lucy and I had the joy of spending some girl time together last Friday. We went To see our friend Abby Jayne as Grettle in the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet's performance of Hansel and Grettle. 

It was a joy to listen to and talk with Lucy without the other little voices competing for my attention. Their voices were heard by their daddy :)

We drove into Harrisburg and saw the capital building. As she saw the building she said "don't you love that green building?!"

A minute later we saw a man riding a bike and she said "Mommy, I see a human wearing a helmet!" 

She is a sweet girl and I am thankful to be her Mommy. I look forward to more times like this where we can continue to grow and develop our friendship over the years. 

Fall

Spent the evening in a beautiful part of God's world with some generous friends. 

Fall in central PA is beautiful!

Latin

Sometimes when you are learning Latin with a group of 6 year olds, a piggy who knows Latin and wants to learn English somehow does the trick!!

Boys book club

We have had the joy of joining a boys club with some friends from our CC group. Each month the boys read a book and then we take turns hosting the group and leading a series of games and discussions and snacks about the book. 

This month we read "A Cricket in Times Square."  Such a good book! One of my favorite things is to read books with my kiddos. It is a joy to see them following the story - almost drawn up into it as they take turns reading and listening and looking at the pictures. 

Here are some pics of the fun we had yesterday discussing the book. And we are now the proud owners of two crickets, Mario and Chester!!

Phew!

For some reason, today I was thinking about all of the big milestones that we have behind us with our kids. The kind of milestones that make you say "PHEW" when they are reached. 

Potty training. Reading and riding a two wheel bike (for two of the three). Eating spaghetti without grinding a pound of it in their hair and on the floor. Going to a carnival at bedtime without tears. Eating cereal WITH milk. Taking shoes off and putting them in their shoe baskets when we come inside (well, mostly). 

You get the idea. 

They have been reached by the grace of God, and the milestones yet to come - which are truly much bigger and more complex like learning to drive, making wise friendship choices, choosing a college, choosing a wife, honoring God as a student and employee, etc.  - will be by the grace of God as well. 

(Note- I know that there are many kids who are not able to reach these milestones because of the effects that the fall has had on their bodies - I am not wanting to be insensitive to these friends. The grace of God will also shine clearly through their lives! Spaghetti in the hair or not!) 

USA

Baxter created this on the Etch-a-sketch in the car this afternoon.  Love his mind and love classical education! 

Our Faithful God

I read through these verses this morning in my quiet time. I am so struck at the goodness and faithfulness of our great God to us - to little, undeserving, often rebellious and ungrateful us. 

"I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul." Jeremiah 32:40-41

Love of learning

"Successful education ought to propel a student to want to learn more. Learning should inspire joy bound with constant astonishment at marvels of creation. Learning should breathe life into us - ignite our imaginations and inspire us to share the ideas we learn with people we love." The Core by Leigh Bortins

Before the day has begun, Owen is working on a workbook we didn't finish this summer. I love that they still love learning at this age. Although I also know this in a few hours there will likely be tears she'd in frustration over an assignment. The Lord is working in it all. 

Cold soccer fans

In case two soccer games weren't enough for one Saturday, we ventured out in the 46 degree weather to cheer on the Men's Messiah College Soccer team. They have an amazing team. It's so great for the boys to see soccer the way it was meant to play. 

Being there made me prayerful for our kids and their college years. Lord, give them faith, cause them to love you and love others for your glory wherever you take them. Cause them to be a blessing to others and a light shining in the darkness. 

Refreshed

Matt and I had the privilege of seeing Keith and Kristyn Getty in concert tonight at Messiah College. It was so refreshing to sing and hear the powerful truths of the Gospel. It is so easy to forget what is True and Who is True in the midst of day to day life. I am thankful for an evening of refreshment and reminders. 

"So Spirit, come, put strength in ev'ry stride, give grace for every hurdle, that we may run with faith to win the prize of a servant good and faithful." "O Church Arise" 

"A second Adam walked the earth, whose blameless life would break the curse, whose death would set us free to live with Him eternally." "Creation Sings the Father's Song."

A basketball

Somedays, when there seem to be more tears and selfish moments than joyful and    loving moments...God graciously uses a little fresh air and a basketball to bring a smile back to this precious face. 

Something New

I am going to try something new for the next week or so. It may work. It may not. Each day I hope to post a picture capturing a moment from the day and also either a verse, part of a book or a link to an article or sermon that has encouraged or challenged me in that day.

It has been a while since I have been able to blog regularly, and this seems like a way to get back into it a little bit for my own sake (taking time to reflect and pause) and for the mutual encouragement of those who happen upon this blog. 

It's worth a try, right?!

"In addition, if God has the ability to control the most powerful elements of nature, does he not have the ability to control the elements of your everyday life? The next time you experience a storm, let it remind you of the glory and power of God, and let it give strength and peace to your soul."

Taken from a blog post by Paul Tripp

http://paultripp.com/wednesdays-word/posts/thunderstorms