Grace

If a woman learns to embrace the challenges of life head on and is determined to bring light into darkness, celebration into the mundane, forgiveness to the offenses, grace to the ugly, she can help to determine the way all who are in her home see and learn to love God.

Sally Clarkson

always learning

I just love this picture.  It reminds me of my three girls. 
This week, Kourtney has been doing "Big Girl School" with Jacklyn. They're learning about manners.  Close doors quietly, don't run in the house, hang up your clothes...going beyond just the "please and thank you" rules that we've been drilling into our 3 and a half year old since day one. 
Last night, Jacklyn was playing with a few little boys and quickly had them sitting down, doing "circle time" and being quite bossy.
Kourtney looked at me and said, "Oh my.  I will have to be a LOT less bossy when we do Big Girl School."
She saw quickly the power of influence we older ones have on the younger.  (Yikes!)
I, too, have seen that this week.  What do I prioritize?  Not just in my head....but what do they see me prioritize? Computer time?  Or time with them?  Cleaning the house, or playing with my kids?  Constant battle for me.  Of course....I love and prioritize them above all.....but, is that what my actions are telling them?  Oh my....as Kourtney said.  I fear I need to tell them - with my actions - how much more important they are to me than all the other stuff that crowds in.  I have to remember that I am always "homeschooling" my kids, even when we're not at the table doing academics.  What are they learning from me?

2nd verse

John 14: 23a

Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching."



1st scripture memory verse of the year

Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

sprinkles

My creative Maggi.  She's recently changed the spelling of her nickname.  Notice the lack of an "e"?  I love her originality, her bravery, her thoughtfulness, kindness and spunk!  This girl of mine is constantly surprising me with her unique ideas......just the way her mind works.  There is a strength about Maggi that is going to work in her favor as she gets older, I am sure. When she was 2....it scared me.  At 10....very nearly 11......I marvel at that strength and wish I had a bit more of it myself.  I learn from her daily.  I'm so happy I get to be her mom. 

squishters

I'm so glad these 3 have each other!!

This photo was taken on one of the many nights that the 3 sisters got to sleep together out by the Christmas tree this Christmas break.  They do love each other so much!  For some silly reason, we've taken to referring to the sisters as squishters.  This picture seems to capture the squishing pretty well. :)  They are normal siblings....they argue, they bug, they frustrate....but, I do love how they love!  I am (beyond!) blessed to have 2 sisters as well.  I am so thankful that my daughters have the gift of 2 sisters to grow up with.  I'm sure brothers are great, too. I just know the deep-soul love that sisters share and I am thankful. 

Like a Tree

Psalm 1:3
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers. 

This time of year begs for us to notice trees.  Large trees, small trees.....any tree at all....they look so beautiful in the Fall. My ten year old, Maggie, has really been into drawing trees lately.  I love that.  She makes them look so strong.  So safe.  I always think of refuge and shelter when I see the trees she draws.
Trees grow stronger because of their roots.  They grown down, searching for water.  Wind also helps trees to grow.  The wind blows on the tree, causing their roots to shift, to seem unstable for a moment, but really they are finding a place to really dig in and be secure.
I heard recently, "If the wind don't blow, the tree won't grow."  How true that is!  It is the same for us, too.  The winds of life....troubles, etc....blow on our lives all the time. Some times seem more intense than others.  We have to go back to our roots and see where we can be securely grounded.  Our souls search for the water of Truth.  As we cling to Him, we find our source of strength.  As we grip His Words, we flourish.  Our lives begin to bear more fruit.  We become stronger and we don't wither.  Whatever we do prospers and the greatest part of all of this is that we point to God.  He is glorified in our lives and HE is the reason we can thrive.