Family Love

I love my families. I have my own family. My church family, especially our community group. And the Christian school family. I am blessed.

Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! Psalm 96:7 ESV

Grab and Go

I'm glad I packed snacks. Enough for my daughter and friends sharing a ride to the game. The other school was expecting us to play two teams. Which meant 6 games instead of 3.

I'm also glad I put dinner in the crock pot, ready to grab and go to community group.

Pictured: My view at the volleyball game. My daughter is on the right.

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16 ESV

Adjust the Menu as Needed

I always have an onion or two. Laying around. Or it that lying? (Note: after reading a couple online explanations for the difference, I still don't know.) Or partial ones in the fridge. But not tonight. So my dinner plan was stymied. With baked potatoes ready to make soup.

Plan B: grate a couple potatoes for hash browns, cook turkey sausage links, and whip up a couple omelets. With green onions. Which I did have stashed in the fridge bin. Works for me.

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it. Proverbs 15:17 ESV

Happy Twenty Two

It was the least we could do. Drive up and see our second-born on his twenty-second birthday. We had a tasty family dinner at a Chinese restaurant. Got to see our son's new apartment. And our daughter's new rental house. And hand-deliver a special birthday gift from our older son: A 7-foot mannequin.

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. Philippians 4:1 ESV

Water Day

How wet can you get? My husband spent the day pressure washing. In the pouring down rain. Bless his heart, he never complains.

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 2 Thessalonians 1:11 ESV

Fits Together

I love how it all fits together. My weekly study in the book of Acts prepared me for today's sermon from the book of Luke. Peter failed Jesus. But Jesus never failed Peter.

But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words...And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14, 38

Get it Done

So far so good. I am back on track with my daily Bible study lesson. It really helps to get it done early in the day. Now if I could just get going with regular exercise.

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8 ESV

Heads Up

Let the games begin. Yesterday was my daughter's first volleyball game of the season. The new girls did great in their debut.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, Colossians 3:23 ESV

Only One Left

How does it feel? I don't know yet. I can't believe my oldest is out of the nest. Just one little chicky left at home.

My son is excited to start a new adventure in So. Cal. He will be living with friends and has a lead on a job. Gotta start somewhere.

Pictured: Said good-bye to our son this morning. He and a friend loaded up and hit the road.

The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. Psalm 121:8 ESV

In the Clouds

My husband has his head in the clouds. He notices interesting formations. Beautiful colors. Today he came home and wanted me to go on a drive with him. And show me the amazing sky around Mt. Rainier.

For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Psalm 108:4 ESV

Book Lady

Too bad I don't get a commission. I love helping fellow shoppers find books.

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16 ESV

Lucy Love

When I graduated from high school and left home, my sister got a pet rat. Thirty years later my youngest gets a guinea pig for her birthday. Just before her big brother moves out.

Pictured: "Lucy"

And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 ESV

Fly the Coop

It looked like just another Sunday dinner. But it's one of the last times we will have four of us around the table. Our oldest is about to fly the coop. Start a new life in California. With friends.

We will miss that big guy!

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 3 John 1:2

Birthday Bagel

We woke up to rain this morning. Hooray! My husband was free to take the morning off. Perfect for going to our favorite bagel place and celebrating their 17th birthday. 17 cent bagels and coffee? Yes, please.

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17 ESV

Community Group Party

Let the celebration continue. Make community group night a party night. Complete with a guessing jar and Frisbee toss. Nachos for dinner with awesome homemade guacamole. And cupcakes. With candles for the three people with birthdays yesterday. (My two and our CG leader's dad.)

Pictured: My two with their birthday cupcakes.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15 ESV

Bookend Birthday

You'd think we planned it all. Two boys. Two girls. Built in babysitters for our youngest. Having our oldest and youngest on the same date.

Happy 24th and 11th birthday to our bookends!

Pictured: Big Brother and Little Sister at Wild Waves recently.

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, Colossians 1:9 ESV

Bring on the Homework

I'm so excited to have homework again! I started my third year of Bible Study Fellowship today. We are studying the book of Acts and other New Testament books about the early church.

Pictured: My BSF buddy Martha and a friend who will be joining us.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 ESV

Blackberry Bucket Brigade

It was ladies' day out. I invited my mother and mother-in-law to join me on a berry-picking expedition. Too bad we didn't have time to stop for coffee.

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17 ESV

Starting Point

It's good to have a starting point. For dinner. I put some chicken in the crock pot this morning. I was thinking chicken soup. This afternoon my son suggested tortilla soup. No problem. I added the last of the salsa, leftover corn, and opened some cans of black beans.

Went perfectly with the stuffed squash from my friend.

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it. Proverbs 15:17 ESV

Not So Fast

My plan: get in, get out. Pick up a prescription for a friend. Not so fast. God's plan: talk about Jesus with a woman waiting for her prescription.

preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2 ESV

Should Have Ordered the Latte

My friend is on crutches so we opted for the Starbucks drive-thru. She had an iced vanilla latte. I had a cup of drip coffee. When we got to the window to pay, I was told that the person in front of me had paid for it. I never even saw my kind benefactor.

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed. Proverbs 19:17 ESV

Best Seats

It's not every day that our baseball team wins. Or that we are there to witness the home runs, doubles, triples, and steals. A friend had four tickets they couldn't use tonight. Front row in right field. Best seats I've ever had. Our son borrowed a car and met us at the game.

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17 ESV

Kindergarten Mom

I feel like an honorary kindergarten mom. I was there when my little neighbor was born. And today I was there for his first day of kindergarten.

but Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14 ESV

Hello Middle School

This was one of the best ever. First day of school that is. My sixth grader is excited about being a middle schooler at our local Christian school. We are thankful she can be there with great teachers and good friends.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, Colossians 3:23 ESV

Good-bye Summer

It's time to say good-bye to summer. Even if the warm weather has just started. It's hello sixth grade! Starting tomorrow. It was nice to see the school families at the back-to-school picnic tonight.

Pictured: My daughter took this picture as we drove home from Bellingham a couple weeks ago.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV

In the Parking Lot

I don't remember packing a sweater this morning. What is that other stuff on the back seat? And why won't the clicker unlock the car door? Maybe it's because this is not my white car. Good thing I didn't set off any car alarms or scare the owner.

a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; Ecclesiastes 3:6 ESV

Question of the Day

We start out as children when we are young in the faith. Then we mature into fruit-bearing young men and women. By God's grace, we end strong as fathers and mothers, who nurture and inspire the next generation.

The question of the day from today's sermon about stages in Christian growth:

What are you doing in the kiddie pool?

I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 1 John 2:13-14 ESV

The Guessing Game

We played the guessing game. At her garage sale. Do we know each other from church? Have a school connection? Does she go to garage sales often? None of the above. But suddenly it clicked. I was at her daughter's garage sale two years ago. I gave her granddaughter a baby book I had in my purse.

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16 ESV

End of Summer

I had one main regret for the summer. I never got together with a friend like we planned. But she pulled together an impromptu girl-time for our daughters and a couple of their friends today. Great way to end the summer.

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV

Chicken or Beef or Both?

Call it a happy marriage. Or blended family. You could take my sloppy joe sauce and add it to our host's spaghetti sauce. Choice of ground chicken or ground beef. With or without pasta. Or toasted buns. With a nice side of veggies and fruit. I love how potlucks come together.

Too bad my husband was painting and missed community group.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV