Remembering Robin

My friend Robin would have liked the service. Especially when past and present students from the Christian School sang with a beloved former kindergarten teacher. Robin's 12-year-old daughter even had the poise to sing a solo, How Great Thou Art.

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15 ESV

Send Off

Our friends couldn't make it to community group last night because they were getting ready for a road trip. No problem, I can stop by the school where one of them works. And deliver a care package.

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

Wedding Day Memories

We've been talking about marriage. For weeks. So it seemed fitting to bring wedding albums to community group tonight.

We finished the Real Marriage series and now look forward to Easter and then a seven-week sermon series in the book of Revelation.

Pictured: What a cute couple! Almost 27 years ago.

However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5:33 ESV

Coffee Night

I missed seeing my friend at Bible Study Fellowship this morning. But that's okay. We can grab a quick cup of coffee tonight while our daughters are at youth group. Works for me.

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

Study and Share

I try to get my Bible study done early in the day, if possible. Which comes in handy if your friend calls and needs you to share what you are learning. And pray with her.

and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:19-21 ESV

Last Day

What is the most important day of your marriage? Pastor Mark Driscoll says it is the last day. In light of that, "We need to live purposefully, passionately, and presently, making the most of each day, just in case it’s the last day."

I appreciated the last message in the Real Marriage series, which included a round table discussion with some married couples and one widow. It was especially poignant to hear this message on the last day of my friend's life. I am thankful for her husband who cared for her so tenderly and faithfully. All the way to the last day.

http://marshill.com/media/real-marriage/reverse-engineering-your-life-and-marriage

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV

Life, Faith, and Finishing Well

I'm reading a book by Billy Graham to my friend in an assisted living home. Nearing Home is about life, faith, and finishing well. My grandpa could have written a book like that. Only his book would have included puns and corny humor. And poems!

Happy 91st birthday to my beloved Grampa!

http://www.amazon.com/Nearing-Home-Life-Faith-Finishing/dp/0849948320

Pictured: Grampa and his oldest grandchild, yours truly, last year on his birthday.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 ESV

Give Comfort

Who cared for my friend Mary during her battle with cancer? Drove her to chemo, gave her kids rides to school, even cleaned her house? While dealing with her own cancer and chemo? My friend Robin. She is now in complete renal failure and probably at the end of her courageous battle with cancer.

And who is spending time at the hospital, sitting with Robin's husband? Mary's husband Dan.

who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:4 ESV

My Friend Robin

My friend has been in the hospital for two weeks. She was supposed to go home today. And continue her battle with cancer. But she suddenly took a turn for the worse. So tonight friends who got a call dropped everything and went to see her. To say good-bye.

Pictured: My friend Robin bought me lunch on the last day of school last year.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 ESV

Cold Lunch Love

I'm a hot lunch kind of gal. I love leftovers. A sandwich will do in a pinch. If the bread is toasted. But I am learning to appreciate cold lunches. Salads even. Today I loaded up my bowl with spinach, lettuce, avocado, and leftover black beans. With a splash of olive oil, white wine vinegar and a dash of Italian seasoning. Works for me. Now.

Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, Proverbs 30:8 ESV

Best Day Evr

From a first-grader's notebook today:

Today my class has a supsutoot. hes name is Mr. Lofthus he is one of the best teechrs in the wrld. that was the best day evr.

Pictured: My husband and a first-grader after school today.

Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Psalm 34:11 ESV

Amon's Adventure

We are reading chapters of Amon's Adventure, leading up to Easter. Arnold Ytreeide is a great storyteller.

We enjoyed Jotham's Journey for Advent years ago.

I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. Psalm 77:11 ESV

Cute as Ever

Our little friend is growing up. Fifteen months old. Running around. Cute as ever. Was great to have our friends here for dinner tonight.

Pictured: Our daughter and little friend.

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." Luke 18:17 ESV

Concert of Prayer

Our Christian school should do that more often. Gather as a community of believers from different churches. In different stages of life. And pray.

Our friend Mike did a great job organizing the concert of prayer yesterday.

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3 ESV

Science and Prayer

It was a busy day for our school. Kids and parents at the science fair. Parents, teachers, and community members at a special concert of prayer. And some running between both.

Pictured: My husband, daughter, and her science fair exhibit. She won a second place ribbon.

Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. Psalm 86:6 ESV

Teen Mary

I wish I was in California today. So I could wish my niece a very special 13th birthday. Maybe now we should call her Teen Mary, instead of Little Mary.

Happy Birthday from Aunt Mary!

Pictured: The California Cousins, Three of the four Oregon Cousins, and my daughter this summer. Mary is second from the right.

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 ESV

Gluten Fail

I made two batches of apple crisp for community group tonight. My regular oatmeal recipe. One had 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour. And one had garbanzo bean flour for my gluten-free friends. Only I couldn't remember which was which. And couldn't tell by tasting them. That's what you call a blind taste test.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42 ESV

Cool Under Pressure

Did you know that water doesn't always boil at 212 degrees F? Or wonder why there are different instructions for baking at high altitude? I am learning about pressure and the affect on boiling point.

Thanks to my sixth grader. She rocked her oral report and demonstration today. With a couple special guests in the audience: her brother and sister.

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 ESV

Ways to Protect Our Children

How do you keep your kids safe? Just telling them about "stranger danger" isn't enough. Here are eight ways to protect your children from sexual abuse.

http://theresurgence.com/2012/03/12/8-ways-to-protect-your-children-from-sexual-abuse

He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40:11 ESV

Selfish or Servant?

I wish I had heard Sunday's sermon years ago. Like 26 years ago. It was about having a servant heart toward your spouse. Who is the best example of being a servant? We look to Jesus. He lived it. And by the grace of God gives us the power to live it out too.

http://marshill.com/media/real-marriage/selfish-lovers-and-servant-lovers

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8 ESV

Forever Reign

I just let the words and music soak in. One of my favorites is Forever Reign.

The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Ephesians 2:4-6 ESV

Family Times

Always good to have my son home. Even if only for a weekend.

Pictured: I love this quick pic of the four of us.

The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. Proverbs 23:24 ESV

How to Pray

This year I have been all over the place. In the New Testament. Studying Acts of the Apostles in Bible Study Fellowship. I am thankful for what I am studying in Ephesians this month. Helps me know how to pray for my friends who are facing illness and heartache.

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might Ephesians 1:17-19 ESV

Don't Waste Your Morning

I started the day with coffee and a little John Piper. My husband read to me out of Battling Unbelief. It goes right along with what I am studying in the book of Ephesians.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight Ephesians 1:7-8 ESV

Snip and Stretch

I started with one colorful tee shirt. Purchased at the thrift store for 50 cents. Followed the instructions online. Snip, snip, and stretch. No sewing required. And now I have an infinity scarf.

http://studio5.ksl.com/index.php?nid=61&sid=14428842&s_cid=E0002

a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; Ecclesiastes 3:7 ESV

Be Tough

I should weigh in. See how many pounds I'm losing. Of books! My husband is helping me go through books. His exhortation of the day: Be tough but not brutal. Today we moved out three boxes and one bag full. It's a start.

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

Gone but Not Forgotten

Our community group didn't meet today. But I think we were all united in spirit. And thinking about our dear friend Mary, who slipped into eternity one year ago today.

http://widemargins.blogspot.com/2011/03/good-bye-mary-for-now.html

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15 ESV

Community Group Day

It was a community group day. We saw friends this morning at church, this afternoon at Wendy's, and tonight at a birthday party. What a great day.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 ESV

Expand Her Horizons

Hands-on math and science for girls. What an opportunity for my 6th grader. Her favorite workshop including welding. She got to weld and write her name in metal. I attended the excellent parent seminars about money, preparing for college, mental health, and internet safety.

http://www.starjumper.net/

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2012/02/17/expanding-your-horizons-conference-offers-girls-hands-on-math-science-and-technology-experiences-inspiration/

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, Proverbs 1:5 ESV

Follow Me

Three people followed me home from the rummage sale. My neighbor and then my parents. Tonight my husband and I stopped by the Goodwill to check out their 50% off sale. Bought nothing, but followed a guy home who had the card game I've been looking for. And had an impromptu game night with his family.

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

Sing the Blessing

Sometimes we sing for our supper. Sing the blessing. I love this cell phone pic of my little niece singing the Doxology with my parents.

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." Mark 10:15 ESV