Pay Attention

I want to pay attention. And appreciate the little things. Like the leaves on the tree before they are gone.

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 ESV

Reading Time

I did not get much time to read with my nieces this visit. But my older daughter did. Works for us.

But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Luke 18:16 ESV

With My Sister

Thanksgiving is about family. I had a couple days with my husband's side of the family. Then an afternoon with my sister, husband, and four darling girls.

I was also blessed to know my other sister spent time with my oldest son, who lives in California and wasn't able to return home for Thanksgiving.

Pictured: With my sister.

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18 ESV

Five Siblings

The clerk asked if I survived Thanksgiving. I said yes, but I don't view it that way. I was very blessed by the family times.

My husband's four siblings and families were all together. Including the newest member of the family, my in-laws' first great-grandchild. Plus my darling nephew, who is almost one-year-old.

Pictured: Five siblings, not in birth order.  My husband is second from the left.

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 ESV

Seize the Hour

My husband had a great idea. Seize the lunch hour with our daughter. Enjoy the cool, crisp afternoon. We had a nice walk around Capitol Lake in Olympia. Followed by 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

Sunset at the Farm

Hurry, or the moment will be gone. We snapped a few pictures before the sun had completely set and our visit with my sister and her family came to to end.

Pictured: Three of my four children with my four nieces.

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 1 Peter 3:8 ESV

Thankful for Friends

I am thankful for childhood friendships forged in Taiwan. And that I can reconnect online over thirty years later.

Pictured: Neighbors and best friends, in Taipei, Taiwan in the 70s.

So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 ESV

Family Memories Continue

Brothers and sisters are great. Then they grow up to be uncles and aunts. The family memories continue.

Pictured: My husband's brother and our youngest, a few years ago.

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

Thankful

I am thankful every day. But today I am especially thankful for God's many blessings. Including the amazing gift of having a personal God that has revealed Himself to me. I am a child of God, with hope and purpose in my life.

 

I appreciate my family and friends. Near and far.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Pictured: The kids are good sports for our family photos, including this one from 11 years ago.

 

I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.  Psalm 69:30 ESV

Drive Time

If I did all the driving I would miss out. I am blessed to get rides to Bible Study Fellowship. I love the discussions and bonding time with friends.

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Philippians 2:1-2 ESV

Good Friends

It's fun to look through old photos. And remember special times. Like this photo gem from 12 years ago. Our friends invited us to a dinner party and said "Come as you are." And I really was pregnant.

Pictured: I am second from the left, with my husband and our friends.

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

Fiesta Love

My friend was on a mission. She wanted to find a sugar bowl identical to hers with a broken lid. No luck.

My goal was to look but not buy anything. Even though I love the colors of Fiesta ware. But I almost caved when I saw the individual little pie pans.

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

Weekend in Oregon

My husband's college roommate invited us to come for the weekend. Celebrate his birthday, attend his church men's breakfast, catch some college basketball and football, attend church together, and enjoy the chance to catch up. We can do that.

Pictured: Great seats at the Matthew Knight Arena Friday night, and a win. Never mind the football game on Saturday.

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Philippians 2:1-2 ESV

out of town

Carry My Lesson

It's a good idea to carry my lesson. I can work on my Bible Study Fellowship homework if I am waiting to see my friend at the assisted living home. Or while being the designated spotter for my husband as he cleans a roof. Works for me.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

Prepare for Winter

The weather forecasters predicted a dry day. So my husband signed out of subbing so he could finish up some projects. Like cleaning out my grandparents' gutters.

Pictured: The view from my grandparents' home.

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 ESV

What is Truth?

What is truth? How do you choose a religion? You don't have to be afraid to tackle discussions about world views. I appreciated the lecture by J.P. Moreland, posted by my friend Rand.


http://thoughtlife.com/2012/10/29/video-shallow-notions-of-god-j-p-moreland/

which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. 2 Timothy 1:12 ESV

Apple Love

My daughters and I picked at least 50 pounds of apples today. Beautiful crisp apples in two varieties from our friend's orchard. I know what I'm going to be doing the next couple days. Applesauce, apple pies, apple crisps, etc. Works for me.

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

Leadership and Passion

I appreciate my pastor. Mark Driscoll doesn't shy away from the difficult passages in the Bible. Like today's sermon on chapter eight of Esther. Does God condone killing enemies in the Old Testament?

Today's sermon also addressed how we change the culture. You can listen, watch, or read the sermon online. It is usually posted on Monday.

http://marshill.com/media/esther

When the king held out the golden scepter to Esther, Esther rose and stood before the king. And she said, "If it please the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and if the thing seems right before the king, and I am pleasing in his eyes, let an order be written to revoke the letters devised by Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, which he wrote to destroy the Jews who are in all the provinces of the king. For how can I bear to see the calamity that is coming to my people? Or how can I bear to see the destruction of my kindred?" Esther 8:4-6 ESV

Move Forward

I am glad the phone calls and ads are over. With the election behind us, how do we move forward? Keep praying. For our leaders, reelected and newly elected. And for each of us to do our part as God call us.

Pictured: My daughter's photo of the Olympia Capitol at night.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV

Noah's Faith

What was Noah thinking when he and his family hunkered down in the ark? And waited for the rain to start. Did they wonder if God was really going to do what He said He would? That takes faith. Trusting and obeying before you see how it all turns out.


And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives with him went into the ark to escape the waters of the flood. Of clean animals, and of animals that are not clean, and of birds, and of everything that creeps on the ground, two and two, male and female, went into the ark with Noah, as God had commanded Noah. And after seven days the waters of the flood came upon the earth. Genesis 7:7-10 ESV

On Display

I never know what to expect when I step in the door. I love finding artwork on display in my daughter's school.

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Luke 12:27 ESV

Haves and Have-Nots

It's a case of the haves and have-nots. I'm not sure why there are power outages across our city. Our lights are on. But some places downtown and out of the city limits are out of power. I was happy to take some water to my friend who is in the dark.

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

Inspires Me

When the coach announced the award for my daughter, I said, "That's my girl!" She got the 110% award in volleyball. She always does her best. In everything she does. And inspires me. Love that girl!

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

New Generation

It's a new generation. I am honored to announce the arrival of my great-nephew! Which means I am now a great-aunt. My husband's brother is a grandfather. And my in-laws are great-grandparents.Welcome to the world, Gabriel!

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

Seek God Before it's Too Late

I love the overlap. My Bible study through Genesis coincides with the sermons in church on Esther. Earlier week I learned about God's judgement and the flood. Today's sermon faced God's judgement head on. Yes, God is a God of love, but He also judges.

http://marshill.com/media/esther

And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, "I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Genesis 6:12-13 ESV

Art Show Love

My daughter's school has a new art teacher. I love to see what the kids can do with a little encouragement and education. They put on an amazing art show today. Including my daughter's group project replica of Renaissance art.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 ESV

Rain Delay

The rain held off just long enough today. My husband was able to paint trim on the front of our house. Little by little, that's how we get things done.

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 ESV

Let Them Knock

We were ready. Turkey chili on the stove. Hot spiced cider in the crock pot. Plenty of candy, thanks to Dan Dan the Candy Man.

I made a bingo game to predict what costumes would show up at our door. With 258 trick-or-treaters, our friend Chelsie almost had a black-out. The only one missing was an M and M costume.


In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 ESV