Hope and Pray

Here's hoping and praying tomorrow is the last day my daughter misses school. She's been out with a fever all week. She seems a little perkier tonight.

Pictured: Feeding the chickens, some time ago.

How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:7 ESV

Most Offensive Verse

What is the most offensive thing I believe? I never really thought about it like that before. But Dan Phillips, of the Pyromanics, has an answer in case he gets on a talk show. Read it for yourself and see what you think.

http://teampyro.blogspot.ca/2013/02/the-most-offensive-verse-in-bible.html

With thanks to Tim Challies for sharing this link.

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

Select One

That was a hard decision. We had many people interested in renting our house. After many calls, emails, texts, and showings, we narrowed it down. And ran background checks. Tonight we selected one family.

Pictured: Our counter ready for a new family.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5 ESV

Letting Go

How many hands helped build our house? Fifteen years ago. Or cleaned our house? Or sorted socks? I can't even begin to count. That's a lot of love. Over the years. And the amazing thing is that I am okay with letting go. And renting out our house.

Pictured: I love our kitchen and huge counter!

By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; Proverbs 24:3 ESV

I am Saved

Last week's sermon is a great place to start if you wonder what Christianity is all about. What does it mean to be saved? What are we saved from? And what are we saved to? Don't miss it!

http://marshill.com/media/who-do-you-think-you-are/i-am-saved

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV

Crumble Works

I had a plan for dinner. With time for a nap. But time ran out. No problem, I can switch from baking a regular meatloaf in an hour to half the time in muffin pans. Oops. No time for that. I can switch to a Desperate Dinners recipe. Form patties and fry in the pan. And even if my improvised recipe falls apart, meatloaf crumble is tasty too. Works for me.

The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. Psalm 145:15 ESV

Rain Break

Quick, enjoy the break in the rain. And let the dog out while you're at it.

Pictured: My daughter's pic of our golden retriever.

Now out of the ground the LORD God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. Genesis 2:19 ESV

Comfort and Beauty

Little things make me happy. Like the beautiful anti-fatigue comfort mat from my friend. Love it!

Pictured: This does not do justice to the beautiful colors.

Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. Proverbs 11:25 ESV

My Morning

I sat criss-cross applesauce. Sang where is thumbkin. Marched in a circle. Sang hymns. Listened to a Bible story about how God provided for Isaac. Handed out snacks. Zipped up jackets. That's how I spent my morning with adorable four-year-olds. And fulfilled a week of duty in children's ministry at Bible Study Fellowship.

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

Happy Bagel

How many times have we sat in those booths or at a table? We have lots of happy bagel memories at Bagel Brothers.

Pictured: Eating bagels with the family, some time ago.

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

On Record

We are going on record. My husband and I are back on track. South Beach Diet, here we come.

Pictured: Our last fling for ice cream.

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrew 12:11 ESV

Meet for Lunch

We invited friends from our community group to join us for lunch. And ran into my parents. Too bad my in-laws are out of town. Then we could have really filled the place.

Not pictured: My youngest, the photographer, and my parents, who sat at a different table.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14 ESV

Blast from the Taiwan Past

My sister dug up this blast from the past. I know I didn't have a good attitude about standing on a traffic island in Taipei. In our matching dresses and my dad's matching tie. Bless my mom for sewing clothes for us.

Pictured: My family in Taipei in the 70s. I am the oldest of three girls.

Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14 ESV

Where We Go

Have time to wait around in Olympia? Bagel Brothers is where we go. Perfect for  splitting a sandwich with my daughter (free with her coupon) and drinking free coffee in my cup from home. Love their deals. And time with my daughter.

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

Little Things Mean a Lot

It's the little things. Thoughtfulness. Acts of kindness. Taking a nap and waking up to a nice salmon dinner. On Valentine's Day. Works for me.

Pictured: On the bridge at South Puget Sound Community College last December.

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7 ESV

Bag Refills

I regularly check the thrift stores for vacuum cleaner bags. And today I found the exact ones I needed. It helps to have the empty package in my purse so I can cross-check the make and number.

She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:27 ESV

Cake Pop Love

Let the Valentine's Day preparations begin. In seventh grade. Cake pops for the Washington DC fundraiser.

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

Role Model

Who is the only woman to have her death and age recorded in the Bible? Hint: I am studying Genesis in Bible Study Fellowship. Sarah, the wife of Abraham, was not perfect. But she had faith in God and loved her husband. A good role model for the ages.

as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. 1 Peter 3:6 ESV

I am Blessed

I'm glad my husband can catch up. He missed last week's sermon because he was teaching the children. Don't miss the fourth sermon in the Ephesians. You will be blessed to find out how we are blessed. In Christ.

http://marshill.com/media/who-do-you-think-you-are/i-am-blessed

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, Ephesians 1:3 ESV

Radio Girl

My daughter wasn't afraid to talk right into the microphone. And record her first radio interview. She was interviewed by Olympia broadcaster Dick Pust about the upcoming girls' math and science conference she is attending: Expanding Your Horizons.The interview should air on Sunday, February 17th, at 9 a.m. on Mixx96.

http://www.starjumper.net/index.html

http://widemargins.blogspot.com/2012/03/expand-her-horizons.html

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

Record of Love

I am digging through boxes of old papers and photos. Interspersed in the report cards and business papers, I am finding love notes, poems, cards, and letters. What a record of how much I am loved and my children are loved!

Pictured: Birthday post cards to my then-three-year-old daughter, from both my mom and dad.

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,           1 Thessalonians 1:2 ESV

Deal With It

Do you hear that beeping? It is everywhere I go. One of our smoke detectors at the old house needs a new battery. So we brought it home so we could deal with it. And put it in the cupboard. But we could still hear the chirping. How about putting it in the trunk of the car? Now I really hear beeping everywhere I go.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 ESV

Keep Trusting

Sometimes you only get a peek of color coming through the clouds. And occasionally the grand picture comes into view. Like the beautiful rainbow I saw yesterday from the bank parking lot. Reminds me of how I need to trust God. Even when I can only see part of what He is doing in my life.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:8 ESV

McStudy

We interrupt this regularly scheduled Bible study for a fellowship time at McDonald's. Drink coffee, have breakfast, and let the kiddos play. And open the Bible and do our lesson there. We can do that.

Pictured: My friend Jessica and her daughter. Not pictured: her adorable son on the play structure.


Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love Ephesians 1:13-14 ESV

Helps Me

Routine is good. Accountability is even better. Like knowing my friend will be waiting for me helps me get up early and show up for Monday prayer time. Or having my daughter's friend here every Monday afternoon helps me tidy up.

By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; Proverbs 24:3 ESV

Saint or Sinner?

Mark Driscoll packs a lot in a sermon. Even when he's only covering two verses. Check out last week's message on Ephesian 1:1-2. "A Christian's identity is primarily saint, not sinner. You will sin some of the time, but you are a saint all of the time in Christ."

http://marshill.com/media/who-do-you-think-you-are/i-am-a-saint


Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:1-2 ESV

Perfect Timing

Today was a day of perfect timing. Walked into the community college exactly when our friends walked out. On the lunch break at the apologetics conference. So we could hop in their jeep and go grab lunch together. It was great catch up.

Pictured: Checking out the bakery with my friend today.

that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, Colossians 2:2 ESV

Public Speaking Experience

Time for the parents to sit at the back of the room. Hold notes in case anyone needed prompting. And listen to the oral report presentations. We heard songs, poems, and memorized scripture. Nicely done, sixth, seventh, and eighth graders!

Pictured: One younger sibling got a special seat during the oral reports.

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