Growing the heart garden...

It started early.  On Wednesday, after Bible Study, a friend, a lady in our church had made a double layered chocolate cake that was amazing.  The frosting was super rich -- so yummy!  Friends gave me a hand made card with three coins, one to save, one to spend and one to eat.  Can you tell they were both teachers?Delightful evening.

My actual birthday was yesterday.  I had a wonderful day and was so well loved that I was overwhelmed with God's goodness.  He is so sweet to put people in living community.

 My husband woke me up extra early and read to me selected readings - he knew I would love --I did. It was a two cup morning when ususally we only have time for one cup of coffee.

On arriving at work --my table was filled with gifts and there were birthday greetings all around.  I must say, I work at a place where "Jesus with skin on" is running all over the place -- sixteen lovely, mature christian women who love each other well.  Later this month, we have a retreat and I can't wait.

My co-teacher and good friend got me a new leather journal with chocolate and a fivebucks, I mean Starbucks card.  It's gorgeous and I had accidently left my other journal about and have yet to recover it, so it was just perfect timing.

My secret pal gave me a book published in1866 about parables, it is gorgeous and I shrieked! One of the kidlets, of a co-worker, was really interested she enjoyed the smell of the old leather and pages-- it has a light musky lavendar scent; really wonderful. She asked about the browning around the edges and I was able to teach her about foxing.  At four - she's already a book girl.  What's not to adore about that?  And blooming sunny daffodils -- my secret pal knows me- even though I don't know who she is.
My school families overwhelmed me, the kiddos came in bearing flowers(tulips, roses and a huge daisy), a flower pot, a decorated box that said "For the kids you love so well in Iraq - From the kids you love so well in Nashville" and kiddos brought books as they arrived for the library in Iraq.  One of the moms, who is a semi-professional baker made cupcakes in red, white and green for the Iraqi flag; the buttercream frosting was the best I've ever tasted, everyone agreed --- so delish! She told me later it was the recipe from NYC's Magnolia bakery. (I'll want to visit - unforgettable cupcakes.)I was overwhelmed and then a parent brought me in an additional gift from all the families --a bottle of wine, a card signed by each family with precious sentiments and it was stuffed with green.  Oh my, how well they know me -- wine, notes and book money -- some of my favorite love languages!

My husband picked me up from work and he had a little snack box of sashimi for me; and we were able to chat and laugh about the happening of the day. He also carried my books and stuff for me.  Hubby brawn is so appreciated. En route home, I recieved a call from my daughter asking for pointers on what she would need for making dinner for the fam and a friend.

I came home to a hand colored card dictated from my grandone and a absolutely hysterical card from my niece. 

C. took a nap on my lap as I watched a favorite show - something I don't ever get to do in the middle of the day.

Then K. and I made dinner -- she did great.  Peanut salad --- she is going to be a good little cook.  Fried cabbage with garlic.  Ginger chicken with sticky rice and chicken egg rolls.  So very yummy. I can't think of anything I like better than cooking with my kidlet, er, I mean growing young lady.

My friend came over for dinner - bearing cupcakes with "J" on them and another fivebucks card - yes - coffee is a love comodity with me!

My sweet daughter gave me a set of crocheting needles and an awesome ink gel pen with refills!!! It writes so smooth - does she ever know me!

We all talked and laughed til after midnight. We ended the night with prayer.
I am overwhelmed with the wonder of being loved and known so well.
 
GOD is so good.  How wonderful are His gifts to us... He most often wraps them in people.

A perfect day.  It was overflowing with God's collateral blessing of living community. 

So many times as women, we are about the business of loving others.  On special days we are reminded once again, that repetative labors are not in vain - but make a difference to people.  Being so weel loved made me think about intentionality --How many times do we reflect on how loving the ones we love well grows the gardens of their hearts?  What a gift to love others, and to love them well. 

And yes, it is better to give than receive, but it is a blessing to receive... and I am very thankful for cups of overflowing love and being lavished on yesterday.

He bow'd His ear down...

By night when others soundly slept
And hath at once both ease and Rest,
My waking eyes were open kept
And so to lie I found it best.

I sought him whom my Soul did Love,
With tears I sought him earnestly.
He bow'd his ear down from Above.
In vain I did not seek or cry.

My hungry Soul he fill'd with Good;
He in his Bottle put my tears,
My smarting wounds washt in his blood,
And banisht thence my Doubts and fears.

What to my Saviour shall I give
Who freely hath done this for me?
I'll serve him here whilst I shall live
And Love him to Eternity.
-Anne Bradstreet

He bow'd his ear down from Above.
In vain I did not seek or cry.

What is it that wakes you up at night?  Finances, a kiddo going through a seriously tough time,   broken relationship, a decision of direction that will change the landscape of life, broken health, a broken spirit?  -- some of these bring small ripples of concern, others much larger ripples and in these times I find myself searching in the wee hours of the morning for consolation amid the questions.

 I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.

 Because he inclined his ear to me,

therefore I will call on him as long as I live. 

 -Psalm 116  

 

Prayer Answered by Crosses

I ask'd the Lord, that I might grow In faith, and love, and ev'ry grace, Might more of his salvation know, And seek more earnestly his face. 'Twas he who taught me thus to pray, And he, I trust has answer'd pray'r; But it has been in such a way, As almost drove me to despair. I hop'd that in some favour'd hour, At once he'd answer my request: And by his love's constraining pow'r, Subdue my sins, and give me rest. Instead of this. he made me feel The hidden evils of my heart; And let the angry pow'rs of hell Assault my soul in ev'ry part. Yea more, with his own hand he seem'd Intent to aggravate my woe; Cross'd all the fair designs I schem'd, Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.  Lord, why is this, I trembling cry'd, Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death? "'Tis in this way," the Lord reply'd, "I answer pray'r for grace and faith.  "These inward trials I employ, "From self and pride to set thee free; "And break thy schemes of earthly joy, "That thou mayst seek thy all in me."  -John Newton E and I went to a conference this weekend celebrating the Schaeffers. The story of their life is an amazing one, and it got me thinking how it is that God works His goodness and will into us through crosses and coming face to face with ourselves and our own fallen-ness.  We all need grace, the steps to get there are never taken without truth, truth about self, truth about God.  The "condition of man" is not what modern man thinks it is.  Man is a sinner who needs an overwhelming love.  Jesus has come to save His people from their sins.  This is not to say that He has no interest in these other things now, but we must not get matters reversed- the central thing is central.            -Francis Schaeffer No Little People I like that smack in the middle is the reference to Matthew 1:21 Call his name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sin.            My itty bittys learn this as their December verse to celebrate the Advent.  Hearing this truth from two year olds is blessedly beautiful, and their trust, joy and fervor in the telling is ever-humbling. Isn't it funny that we spend a good deal of our elder years re-learning to have trust, joy and fervor in the central thing that He is our rescuer? These inward trials I employ, ... "That thou mayst seek thy all in me"

Celebrating 20 Years...

Domestic Happiness,  thou only bliss
Of Paradise that has survived the fall!
Though few now taste thee unimpair’d and pure,
Or tasting long enjoy thee! too infirm,
Or too incautious, to preserve thy sweets
Unmix’d with drops of bitter, which neglect
Or temper sheds into thy crystal cup;
Thou art the nurse of Virtue, in thine arms
She smiles, appearing, as in truth she is,
Heaven-born, and destined to the skies again.
Thou art not known where Pleasure is adored,
That reeling goddess with the zoneless waist

And wandering eyes, still leaning on the arm

Of Novelty, her fickle, frail support;

For thou art meek and constant, hating change,
And finding in the calm of truth-tried love

Joys that her stormy raptures never yield.

Forsaking thee, what shipwreck have we made

Of honour, dignity, and fair renown!

   - Cowper, The Task, Part III The Garden

 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

                                                                         - Paul to the Galatians

It always astounds me - the reflection of marriage and the mystery of being imago Dei-

One last thought - Man, we were young, thin..and what was I thinking with that headpiece - YeeKs!. 

Eating Crow today...

Now the most godlike of all human gifts-- the singular gift separating Man from the brutes--is speech.  If he can harmonize speech he has taught his first and peculiar faculty to obey the great rhythm: "I will sing and give praise," days the Psalmist, "with the best member I have."  Thus by harmonising speech (in a fashion we will discuss by and by), he arrives at poetry.                          -Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch, Poetry

I love books, I love old books, especially. My nose wrinkles profusely at the very idea of an electronic book. To go further- I had a three hour discussion (ahem-argument) with a team mate this past summer on the particular and heinous evils of Kindle and owning one. 

Ours arrived Saturday -it's a gift to each other for our anniversary.  A pragmatic back-up to carrying around thick old books.  Free old poetry at my fingertips that I don't readily have, tempting...  Good, old commentaries that are easy to copy quotes for transferring for sermons notes...tempting.  Old thoughts, new technology, right?  A blog is like an electronic newsletter? 

I still wonder -- is the kindle the legible equivalent to street jargon?  And is this e-age eating away something that can't be replaced?  And yet, I type...

This quote stopped me, I couldn't pass it up and adding it to my clippings took my electronic journaling into a new sphere.  NOW, if I could just figure out how to transfer the information without retyping it...

One of Those days...

C and C doing bubble head - What a pair of cuties!

This has been a day, a day to remember...
We remember learning to stop and hang out on the porch
We remember you playing your flute and hearing the sounds of the hymns waif out the upper window
We remember Dutch pancakes with inlaid bacon
We remember frank discussions and honest questions
We remember when you weren't yet part of our lives and we had no idea the blessing we were missing
We remember practice for church hymns and psalms
We remember your sinister laughter and practical jokes
We remember Kel and Rhi responding to their "bigger sister" in the Lord
We remember a 100 waves at the airport continuing until we couldn't possibly see one more glimpse of you.
We remember your time with us...as a glorious gift.

We learned stopping to reflect as a family should be done everyday... for a bit of time, with a little wine.
We learned that unexpected praise makes us stop to listen to the sounds of His goodness in the midst of living.
We learned some folks eat dutch pancakes in large stacks instead of rolled - do you remember who?
We learned we really appreciate when people are forward and don't beat around the "proverbial" bush!
We learned we could love a stranger as a daughter in a very short amount of time
We learned Sunday mornings can be stressful or peaceful - it's always a matter of heart orientation
We learned E. has an able rival for ornery
We learned that advise from a "big" sister is like sugar that makes the medicine go down easily
We learned some days are best served with tears.
We learned from you ... you are precious... you are loved... and you will be missed.

Today, we sent Carin-enous off, she's back to Holland.  She is an enormous blessing, we miss her already.  A full house can seem empty with just one less... - Today, is most definately - an empty house day. 

Tools of the trade...

For Christmas, E. gave me Circulon pots and pans, unsolicited.  I have wanted a set since we were first married - they were extravagant and years ago, I teased, "Now, if I had those pans, I'd be a "real" wife".  But the Circulon mystic had long since left my radar, so when I opened them - I went - well - a little lunatic.  I was the Christmas morning three year old simultaneously shriek giggling, tearing  and jumping.   Good Times.

Later last week, as I sauteed the main ingredient for French Onion Soup I found myself glued as the speed with which the evenly glazed onions appeared in the dutch oven.  Impressive.  My pronouncement, "I LOVE these pans...this is amazing." It reminded me of a few things my dad might say about the scene, first, "You need the right tools for a job," and second, "You get what you pay for."

I'll grant these statements true, and not just because I've heard them no less than 300 times.  I started thinking about tools and paying in regards to writing.  I desire to write good poetry, but the truth is ...  I jot out a poem's rhyme and meter...and as my daughter starts to decipher and assess I see the page properly penned a bleeding red mess. In pan terms, my writing would be found in the Dollar Tree's  kitchen "a la China" aisle. I have thought, well more hoped, maybe Mr. Chesterton would deem Dollar Tree a good start... "if it's worth doing, it's worth doing badly" and all.

In short, I have very few tools for writing, and those I have, I don't know how to use. As for payment, my repertoire of knowledge  is more akin to a kiddie bucket than a reservoir... I get to start somewhere, and not being a prodigy of any sort, me thinks it must be in the "bad"lands.