Memories

I recently occupied my thoughts on the idea of making memories. I tend to associate memory making with pleasant events. Vacation, first steps, special visits with friends, anniversary celebrations, nights at the baseball field. And then there's the everyday sweet memories of morning kisses, freckled-faced smiles, delight in food, play outside, maybe sleeping in! Joe and I try to be intentional about making memories; some with plans while others are spontaneous.  Not all memories are pleasant or planned, though. Anyone reading this can attest to that. Sickness, week at the hospital, more sickness, uncertainties, remodel delays, strained muscles and ER trips are some of the events that were added to our plate this season. All circumstances and situations that the sovereign Lord ordains are for his glory and our good. While many may be difficult to encounter, these events are used to remind us of our need for the Savior. We are in need of his grace. We are in need of his wisdom. We are in need of remembering that our hope is not in this present time or our present circumstance.

Our sweet girl spent a week in the hospital. Tests and medication. More to come.

I love her goofy ways.

A first haircut...by a professional

Just for fun

Playing on the lawn of a

 historical home

Strawberry picking. Strawberry grazing.

Torn back muscle. Urgent care sent him to ER after this

My feet before getting sweaty outside

Short and Sweet

Tired babes. Lego creations. PJs all day. Freckled beauty. First time response. Refreshment outside. Opportunities with Dad. Love of books. Special gifts. Needed getaway. Front seat dogs.

I love my job

Joe and little Joe went to baseball practice Saturday afternoon. The littles and I stayed at home for naps. Before sleep, though, we took a nice leisurely walk in our neighborhood. Upon returning home, toddler joe informed me that he needed to show me some dirt in the back yard. So, off we went to the back. He picked up the shovel and began to dig in the grass happily. He paused, glanced up at me and said "I love my job" then back to digging. So sweet. I am not sure if he has heard this before or came up with it himself. I'll take it either way.

To Lent or Not to Lent: that is a question worth asking

Joe's wife asked Joe about Lent. Joe confessed that he is not informed enough to make a solid decision for his family to practice it for it is not commanded in Scripture and the Apostles are not seen practicing it (that's Joe's hermeneutic for regulating esse qua non Christian and Church practices). But Joe does not think it should be forbidden. Joe can imagine how it could be used profitably. But here are some thoughts about considering the practice of Lent and preaching of the gospel.

Be careful that one does not think their sacrifice merits God's favor. This seems especially easy for unregenerate folks to do, for it is their native operating system of thinking about salvation. This is also something that children naturally think.

Be explicit with teaching justification by faith alone during Lent. In order to make the gospel clear in the minds of those practicing Lent for Christ's sake, the gospel must be explicit. Implicit church liturgy, tradition, and calendars are only beneficial to those who have received explicit instruction on the gospel of Christ. And even to those persons the explicit gospel needs constant restatements. This is much more vital than the actual practice of giving up something to prepare for thinking about Christ's coming. Clarification about repentance as opposed to penance is something parents would want to teach their children through lent. Being declared righteous by God on the basis of faith in Christ is something that many who practice Lent do not understand. Protestants should not make this mistake possible due to their lack of explicit teaching on the gospel of justification by faith alone.

Be explicit with teaching justification by Christ alone during Lent. Lent, if anything, is a focus upon Christ. It is not making oneself worthy of redemption. It is not washing oneself up for Christ. It is not a spiritual attention getter of God. It must move one toward Christ and faith in him if it is at all Christian. Traditions without teaching are fodder for self-righteous, hollow religious persons and organizations. Preaching and teaching and talking about being righteous on the basis of Christ alone is necessary to understand for Lent to be of any profit. Christ has come. Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christus Victor has no message but trust in him alone be declared righteous by the Father. Protestants should make this explicit.

Be explicit with teaching justification by grace alone during Lent. The spring-loaded hermeneutic of man with grace is that something about him or something that he has done makes God come to him with whatever understanding of redemption his mind conceives. This is not true and if Lent is Christian, it should repel this notion not foster it. Teaching during Lent that one is made righteous in God's sight on the basis of God's grace to them pulls the rug out from their self-righteous religion's feet. If divine grace alone is not taught to be the foundation for the sinner's acceptance on Christ's meritorious death and resurrection then one ought not be surprised if some come to think of their actions in Lent as the opposite of justification on the basis of divine grace alone.

There's no law against Lent nor one for it. It can be done profitably if it is in concert with and connected with an explicit teaching of the gospel of the Christ it is intended to magnify.

My days are full. But full of good things. The day begins early with my sweet husband bringing me a cup of coffee to get me going. My time of reading and prayer is mingled with the sound of little ones waking. The two youngest are jabbering back and forth. I imagine they are planning out their day. Who is going to dump the megablocks out first? What is for breakfast? Why have they not come and gotten us yet? The oldest snoozes away savoring his sleep. Then it starts. Cooking, feeding, wiping, changing, wiping, washing, teaching, sweeping, wiping, correcting, folding, washing, teaching, correcting....and so on. I have complained in my heart at the work, and I am sure my husband and children can attest to my grumbling. The Lord has been gracious to convict me of my sin and remind me of His purposes for me. This is what I was made for! My Creator has made me a wife and mother. He has ordained my days to be spent praising Him through the work that He has given me at home. What a privilege.

"A mother builds something far more magnificent than any cathedral-the dwelling place for an immortal soul (both the child's fleshly tabernacle and his earthly abode). No professional pursuit so uniquely combines the most menial tasks with the most meaningful opportunities." Dorothy Patterson

Photo Shoot

I got this idea a few weeks ago to dress up the kids and take them downtown for a "photo shoot". There is a quaint little alley lined with old bricks, benches, and a fountain. It really was spur of the moment, and we went around our lunch time. In my home, hungry people don't make for happy people. What was I thinking? Poor planning but needless to say we arrived at our destination and all was well. Until I checked my camera....very low battery! How silly of me to leave the house and not think to check the battery. So is my story these days. It made for quick picture taking. My subjects obliged the best they could, but were soon eager to get home to lunch.

We had fun. It was somewhat comical to get everyone to look towards me and smile. I love the expressions and postures of all three. Lots of running and crawling in all directions.
There are more, but I cannot show girly's face. We didn't send Christmas cards out this year for that very reason. She has been with us over a year and is very much apart of our family. Sending out a card without her on it just didn't seem right to us.

Nothing in particular

Joe's previous picture post pretty much sums up our fall. Beach days, a week long adventure at my parents including a camping trip (think two adults, two boys, and two dogs in a tent for two nights! Little girlie got in the camper with my folks), a much needed visit with sweet friends in VA, an Ocracoke adventure for brothers and cousins, and our church retreat. Thankful for these sweet memories made. I need to be more mindful of taking pictures of just the everyday stuff too. Here is a description of a recent scene that pretty much occurs daily here: a dancing toddler amidst the toy shrapnel on the floor, baby girl getting into some lamp cords, and little Joe asking to play the wii. Or he is concerned for when I will start supper because mama is dancing with toddler above!

We do a lot of good eatin' around here. If I am not schooling, wiping a bottom, "loving" a bottom, or sleeping then I am in the kitchen! Right now I am on two kicks. Pioneer Woman and kale greens. First, PW has some recipes that have become favorites. Frito chili pie & spaghetti and meatballs top the list. I tweek the recipes to my liking and skip the fritos with the chili. (The pork roast I have in the oven as I type is from PW as well. Looking forward to sharing carnitas tomorrow with the saints.) These are also great because of the amount made is perfect for having leftovers. I usually make sure my Tuesday night meal has enough for supper on Wednesday night since we can seem a little hurried for church. Now the kale greens. I absolutely love them. I could eat them for breakfast, lunch, and supper. I have even made them as a snack for myself in the afternoon. I have gotten Joe and little Joe to like them. Still working on the others. All I do is throw some butter or coconut oil in my non stick pan. When melted, add the kale and a little coarse salt. Saute until beginning to wilt and turning a darker green. I don't let the kale get mushy. Paired with grilled chicken, fish, a fried egg, jambalaya, or beans of choice and you are set for an awesome meal. Or just eat them alone. Don't forget all the good nutrition included. I am considering blending some for a kale green smoothie. Joe says gross. What do you think?