Sam's Throne aka Perseverance and Endurance

"...we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Romans 5:3-4

"Different translators of this passage offer two related but different English words to express Paul's intended meaning -- endurance and perseverance -- whose connotations vary ever so slightly. Endurance tends to suggest durability or sustainability in the face of hardship and the resilience inherent in that process. Perseverance implies a somewhat more active posture in response to the hardship. Both indicate continuing on our current path despite our circumstances."

~Curt Thompson, "The Deepest Place"

When I got my cancer diagnosis last year, the oncologist warned me that it would be a long, hard year of treatments. What I didn't realize was how long my body would take to recover from those treatments and how often I would need to return for tests and scans. Endurance and perseverance have been my companions during the chemo and radiation, and they continue to motivate me in the healing process.

We keep testing my stamina with beautiful hikes like Sam's Throne Trail. It's like two small trails combined, one on top and one down below. The rock formations are stunning, and so is the view. On our way to the trail, we found a farmer's market that had some produce I haven't been able to find in our hometown. So, we picked up some fragrant cantaloupe and some plums. And when we got home, some of the plums found their way into dessert for Sunday lunch.

Autumn Fruit Kuchen

from "Breakfast with Beatrice"

Serves 12

1/2 cup butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup sugar

3 eggs

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

Fruit Toppping:

14 to 16 purple plums, halved and pitted

1/4 cup sugar

1 tablespoon butter, cut into tiny pieces

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter and flour an 11-inch round tart pan with a removeable bottom or a 9-inch square cake pan. In a large bowl, cream the butter with the sugar until smooth; beat in the eggs until light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla, flour, and salt. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Press the fruit evenly into the batter, sprinkle with the sugar, and dot with the butter.

Bake for 40 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Serve warm or cool on a wire rack. Serve with a topping of slighted sweetened whipped cream, if desired. The kuchen can also be frozen, well wrapped. Thaw and reheat in a 300 degree F oven for 10 to 15 minutes.

Second Week of September 2024

Imagine my surprise when my breakfast egg had a beautiful double yolk! I've enjoyed my favorite farmer's tomatoes to go along with her eggs.

We met my wonder twin and her family at Drewry Farm and Orchards to partake of their front porch breakfast and grab some boxes of locally grown apples.

Conway High School Orchestra held their "Bach to School" concert, one of my favorite events of the year because the students get to perform on additional instruments like drums and electric guitar.

We also drove to Little Rock to cheer for the Conard girls who dive for OBU.

Time with Gayly is infrequent, but always so encouraging.

First Week in September 2024

September kicked off with the opportunity to watch a couple of students and their mom perform in "Guys and Dolls". Because Aaron and Katherine needed the van, I walked to the theater downtown. On the way home, I got caught in the rain.

September held all of my three-month post cancer checkups. I'm slowly gaining muscle, and my scans all came back clear. Next round of checkups in December!

Katherine inherited my maternal grandmother's flute, and she has really enjoyed learning to make music on another instrument.

My new school schedule only requires one day a week at school this year. I sure do miss seeing the orch dorks every day, but I am thankful I get to work with them one day a week. And I also have the gift of availability now, so I get to spend more time with Grandma. I have so much fun choosing what little treat to take with me. 

Sometimes it's zinnias. Sometimes it's muffins. Sometimes it's the groceries that she needs. What a joy to have the margin to soak up time with her! 

Sweet Sabbath - Joy Camp

"We start our day in joy camp and end our day in joy camp. It doesn't matter if your day is good or bad; you have the security of knowing you will be with people who are happy to see you at the end of the day. Families that successfully build this type of rhythm will find themselves living with the margin they need to handle the stresses of life and increase their joy." 

The rhythm of our Sundays is bookended by church in the morning and youth orchestra rehearsal in the evening. While Katherine plays her cello with other young musicians, we take a walk or hike a trail then find a place for "coffee and calendar" (usually Barnes and Noble because I have gift cards!). I anticipate this weekly tradition and enjoy our time together. 

During Katherine's first rehearsal of the season, we explored around downtown Little Rock and walked across several of the pedestrian bridges that cross the Arkansas River. We discovered some beautiful vintage "love locks" on Junction Bridge and enjoyed the view from the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge. Building these rhythms and routines into our lives also increases our joy and helps us stay connected during the week.

Settling into Routine August 2024

We began to settle into a routine again after all of the hubbub of wedding week. Katherine started her junior year of highschool...two classes across the street at Central Baptist College and the rest of her school will continue to be at home using our faithful Sonlight curriculum.

She also began attending a new youth group and baking through American Cake again. Such a fun combination of history, culture, and deliciousness!

After the Wedding

The morning after the wedding, Hannah got up early to join me on one last walk along the beautiful trails. This lady has been such a joy to our family through rain and sunshine.

The Gebauers came over for a quick breakfast before they headed back to Dallas. These third culture kids continue to encourage each other. Very few families understand what our family has experienced overseas, but these guys have raised their younger four kids alongside our four.

We spent the rest of the day hanging out with my siblings. And I didn't get a single picture. Big sad. Probably because I also drove Sarah to the airport and put her on a plane headed towards the Solomon Islands. She planned this vision trip to see if she can use her training to be serve longterm in the country where she grew up.

 

Wedding and Reception August 2024

"Planting seeds, without seeing results right away, is the hard work called faith....Seeds are how we spend our time and resources in a world constantly in motion. These seeds, when planted, give life meaning and purpose." ~Jennifer Dukes Lee, "Growing Slow"

Olivia and Connor planted seeds that will bear beautiful fruit in their marriage. We've already married off our son, so this was our second time to watch one of our young adults plant the seeds of marriage.

My favorite part of the wedding was when everyone sang "Abide With Me". The chapel had amazing acoustics, and with no accompaniment, the voices raised in worship resonated and soared.

Sarah's carrot cake turned out beautifully.

 We are so grateful for the many friends and family members who traveled from far away to come celebrate with us.

My aunt and uncle attended, which was extra sweet to me because I was the flower girl at their wedding.

Their granddaughter thoroughly enjoyed the wedding cake :)

My siblings came from all over the country.

Our dear friends, the Gebauers, helped with all of the little details. Things like going to the store at the last minute because I forgot the black beans for the rehearsal dinner.

One of the highlights of the wedding reception was the song that Connor composed.

Olivia and Connor sang together at the reception. There wasn't a dry eye when they finished.

After the carefully chosen desserts had been consumed, Olivia and Connor made their way to their vehicle amidst thousands of bubbles.

We're looking forward to watching these two as they plant seeds of faith and bear the fruit of those choices.

Wedding Joy

"...spend this short season well. Spend each of your shared moments and hours. Spend them in wondering delight at the blessings of God. Spend them in passioned pursuit of Christ, in fellowship with his people, in constant love and service to one another and to your family, your neighbors, your community." ~Douglas McKelvey, Every Moment Holy

(Most of these photos are from the official wedding photographer, who did a fantastic job.)

The "first look" and the family photographs were all finished.

So the wedding party scooted over to the holding area where we waited for the guests to arrive. 

We brought some cheese and crackers to help our tummies have something solid, since the reception was all desserts.

Thankfully, one of the bridal party had the sense to bring disposable mini toothbrushes with the toothpaste pre-loaded.

I had never heard of these amazing inventions, but they came in handy as we finished eating and prepared for the service to begin.

 

Then we prayed together and began the walk to the lovely chapel for the ceremony.

Wedding Day for Olivia

 And then everyone was getting ready for the wedding. I'm so grateful the place we stayed was big enough for our family and the bridal party to use as a home base.

Olivia chose to do a first look with both her brother and her dad.

I found myself thinking about the marriage blessings in Every Moment Holy.

Watching our kids prepare for and participate in marriage causes me to ruminate on my own marriage in awe and thankfulness.

"May your love for one another overflow in blessing to all who have the joy of knowing you. May the world be better loved because of your passion for each other.

May the flame of your love never wane, but burn ever fiercer across the years, that even in old age you would remain wellsprings of one another's delight." 

~Douglas McKelvey, "Every Moment Holy"

Olivia deliberately chose a wedding dress with pockets :)

Before we knew it, we all loaded up and drove to the lovely wedding venue!

Sweet Sabbath on the Porch August 2024

"Have you ever wondered why God would institute a Sabbath? Doesn't it seem like we could accomplish more for His cause if we worked seven days a week? So why did God stop working on the seventh day? It certainly wasn't because He needed a break. Here's my take. The Sabbath is a weekly reminder that we don't keep the planets in orbit; He does. But you'd never know it by our frenetic effort to get to the bottom of our to do lists. You know what you really need? A stop doing list!" 

~Mark Batterson, "Wild Goose Chase"

 The long, screened in back porch during wedding week was exactly what we needed to help us slow down and listen to the Holy Spirit's whispers. This space provided a calm shelter in the chaos of the week. The porch also gave us a place for some sweet conversations with our kids as we cradled cups of hot coffee in our hands on the cool mornings. What an unexpected gift!