Sweet Sabbath

"One of the reasons I'm so compelled by the life of habit is that I see habits as a way for light to shine in an age of darkness. Cultivating a life of habits means our ordinary ways of living stand out in a culture, dancing like candles in the night."

~Justin Whitmel Early, "The Common Rule: Youth Edition"

 This quote made me think of some of my favorite Bible verses, Phillipians 2:12b-16:

...continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation". Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.

Everything I've read by this author points me to orderly habits that build a trellis to support the fruit the Lord grows in our lives. Early's newest book is no exception, and I'm soaking up every word during the dark, cold winter mornings.

Happy (Belated) Birthday, Grandma

"Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." 

Proverbs 31:30

We finally gathered to celebrate my beautiful grandmother's birthday, only a couple of weeks late.

My cousin found an old picture of Grandma and had it printed onto the cake. She was lovely at 17, and she is still lovely at 94.

Multiple generations filled the house, shared stories I've never heard, and praised Grandma's faithfulness and good stewardship. Watching and listening made me think about how I want to be living when I'm her age and what I need to be doing now to reach those goals.

Everyday Blessings in our Community

Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! You shall eat the frit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD. Psalm 128:1-4

"Note the everyday way this psalm unfolds divine blessing - it is a matter of eating and drinking, of enjoying one's spouse and children (v. 3-4). To be blessed is to become ourselves, enjoying God in alignment with the way he created us to be as creatures on this globe."

~Devotional Psalter

The end of May brough some sweet everyday gifts our way. 

A rainy Saturday morning provided the perfect opportunity to try a new recipe with fresh food from our local farmers. Sweet potato, bacon, and spinach scramble will definitely be added to our breakfast rotation!

My incredible, beautiful, tenacious grandmother turned 94. What a treasure to have the opportunity to celebrate her! Her big birthday party got postponed because of the weather, but our family enjoyed taking some Danish Pecan Snails to share on her special day.

The predicted rain and storms prompted the farmers market to cancel, but many of the small local farms had already harvested and prepared to sell to the crowds the descend on our delightful market. I reached out to my farmer who always brings leafy greens, and her daughter delivered to our doorstep at 9:20 on a Saturday night. They had to throw away the majority of their harvest, and I was so grateful they were willing to go the extra mile so my family could enjoy the fruit of their labors. 

My berry farmer texted me at 6:45 on Saturday morning to say that he had berries for sale and could meet me in the parking lot. So, in the pouring rain, I handed him last year's clam shells and some cash, and he passed me blueberries, blackberries, and boysenberries. Community is such a beautiful thing!

I'm still in shock about this recital. Several of my orchestra and private studio students dance or participate in stage productions with Red Curtain Theater, and I try to attend their performances whenever possible. The end of the year recital was entitled, "Legacy in Motion", a "special performance honoring individuals who have made a lasting impact on our community". The students and teachers nominated community members for awards. The group you see in the picture above chose me. Three of them play stringed instruments, and two of them are daughters of a friend from junior high youth group. Did I boohoo as one of my cello students introduced me? You better believe it.

Raspberries Loading

 

Our raspberry trellis is like a portal to another world.

"All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you. They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom." Psalm 145:10-12

Holy Spirit Hearing Aids

I've heard that line over and over and over from people. From people who are doing amazing things: "One thing led to another." I'd be willing to bet that as you look at your life, you'd say the same things about where you are today. So, here's a crazy thought. What if one thing leading to another was actually the Holy Spirit guiding you?

~Joel Malm, "Connecting the Dots"

Our Holy Spirit hearing aids have been getting lots of practice lately. That "still, small voice" in 1 Kings 19:12, the whisper that often seems like a coincidence, has been changing our plans and giving us some sweet opportunities we would have missed. Like when my cousin is working in our home town and gets finished a little early? A quick Greek lesson along with a cup of decaf before my hubby had a meeting and my cello students showed up.

Or that friend who had a birthday, but we were struggling to align our schedules? Whisper, whisper...how bout showing up at the coffee shop when it opens its doors, then going for an early Saturday morning walk, coffee in hand, to share your hearts? Worth getting up.

Charm and Beauty

 "Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised" 

Proverbs 31: 30

Even after Christmas, we continued with a few tags. One of the new tags for this year revealed Proverbs 31:30, one of those cheap holiday gift sets of eye shadow (one of Katherine's loves), and two boxes of tiny nail polish colors. Hannah and Benjamin were still here, so Hannah picked the palette she liked best and I got the other one. 

One of the reasons I was so delighted by painting my nails? They are finally growing back after releasing during chemo. No longer do I have to protect my fingertips and tender nail beds from bumping into things! So it's extra fun to sport some spunky colors, and soon I will enjoy completely healthy nails again. What a fun way to extend Christmas all the way to Epiphany, but also to remind us of where our true worth is found.

Pearl of Great Price

“The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:46

One of the Advent tags we added when we returned to America was from Matthew 13, one of the parables Jesus told about the pearl of great price. Wearing the pearls throughout the year reminds us to invest in eternity. 

One year, Benjamin received mother-of-pearl cufflinks. Katherine requested this ring from Etsy for her pearl reminder this year, and our daughter-in-law Hannah requested this one.

I wear this necklace almost daily since I got it two years ago. But we give these "glittering toys of earth" to point us to the real treasure, Jesus.

The Pearl of Great Price

by Anne Steele

Ye glittering toys of earth adieu,
A nobler choice be mine;
A real prize attracts my view,
A treasure all divine.

Be gone, unworthy of my cares,
Ye specious baits of sense;
Ineflimable worth appears,
The pearl of price immense.

Jesus, to multitudes unknown,
O name divinely sweet!
Jesus, in thee, in thee alone,
Wealth, honor, pleasure meet.

Christmas Puzzles

“The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out. But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be.” Jer. 17:9-10

We finished last year's Christmas puzzle quickly, so when Katherine opened the Advent tag for this year's puzzle, we were so ready to begin piecing together a new one!

I know many people who use their credit cards to earn frequent flyer miles or hotel points, but we use ours to garner Barnes and Noble gift cards! Those cards pay for our coffee and calendar dates throughout the year often provide Christmas treats and birthday presents, too.

This year's puzzle, "A Book Lover's Christmas", included a poster with quotes from each of the books represented in the illustration. We may have to add these books to our list of favorites!

 

Advents Tags and Jazz Concerts

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who procalim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" Isaiah 52:7

We added a new Advent tag this year that revealed Christmas socks for Katherine. This was a gift that several of our other kids received, too. I really enjoy coming up with little surprises during Advent. My young adults know to expect hand soap when they see the verse about having clean hands, but it's fun to stick in a little something they don't anticipate.

The jazz bands held their 3rd annual "Jazz Up Your Chili" cookoff, and this year we contributed chili. So many of the orchestra students participate in this fun ensemble, look at all these fabulous junior high students! What a fun night enjoying music and sampling declicious chilis while raising funds for this community program.

Friday Favorite Five

 

1) This tomato may very well be my new favorite. The Queen of the Night from Baker Creek Seeds is looking good on the vine, and I can't wait to taste it! Our pineapple tomatoes aren't far behind...

2) As a highly sensitive person (HSP), I really appreciate this article. It gives me words to help describe how I'm feeling AND it gives practical tips.

3) Ever since our daughter Sarah introduced me to The Roasted Root a couple of years ago, this website is my new favorite. I just made a big freezer stash of the blueberry banana baked oatmeal cups.

4) Aaron and I went through the marriage training for Prepare Enrich, and their blog supplies so many good resources. Recently, the article "6 Types of Rituals to Maintain in Your Marriage" hit home.

5) If you are looking for some tools to refresh your Jesus and Coffee time, check out Well-Watered Woman!

Psalm 23

The focus of your thoughts significantly affects everything else that happens in your life and evokes the feelings that frame your world and motivate your actions. 

~Dallas Willard

I've been hanging out in Psalm 23 lately, thanks largely to this book, "Life Without Lack: Living in the Fullness of Psalm 23" by Dallas Willard.  So many beautiful ways abound to help us focus our thoughts, here are a few I've found that encourage me to meditate on Psalm 23:

-this lovely necklace based on Psalm 23:4 (and it's on sale!)

-beautifully scripted art of prayers inspired by Psalm 23.  I especially love how she phrased the first verse.

-my Psalm 23 playlist on Spotify

-one of my favorite hymn tunes, Nyland, with a paraphrase of Psalm 23.  "In Heavenly Love Abiding", which we found in an old hymn book, seems to be currently out of fashion and terribly difficult to find!

Wherever he may guide me, no want shall turn me back.

My shepherd is beside me, and nothing can I lack.

His wisdom ever waketh, His sight is never dim.

He knows the way He taketh, and I will walk with Him.

 

Friday Favorite Five

 ...Backpack version

My new favorite backpack goes with me almost everywhere...to the gym, to school, on the road.  So I thought it would be fun to make this week's treasures "Things you can find in my backpack"!

1) My earbuds are cheap, but exactly right for me.  I I have an extra early start, I can listen to my daily Bible reading while I ride the stationary bike at the gym.

2) Lawry's Garlic Salt.  If you ever want to know what you can send us in care packages overseas, this stuff is at the top of my list.  It makes just about anything taste better, and a small bottle fits just right in my bag.  Perfect for my hardboiled egg on the go or my leftovers for lunch.

3)  My water tumbler.  Just about every time I sub for a music teacher, one of the students asks where I found my glass tumbler.  Then they ask what's inside!

4)    Lemon butter cuticle cream.  My nails tend to flake easily, and my cuticles are often dry from so much hand washing, and this tiny tin of goodness smells amazing and locks in moisture.  Bonus:  Burt's Bees original lip balm.  Also always in my bag.

5) RX mini protein bars.  I love the variety, the flavor, the boost of protein, and the way these little guys help keep me from getting hangry.

Lent

 “So get rid of all uncleanness and all that remains of wickedness, and with a humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is implanted [actually rooted in your heart], which is able to save your souls. James 1:21 AMP

Pancake Tuesday, Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday...however you label it, it's a day for rejoicing at our house.  Katherine made and flipped pancakes to help us celebrate.

Throughout Lent, our family is reading "The Passion of the King of Glory" by Russ Ramsey to help us focus our hearts and minds on Christ and His sacrifice.

Advent Countdown

 “We must first know that our hearts are created for allegiance. They are also designed to crave full satisfaction, and so we naturally give our allegiance to what we believe will meet our craving for that fullness – what we often call peace and joy. In other words, the form and function of our lives fall in line behind our hearts’ greatest allegiance. We act according to what we love and value most. We give ourselves over to what we love and value most.” ~Christine Hoover, “With All Your Heart”

Our Advent tags began the countdown toward Christmas, and some of our familiar favorites made their much anticipated appearances.  Fondue as we celebrated Jesus' willingness to come immerse Himself in our world:  “And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, glory as belongs to the [One and] only begotten Son of the Father, [the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is] full of grace and truth (absolutely free of deception).” John 1:14 AMP

Mugs with family pictures: “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes & Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of extortion & robbery & self-indulgence (unrestrained greed). You [spiritually] blind Pharisees, first clean the inside of the cup and of the plate [examine & change your inner self to conform to God’s precepts], so that the outside [your public life & deeds] may be clean also.” Matthew 23:25-26 AMP

We used our weekends for "Serving Saturdays" and Katherine picked out donations for one of our local food pantries,

and we found an Angel Tree offering the opportunity to help out the Salvation Army.

“[Salvation] is a process that is worked out in the intimacy of our hearts and revealed in the transformation of our mundane daily lives. Though we do not, indeed cannot, initiate the process of healing and wholeness – it remains forever a gift – we do need to engage in actions that foster and celebrate God’s lifegiving power within and among us.”

~Norman Wirzba, “Living the Sabbath”

Matching Christmas pajamas that help us stay connected no matter where we live: “So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.”

Col. 3:1214 MSG

On the Road Again...

Once again, our family has hit the road.  Our kids love the trip shoeboxes...family set of color changing tumblers and travel games and chocolate covered almonds only make appearances on the road.

We started back to school with only one student in the Choate Homeschool Academy.  This was the picture that went on social media:  all smiles and excitement for Algebra.  But the reality was more like this picture:

Big sister enjoying her graduation status while little sister begins solving for X.

The girls and I also embarked on the "Sweet Summer" journal on the Fruit of the Spirit from Risen Motherhood, one of my favorite new resources.

Olivia is getting some time at the steering wheel as she prepares to launch to college.  Aaron used his break from driving to stuff our prayer cards into envelopes and slap address labels and stamps on them.  Be looking for our updated cards in the mail soon!

Summertime

 The weather here begins to feel more like the weather in the Solomon Islands.  Officially, Summer doesn't begin for a couple more weeks, but we are ramping up the celebrations!

These popsicle molds are perfect for freezing homemade chocolate pudding when we have egg yolks left from making strawberry trifle.  And Risen Motherhood has "Sweet Summer: Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit" available as a free download, another summer treat.

Because you know I think picture books are for everyone, here are some new to us summer books from our library:

Mouse Loves Summer by Lauren Thompson

A Summery Saturday Morning by Margaret Mahy

And Then Comes Summer by Tom Brenner (a great example of cause and effect)

Summer Wonders by Bob Raczka

Summertime Waltz by Nina Payne

Mama, Is it Summer Yet? by Nikki McClure

Island Summer by Catherine Stock

Summer Beat by Betsy Franco

Sun Up by Alvin Tresselt

Sun Dance Water Dance by Jonathan London

Summer Song by Kevin Henkes

Touch the Sky Summer by Jean Van Leeuwen

Summersaults by Douglas Florian

First Week in June

Last week began with Memorial Day.  We weren't traveling to a church over the weekend, so we had time to make a beautiful torte for brunch and to top it with pastry stars.  Since we returned to America, we've been slowly reading our way through "The Mission of the Body of Christ" during breakfast.

I love our hometown.  The local cemetery, where my veteran uncle is buried, held a short memorial service on Monday morning to commemorate veterans.  I'm so grateful to belong to a community whose mayor shared about how important it is to focus on the Lord and on service to each other.

Our family pulled out the badminton set and discovered how rusty we are as we lodged both birdies and rackets in the pecan tree above us.

Olivia had all four of her wisdom teeth removed (we're still working our way down that long list of medical needs), and she is recovering beautifully.

I started "Same Page Summer 2021" for my daily Bible reading and got my fingerprints taken as the last step in renewing my Arkansas teacher's license.

Reconnecting with old friends continues to be a source of joy for us.

Sarah Kate is a former cello student, and she has a handsome new baby.

Catching up with her and snuggling her son brought much delight to my afternoon!

We also got a surprise text from a friend we've known since middle school.  He was in town briefly and reached out to spend a few minutes with us.  It's so much fun to look back and see how God is working in each of our lives, weaving our stories for His good and His glory.

Sweet Sabbath

 Will we say no to all other kings, including self, because we trust in God alone and the King he’s set over us? Or will we concoct some mix of God and safe, tangible plan B? This is our fight on the daily: whether or not we’ll hedge our bets, whether or not we’ll cultivate wholeheartedness.

-Christine Hoover, “With All Your Heart”

Cultivating wholeheartedness challenges me every single day.  God gave me a sweet reminder in my daily Bible reading yesterday...remembering the miracles He has performed and celebrating His faithfulness fuels my trust and my wholeheartedness.

"But they, our forefathers, became arrogant and stiff-necked, and did not obey your commands.  They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them." 

Nehemiah 9:16-17, NIV

Today, we find it easy to celebrate, because God has provided a vehicle for our time in America.  Using generous friends with the knack of finding vehicles for us and the willingness to drop everything and deliver a van to Dallas, we will have a vehicle waiting for us when we arrive next weekend.  We alternate between tears of gratitude and shouts of joy at this unexpected blessing.

Last Morning

 "Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done.  The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare."  

Psalm 40:5 (NIV)

Before we returned to the Solomon Islands for this term, I asked our two college kids if they thought growing up overseas was still a good idea, and if they thought we should return with their two younger sisters.  First they looked at me like I was an idiot, and then they replied with a resounding YES!

Thursday night, our best driver and Translation Committee Chairman Belza told us that if we woke up to no rain on Friday morning, he would drive us across in the motor boat.  So dark and early, we began to bring our cargo down to the water.  We sat and waited for the boat coming from Karumalun for almost an hour, and friends began to wake up and tiptoe towards us.  As we said goodbye, yet again, and I watched Olivia grieve, I wondered afresh if giving our kids this life of a Third Culture Kid was worth all of the heartache.

The wet and wild ride across the ocean reminded me of a cross between a mechanical bull and a log flume ride.  At one point, Aaron leaned over and hollered in my ear, "You know, some people would pay money for a ride like this!!"  We bounced and splashed, and I thought about the many wonders God has done for our kids and about the many things He has planned that we can't even count.  I listened as my family belted out one of our favorite scripture songs from school, "The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof..." and observed the birds soar above a bait ball before diving in for breakfast.  I watched as one of our colleagues met us on the beach, drenched and salty, and provided a fresh press of coffee after I had just whispered to my husband how much I would love to drive through my favorite local coffee shop back in Arkansas.   Again as we bought some fresh fruits and veggies at market and one of Olivia's town based friends just happened to be there, too, the Lord whispered to my heart:  "Those wonders for your kids?  They will be too many to declare..."