Ellen Carol

Ellie will be 8 years old on President's Day. I say that because school is out. Ellie thinks that she is out of school because it is her birthday! When I went into see my OBGYN the week prior to Ellie's birth she tried to schedule my c-section on the 14th. Me, being the girl that I am, insisted that it be the day after. I remember growing up. Just in case she had a sad Valentine's Day- I wanted her to have the next day to look forward to. Not knowing then what I know now -that I would have 4 girls- I am glad that there is always a party to look forward to! :)
Ellie is such a soft place for me to rest. She is an easy, quiet, content little girl. She is happy to sit in a chair with me all day. As long as I am holding her the world can pass way. She loves us so much and that is a satisfaction that I can feel. It is almost tangible. Ellie is such a joy to me. She softens my heart so quickly! What a gift from God she is to our entire family. Thank you Lord for the gift of Ellie!

If anyone lacks wisdom let him ask

so- today was such a great day. greg has been preaching through the book of james. he is on his 5th sermon so far and it has totally been our light over the past month. after worship this morning we came home and had lunch together, greg took abby to a free throw competition & the rest of the afternoon we completely bummed out. zoe was ALWAYS "there" today. she always wanted me or greg to be touching her, holding her, playing with her. i snapped the picture of her with her skates on while she was trying to kiss her daddy. the other picture, as you can see, was my attempt at braiding greg's hair. i did ok for the first time. zoe freaked completely out. she was SO excited that her daddy had his hair like this! it made us both feel so good to see her SO happy. it's the little things ;) ...anyway. i have felt such a renewal from the sermons this month. knowing that my greatest need has been met, that God has given me a way to cope with my everyday life and to know that when i doubt He helps me with my unbelief. so much rest.

Zoe

FINALLY after 4 years I am learning how to do black hair. Thanks to the labor of Biola and Veronica I think I am getting it. Last month Biola put a relaxer on Zoe's hair...and OH MY...that changed our life! Today she begged to wear her hair "down and long"...so here she is - The Beauty Queen!!

The Dream.

What I started reading today-

I will never leave you...

"I will not leave you as orphans- I will come to you." -John 14:8


This week has felt impossible. There has been a concentration of difficult news flowing through our front door. I have honestly had to hold back the tears constantly. And as you know, fatigue does not help the situation. From people making choices to walk away from it all to friends who are left in the aftershock of the sin that has been done to them. When news of the earth quake hit Haiti Greg immediately hollered at me to ask about Amos.I, unaware of what had happened, immediately began to cry when I saw the screen. Amos, Aaron and Jamie's son, who is still in Haiti, is the same age as Zoe. This seems to be resting on me a little harder today. As I listen to Zoe play with Wren, argue with Lucy Grace over the DS & and think about how I "wish everyone would be quiet" - I am praying for their boy to come home. I am praying that he will not get sick, not be hurt and not be scared amidst the destruction the surrounds him. I am praying that his 4 year old mind will recover from all that he has lived through. Praise be to God for his parents, Lori & Licia at the rescue center & many who are praying for the people of Haiti.
As I reflect on my week,all that has taken place, the devastation and destruction is not as easy to see...yet. Fruit takes a long time to produce. What begins as a small seed will one day burst into full bloom. It may take an entire generation but it will yield its fruit...good or bad. My fear is that the seeds of destruction that are being planted now, by selfish actions, sinful longings and earthly mindedness will yield their fruit to our children, to their children and to their children.
I pray that we will look at the earthquake and see the unseen reality that it is displaying for us.
I pray that we will see the Lord in the simple, mundane, daily work that we call Life.
I pray that we will leave our children a heritage of fertile soil that will yield good fruit.
I pray that we will see ourselves as part of a greater story.

What I am reading now...