Before anything, I tell you that pictures of the past week will be posted this evening. I'm just trying to figure out how to make a slide show work first. Until then, let me just say that today was a beautiful, beautiful day. The first one of pure pleasure in many months. It consisted of gorgeous weather that enabled two leisurely neighborhood walks, backyard water fun, and an ice cream truck chase down. Yum to all of the above. Finally...........we have taken a breath, and it is sweet.
We have been playing back all of the memories of this past week. You guys are something else! We love you. And we are brimming with smiles at the thought of time shared with those who were able to come. It will always be remembered and cherished.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Thesis in print!
Just wanted to shout from the mountains that as of last night, "Jeff has a print copy of his thesis done!!!!!!!!!" Hooray!!!!!!!!! -Bands playing and all- May have to do minor edits before next Friday's defense. But we actually saw the monster book printed out on the table this morning. Emily and I both took a turn holding it to make sure it weighed enough. :-) All in all, 362 pages. Feels like we are standing on top of the giant mountain that we've been climbing for the last few months, years.
Just thought you might like to know.
Just thought you might like to know.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Quiet Waters
Well, now that I think of it, there was something spectacular that happened this week. However, it does require another confession. So be warned if you dare to read on. Otherwise wait until next time when I post some more pictures. :-)
I guess I have been struggling with a heart problem and didn't fully realize it until I was forced to look at myself. I'm not talking about a medical issue here. In the last few months it has been my job to make sense of our cluttered house, clean the yard, attend to odd jobs here and there. These are things that we normally get to. With Jeff being busy, and a 1.5 year old running around........let's just say things have gotten a bit run down. I have been trying to swallow my pride and just have people over regardless. Always when they enter my home, I feel compelled to explain its condition, or wish I could just hide under a rock. Then last week, I visited a new friends home for the first time. When I walked in the door I almost lost my breath. Her house was stunningly beautiful. I mean a real showplace. I don't think she is prideful about this by the way. She just has a knack for this kind of thing.
When we came home, I couldn't help looking at my house in utter despair. After the kids went to bed, I just broke down. I cried to God. Actually I complained bitterly. "I've had enough! Why can't I just buy a new (fill in the blank)? So and so doesn't have to put up with this. I just want to be done." And so on. Not a moment I'm proud of. So why am I telling you about it then. Well, because it has a happy ending of course.
Finally, I decided to open my bible. It fell to Psalm 24 and 25. I began reading the first Psalm. It mentioned not being caught up by idols. God spoke to me through these words. I was holding on to a beautiful house or the idea of a beautiful house as an idol. It had begun as a simple longing while I cleaned these last months. And it had grown into a full fledged monster. Well that just made me cry harder. I knew the problem. Problem was I couldn't stop holding on to it no matter how hard I wanted to. To my utter grief, I realized that I could not let go. I was being tossed in the waves of despair, and I was beginning to drown. So what does a drowning person do? I called out for help. I asked Jesus to "help me!" The second I said those words, my heart was completely calm. Every tumultuous emotion vanished. Just like that. I stood up, said "thank you", and went to bed. As I walked through the hall, I couldn't help thinking of the disciples on that tipsy boat in the storm when Jesus said "Be still!" In a flash the sea turned calm. I'm thankful His words can quiet hearts in the same manner.
Hope you are encouraged. He never let's us drown. Even if we are the ones who build the pool sometimes.
I guess I have been struggling with a heart problem and didn't fully realize it until I was forced to look at myself. I'm not talking about a medical issue here. In the last few months it has been my job to make sense of our cluttered house, clean the yard, attend to odd jobs here and there. These are things that we normally get to. With Jeff being busy, and a 1.5 year old running around........let's just say things have gotten a bit run down. I have been trying to swallow my pride and just have people over regardless. Always when they enter my home, I feel compelled to explain its condition, or wish I could just hide under a rock. Then last week, I visited a new friends home for the first time. When I walked in the door I almost lost my breath. Her house was stunningly beautiful. I mean a real showplace. I don't think she is prideful about this by the way. She just has a knack for this kind of thing.
When we came home, I couldn't help looking at my house in utter despair. After the kids went to bed, I just broke down. I cried to God. Actually I complained bitterly. "I've had enough! Why can't I just buy a new (fill in the blank)? So and so doesn't have to put up with this. I just want to be done." And so on. Not a moment I'm proud of. So why am I telling you about it then. Well, because it has a happy ending of course.
Finally, I decided to open my bible. It fell to Psalm 24 and 25. I began reading the first Psalm. It mentioned not being caught up by idols. God spoke to me through these words. I was holding on to a beautiful house or the idea of a beautiful house as an idol. It had begun as a simple longing while I cleaned these last months. And it had grown into a full fledged monster. Well that just made me cry harder. I knew the problem. Problem was I couldn't stop holding on to it no matter how hard I wanted to. To my utter grief, I realized that I could not let go. I was being tossed in the waves of despair, and I was beginning to drown. So what does a drowning person do? I called out for help. I asked Jesus to "help me!" The second I said those words, my heart was completely calm. Every tumultuous emotion vanished. Just like that. I stood up, said "thank you", and went to bed. As I walked through the hall, I couldn't help thinking of the disciples on that tipsy boat in the storm when Jesus said "Be still!" In a flash the sea turned calm. I'm thankful His words can quiet hearts in the same manner.
Hope you are encouraged. He never let's us drown. Even if we are the ones who build the pool sometimes.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Wow, May.
Wow, is it already May? Jeff defends this month. And next Friday, he turns in his final thesis draft. It feels like we are looking in on some crazy dream. How can we already be at this point? I'm glad I've been blogging. Otherwise, I would have no memories of this Spring. It's been like walking in thick soup.
There's not much else to report. I'm sure Eric has said cute things, and Emily has performed some wonder. I just can't shake the soup out of my head long enough to remember. Hopefully, it will all come back by the time we see you all in June.
Ta Ta for now!
Oh, one update as I notice the last post. I don't think I can live without a dishwasher. Tried it, didn't like it. Wish I had more grit.
There's not much else to report. I'm sure Eric has said cute things, and Emily has performed some wonder. I just can't shake the soup out of my head long enough to remember. Hopefully, it will all come back by the time we see you all in June.
Ta Ta for now!
Oh, one update as I notice the last post. I don't think I can live without a dishwasher. Tried it, didn't like it. Wish I had more grit.
Monday, April 21, 2008
One if by minivan, two if by.......... Volkswagon?
Had a great day marching with the Redcoats. We followed them for 1/2 mile until they ended up in the parking lot where they broke formation and character for the first time since we met up with them. Couldn't resist snapping a shot of two Minutemen keeping a close eye on them from the cemetery.
Afterwards we headed out for a picnic on Battle Road next to the Hartwell Tavern. There were no battles today, just hikers and children playing. :-)
Sunday, April 13, 2008
The original bloggers
I am so amazed at Grandma S. and her generation. They are the original bloggers. Reading Grandma's letters are so comforting. She keeps us up to date, and always ends with letting us know how much she cares for us. I think people are just now starting to pick up the pleasant custom of correspondence that seems to have ducked under a rock for the past 40 years. I remember Granny always encouraging me to write to her and others. I would just shrug and think it archaic. Mostly afraid that I wouldn't have anything worthwhile to say. Now, I realize that content isn't the aim. Letting people glimpse into your thoughts allows them to see that they are loved by you. Ultimately we write because we need to connect. We are hardwired for connection.
Recently God has been rapping on my hard head. He is the one who hardwired us for connection. He wants us to connect with Him. I have been trying to plug along on my own. Thinking that I can survive this hard spell and begin to breathe again on the other side of GRADUATION. Well, I couldn't be any thicker. The thing that really irks me is that I know better by now. God wants to walk with me, and more importantly He wants me to walk with Him. The reason why still confounds me. He created me in His image. He wants fellowship with me. I can hardly believe why someone so all knowing, knowing my bitter thoughts and yucky sides, would still want to hang out with me. That's what He has been doing though. On Friday, a good friend came up to me and said, "I don't know why, but I've been feeling the need to pray for you all week." Only God could have told her to do that. I haven't really let on to my solitude in a public way. I confessed that I have been weepy all week. I haven't been able to let go of my grip and take my load to God. So He snuck up behind me, and tapped me on the shoulder through my friend. Then on Saturday, another friend of mine just showed up in my backyard to help me rake a bit. She had just dropped off 4 of her 5 kids at a friends house and didn't have anything better to do! And now today, our pastor preached about restoration with God, and God's call to intimacy with us. He even confessed that God has been on his case because of his lack of intimacy. Okay God, I get it. The scripture at the head of my blog sums it up pretty well. I'm just thankful that He doesn't let me get away with it. To be apart and at odds with Him is more painful than actually being with Him. I know that sounds odd. But to spend a day with God is intense. However, as the song goes, "...better is one day in His courts than a thousand elsewhere." Also, I've known no greater joy than the times that I've walked closely with God. He is not only all knowing, but beautiful. He can be hard to resist, even by a stubborn fool like me.
If you've read this far, you are probably thinking I have strayed from my original post. Au contraire, mon frere. The original, original blogger was actually eons before "The Great Generation". He has left a post that is living and breathing as sure as you and I are today. His word is a direct love letter to us. Even all the bits about wars and such. He explains Himself and who we are in relation. To read those words is to step up next to His side, or as a child sit in His lap to get closer. He speaks breath into my soul with those words. I can hear direction and purpose. Not in a general since, but clearly, concisely, pertaining to actual events in my day. How can He do that? And how can He send relief through those that don't even know my angst? Why does He do that even when I don't ask? The fact that Grandma always ends her letters with conveyance of love for us reminds me that I am loved unconditionally by a woman whom I have always admired. And she is persistent. Each week a new letter. It gives me some semblance of order in the universe to know that. God sends His love to us in the same way. And I'm just thankful that He hasn't let me get by with throwing His valuable gift on the table to be used for later. He has pressed my soul so hard this past week. Hence the painful part of the scripture at the top of this blog site. He disciplines those that He loves. I know He loves me because of this. Now I need to get on to the disciple bit of the disciplining so that I can actually be fruitful for Him. So thanks for listening to my little confession this post. Hopefully, next post will find me fully abiding still.
Recently God has been rapping on my hard head. He is the one who hardwired us for connection. He wants us to connect with Him. I have been trying to plug along on my own. Thinking that I can survive this hard spell and begin to breathe again on the other side of GRADUATION. Well, I couldn't be any thicker. The thing that really irks me is that I know better by now. God wants to walk with me, and more importantly He wants me to walk with Him. The reason why still confounds me. He created me in His image. He wants fellowship with me. I can hardly believe why someone so all knowing, knowing my bitter thoughts and yucky sides, would still want to hang out with me. That's what He has been doing though. On Friday, a good friend came up to me and said, "I don't know why, but I've been feeling the need to pray for you all week." Only God could have told her to do that. I haven't really let on to my solitude in a public way. I confessed that I have been weepy all week. I haven't been able to let go of my grip and take my load to God. So He snuck up behind me, and tapped me on the shoulder through my friend. Then on Saturday, another friend of mine just showed up in my backyard to help me rake a bit. She had just dropped off 4 of her 5 kids at a friends house and didn't have anything better to do! And now today, our pastor preached about restoration with God, and God's call to intimacy with us. He even confessed that God has been on his case because of his lack of intimacy. Okay God, I get it. The scripture at the head of my blog sums it up pretty well. I'm just thankful that He doesn't let me get away with it. To be apart and at odds with Him is more painful than actually being with Him. I know that sounds odd. But to spend a day with God is intense. However, as the song goes, "...better is one day in His courts than a thousand elsewhere." Also, I've known no greater joy than the times that I've walked closely with God. He is not only all knowing, but beautiful. He can be hard to resist, even by a stubborn fool like me.
If you've read this far, you are probably thinking I have strayed from my original post. Au contraire, mon frere. The original, original blogger was actually eons before "The Great Generation". He has left a post that is living and breathing as sure as you and I are today. His word is a direct love letter to us. Even all the bits about wars and such. He explains Himself and who we are in relation. To read those words is to step up next to His side, or as a child sit in His lap to get closer. He speaks breath into my soul with those words. I can hear direction and purpose. Not in a general since, but clearly, concisely, pertaining to actual events in my day. How can He do that? And how can He send relief through those that don't even know my angst? Why does He do that even when I don't ask? The fact that Grandma always ends her letters with conveyance of love for us reminds me that I am loved unconditionally by a woman whom I have always admired. And she is persistent. Each week a new letter. It gives me some semblance of order in the universe to know that. God sends His love to us in the same way. And I'm just thankful that He hasn't let me get by with throwing His valuable gift on the table to be used for later. He has pressed my soul so hard this past week. Hence the painful part of the scripture at the top of this blog site. He disciplines those that He loves. I know He loves me because of this. Now I need to get on to the disciple bit of the disciplining so that I can actually be fruitful for Him. So thanks for listening to my little confession this post. Hopefully, next post will find me fully abiding still.
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