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My camera was broken.  Something was not working right in the automatic mode.  I was trying really hard not to be "devastated" ... after all, it's just a camera.  (Waaaah.)

I thought maybe if I just took it in to Best Buy and found a "nice camera person", maybe they could tell what was the matter.  I did find a "nice camera person", but they could not  tell what was the matter.  Bummer.

They did however suggest that it might still be under warranty.  I immediately said, "Oh no.  We never buy the extra coverage.  I'm sure it's not still under warranty."  They checked anyway.  And then proceeded to say,  "Oh yes.  It has two more months of warranty.  We will send it off and if they cannot resolve the problem, they will send you a new one."  Just like that.  (I feel sure one of God's "Warranty Angels" came down and extended it.)

 I picked it up on Friday.  Good as new.  

And now I am back taking all my silly, unnecessary photos.

In all the little details of my life... I'm so thankful He cares about the "extra coverage".

Perspective in the Lilies

 My husband isn't a blogger.  It took him about 4 years to join the Facebook world, and he rarely posts a "status".  He's what we call in our house, a "liker" and a "commenter".  So I thought I'd share with you a perspective that our family gets to enjoy on a daily basis in him. 

 




"Usually in the Spring I don't get to enjoy it as much as others since with my career I am helping others enjoy it. But today I was reminded of a simple yet profound truth. My wife cut some Daylilies and placed them on our table at dinner. This reminded me of Matthew 6:28-30 in that something as simple as a Daylily in God's eyes is more profound than Solomon in all his splendor. What a statement!  Daylilies are named as they are because each bloom lives and dies in one day. They glorify God each day that they bloom. That is all the time they have to shine, yet in that one day they are more beautiful than one of the richest kings in history and we are much more valuable than a Daylily in God's sight. Have faith my friends and remember this when you see the Daylilies blooming."

Andy Lamb

(Thanks for the rare Facebook post, Sweetheart, 

...and thanks for planting the Daylilies.)

Stains

 

My best friend's son was uniquely designed by God with one more chromosome than the rest of us.  This makes for an interesting life for her.... much different than what my life looks like.  She teaches me so much just by how she lives it... life, that is.

On Sunday, we took communion.  Her family was just down the row from us.  Her son decided to take the cup.  In her effort to help him, the cup's contents spilled all over them both. Needless to say, this all but ruined her moment of quiet with the Lord.  "Remembering" would have to wait.  They crawled over the quiet row to get to the bathroom for a "clean-up".

When they returned, with wet stained clothes,  her husband handed her her own full cup.  She laughed and said, "Are you kidding me? I am in no shape to take that right now."

Her story got me thinking.  Are any of us ever really in any shape to take it?  I think her story is just what communion is all about.  After hearing it today, I sent her this text:

I was thinking about Caleb and the spilled communion "wine" and how all of that is really a picture of what communion is all about.... how desperately we need a Savior.

And here is her precious response:

And how if my heart was "right" I wouldn't need that cup in the first place.  Desperate is right.... thankful for Grace!  

And the sweetest part of the story:

(She later texts...)  And I just knew I'd never be able to get all those stains out of his shirt... but they all washed out...perfectly clean... Now that will preach.

And "preach" it does.

  

(Thank you, friend, for permission to share a little part of your story.)

 

Life Lately

The past two weeks have been full of busy.  You know, the kind of busy that requires frequent quick trips to the grocery store to get this and that with no time for the "big shop".  You know, the kind of busy that says, "Let's scrap the grocery store and run through Chick-Fil-A instead."  You know, the kind of busy that causes your kids/husband/self to start pulling things out of the dirty clothes basket to wear.  Yeah.  That kind of busy.

 

Yesterday, I was feeling like some of that crazy was diminishing for a bit.  I thought, "Ahhhh.  Today, I can go home and get my house in order, wash some clothes, COOK dinner, and maybe even pull out my sewing machine."  We walked in the door and Caroline announced, "My project is due tomorrow."  

 

Project?  You are kidding me.  I hate projects.  I hate projects, because I cannot NOT be involved in projects.  Not because my kids involve me.  But because I involve myself.... whether they want me to or not. 

 

I suddenly slumped into a semi-depressed state.  When will it ever end???  Life is so constant.  Can't a girl just quilt!

Earlier this week, I snuck off to the coffee shop with a friend.  We soaked up thirty minutes of fellowship with a half-priced frapp.  And as we left I realized something. 

 

This hurried, scurried, crazy life is just that...LIFE.  And driving through "drive-thrus" or cooking at home, remembering projects and moms overly involved, clean clothes put away and dirty clothes worn out of the hamper... it's all just LIFE.  Soak it up and LIVE it. 

 

And every once in a while you'll get a half-priced frappacino out of it and thirty minutes with a friend.

 

Here is some of LIFE I've been grateful for over the past two weeks:

• Abundant work that has kept my husband busy and encouraged.
• A freshly planted garden...with the promise of homegrown veges and TOMATOES!
• How he remembers to plant the dahlias too.  (My favorite!)
• Beach trippin' with the Jr High and all the fun that's worth all the weariness.
• How Mary Elisabeth sang at the top of her lungs on the car ride down.... and back!
• Remembering old Amy Grant tunes with her...eyes full of compassion, seeing every pain, knowing what your going through and feeling it the same.
• Sweet Rosana...her wisdom and love for jr high kids.
• One year of chaperoning both girls on the beach trip.
• Watching them sing praises with all their heart and soul.
• How those are the tunes that they sing through the house...along with plenty of pop and country:)
• How he stays up late reading his Bible.
• Grammar school kids, Go to the Ant Program, and watching them sing the wisdom of scripture with such life and joy.
• Teacher Appreciation Week...feeling appreciated.
• Caroline and the 6th grade girls with a second place win in the NCS Talent Show...cuteness.
• Driving my girls here, there, and yonder and the joy of hearing their thoughts about life.
• How much they enjoy each others company...a gift!
• History projects, frappacinos, and fellowship.
 

 

Cockscomb, Lantana, and Purple Wave Petunias

On occasion, he surprises me with flowers.

 

Fresh bouquets are a treat...

... but window boxes full are my favorite!

Thanks Sweetheart!

(You fill my life with color.)

Welcome to the Club (the 40 Club)

My friend, Suzanne, was born today...forty years ago.  I'm so glad.  

She is a happy part of my life.

Some twelve-ish years ago, we met.  A mutual friend introduced us and I invited her to lunch along with her little tot, Mabry.  (She now has 5 little tots.)

We had some chicken salad in the backyard and let our little ones play while I proceeded to drag out ALL my scrapbooks for her to see.  Obnoxious.  

(She still wanted to be my friend.)

We've walked through much since that first greeting which has included yard sales, girls trips, play dates & parties, four more births and adoption!  We've shared a whole lot of laughter and a few tears.  Our girls love to be with each other.

She crafts and sews and bakes up a storm.  Her house is a happy place to be.  And she serves, serves, serves like nobody's business.  She is a sweet addition to this world. 

Happy Birthday, Dear Friend!

You are one of my favorites! 

  

Formal Gratitude

For how her heart is as delightful as her appearance... and she didn't even care that she scuffed her freshly painted toenail polish.  "Nobody is going to be looking at my feet."

For how Nana swooped in for a one day visit 

and got to see her grandbaby all dolled up.

 For how three is really not a crowd... 

and how they love each other in the most beautiful way.

And for how we have piles of pictures just like this.

 For mommas who care about making things special and elegant.

And for how they appreciated the effort.

For how they know each other backwards and forwards and upsidedown...

...and enjoy all the uniqueness!

For how we snuck downtown at 10pm to see them all dancing on the rooftop and how little sis waited up on her to get all the details of her happy evening.

First School Formal

A joy-making occasion!