2191 - 2206

• walking on deck 8 (being able to walk means emma is content playing on her own or with someone else...)
• found the missing sock!
• hope.  no matter the circumstance, we have HOPE.
• watching eli look out for a younger boy and helping him to be included in the game
• brownie with vanilla icecream and hot fudge sauce
• words of encouragement
• the shade/covering on deck 8
• caroline & caroline - the sweet time they have together (and how hard they worked on a welcome back sign for a friend)

• the ability to get 3 loads of laundry done at one time
• a husband who lets the Lord lead him (and who is so awesome in so many ways)
• a package of skittles has 50% of my dv of vitamin c
• "a grateful attitude becomes the grid through which you perceive life." - jesus calling
• band-aids that stick really well
• favorite food in guinea! (hummus from the riviera)
• hearing "chop my money" no less than 5 times during date night
• emma swinging on deck 7

trust and obey. i love this hymn.

Chelsea Moon with the Franz Brothers Singing one of my favorite hymns. 

We love the concept of "trust and obey" so much that it's our family motto....(and that's what the address -obsequium fidei - for this blog means).  That's what we want to do -- trust God and obey God.

Words:

When we walk with the Lord,
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain:
Trust and obey!
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear,
Not a sigh nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief nor a loss,
Not a frown nor a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.

But we never can prove
The delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows,
And the joy He bestows,
Are for those who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we'll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do,
Where He sends we will go—
Never fear, only trust and obey!

using my blog as a diary

facebook has made me really sad this morning...i needed to say that somewhere other than on facebook.

maybe it would be more "correct" to say that i am saddened by facebook...or i am feeling sadness because i chose to peruse facebook.  whatever.  i was on facebook and now i am sad.

so many thoughts.  so many opinions.  so many arguments. 

we are all so broken..our world is so broken...i am so broken.  we are so in need of grace.  i am so in need of grace.

thankful that His grace is sufficient. completely enough.

kittens & coffee beans...among other things i'm thankful for

• kittens - specifically the ones at the riviera on saturday

• an email with excellent news
• change of scenery
• chocolate covered espresso beans.

• new supply of notecards
• unexpected donations
• emma is asleep (napping during naptime is significantly better than screaming during naptime)
• how much eli (and everyone else) is enjoying his seek and find quilt from yaya

• having the realization that what i like/admire so much in a person is all fruit of the Spirt
• sabbath rest
• warm vanilla sugar lotion (and the memories associated with it)

• having the office door open
• 7 children calmly eating (well, semi-eating) dinner
• running club
• the container arrived!!!
• how happy caroline is to have her leopard here

• the great job josh is doing in the ship shop
• finally eating the swiss white chocolate from christmas - and finding that it's really good!
• our God is trustworthy - perfectly trustworthy
• FANTASTIC date night

the blue chair.

emma took all of these pictures. 

 

i don't know why she took pictures of the blue chair at the Riviera Hotel on Saturday....but she did...and i wanted to share them.  seems like they could be hanging on a wall in a museum -- i'm not saying that my 3 year's photographs should be in a museum...and i'm not saying the photographs are even all that good (though, you've gotta admit, for a 3 year old....) --  just seems like something one might find on the walls of a museum. 

 

hope you enjoy "the blue chair project" by e.e. cash

 

seemed appropriate that she took a picture of mr. dave (one of her favorite people on the ship)(most days) sitting in the blue chair (and i like that his bandana matches the chair).

happy tuesday. 

seeking joy...giving thanks...

• having visitors for lunch
• fun, hard play that results in very dirty children
• learned how to work the cash register in the cafe!
• 2 chronicles 20
• best AFM pizza night yet
• fabulous mail (in the form of a cd from amy taylor, valentines from MaMa, cards from taylor, stickers from michelle, a package from TQs, and a birthday package from Aunt Amy!!!! getting mail/packages absolutely never gets old.  ever.)
• found emma's flip flops
• successful birthday sleepover for eli and all the boys in 2nd and 3rd grade (eli + 2 others!) 
• care package from yaya sent via peter koontz
• peaceful process
• people who are really good at their jobs
• birthday party on deck 8 that went "just as i pictured it"
• watching parks & rec with nick (thanks, beth)
• new pen from 'chelle (thankful for so much more than the pen - it is truly awesome....but also thankful for the thoughtfulness and kindness that came along with the pen)
• toilet paper rolls & duck tape (and the kids' creativity with it)
• lane's encouragement
• my 3 awesome siblings
• facebook statuses that are not complaints (i don't mind the complaints...i'm just very thankful for the non-complaint ones)
• phone cards
• the song Oceans by Hillsong United

It's been on repeat on the ipod and in my head and heart alllll day.

let the peace of God reign by Hillsong (click on the words to hear the song)

How did i miss this song when it came out however many years ago?  It is a balm to my soul today....my prayer...

Father of life draw me closer
Lord, my heart is set on You
Let me run the race of time
With You life unfolding mine
And let the peace of God, let it reign

Oh Holy Spirit, Lord my comfort
Strengthen me hold my head up high
And I stand upon Your truth
Bringing glory unto You
And let the peace of God, let it reign

Oh Lord, I hunger for more of You
Rise up within me let me know Your truth
Oh Holy Spirit, saturate my soul
And let the life of God, fill me now
Let Your healing power
Breathe life and make me whole
And let the peace of God, let it reign

so much to be thankful for.

• delightful dinner with the bergstrom's
• "He knows my name...He sees each tear that falls..."
• when i get to see my children make excellent decisions
• this incredible picture of jacob white (thanks for your thoughtfulness, friends)(is it even legal for me to share this picture?! here's a plug for your amazing business):

• "My peace is such an all encompassing gift that is independent of all circumstances." - Jesus Calling
• thankful to have a thankful list to go over (it's so good for me to go over God's faithfulness and remember His gifts...)
• getting to share
• when others share with us (i'm specifically thankful for erin's willingness to share some strawberry pie.  oh. my.  that was delicious)
• sweet 2nd grade class picture:

• vacuum #7 (excellent choice, eli!)
• march 4th -- the day that tells you what to do. (and the incredible softball coach/role model/person who poured much - and continues to pour much!- into my life through the years that said those fun words, Mr. Alton Johnson.)
• the song  "Let the Peace of God Reign" by Hillsong
• Sore enough to know that i did something good while exercising
• time in the library monday night (blog post coming at cash crew blog)
• conversation that manages to make it below the surface
• the flower cupcake things came out of the pan!! (this called for a little "wahoo!" of joy and jumping around - cause i really didn't think they were going to come out...the boys playing in the cabin couldn't figure out why in the world i would be so excited)

• a new toaster in the dining room!!!
• sitting in the sunshine (in our cabin) reading
• getting to help nick with a little project
• run/walk/talk with nick
• caroline's affection for & interaction with hayleigh kulah
• the ability to read and write
• friends who are "safe places" for me to share life and struggles and Truth
• the note i found on my computer this morning

a glimpse into the things that are rolling around in my heart and head this week...(all are quotes from Linda Dillow's book "Calm My Anxious Heart.")

"make secret choices that will honor Me.  though no one else sees your choices or knows how difficult they are, make them for Me."

"...she played all of her roles gracefully because she believes each role is a gift of God."

"...God has used her greatly because she is wholly His."

"if we're trusting God that His portion for us is best, we can make the secret choices that will bring us
a heart of contentment."

"What is God's standard of evaluation for you and me in our given roles? Success? Perfection?...FAITHFULNESS is God's standard!  As His servants we are not required to be perfect or successful - simply faithful."

"...grant me the courage to be a servant."

"Oh God, I long to be faithful to You."