Whew! Welcome to the Northeast!

Okay…I finally have power (specifically: heat) back! It’s been a grueling start to the winter season for us in our new hometown of Bradford, Massachusettes, which is north of Boston. We had an unexpected ice storm on Thursday which quickly piled up on the trees causing them to fall and knock out the electricity. I’m not completely convinced but I’m pretty sure that sleeping in my living room, huddled around the fireplace, drinking lukewarm coffee (yuck!) ’cause it cooled down as soon as I poured it into a cup, playing every board game we own at least 40 times each (and we’ve got A LOT of games), wearing 5 layers of all of our warmest clothing without regard for fashion, and not showering for several days (because lets just be honest nobody was sweating, and, therefore, creating any body odor, and who in their right mind would climb into an ice cold shower in an ice cold house?!?!), all the while getting to church every  night because my daughter and I are in the church Christmas play and the show must go on(!) is on my list of Top Ten Things to Make Sure To Do Again.

But anyway…I’m all that much more grateful for my home tonight after roughing it for 3 days. Thankfully, it wasn’t 3 weeks! Whew! Welcome to the Northeast!

 

Ten Things I’m Thankful For

1. My husband and children – they’re all so CUTE!
2. My extended family – mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, nieces and nephews
3. My home – particularly my fireplace and big kitchen!
4. My weight loss (50 pounds! woo-hoo)
5. Cool friends near and far
6. The call of God upon me and my family
7. The freedom I have to post this because I live in the US
8. The endless journey I am on in my quest for understanding God
9. God’s answers to my prayers – although not always what I asked for, always the right answer
10. The enduring love of my Savior and King, Jesus Christ

 

Scripture Friday: Psalm 91 (NASB)

1. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” 3. For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper. And from the deadly pestilence. 4. He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. 5. You will not be afraid of the terror by night, Or of the arrow that flies by day; 6. Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or of the destruction that lays waste at noon. 7. A thousand may fall at your side And ten thousand at your right hand, But it shall not approach you. 8. You will only look on with your eyes And see the recompense of the wicked. 9. For you have made the LORD, my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place. 10. No evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent. 11. For He will give His angels charge concerning you, To guard you in all your ways. 12. They will bear you up in their hands, That you do not strike your foot against a stone. 13. You will tread upon the lion and cobra, The young lion and the serpent you will trample down. 14. “Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known my name. 15. “He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 16. “With a long life I will satisfy him And let him see My salvation.”

 

Scripture Friday: Matthew 10:28-30 (MSG)

28. “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. 29. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. 30. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.

 

The “I AM’s” of God

I AM
I AM THAT I AM
I am a father to Israel
I am a great King
I am alive for evermore (Jesus)
I am Alpha and Omega (Jesus)
I am for you
I am from above (Jesus)
I am God
I am God Almighty

 

Scripture Friday: Hebrews 6:1-3 (MSG)

1. So come on, let’s leave the preschool fingerpainting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place: turning your back on “salvation by self-help” and turning in trust toward God; 2. baptismal instructions; laying on of hands; resurrection of the dead; eternal judgment. 3. God helping us, we’ll stay true to all that. But there’s so much more. Let’s get on with it!

 

the “Undone” Syndrome

It’s back…

Have your kids ever suffered from it? The Undone Syndrome? It’s hit my house again. We seem to experience it in cycles. Sometimes we’re able to go for quite awhile between attacks. And then it comes raging in like a storm. And it never just takes out one child. Not surprisingly, it’s a 3-fer deal. And, well, it’s hit like a storm.

 

Everything you would want to know about me in…37 questions!

1. Where is your cell phone? kitchen counter 
2. Where is your significant other? playing catch with the kids 
3. Your hair? highlighted
4. What you’re not? a hermit
5. Your spouse? love him!

 

Whale of a day…

We broke down and paid for a consumate New England experience ~ whale watching off the coast of Boston. I have to admit I was a little skeptical of the whole thing. Afterall, even if they have all those radars and sonars that say where a whale is located, how could they guarantee that we’d see anything identifiable in the water? And aren’t whales too big, really, for us to actually be able to see and understand just how immense they are? Well…I was wrong. It was incredible!

 

Feeling lonely

So I’m finally moved. I’ve met so many wonderful people. I’ve been surprised, really, how kind everyone has been (particularly because this is the Northeast, afterall!). But, nevertheless, I find myself feeling down. Once again ministry has placed upon us the decision to uproot and move to a “foreign land.” This is the 7th new town I’ve lived in since my husband and I entered the ministry years ago.