In the arms of God....

A few nights ago, a precious lamb of God passed away in her sleep. She was only two. Her body was frail and not perfect in the usual sense of the word. She had serious health problems, but she was so loved by her family and many others, including me. I was privileged to hold her at times. I would look into her eyes and see God's love. I held her and felt God's love. I do not feel like we have lost God's love though. In His wisdom, God designed this little lamb's body and soul, and in His wisdom, He has taken her. She is healed and being held by the Lord today. We don't hurt for her, we hurt for ourselves. Her precious smile will be missed. We are deprived of her warm body, but we have not lost the love we gave. We have been enriched by it. One thing we do share with our little lamb is that in our pain, as in her victory, we are being held in the arms of a loving God.

Good things and great people......

Wednesday was the first day that Emily was gone. When I walked in the house and she wasn't here, I almost cried! She always asked how my day was and always had things to tell me. I didn't know it was such a large part of my day. It hasn't been too bad otherwise. She texts us with an update now and then. She's having a great time!

My front door is almost finished. It's almost beautiful. I got the first coat of paint on it and am not sure when I'll have a chance to put on the second. It takes a bit of time and then it has to dry before we can shut it! But I'm pleased with the color and with the effect.

Davey has been a lot of fun lately. He leaves Sunday for a week to go to SA with his friend to see their other friend. I'll miss him. Things will be quiet. Really quiet.

Hannah always seems to be gone. She's often home, but upstairs asleep. Otherwise she's at work or with Kyle. That's all fine, but I miss her, too. I've missed my Hannah Banana for a long time. It's nice she calls now and then with a question!

Fixing up your house is fun. Watching your kids grow up is rewarding, but nevertheless, can be sad. I'm glad it takes years for them to grow up!

Sounds like a heart condition.....

Tonight sleep escapes me again. It only happens now and then these days, but it's so annoying. Tomorrow I'll be tired. At least I'll be off Thursday and I hope I'll have slept well by then so I can be productive.

My Em is leaving tomorrow morning for her mission trip. Maybe that's my hangup, I don't know. She's excited and I'm excited for her. It will be good for us to do without her for a while, but it won't be any fun with out her smile and genuine concern about all that goes on.

We're getting a new front door and glass storm door. I am so happy about that. The front door we have now is hollow. It bothers me greatly. The new one has a glass oval on it! I love those things! I'm going to paint the kitchen, too. It's my favorite color of blue, but it's a little dark. It will be a subtle yellow that matches the lightes color in some material I've been storing for years. Maybe I'll get those curtains made yet! I noticed how badly the trim needs painting---at least washing. We have a lot of dirty hands in this house! Then I need a place for all the things we have around that haven't been given a home. Better yet, get rid of all the things! Things do so own us, worthy or not, they need to be maintained. There's a lot of things in my heart and house I need too sift through and throw a lot of extra nothing out! Thursday is cleaning day for the house. Every day needs to be cleaning day for my heart. After all, it is Christ's home. He deserves the best. Better get started

Lessons in love...

I'm reading a booklet called Love, More Than a Feeling. It's based on 1 Corinthians 13. Today I learned that without love I am not a Christian. And it continued....Love is patient. I think of patient as waiting for something good--like waiting for Christmas or for my baby to be born! The definition given in the booklet was "bearing pains or trials calmly and without complaint; enduring suffering without complaining." Well that takes all the fun out of it! Where's my sympathy? Why must I suffer alone when I have loved ones about me to share it? But if I love the people around me, do I really need to include them in my misery? We're taught to share, but to share misery is uncalled for. To ask for prayer is one thing, but to complain or whine (not bearing trials very calmly!) isn't showing love for anyone.

The other point made in today's reading is the definition of kindness. When I think of being kind, I think of caring thoughts that may or may not lead to kind deeds. But, (you saw this coming, didn't you?), the Greek definition of kind is "to show oneself useful." Who'd have ever thought? It reminds me of the PBS Narnia production years ago when Trumpkin has lost some of his hearing and is told Eustice is here. "Useless! Well if he's useless' why do we want him?!" Indeed, what good are we to the Kingdom, if we aren't useful. We should all be striving to be Thomas the Tank Engines (a useful engine) of kindness in the Kingdom of God! If an action doesn't show caring, how useful is it? If an action is going to be useful----good for something--- then it will be a good, caring action. Some actions will indeed be practical, but are they not useful and bless others? Just think, what would be the use of smiling at the grouching, stopping to help someone when I'm in a hurry; speaking softly when angry. Any good there? Kindness can be mind-boggling. And what a good boggle it would be.

Today's reading was very challenging to me. How good it is to have practical lessons in the Word of God. God is so kind! I'm especially grateful He's so patient in bearing with me as I sometimes am such a slow learner. How great is our God!

I love my munchkins...

So many people make jokes about not being able to wait until their kids move out. I'm so surprised at that. My kids are fun to have at home. David is in rare form today---that sweet silly guy and so playful. Emily is cheerful. Hannah I miss because she's either working or with Kyle. I'm going to hate it when they're gone. I'll enjoy my time with Dave of course. I guess we'll always have my brother with us. But the kids are fun, cheerful, and I'm in no hurry for them to go anywhere! David needs to leave for his sake, but not just yet. After he's certified is soon enough. But I thank God for my munchkins and the fun they are!