Nathaniel

Nathaniel's enthusiasm and zest for life oozes out of his every pore. From his over-the-top facial expressions to his spontaneous hugs to the way he runs with every muscle of his body engaged to his vivid imagination, this boy is fully engaged 100% of the time!

I am getting to spend a lot of one-on-one time with Nathaniel this week. Jeremiah is on a trip to Florida with Oma and Opa so Nathaniel has the new experience of being an only child for a few days. We are having fun! It is special for me to be able to focus my attention on him - playing the games and reading the books that he wants without having to mediate between the 2 boys. And can this boy talk! He has been chattering my ear off non-stop since Monday morning!

1000 Gifts - Easter 2011

- my 2 handsome boys, growing up so fast
- watching my husband enjoy the day
- sharing our Easter traditions with mom & dad
- the body of Christ, our family
- laughter
- sitting in the shade, chatting with friends
- Nathaniel's enthusiasm and love of life
- Jeremiah's growing maturity
- Nathaniel and Elias playing well together
- knowing that one day I will stand in a sinless body before the throne of God and be free to worship Him with no barriers

Here is love...

Thinking of this hymn on this Good Friday;

Here is love, vast as the ocean,
Lovingkindness as the flood,
When the Prince of Life, our Ransom,
Shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten,
Throughout Heav’n’s eternal days.

On the mount of crucifixion,
Fountains opened deep and wide;
Through the floodgates of God’s mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love, like mighty rivers,
Poured incessant from above,
And Heav’n’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.

-words by William Reese, music by Robert Lowery (1876)

My boys

When I see pictures like this I can't help but feel that I have the handsomest boys in the world! :-)

5 minute Friday - On Distance

Distance has always been a constant factor in my life. From the time I was 9 months old and flew to West Africa with my parents the constant, nagging ache of distance has been part of who I am. There is always someone to miss. Always something to miss. Always the vague sense that I don't exactly fit right where I am.

Now I am grown. Wife. Mother. Attempting to put down roots in this small southern town. And sometimes the distance is not physical but emotional, and spiritual. My sons finger pictures of me playing on dusty African soil, pictures of me next to ancient leaning Dutch buildings and I know that there is no way for me to truly communicate to them what this part of me is. They are so American. Speaking the language of convenience and fast-food and abundance.

So, I try to bridge the distance. I tell stories about a little girl and her monkey. I paint word pictures of thunderstorms crackling across the African plain. I explain why wasted running water and lights left on bug me so. I stock their room with books of children from all parts of the world. I curl up and read them "De koe die in het water viel" in Dutch, even though I know they can't understand the words because I hope they can understand my heart.

Playing along with The Gypsy Mama. Only 5 minutes to write, no editing. For some reason I can't get the button to work so click here, to link back.

A full week

It has been quite a week here at our house. Spring has sprung spectacularly here in Georgia and we are spending almost every waking minute outside. The bulb flowers have faded but the azaleas in our yard are ablaze with color. The dogwood trees are dressing themselves in lace. The birds twitter and chirp and dart around the yard.

I had surgery last Tuesday. Nothing is wrong with me. It was elective, but rather extensive, and so I am learning the art of resting. It's actually quite a challenge to just sit and be still while others carry out the day-to-day responsibilities of feeding, clothing, entertaining, disciplining, cleaning. I have been completely overwhelmed by the care and support our family has received. Not only are my parents here, with mom basically running the household for a few weeks, but we have received meals and phone calls and cards. Thankfully, my recovery is going better than I had anticipated, and I am hoping to be back to all my regular duties soon.

In the meantime the boys are enjoying spending days with Opa and Oma. They have been planting flowers in the yard, going on hikes, playing at the playground, practicing baseball and soccer, playing with Opa's iPad, taking walks and generally reveling in getting to spend so much time together.

1000 gifts - friends, an answer to prayer

A few years ago, in the midst of loneliness and isolation as a new stay-at-home mom, I wrote a prayer in my journal. I begged God to send me a girlfriend. I wanted someone to laugh and cry with, someone to talk to, someone to share the struggles of being a wife and a mother with, someone to pray with and just be real with.

These past few weeks I have felt absolutely astounded by the love and support and care that I have received from not just one girlfriend, but many. God has answered my prayer beyond all my expectations! As I think about the life we are living here and the roots we are putting down I think of all the women that God has brought into my life. So many women that I view as sisters. Each one of them showing me God's love in a different way. Each one of them encouraging me to seek God first in my daily tasks and responsibilities. Each one of them speaking truth to me when I need to hear it. Each one of them providing me with opportunities to laugh, or cry. Each one of them being willing to pray for me when I call.

I am grateful and counting today the women who surround me as sisters.

The visit begins

The boys were super excited to pick up Oma and Opa at the airport this past Thursday! We are enjoying having them here. Nathaniel entices Opa into sword fights in the back yard. Jeremiah is teaching them everything they ever wanted to know about Star Wars. The weather is warming and spring in Georgia is in all it's full blooming, colorful glory. We are looking forward to days spent outside. Sharing meals. Making memories.