Cars and trials

So the dream of getting that car is gone. It really wasn't possible for us anyway. So much the better... It was a nice idea while it lasted, but now it's back to reality.
We are thankful to have the van we do and the unlimited use of my dad's car.



So, the trials. Two of my teenagers are doing "Mock Trial" this year. (Joseph did it last year, too). I went with them tonight to "court". I was impressed with it all last year and even more impressed with the whole process this year. Of course, this year Joseph is a Prosecuting Attorney, which makes me (literally) sit up and take notice of the entire proceedings! Debra is a Defense witness. This is her first year and she has done really (really) well!
My nephew participated in Mock Trial in High School, went on to law school, helped coach our High School team for a few years and is now an attorney in the Oakland area. We're all very proud of him. Mock Trial gave him a good start. Who knows what's in store for my kids?

What We're Dreaming Of

We've been borrowing a 2003 Ford Escape for a few days. Jim warned me not to get too attached to it. Too late. They are wanting to sell it for a really reasonable price. Problem is, we don't have the money even for that. Oh well... it's been fun dreaming anyway.

Truly random thoughts

*I had fun teaching very beginning (basic) piano to about 12 students at the high school this morning.

*My daily Bible reading in Exodus is really interesting, and so practical when it comes to learning how to get along peaceably with other humans. It also struck me again how, before Christ and His sacrifice for our (my) sins, we COULD NOT come near to God! I am so thankful, again, for Jesus' perfect sacrifice for me so that I can now enter God's presence!

*I'm making a large pot of tomato soup for lunch, just because it's cold(er) outside today.

*Rachel and I are going to start reading "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" today!

*After all these years I still strongly dislike word problems in math.

*I have a great sense of anticipation and hope for seeing God work more and more this year.... don't know why, can't explain it, but I'm glad.

What's Your "Word"?

Your Word is "Love"

You see life as possibility to form deep connections with a few people. Relationships are the center of your world, and you always take time to bond with those you love. You are caring and giving. You enjoy helping those you love. And when it comes to romantic love, you feel passionately ... even in a very long term relationship.

What's Your Word?

I did this a few times and came up with a different "word" each time. This was the first one I did. (Glad it didn't come up as "Ax Murderer" or something!)

Failure Notice

Maybe it's just me, but when I get one of those "failure notices" in my inbox I feel like it's telling me (again)how I've failed. I'm so insecure that I take it personally. I've also had so many people tell me (or my husband) over the past ____ years the many ways in which we've failed. Every time some "well meaning" person comes along to talk to him (or me) about something, [it seems like] it's just another "failure notice".
It may seem silly to someone else who is secure in who they are. I'm learning (albeit slowly!) to just rest in what the Lord says about me. The verse that comes to mind [nearly] every time I open an email that says "failure notice" is this verse. "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus". (Romans 8:1)
The truth is I have failed in so many ways, but God has accepted me because of what Jesus Christ has done for me. I stand in Him complete, accepted, adopted by Him. Thank God that He doesn't give me a failure notice...ever.

44

I'm sitting here watching the inauguration of our 44th President. This is an historic day for our country. As I watched and listened this morning I had tears in my eyes. I am in awe of the Democratic process. The words "peaceful transition" struck me. In so many countries this is not so. I may not agree with all that my leaders say or do, but I am bound by God and His Word to pray for them and submit to them. What a difficult task lies before our President. I can't imagine a more difficult "job". He will need our help. He will need our prayers.
I found myself reading in the book of Daniel again this morning.
This is from Chapter 2 of Daniel.

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
to whom belong wisdom and might.
He changes times and seasons;
he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;
he reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what is in the darkness,and the light dwells with him.
To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise,
for you have given me wisdom and might,
and have now made known to me what we asked of you,
for you have made known to us the king's matter.”

God removes kings and sets up kings. He is the One who gives wisdom and strength to leaders. We need to pray for our new President. I'll be praying. Who will join me?

Yard Work

Yesterday we worked - all day - in the front yard. We took out some juniper bushes that have been there probably 50 years. We've been talking about doing this for about 5 years and finally decided to put some money aside from Christmas to get some Chinese Pistache. Once I get the pictures out of my camera and onto the computer I'll put them up.
Another "coming improvement" for the yard is the replacing of some equally old trees/bushes and planting a vegetable and herb garden. (We first called it an "herb and vegetable" garden, which sounded like "ubran vegetable" garden. We may end up calling it that! I've never planted a garden before but have been wanting to do that. My sister-in-law is going to help me (and I'll be bugging Maureen for help, too!)
One of these days I'll post on here some of the lessons learned while pruning, digging, pulling weeds, cutting off roots, etc.
We feel very "accomplished" having actually planted something in our yard. Most of the work we do normally (our regular "jobs") don't have this kind of satisfaction. At the end of the day we can't [ususally] point to something and say "that's what we did today.
Yep, it was a good day yesterday!

New Blog!!

Jim and I started a new blog for the church! Check it out here!!
We're excited about this new place to post stuff about CrossRoads! We're hoping to post pictures of events (hey Maureen, wanna take pix of our Bunko night next Sunday?), list upcoming events (Bunko Night!), etc. Jim will post his "News and Notes" on it each week as well.
Hope this catches on!!

Choose Something Like a Star

We did this piece last year in choir. I had never heard this particular Robert Frost poem before. It is beautiful, take a listen here.

I don't understand all the meanings in this poem (music) but the lines upon which I find myself pondering are these:

"So when at times the mob is swayed
To carry praise or blame too far,
We may choose something like a star
To stay our minds on and be staid."

You would think I'd have learned by now to not take too seriously (give too much weight to) the opinions of men, for good or for bad, knowing how fickle I am!
At times the "mob" is swayed to carry praise or blame too far. It is then that I must focus (believe, trust) on God - who never changes, to "stay my mind and be staid"... be calmed, at rest, sedate.

This goes along with a poem we have in our bathroom (so we see it every day).

"Lord, I renounce my desire for human praise,
For the approval of my peers,
The need for public recognition.
I deliberately put these aside today,
Content to hear You whisper,
Well done, my faithful servant.
Amen"

The Word for the Year

The word for this year is "faith". It's on the cover of the new journal my husband gave me for Christmas. It's the name of the "sheep" we gave to families in our congregation. It's the word that keeps "jumping out at me" as I read and listen and ponder many things. I have a very basic understanding of faith...
Faith (noun)
*Belief and trust in the Christian God's promises revealed through Christ in the New Testament.

"Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld." (Hebrews 11:1)

Synonyms

* (feeling, without direct evidence but based on indirect evidence and experience (inductive reasoning), that something is true, real, or will happen): belief, confidence, trust.

I just read about Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 16-17. Abraham believed God, despite the facts, despite the circumstances, despite his own reasoning. He trusted God. He believed God. He had faith that what God said He would do.

So, this is my word for this year.... faith. I want to grow in my trust of God. I want to believe more and more that what He says is true and not just believe it intellectually but in my heart and life. (Because, in actuality, I don't really believe it if I don't live it,do I?) I want to live it out more, despite the facts, despite the circumstances, despite my own reasoning.