Freedom

I've had this post brewing in my mind for several days. I'm still not sure that I can really convey what I'm thinking but I'll try. :-)

For forty-eight hours every calendar year, the National Archives allows for the original Emacipation Proclamation to be displayed at some location. This year it was to be displayed at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.

After church on Sunday, we made the two hour trek to the Library. As we approached the hill on which the Library sits, we were confronted with a sign delcaring that the tickets to see the Proclamation were sold out for the day. Disappointed, we decided to tour the museum anyway. It was well worth it! What a great historical museum! We were even able to board Air Force One (the *actual* plane used by seven Presidents) which was staged as it would have appeared during Reagan's terms as President.

As we finished our tour, we started hanging around the room where the Proclamation was being displayed in hopes of slipping in. Don finally approached a lady who worked there to ask her if there was any chance of seeing it and she handed him five tickets for the 5:30 showing!

We immediately got in line and, eventually, filed past the document. It was so basic. It didn't look spectacular. It was worn and faded and barely even readable anymore. But what a legacy it is! I was still awe stricken to be standing before this "simple" declaration which changed history! I was so moved thinking about the emancipation of so many people-people of full worth because they were created in the image of God.

As I continued to think about it in the coming days, I reflected on my own "Emancipation Proclamation"--the death and resurrection of Christ! As I read my Bible I see that He seemed plain and unassuming just like the pages I stood before last week. Yet, His acts were spectacular! He gave His own perfect life that I might be emancipated--freed from my life long bondage to sin; freed from my due penalty of death.

Not only was I freed from those things but I was freed in order to serve Him with the rest of my life. I don't do it begrudingly or out of compulsion feeling like I "owe" Him for His pardon. I do it out of love for the Savior who sacrificed everything because of His love for His people and His desire to emancipate them.

True freedom allows to fully love the One who freed us! It's not really plain, unimpressive or unassuming at all, is it? Perspective changes everything!

Enjoy your freedom!

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I Still Believe

It’s so hard to believe that four years has passed. As I sit and think, in a way it seems like it was forever ago. On the other hand, it feels like it was yesterday.

She was prayed for, longed for and loved. On September 17th, 2004, I gave birth to a perfectly beautiful baby girl. We had eagerly anticipated the arrival of our new family member. Her carseat was ready, her clothes were carefully folded in her drawers and our hearts were ready to receive her.

The last week was rough. She was late and I was miserable. Friday night we finally ended up in the emergency room and she was born soon after. Immediately, there was a problem. I remember a NICU team from a hospital across town coming into my room with her. She needed to be transferred.

The older kids were spending the night at the grandparents’ house. Don and I slept fitfully in my hospital room while our newborn was miles away. The following morning brought a phone call from the NICU. I will never forget my husband looking at me after hanging up and saying, “We have a problem. It’s her heart.”

That began six weeks worth of ups and downs; an emotional roller coaster. We learned more than we ever thought possible about a heart condition which we had not even previously known existed-Ebstein’s Anomaly. Doctors spoke to us in technical terms. Nurses updated us faithfully. Friends prayed for us continually.

When I visited her bedside on that Friday afternoon, my heart told me that it was her time. I whispered into her ear that it was OK to go to her eternal home. I collected her things, took them with me and went home to have dinner with the rest of the family. A few hours later, the call came. She was slipping fast and we needed to go be with her. We drove quietly to the hospital and gathered around her.

As they removed the tube for her ventilator, she quickly slipped away. I remember watching her daddy touching her forehead and thinking, “She just passed from her father’s hand into her Father’s Hand.” Our baby girl was gone.

Some have said that the death of a child is life’s hardest tragedy to endure. No doubt that it is more than anyone can bear without Christ. But, I still believe because He has said, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)

Some have said they admire the strength of our family. The truth is that He is the strength from which we draw. I still believe because, “The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.” (Psalm 118:14)

Some have been inspired by our faith. In spite of our times of doubt and struggles, He has remained ever faithful. I still believe because of His faithfulness, “For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” (Psalm 57:10)

Some have prayed for our comfort. Prayers from our friends have been invaluable. I still believe because He has promised comfort, “Blessed are those who morn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)

Some have asked how I go on day by day. He is good and I trust that He is working. I still believe because of his plan, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

I still believe because I have hope that I will see my little girl again some day. The Lord holds her and she praises Him. I am confident that she served Him well and that she was greeted by Him saying, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Because of Him, I still believe…

Over Mountains, Through Canyons...

With his permission, I'm publishing a composition assignment written by Screwloose. Of course, I had to twist his arm to write it but I'm happy with the finished product. :-) I offer it because I'm proud of him ( ;-)) but also because I hope it brings encouragemnt to those who are looking forward to their homeschooled kids' jr. high and high school years.

Screwloose is nearly 16 (!) and is in the 10th grade. He's taking advanced composition through The Potter's School this year.

BTW, the paper has since been graded and only got an 82%

Over Mountains, Through Canyons
In the beginning, God created the universe to reflect His majesty and Man to enjoy this magnificent macrocosm. I thank God with my entire being for His incredible gift to me of the privilege to worship His greatness, adoring Him through His works of creation. Throughout my life, He has given me munificent opportunities to observe various pieces of His world from an always different perspective as I mature. Among these occasions I can name visits to Lake Tahoe, vacations to Oregon, excursions to Sedona, Arizona, and countless drives through diverse wildernesses. This summer, God blessed me yet again with a journey across the American West.

Bryce Canyon awaited my family and me after a long drive over the barren Mojave Desert, past the fabulous Las Vegas, rising to the elevation of southwestern Utah, and through the illustrious Zion National Park in its grandeur. Lead into the park by a thin road, we observed a radiantly blue sky, crimson cliffs, and the verdure of an evergreen forest in early summer. Upon entrance, we parked at Sunrise Point at 8,073 feet to survey the grandiose canyon with Boat Mesa, Sinking Ship, and the myriad of hoodoos jutting from the canyon floor. Nightfall arrived a few hours later with a much different perspective from Sunset Point. In the early morning, we made an early hike back to Sunset Point to watch the scintillating sun patiently ascend to its place in the sky, illuminating the canyon in countless variations.

Departing from our overnight stay in Bryce Canyon, my family and I set off in our minivan northeast across the badlands of southeastern Utah, between the colossal snowy granite mountains of western Colorado, and past railroad tracks following the gorgeous Colorado River through splendidly beautiful forested hills. Vail, Colorado provided us with a comfortable home for the 4 days before our drive to Rocky Mountain National Park. We entered the park from the southern end and drove along the main road which led us north into the highest area, then east through the bulk of the park and out the east exit. Our first stop, or the first with a sign, gave us a perspective, looking west, on a group of mountains aligned north-to-south all named after clouds. After stopping at this turnoff, we drove further north past the main east turns to the highest point on the road at 12,090 feet elevation.

I felt acclimatized, energized, and touched by the majesty of God through His creation. Recollecting my treasured memories of the odyssey, I imagined the trials faced by the fortitudinous men and women who, without modern technology, endured the struggles of the rugged, wild, daunting American West. Yet what intrigued me most was the escapade on which those trailblazers had the privilege to embark, along with the chronicles they could give of their challenges and success. God carried out his plan of opening the West to Americans from the East through those heroes. Perhaps He envisages an important frontier in my future.



Yes, Son, I do think that God has something special planned for your future!

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Sharing Picture Books

I thought I'd share some picture books today that On the Loose and I have been enjoying since our last trip to the library. If you happen to be in conversation with us, please do not say the word "library" unless you are fully willing to drop everything and give him a ride there. He will not quit asking to go until you have taken him. You have been warned! :-)

We have been focussing on alphabet activities as of late and our library books have reflected that.

This is one of On the Loose's favorites. We have checked it out countless times and it fits perfectly into our alphabet theme.



You can almost smell the air and feel the warm breeze while reading this book full of lovely art work. (There are three more in this series for the other seasons.)



My bird loving friends (hi Candace and Michelle!) should love this book full of great facts about birds. The pictures are very clear photographs and there is lots more birding information in the back.



This last one has nothing to do with the alphabet but it is On the Loose's favorite book in our basket this week.




Find a moment to head to the library and to snuggle up with a fun picture book this week. I hope you enjoy our choices and I would love to get some suggestions from you!

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Friday Field Trip

Today, we took our first field trip of the new school year to an air museum.

I'm not sure how, but we ended up on a guided tour by a man full of interesting stories. He did threaten to kill the kids if he found them running or touching anything but, other than that, he was OK. :-)

Here are a few photos.











It was a great start to the new year and we look forward to many more trips with our great group!

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Wordless Wednesday

(Yes, he got his chocolate ice-cream for his birthday...:-))

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Happy Birthday On the Loose!

I'm getting a couple hours jump on this post. :-) Tomorrow (9-9) is On the Loose's third birthday! How can it be that our baby is three?

He came 51 weeks after the birth of our beloved Katherine who passed away at six weeks old. He has brought fun, laughter and healing into our lives. Those who know him best affectionately refer to him as "Mr. Naughty Pants." He is into everything and is all boy.

We love him with our whole hearts and cannot imagine our lives with out him. Even this moment I can hear the giggles from his room. It's past ten and he should be fast asleep but he's waited up for his sister-again-and is in there talking to her.

Happy birthday, little guy! We thank God for the joy you have brought into our lives.

Happy Birthday to Sharon!

I think all of my friends know the story of my stepmom-Sharon. Fun, smiles and generosity have always characterized her. Almost exactly a year ago, Sharon was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. It was a shock to all of us who love her.

True to her form, she decided that this disease would not beat her and she embarked on a journey of treatment with her family supporting her by her side. The treatments were long and they were hard. She suffered sickness, hair loss, fatigue, burns and all that goes with being treated with chemotherapy and radiation.

Through it all, Sharon has shown us all what spunk and strength mean. She has been on countless prayer chains and is so appreciative of those prayers on her behalf. Many of you, my friends, have faithfully prayed for her and have continued to ask about her progress. My friend Michelle even sent over a meal during a week of chemo.

Today, we celebrate Sharon's birthday! We are so thankful to have had another year to spend with her. She is doing well right now! Her hair is growing in and the color is definitely back in her cheeks. She knows that the Lord holds the number of her days in His hands and she is thanking Him for each one that He allows her to enjoy her family.

We all love you, Sharon and we all continue to pray that the Lord will see fit to give you many more birthdays!

Happy Birthday!

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