persevere in love

in honor of my sister's engagement, i wanted to write something about marriage.  about grace and service.  about dying to self.  about sacrifice and shared ministry.  about being known and loved anyway.  about forgiveness.

but these ideas seemed so lofty, and i didn't have the words yet.  so i shall share lauren winner's words, and she's got some goodies.  b, this is for you, and it's about community, so it's right up your alley.  we all could use a reminder that our relationships are not meant to stand alone, and that marriage exists in a larger context:

"Insofar as marriage tells the Christian community a particular story, marriage is for the community. It reminds us of the communion and community that is possible between and among people who have been made new creatures in Christ. And it hints at the eschatological union between Christ and the Church. As Catholic ethicist Julie Hanlon Rubio has put it, “marriage consists not simply or even primarily of a personal relationship. Rather, it crystallizes the love of the larger church community. The couple is not just two-in-one, but two together within the whole, with specific responsibility for the whole. . They must persevere in love, because the community needs to see God’s love actualized among God’s people.” The inflections of community are important because they get at the very meanings of marriage. Marriage is a gift God gives the church. He does not simply give it to the married people of the church, but to the whole church, just as marriage is designed not only for the benefit of the married couple. It is designed to tell a story to the entire church, a story about God’s own love and fidelity to us."

it's a heady task, this marriage as living-out God's grace in community, but i know that you and jerod are up for its challenges and joys.  we are bursting with excitement for you both!

in summer, the song sings itself*

we'd been driving close to an hour, lost on a country road, far from the promised land of playgrounds, slides, and kids to play with.

but my social butterfly (ever- longing for adventure and company) was not impatient:  not like her mama, who grew more tense with each passing cornfield and detour.

her little voice sung out from the back seat.  "it's ok, mommy.  don't be frustrated."

out of the mouths of sweet babes.

i took a deep breath, forgot the playground, and we made an unplanned stop at idlewild for an afternoon that redeemed a frazzled morning.

it wasn't what we'd set out to do, but apparently God had other plans.

and they were lovely.


an ongoing list of God's goodness, #35-50

swimming in rainbows

TWO rides on the carousel, one after the other

fifty cent baby cones

a cooperative toddler makes unexpected treats a treasure

my baby sister, born 25 years ago, and her ENGAGEMENT!  may their joy continue to overflow.

the bluest baby blues

sitting on the porch, watching the rain

cool summer breezes, long absent and much welcomed

our little garden that could, despite my lack of attention

fresh-cut herbs brighten simple dishes

hanging diapers to dry on the line

impromptu picnics in the yard

silly parades

a festive mexican brunch with friends

sunday night concerts on the diamond draw happy kids to play

the last of the lilies and a reminder of God's promise:

See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.  (Matt 6:28-34)

ShoutLaughLove is tuesday:  i hope you'll come back and link:) 

 *william carlos williams

green and sexy. and also nerdy.

click on over to so much reviews for a chance to win five envirosax reusable shopping totes.  aren't they pretty?

the set is called la boheme, which has had me singing RENT to myself all week.  cuz i like show tunes like that.

when i was in eighth grade, i had this tee shirt that said "green:  it's not just a color, it's an attitude."

that's me:  earth-conscious and nerdy since 1993--at least.


good luck, and happy friday!

the seventh of july

because independence day fell on a sunday, camp started one day late, which is why we were able to get away to the cottage overnight.  longtime campers did not want to miss celebrating the fourth ligonier-style, so they did:  on the seventh.

here are a few pictures from what has got to be one of the strangest parades anywhere:

yeah, that's a gorilla with a water hose

rag tag marching band, with full choreography

ummm, my husband

adventure staff float

there were costumed people on mowers, a ninja motorcylist, uncle sam on a moped, a bezazzled black horse and rider, golf cars, trucks, a former miss ligonier, kids on bikes, and a host of painted counselors in tutus, streamers and all shades of red, white, and blue.
 
you've never seen a more festive seventh of july:)

i wish you could see james' "my first fourth of july" bib, worn as cape, just like daddy.

at bedtime, dylan and i did fill in the blank prayers.  "thank you, God, for..."

dylan decided on "crowns and costumes, balloons, water, and hotdogs."

absolutely, baby.  i'm thankful, too.

some things never change:)

eight is great

my sweet boy is eight months old.  james is sitting up, crawling, and feeding himself watermelon like a big kid.  he's starting to babble, and i swear i heard "mama" today.

i can hardly stand it.

admitedly, i've been coaching him.  "say 'mama!  ma-ma-ma-ma.'"

dylan hears this and says, "noooo!  call her 'momm-mee'  your name is mommy!"

is it just me, or is there something romantic about mama?  mommy is the frazzled, unwashed woman with spit-up in her hair, but mama reads books and rolls cookie dough and lets you dig in the garden.

no, just me?

i'm holding out for mama this time around, but it's not looking promising.

james laughs loudly and often, and the sound of both kids playing together makes hearts light.  baby laughter is one of the best sounds in all the world.

it's strange to think that nine months ago i was still pregnant.  james grew within me longer than he's lived and breathed here with us.

sweet baby james, your eight short months have blessed us with joy immeasurable.  you are a delight and a treasure.

Psalm 126--A song of ascents.   

¹ When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion,
       we were like men who dreamed.
 ² Our mouths were filled with laughter,
       our tongues with songs of joy.
       Then it was said among the nations,
       "The LORD has done great things for them."
 ³ The LORD has done great things for us,
       and we are filled with joy.
 ⁴ Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
       like streams in the Negev.
 ⁵ Those who sow in tears
       will reap with songs of joy.
 ⁶ He who goes out weeping,
       carrying seed to sow,
       will return with songs of joy,
       carrying sheaves with him.

a cup of cool water

it was only 24 hours, but it was like a cup of cool water in the heat of a harried summer camp season.  a true independence day.

we packed up the kids and met jim's parents for one night and day at the little cottage his grandfather built.  none of us had been in five long years, and the unanticipated window of time there was an incredible and providential blessing.

time away.  time together.  time on the water.

the very best.

an ongoing record of God's goodness, #17-34

freedom from schedules and work calls, early morning meetings and late-night texts

luscious, lazy hours on the boat

baby giggles at sea breezes, cool on chubby cheeks

windswept wild-child hair

celebrating grammy's birthday

naps for all

soaring eagles

graceful herons

rainbow-hued sailboats and water like glass

seashells in little hands

sand in toes

dining al fresco

tiny-faced, fuzzy raccoons, asleep in treetops

feeding stale bread to greedy-mouthed carp (more than you could--or would want--to imagine!)

over-excited kids who kept it together

scattered, glittered glimpses of fireworks across our trek home

both kids sleeping in this morning, recovering from adventure and missed bedtimes

and naps to boot, while mama enjoys the quiet here:)

"Come, all you who are thirsty,
       come to the waters;
       and you who have no money,
       come, buy and eat!
       Come, buy wine and milk
       without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread,
       and your labor on what does not satisfy?
       Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
       and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me;
       hear me, that your soul may live.
       I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
       my faithful love promised to David.  (Isaiah 55:1-2)


image source

ShoutLaughLove is tuesday:  i hope you'll come back and link:)

ch-chimichurri

i'm guest posting a recipe today for kelly at quest for real food, so if you're in the mood for something hot, fresh, and latin, come on over.  stay a while to check out her site, all about local, healthful eating.

the delight of dad

he tries to make it home for bedtime

for baths and brushing,
songs and snuggles, stories and
full-hearted prayers from tiny lips.

we soak in daddy time:
bedtime ritual and moments at meals
amidst the din of the dining hall
masterpieces in chalk, scribbled on concrete
stolen moments between meals and Gold Rush.

but Today
All Day Long (and Tonight, too!)
is Daddy Day:

four in a bed on a lazy thursday
giggles and smiles
made-up games and baby laughter

watered chickens and fresh-picked eggs

to the bakery
for breakfast sandwiches and raspberry rolls
packed into a cooler and
shared at the loveliest of parks

tucked behind a cluster of trees
a stone's throw from the four lane divided highway
hidden in plain sight,
the fisherman's treasure

and ours.

"There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God."  --Hebrews 4:9

hosted this week by corinne