Saturday, April 23, 2011

Pierced

Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. ~ Isaiah 53:1~5

He was pierced for me. Not a pretty, glamorous piercing either. It was an ugly, raw and horrid piercing. A piercing that pierces my heart to it's inner most being. It stings as I remember the scenes from a movie that so accurately put a picture to the words that I have been hearing about and reading since I was not even old enough to really understand the significance completely. The blood, the spit, the cries of both laughter and tears... The images will stay with me forever, and for that I am glad.

I understand what He did for me. I am overcome with emotion over what He did for me. Jesus Christ saved me... He wants to save ALL! He continues to carry the cross... In order to save.

There is such ugliness all around, isn't there? The spit, the blood, the cries of both laughter and tears. Jesus sees all of this still. He wants to turn this ugliness into beauty. He wants hearts. The love that He offers is so different from any other love. His love is so great... so sacrificial. What he did for me... for us... no other would even fathom, and yet, I know He would do it all again.

I am humbled again, Jesus. My eyes are wide open and my heart feels the sting of your piercing. I am joyful over the victory that you are alive still and that I will see you with my own eyes someday.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

The Things They Say!

Once in awhile I like to record some of the conversations I hear around here. Tonight is a perfect time to do just that...

Just three days from Good Friday, Caleb announces tonight that for Lent he is giving up his favorite spot in front of the television! Now, to some this may not be a big deal, but to Caleb.... BIG DEAL! He fights with his brothers over that spot almost daily. I'm sure that it is no accident that he didn't make this announcement a lot earlier... Like back when Lent began.

We saw 'Soul Surfer' this afternoon... GREAT movie!! As we were having dinner, J asked what everyone's favorite parts were. After Caleb and Colby both shared their favorite parts, Luke just simply stated, "AnnaSophia Robb". SHE was Luke's favorite part. Ummm, yeah... He's almost 14 folks!! His hormones have officially arrived.

Life is so fun with all of these men. The giggle in my gut is pretty much non~stop!

Monday, April 11, 2011

Still Here

I'm still here. My internet is not... But I am.

Today I sit inside a cozy Starbucks sipping coffee, checking e~mail, jotting down bits and pieces. The boys are doing their STAR testing today. This moment is the FIRST moment I have had in about three weeks to just sit, relax and reflect.... Mmmmm... It feels heavenly!

So much to be thankful for. My heart overflows. God has provided in ways that I never expected. My family has been blessed beyond measure! I have recorded these in my '1000 Gifts' journal, but there are so many that are so worthy of being shared! I share not because I want to gloat, I share because God is good.

1. Numerous friends and family members helped with the big move day! There were lots of muscles and able bodies and the job was completed without major disaster and in a very timely manner.

2. My mom came and put my ENTIRE kitchen together! We had baseball games to be at the day after move day, and a house up the hill that needed cleaning. It's impossible to be in more than one place at a time, and mom knew how much it would mean to me to have just that one place in my new home put away. Thank you, Mom.

3. Dinner was brought to us the night that we moved in by my Step~Mom. She brought two lasagnas, green veggies, a gallon of milk and a big chocolate birthday cake for J. She didn't even know that I had prayed specifically that I would somehow figure out a way to sneak out and buy a birthday cake for J since I wouldn't be able to bake one this year. What a gift! Thank you, Roberta!

4. My sweet BFF, Gina made yummy scones for breakfast the morning that I had to be back up the hill for school for the boys and more clean up at the old house. She not only made me breakfast, but she sent me out the door with a delicious salad for lunch! I felt more than loved... Gi... You are the BESTEST!! :0)

5. We found out that Colby got on a baseball team close to our new home. It didn't look good for him this year. The team that he was "supposed" to be on fell apart at the last minute. He was a VERY disappointed boy!! God showed him His goodness though. He ended up on a team full of sweet young boys and FOUR awesome coaches. We know that at least one of them is a Godly example of man, husband and father too. He happens to be the husband of Caleb's fourth grade teacher (next year). It turns out that THIS team is the team that Colby was "supposed" to be a part of this year.

6. At our first youth meeting at our new house yesterday, there were many new faces. J and I have been praying for a LONG time that this new house would just be one that would bless others. We will continue to make this our prayer. Seeing these new faces yesterday (faces that we've been praying specifically for) was even more confirmation.

These are just a few. I think I added another 200 to my journal during the past couple or weeks! I wake up each morning full of excitement over the gifts that will be witnessed for the day. Some of the best ones are ones that I witness others receiving.

The gift hunt continues...