Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul

Do you know this beautiful song? Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul

Resurrection Letters

This Lenten season I've been listening to Andrew Peterson's Resurrection Letters trilogy--Prologue, Volume 1, and Volume 2. Here are a few of my very favorites, if you are looking for music to prepare your heart for Easter.

His Heart Beats

Maybe Next Year

Is He Worthy

All Things Together

All Things New

'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far

At different times in my life different lines in this hymn have resonated with me. Lately it has been this one: "Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home." When I look back at the life I've lived so far, and anticipate the joys and griefs ahead, this is the truth that has seen me through. I know it will see me through what is yet to come. The grace of God has brought me through, and I can trust that His grace will continue to be sufficient for what is ahead. Thanks be to God for the gift of His grace, always sufficient to meet our needs.

Amazing Grace, by John Newton

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The world shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun refuse to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Shall be forever mine.

When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we'd first begun.

Three Truths

It is less than a month until David's first birthday...which was yesterday and a lifetime ago. This year I have held tightly to these three statements that I know to be true:
God loves us.
God is good.
God is redeeming all things.

This song is a beautiful reminder of that. I've posted it before, but it's worth another listen. As Easter just reminded us, the redemption day is coming!

We Will Feast, by Sandra McCracken

We will feast in the house of Zion
We will sing with our hearts restored
He has done great things, we will say together
We will feast and weep no more

We will not be burned by the fire
He is the LORD our God
We are not consumed, by the flood
Upheld, protected, gathered up

We will feast in the house of Zion
We will sing with our hearts restored
He has done great things, we will say together
We will feast and weep no more

In the dark of night, before the dawn
My soul, be not afraid
For the promised morning, oh how long?
Oh God of Jacob, be my strength

We will feast in the house of Zion
We will sing with our hearts restored
He has done great things, we will say together
We will feast and weep no more

Every vow we've broken and betrayed
You are the Faithful one
And from the garden to the grave
Bind us together, bring shalom.

We will feast in the house of Zion
We will sing with our hearts restored
He has done great things, we will say together
We will feast and weep no more

All That is to Come

Christy Nockels new album, Lullaby's for the Beloved, has been on repeat in our household. The last song is the prayer of my heart for these days. It's beautiful--go listen if you haven't already!

Still this hurried mind
Slow this furrowed brow
Bring Your heaven song
To my mouth somehow
With the rising sun
Until the night has come
I will bless Your name
For all that you have done

And hear me say, yes and amen
Tomorrow You'll be faithful again

And I'll praise You God, for all you are
And all I am, for You are my portion
Forever, for all there was
And all that is now, and that is to come

So take all that I dream
Take all that I plan
You you hold all my days
There within You hands
And somedays I might run
Somedays I might crawl
But Jesus find my heart
Is Yours through it all

Not matter what may come
Make my heart like a honeycomb
Storing up the sweetest home
For You in me, till I love You more than anything

Remembering and Feasting

Sunday was National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. It is a good thing, to remember and reflect. Look back, look forward. A sweet friend reminded me of this song (We Will Feast, Sandra McCracken). The Gent and I listened to it while we held David that night in the hospital. From the garden to the grave . . . until we will feast and weep no more.

We will feast in the house of Zion
We will sing with our hearts restored
He has done great things, we will say together
We will feast and weep no more

We will not be burned by the fire
He is the LORD our God
We are not consumed, by the flood
Upheld, protected, gathered up

In the dark of night, before the dawn
My soul, be not afraid
For the promised morning, oh how long?
Oh God of Jacob, be my strength

Every vow we’ve broken and betrayed
You are the Faithful one
And from the garden to the grave
Bind us together, bring shalom.


Noel. Zion. David. You are remembered, you are loved.

"God Won't Ever Let Me Down"

A few weeks ago I heard a song that kept repeating this phrase: "God won't ever let me down." I really struggled with that. I get what the songwriter was trying to say, but I think it requires more nuance than that phrase conveys. I can believe that God is sovereign and that He loves me and still be disappointed in what He does, or doesn't do. For Biblical examples, see the Psalms. Pretty much all of them.

I think this Aaron Keyes song expresses what's in my heart much better:

There is strength within the sorrow
There is beauty in our tears
And You meet us in our mourning
With a love that casts out fear
You are working in our waiting
You're sanctifying us
When beyond our understanding
You're teaching us to trust

Your plans are still to prosper
You have not forgotten us
You're with us in the fire and the flood
You're faithful forever
Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us

You are wisdom unimagined
Who could understand Your ways
Reigning high above the Heavens
Reaching down in endless grace
You're the lifter of the lowly
Compassionate and kind
You surround and You uphold me
And Your promises are my delight

Your plans are still to prosper
You have not forgotten us
You're with us in the fire and the flood
You're faithful forever
Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us

Even what the enemy means for evil
You turn it for our good
You turn it for our good and for Your glory
Even in the valley, You are faithful
You're working for our good
You're working for our good and for Your glory

Link to listen here: Sovereign Over Us

Even If

I know You're able and I know You can
Save through the fire with Your mighty hand
But even if You don't
My hope is You alone

I didn't know I was a MercyMe fan but their music has really been resonating with me lately. Have you heard Even If? Link here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6fA35Ved-Y

Lately

I'll get back to my regular posting schedule (usually Tuesdays and Fridays) soon. We've just had a lot going on lately. May was family time, June was easing into summer, and July was full-on summer. We have done several short trips and spent lots of time with friends and had many summer adventures. But now that August is here we are slowing down just a bit and getting ourselves back in order before we start school. Nora and I are going to finish her potty-training (she's been mostly potty-trained since May, we just haven't been home more than two days in a row to finish it) and all four children and Mama are working together on a return to instant obedience and cheerful hearts. Time to turn Jacob's response of "oh man" to "yes ma'am." ;)

I sat down last week and made a list of what's working and what's not. Where do we need more structure, where do we need a better system, where do we need to say no to a few things to make our lives more enjoyable and less hectic. I have some ideas for the fall so we will see how it goes as I set about implementing them. One thing the kids and I have already started (and they love) is afternoon tea-time. After rest time, we sit around the table and have a little snack together and I read a few poems aloud. Friday we had iced herbal tea and a chocolate chip cookie, today we are having banana "milkshakes" (banana, spinach, plain Greek yogurt, and milk with a few ice cubes). Usually our snack is fruit or nuts, but I'm trying to get out of the rut a little while still keeping it (mostly) healthy.

We framed and hung pictures of David last week and marked his three month day. I am glad to have the pictures up, even though it was difficult to look through them and decide what to have printed. I am thankful we have so many beautiful images. I'll share some here . . . eventually. Little bits at a time.

Yesterday, I sang with our church worship team for the first time since we got David's diagnosis. We sang Your Grace is Enough, It is Well with My Soul, and Sovereign Over Us. Beautiful songs. Hard to sing because those are the truths I am living now. But it was good to do. More healing, more moving forward. Thankful for family and friends who continue to pray us through.

Praise You in This Storm

I'd forgotten about this song until I heard it on the radio yesterday. Beautiful words to remember when difficult things come.

Praise You in This Storm, by Casting Crowns

Here Comes the Sun

Do you know this old song by the Beatles? I remember listening to it while I sat on the deck at the Hotel del Coronado last fall, watching the waves of the Pacific and reading C.S. Lewis and drinking some fancy $12 lemonade. A little reminder from God that the sun will come out and life will go on . . . and someday, eternity. Love this quote I read in Frederick Buechner last week (from his novel Godric): "What's lost is nothing to what's found, and all the death that ever was, set next to life, would scarcely fill a cup."

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right

Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes

Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
It's all right, it's all right

David's Playlist

Here's the playlist I listened to during David's labor and delivery...

You Will Remain 4:32 All Sons & Daughters All Sons & Daughters Religious 0 1
God With Us 4:08 All Sons & Daughters All Sons & Daughters Religious 0 1
Christ Be All Around Me 5:29 All Sons & Daughters All Sons & Daughters Religious 0
For Your Glory & My Good 3:43 All Sons & Daughters All Sons & Daughters Religious 0
King of Glory (You Restore My Soul) 4:02 All Sons & Daughters All Sons & Daughters Religious 0
The Victory 4:46 All Sons & Daughters All Sons & Daughters Religious 0
Great Are You Lord 4:56 All Sons & Daughters All Sons & Daughters Religious 0
This Is My Father's World 3:07 Amy Grant WOW Hymns [Disc 2] Gospel & Religious 0
The Dark Before The Dawn 4:10 Andrew Peterson The Burning Edge Of Dawn Religious 0 1
God Of My Fathers 3:59 Andrew Peterson Counting Stars Religious 0
Help My Unbelief 4:32 Audrey Assad Fortunate Fall Religious 0
All I Need 3:16 Bethany Dillon Bethany Dillon Gospel & Religious 0
Lead Me On 3:35 Bethany Dillon Bethany Dillon Gospel & Religious 0
You Make Me Brave 6:06 Bethel Music & Amanda Cook You Make Me Brave [Live] Religious 0 1
It Is Well 6:25 Bethel Music & Kristene Di Marco You Make Me Brave [Live] Religious 0 1
Anchor 4:47 Bethel Music & Leah Mari You Make Me Brave [Live] Religious 0
'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus 3:17 Casting Crowns WOW Hymns [Disc 1] Gospel & Religious 0 1
The Solid Rock 4:29 Charlie Hall Hymns Ancient & Modern Gospel & Religious 0 1
Psalm 126 (You Have Done Great Things) 5:35 Charlie Hall Our Love Is Lord Gospel & Religious 0 1
Better Is One Day 5:34 Charlie Hall WOW Worship: Orange [Disc 1] Gospel & Religious 0 1
I See The Moon 4:54 Chris Rice Amusing Gospel & Religious 0 1
Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us 3:54 Chris Rice The Living Room Sessions Gospel & Religious 0
Great Is Thy Faithfulness 3:50 Chris Rice The Living Room Sessions Gospel & Religious 0
Come Thou Found Of Every Blessing 4:18 Chris Rice The Living Room Sessions Gospel & Religious 0
How Great Thou Art 3:25 Chris Rice The Living Room Sessions Gospel & Religious 0
Naive 3:29 Chris Rice Past The Edges Gospel & Religious 0 1
And Your Praise Goes On 4:57 Chris Rice Past The Edges Gospel & Religious 0
It Is Well With My Soul 4:40 Chris Rice Peace Like a River: The Hymns Project Gospel & Religious 0
Rock Of Ages 3:14 Chris Rice Peace Like a River: The Hymns Project Gospel & Religious 0
Come Thou Fountain of Every Blessing 3:44 Chris Rice Peace Like a River: The Hymns Project Gospel & Religious 0
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go 2:50 Chris Rice Peace Like a River: The Hymns Project Gospel & Religious 0
Great Is Thy Faithfulness 4:42 Chris Rice Peace Like a River: The Hymns Project Gospel & Religious 0
Old Rugged Cross 3:26 Chris Rice Peace Like a River: The Hymns Project Gospel & Religious 0
How Great Thou Art 4:54 Chris Rice Peace Like a River: The Hymns Project Gospel & Religious 0
Untitled Hymn (Come To Jesus) 3:50 Chris Rice Run The Earth, Watch The Sky Gospel & Religious 0
Your Grace Is Enough 4:09 Chris Tomlin Arriving Gospel & Religious 0
Mighty Is The Power Of The Cross 6:05 Chris Tomlin Arriving Gospel & Religious 0 1
I Stand Amazed (How Marvelous) 6:37 Chris Tomlin Everything Glorious Gospel & Religious 0 1
I Will Rise 5:01 Chris Tomlin Hello Love Gospel & Religious 0 1
Forever 5:14 Chris Tomlin The Noise We Make Gospel & Religious 0
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) 4:27 Chris Tomlin See The Morning Gospel & Religious 0
Take My Life (And Let It Be) 5:01 Chris Tomlin WOW Hymns [Disc 1] Gospel & Religious 0
Hosanna 5:46 Christy Nockels God Of This City Gospel & Religious 0 1
Praise To The Lord, The Almighty 4:56 Christy Nockels Hymns Ancient & Modern Gospel & Religious 0 1
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus 2:59 Chris Tomlin Feat. Christy Nockels Glory In The Highest: Christmas Songs Of Worship Holiday 0 1
My Anchor [Live] 4:36 Christy Nockels Let It Be Jesus [Live] Religious 0 2
Choose 5:25 Christy Nockels Life Light Up Gospel & Religious 0 2
Knees To The Earth 4:46 Christy Nockels Sacred Revolution Gospel & Religious 0 1
Ain't No Grave 3:42 Crowder Neon Steeple Religious 0 1
Come Thou Fount 3:46 David Crowder Our Love Is Lord Gospel & Religious 0 1
Soon I Will Be Done With The Troubles Of The World 0:48 David Crowder Band A Collision or (3+4=7) Gospel & Religious 0 1
How He Loves 5:33 David Crowder Band Passion: Awakening Religious 0 1
Never Let Go 4:40 David Crowder Band Remedy Gospel & Religious 0 1
In His Time 4:23 Diane Ball WOW Worship: Yellow Gospel & Religious 0 1
God Is Good 4:50 Don Moen WOW Worship [Disc 2] Gospel & Religious 0 1
God Will Make A Way 4:21 Don Moen WOW Worship [Disc 2] Gospel & Religious 0 1
Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord 1:54 Don Moen WOW Worship: Yellow Gospel & Religious 0 1
Be Thou My Vision 3:53 Fernando Ortega WOW Hymns [Disc 2] Gospel & Religious 0 1
How Deep the Father's Love 3:47 Fernando Ortega You are Home to Me Rock 0 1
Be Near 5:36 Grace Campus Ministries encounter live Gospel & Religious 0 1
Beautiful Things 5:10 Gungor Beautiful Things Religious 0 1
Please Be My Strength 3:33 Gungor Beautiful Things Religious 0
Even When It Hurts (Praise Song) 6:18 Hillsong United Empires Religious 0
Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) 8:56 Hillsong United Zion Christian & Gospel/General 0 2
Something Beautiful 3:47 Jars Of Clay The Eleventh Hour Gospel & Religious 0
God Be Merciful To Me (Psalm 51) 4:32 Jars Of Clay Redemption Songs Gospel & Religious 0
I Need Thee Every Hour 3:47 Jars Of Clay Redemption Songs Gospel & Religious 0
God Will Lift Up Your Head 4:22 Jars Of Clay Redemption Songs Gospel & Religious 0
I'll Fly Away 4:43 Jars Of Clay Feat. Sarah Kelly Redemption Songs Gospel & Religious 0
I Know You're There 5:16 John Elefante Corridors Gospel & Religious 0
That's Why God Made the Moon 5:56 John Elefante Windows of Heaven Gospel & Religious 0
You Raise Me Up 4:50 Josh Groban Closer Classical 0
Blessings 4:58 Laura Story Blessings Religious 0
Mighty To Save 3:50 Laura Story Great God Who Saves Gospel & Religious 0
Make Something Beautiful 4:03 Laura Story Great God Who Saves Gospel & Religious 0 1
Perfect Peace 3:48 Laura Story Great God Who Saves Gospel & Religious 0 1
Christ Is Risen 4:57 Matt Maher Alive Again Religious 0 2
Blessed Be Your Name 5:49 Matt Redman Blessed Be Your Name: The Songs Of Matt Redman Gospel & Religious 0 1
You Never Let Go 4:56 Matt Redman Everything Glorious Gospel & Religious 0 1
You Alone Can Rescue 5:13 Matt Redman Passion: Awakening Religious 0 1
You Are Everything 3:51 Matthew West Something To Say Gospel & Religious 0
Even So Come [Live] 7:20 Passion Feat. Chris Tomlin Passion: Even So Come [Live] Religious 0 1
At The Cross (Love Ran Red) 7:08 Passion Feat. Chris Tomlin Passion: Take It All [Live] Pop 0
He's Always Been Faithful 3:46 Sara Groves Conversations Gospel & Religious 0
Be Thou My Vision 3:17 Selah Greatest Hymns Religious 0
His Eye Is On The Sparrow 3:43 Selah Greatest Hymns Religious 0
Be Still My Soul / What A Friend We Have In Jesus 3:57 Selah Greatest Hymns Religious 0
Part The Waters / I Need Thee Every Hour 3:12 Selah Greatest Hymns Religious 0 1
God Be With You 3:18 Selah You Deliver Me Religious 0 1
When The Rain Comes 2:55 Third Day Come Together Gospel & Religious 0 1
Thy Will 3:57 Hillary Scott & The Scott Family Love Remains Religious 0 1
Track 03 4:34 0 2
I Will Carry You (Audrey's Song) 4:10 Selah You Deliver Me Religious 0 1
Forever [Live] 6:38 Passion Feat. Melodie Malone Passion: Even So Come [Live] Religious 0 2

Man of Sorrows, by Philip Paul Bliss

Reflecting on this hymn often these days, as we enter the Easter season and look ahead to David's birth and death.

1
“Man of Sorrows,” what a name
For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim!
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
2
Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood;
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
3
Guilty, vile, and helpless, we,
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
Full redemption—can it be?
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
4
Lifted up was He to die,
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in heaven exalted high;
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
5
When He comes, our glorious King,
To His kingdom us to bring,
Then anew this song we’ll sing
Hallelujah! what a Savior!

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

This is my favorite Christmas carol this year. If you don't know the story behind it, try a quick Google search and read about Longfellow's life as he wrote this poem.

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men

And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth, I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead nor doth He sleep
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, goodwill to men.

It Is Well

Here's a link to one of my family's current favorite songs, It Is Well by Bethel. Happy Friday! I have a sick baby and a dirty house and five loads of laundry to do. But the sun is shining and we're going to the library (books!!) and the park (run off your energy while I snuggle with Nora!!!) and we're going to have fun today!!!

Lord, I Need You

Lord, I Need You - Chris Tomlin

Lord I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You're the one that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, oh I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
Yes where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus You're my hope and stay
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus You're my hope and stay

We sang this in worship last Sunday. I find I sing this song as a prayer throughout the day. I always hoped I'd be mama to lots of little ones. I dreamed about it. I knew it would be hard. I knew it would test my patience and take a lot of energy. I knew my organizational skills would be put to good use. But I never thought about how it would bring me closer to God. Because each day, moment to moment, I realize I can't do this on my own. So this song goes up like a prayer, in the middle of potty training and cleaning up blocks and reading books and making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches again...without You I fall apart...I need You...I'll fall on You...You're my hope...teach my song to rise to You...

New Year's Resolutions and a Declaration of Dependence

I know it's May, but I never got around to posting these.This year I chose four very manageable tasks. 

1. Do a better job of keeping in touch with those I love but don't see often. I keep in touch through email when possible. And once a month I print off some photos of the child(ren) and send them with a note to my Grandma King and Aunt Jane. Both are in nursing homes and are too far away to visit. I know they must be lonely and I want them to know they are loved and that their lives still matter to us and to God.

2. Do a better job of managing our budget. I used to use an Excel spreadsheet to plan and track our spending. It worked for me, but I doubt anyone else could understand my system. This year I switched to an online system called Pear Budget. It is $50 a year and worth every penny, I think. Very easy to use and much faster than my old system.

3. Do a better job of downloading, backing up, and sorting photos. I take about 400 photos a month. With kids, I tend to snap tons of pictures trying to get the right shot. The past couple of years I would download them all to my computer once a month but that was it. This year I have stepped up my game. I download all the photos on my camera card and my iphone to my computer in a folder for that month. Then I go through and delete the bad pictures and excessive duplicates and just keep the best ones (usually around 100-150). Then I upload the photos to Shutterfly for backup. Next year I think I'll improve on this by tagging it with the kids' ages and organizing into sub-folders so it is easier to find a specific photo when I'm looking for it. I think I will also start a favorites folder to gather copies of my favorite photos throughout the year. Then when I need a few photos for a project I'll know just where to look. But overall, I'm doing much better than last year. Steps in the right direction!

4. Start recycling. This required less than five minutes of my time. I called the city 311 to ask for a recycling bin. They dropped it off the next week. I bought a $5 trashcan at Walmart and designated it for recycling. The Gent collects it and puts it at the curb once a week and voila! We are doing a little bit more to be good stewards of this beautiful world God created.

Did you make any new years resolutions this year? How's it going at this point?

And finally, I just love the words to this hymn, I Need Thee Every Hour. We sang a version of it in church yesterday and I found myself saying "yes, Lord, I need you every moment of every day! keep reminding me to depend on your strength and not my own." 

I need thee every hour, most gracious Lord; 
no tender voice like thine can peace afford. 

I need thee, O I need thee; 
every hour I need thee; 
O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.

I need thee every hour; stay thou nearby; 
temptations lose their power when thou art nigh. 

I need thee, O I need thee; 
every hour I need thee; 
O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.

I need thee every hour, in joy or pain; 
come quickly and abide, or life is vain. 

I need thee, O I need thee; 
every hour I need thee; 
O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.

I need thee every hour; teach me thy will; 
and thy rich promises in me fulfill. 

I need thee, O I need thee; 
every hour I need thee; 
O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.

I need thee every hour, most Holy One; 
O make me thine indeed, thou blessed Son.

I need thee, O I need thee; 
every hour I need thee; 
O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.

Behold the Lamb

Loving this Communion Hymn by Keith and Kristyn Getty

Verse 1
Behold the Lamb who bears our sins away
Slain for us and we remember
The promise made that all who come in faith
Find forgivness at the cross

Chorus
So we share in this bread of life
And we drink of His sacrifice
As a sign of our bonds of peace
Around the table of the King

Verse 2
The body of our Saviour Jesus Christ
Torn for you eat and remember
The wounds that heal the death that brings us life
Paid the price to make us one

Verse 3
The blood that cleanses ev'ry stain of sin
Shed for you drink and rmember
He drained death's cup that all may enter in
To receive the life of God

Verse 4
And so with thankfulness and faith we rise
To respond and to remember
Our call to follow in the steps of Christ
As his body here on earth

Fostering Update, Prayer Requests, and a Song

Today is a catch-up post of randomness. Hoping something here will speak to you this Monday!

The Gent and I spent some time this weekend praying and reflecting over our foster parenting experience so far and asking God what He would have us do next. We sense that God is telling us to be open to accepting another child at this time. Proverbs 3:27 says, "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act." So I left a message with our social worker this morning and we'll just see if anything comes of it. 

We are going to meet JJ and his mom for dinner Tuesday night (she has an overnight visit with him) and are looking forward to that. We were supposed to see him and his new guardian tonight but he has hand, foot, and mouth disease so we have to wait till he isn't contagious anymore. Poor little guy. Too many changes too quickly for his body to keep up, I guess. Other than that his mom and guardian (he's been going back and forth between them) both report he is adjusting pretty well. He likes to look at our pictures and has been asking for Annie. The Gent and I read a recordable storybook for him. Then when he misses us he can look at his book and hear us talk to him. (Thank you, Angela, for this great idea!)

Some prayer requests about friends and babies to share with you. Please join us in lifting these three families up before the Lord this week.

- Friends who have been trying to conceive for years are pregnant for the first time! It is very, very early in their pregnancy and we are praying for this little one to grow strong and healthy.

- A sweet friend miscarried a couple of months ago and is grieving the loss of her baby while also wanting to conceive again as soon as possible. Pray for healing for her heart and body and that God will grant her and her husband another child soon.

- Our friends Jacob and Shanna lost their first son, Elijah, at birth about a year and a half ago. They are expecting a little boy, Jude, in June. Jude is experiencing some complications with his kidneys. Please pray for healing for his little guy and peace for his parents as they learn what will come next. You can follow along with their family at http://jmscrimp.wordpress.com/

To conclude this random post, my Nana sent me the words to this sweet hymn last week and I wanted to share it with you. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him today.

God Hath Not Promised Skies Always Blue

Annie Johnson Flint

God hath not promised skies always blue,

Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;

God hath not promised sun without rain,

Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

But God hath promised strength for the day,

Rest for the labor, light for the way,

Grace for the trials, help from above, 

Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

God hath not promised we shall not know

Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;

He hath not told us we shall not bear

Many a burden, many a care.

But God hath promised strength for the day,

Rest for the labor, light for the way,

Grace for the trials, help from above, 

Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,

Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;

Never a mountain, rocky and steep,

Never a river, turbid and deep.

But God hath promised strength for the day,

Rest for the labor, light for the way,

Grace for the trials, help from above, 

Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

Love this Song

The kids and I have been listening to Passion's Here for You cd in the car this week. It is full of great worship music, but this song (Shadows) by David Crowder Band is one of my current favorites.

Life is full of light and shadow
O the joy and O the sorrow
O the sorrow

And yet will He bring
Dark to light
And yet will He bring
Day from night

When shadows fall on us
We will not fear
We will remember

When darkness falls on us
We will not fear
We will remember

When all seems lost
When we're thrown and we're tossed
We remember the cost
We rest in Him
Shadow of the cross