Happy Thanksgiving

We traveled to NW Arkansas for this year's Thanksgiving with my family and step-family. We got back a bit ago, and I just thought I would close this day with 10 things I am thankful for:
10) 3 children who were absolutely wonderful today
9) a husband who makes me feel 100% comfortable and safe with going to sleep while he drives.
8) gluten-free turkey ( who knew they actually inject turkey with gluten? not me.)
7) the cost of a gallon of gas right now--$1.51!
6) the little red, flinstone-style car that kept Eli happy all day long
5) home and a really soft bed that is calling my name
4) Christmas music 24/7 from now til December 25th
3) great pictures of the family that I will post when I am not so tired
2) a step-family that is gracious to host us, love us and call us their own
1) A God who is merciful and blesses us abundantly more than we deserve. Thank you, Lord.

GUWL

Yesterday we went to the funeral of our friend, Barrett. It was a tearful goodbye. I must admit that I can't understand this one. Most of the funerals I have been to have been of ones who have lived a long, good life. Barrett's life was still in the beginning. I was about 5 rows back from the family and I watched his little girl, Ruby, the whole time. She looks so much like her daddy, especially in her eyes. She is about Eli's age--20 months or so. I watched and prayed that the Lord would calm her for her mommy. God answered in a different way. About half-way through she got down off of her mommy's lap and began to play with the flowers in front of her--just lightly touching each one so sweetly. And then, she began to twirl. She giggled and twirled around and around in front of her family. It was at that moment that I got a picture of Barrett with His Lord, like this child, twirling in delight and in freedom, and I longed for the day we dance with him. There are 5 Hebrew words for praise in the bible. "Guwl" is one of them. "Guwl" means to "spin around under the influence of strong emotion; to spin like a top; to rejoice and be glad." It is most often translated "rejoice." Amazing. Ruby was rejoicing! I don't understand why this happened to Barrett. I don't understand a lot of things. But I rest in the knowledge of what the Lord knows that I don't. I can't wait to see the bigger picture, to see what Barrett Lewis is seeing this very day. Towards the end of the funeral, Ruby walked toward the aisle and grinned at all of us, and somehow I felt a great deal of peace, as if the Lord was saying to all of us, "The Lord your God is with you. HE is mighty to save. HE will quiet you with His love, He will REJOICE over you with singing." Amen.

A Little Early?

No, life is too short to not decorate for Christmas early. So, last weekend we did! It didn't go quite as I had planned--ya know, carols, smiles, peppermint in the air, final Griswald light-up ceremony . Somebody didn't give the word to my kids that Christmas decorating is not a competition!!!! I think I was holding the baby Jesus when I yelled, "It doesn't matter who got to put out more sheep. It doesn't make you more special, for crying out loud!" Does anyone know a good book on sibling rivalry!? Seriously. I was always that kid that felt like Christmas decorating was sacred--you just didn't fight, way too jolly for that! I also was that kid (and still am) that could never listen to anything but Christmas music between Thanksgiving and Christmas! I think Aaron is going to be that kid, too. He loves to listen to Bing and sit with all the lights out staring at the lit-up Christmas tree, talking about the "shepharmints". But, he has to work on the "much-too-jolly-to-fight" Christmas decorating. Maybe next year (after I read the book).

Isn't he sweet?

Steady!

Lexi's favorite ornament--glass rudolph

Grandmommy stopped by on her way to see the new baby in St. Louis--btw--Congrats to my brother, Mike and his wife, Melissa, on baby Cole, who is a couple weeks old.

"For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows." 2 Cor. 1:5

We lost a good man yesterday. He was my allergist, he was a long-time friend to the Chism family, he was a brother and a son, he was a husband, and a father to 2 sweet girls--ages 20 months and 6. I can't help but speak of him today, my heart is so heavy for this family. 7 years ago his father died from a tragic car accident, his mother now must grieve the loss of her son, 34 years old. Unspeakable grief. I was sick with respiratory issues when I was pregnant with Eli, and he kept me afloat. He was so good to me, fitting me in when he was busy, and calling me to check on how I was doing. When Eli had an allergic reaction to eggs on the way to visit my family in Houston, it was Dr. Lewis who calmed me down and assured me that he would be okay. He was a great doctor-- he really did care about his patients. We still don't know what happened, only that he collapsed at work and they couldn't get him back. I ask for your prayers for the Lewis family. There are no words to describe the grief that they face--especially this mother of 2 small children and his mother who has allready suffered so much in this life--"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge." Psalm 91:4

I VOTED

***after writing this, Lexi came home from school very upset, begging me not to vote for Barack Obama because if he becomes our president he will kill all the firstborn babies!? Oh my!? After calming her fears by explaining that he has no intentions on doing such a thing, she asked question upon question about what this "little boy" told her at school. I explained it was a misunderstading, but had to go into explaining to her what I am sure the little boy meant. I could not believe I was having this conversation with my 6 year old. It broke my heart. Just a lesson to all of us that our children are listening, we must all be careful to not put fears into them, but to teach and train. I knew I would have to have this conversation eventually, just didn't think it would be at 6 years old.



Well, Eli and I voted today--took a mere 10 minutes, would have been less if I had been in the right line, oh well! Eli snacked on gold fish while I connected the arrows on the candidate I thought would be best suited to run the country. Actually, I voted for my children today. I think they will be most effected by what we do now as a country. So, for Alexis, Aaron and Eli I chose a candidate. I chose the best one I could, eventhough I have uncertainties and questions over both of them. I was reminded this morning in quiet that it is not John McCain or Barack Obama who will provide for me and my family, nor will they protect us, feed us, shelter us, give us "hope and a future," and guide us in our decisions and our choices. It isn't John McCain or Barack Obama who will hold us in the palm of their hand, and comort us in our troubles. No, it isn't either of these two men who will win my trust, just my vote. I love this country and I am thankful to live here and raise this family, and no matter who becomes president I know that the Lord will provide-- He always has, He always will. I may not be all that excited about where our money goes when we pay taxes, but I will give "to Ceasar's what is Ceasar's" and try to be good stewards of the rest. It will be up to Kevin and I to teach our children wrong from right, and raise them to be appreciative but not "entitled," help them to take care of and honor this beautiful planet and the life on it, show them how to care for the poor around the world, and be mindful of how we use our money to serve the Lord who gives to us. Rulers will come and go, kingdoms will rise and fall, but God is good and He is in control. So no matter who wins this crazy race, I will sleep peacefully knowing that God is with us and He reigns on high.