“Listen to His voice, and cling to Him” Deuteronomy 30:20

Good morning!  I’ve been contentedly puttering around the house.  The children were sent off to school and I have been doing dishes, laundry, and general organizing and home keeping.  There is always a lot to do around here to keep me busy.  I also journaled and wrote a little letter to Marcia.

We were away all weekend and then Rich worked from home yesterday so I have not been on the computer…….

Uncle Roger’s funeral was on Saturday.  I haven’t mentioned here that he passed away from cancer at the age of 44.   He was a Christian man who loved his family most of all, spent his life devoted to the same church congregation, and quietly and contentedly lived.  He and Aunt Colleen, along with the girls, visited us often through the years and it was always an Event for us and always blogged about.  Such fun.  He will be missed.

All of this has given me so much to think about.  Things like being sincere, being quiet, being yourself, remembering what really matters in life, and the love of family.  The way Aunt Colleen has handled this journey has made me respect and love her all the more.  What a grace-filled woman.  Never asking for attention.  Just living life and letting God lead, open to His will, sad, yes, but full of hope in Jesus.  And she took such good care of her husband…….  I pray God’s richest blessings on her and the girls now as they continue on.

On Sunday we went to church at the place I went to all through my growing up years.  (The same one Uncle Roger and Aunt Colleen have attended, too.)  It was wonderful to see and hug many old familiar friends.

We were able to visit Mom and Dad after church (I posted a bunch of photos on instagram).  And oh that was just the best…just to be together.

Yesterday afternoon we went to Costco and then to the grocery store (because Costco doesn’t have cayenne pepper or organic apple cider vinegar).  While we waited for Rich to come back out, Seth climbed a tree.  Very fitting for the first day of Spring, right?   Caleb and I were standing underneath him and this picture is of Seth looking down at his brother who was worried he might fall down and reminiscing of a time when Seth was showing off and consequently hurt himself.  I said, “It’s only a tree, Caleb, quite safe.”

Look at the design of the branches against the blue sky.

Who is Michael?  At first glance, he is simply a Very Large Young Man.  He’s over six feet tall, 27 years old, and weighs about 400 pounds.  So when he’s in the room, his presence is hard to ignore, if not impossible, and you just don’t know what to make of him.  Years and years ago (about 5) we met him at our *new to us at that time* church.  He and Jacob became good enough friends that he started to come to our house on a constant basis.  Although slightly awkward at first to have him always around, after I got to know him I realized that Michael is an extremely friendly, willing to help, people loving, witty, extroverted, goofy, Christ-loving, theology-curious, writer of epic letters, fun person who has carved a niche for himself into our family.  He works at a home for troubled boys and is PERFECT for his job.  He spends almost every Sunday night -Wednesday morning at our house and sleeps downstairs with Jacob, Caleb, and Seth, on his own blow up mattress.   I have talked to him about everything from raising kids, church life, depression, to bodily functions (quite reluctantly on my part because I’m a lady).  I can say anything to this guy without fear of judgment.  Rich and I love him to death, and so do the kids.  He went to Costco with Rich and me and the kids yesterday because he wanted to buy some seltzer water……..so to answer the question “Who is Michael” is kinda hard.  He’s Jacob’s friend is the answer in a nut-shell.  But so much more.  He’s been such a gift to our family.  A brother in Christ.  I’m so glad Jacob has a friend in him.

“Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.” Mark Twain

Dumping the entire bag of sunflower seed on the driveway has continued to be a very wise decision on my part.  We are getting so many more birds now.  And I don’t have to keep track of the feeder!

Mourning doves are such lovely birds.  I love their black eyes and the way they waddle.

“There is an unreasonable joy to be had from the observation of small birds going about their bright, oblivious business” Grant Hutchison

(journal)

As I putter around the house I stop to gaze out the window at the birds.

I find my cats doing the same thing.

I have an orchid in bloom!

I’ve kept it alive for several years and it always blooms around this time.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:  The old is has gone the new is here!”