Grace is home. She’s twenty now and so much me, part of me, and most especially of all her own self, too, that she keeps me endlessly praising God for the gift of this dear daughter of mine.

The house is full again even though Jacob and Ethan don’t get home until tomorrow. We had Michael and Brittnee here last night and the chaos made me dream again the dream I have of all of us living together in this same house for always.

Then, at the end of the day, the heavy wet rain turned into heavy clumps of slush and then big heavy snow. I kept running out to the porch to look, it’s amazing how the weather effects the spirit! I jumped up and down! Seth stripped down to his underwear and stood in it!

Yesterday in Sunday School the teacher mentioned the Spirit of God and what that means and in my mind I thought, “God has spirit”!!!!!!!!! you know, like spirit week at the High School, with cheering and motivation and pep? And my mind was blown. I usually think of the spirit of God as holy and quiet and peaceful, which is also is, but what about a YAHOO GIDDY UP AND GO Spirit? I love it! I want more of it! I’ve been quiet and pensive enough for a lifetime. I’ll still be these things, I have to be……..but this other sort of spirit has been sorely lacking for me. And I want it! (blessed are those who hunger and thirst)……..

I think this is why today’s mantra was “kick it”. Grace and I got in the car and set out to get all the Thanksgiving shopping done and that’s what we said periodically to one other, “we’re kicking it!” I even did a high kick on the way into Costco.

The word of the day was QUEEN.

Such spirit!

“Breathe on me, breath of God, fill me with LIFE anew.”

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love,
And do what Thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Until my heart is pure,
Until with Thee I will one will,
To do and to endure.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Till I am wholly Thine,
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with Thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
So shall I never die,
But live with Thee the perfect life
Of Thine eternity.

hymn by Edwin Hatch

Then I looked inside.
Then I went inside.

with a thankful heart

You are so so very much loved.

Psalm 103

O my soul, bless God.
    From head to toe, I’ll bless his holy name!
O my soul, bless God,
    don’t forget a single blessing!

He forgives your sins—every one.
    He heals your diseases—every one.
    He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
    He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.
    He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.
    He renews your youth—you’re always young in his presence.

God makes everything come out right;
    he puts victims back on their feet.
He showed Moses how he went about his work,
    opened up his plans to all Israel.
God is sheer mercy and grace;
    not easily angered, he’s rich in love.
He doesn’t endlessly nag and scold,
    nor hold grudges forever.
He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve,
    nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.
As high as heaven is over the earth,
    so strong is his love to those who fear him.
And as far as sunrise is from sunset,
    he has separated us from our sins.
As parents feel for their children,
    God feels for those who fear him.
He knows us inside and out,
    keeps in mind that we’re made of mud.
Men and women don’t live very long;
    like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,
But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly,
    leaving nothing to show they were here.
God’s love, though, is ever and always,
    eternally present to all who fear him,
Making everything right for them and their children
    as they follow his Covenant ways
    and remember to do whatever he said…….