blessed beyond measure

So we're riding to church Sunday morning. "Welcome to our World" comes on the radio, one of my favorite Christmas songs ever. And, as always, by the time the song reached the "tiny heart whose blood will save us" line, I was a puddle of weepy mush. (I cry at the drop of a hat these days, and even moreso at stuff that always made me cry before.) Song ends, and I am still pretty choked up. Mama: Trey, do you know how special it is that Jesus came here for us? Trey: Yes, I know. I do know. (long pause) What's wrong? Mama: Nothing, buddy. I'm just happy about Christmas and celebrating Jesus. Trey: (another long pause) But you're crying. What's wrong with you? Mama: It's just something girls do sometimes, to cry when they are happy. I'm so happy and thankful for Jesus. Trey: (yet another long pause) Why do girls do that? Mama: It's just one of those things. Trey: But why? Luckily we happened upon a speed limit sign, and...

Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 I have written approximately 46 blog posts over the last two weeks. Maybe, just maybe, for this one I'll be able to hit publish at the end. Hard to say. We're walking through the valley. Oh, things certainly aren't as bad as they could be. I am well aware that my worst day would be a walk in the park for some people. But I don't know if ever before there has been such suffering around and among us. Satan is wreaking havoc. Friends - multiple - who have lost a child, hearts shattered at what should have been such a joyful season in their lives. Our church, torn apart. Family, hurting. And we struggle under the weight of it all, piled on top our own issues, which were no small potatoes to begin with. So yes, we are walking through the valley. The verses from 1 Thessalonians flash through my mind every few minutes. Joy, p...

The storms are raging. We are clinging tightly. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:19

All I know to do right now is to proclaim truth. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging... Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:1-3, 10

Last night's family devotions were from Jeremiah 18, when God sends Jeremiah to the potter's house. On occasion, Trey kicks and fidgets and seems to daydream while Brandon is telling the Bible story, so when he finished reading, I asked Trey about what he had heard. Mama: Trey, did you listen to what Daddy just said? Trey: Yes. Mama: What did he read about? Trey: Jeremiah. Mama: And what did God tell Jeremiah to look at? Trey: The potty. And, end of devotions. Can't be very serious and teach about the Lord when you're doubled over laughing. Love that kid.

Well I have broken the cardinal rule of effective blogging, that the posts should always keep coming. The whole rain, snow, sleet, or hail, being as dependable as the mail. I totally just butchered that statement, but you know what I mean. Though I understand the mail system will be faltering soon, and it will take like a month to get anything anywhere. Let's get a campaign going to bring back the pony express. Something about the mental image of a horse and rider streaking across a wide open field of wheat is freeing to me. It's nice. And...welcome to what happens when I haven't effectively blogged in over two weeks. The break might not have been so noticeable if I hadn't gotten so good at having something relatively interesting and new up every day or two. Of course relatively interesting is relative, so for all I know my two readers just smiled and nodded after reading my daily blog fluff. I'm sorry, yall. I hope this post is not too confusing, it's jus...

I'm not staying away on purpose. Trust me, there is much I could say about this season of, well, challenges we have stumbled upon. First and most of all, how grateful I am that we haven't stumbled upon the challenges, but have been led into them by the hand of a God who loves us, wants us to grow, and will walk beside us with every step. My brain dump, typically housed here on the blog, now takes place before the throne of the Lord. Seems all I can think about are the various difficult situations around us. And I have to turn these thoughts into prayers; otherwise it's classified as worry. Every time I have thought of blogging over the past week, there were just no words left. And we all know that when a mom has no words, you can rest assured that pics of her kids are close at hand. Thanks for sticking with me. I'll be back.

The Sheriff and the Kiss had a great time at Trunk or Treat this year. Trey played and worked his little non-tail off giving out candy to the kids, and as usual, it took a village to keep up with Aden. Poor Poppop was completely worn out. Not so for Trey, who, on a candy high, burned the midnight oil with his Daddy long after the rest of the family had nodded off. Good times. And a special thank you to my Mom, who made Aden's costume and Trey's vest, and pretty much just made the costumes happen. Love you Giga!