He is clearly seen.

I’m convinced that Lulu is an old soul.

She loves to hear stories of the “olden days”. When I’m off to the antique shop, she’s the only one that wants to tag along.

A few months ago while we were on a road trip, she said to me “mama, when I grow up do you know what I’m going to do?”

“no, baby, what will you do when you grow up?” I said, waiting for something great to spring from her lips.

“I’m going to go all around town on my horse. I’ll go to the grocery on my horse…….I’ll just go everywhere on my horse!” she said very matter of fact.

I knew it was true. I knew in that instant that she would have loved living in the olden days.

A few moments later, she said “and mama, when I have to go on longer trips like this, I’m going to have a red, rusty pickup truck.”

Is it strange that immediately butterflies descended on my stomach? Yes, my insides began fluttering when she said that. I’m still not quite sure why. I suppose it is because she makes me nervous happy. Teary-eyed I sit here and tell you that this child brings such light and happiness to my life that it overwhelms me to tears.

Easter morning, she rummaged through all of the bikes at GrandMary and Beepa’s and this is what she came up with…….shouting to me “mama, this is my favorite old time bike! I want one just like it!”

And then I wondered why I went to the market and bought her a brand new one. Silly me.

Easter.

I love Easter. The emotions that Holy Week bring are like a wave of sadness and grief rolling up into celebration and praise. It is overwhelming thankfulness for King Jesus. It is spending time at my mom and dad’s home (the place in the world I still feel most comfortable). It is Easter baskets and hugs and smiles and hunting. It is remembering my grandparents and being thankful for family. It is my favorite holiday. Without question.

Our Easter breakfast table was lovely. After being extinguished week by week, all of the candles were lit again on Easter morning, signifying Jesus, the light of the world’s resurrection. I used my grandma’s china. I do so love it. I got chills watching my girls drink from the cups – my gram never met either of them. I always wear a piece of my gram on Easter – a ring that probably means more to me than it should. That’s my way of keeping her with me on a day that was important to her as well.

Do you see the glasses I found with the “N” on them. Aren’t they grand?

God is declaring His glory and greatness all around you. He exists as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This triune God created everything and upholds the universe in every way. All of this, believe it or not, is not about you or me. He is so great and so perfect that none of us could ever be in His presence without facing His perfect judgement. You see, He is perfect and we are not and He cannot tolerate imperfection in His presence. Amazingly, He sent Jesus to cover for us. Jesus took all of God’s wrath on the cross more than 2 thousand years ago. Jesus’ blood was the payment for our sins. After Jesus died and was buried, He defeated death and now lives.

Nothing you or I can do will ever be enough to earn the right to be in the presence of God. However, Jesus offered a way for us to live with Him forever. Confess, along with me, that you’ve made mistakes. And tell Him that you want to be His friend and follower. Because, it is all about Him – not us.

If you believe that you can somehow earn the right to be in the presence of God by something that you do, you are in danger. If you decide that you will not think about these matters now, you have made a decision to reject the truth – a very bad plan. At the very least, I invite you to investigate. Don’t take it from me. Click here and read this: TRUTH

If you are reading this here blog, I care about you. It is my desire that you know the truth. This truth will change your life. That’s a promise.

And just so we humans don’t get too big for our britches, this amazing God displays His great power by creating the most beautiful things for us to enjoy. How can we look at such things and dismiss that He lives and cares about us? I have found it an impossibility.

The Mountain from Terje Sorgjerd on Vimeo.

Dear Mak & Livy:

I’ve been writing these Wednesday notes to you each week for a few months now. Today, I want to
remember a little bit of today rather than give you my thoughts on something.

Since I married your Papa, I sense a different rhythm emerge every few months. For me it seems the rhythms change with the seasons and as you girls grow. I love – deeply love – memorizing each rhythm. When you were babies, the rhythms centered so much around when you nursed and when you slept.

Now that you are a bit older, the rhythms dance around school, activities and meals. The current rhythm is getting ready to change – school will be out soon and softball & boating season will begin. Oh, I rejoice in those things after the long, cold, snowy winter!

The scene tonight reminded me very much of our current rhythm. After school, I usually get the music started. Tonight it was Johnny Cash and Jason Mraz. Don’t forget that I’ve actually asked your Papa not to ever tell you to turn the music down! That’s one of my things, dear girls. Loud music is quite a treat. Some like fine wine, some like exotic travel – me, I’m easy to please – just play me some loud music.

While the music was playing, Livy was twirling around the kitchen; dancing with her scarf. I began to chop the vegetables. Everyday, I chop the vegetables! Tonight’s menu was Vegetable chowder and two different salads: Avocado & Tomato Salad AND Belgium Endive, Portabella Mushroom, Blue Cheese salad – and of course a nice crusty baguette!

While I was cutting, Papa was with Makenna at a music lesson. Livy worked up quite an appetite dancing around and asked for an apple with peanut butter. We chopped the apple and Livy hopped up on the island while I continued chopping. I love when you girls are in the kitchen with me! The dogs are always at my feet while I’m cooking. They are just waiting for little things to fall to the floor!

Papa and Mak walked in just when everything was coming together. We sat down, prayed and shared our day with one another. During dinner, as usual, I reminded Livy about seven thousand times to eat her soup! And she asked about seven thousand times if she had eaten enough.

When it was time to clean up, someone began playing the most beautiful song on the piano and someone else was singing. Papa left for a coaches meeting and I baked a treat for you girls to enjoy for the next few days – chocolate rice crispy treats!

Do you see why I want to remember this rhythm? Isn’t it a beautiful rhythm?

I love you girls.
Love,
Mama

Today I spent the day honoring some amazing women. Did you hear me? **Amazing Women**

A few months ago, three of my girlfriends and I knew that it was time for us to let some very special women know what they mean to us……….what they have meant to us and what they continue to mean to us.

These women have modeled for us what a God-fearing and Bible loving woman looks like. The truth is that while they have spoken verbally into our lives, I think I can speak for Danielia, Kim and Anita and say that we’ve learned an equal amount from just watching them live lives that are exemplary.

The love that these women have for Jesus and the Word of God is beautiful. We’ve had the great honor of sitting around in a circle and reading to one another……….we’ve served at events with one another and us younger, less experienced women have learned so much from them.

The day we planned was just our small way (very small) of trying to express our love and admiration for them.

We were honored that they accepted our invitation to spend the afternoon with us. We were all so excited that we were going to be able to serve them and sit & talk with them.

Jan, Jean, Marje, Shirley, Jean, Judi and Vicki:
I often wonder why the Lord gave me the chance to know you, to learn from you and to be blessed by you. I am overwhelmed by the love you have shown me and my family. I am honored that I have heard you speak the very words of God during our time together. I am blessed to know the details of the hardships that you have faced and prevailed in Jesus. And I am grateful that I have known each of you. You have blessed me beyond words that I can write.
I love you.

I’d like, internet, to share these women with you. Are they not the most beautiful women you have ever seen? Oh, internet, I wish you could know their hearts like I do. If you did, you would be changed. I just know it.

We made these vine prints by putting ink on our thumbs and signing our names. They turned out so colorful!

One of the sweetest gifts today brought to me was watching how these ladies love one another – and laugh together. Whenever I am with them, I am joyful at the amount we seem to laugh together. It is so precious.

Mostly I would just reiterate something Kim said today as she prayed for us all. She said “Thank you God for loving us through these women.” Yes, thank you Father.

The girls that God has given us have altered my world in ways I never could have imagined.

Yesterday she had a really rough day. A bunch of different things made it a rough day for her. I’m continually impressed, however, with her ability to get over things quickly. She’s really, really good at forgiving. I love that.

Before she had a chance to talk to me about her rough day, she texted me. Her text said this: “Mama, I love you sooooo much.” That’s all. She didn’t even indicate to me that her day was rough. Her school day ended and 7 minutes after the day ended, she sent me that text. And then when she saw me she unloaded and we chatted for a while. And then we laughed a lot. What else is there to do when you are growing up and you realize that people are people and will make mistakes? Sometimes intentional, sometimes unintentional. It’s just something you learn.

A few days ago this little one was as sick as could be. I generally know she’s sick when she slows down. She usually goes ten thousand miles per minute. When I saw her resting, I knew.

While she was sick, she managed to draw and write a lot. This is a picture that she drew of her wedding day. *gulp* Notice the title………..she says the ? mark is because she doesn’t know her husband’s name yet. Also notice the Bible. Yes, child, yes – when Jesus is the center of your marriage it will go well with you.

Yesterday, she took my face in her hands while she stood atop one of the dining room chairs. She looked at me very intently and said “Mama you are so beautiful. I love the way your hair scoops around like that.” And that’s when I melted.

It’s totally coming…………I have to believe that it is. Totally. Right?