CORNELLOKI WASHING DAYS

Though they go through the regular wash cycles, from time to time I like to collect all of the girls' favorite nightgowns

for mending and careful spot treating along with a loooong fresh bask in the sun for the day.

The way the sunlight streams through the pleats and ruffles sings of the beauty of childhood. How I love the sight. 

I hope my cherishing the labor of love that is laundry remains a source of nurturance and encouragement for my children. I know I shall remember with fondness praying along the clothesline, with a special spot in my mother's heart for Cornelloki washing days.

"And so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home,
kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled."

Titus 2:4-5

CILANTRO, ZUCCHINI, & APPLES

{just a bit of a garden update today}

To see Olia come running (and leaping) to the house at the sight of her first zucchini...Oh what a joy!

"And God said, 'Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.' And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good."

Genesis 1:11-12

THE PURSUIT OF HOLINESS

A little inspiration from re-reading The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges this morning:

. . . . . .

The more we ourselves grow in holiness, the more we hate sin.

Hebrews 12:14 [says] "make every effort...to be holy."
The writer of Hebrews is telling us to take seriously the necessity of personal, practical holiness.

"Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy;
without holiness no one will see the Lord."
Hebrews 12:14

When the Holy Spirit comes into our lives at our salvation, He comes to make us holy in practice.

It is true that this desire for holiness may be only a spark at the beginning. But that spark should grow till it becomes a flame - a desire to live a life wholly pleasing to God. True salvation brings with it a desire to be made holy. The Holy Spirit who creates within us saving faith also creates within us the desire for holiness. He simply does not create one without the other.

God does not require a perfect, sinless life to have fellowship with Him, but He does require that we be serious about holiness,
that we grieve over sin in our lives instead of justifying it, and that we earnestly pursue holiness as a way of life.

True faith will always show itself by its fruits.

Everyone, then, who professes to be a Christian should ask himself,
"Is there evidence of practical holiness in my life?"
"Do I desire and strive after holiness?"
"Do I grieve over my lack of it and earnestly seek the help of God to be holy?"

God has provided all we need for our pursuit of holiness. He has delivered us from the reign of sin and given us His indwelling Holy Spirit. He has revealed His will for holy living in His Word, and He works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose.

"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life
through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."
2 Peter 1:3

"And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness."
Romans 8:26

Surely He has not commanded us to be holy without providing the means to be holy. If you [choose to pursue holiness],
you will experience the fullness of joy which Christ has promised to those who walk in obedience to Him.

-Jerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness

"But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written,
'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
1 Peter 1:15-16

"If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love,
just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.
These things I have spoken to you, that my JOY may be in you, and that your JOY may be full."
John 15:10-11

THOSE MOMENTS

{5:30am smile}

In life, there are those moments when it feels like...everything's gonna be alright.

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
Galatians 6:9

SHE KNOWS COMFORT

She climbed up on the couch with her "Cutie Pie" (as she named her),
cuddled up, and fell asleep just like she does with Mama.

She knows comfort.

"But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children."

1 Thessalonians 2:7

SISTERS...FRIENDS

{These 2}

Different as different can be...and yet...the very best of friends with a very special bond.

"A friend loves at all times."

Proverbs 17:17

BEA'S HEART

This time was bound to come. As we discussed praying for Bea around the lunch table as her open heart surgery date approaches, our sensitive girl began to cry for the first time when it comes to hospitals, etc. She's always nearly enjoyed the whole thing, but this time it is different. She's older (and wiser) now compared to the last time she went through all of this and it's hitting home in a new way.

As tears welled up she was able to identify her feelings, so brave for such a young age. She doesn't want to leave home and family and security she's come to know and cherish...a good sign really that she is attached. She is attached! Praise the Lord, our daughter is firmly attached to Mommy and Daddy and her comfortable sense of home. This in itself is a triumph, though it complicates the matter. Sweet Bea doesn't want to leave her home (her home!) and I don't blame her one bit. I felt the same way as a child, still do if I'm honest.

As we hugged and cried and talked it all through, the reality burned my heart just the same...I don't want her to leave home for this surgery either! I don't like it one bit! But this is good and it is God's redemptive plan for our daughter, His daughter, and He has called us all to this uncomfortable place of saying goodbye for a very important and lifesaving surgery. Yes, we must be brave.

Bea will be safe in her fathers/Father's arms. There's no better place to be.

Goodbye.

I think it's my least favorite word. There's just so much pain behind that word for me and I really don't like goodbyes. But for Bea and her heart and for the plan that God has ordained, we will soon say goodbye...again. And Jesus will carry us all.

He will.

Lord, please comfort Bea as her more mature heart now understands what's coming. Please protect her innocence and shelter her from what she need not know. Give us wisdom as we navigate these deep waters. We trust you, Lord. We know you've got this.

"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

Psalm 34:18

NOBLE IS...

hard-working

kind

thoughtful

compassionate

sensitive

willing spirited

happy

sweet

gentle

brave

strong

athletic

coordinated

artistic

eager to learn

eager to serve

a gentleman

a devoted follower of Jesus Christ

Noble is...

7!

Noble, you are kind and brave, a noble young man just like your name and always eager to serve joyfully. We can see that you will become a godly man...We can see that in you which brings us great joy. You have come so very far in your life, accomplishing much, and still eager to learn and please God as you grow. We are for you, Noble, and so is He!

(This photo is classic Noble...effortless buoyancy and so much joy!)

We love you, Noble, and we are very proud of you, our special son.

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY!

"But he who is noble plans noble things, and on noble things he stands."

Isaiah 32:8

MOTHER'S DAY 2017

Words are not enough to describe the gratitude I feel to have been chosen as "Mother" to these 11.

The bracelet on my wrist reminds me of our 12th...rejoicing with the Lord. It's been a big year.

"The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."

Job 1:21

I thank God for His gifts to me...and for the wonderful man I get to share this journey with.

"Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him."

Psalm 127:3

BARK BEETLE

Although a sad loss...

A good excuse to do something super manly...

With super kind neighbors...

And super cute pine cone picker uppers...

Thanks for all your hard work, guys...

And girls...

Now we're all set again on firewood for next year.

Timber!

"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."

1 Corinthians 16:13

GARDEN UPDATE

Ever since I saw this first butternut squash sprout...I think I've become a gardener.

(garden box buddies)

Historically, I would have considered myself more of a natural gardener in the sense that I've always enjoyed planting things that grow well on their own and then letting nature take it's course. But, since learning the art of pruning, and now soil cultivation and seed saving, I've begun to grow into a new type of gardener and I appreciate in a fresh way how God works through His creation!

(Many hands make light work.)

(Beck is content to dig the same spot for hours at a time.)

(buddies tacking chicken wire to keep out gophers)

(Mr. Soil himself here)

(Elka is a natural born gardener. It's her thing.)

(leveling the boxes)

(acquiring soil from various places where the chickens have been scratching around)

(I love seeing boys enjoy good old fashioned WORK.)

(our resident dandelion picker)

(Brodie's wood mulch kale experiment)

(everything else covered in hay)

(grapes)

(tomatoes)

(zucchini)

(spring greens)

(plums)

(apples)

(apricots)

(cherries)

(Bea's first peach)

(For a girl who loves lady bugs, this lady bug sanctuary of a garden is her delight!)

(Oh, and the roses!)

Olia has counted 80+ rose bushes and they are in full bloom to her amazement and wonder!

We also planted cantaloupe, pumpkins, arugula, spinach, rainbow carrots, parsley, peppers, cucumber, thyme, cilantro, oregano, romaine...and we're waiting for some heat to get the basil going. As for our fruit trees, we're growing apricots, cherries, peaches, various plums, lemon, various apples, Asian pear, pomegranates, and avocado...so far. I'm excited to see what does well here and go with plenty of THAT rather than battle the forces against us. We will see in time how that goes...

Ah, and my favorite part of the garden...meandering through to see children at play. How I thank the Lord for this sight!

Yes, it's true. I've become a gardener. And with seeds popping up that we saved ourselves from last year, I'm all the more enticed. Gardening is FUN! And rewarding. It's also frustrating when critters find our goods, but we're praying the Lord keeps them from eating it all, yet glad He can feed them some from our efforts too. I wonder what our garden will look like a couple of months from now???

I think since moving here, spring is my new favorite season.

"And God said, 'Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.' And it was so.

And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good."

Genesis 1:29-31

THESE LITTLE PIGGIES

{melt our hearts every day}

Oh Willow, you're such an angel. You bring us all such joy...you and your little piggies.

"And you shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip, and bounced upon her knees.
As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you."
Isaiah 66:12-13