Honourable Intentions

The ambulance station captured Oliver's attention as we whizzed by and he announced that he loves ambulances. He paused a moment and then stated, "When I grow up, I'm going to be an ambulance man... and a police and a firetruck man. Yeah, I'm going to be all three." I smiled, as I drove, at the thought of how my boy longs to rescue and protect. He often volunteers to kill spiders for his sisters or escort one of them, who is afraid to go into the furnace room by herself. He continued, "Actually, I'm going to be a cop! (as if it were any different) but, I'm thinking about being a robber."

I'm sure I looked like a deer in headlights as I popped into the rearview mirror. "Oliver! A robber?" He stared back at me as though I had just shot down a long-time deep desire. "What do you mean?"

Again--blink, blink.

Finally, it dawned on me that perhaps he had heard the term, "cops and robbers" and just assumed the two were partners. So I asked him, "Babe, do you know what a robber is?" He shook his head. I told him it's a person who steals from other people and that the police are trying to catch these guys who are causing so much trouble.

That's when my boy clung to his honourable intentions and said, "I will get them! I WILL!

Fresh Start

September sighs deeply from heat exhaustion and begins to release her first leaves, and a few of our butterflies. I'm waiting and watching for her to carry away the well-fed birds at my feeders. We sweep those leaves from the deck as autumn sweeps in busy days filled with schoolwork, ballet, piano and clubs. It's the time of year when I wonder how I'm going to fit it all in and yet, it's the time when I settle in with a cup of tea at day's end peacefully satisfied.

A very sleepy group of children pose in the early morning for their school photo and then we head downstairs armed with books and "new year's" resolutions to do our very best. May the Lord bless you in your new beginnings, if you have them. If you are continuing work and there is no fresh start for you, perhaps you might consider beginning a new way of studying God's Word or joining a prayer group? Beginnings always inspire us to greater heights in growth. Happy Fall!

Memories Of Costa Rica

Standing at the Pacific Ocean on the second day.

Volcanic mud-so good for the skin?

Too funny-he turned around and was standing right behind this mannequin. I laughed and he figured out what was so funny and stepped a smidgey forward and I took the photo :)

LOVE my hammock!

What a sweet moment.

Enjoying our pool.

Capturing the sunset on our final evening.

Sharing memories of Costa Rica.

On The Water

We were two kids raised with boats, we met and married and so became drawn to this location. My husband, especially, longs to be on the water when we're land-locked on our campsite. Walking along the pier, smelling the boat gas, visiting Mom and Dad's boat, listening to the clinking of the metal against the masts--almost as good as being aboard... almost.

And so... we rented a boat and headed out to the middle of the lake, where we were no longer shoreline spectators.

With wind-whipped hair and countless photos and memories, we turned in our boat keys at the marina. A day well spent on the water for another year.

Flying Tandem

It's a little place where he can fly and I can take photos of things that fly. We work in tandem, mostly in silence, and it's tranquil and satisfying for both of us.

We discovered something that we both can do together without having to be doing the exact same thing. There are a few activities we both enjoy but sometimes it's gratifying just to be in each other's presence without a word. Recognizing that we have different interests was obvious, blending our hobbies into oneness was a little tougher. Is there something you and your spouse can do to be together so that you're both enjoying each other side by side? Pray for God to reveal a way in which you can fly tandem.

Documenting the Divine

It sounded odd to me as I wrote that title, but I mean it in a very serious way. When I post photos and type words about our lives, I truly feel like I'm documenting the Divine. Every day has God-breathed gifts that are waiting to be unwrapped. Oh, we receive them and enjoy them, like anyone, but the real unwrapping is when we notice Who is the giver and take a moment to pause and quietly (or audibly!) utter thanks to Him. Sometimes, the gratitude comes long after the gift has been experienced and I confess to the Lord that I missed Him somehow in that moment. The photos, they help me look back (if I missed it) and remind me of His goodness to me.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:16-18

God's desire for His created people is that we first receive His Son, Jesus, the greatest Gift. All the little and big blessings we encounter daily are also His grace to us. Having His Spirit live in us causes us to give Him praise for each of those as we unwrap them in gratitude. Documenting the Divine moments awakens that thankfulness in others, especially, our children. Take some time to write your gratitude list today.