So much 2 say

What can I do but apologize? I've all but abandoned this blog over the last several months, and although I have many excuses, none of them are good. The biggest excuse is our recent move to Arizona, a process which began in January and ended...well, it's not really over yet. We've been in our new house for a few weeks, but the painting and fixing up and settling in seems to be a perpetual process.

Not to mention the fact that our son got stung by a scorpion three weeks into the move. Yeah. That was fun... NOT!! Right now we're in our 13th straight day of triple digits (yes, that means over 100 degrees) and it's only getting warmer. So, I'm wondering "now, why did we do this again?"

But we definitely don't have to scrape any snow off our windshield - EVER. So, it's got that going for it!

I hope all is well in your collective worlds...

Grace,
LL

Snow Day Love

I don't know about you, but I just love snow days. Last week an unexpected snow storm hit our area and my kids had 2 hour delays or days off the whole week.

There's something unexpected about a snow day that really helps to break the ruts of our routines. Suddenly events are cancelled and all bets are off. Around here that usually translates into throwing out our agenda for the day and doing something completely irresponsible - like sledding or building snowmen or watching movies all day long snuggled under blankets with steaming mugs of hot cocoa!

We've done all those things and more as winter seems to have come and STAYED in this most often "Green-Christmas" town.

Call me crazy, but I just love cancelled appointments and days spent by the fire with soup on the stove and family gathered all together. It puts me in my happy place - complete with knitting needles and of course, my requisite laptop!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Questions Without Answers

Lately I've been thinking about The Count of Monte Christo(which is set in 1815–1838). I don't know why, but for some reason it's been on my mind. One of my favorite parts is The Count's first encounter with a boy who turns out to be his son. The then teen-aged Albert is 'attacked' by bandits (a set-up by Dantes), and faced with torture and possibly death and yet tells them "Do your worst." His bravery pulls Dantes up short, and is the first sign of change in an otherwise bitter heart.

This past week I began reading a book by Susan Meissner called "The Shape of Mercy". In this modern-day tale a young affluent college student takes a job transcribing the diary of a woman that was written during the Salem witch trials (1692-1693). Again a time period several hundred years ago, contrasted with today's day and age.

Then this morning, I happened upon a blog with this quote up:

"You know, sir, what a design I am going upon and what a stripling I am for so great a work; but I stand forth as David against Goliath in the name of the Lord of Hosts and I doubt not but that he that has and does will still deliver unto the end. God give me a deep humility, a well-guided zeal, a burning love and a single eye, and then let men or devils do their worst."

George Whitefield, in a letter, 9 January 1738, published in Letters of George Whitefield, page 33.

Interesting, no? Are we moving into a David and Goliath time? Is a showdown coming between those who would destroy and those who must stand firm in the face of persecution?

History is being highlighted. Have we learned our lessons?

Our Baggage ... Is Bondage

This video is great. Takes Romans 8:1 to a new level...

An Army of One

You've heard the old ad campaign for the army, right?
"We do more before six a.m. than most people do all day."

Today I was up at 5:30 because one of my middle-schoolers has basketball practice every morning from 6-7:30 and has to be at the school by 5:55. I got up, put a load of laundry in, made some coffee and out the door I went - video return in hand, and dropped him at the very dark bus loop before heading off to run errands.

Blockbuster and the grocery store later, I was home by 6:45 with a load of groceries and just enough time to change over the laundry and get the other middle-schooler off to the bus stop.

Whew! I'm tired just thinking about me!

But seriously, I don't know what it is about a list of "have-to's", but I am infinitely more productive on a schedule. I don't know, maybe I should go back to work - then at least I might have a shot at finishing the edits on this book I'm writing!!

Hope you're all having a fabulous day!