Favorite things drawing result

This was so much fun!  I think we should make this an annual thing, don't you?  I can choose a couple of new favorite things each year, and always the chocolate.  

Anyway.   Now to this year's drawing.  I can't wait to tell you who gets the gift!

41 names...  

And the name we drew?

!!!!!!!

Yay, Koe!  I'm so happy it's you!  

For the rest of you... a little about Koe:  Koe had four children (all boys?)  Their ages?  2, 4, and two 5 year-olds.  Of those four children, Koe and her husband were in the process of adopting three of them through the foster care system.  

And *then* they found out these three children had four other siblings, also in need of adoption.  And so Koe and her husband are now in the process of adopting four more children, for a grand total of eight children!!!  

Last I heard they were trying to close on a new [bigger] home to house their expanding family! Isn't that wonderful?

Koe, would you be willing to leave a comment and share an update with everyone? (Or correct me if I got the details wrong!)  I know these readers would love to hear your story!  

And in the meantime, I will find some Lindt chocolate for you (but no hazelnut!)  Please email me your address and I'll arrange to send it.  (But I know you're close and I'd love to meet you, so if you'd rather, I can deliver it in person!)

Have a wonderful weekend, all.  And thanks for participating!

Thankful

Thursday night.  We are due at small group by 6:00.  Mark is leading the study.  

5:00... I am frantically trying to get dinner in the oven.  Watching the clock impatiently...Where is Mark?  

5:10... I place dinner in the oven.  It is barely in before I have to pull some out to put on the kids' plates. 

5:20... They eat while I rush around and pack up the bag, grab Bibles, notebooks, set clothes out for Mark.

5:30... Mark is still not home.  We have to leave in 15 minutes and he's not here yet.  I refill drinks, get Ella more enchiladas, get myself ready.

5:35... Mark calls.  He's on his way home.  He'll walk so we won't have to pick him up.  I get the kids cleaned up.

5:45... We're supposed to be leaving right now and Mark is still not home. 

5:50... I hear the door, run for the shower, turn it on for him.  Remind him that we need to leave.  NOW.  I help with shoes and jackets, and get a plate ready for Mark.  Out the door we go.  It's 6:04 when we get into the van.  I drive, Mark eats, the kids point out all the Christmas lights. 

6:17... We arrive at small group.  The passage is James 4.  What causes fights and quarrels among you?  Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?  You want something but don't get it.... 

In preparation for our study I'd read something by C.J. Mahaney.  He wrote: "Whenever there's conflict, there's a sinful craving that hasn't been satisfied yet."  He suggested that when you enter your next conflict, stop and ask yourself, "What do I want that I am not getting right now?"  The answer to that question will reveal what is fueling your quarrels.  We talked about that tonight at small group.  Getting to the heart of the issue; the sinful craving, and then dealing with that.

8:20... Heading home.  It is already past the kids' bedtime, *and* my parents want to come over when we get home so that they can give Ella her birthday gift, early.  I just want the kids to get some sleep.  I am already grumbly in my spirit when Ella pipes up from the back seat, where she has just finished her small-group snack: a cracker and half of a muffin,  "Mommy, I'm hungryyyy.  I want more to eat."  So Isaac chimes in: "And I'm hungry too!"  Isaias would have whined about that, too, probably, except that he was already whining about the fact that I'd taken his snack away from him for his disobedience on the way out to the van.

And me?  Well, I responded with something along the lines of [insert snapping, crabby tone here]:  "You know what?  I happen to be hungry too.  I've not eaten since lunch.  You each had a plate of enchiladas and the snack you just finished off.  I have not eaten anything.  So please stop whining about it.  If you'd like something to eat when we get home, we can figure it out then."  You know, something kind of... quarrelly.  And grumpy.  And I stew about it the whole way home.  Me and my martyr self.

We walk in the door, Mark and Isaias head to deal with the discipline issue, I dial mom's number and pass the phone to Ella so that she can tell them we're home.  And then I pull stuff off the couch so that there's actually seating when they arrive.  Grumbly me. 

And then I head into the other room to unload our stuff, and hear Ella dragging the chair across the kitchen floor and clattering around.  A few minutes later she walks towards me.  She's holding a plate with a heated enchilada.  She'd popped it into the microwave herself.  In her other hand she had a glass of iced tea.  And she had a smile on her face.  I knelt down beside her to receive her offering.  And I cried.   I was reminded then of that other verse we'd read tonight.  The sixth verse of James 4:  "But he gives us more grace."  More grace.  Unmerited favor.  Such grace, this.  God's love for me in this outstretched offering.  Before I'd even acknowledged my sin before him.  

Mahaney's question was,  What do you want that you aren't getting right now?  What I had wanted was some peace.  Mark home by 4:30, dinner in the oven on time, and a nice, unhurried meal together as a family.  And then I wanted recognition for the sacrifices I'd made for everyone.  You know, all the running around I'd done-- neglecting even a meal for myself-- to get everyone ready and out the door on time.  Oh, and I would have liked an apology from Mark, too.  Though I know he worked hard today and couldn't help the time he arrived home.  I wanted an apology anyway.  And I wanted to be able to arrive at small group early, maybe, for once.  I.  Wanted.  

And yet, with my sinful, icky self fully evident to all, most notably God, He gives grace.  It came tonight in the form of a plate of reheated enchiladas and a glass of iced tea.  

Odds and ends

1.  All of a sudden I really want to learn how to embroider.  Simply for the purpose of whipping up something like this.  Or this.  But maybe I should finish the four projects I have on knitting needles first.   Not to mention the bag I have the pattern and material for but haven't begun sewing yet.

2.  Twice, now, (here and here) I've heard about this movie.  Of course it's not playing anywhere near me.  But do follow that link and click on the "Eduardo's Story" part.  And if it's playing anywhere near *you*, go see it, would you?   

3.  This right here is Isaac's favorite thing to do.  Amy-and-family bought him the Africa puzzle for his birthday and he does it everyday, at least twice a day.  We are so getting the rest of these.  My mom bought him another one for Christmas.  I plan on getting all of them, eventually.

4.  Ella has recently begun to knit.  Really, she knits.  She is five years old and she knits.  How cute is that?!?!  She is knitting a light blue scarf for Isaias, and it's about 5 inches long so far.  But she'll just plop down on the couch and knit a row or two.  It is the cutest thing ever.  Or she'll say, "Mommy, will you knit with me?  Let's knit together."  And so we will.  And so I say for the zillionth time: I absolutely love having a daughter.  Add to that the fact that when this girl unloads the dishwasher, she ORGANIZES my drawers.  Seriously.  Those teaspoons and tablespoons are never stacked neatly unless it's Ella's chore.  Love her.

5.  We got our Christmas tree this weekend.  (!!!!!!)  It was a much calmer experience than last year's adventure.  [No tree in the shower.]  The house is all decorated.  I love turning off all the lights except the ones on the Christmas tree and snuggling up on the couch.  Pure delight.  [Especially if there's a bowl of something snacky on my lap,too.]  

6.  We recently joined Netflix.  If that's even what you do, "join".  [I'm not sure of the proper term.  Join?  Like join a gym?  Um...?]  We're trying it out right now, with the cheapest $4.99/month plan, but with our first month free. Here's what sold me on the idea: Doing this would mean that I'd never have to set foot in a video store again.  And that makes me very happy. I have come to DREAD the video store.  Really.  All those icky movie boxes creep me out.

7.  Isaac says things like, "Let's snuggle with beach other."  Instead of each other.  Beach other.  I will never ever correct this.  And because I haven't, Ella has begun saying it, too.  And that's perfectly fine with me.  

8.  I don't know if I've divulged this fact here on the blog yet, but now I will: I am the world's biggest klutz.  I could tell some pretty funny stories about the ways I impressed Mark before we began dating.  And every single one of them would involve me tripping.  Not just stumbling and tripping, mind you.  As in, falling-down-flat-on-my-face tripping.  [Mark would like to add, as he reads over my shoulder: "Or falling over backwards.  Across the coffee table."]  Yes, thankyouverymuch, honey.  [Amy, are you laughing right now?  I know you have those images firmly implanted in your mind.]  I still do this.  Daily.  Not always the tripping, but if it's not tripping it's dropping, falling, or crashing into something.

  

9.  I am SO making these this week with the kids.  (Aren't they cute?)

One more thing:  If you haven't entered the drawing yet, leave a comment here.  I'll be writing down each of your names and will have one of the kids draw one of them on Friday morning.  

Have a wonderful day! 

He hears and He answers

There is a framed letter that hangs on the wall in our kids' room.  Mark wrote it one summer, years ago.  It was written during a period of time when we were trying to conceive.  Those years were filled with month after long month of disappointment, intermingled with hope and prayers.  And then grief and tears and such heartache. 

It was during that season that Mark wrote this letter.  It's a long letter-- two pages worth-- so I won't type the whole of it here, but here are a few excerpts: 

I miss you, our child.  We have both hoped and dreamed for you for so long.

I want to hold you in my arms.  To touch your little hands and have you wrap them around my fingers.  To tickle your toes.  To kiss your forehead.  I hope I am never stingy with affection towards you.  I want to always kiss you, hug you, tousle your hair and wrassle with you. 

Our dear, beloved child, do you know that you are loved even before you exist?  We love you because we have always wanted you and because we want to have the privilege of watching you grow up.  If we have this place in our hearts for you already, I can only imagine how much more  we will love you as you develop and grow.  

I will be so proud to be your daddy.  I will always protect you; you can rest assured of that .  I will try to teach you everything that I have learned in this life.  With my words and with a little discipline, I will try to help you avoid the sins of your father, and I will forgive you and comfort you when you struggle and stumble. I will always love you.  

I long to watch you grow up.  Who will you be?  What will you look like?  Will you be dark and beautiful like your mommy?  Will your eyes be brown like hers or blue like mine?  What will be your favorite game?  Will you like sweets like daddy or salty snacks like mommy ? What will your little voice sound like and what will it sound like when you're mad or upset?  Will you be reserved or outgoing?  Will you join in when daddy dances silly?  Will you enjoy helping mommy with whatever household tasks she has each day?  How old will you be when you start praying before our family meals?  Will you like to curl up on my lap for a Bible story after a bath and getting into pajamas?...

I would ask who you will be when you grow up: what job you will have, who you will marry, what the world will be like then, but I don't want to think about that right now, because that means that you will leave us, emptying this house that is too empty right now.  

***

Next week our Ella will turn six years old.   Six.  This morning I remembered this letter Mark wrote so many summers ago, and I sit here marveling at God's incredible graciousness to us.  

He hears and He answers.  Don't ever doubt it.  

I know there are some of you who are also struggling with infertility.  Or maybe there is a prayer you have offered up to Him over and over and over and over again, and He seems silent.  He hears and He answers.

I know this to be true, although even I need to be reminded of it.  All those questions Mark asked in that letter, those who will you be questions?  We know the answers.  God has given us six years with this precious girl.  Not to mention four years with our Isaac and nearly two with our Isaias.  I am positively overwhelmed with gratitude.  He heard and He answered.  He is so good.  

The Lord is faithful to all His promises

and loving toward all he has made. 

The Lord upholds all those who fall

and lifts up all who are bowed down. 

The eyes of all look to you, 

and you give them their food at the proper time.

You open your hand

and satisfy the desires of every living thing. 

The Lord is righteous in all his ways

and loving toward all he has made. 

The Lord is near to all who call upon him, 

to all who call on him in truth.

He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; 

he hears their cry and saves them. 

The Lord watches over all who love him.

Psalm 145:13-20

Thanksgiving journal 2007

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise; 

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100: 4-5

To read more about our Thanksgiving tradition, from last year: Our Thanksgiving journal

A few of my favorite things

Because it is Thanksgiving week...
And because I am thankful for *you*, dear readers...

..A drawing!

First ever! And I'm very excited.

I decided awhile ago that I would like to have a drawing on my blog. The question was: What should I give? The best "theme" I could come up with was to give a few of my favorite things. 

I liked the idea of sending something handmade or homemade, but most of what I make in the realm of "homemade" is food. And while I love food and would love to share food, it would be difficult to mail.  

Since I love to cook, I thought about sending you my favorite cook book. But I don't actually have a favorite. I pick and choose my recipes from all sorts of sources, not from one particular book. So that was out.  

I love to read, and considered sending you one of my favorite books, but then... what if you've already read it? Or what if you don't like the type of books that I do? That wouldn't be much fun.  

I thought of yarn, candles, or bubble bath, but decided against those.  

I briefly considered a gift card from Amazon, but that is so impersonal I immediately crossed that off the list. 

I finally settled on these two things:


The item on the left is one of the Seeds Family Worship CDs. I discovered these CDs several months ago, and we LOVE them around our house. Each song is upbeat, catchy, and straight from Scripture. I find myself reaching for these Seeds CDs often. Because I like 'em just as much as my children do. We own a lot of Scripture memory CDs, but this series is hands-down my favorite. So, for you (and your kids, if you have them)... one of these.

The second item is one of Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day products. I was introduced to Mrs. Meyer's a few months ago when I entered a contest over at Jewel's Eyes of Wonder blog. And I won! I received a package containing some of these products. And can I just say... I LOVE THEM. They just smell *good*. I have the Liquid Dish Soap by my sink and I find I always use it to wash my hands because I just love the scent so much. So for you... some lavender hand soap from Mrs. Meyers.

But I can't send a gift without some sort of food. And I think we've all already established that we like chocolate. So the third item YOU get to choose. Tell me your favorite kind of chocolate, and I'll include that in with the gift. When you enter this drawing, by leaving a comment with your name, make sure to list your favorite chocolate treat. (Tell me what kind you like and I'll do my best! Having said that, please make it semi-easy on me and don't tell me about some chocolate you want that I have to order from Belgium or something, okay?)

I'll draw a name next Friday, November 30th, and announce the winner then. If you win, you'll get the Seeds Family Worship CD, the Mrs. Meyer's hand soap, and the chocolate of your choice.

And a Happy Thanksgiving to you!

Children's Book Monday

Of the teetering stack of library books we've collected over the past few weeks, this one is my favorite:


The Little Ships
by Louise Borden

The story is set in the year of 1940, during the second World War. Half a million British and French soldiers were trapped by the Nazi troops on three sides. Their only way out was the sea. But because of shallow waters, the larger Navy and Marine vessels could not get in close enough to evacuate the soldiers.

On May 14th of 1940, the BBC made the following announcement: "The Admiralty have made an Order requesting all owners of self-propelled pleasure craft between 30' and l00' in length to send all particulars to the Admiralty within 14 days from today if they have not already been offered or requisitioned".

Borden's The Little Ships follows the story of one such smaller ship, the Lucy, a fishing vessel from Deal. The Lucy belongs to a fisherman, and Borden's story is narrated by the daughter of this fisherman. She tells us:

My brother, John, was a British soldier,
fighting in France.
Maybe he was in this trouble too.
Maybe he was trapped on the beaches of Dunkirk
and was waiting for a navy ship,
or a fishing boat like the Lucy,
to bring him home.

Our young narrator tucks her hair under a cap, puts on a pair of her brother's old trousers, and sails with her father on the Lucy, eager to do her part to rescue some of the soldiers waiting in Dunkirk.

I love this book. It is one of those living books that draws you into this period in time and makes it come alive. The story itself is remarkable. Borden's note at the end of the book indicates that 861 "little ships" gathered off the beaches of Dunkirk to ferry the soldiers from the beach to the larger ships of the British Royal Navy. We pulled the globe onto our laps and found Dunkirk, and followed the route of these little ships with our fingers.

The illustrations are well done, full of boats and waves and big Navy vessels. I admit, I was a bit wary of my little ones' eyes seeing blood and dead bodies on the shore of Dunkirk. But my fears were stilled as I turned the pages. While it is clear there are wounded soldiers, the scenes are appropriate for little eyes. Your boys will love the rescue effort-- enemy planes are attacking as the rescue goes on-- but even your girls will love the story of this young girl and her father, searching amongst the faces of the soldiers for the face of the one they love so dearly.

Oh, and the result of the efforts of these little ships? Over 338,000 British and French troops were evacuated.

Track this one down at your library, and enjoy!

For more book recommendations, head on over to Elise's blog at A Path Made Straight. [Thank *you*, sweet Elise, for hosting Children's Book Mondays.] Note to readers: Elise has *great* taste in books, and she has introduced us to many of our favorites over the past several months. Happy reading!


Note: Some of the information for this book review came from this site, The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships.