31 March 2008

Calculations

A dear friend sent me this bit of sweetness for over my sink. 
The Spring peepers are peeping. It's about 46˚. I think perhaps Spring is just around the corner. Maybe I'll start the day tomorrow by looking around every corner I can find! March has been dubbed the "month of mud" at our house. Trying to keep the "mud room" at least sort of clean has been a real challenge. And the shoes!! Oh my. The shoes. And boots. 

So I did a little calculation. There are exactly 7 Hobb(it)s who live at this house. If everyone keeps 3 pairs of shoes or boots in the mud room that makes for precisely 21 pairs of shoes. That's a grand total of 42 shoes. Argh. Now if everyone has 5 pairs of shoes in the mud room. . . 

I think it's time to stop calculating. 
Here are the children before we made a mad dash off to Sunday School yesterday morning. It's so difficult to get everyone looking in the same direction (or even looking pleasant) all at once. This was the best one out of a very large batch of photos.

28 March 2008

Happy Birthday. . . to me

I've decided that my birthday is a day when I make a renewal of my vows to God. "Here I am God. Remember, I'm Yours. Do with me whatever You choose. Keep teaching me to walk in Your ways." Today it was a day for deeper repentance. 

Several days ago we read the first several verses of Psalm 103 for family devotions. Emelyne and Sophia took turns reading. I just sat and cried. I memorized this Psalm years ago, but it hit me like never before. 

God is a God Who is slow to anger. He is rich in mercy and lovingkindness. He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve. Overwhelmed with Who God is. 

I've soaked in that Psalm for several days now. When the enemy comes in like a flood, God reminds me of His word. He is rich in mercy. My salvation comes from God alone. 

So today, on my birthday, I'm reminded of the God Who loves me. And today I'm learning about deeper repentance. And I'm learning how to rest. 

I've had pain in my shoulder (and more recently, shoulders). It's been visits to the doctor trying to determine the cause. So far? No answers. X-rays. Now, more x-rays. Maybe an MRI. Maybe it's not the calcific tendinitis like my family doctor thought. Maybe it's actually my neck. So I still don't have any answers. 

But God  knows where I live. He knows what's taking place in my body. Even when I don't. 

And then there are other circumstances that don't make sense. The last several weeks have felt like all the things my human eyes can see are being thrown to the wind. When I look up I can see them swirling through the air. 

And so the only unchanging, dependable "thing" in my life isn't really a thing at all. It's a Who. And it's Him. How grateful I am that my darling husband constantly reminds me to run to Jesus. And cry to Jesus. And dance for Jesus. 

Daniel took me to Olive Garden for supper last night. Oh how I love those times for conversation! If you're a mother you know what I mean. 

Today is school as usual. And laundry. And bread baking. But Daniel is making supper. Bless his heart. 

Ok, back to work. . . Thanks for stopping by. And thanks too for all the comments you leave to let me know you were here. It's fun to be reminded of my friends. 

24 March 2008

Good Friday walk, and other thoughts

We joined with other "believers" on a walk through town on Good Friday. A major in the Salvation Army portrayed Jesus carrying His cross. It was a rather quiet group. A three pound hammer and 3 huge spikes were passed among the walkers. Sometimes there was a clinking sound as the hammer pounded the nails. A small whip was passed down the line as well. 

I couldn't help but think, it was really my hand that held the whip. My hand pounded the nails into the Saviour. The last several weeks have been weeks of testing, and in many ways I've been pretty sure I've failed the test. But when Easter suddenly appeared on my calendar it was a beautiful reminder that Jesus died to redeem my failure. 

Easter Sunday morning always feels like an explosion to me. I find it difficult to stay focused on Good Friday. I want to race ahead to Sunday morning. I know a deep and profound salvation because of the Saviour Who went willingly to the cross, and stayed there until "it" was accomplished and He could cry, "It is finished!" It is finished. Death's sting is gone. Death has died. And we now have life forever. Death has brought life. 
Saturday morning we woke to about 6 inches of snow!

And even in the midst of snow, there are still those delightful signs that spring is just around the corner. . . .

Blessings. . . 

Have a beautiful week, walking with and resting in the Saviour. 

22 March 2008

In honor of the day



It's nearly Easter Sunday.

Watch. Weep. Remember. 

It's you He died for. 

Rejoice. 

21 March 2008

19 March 2008

More St. Paddy's Day

We celebrated St. Patrick's Day with the Hobbs family this year, especially fun since Daddy and Esther have been to Ireland in the not so distant past. 
Auntie E, Emelyne, Sophia, Elsa and Great-Ma (Daniel's grandma)
We had real Irish "Bubble and Squeak"!!
And I think we can safely say, "Two Apples a day, keep the doctor away".

St. Paddy's Day (after the fact)

Auntie Esther is the owner of several fine pair of glasses for many occasions. I got the shamrock glasses. Tobin just got the silly glasses. 
Esther created an Irish themed meal. Tobin was not thrilled with the "Pot o' gold" soup. The name couldn't cover the fact that it was really curried carrot soup. And the child we thought wouldn't eat it (Tristen) ate an entire bowlful. Go figure. 
Cream cheese and corned beef sandwiches cut into shamrock shapes.
Our little grinning Irishman (Tristen, age 2)

11 March 2008

Mennonite Cheerios

Yes, you read the title correctly for this post: Mennonite Cheerios. This was Elsa's bowl of cereal the other morning. I added the sliced bananas. A while later Tobin said, "Look! Elsa has Mennonite Cheerios." 

Tobin is 4. Tobin has unique ideas about life. And cereal. And no one (not even Tobin) knows exactly why they are Mennonite Cheerios. They just are. Go figure. 

10 March 2008

King David and Me

Vulnerability alert: if you don't want to see inside my heart, please stop reading here. My walk with Jesus isn't always pristine (and that isn't His fault). There are times on this blog when I'll open my heart and let you see some of the "messy stuff" God is working at cleaning up inside of me. Today is one of those posts. Don't say I didn't warn you. :o)

I confess. It was a difficult weekend for me. Partly an exhausting flu that plastered me to my bed. Partly emotional exhaustion as I wrestled with things inside that cannot be expressed. There were sleepless nights. There were tears. There was worry and fear and questions that don't have answers. Big things that threatened my very heart. I can't remember when I've ever experienced such blackness in my soul. Last night after Daniel and I spent some long moments in prayer I asked, "Am I the only one who experiences things like this? Does anyone else know what this darkness is like?" 

Today the answer came. I should have remembered, but maybe God just wanted to surprise me with it again. I found it in Psalm 40. If you want to read the whole psalm, click HERE

"I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps and establishing my goings. "

And then verses 12 and 13: "For innumerable evils have compassed me about; my iniquities have taken such hold on me that I am not able to look up. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart has failed me and forsaken me. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me!"

I was overwhelmed! That's exactly how I felt! My iniquities had taken hold of me. I couldn't look up. My heart had failed and forsaken me. I felt like David took the words right out of my mouth. But then verse 13: Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me!

David: the singer, psalm-writer; the rock slinging giant killer; the man who refused to kill his greatest enemy; the king who committed one of the "worst" sins ever; the "man after God's own heart". He knew how it felt to have his very heart fail him and forsake him. But he also knew what to do; he knew to cry out to the Lord for help and deliverance. 

So today I'm crying out too. I'm asking God for a deeper repentance. And I'm seeking to delight myself in the Lord so He can place His desires in my heart. 

Because at the end of the day it's still all about Him.

08 March 2008

An upset fruit basket

One lone apple left in the fruit basket. 

One very hungry two year old.

Here's proof that my two year old needs only half an apple to still his growling tummy. 

Apples make good appetizers. 

07 March 2008

An overwhelming gift

Today I was overwhelmed. 

I've dreamed of owning a slightly more professional camera for some time. But there was no way I could just go out and buy one. I've talked to people who take great pictures. I've looked at really great cameras. But it always ended there. 

Today the UPS guy drove in my driveway. Emmy ran out to get the package. Today the package had my name on it. I tried to remember if there was something I'd ordered. Had I bought something on eBay and forgotten about it? Where had this package come from? 

I quizzed my husband. He hadn't ordered anything. Then I opened it. 

Inside I found the very camera I'd been shopping for and dreaming of. I stood at the kitchen table in front of the open box. . . and cried. 

Who could have sent me this gift? And why? 

Later in the day I discovered the giver. He said it was the most fun he'd had all week. I'm not sure who was more excited; him or me.

This gift felt like another hug from God. A gift given by someone who loves me, but prompted by the Spirit of God. I was left feeling so grateful, but so unworthy. What an awesome gift. Most of the day I've felt totally speechless. I've alternated between laughter and tears. 

And so God sent us His only Son. A gift we don't deserve. A gift we can never repay. A gift given by Someone Who loves us very much. A gift that is the Spirit of God. 

Thanks Keith. 
My first picture: mushrooms. 
Tristen likes to pretend he's taking pictures too. 
This is the Hobbit's favorite new way to come down the stairs. Tristen and Papa do it side by side regularly. Here I caught Sophia trying it. 
Children and books are a very common sight at this house. . . 

"For God so loved the world that He gave. . . " John 3:16

Sophia

Sophia started the day with her requested "dwarf" breakfast: bacon, mushrooms and eggs. This Hobbit family added waffles to menu. 














Here is Sophia with her cake of choice: mint brownie pie. You can access the recipe at tasteofhome.com. Click on the link above to find the recipe. 




















I had some leftover chocolate from decorating so we just drizzled it on top of the individual pieces of dessert. Mmmm. You gotta' try it!

06 March 2008

Sophia is 8


Eight years ago tonight at approximately 5:30 pm Sophia Lanae Hobbs made her grand entrance into this world. The time is approximate because there was no doctor or nurse or midwife standing at the ready to record the time. There was only a rather frazzled papa and mama, oh, and several harried EMT's  standing around an off white (and rust!) Subaru on a mountain road in Pennsylvania. Nope, we didn't make it to the midwife on time and Sophia was born in the front seat of the car on a chilly blustery day, March 6, 2000. 

We rejoice in the goodness of God. We rejoice in the growth we see in Sophia's life. She is our very tenderhearted daughter, always running to help whichever family member is in need. Recently she has had an increasing desire to make sure her conscience is clear before God. She is one the quickest to say, "I'm sorry."

Sophia's only regret for the day was that she still had to have school. Her requested breakfast was bacon and eggs and mushrooms (Shasta's breakfast as prepared by the dwarves in "The Horse and His Boy" by C.S. Lewis). For supper she requested pork roast, macaroni and cheese (because she knew that's what Elsa would pick), green beans (because she knows Emelyne hates peas), applesauce and lastly, mint brownie pie for dessert. 

Happy Birthday Sophia!! We love you and rejoice in what God is doing in your life. 

01 March 2008

The Secret of Silence

Here's another devotional from the book "Come Away My Beloved" by Frances Roberts. Click on her name to find a copy at Amazon.com. 

"My child, let not the words of others influence you unduly--either their praise or their criticism. Weigh each for its proper value, and come back to Me again. Only in communion with Me can you be sure of the truth. If I correct you, you know it is for your betterment. If I encourage you with a word of praise, it is because I know you need it; so rejoice in it and accept it as wholeheartedly as you accept My rebukes.

You know My rebukes are for your benefit. Can you not believe that My words of commendation are for the same purpose? Some of your faults and weaknesses can best be helped and corrected by praise rather than by reproof. When you turn a deaf ear in an effort to be humble, you are not helping. You cannot be truly humble until you have a deep sense of being loved. 

Knowing and truly feeling that such great love is not merited in the face of your many imperfections will generate more honest humility than a thousand rebukes for obvious failures. You are condemned already by your own heart. There is a subtle pride that seeks to hide these glaring imperfections in the effort to hold some vestige of self-esteem and invoke the respect of others. This is a craftiness of the enemy. 

If you will accept My love and My approval, you shall be given courage to face your sins and faults and deal with them with more decisiveness. The more you find of the truth about your own self, the more you shall be set free. . . free of improper evaluations of your worth and false pride that seeks to cover recognized flaws.

I want your life and character and personality to be as beautiful and lovely as I visualized it to be when I created you. Much has not developed perfectly. Some early beauty has been marred. Live close to Me, and let Me re-mold and re-create until I see in you the image of all I want you to be. 

I love you, My child---My very dear and special child. 

I don't want you to work for Me under pressure and tension like a machine---striving to produce, produce. I want you to just LIVE with ME as a PERSON. I have waited for you to wear yourself out. I knew you would find it eventually---the secret of silence and rest, of solitude and of song."

May Sunday truly be a day of rest for each of us. Silence before God. Rest. Not just rest for our bodies. Rest for our eyes. Rest for our hearts. Rest for our minds. Solitude. But solitude that isn't really solitude, but rather aloneness with God. Making God my one focus. 

And song. What does singing do for you on Sunday? What does it do in you? What are the songs you look forward to singing? Do you sing just because . . . ? Or do you sing because your heart is bursting with praise to God and you simply can't keep it inside any longer? Do you sing, or do you sing and worship?

"Oh, Lord Jesus, may we worship You as You want to be worshipped: in Spirit and in truth. Please help us to make sure we find those times to simply be silent before You and listen. And when we sing, let it not be out of duty, but rather the delight of being in Your presence. "

Sunday blessings!!


Related Posts with Thumbnails