Time flies!

Time certainly does go quicker these days.
It seems as if I just started teaching, and now I am getting ready to say goodbye to my much bigger babies.
It seems as if Sophia were just born, and now she's walking and talking.
It seems as if we just moved into our house, but we've been here over half a year and still have too many boxes sitting around, not to mention zero bookcases! What's that all about?
It seems as if we just started going to our wonderful church, but it's been nearly a year.
Michael has a Smart Car, but I'm not convinced that it's so smart! :)
I have no guaranteed job offer yet. That's not very cool. :(
Erin might move in with us. That should be interesting, and I hope a great experience. ^^
Jennifer has decided to move to Egypt for two years and then to Cuba for??? !!!
Hannah and Dustin are trying to qualify to buy their first house. /\
Wow! But ONE thing is as s-l-o-w as ever.
I just pulled out something that I started writing a year ago.
Maybe I'll have time to finish it before Jesus comes, and I'll publish it here.
So much for a blog that helps me to write more.

Following hard after God

I thought that I had let go. My beautiful, grown-up daughter, so independent, so smart.
A different state. That's ok.
And then the trips started.
Lots of trips.
To an unstable country.
Why does her heart have to go there?
But she always came back after a few weeks.
That's ok. God is using her there.
She's always home in a few weeks after all.
But then today...
It's a different country.
Another unstable part of the world.
It's for two YEARS.
I thought that I had let go. But I'm her mom.
God, thank You that she follows hard after You.
God, thank You that if I have to let her go, it's to You I'm releasing her.
God, help me to let go every time I want to take her back.
She was Yours first before she was ever ours.
I know how much You love her.
Take care of our baby girl.

Front and back porch views

Stormie

Stormie
Beautiful little one
So afraid that I wouldn't like your present...
Locked up in the bathroom until I opened it.
Stormie
Beautiful little one
Don't you know that your book
Crayon marks and all
Was a gift that shot like lightning straight from your heart
Into mine.
You know how much your teacher loves books...
But do you know how much your teacher LOVES you?
O, Stormie
Beautiful little one
Never fear
Never fear
I like your present
Forever
Always.

Compassion. It's what I want

Compassion.
I know that Jesus had it.
And I know that I don't have it enough.
But I want to. I want to be a person who lives a compassionate life.
I want to be released from this prison called my own skin so that I can finally be the hands and feet of Jesus.

But for now, for whatever reason, I have to admit that compassion has been very hit or miss in my life. I am usually satisfied with sending a few dollars every month to Africa. Or handing over a backpack, that I didn't even purchase, to a child in my classroom.

But do I really know people? Do I know their needs and their hurts?
Do I know about their little victories? Do I even care?
Or, am I an ignorer of the ignored?
Do I push people down, not by words, but by my obvious lack of interest?
Am I a stealer of joy because what is important to them is not important to anyone, including me, and they know it? Can joy be experienced in a vacuum?
Who in my circle have I allowed to remain lost and alone?

Jesus was so the opposite of me. He could read people like a book. He knew about their physical agonies, and He knew about the agonies of their hearts as well:

Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest."

What will it take to stir the embers of compassion in my heart until they are ablaze?
I already know that I cannot do it on my own, so I am depending upon You.
I beseech You, Lord of the harvest, transform me into a harvest worker for Your glory.
Help me to see with Your eyes.
Help me to read people and enter into their story with gifts of encouragement and love.
Help me to be a woman of compassion.
It's what I want.

Fall

I always love fall, but I'm especially looking forward to it this year because we will be in our new house with an incredibly beautiful view of the mountains. And then, a couple of weeks later, Hannah and Sophia will be here for a week. Time to play with my sweet baby and to have my shopping buddy back with me.

Then, my mom and dad are coming for Thanksgiving, and all three girls, Dustin, and Sophia will be here for Christmas. Finally, a place where family can gather again!

Michael and I have so much to be grateful for, and we are.

Jen was home this weekend. She finally got to see her niece! It was love at first sight.