Multitude Monday #4764 - #4811...

"If you don't take it all as gift, 
you end up taking it all for granted."
~Ann Voskamp

Giving thanks with the Gratitude Community for His unending gifts...


 4764...Dana's text reminding me of the truth of Psalm 91:11 on the morning Josh goes to school...
 
4765, 4766...Will's excitement when the bus pulled up that Monday afternoon...seeing Joshua's confident smile...

4767...the beautiful shadow of the Eastloch Tree...

4768...60 degrees and sunny...
 
4769...O's opening day...

4770...Jamie's love and support talking through some stuff from long ago...

4771...Will proclaiming from the backseat...
"Jesus is a fast guy."

4772...his teachers note about his first day...
"What a kind and happy child you've sent us!"

4773...his excitement about school...

 4774...texts late into the night checking on his day...

4775...hearing Micaiah telling Joshua that he will watch for his wave at recess...

4776...Day 2..."Mom, can I go stand and wait for the bus?"...

4777..."Bye mom" as the bus pulls up...

4778...seeing Eli's hand waving as the bus pulls past...
 
4779...John 17:17 "...your word is truth."  Reading this note regarding this scripture...

"Daily application of God's Word has a purifying effect on our minds and hearts."

4780...lunch with Will...

4781...Hearing Will say "Momma we got to go pick Joshy up and bring him to our home."...

4782...this boy and this smile...

4783...the boys playing Man vs. Wild...




4784...encouraging Eli about how I see him allowing God to change him and help him with his anger...

4785...Joy in the morning...

4786...Will "I'm growing bigger and bigger!"...

4787...Wes' ongoing work on building a table for our breakfast nook...

4788...a slow run in the gentle rain...

 
4789...turning the house into a Toy Story birthday zone while he sleeps...

4790...Will coming down the steps early on his birthday wearing his birthday hat...

4791...birthday doughnuts...

4792...Will's 4th birthday...

4793...hearing Eli ask Joshua "How was your fourth day of school?" as they run up from the bus...

4794...going around the table saying what we love about Will...

4795...Mallory's cake made just for Will...

4796, 4797, 4798...attending the Regeneration fundraiser...connecting with friends...hearing testimonies of God reclaiming his children... 

4799...receiving this note from his teacher...
"What a joy it is having Josh come to school so happy and enthusiastic each day! "

  4800...Micaiah making and serving Joshua his breakfast in the morning while he finishes his homework...

4801, 4802...a walk/run with Nicka, and how she reminds me of counseling advice from years ago...

4803..."I Breath You in God" on repeat ...

4804...reading in the sun at Micaiah's baseball practice...

4805...fresh cut daffodils from our 'garden'...

4806...dinner with friends around Wes' new table...

4807...David's example of walking in God's forgiveness...

4808...late night shoe shopping trip with Micaiah...

4809...morning coffee as the sunrises...

4810...Week 14 of Project 52 complete...

4811...Will waiting "for the boys"...

Week 14:52 {Radiate}...

Click here to view previous weeks of Project52...

Lenten Reflection..."Worship"...

“Send me your light and your faithful care, 
let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. 
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. 
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
 – Psalm 43:3-5 


There have been many times in my life when I’ve struggled to worship.  Trials pressing hard from all sides slowly silence my songs of thanksgiving.  It happens gradually most of the time.  But eventually the lack of gratitude affects my countenance.  

 The Lord often uses my family to bring me out of this darkness and into worship again.  My husband sings a song at the piano late in the evening.  My oldest leading us in a family “dance party” on the drums, or when the youngest tangles himself amidst my legs while I’m making dinner and says “I want [you] to dance with me.”   They lead me into worship.  
 
I recently came across a description of this process in the song “A Lark Ascending” by the David Crowder Band.   

“And I’m trying to make you sing

From inside where you believe

Like it’s something that you need

Like it means everything

And I’m trying to make you feel

That this is for real

That life is happening

And it means everything

I’m just trying to make you sing”

When I make the choice to join my family in worship, I realize He’s teaching me…what it means to let go of ingratitude, trails and disappointments and put my hope in Him.  I sense the stress of now, begin to fade away and the truths of His word fill my heart and soul.  


Jesus help us to put our hope in you.  When we feel discouraged and downtrodden, send your light and faithful care to guide us to the place where you dwell.  Please break down the walls that prevent us from worshipping the One our soul longs for and fill us with songs of thanksgiving.

Will's 4!...

The most precious memory I'll have of this day is seeing sleepy eyed Will walk down the steps in his birthday hat!  

He has been patiently waiting for his 4th birthday since last summer when we drove away from dropping the boys off at summer camp.  

"Mommy, I want to go to day camp."  

"You have to be 4 years old Will."

And through kicking and screaming he says...

"But I am 4 years old!"

Ever since then, 4 years old means that he is old enough to go to day camp.  So this is big for him...and big for us too because let's face it...most of our kids are less than 3 years apart!  We are in new territory now...

Every so often we get glimpses of the love these brothers share and this morning was one of those times. The older boys were so excited to share in his birthday joy.

After the boys went to school, we met a couple of his friends for fun and lunch...

Will you are a delight.  We are so thankful for your sweet, funny spirit.  We pray you keep soaring through life "to infinity and beyond!"

Multitude Monday #4716 - #4763...

"Hallelujah!

Thank God! Pray to him by name!
    Tell everyone you meet what he has done!
Sing him songs, belt out hymns,
    translate his wonders into music!
Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs,
    you who seek God. Live a happy life!
Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works;
    be alert for signs of his presence."

Psalm 105:1-4

Giving thanks with the Gratitude Community for His unending gifts...

4716...Will's mail from grandma...

4717...boys enjoying special treats...

4718...Micaiah's joy in completing his STEM fair project...

4719...Eli asking if we can play Monopoly when he gets home from school...

4720...dark chocolate with a touch of sea salt...

4721...Will's finger continuing to heal without infection...

4722...my dads sense of humor...

4723...sun shining on a cold spring day

4724...the promise of spring to come...

4725...for the way these scriptures begin to all make sense in a whole new way in recent days...
Deuteronomy 1:30, Exodus 14:14, Nehemiah 4:20

4726...that God began to prepare my heart at the end of last year for this recent "battle"...not fully understanding then why He was waking me from a dream to look up...

Nehemiah 4:20    "Our God will fight for us!"
 
4727...lunch with a friend while the kids play...

4728...Removed a short film on the foster care system...

  4729...a night to rest...

4730...this sermon on Romans 5 by our original pastor Sandy Mason...

4731...Psalm 86:11...
"Teach me your way, Lord,
    that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
    that I may fear your name."

4732...time with "Woody the Sherrif" and my main camera...

4733...the sense of being covered in prayers from family and friends as we walk into his IEP meeting...

4734...Ann Voskamps words of wisdom on the morning of the IEP...

 

4735, 4736, 4737...an IEP team that made necessary changes after hearing our concerns...their willingness to meet again soon...and that Wes and I walk this road together supporting one another along the way...

4738...Joshua's excitement counting down the days...

4739...Nathan's lock laces that bring him independence...

4740...taking him shopping for school supplies...

4741...Will tapping his toes while he brushes his teeth...

4742...the sun breaking through on a gray rainy day...

4743...quiet morning moments with a good book as the sun rises...

4744...the Eastloch tree on a rainy Sunday morning...

4745...rainy day game of Risk with a friend...

4746...playing "Clue" with Josh and Eli on a cold rainy day...

4747...an important conversation about money with Micaiah...

4748...a sermon that drives home the giving conversation...

4749...Will's sweet kisses...

4750, 4751...Wes and Micaiah arm wrestling...and the laughter they share...


4752, 4753...Eli combing his hair like "Beaver" from Leave it to Beaver for school one morning...the proud way he asks his brothers if they notice...

4754...hope and anticipation of new beginnings...

4755...sweet friends from our homeschool community coming to the bus stop to cheer him on with homemade signs...

4756, 4757...the neighbor that rides the bus this morning (her mom normally drives her to school) so she can walk him to his class...and for his brothers that support him this morning...

4758...his older brother carrying one of his bags for him...

4759...for my mother in law that texts me Psalm 46:10 on a morning where this promise of scripture will be my mantra...

“Be still, and know that I am God."

4760, 4761, 4762, 4763...texts from friends and family saying they are praying for him today...Wes pointing out that "he is so cared for...that there are so many people pulling for him"...the realization that all this love and support is only a fraction of the love that our Heavenly Father has for him...resting in that truth...

Week 13:52 {Woody the Sherrif}...

Recently, Will has been fascinated with all things Toy Story.  The other day we found most of the "Woody" costume that we bought on clearance 6 years ago.  Will had a blast getting dressed up and reenacting different parts of the movie.  

 I stayed back and snapped pictures while he played in the yard on a beautiful almost spring-like day. 

As I followed Will around snapping pictures I couldn't help but think of the older boys in this same costume.  I did some digging and found these gems... I came across this quote from "Woody" in Toy Story 2 and it sums this post up perfectly... “I can't stop Andy from growing up.  But I wouldn't miss it for the world.”     click here to view previous weeks of Project 52

Lenten Reflections..."In the Garden"...

Mark 14:32-42...

32 They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.” 33 He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. 34 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

35 He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. 36 “Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

37 Then he returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 38 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

39 Then Jesus left them again and prayed the same prayer as before. 40 When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open. And they didn’t know what to say.

41 When he returned to them the third time, he said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But no—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!”

During difficult times in my life when I lacked the faith to stand on my own, I have relied on the faith of my friends.  God uses friends to challenge us to remember His faithfulness and encourage us to cry out to Him in our anguish and unbelief.  

When I look back over the years I cannot imagine where I would be without the handful of friends that listen, surround and encourage me to press on.  Community is important.  Jesus shows us this so clearly throughout the scriptures with his small group of friends, the disciples.

When I think of Jesus that fateful night in the Garden of Gethsemane…my heart breaks that in Jesus’ greatest need his closest friends couldn’t even stay awake.  Jesus says to them “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”  After hearing those words…they fall asleep.   We read that passage and think we would have responded differently than his band of brothers responded that evening.  But so often we don’t.  We sense God nudging us to help, connect with or pray for someone but life gets busy and we don’t follow through.  Jesus consistently shows us in scripture that he doesn’t just observe our pain and sorrow but he enters in.  May we be people who do the same.

Heavenly Father, You reign over all creation as a great and glorious God.  You deserve praise and honor from all Your works.  Today we sing our praises to You and honor Your word with our attentive ears.  Fill us with your Spirit that we might practice from our hearts all the truths we learn from Your word written.  As we worship and serve You each day, we trust in your steadfast love manifested in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  ~Brad Walters

Multitude Monday #4681 - #4715...

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” 

-William Arthur Ward

Giving thanks with the Gratitude Community for His unending gifts...

4681...a beautiful night sky...

4682..."I Will Lift my Eyes" by Bebo Norman

4683...a friends email about Exodus 14:14 (Feb 1st in the Daily Audio Bible Commentary)...

4684, 4685...Will falling asleep on me...and the reminder that Eli needs my attention when he gets home from school as you can see in the corner of this picture :0

4686...Micaiah seeing Will asleep in my arms and saying, "I wish that was me.  Switch me places!"...

4687...light rain...

4688, 4689, 4690...finishing Unbroken...reading the last part to Wes in tears...beauty and redemption in such horrific circumstances...all glory to God...

4691...Wes calling to tell me to look at the moon...

4692...Psalm 105:4, The Message


"Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works;
    be alert for signs of his presence."


4693...  "Do your best mom.  We can beat 'em." ... an afternoon bike ride with the boys...

 

4694...NURU's award and Jake's response
(please take a moment to read the above link on NURU's website)...

4695...hearing about Eli reading to his friend Ben during centers...

4696...listening to Will laugh out loud as he "sleeps a dream"...

4697...art in the afternoon light...

 

4698, 4699, 4700...Helping Up Mission tour...for our tour guide and his story...how when we leave Micaiah says "I want to come back here and serve."...

4701...listening to Micaiah explain to Joshua about addiction and the effects it takes on your mind, body and family...

4702, 4703, 4704...How Josh comes home with the Helping Up Mission needs list in hand and wants to gather stuff to take back to the mission...and then he wakes up the next morning and reminds us that we need to do that today...his delight in walking through the store, putting the "urgently needed" things in the cart to purchase...

4705, 4706...the beautiful blue sky filled with clouds...the boys looking for shapes in the clouds...an iPhone photo for Project 52...

4707...Micaiah telling us he's writing a persuasion speech about Mr. Jake and NURU...

4708...the adventure of life with boys...sometimes I'm struck by the fact that there really is nothing better and God knew exactly what he was doing when he gave me/us boys...

4709...comparing height with my oldest...

 

4710...a yard full of kids...

4711 ...bowling fun...

 
4712...hearing my husband sing "Nothing Holding Me Back" (the link is the original song...wish I had him singing it :)

4713, 4714, 4715...prayers for a sweet baby as he transitions from foster care to his grandfather...so thankful for his time in our community...for Micaiah's prayer for him...

Week 12:52 {Blue}...

I wish I would have gone inside and grabbed my main camera but at least I caught it with my phone...

Click here to view previous posts of Project 52...

A Lenten Reflection by My Favorite Man...

Pain.  The word itself causes discomfort, and the sound of the word is quite annoying.  ”Pain.”  It’s likely the mere mention of the word has brought a uncomfortable situation or event to mind, as if it was waiting to be released to plague you again.  My apologies.  Maybe we should pontificate the word pleasure instead.  Ah, “Pleasure”.  It just rolls off the tongue like candy.  Ironically, without pain, pleasure would be elusive and wholly incomplete.  Without the experience and awareness of something broken and missing, wholeness has no meaning, like candy with no flavor; we know it should taste good, we even want it to taste good.  But it doesn’t taste at all.

While I generally choose to avoid painful situations myself, I have grown to appreciate the value of unrest and discomfort, producing a longing for something better.  A number of years ago I injured my back while playing with my children.  I didn’t realize how good my back felt, until it didn’t.  I didn’t realize how healthy I was, until I wasn’t.  My children didn’t realize how fun dad was, until he wasn’t.  Put another way, without the presence of pain we are not apt to recognize and appreciate it’s absence.  Otherwise known as wholeness or goodness.  I don’t mean to trivialize deep wounds that may have been inflicted upon you, pain so deep and wretched few could comprehend.  If you carry that kind of pain, may God grant you rest and peace.

Pain is always a symptom of something else, not the problem itself.   Broken relationships, difficult physical conditions, unattended longings.  They all produce this feeling of pain and drive a desire inside us for something better.  Paul describes Jesus as the man that “God raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.”  (Acts 2:24)  The “pains of death”.  It’s quite possible Paul was indicating that Jesus’ death was painful, or that death in general is painful.  It’s also possible that Paul was relating pain and death, as if they are similar in nature.  In either case, he goes on to say it is not possible for Jesus to be constrained by either pain or death.  Whatever ails you today, it cannot constrain Jesus working in you.  May He use your pain, my pain, to help us see, taste and long for something better.

Lord, give us eyes to see your goodness.  Help us embrace our pain, and somehow better know pleasure as a result.  Thank you for sending Jesus, who could not be constrained by pain and death.  Help me trust Him with my pain, and believe He is able to meet me in it, and somehow overcome it as well. 

~Wes Mace

Lenten Reflections...

Hosea 6:3 “Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him.  As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.”

A wise farmer knows that winter and spring rains are necessary in order for their crops to grow.  They also know that crops cannot grow in constant rain.  The rain has to cease and allow the seeds to take root in order for growth to occur.

In life, we experience both rainy and dry seasons.  Rainy seasons, when God is close and speaking all of the time; and dry seasons, when He seems distant and quiet.  Scripture talks about these seasons... 

James 5 says “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming.  See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.  You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”    

It’s easy to coast through those rainy seasons when God seems so near and present.  But what about the time between the rains?  Our faith has to make it through these times too; times when that “rainy season” word is tested.  We have to allow the truths He poured on us to take root and cause growth in our life.   

A lot of times during this “dry season” we begin to question God’s presence in our lives.  We must hold firm to Hosea 6:3 in those times, trusting just as the scripture says, that as we press on to acknowledge him we can be certain that “As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.”

Where do you find yourself today?  If you are in a dry season, will you press into him and trust that He is present and more importantly allow His truths to fill your heart?  If you are experiencing a “rainy season” currently may you allow His words to take root and produce a crop for the “dry” days to come.

Jesus, thank you for the rainy seasons in our lives where we sense your presence and loving guidance.  We pray that we would allow you to do your work during the “time between the rains.”  That we would press into you and trust that just as the sun rises you will appear.