| January 17 2006 |
| Good-bye Vacation
The beginning of every new year is exciting to me. I'm not sure why except the old year ends and the new year begins with prayer. A prayer about future adventures and many blessings that await us. We read God's Word. We sing. We enjoy each whoever is with us. It is a lovely tradition that spans the years, and I am thankful to my dear friends that helped make it so. Today ends vacation as school begins again. It has been an absolutely fun month in my families' life. We have been together in a relaxed way, playing games together, chatting and being cozy. How wonderfully fun it has been. As this time comes to an end, I am thankful for seeing my children, my parents and my husband's extended family multiple times. Studying Genesis at the beginning of the year has also come to be part of our family tradition. As we once again commit to reading thru the entire Bible as a family in one year, we rejoice at all the details that God provides for us. We are encouraged with the history of Noah and Abraham and their perseverant spirits. The patience that they both exhitbit goes far beyond anything that I might believe. As I enter my 21st year of 'ill heath', I am thankful for each day. It seems like yesterday that I was first helpless after surgery. God has provided strength and courage at every turn, and has never left me, no matter how deep or dark the 'pit' seems to be. When I speak with other people, I now am able to be confident that I have lived long enough to really prove that God gives good gifts to those who wait. Solely depending upon God Alone is the only way to live a joyful, productive life. And how delightfuly wonderful to say that all the honor and glory is to God Almighty! Posted by QB at 12 : 17 pm | Leave a note {0} |
| January 14 2006 |
| Sunny Day
The sun is shining again today. There has been such a long period of cloudy weather, that the shining of the sun brings smiles to everyone's face. The way it lights the edges of the red oak leaves, still hanging on despite the warmer weather, are particularly of interest to me. I would like to photograph them, but do not really know how. Despite all the classes and lessons, I do not think I am any better of a photographer than when I first began. The whiteness of a winter sun shows thru the trees in a spactacular way. The pine needles seem like diamond spikes pointing towards the heavens. With such warm weather, it is like God is saying "Look up at me. I am with you always" as the sun beams bounce from branch to branch. The fluffy clouds dancing across the deep blue sky seem to suggest that the Master painter isn't finished yet. No two days alike. My God is an awesome God. Having the sun shine also reminds me of when I was a young mother. (Maybe, I really wasn't ever a YOUNG mother) When my children were young, I used to sing phrases and even sentences. Somehow, this helped me keep myself balanced with so much to do in a day. One of the things I used to sing was "It's a sunny day, it's a sunny day. The sun is out and I want to and play. I like the sun.... everyday." Of course, this was modified when necessary to fit all kinds of weather. And when I heard a child sing "It's raining out, so I can't go out and play" I wrapped her up and gave her an umbrella to walk in the rain. I did this on several occassions, thinking that I never wanted to be remembered for not allowing my children outside... no matter what the weather. I laugh at myself now when I remember these little songs. They have stayed with me and I find myself humming, and even singing out loud. Of course, my house is empty now most of the time and there is no one to hear me. But, I hear the words and remember with great fondness the 'days of old' and am thankful to have been granted so many of them with my children. May God continue to bless me and my children in all we say and do. May we stand firm for Him and be strengthened by His Word. May we be beacons of light in this world of darkness, for Christ's sake and for His glory! Posted by QB at 1 : 09 pm | Leave a note {0} |
| January 13 2006 |
| Writing
I have lived a lifetime in two months. As a family, we have enjoyed many days together with great food, interesting, informing conversations, games, puzzles and lots of laughter. A memorable quote comes from my mother: "One of my friends told me that with a family like ours, we can't help staying so young. The laughter alone is the best medicine." Taking the opportunity to visit with family on so many various occassions produces shared precious memories. Recently, I have read some comments of writers concerning writing. The general consensus is that writing is not something to wait to do. There will be no perfect time or place to write. If I want to write, I need to just do it and do it everyday. And so, that is my 'New Year's Resolution'.... to write on a regular basis. Posted by QB at 9 : 13 pm | Leave a note {0} |
| November 14 2005 |
| Confusing Times
Our little church plant decided to have a young man come to visit this past weekend. He and his wife are very young, but sure footed in their vision. We wanted to meet with them, and hear him preach. There is great darkness in our city, and we want the light of Christ to shine out like a beacon. This man could be just the man to do that. In listening to someone new come into our circle of belief, I am greatly challenged by some of the things said. I understand that we are all products of our environment, (ex:that at some point hymns written were the contemporary music of their own day). I wonder about my own changing heart and spirit over the last 30 years. My way of looking at the Bible and things that I should or shouldn't do has grown to such a point, that there are times that I absolutely can not participate in something social, because of the content of the movie, or the purchasing of food on The Lord's Day. How is this behavior welcoming to others? How do I act in a way that doesn't appear "rule based" and try to keep faithful to something that I now believe? I wear a hat to corporate worship, not because of my personal conviction, but because of my husband's changing conviction. He doesn't really understand how to explain certain passages of the Bible, and has asked me to wear a head covering during corporate worship times until he is convinced otherwise. This makes me odd, and different, and gives the appearance of following a rule, when in fact, I'll trying to obey and submit to my husband's authority over me. When is it wrong to compromise? When is it wrong to let go of something? The Puritans had nothing in their meeting house, except a simple lecturn to hold the Bible and note papers of the preacher. We aren't given much instruction about what is right and wrong, but to worship and Glorifiy God Alone. Having a movie screen in a worship area isn't wrong, but it isn't wrong to not have one. Using multiple music styles might not be wrong, but saying that you should expand your music to include other types could be wrong. How are decisions to be made? What of the essentials of faith that we always discuss? How might we be true to the Scriptures and yet true to those seeking? Aren't we to be strong and courageous, standing firm to what we believe, having a man of God come and preach His Holy Word, and allow the Holy Spirit to act upon the hearts of men? At what point do we stop compromising and just allow the Holy Spirit to do His work? Yesterday we were told many things. I am discouraged, because so many things have been said in the past and repeated, that they have now become mistaken statements. People don't intend such statements to be untrue but they have become so. Others say there is help for us, and yet there is no help available. We are at God's mercy and a major crossroads. Might God make it very clear what we are to do...continue this little church plant, or join together with another local body. In whatever direction we are to go, whatever path we are to take, may all the glory and honor be given to God Alone! Posted by QB at 10 : 15 am | Leave a note {1} |
| November 12 2005 |
| Art Classes
It is at this time in the semester that I really wonder if taking classes is easier than having a dog. The difference is that a little dog will need to be taken care of regularly whereas, my class assignments don't always get done first thing after receiving them. I can see the end of this semester with my final studio time successfully completed, and my portfolio taken nice shape. I have just attended a Polaroid Transfer class and am totally excited about that new possibility of expression. So many fun things to do in Art, so little time to do any of them while taking classes! Today is the day of 'last autumn light' as our Indian summer comes to an end sometime early tomorrow morning. We will have a thunderstorm which will take any leaf left hanging, and wet the ground. The glorious direct sun of the past several weeks will change into our usual diffused light source as we move closer to winter. Our firewood arrived today and is neatly stacked. Our red oak is in its glory, bright, brilliant red. Leaves are raked and mulched. The nip in the air is nice today, but will change to a chill by next week. We anticipate snow by Thanksgiving for which hunters are extremely happy. Our kitchen project is zooming along with nearly everything out of the area in preparation for the floor to come out. Ten days of mess and we will have a new floor. The end is in my sight, and I am getting excited. Final measurements were taken for our cabinets and it looks like we have paid enough money for counter tops to be installed (instead of us installing them). Wow, 2006 might be the year of celebrating the completion of a major project. I continue to seek out strength from the LORD daily, and appreciate more and more the prayer of my childhood: Psalm 73: 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. I wonder if my family suffers from my taking classes, but I have been able to work out times of fellowship with just about everyone when asked. There have been many times that I wish that I could visit my parents and daughters more often, but they are busy with their lives. As the semester comes to a close, I am thankful for time with family, many conversations concerning the gospel and God's presence in my life, and the anticipation of much more life to live. In the hectic life that lies ahead, may all Glory be to God Alone! Posted by QB at 2 : 48 pm | Leave a note {0} |
