Casting Crumbs

Now that Christmas is past, I am starting to mull over in my mind the New Year and what it holds. This last year I have been contemplating being “intentional” with my life. There is a program on the radio that talks about The Intentional Life that has given me a lot of thought-provoking moments. They talk about actually acting on all those things that you would like to see different or better by doing small intentional steps to that direction. So I am hoping to make some new resolutions that will help me to be more intentional.

I love clean slates, new journals, start-over’s and a new year. It always feels so good to start on something new, doesn’t it? So this year I am going to try something called Miracle Word. You may have seen the link on the right side of my blog. Let me tell you a little bit about it.

This is a new website that our church has started but it is not a “churchy” sort of thing. This is for everyone – all over the world to be a part of. We are going to read through the Bible together this year in a version that is very readable – preferably The Message (a paraphrase that is the language of our common day and very understandable). You can access the website, look at the reading for that day, read and then comment with others in the Forums about your questions or what you are reading. This is going to be very interesting and I am looking forward to being a part of it. Even if you miss a day or a week, you can always just pick up on the day that you start back in.

I know that at different times I have resolved to read the Bible through in a year and I must say – I never have. So once again, I’m going to try. Maybe you are out there and just would like to even know what Scripture is about and what it really says – give it a try.

Feel free to check out the forums and familiarize yourself with the website. Maybe I will see you on there. It’s gonna be fun!

So, last night we get to the gym and plopped our butts down on the cold hard bleachers that seem to turn to concrete as we sit on them. There was a lady and her friend sitting in front of us that Tom worked with several years ago. We all visited before the show and during it, laughing at the kids and the antics that go on.

As the 2nd and 3rd graders began to file into the gym for their “Penguin Christmas” musical, this lady and her friend were commenting on the kids and their costumes. Everyone was a reindeer, an elf or a “Hollywood” penguin.

I must stop here to give a little background…when we first started getting notices about the program, they told the parents how to dress the kids. They sent home a letter saying that for the penguin costumes the kids should have white sweats or clothes, then take a trash bag and cut down one seam, fit the corner of the bag over the kids heads and then tape the bags to the back of the arms. Ta-da, nice penguin outfit. Then they were to wear sunglasses.

I was a little chagrined as Julian and I were walking into the building and I saw other penguins waddle by in homemade, handsewn, professional looking outfits!! I was overjoyed when I saw other penguins wearing the trashbag gear.

Back to the story. . .Julian was the first “trashbag penguin” to enter the gym with his sunglasses on and I heard this lady and her friend begin to talk – “What in the world is that! Is that Batman? Oh, I think it’s a penguin! Is that a trashbag he’s wearing? Oh, my my! That is funny! Who would have thought to put a trashbag on a kid for their costume!” And on and on it went. . .

A minute later the lady leaned back into my lap and said, “Hey, when you see Julian, point him out.” So I gently leaned forward and quietly whispered in their ears “He’s the one in the trashbag.” I tried not to belly laugh. They both got really quiet and then they laughed at me and said “Oh you are too funny!” Then they both got really quiet and the one said “You are kidding, right!” I said with the straightest face I could muster “Nope, he really is the one in the trashbag.” I then sat back and enjoyed the embarrassment that they were rolling in. The comments changed to “Oh, he is the best penguin out there! He looks like a superhero penguin. I think he really does look the coolest of the kids. He really knows the program and is singing soooo well! You should be so proud of him.” On and on it went.

I have never enjoyed a program more. Maybe I’m really sadistic, but it was just SO STINKIN’ FUNNY!!! I want you to know that I don’t feel mad or angry at these women in the least bit! It was just such a hilarious moment – like one you would read about in reader’s digest or on a Mom’s blog. It’s a memory that I will love and cherish and hold dear because it makes me laugh!

She just went back to the oncologist for a checkup this week and yesterday received her tumor marker numbers again. They were at 9! That’s really good. They have been staying under 10 each time she goes. We are praising the Lord for good reports and health.

I must say that even though I have felt a little cooped up, sick and frustrated I am extremely thankful that we are all safe and sound. We have a warm house and didn’t lose our power. I’m thankful for this season, for the wonder in the kids’ eyes as they talk about the coming Christmas, for kid’s programs and hearing Evely sing Jingle Bells for the thousandth time. I’m also very thankful that everyone is back to being healthy again!

I ventured out yesterday to capture some of the extreme winter beauty that is lying around our home. It is truly phenomenal that each season brings such amazement with it. Even though our street is a an ice rink and this time of year can be treacherous, there is still wonder at the incredible creativity that God has. His imagination is incomprehendable! Only a God that can do these things is worthy of our worship.

I love this pic. I took it over at my Mom’s house when the weather first started. They have this great birdfeeder right outside their dining room window and the birds just flock to it. The kids enjoy putting up the shades and watching the variety of fowl that come and dine there.

And no one can escape from God.
Wild animals take shelter,
crawling into their dens,
When blizzards roar out of the north
and freezing rain crusts the land.
It’s God’s breath that forms the ice,
it’s God’s breath that turns lakes and rivers solid.
And yes, it’s God who fills clouds with rainwater
and hurls lightning from them every which way.
He puts them through their paces—first this way, then that—
commands them to do what he says all over the world.
Whether for discipline or grace or extravagant love,
he makes sure they make their mark.
~from Job 37 The Message

I was trying to get her hair to grow out and she has never had a true haircut, so a couple weeks ago I took her to the beauty shop to have her first cut. She loved it!

Here she is getting ready for the snip.

Wendy gave her a cute little girl bob. Her hair looks so healthy and much thicker now.