Keep a clear eye toward life's end

I just finished reading a most honest, direct, sometimes shocking, sometimes heart-wrenching, always genuine, true story of a man about whom we have all heard many truths and untruths about - Justice Clarence Thomas. If you have not yet read his book (My Grandfather's Son) either get online and order a copy now or run to the nearest library like I did. Be forewarned that whether or not you agree with Justice Thomas on his political beliefs and ideologies, he gives a very open account of his life, environment, feelings, failures, successes, regrets and gratitude. He does not overplay or downplay the role of his family or his faith. His writing style is so transparent and honest that you might wish he had left out some of his shortcomings. But that's one of the wonderful things about the book, the fact that a very private man put on paper for the world to see that he is just that - a private man. Not a black man. Not a Supreme Court Justice. Not a superman or Southerner or Republican or ex-Democrat or some ideal for others but a regular person who grew up in dire circumstances in an often unjust world and through hard work and faith is now in one of the highest offices in the greatest nation in the world. Not a perfect nation but not a nation to be thrown away or taken for granted. He is just a sinner who decides each day to try to do the best he can in whatever circumstances he is in to live a life worthy of his family and his faith. What more can anyone ask of anyone else?

In the book Justice Thomas reveals that he had carried with him a prayer attributed to St. Francis. I really liked the prayer and researched it a little more. The best I can determine the exact prayer that he carried in his wallet, which had gotten him through many tough times, was an abbreviated version. Below is the version I like - it goes very well with the Cotton Mather "Parental Resolution" that a dear friend sent me a few weeks ago that I now keep outlined on the front of my fridge. Both things are a reminder to "Keep a clear eye towards life's end", keep priorities straight by keeping eternity in sight, keep my heart straight by binding it with the Lord's desire to see all come to the saving grace and mercy He has waiting for us.

Keep a clear eye toward life’s end.
Do not forget your purpose and destiny as God’s creature.
What you are in his sight is what you are and nothing more.
Do not let worldly cares and anxieties or the pressures of office
blot out the divine life within you or the voice of God's Spirit
guiding you in your great task of leading humanity to wholeness.
If you open yourself to God and His plan
printed deeply in your heart,
God will open Himself to you.
Remember, that when you leave this earth,
you can take with you nothing that you have received—
fading symbols of honour, trappings of power—
but only what you have given:
a full heart
enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice, and courage.

(May the Lord help us to finish the race well by running it well each and every day.)

Wonderful Resurrection Sunday!

What a beautiful time we had on Sunday. Not only was the weather very nice, the trees and flowers blooming and filling the air with sweetness, the children dressed in nice clothes, but also a very nice addition was the fact that everyone was well and healthy. The good news that my MIL will not have to undergo chemo and radiation is just a wonderful joy to all of us and we have now all recovered from the last flu bug just in time to still be grateful for our health (isn't it a shame we have to get sick before I really appreciate all the wonderful healthy days my family enjoys?!). Saturday we had spent a fun day with the oldest son taking the youngest two and me to a 3-D movie about "Sea Monsters" and the Kid's museum and we didn't return home until supper time. Then we ate a quick bite and went right to work on two cakes - Emma made a "Bunny" cake and Ethan made a chocolate cross and frosted and decorated it by himself (well, except for me writing "Happy Easter" on it for him). I got the children bathed and in bed and went to work on Emma's jumper (which was finished at 1:45 am on Easter - not too good an example to my children about not procrastinating!! - but I decided Sat. evening that they were at least going to know Mom kept her promises if at all possible!). Sunday morning we had a wonderful church service and then went to Gran's for lunch where we all stuffed ourselves on turkey and then we all dyed eggs. At 3pm we drove a short way to D's Uncle's house (the old home place where my FIL and his 9 siblings grew up) for the annual Creech Family Easter egg hunt. Somebody figured it up that this was about 78 years in a row that the family has had the egg hunt there. Now that's what I call a good family tradition!! My children did their share of finding eggs and then we all did our fair share of chowing down on the goodies - everything from homemade egg salad to bbq'd hotdogs to homemade candies and cakes and lots of other goodies! The children also took advantage of the fishing pole we had taken and Katy was lucky enough to catch a couple of fish out of the old pond! (No, we didn't fry them up but threw them back to catch another day.) Early in the evening we moseyed on back home and spent a little extra time chatting with Russ and Katy and just enjoying our time together. Before bed that night we reread the resurrection story to make sure that the youngest ones remembered that all of the wonders and joys and good days in life are just a little foretaste of the joys we will receive because of the amazing sacrifice that our Savior and God made for us on the cross. D told them that the fun they had today was a gift that they didn't do anything to earn, just like we can't earn the joys Christ gives us, and that the fun of the family was there for us because we were part of the family, just like Christ makes us part of God's family. I thought that thought was one of the most special parts of the whole wonderful day. How true that no matter how wonderful a day we have here there is so much more awaiting us, not because of anything we do but just solely based on His amazing love for us sinners.
Hope you have a wonderful week and that you, too, know with certainty that Christ is preparing wonderful joys for you both here and later just because you are a part of His family!

A good thought in the election year

"How far would Moses have gone
if he had taken a poll in Egypt?
What would Jesus Christ have preached
if he had taken a poll in the land of Israel?
What would have happened to the Reformation
if Martin Luther had taken a poll?
It isn't polls or public opinion
of the moment that counts.
It's right and wrong and leadership."
- Harry Truman (1884 - 1972)

Missionary Monday

I would love to splash pictures all over this entry and give you lots of details but unfortunately I can't. You will just have to use your imagination and bear with my vague details but please, oh please, do bear with me without images and descriptive hooks to lure you. For my friends need you. They really, really need your prayers right now.

There is one precious group with two young children and another on the way that are facing immense odds of even being able to safely stop out of their doorway right now. Yet they stay in this foreign land. Why? Because they know that if they are abruptly ushered into the next life they will be better off and with their precious Savior forever. And they know that the multitudes around them will have absolutely no chance of joining them unless they stay to tell them of hope and salvation and redemption and forgiveness that only can be found in the Christ of whom that they have never heard. So pray. For their safety and for some miracle to happen to allow them to reach the hurting lost.

There is another couple who have long since passed the age of having their own children but are blessed almost daily with new babies to care for and tend to and to somehow find the means and energy to raise dozens of these orphans. Many of these are abandoned due to the poverty. Many have one or more physical deformities or illnesses. None of them would hear the good news of Christ without the isolated Christian orphanage in this region. Their neighbors did not want to hear the Good News yet they are beginning to open up because for several years now they have seen what Jesus' love can do for unwanted children. Pray for strength, an easing of persecution, and financial provision for this couple. They learned the truth of the gospel through an elderly lady in their village who had heard from a missionary during WWII. "His Word will not return void." May they find strength and love from their Savior and encouragement from fellow believers who although we are far apart in miles are close together in heart and Spirit.

Thank you for praying today.

One More

(Thanks, Ellie!!)

Police, Puppies, Parties and... the "Crud"

We've been beside the toilet "under the weather" for the past few days so I will try to catch up with all our happenings (well, the ones you want to hear about!). Last Friday we went with our homeschool group to a local police station and got a tour including getting up close and personal with the K-9 puppy. The kids loved her and from the licks some of them received I think it was mutual!



On Saturday we had Ethan's birthday party at a Chick-Fil-A in a nearby town. We were blessed with lots of his friends being able to come and celebrate with us, and he loved his Star Wars cake and all of the wonderful gifts. What a blessing to have so many great friends and relatives! Here's the two birthday "boys" blowing out the candles! And of course here is our "knight" (don't tell him he's not the good guy!!) with suit and laser sword. Just gotta love this age!! And a very special gift from Dad to be used "only on special occasions with Dad" - his first pump BB gun. They have set up a pie-pan target in the backyard and he can only use it with Dad or his two big brothers. I'm very proud of the fact that he told me yesterday "Mom, I know you're a grown-up but Dad said only when he or my brothers were here so you'll have to wait until Dad gets home if you want to try it out!"

A laugh a day....

This year I have been trying to incorporate a little exposure to classical artists and composers. We "celebrate" their birthdays by looking at and discussing their art or listening to their music and talking about the time period in which they lived. Today is one of my favorites - Vivaldi. We talked a little about when he lived, I showed them a picture of the composer and then we listened to the "Four Seasons" on CD while they did their art, penmanship, spelling and ate lunch. After the CD had finished I asked the youngest, "Do you remember the name of the man who wrote that music?" He hesitated then said "It's the "Four Seasons" music I know but I can't remember his name. Was it "Old Baldy"?" Well, I don't think we will forget his name for a long time!! May you have a good laugh today, too!

Quick update on MIL...

Praise! All lab reports so far seem to indicate it is the same type of lymphoma as before. We will meet with her surgeon tomorrow for follow-up and then early next week with her cancer doctor to discuss options for treatments. So far things are very encouraging so thanks so very much to all who have prayed and written!
-F

Photo Journal from School

I haven't posted pics from our homeschool lately - here's a hodgepodge of them:

Ethan testing the difference in strength of boosters for his rocket (boosters for this type are simply plastic disks - the thicker the plastic the more pumps required and the higher the trajectory of the rocket) BTW - this is one of the "absolutest bestest" gifts for a young boy not yet ready for the model rockets that require matches and combustibles!


Learning about
(and practicing!)
good posture:














One of EK's art lessons:













The food pyramid: