A New 9/11 Lesson - "Why didn't anybody tell them?"

A few days ago my seven year-old asked me "What's Flight 93?" He evidently had heard it mentioned on a news show the evening before and was curious. That led into a discussion about Sept. 11th, the courage of those on Flight 93, and I was a bit surprised at how much he knew. "Oh, like when those men crashed the planes into the twin Empire State buildings?" (Yes, we stopped and had a brief NYC geography and architectural lesson :) right then). As I explained a little (on what I thought was a 7 year-old level to be honest but not to scare him) he interrupted me with this question "How did they get on the planes to hijack them if they weren't Americans?" Hmmm...short answer to him, "Well, they were living in America as visitors". Then he looked at me with very wide, serious, tear-filled eyes and asked, "Then why didn't anybody tell them, Mommy?" I saw his heart breaking and being puzzled I said, "Tell them what, honey?" "Tell them that they didn't need to kill people to get to heaven, that they could go there because Jesus loves them like he loves us." Ohhhhhh...... out of the mouths of babes! May I never forget the earnest heart break that he felt because "nobody" had told them. May I always remember that I can be that "nobody" if I let opportunities to share the love of Jesus slip away. May I never forget Sept. 11th and may I never forget the need for Christ, not condemnation, in every life.
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" -Romans 10:14-15

God's Mercy and Grace through children

This morning I browsed some blogs and over and over the theme of how GOD shows us His love and grace through children came through loud and clear. Angela recognized that God's grace is something we feel strongly in pregnancy and with newborns but desire continually. Eileen blogs about her incredible journey that brought her "many sons". Lindsey shares her baby's funny hiccups that would melt the heart of stone into giggles! Casey has an absolutely amazing story of how GOD has used the loss of their child to prepare their hearts to accept another precious baby. Isn't GOD indescribable to shower us with grace and love and mercy way beyond what we can even imagine??!! Reach out and embrace His grace and mercy today. You'll be glad you did!! I sure am - thanks ladies for sharing your stories and thereby sharing how amazing is our God!

Whewww!!

What a very busy but wonderful week last week!
D was off from "work" so we dug 383 holes with a 3' auger, mixed lime by the shovelful into the dirt from the holes, refilled the holes and marked the exact location of the tree for each one. Wednesday I came in from that job at dark, made salads (7 Layer and apple cranberry), tea, pecan pies and a pineapple casserole for Thursday's Thanksgiving meal. The next morning we started back in digging, liming and filling as soon as it was light enough for us to see. I put out the rolls to proof about 8am, and by 10am came in to clean up and finish cooking - peeling 15 pounds of potatoes to cream, making pumpkin pies, and baking the casserole before our 1pm lunch. Wow, oh wow, did Gran outdo herself again with scrumptious turkey and dressing and yams, in addition to my food and my SIL's great fudge pies, beans, peas, collards and cherry pie on top! After eating our fill and doing the dishes, I had a most wonderful time with all 6 of my children (I'm counting my soon-to-be daughter-in-law already because I love having her as one of "my children"!!). We played Apples to Apples, ate more dessert, talked, laughed, ate another piece of pie, played more Apples to Apples and finally called it quits on both the games and food!

Friday we finished digging, liming, refilling and measuring tree holes (along with doing dishes here left over from Thursday). Saturday my youngest daughter and I had a special day together with lots of good girl talk while we traveled to and from my "other Matt's" house to see the new baby that EK and I tried to bring home, but even with sleep deprivation Matt, Lindsey and Lindsey's Grannie wouldn't give her up! So we had to settle for lots of good memories of holding that little precious one and giving Lindsey a birthday hug, too. If they lived closer they might have to worry about us trying to sneak her away!

Sunday was another wonderful shower for Russ and Katy. Aunt Wanda, "Aunt" Janet (she's a cousin but all my children call her "Aunt") and Gran really had a shower that was fit to be in a magazine it was so beautiful and the food so good. I am just overwhelmed at how blessed I am to have such a remarkable, loving, creative and generous family!

This week will be busy, too, as we strive to get the house back into order after a week of neglect last week, start to decorate for Christmas, deal with computer printer problems, hair appointments, getting some work done on the van, regular things like piano and dance and Awanas, and have a few things to do for wedding preparations, too. [BTW, for those who knew about Ethan's accident, his leg was not broken but the bone was chipped. Praise! Thanks for the prayers and notes. He's back up and running (literally) now!]

Have a great start to December!

"Deesijons"

In case your 2yo never said this, "deesijons" is their way of saying "decisions". We also like to say "yummy, yummy dippin sauce" (aka ketchup), "schlock-let" (chocolate) and "purkle" (purple). Somehow it helps keep memories of younger days alive by using words like they did at that "mind ahead of tongue" stage. Now that I no longer have one that young anymore (insert great big sigh here) I think on all those funny, new, fresh ways of looking at things and saying things and forget about the temper tantrums, potty training and other not so great things.

Anyway, that's the side issue - the real reason for this post is to ask you what "deesijons" for next fall you might be considering. I am praying about and talking with several Moms about what to participate in and what not to. My friend Beth has a great way to look at things - write out not only "I Do" lists but also "I Don't Do" lists. This helps me to recognize that some things that I used to do may need to be laid aside for a season; some things I want to do may not get done; some things that I've never done may need to be picked up now; and some things just aren't worth going on the list at all (usually things I try to justify for my "personal enjoyment"!) I'm really bad to over commit and this idea has helped me a lot. Before I say "yes" to anything, including things I am already doing, I need to seriously consider what I will not do (at least for now). For now I am praying about and working on my lists (you know how I love lists!!!)
and will share them with you sometime in the future. But until I finish my "deesijons" I'm gonna go take a break and eat some "shock-let"!!

The blessings of babies!

Here's the news (no, none directly from us!): my friend Megan called today with the wonderful news that this baby (#4) is a GIRL!! Her only daughter is thrilled, of course. Matt & Lindsey (they are almost as precious as my own children) gave us the wonderful news that they are expecting!! And my friend Karen who just had baby #8 let me cuddle and rock and feed and hold her baby for a long time Tuesday night after having a delightful day with most of her children on Monday. The VBS Director emailed me to ask would it be OK if he put me in the baby nursery again this year (would it be OK?! Oh yeah!). This is one happy lady sitting here typing!!!
To Babies - God's most wonderful gift to any of us!!

A Precious Old Hymn

SONG 12. The Advantages of early Religion. (by Isaac Watts)

Happy the child whose tender years
Receive instructions well:
Who hates the sinner's path, and fears
The road that leads to hell.

When we devote our youth to God,
'Tis pleasing in his eyes;
A flow'r, when offer'd in the bud,
Is no vain sacrifice.

'Tis easier work, if we begin
To fear the Lord betimes;
While sinners that grow old in sin,
Are harden'd in their crimes.

'Twill save us from a thousand snares,
To mind religion young;
Grace will preserve our following years,
And make our virtue strong.

To Thee, Almighty God to Thee,
Our childhood we resign;
'Twill please us to look back and see
That our whole lives were thine.

Let the sweet work of pray'r and praise
Employ my youngest breath;
Thus I'm prepar'd for longer days,
Or fit for early death.

When Brothers and Sisters Play together...

I just had to click a picture of this while my youngest son and daughter were playing together. Kinda says it all, I think. A monster truck tea party. I am so very blessed!!

Happy Birthday to Emma K!

What fun we had Saturday at EK's party! I pray that each girl enjoyed it very much. Emma had spent a lot of time preparing and planning, doing her own invitations, picking out goody bag items, chosing her outfit, prepping the craft materials, mixing the frosting and helping ice the cake, doing all the streamers and decorations for the house and lots of other details. She started out as soon as the girls arrived by giving them their "goody bags" since they each had a necklace a ring they could wear with their princess outfit if they wanted as well as each had her own diary. They signed each other's diaries (you know, Princess Diaries!), then proceeded to decorate their own crown and scepter (Michael's had a great thing here - $1 for each precut adjustable foam crown ready to decorate with jewels and sequins and glitter glue and stickers and $1 each for a foam scepter also ready to decorate.) After the crafts were finished each girl took her turn on the "runaway" (aka our stairs!) and we cranked up the music for them.
The castle cake was a great success and with pink punch, ice cream and chips they all definitely enjoyed the food as well as the fun and fellowship. After opening gifts they enjoyed the outdoors jumping on the trampoline and riding the zipline (yes, even in princess outfits!). Later the friends went home , the family (Gran and cousins, etc.) arrived and we had pizza, cake (a different one we call the "Creech Classic" aka Chocolate Syrup cake) and had more fun times together. Happy Birthday Emma - may this be a special one that you always remember!

Welcome little Kate Joy !!

I just got the news that a wonderful young couple who has dedicated themselves to the Lord and His work in Macedonia have added a new baby to their family! Rejoice with Brian and Mandy for the Lord's blessing of Kate Joy Davis! How wonderful!!