November. AKA If You Only Knew

 November for me started on October 31 with an early morning text from my friend Betty canceling our plans that evening because she was having an angiogram that day. After a short phone call, in which she sounded more irritated than worried about this procedure, I assured her that I would pray for her, and indeed I did. By noonish when I texted her husband for an update, Betty was in open heart surgery due to complications from the angiogram. Thus began one of the most difficult months that I can remember as Betty put up a terrific fight to beat the odds of her condition. Despite her tenacity, and the countless prayers offered for her healing, and the herculean efforts of the medical staff, God had a better plan for Betty; and on Saturday, November 29, He called her home to be with Him. 

This has long been a favorite song of mine; but I never understood it like I do now. 

If You Only Knew

Have you prayed for a loved one struggling hard with pain?
You asked the Lord for healing, but that healing never came.
And in spite of all your efforts, the good Lord called them Home.
It's hard to let go when you're trying to hold on.

Now you're down in the valley looking up to the sky.
And you're praying "Lord, you know what's best, but I don't understand why."
If you could hear your loved one speaking now to you,
They'd say, "You wouldn't be grieving if you only knew."

CHORUS: If you only knew I'm just going Home.
Your prayers have been answered, my sickness is gone.
Things look much better from Heaven's view.
The Son always shines, we're having a time,
If you only knew.

To be absent from the body is present with the Lord
I'm in the arms of Jesus now, and I'm not suffering anymore.
Hand in hand we'll stroll together down Heaven's avenue.
We're having a big celebration if you only knew.

CHORUS: If you only knew I'm just going Home.
Your prayers have been answered, my sickness is gone.
Things look much better from Heaven's view.
The Son always shines, we're having a time,
If you only knew.

TAG: Things look much better from Heaven's view.
The Son always shines, we're having a time,
If you only knew.

Composer/writer - Craig Edwards. Performed by Southern Gospel Group The Inspirations.

If He Hung The Moon

sung by The Collingsworth Family

In the beginning of time, He was the Creator,

And into existence He spoke the heaventy blue,

And with one mighty swoop of His hand,

He threw out the stars,

He knew where they’d land,

So if you think, you’re just drifting along,

Then I have good news.

CHORUS

And If He hung the moon,

I know He will help you,

And if He holds the sparrow in flight,

He’ll hold you too,

Consider the lilies of the field,

How much more He loves you,

In the beginning of time, you were on His mind,

When He hung the moon.

VERSE 2

Now you may feel like the world,

Lays hard on your shoulders,

And even your closest friend in life is pulling away,

Though you have tried so hard and lost,

There is still hope,

Just look to the cross,

There you will see just how much the Savior

Really loves you today.

CHORUS

TAG

In the beginning of time, you were on his mind,

When He hung the moon.

He hung the moon.

How Great Thou Art

 Today (5-24) was pretty cool and seasonable so it's kind of hard to even remember last weekend when it was still 88 or 90 or something like that. Anyway, it was. Saturday morning, I walked early-ish. I always enjoy the beautiful view.

And I always enjoy this girl doing her favorite thing.

Morning was tasks. Afternoon was play.

😍

This little guy was too busy to bother looking at me.

Jesse's left and Jacob&Natalie came down awhile. And Brandi.

Enjoyed three cutests for the evening. This px is for the blue blue eyes, omy.

This one is plain cute. He got along well with his cast.

💗

U. Josh surprised his nephews and niece when he dropped in!

Josh invented a novel way to make roads for the kids.

Sunday morning beauty.

Kittens in trailer are doing fine.

Steers always seem so peaceful.

My first attempt at a panorama. It seems a bit wonky at the top and I missed the full double rainbow but owell. I'll take it. It was stunning. Pictures can't possibly do it justice so you'll have to take my word for it.

I've never seen such vivid colors.

Rainy sunset was spectacular too.

The lighting was almost eerie but in a beautiful way. Nothing I'd ever seen before. Again, pictures can't do justice.

Later that night then we watched the lunar eclipse and blood moon. I was pretty impressed with my phone camera picture...

...until U. Jeff sent this the next day. It was taken by A. Jill's cousin. Isn't that simply amazing?

And this.

Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder 

Consider all the works Thy hands have made

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, 

Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee

How Great Thou Art, How Great Thou Art.

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee

How Great Thou Art, How Great Thou Art.

When through the woods and forest glades I wander

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,

When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur

And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze,

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee

How Great Thou Art, How Great Thou Art.

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee

How Great Thou Art, How Great Thou Art.

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in -

That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin!

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee

How Great Thou Art, How Great Thou Art.

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee

How Great Thou Art, How Great Thou Art.

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!

Then I shall bow in humble adoration

And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee

How Great Thou Art, How Great Thou Art.

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee

How Great Thou Art, How Great Thou Art.

O, How He Loves You And Me

 

 

Thank you Diane!

4-18-14 Good Friday

 

A Crown of Thorns

Ira Stanphill

There was no crown for Him of silver or of gold.

There was no diadem for Him to hold.

But blood adorned His brow and proud its stain he bore,

And sinners gave to Him the crown He wore.

A rugged cross became His throne.

His kingdom was in hearts alone.

He wrote His love in crimson red,

And wore the thorns upon His head.

He did not reign upon a throne of ivory,

But died upon the cross of Calvary.

For sinners there He counted all He owned but loss,

And He surveyed His kingdom from a cross.

A rugged cross became His throne.

His kingdom was in hearts alone.

He wrote His love in crimson red,

And wore the thorns upon His head.

No purple robe He wore his bleeding wounds to hide,

But stripes upon His back He wore with pride.

And from the wounds there flowed a crimson, cleansing stream,

That was a cover for the soul unclean.

A rugged cross became His throne.

His kingdom was in hearts alone.

He wrote His love in crimson red,

And wore the thorns upon His head.

 

4-2-14 Grandpa & Grandma Rinkenberger

November 21, 1943

1993

2011

 

Waayy back here, I  wrote this:

Sunday morning we got the phone call from Grandpa Steiner that my Grandpa Rinkenberger had passed away during the night. While we’re sad that he’s gone from our earthly lives now, we rejoice with him in his eternal victory and look forward to meeting him again somewhere in heaven. Our hearts hurt too for the loss for Grandma. I know she’ll miss Grandpa a lot.

Later on, we learned that Grandma had been sick with the flu, as well as in pain from a bad back, and was taken to the hospital Sunday at some point. Funeral arrangements for Grandpa were on hold all week until Grandma could improve enough to be there, but by Thursday afternoon, the decision had been made to hold the visitation and funeral without Grandma. I can’t imagine the struggle for my mom and her siblings to have to make that choice, all the while watching Grandma suffer with so much pain from a myriad of issues. I can’t imagine how long their week seemed, because, busy as I was with my household of eleven, it was a long week here. Waiting slows time down somehow.

Our time at Grandpa’s visitation on Saturday was very good. We reunited with kin and brethren from all over, reminiscing and remembering Grandpa, rejoicing in his eternal victory won while at the same time grieving our earthly loss. All this with hearts made heavier because Grandma was unable to be there.

Our time at Grandpa’s funeral on Sunday was very good. God’s Word, the singing, the message, the prayers, the tears, the memories, the love, the fellowship, the family. All of it.  God was there. His Holy Spirit was present. He was near, His comfort was felt, His grace was sufficient as it always is.  My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

We went home Sunday night and slept well. Not sure why but we were all exhausted.

Monday morning we had a light school day and tackled the huge laundry piles and other tasks that were neglected over the weekend. I made plans to visit Grandma in the hospital on Tuesday (yesterday), and was able to arrange to take Grandma Steiner with me.

Remember my last post, the pictures from Monday evening at the South Grove? Maybe you didn’t notice, but Sarah wasn’t active like the rest of the kids were. She wasn’t feeling well. She emptied her stomach when we got back home, then went straight to bed.

Monday night was a l-o-o-o-n-g night. I won’t go into detail, but before the night ended, both Jewel and Josh had joined the bucket brigade, and I had to ransack the basement because all the upstairs blankets were soiled. In the process of trying to efficiently do laundry at 2:30 AM, because I still had this faint hope of going to see Grandma the next day, I left the water running in the laundry room sink and stumbled back to bed.

Hearing the waterfall in the basement kitchen at 4:00, Jacob did his noble duty and shut off the water and . . .

. . . told us about the flood. No, he didn’t offer to clean it up. But I really think if he had realized that we’d been up for four hours and had finally gotten to sleep, he would’ve been really noble and cleaned it up, but he wasn’t very much awake himself. I’m just glad he woke up in the first place enough to realize that water falling wasn’t a good sound at that time of the night.

So yesterday morning dawned bright and sunny, and my throbbing head reminded me of my short (I mean long) night.

What a dilemma.

I was planning to take Grandma Steiner to visit Grandma Rink. And all three littles took turns puking all night. I was rather tired. With a long drive ahead of me. What to do? To go or not to go? I knew I couldn’t go today (Wednesday), and I had told Mom I’d take her yesterday, but how could I leave three sick kids? I’ve always adhered pretty rigidly to “sick babies need their mom,” but my babies really weren’t babies anymore, and at that point we didn’t know how long Grandma was going to live. She wasn’t doing well at all.

I waited until about 10:30 to decide, and at that point, although the three were all laying around with pillows, blankets, and buckets, there hadn’t been any more puking; they were keeping broth and crackers down. I don’t think there’s anything else that would have taken me away from sick children for six hours, but since my wonderful older kids were willing to tackle the challenge and were okay with me going, I went.

I’m so glad I did.

I got to talk to Grandma, and tell her I love her, and tell her Jesus is waiting, and she’ll see Grandpa soon, and I’m so glad she was my Grandma, and I don’t know what else I said. It doesn’t really matter. I don’t know if she heard me; she didn’t respond except to open her eyes briefly. The nurses there said she could hear though, so maybe she did. I don’t know; it really doesn’t matter. I was glad to see her and glad I could take Grandma Steiner to see her too. It was evident that Grandma would never “miss Grandpa a lot” like I thought she would. She was going to see him soon, hopefully very soon.

I kept in touch with the kids back home during the afternoon, knowing that I could leave anytime to return home, but they had a quiet uneventful day. All things considered, things went very well. Chores didn’t get done, school didn’t get done, music didn’t get done, the house was kind of trashed, but that’s ok. That’s just fine. I got to tell Grandma goodbye, and the kids were fine. I got home around 5:00 as planned, and we had a quiet evening. Only one bucket incident. Needless to say, we shut down pretty early. Most of us were pretty wiped out.

Last night around 9:00--- a comment emailed from U. Kenny:

I think the end is very near. In fact, pray that God will take Mom soon to relieve her from her pain and reunite her with the loves of her life - her Saviour, Grandpa, Uncle Steve, Gpa and Gma Bauer, her brothers.

This morning around 6:30--- a text:

Her race has been won. From uncle Bob at 11:46...she passed away about 11:20.

I marvel.

Two and a half hours after U. Kenny’s request for prayer – answered.

God is so good.  For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD. Psalm 117:2

So we anticipate another visitation and funeral. Again with joy for victory mingled with sorrow for earthly loss. And I’m still sifting through it all, these last ten days, these emotions that get all mixed up in each other. Two dear grandparents gone in ten short days. Two funerals in one long week. How can it be?

Oh but I feel mostly joy though, because oh what a reunion that had to be! And - - - -

What A Day That Will Be

Jim Hill

There is coming a day when no heartache will come,

No more clouds in the sky, no more tears to dim the eye.

All is peace forevermore, on that happy golden shore,

What a day, glorious day, that will be!

What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see,

When I look upon His face, the One Who saved me by His grace.

When He takes me by the hand and leads me through the promised land,

What a day, glorious day, that will be!

There’ll be no sorrow there, no more burdens to bear,

No more sickness, no pain, no more parting over there.

And forever I will be with the One who died for me,

What a day, glorious day, that will be.

What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see,

When I look upon His face, the One Who saved me by His grace.

When He takes me by the hand and leads me through the promised land,

What a day, glorious day, that will be!

 

One more song. Grandpa’s favorite - - -

In The Sweet By and By

Sanford F. Bennet

There’s a land that is fairer than day,
And by faith we can see it afar;
For the Father waits over the way
To prepare us a dwelling place there.

In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

We shall sing on that beautiful shore
The melodious songs of the blessed;
And our spirits shall sorrow no more,
Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.

In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

To our bountiful Father above,
We will offer our tribute of praise
For the glorious gift of His love
And the blessings that hallow our days.

In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

Good night.

 

 

 

PS…..as three kids get better, another one goes down…as I am writing, Kate hit the bucket a few times…

5-19-13 Make Me More Perfect

Wonderful day of worship today. The words of this hymn we sang are still resonating in my mind ~~~~~

 

I wish to love my Saviour more sincerely

And not to grieve Him, Who loved me so dearly

For this would bring much grief and much affliction

In my direction.

What shall I do? My Saviour, do Thou teach me!

Let flames of love and pure affection reach me,

That I may be immersed with true devotion

In love’s deep ocean.

Thou cam’st to us from Thy throne in the heavens

To bear for us our sins and ev’ry grievance,

For us to die and unto all creation

To bring salvation.

This hast Thou done, Lord, and should I keep silence?

O let Thy love constrain me to bear witness

That Thou, my Lord and God, has brought redemption

From sin’s oppression!

Pour deep into my soul from Zion’s mountain

Thy love so pure, a living, flowing fountain,

That e’er shall flow from my heart, fresh and vernal,

To life eternal!

One day shall faith and hope for us be ended;

But we shall enter in, by love attended,

Thy city fair, Jerusalem in glory,

And there adore Thee.

Zion’s Harp #232

We were reminded that we shall never be perfect as in flawless (if we could be perfect/flawless, why did Jesus have to die?), but, if we ask, God will continually perfect us, making us complete as He intends for us to be. Of course we won’t see that completion here on earth, but that doesn’t mean we don’t try. We try, we ask God for help, and He shapes us and molds us, trims off the undesirable, adds what we lack, corrects the rough edges, chastens when we err, lovingly makes us more perfect. I think often of our minister’s words that remind us that we are on the workbench, God’s workbench; we are all works in progress.

 

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139:23 & 24

4-26-13 Twenty-One Years

When pure and upright hearts, By flames of love ignited,

Are by the bond of faith More firmly yet united,

The light of hope beams forth In radiance far and nigh,

Invites us to partake The blessings from on high.

Then shall this vale of tears On earth become an Eden

When joined in spirit we In prayer look up to heaven,

Then bear we joyfully This earthly toil and care;

We put our trust in God And all complaints forbear.

This union of our hearts Shall stand through grace in Jesus;

We walk the path of life, while cheer and trust increases.

Where God in truth abides, Where two join hand and heart,

We find a threefold cord, Not lightly rent apart.

This God-made union then Shall never more be broken,

Where faith and love have been The holy cov’nant’s token

Where God the seal does give, The hope shall e’er remain,

Though parting be our lot, To meet in heav’n again.

And then, what blissful joy Will bind such hearts together,

When after parting’s grief They meet again in heaven,

Who through this earthly vale Did journey hand in hand,

Joined in the bond of grace By love’s most sacred band!

This covenant shall then Endure and stand forever;

There neither grief nor pain Shall come to part or sever.

There God shall e’er abide With us our truest friend,

Our hearts in Him unite Forever, without end.

The Union Of Hearts, Zion’s Harp #79

7-28-12 The Promised Rest

God’s people yet shall take possession Of that sweet land of rest so bright;
Rejoice! From bondage and oppression, From service in this earthly night,
Soon Christ will come and will relieve you; Your tears will cease, and joy He’ll give you.
Your pains and burdens He’ll remove, Will ease you of distress and sorrow,
And on that bright and better morrow Will bring you to that rest above.

But only if we have been faithful, Have shunned no cross nor yet contempt,
So shall we to that sweet and grateful Repose and rest in heav’n be sent.
Then let us watch and pray sincerely And realize our duty clearly,
As each and ev’ry one should do. So do not waste your time in sleeping,
And finally come short of reaping This rest in heav’n prepared for you.

Ye who are not God’s chosen people, Look back to Israel of old!
From their example take a teaching And cling to God with heart and soul!
Without complaint and lamentation Bear ye distress and earth’s privation;
Rely upon your Saviour’s hand. Your tears will change to joyful singing;
From desert wild your God is bringing You to that fair and promised land.
Zion’s Harp # 211
We sang this song this morning, and it’s a difficult song to sing. It has very meaningful words, but it’s hard to think on the words when the music is difficult. So while we were singing it, I was thinking about the title alone – The Promised Rest. After the last two weeks of breakneck pace, it was a blessing to sit and rest.  I appreciated when our minister spoke more about the words of the song which actually are about the eternal rest of heaven. He then turned to Hebrews 4, and we read more about entering into God’s rest. What a loving call to the unsaved – a call to this rest which is only possible through salvation through the blood of Jesus. With three baptisms after regular services, it was a special day - - - made more so by another convert, another soul who turned his back on sin and is seeking Victory In Jesus!
Oh yes we’re thankful for every one who seeks the Lord in true repentance - - but then again we’re always wanting more - - God is always wanting more - - He is Seeking The Lost right now - - -
To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Hebrews 4:7

7-4-12 Independence Day

America the Beautiful

Words by Katharine Lee Bates,
Melody by Samuel Ward

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!

America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!

America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!

America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!

America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!

America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!

O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
Whose stem impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!

America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till paths be wrought through
wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!

O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife
When once and twice,
for man's avail
Men lavished precious life!

America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain
The banner of the free!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!

America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!

 

6-16-12 Ring the Bells of Heaven!

Ring the bells of heaven! There is joy today,

For a soul returning from the wild;

See! the Father meets him out upon the way,

Welcoming His weary, wandering child.

Glory! Glory! How the angels sing;

Glory! Glory! How the loud harps ring!

‘Tis the ransomed army, like a mighty sea,

Pealing forth the anthem of the free.

Ring the bells of heaven! There is joy today,

For the wand’rer now is reconciled;

Yes, a soul is rescued from his sinful way,

And is born anew a ransomed child.

Glory! Glory! How the angels sing;

Glory! Glory! How the loud harps ring!

‘Tis the ransomed army, like a mighty sea,

Pealing forth the anthem of the free.

Ring the bells of heaven! Spread the feast today,

Angels, swell the glad triumphant strain!

Tell the joyful tidings, bear it far away!

For a precious soul is born again.

Glory! Glory! How the angels sing;

Glory! Glory! How the loud harps ring!

‘Tis the ransomed army, like a mighty sea,

Pealing forth the anthem of the free.

(TH# 202)

 

Yes we are rejoicing with the angels in heaven as last night Jacob answered God’s call to service and turned to Him in humble repentance!

 

 

This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. Psalm 118:23

6-10-12 Count Your Blessings

 

(Hymns of Zion #116)

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, Name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the LORD has done.

Count your blessings, Name them one by one.

Count your blessings, See what God hath done.

Count your blessings, Name them one by one.

Count your many blessings, See what God hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care? 

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,

And you will be singing as the days go by.

Count your blessings, Name them one by one.

Count your blessings, See what God hath done.

Count your blessings, Name them one by one.

Count your many blessings, See what God hath done.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;

Count your many blessings, money cannot buy

Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

Count your blessings, Name them one by one.

Count your blessings, See what God hath done.

Count your blessings, Name them one by one.

Count your many blessings, See what God hath done.

So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged, God is over all;

Count your many blessings, angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Count your blessings, Name them one by one.

Count your blessings, See what God hath done.

Count your blessings, Name them one by one.

Count your many blessings, See what God hath done.

2-22-12 When All Of God’s Singers Get Home

(Heavenly Highway Hymns #47)

What a song of delight in that city so bright

Will be wafted ‘neath heaven’s fair dome,

How the ransomed will raise happy songs in His praise,

When all of God’s singers get home.

When all of God’s singers get home,

Where never a sorrow or heartaches will come;

There’ll be no place like heaven my home,

When all of God’s singers get home.

As we sing here on earth, songs of sadness or mirth,

‘Tis a foretaste of rapture to come;

But our joy can’t compare with the glory up there,

When all of God’s singers get home.

When all of God’s singers get home,

Where never a sorrow or heartaches will come;

There’ll be no place like heaven my home,

When all of God’s singers get home.

Having overcome sin, “hallelujah amen”

Will be heard in that land o’er the foam,

Ev’ry heart will be light and each face will be bright,

When all of God’s singers get home.

When all of God’s singers get home,

Where never a sorrow or heartaches will come;

There’ll be no place like heaven my home,

When all of God’s singers get home.

 

So it’s already Wednesday and the week is flying by.

This song refers back to Sunday night, when we were blessed to attend the monthly singing at the fellowship hall. It was a wonderful joyful singing of praise to God, and we greatly enjoyed being there, as apparently many others did too because the enthusiastic singing was…well…wonderfully enthusiastic :). It sounded absolutely beautiful, and after a snack, many stayed for another good sing around the piano from the Heavenly Highway Hymns…not just the young group folks, but they let us old folks :) sing with them too – and kids joined in too – I think the youngest singer was eight but I might be wrong on that. I’m not sure if our 90-year-old singer was there for the second singing, but I know he was at the first one, and I know he enjoyed that one because he told me he did. Well so anyway, we sang for another hour, and it was just so NICE. That sounds kind of trite, but unless you know what I’m talking about, you don’t know what I mean (how’s that for a profound statement?). Well, if you don’t know what I mean, you’ll just have to come sometime. That is, if you enjoy singing. Or listening, for that matter. Oh, I know there are those who don’t love to sing as much as others do, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But if you like to sing (or listen) – well, it was just a really nice evening. And fellowship was sweet too, and of course the littles especially enjoyed the snacks.

And the song (above) - - well - - obviously there will be more to heaven than singing – we know we can’t begin to imagine the wonders there - eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which GOD hath prepared for them that love him (I Corinthians 2:9). And we know that “all of God’s singers” is not just those who love to sing but is all those who are born again believers on the Lord Jesus Christ, those who are covered by His blood, those who are striving daily to “overcome sin, hallelujah amen.”  But this song has long been a favorite of our family, often picked to sing; and it just seemed to kind of sum up the joyful worship of Sunday evening. Read the words again – they are powerful and awesome, truly inspired by God.

Quick flashback. I’m not sure what happened, but I was thinking about ice skating Friday night and realized I never blogged about it on Saturday! I didn’t take my camera, but I wish I had, because it was another great time on the ice with fewer falls and faster kids. :) They loved it, and I did too. Dad and Josh – well, they don’t love it like the rest of us do, but they still had a good time! Thanks CLLP for organizing another wonderful evening of skating!

A Josh story. Last night at Bibletime we were reciting Philippians chapter 4; Verse 12 says I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound…   Sarah asked what abase means. Josh pointed to the bass fiddle in the corner: “Warah, that’s abase!”

Anyway, a few px – which is what you’re looking for anyway, right? **grin**

Sweet littles (Monday morning, I think).

So Josh goes to bed around 8:30 or 9:00, and Levi and Jesse consistently get home around 9:20 or so - - - little Josh can hardly stand to be in his bed, still awake, and not come out to say hi to Levi (who thoroughly enjoys the adoration, I must say). Jesse doesn’t get as much attention because Josh sees him all morning and they have their buddy times together then. And Dad is the hero from supper until bedtime, but Levi is gone all day. The next four (Kate, Ben, Sarah, Jewel) are usually sleeping by the time Levi gets home, so they might not see him all week, but Josh doesn’t settle down (maybe because he wants to see Levi?) so he usually gets some snuggle time or play time while we talk awhile.

Sweet times!

[and yes I know we have some shaggy boys. Haircuts are scheduled for this weekend.]

 

So this morning at 4:44 I woke up, as moms often do, and checked on my little ones, as moms often do, and found this, which is a first!

:)

Beautiful blue sky this morning begged for a picture.

Today was a typical school day at Meadowview Christian Academy -

And then some pruning on this gorgeous 50 degree day!!

 

 

A Kate’s-eye view - - -

 

I’ve never seen watersprouts this thick before – perhaps it’s because this winter has been so mild (?).

Hard work!

And then all the watersprouts had to be taken to the south grove - - -

 

Nice hayrack.

Maybe if we bounce it we can break it - - -

[Yep they could and did!!!]

Ben worked up quite a sweat :)

 

One last nugget - - - - -