What's My Response?

I was facing another frustrating moment today when I had to make a decision - How am I going to respond? Abigail had been crying for a long time, I was trying to figure out something on the computer, and I needed to be cooking supper. Once I thought of my options, I knew I had none. As a believer in the power of the Gospel to change lives, I knew I couldn't fall apart. I didn't get a shower until 5:15 in the afternoon (with just enough time to get ready for church), the girls stepped up to help (again), the computer actually worked for me, and supper turned out edible.

I glanced at Facebook at some point later in the day and this was a friend's status. I don't know what his thinking was for putting it up, but it was a nice reminder for me too.

Wherever you may live, and whatever may be your trials; however great your difficulties, and however small your helps; nothing should prevent your aiming at the highest standard, to behave like one who believes that Christ is coming again! You should resolve, by God’s help, to live so that the day of Christ shall find you needing as little change as possible! You should seek to have...

your tastes so heavenly,

your affections so spiritual,

your will so subdued,

your mind so unworldly

...that when the Lord appears, you may be thoroughly in tune for His kingdom!

I Can't Wait...

... to show these pictures. We haven't gotten all of the wedding pictures in but what we've seen are just beautiful! What a great day for Rachel and Adrian!

Does it seem odd that I carry a diaper bag and a large print Bible?

On Christmas afternoon after all kinds of presents, Lydia had a dirty kitchen table cloth wrapped around her and asked, "Can I play with this?"

Pampering our Girl

As a mom I have had lots of ideas of things I wanted to with and for my daughters when they get married to make their wedding week extra special for them. On the day before Rachel's wedding, Ray and I tried to do some of those things. Because of how the week turned out there were things left undone, but over all I think it was a special time. Ray took her out to eat and ordered the biggest steak he could get for her. (Rachel is the kind of girl that when you take her out to eat, she'll order the cheapest thing on the menu.) They had a great time hanging out and enjoying one another.

In the afternoon, I went with her and the bridesmaids to get her nails done and Starbucks. Rachel's bridesmaids did a wonderful job of pampering her all afternoon and into the next day. They did fun spa stuff and simply helped keep anything stressful away from her. What a fun time for her!

That doesn't mean there was NO stress, it was just kept to a minimum.

Steaming her veil.

Cutting fruit for the reception.

Christmas Morning

After many days of being at the hospital with his dad, thanks to some sacrificial family members, Ray got to come home on Christmas Eve night and wake up at home for Christmas. We enjoyed the time like no other. This past season helped us appreciated the little moments we had together. After the worship service with our church and lunch we learned that Ray's dad had died in the afternoon on Christmas Day. It made for a somber day but we are grateful that we got to be together for that short time.

This is the extent of creativity at Christmas crafts this year. We got the idea from Lydia's music teacher and they were quite easy to make. It's powdered sugar doughnuts with mini chocolate chips for eyes and candy corn for the noses.

Last Single Sister Slumber Party

The Christmas Eve Sister Slumber party has become quite a tradition and this was Rachel's last one. As you can tell Adrian was invited to join them for a little while.

Thanks to An Army of Ants

I haven't written thank you notes yet for anything that happened in the past few weeks but I feel like I have to say a big thank you here. I was talking to a family member and she was amazed at how our church family has helped us through so many life changing events lately. From meals, visits, gifts, prayers and everything in between, you have shown up! This family member said that after the wedding was over and she started putting things away, she looked up and saw what appeared like an army of ants moving. There were people moving tables and chairs and packing boxes and loading trucks. But that was only one night. You have overwhelmed us with ALL of the times you've shown up. When Abigail was born, you were there. During the Christmas season, when Ray was gone to be with his dad and family, you were there. When Ray's dad died on Christmas Day, you were there. For the week of Rachel's wedding, you were there. You did not leave us in our time of need that week and placed before many eyes an excellent example of how the body of Christ works. You sent gifts, helped decorate the wedding venue, brought countless meals, attended the funeral (and even babysat there), served in many ways at the wedding, cleaned up after the wedding, and prayed diligently. And then you asked how you could help! THANK YOU!

I'm sitting on my sofa listening to the pouring rain, drinking a cup of coffee, holding my sweet baby and looking at my Christmas tree. Yes- looking at my Christmas tree. I have just finish Psalm 116 and am reminded of God's faithfulness again. I realize that having all of these decorations up this long, but I haven't done a lot of things the way I would have lately. I hope that today they'll come down and I can get the house cleaned up. Most of the wedding supplies are out of the main part of the house and will take a while to sort through and get where they belong. But for right now I'm enjoying a quiet moment and thanking God for the gifts He has given me.

Happy Birthday Mary!

After all that's gone on around here, I am so thankful that Mary wants to celebrate her twelfth birthday in a quite way at home. She is such a blessing to our family. This picture was taken just before Christmas to put on a coffee cup for Ray since we have two new additions this year. Mary is in the top left.

I just wanted to share what's been happening in our family these past few weeks. As we have struggled with the suffering of our dear father and grandfather we have been blessed beyond measure by our church family. Here is a sampling of an email sent out by Ray's fellow elder and dear friend. I can't imagine walking these days without them. Notice the use of the word - we. The church is one body.

Pastor Ray’s Dad died this afternoon. Ray will send out the funeral arrangements once they are complete. For now, please continue to pray for the family. Once the situation has solidified, I will send out some suggestions for how we may minister to them. Ray made it home last night and is with Lori and the girls today.

As you know, Rachel and Adrian’s Wedding is scheduled for Saturday, so we will have a funeral and a wedding this week. As we read this morning, God Himself will provide – Praise be to Him. We His people are often the instruments of His provision, so let us consider together how we may be of comfort and help to the Rhodes at this hour. May our faithfulness be a balm to their souls.

I trust that the Gospel has informed and deepened your Christmas experience and allowed you to minister to your families, extended families, friends, and neighbors. Remember that the shadow of the Cross lies across the Bethlehem manger and thus gives hope to the hopeless and comfort to the grieving.

Let us all look to Christ and long for His return to put an end to sin and suffering and death.