A really long week.

I made it and survived to tell of it! The last 10 days or so were jammed packed with things to do and places to be, and I didn't know how I would survive. Yes, the Lord was good and always provides the energy I need. It would be tedious to try and list out all the things we were involved in and how I had to prepare in advance and creatively come up with solutions to multiple conflicts of schedules, but there are some things that I do want to remember in the years to come.

Michael and Olivia finished up their soccer season as of Saturday. We had three scheduled games and one practice last week, with the Wednesday game ending just in time for the kids to change for AWANA in Jon's office. I think we had a quick dinner at 4:30 that day, right after Olivia's orthodontist appointment.

Soccer season always brings dirt. That's why we often use Jon's truck... because I like my car to stay mud-free if I can help it. Thanks, Jon! But really, I think they look so cute in their soccer jerseys with legs covered in mud! 

The little boys had fun goofing off during the games. They would love to play soccer as well, but basketball was the only sport offered for their age group. Still, I was happy to expose them to a sport they were pretty much unfamiliar with before. I am so happy with the increased skill level of each of the kids this past season. They all did great.

We celebrated Michael's birthday on Thursday. Over the last several weeks I have asked him what he wanted to do for his birthday, and each time he said, "Oh, just have a cozy day at home." Really?! So I gave him a few options, and he chose ice skating with the family for half the day, and a cozy day at home for the other half. My kids have always been so easy to please for their birthdays!

I love this boy! It is hard to believe that he's eight already! It should be easier to believe because he's already taller and heavier than Olivia, which, of course, makes him feel like such a stud! He's cute and he's maturing in so many ways, which makes me so proud to be his mom. He's a leader-type and I look forward to seeing how God will use him.

My kids love to play games that involve costumes, and this costume for Michael will go a very long way. They all like to play Indian games, which I think began when we read the biography of Nate Saint. When Michael is playing,  he is somehow directing the whole thing and usually everyone is happy to go along.

He prefers ice cream over cake, so this year I made him a vanilla and coffee bean ice cream cake with a caramel layer between. I'm sure he would have liked a cup of coffee to go with it too!

Thursday was also the first of five Christmas Concerts at our church which Olivia took part in again this year. Wow, the children's choir sang beautifully! She looked so grown up with a little mascara and lip gloss! Our family sat through the whole concert on Friday night: Michael enjoyed most of it, but Andrew looked like he had swallowed a sour apple. Not his thing, apparently.

Sunday evening, after the last concert, we headed up to the N. family for our white elephant gift exchange. I ended up some stick-on chest hair. So much fun!

By the time we headed home, however, I was feeling achey all over and my throat was hurting. By Monday morning there was no doubt I had the flu. I'm so glad the most anyone else has is a mild cold, but we all know that when a mother is sick, life must go on. I managed to do the laundry for the week, but by the afternoon I had to take a nap. Feeling somewhat better after I made dinner, I headed out to TJ's to grocery shop in preparation for the week. Tuesday morning I was still feeling pretty crumby, but we had invited a dozen ministry friends for an evening Christmas party. By the afternoon I was feeling better (with the help of DayQuil), and  I managed to do almost everything I had planned on doing in preparation. Fortunately, I had done some of the baking beforehand, and I only made a couple more cookie recipes that afternoon. It was a fun time and I enjoyed the relationship building that took place.

Today was such a great day! There was NOTHING on the schedule! I SO enjoyed just being with my kids! I was able to let things go and not care about a messy house as much. It was like therapy!

Cookie crumbs on the table that I was happy to see, knowing a little someone had enjoyed one of my home baked treats! We munched happily throughout the day on clementines and cookies.

Olivia got back to her knitting because there was TIME! She's been working on this scarf since last year and  she's determined to wear it before spring. 

Andrew, who has a mild obsession with building forts, transformed our living room to his liking. Jacob likes to help, but doesn't understand the the roof is fragile and shouldn't have heavy objects place on top.

Olivia is getting pretty comfortable in the kitchen. She made some popcorn for the boys, and later we each made a separate pot of soup. With all the rain we've been having, we were craving comfort food, and I think we both needed some "girl time" in the kitchen. She made chicken and vegetable soup, and I made a French winter vegetable potage. 

Michael went with Jon for the first time to the shooting range. He brought home the target and proudly showed me how well he can aim. So glad they had some time together!

I think I'm a lot like Michael in that I prefer cozy days at home. This day especially. A cozy day at home with the people I love most.

~Katherine

Reflecting and Preparing

1. Tomorrow marks the second anniversary of the car accident that could have easily ended Jon and Andrew's life. I am so thankful that God spared them and graciously protected them from more permanent and life altering injuries. My life continues to be blessed by theirs. How very different today would be without them!

Today we sang How Firm a Foundation at church, and the fourth verse (I think) really struck me as fitting for the day of the accident and the months to follow.

1. “When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
   The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
   For I will be with thee thy trouble to bless,
   And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress."

Indeed, God did bless my troubles. He proved His sustaining power to me, He drew me closer to Himself, and He displayed His sanctifying work in my life by granting me faith and confidence in His sovereign plan despite some pretty harsh realities. I wouldn't exchange that horrible day for anything. It is part of our story now and the product of that suffering is precious to us.

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Jon and I had the privilege of staying at a gorgeous coastal resort with M and M, one of our favorite couple in the world. We so rarely leave our kids for an overnight getaway, but this was really worth it. The times we spend with these friends are always fun and refreshing. They are a such a huge part of our lives and we are so thankful for them. In fact, they dropped everything to come along side us after the accident and faithfully upheld us in prayer. I simply don't have the facility with words to express how much they mean to us! But needless to say it was wonderful to spend extended time together without our combined eight children (though we do love time as families too). 

The weather was simply beautiful, especially considering we're in the month of December! We even slept with our patio door open, and the lull of the waves made it so hard to get up in the morning. 

Now isn't he handsome? I'm so glad to be his wife! We had lots of time alone, which only makes me want to spend more time alone!

We even had some time to map out how we want to teach our children in the coming months and specific ways we want to come along side each of them and help them grow in the area of responsibility. We discussed our own responsibility as parents, and how we are dependent upon God to produce fruit in the lives of our children. We are merely called to faithfully teach and instruct them. God is the one who will change hearts, not us. It is not the work of man, but of God. This is freeing to realize, yet it brings me to my knees in complete dependence on Him.

So our little getaway was the calm before the storm. This week is going to be busy, in a crazy I-can't-believe-we-signed-up-for-this kind of way. But I don't need to stress. I can take it one thing at a time, moment by moment, and plan for the next step as best I can.  And perhaps plan that next year won't be as hectic!

I am finding that my thoughts recently are more about the resurrection than about Jesus' birth. After all,  Jesus came to die and I am forever grateful.

~Katherine

Resting in His Goodness

Recently there have been so many lovely days to blog about; so many things I've been reflecting upon that I would like to record. Because Thanksgiving was just a few days ago, there are many blessings I would love to type out right now. But since today is Sunday and for the second week in a row I have stayed home from church with my children because of illnesses (today is the stomach flu), I have been thinking about God's sovereignty over all things. Indeed, this day was ordained for me and I cannot help but rejoice because I am certain of my  heavenly Father's love for me. And so I can be fine with what seems to come my way.

As we near the second anniversary of the accident, I have been thinking about God's sovereignty and lovingkindness toward me. Almost two years ago I stood outside of the ER waiting for the ambulance containing Jon and Andrew to arrive. I didn't know Andrew was critically injured, but I was very aware of the possibility of never seeing Jon alive on this side of eternity. In God's love and compassion for me, He provided an overwhelming confidence in His steadfast love for me. I knew that He would supply all that I needed to face and accept what He had ordained for me and my family.

The things we naturally consider to be terrible events or circumstances in our lives are the very things God uses to draw us to Him. I have found this to be real in my life. I desire to remember the fact that my days are ordained by the One whose love for me is immeasurable; by being aware of this, I can respond in a way that brings glory to Him.

A couple weeks ago I was reading a devotional by Elizabeth Elliot. Here is what I underlined because I need to be reminded in order to keep the right perspective.

"Jesus had perfect confidence in His Father, whose will He had come to accomplish. Nothing touched Him without His Father's permissions. Nothing touches me without my Father's permission."

"Never mind whether things come from God Himself or from people-- everything comes by His ordination or permission. If I mean to be obedient and submissive to the Lord because He is my Lord, I must not forget that whatever He allow to happen becomes, for me, His will at that moment. Perhaps it is someone else's sinful action, but if God allows it to affect me, He wills it for my learning."

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Yesterday we went with our sweet friends to select and cut our Christmas tree. We've done this together for several years now, and it has become a special tradition. Because of the climate here, the trees we cut are not the beautiful Noble Firs we could buy at Home Depot or wherever, but I love their uniqueness and the fact that they are truly fresh. Our house will smell so good!

Michael made the first cut.

Olivia took a turn sawing with Jon's help.

It's almost funny that we can't do anything without somebody getting hurt nowadays. I considered blogging about all the recent injuries we've had around here, but it just seemed unseasonal! Nonetheless, the saw drew blood.

Olivia had such a sweet time with her friends. She had begun to feel ill, but we thought it was a result of the car ride. Today she hasn't gotten out of bed even once.

We always bring hot cocoa and cookies to be enjoyed after the tree is cut. Fun times!

Jon looked like a walking tree!

With all the craziness and good times this season brings, I want to purpose to focus on the Lord. Sometimes we can get swept up with decorating, shopping, family traditions, Christmas concerts and church events, hosting and entertaining, etc. that we focus on (dare I say worship?!) the season rather than the Lord. May it not be!

Lord, incline my heart to You.

~Katherine

I Love Saturdays!

I love the simplicity of the stage we are in right now because, generally speaking, we are all together on Saturdays. Yesterday Michael and Olivia had a late morning soccer game, then we came home for lunch, work, and play. Of course Jon always has some study/ review for Sunday, and there's always a plethora of chores to be completed, but I love how work and play are mingled together. At one point in the afternoon while I was ironing clothes, the kids decided to rake our neighbor's leaves. They were each "paid" with a lollipop. Michael came in and asked if I would take pictures of their pile of leaves.

I love how they found joy and satisfaction in their work, and that they volunteered to serve without being asked. I pray that they will develop a consistent pattern of joyful work and service.

These two are such good friends!

Jacob's "job" was to build castles in the sand next to the pile of leaves.

I think that in just a few short years I will look back on these days and remember them as the good 'ol days. Lord, cause me to make the most of this season and the moments you give me with each of my children. 

"So teach us to number our days, 

That we may present to You a heart of wisdom..

Let Your work appear to Your servants

And Your majesty to their children.

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us;

And confirm to us the work of our hands;

Yes, confirm the work of our hands."

Ps. 90:12, 16-17

~Katherine