well, hello there!

I feel like you deserve an explanation for my sporadic or rather, lack of blogging. First there was teaching preschool, then came summer, and now...well, honestly not sure when I used to blog. I love to write about life, but when writing gets in the way of living, it's time to take a break. 
So, thanks for understanding. And really, thank you for coming back. Even if you saw enough of Ireland, it is sweet of you to check in again :)

Here's a glimpse of what we've been up to:

We savored our summer. 
But, we welcome in fall.
The shifting of the seasons reminds us that He never changes.
I sometimes wonder what I'd do if handed a remote like Adam Sandler. How often would I be tempted to "click" on to the next season of life, to brighter days. Or, can we seek the blessing living this day before us offers.


Lately, I just keep coming back to this

In His presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to 
record the names of those who feared Him and loved to think about Him. "They will be my people," says the Lord Almighty. 
"On the day when I act, they will be my own special treasure. 
I will spare them as a father spares an obedient and dutiful child." 

Malachi 3.16b-17 {NLT}

The way we live today matters. 
Because in all seasons, there is One who remains.
One who has created you, knows you and calls you precious.
He knows what you're facing, and He hears when you call to Him.
Those who fear Him and love to think about Him...They will be my people, says the Lord Almighty. 


His own special treasure...what a promise!

ireland

I never meant for so many weeks to pass without writing. We've been squeezing every last ounce out of summer that we can and I just haven't known when to stop that to sit down and write. So, I hope you haven't minded too much :)

Before weeks turn into months, I just have to share about a little trip we took this summer to meet up with a dear sister of ours. We were there just 4 days, with 2 years to discuss, plenty of beauty to explore, laughs to be had, and much to soak in.

Dublin, Ireland

Wicklow Mountains National Park, Glendalough

Howth, overlooking the Irish Sea

Since this is a "gluten-free blog," I have to give big kudos to Ireland for their wonderful selection of GF foods! Our B&B baked GF bread every morning and scones for afternoon tea just for me. I am overwhelmingly thankful for these pleasant surprises, such as the below restaurant. (GF lemon crepe recipe to come...we're officially addicted :)

So many memories...like who would have thought Irish black and white pudding is so very different than it sounds? I am so thankful for this time, for face-to-face conversation with her. But I realize to journey with someone doesn't mean to walk side-by-side for a few days then send them back off into darkness as I return to my cooshy little life. But to labor with them, in the same calling that they have received. For how can we not share the hope we have, if He truly is our only Hope? To labor for them, begging the Light of the world to make His light shine bright in the dark. 

Just 4 days. But things have changed.
I used to feel a little let-down after times like these, after looking forward to it for so long then returning to normal. But something happened on that plane trip home. I was reading Bob Goff's thoughts on the bigger/better game. You know, the game where you start with a small object such as a penny and knock on doors, asking if they have something "bigger" or "better" to trade for your penny. I can't possibly do his thoughts justice to try to explain it all, so here you go... 
Jesus is asking us to play Bigger and Better, where we give up ourselves and end up with Him...He's asking us "Will you take what you think defines you, leave it behind, and let Me define who you are instead?" The cool thing about taking Jesus up on His offer is that whatever controls you doesn't anymore. People who used to be obsessed about becoming famous no longer care whether anybody knows their name. People who used to want power are willing to serve. People who used to chase money freely give it away. People who used to beg others for acceptance are now strong enough to give love. When we get our security from Christ, we no longer have to look for it in the world, and that's a pretty good trade. ~Bob Goff, Love Does

I used to think we had to go somewhere exotic or different for the bigger and better, but now I see He has brilliant and beautiful things right in front of us, if we are willing to do some knocking.

You make known to me the path of life; 
in Your presence there is fullness of joy; 
at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 
~ psalm 16.11 

life goes on

Life is precious, fragile and unpredictable. I truly believe this, but it always takes me by surprise when we feel it. My grandma Hazel passed away yesterday. She was 93 and has been in a lot of pain these last weeks, so she is much better off now. But when you lose someone you care so deeply for, it's always too soon. The time was never long enough.

 

Bare feet, sloppy joe's, cream sweaters, upset the fruit basket,
dancing snowmen, pumpkins, wicker chairs, gum drops, 
dark blue bottles, cherry pie, herbs, Max Lucado,
and wind chimes will always remind me of her.

In the words of her obituary: "Hazel celebrated life in all its seasons and ages." Just last year, she was telling me how I must have my hands full with 3 boys. She said she'd keep trying to get out of the nursing home, so that she could come out to help me (at 92 years of age :) I love that she truly believed that! 

It has been so sweet to find traces of history in these things of hers. Of lives that were fully-lived. Stories that can only be pieced together by imagination. Personalities that unfold in hidden postcards.

It makes me think of the story we're living. The legacy we're leaving.
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to You enough?
We may have a ripe 93 years of this life to make things right, 
or we may not make it through the night. Yet, life goes on...
This world is not our home. This life is not the end.

May we learn to swing wide our doors to those who need a hug or a hand or a gum drop (or ten). 

And may we not waste another minute of another day depending on anyone other than the Name above all names, Jesus Christ--our only Hope.

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,

He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, 

but because of His mercy.

~ Titus 3.4