Busy

If you're wondering why I haven't been posting much lately (and you're probably not), it's because we have been extremely busy.

I don't know why I thought autumn would be slower than summer—it's not. But autumn has been different. And that's good, I guess.

Just trying to slow down enough to enjoy my favorite time of year now and then.

Worth Celebrating

Last Friday night, a group of friends gathered to celebrate a very special friend's birthday.

Of course, I brought the cake—super-rich chocolate with chocolate buttercream frosting and peanut butter filling. (Peanut butter filling, too, although it was a little gummy. Sorry, Bobbie. You can't win 'em all. The filling will be creamier next time.)

The whole wonderful birthday-surprise experience has been making me think that life's worth celebrating. Friends are worth celebrating. It's worth taking time to enjoy everything good that comes from above.

So I'm just focusing on having joy and being celebratory. Why shouldn't I?

First Birthday Party

AC had her first birthday this week! Saturday we had a little family birthday get-together with Papa, Granna, and Grandmother Ann. Though a few VIPs were notably missing from our gathering, we had a wonderful time. Sunday we had supper with Grandpa, Grammy, and Uncle H. Here are some photo highlights of our one-year-old and her celebration weekend.

An early birthday gift from Grammy.








AC enjoyed her sophisticated autumn-themed party decor. She's a very understated sort of girl.






















Complete with a jaunty beagle tail . . . Sophisticated and understated are Coop-dawg's middle names.










Pizza faces.

















Her baby book, in progress, and loads of gifts from family, friends, neighbors.








Chocolate cupcakes—Martha's recipe—very, very rich, of course. With buttery spritz cookies and homemade buttercream, chocolate and vanilla.







Not terribly interested in opening presents until we actually took them out of the packages. Then it was hog heaven!










Speaking of hog heaven, slurped the chocolate icing and left the cupcake. Nice.























Here's to a wonderful first year!

Too Special for Words

Sifted

Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers. (Luke 22:31 ESV)

The past few months have been a blur in our household. Our life has been heavy with efforts to minister to the church and to people in need outside the church. We've been tirelessly searching for a place to settle closer into the city. We've been seeking God in Scripture and in prayer.

And to what end? At every turn, we've come upon obstacles. Waves of discouragement have been flooding our hearts and minds. Nothing has turned out as we've expected or hoped.

And, frankly, I'm experiencing the kind of blueness that makes you want to curse and quit everything. Many days I'm tired and overcome with sadness. I'm overwhelmed with frailty and lack of wisdom. I'm feeling confused and hurt and ashamed somehow.

I am the Israelites at Horeb, "Give us water to drink . . . Why did you bring us out of Egypt , to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?" (Exodus 17:2–3). I am testing God, looking for a sign—some material blessing or fantastic healing or ministry success—to show that He is God and my journey through the wilderness is purposeful. But what the Lord wants me to see is not a sign, a pale and imperfect image, but Himself glorified.

It's so easy to forget or disbelieve that the love and peace of the Lord is more true than that of the world. It's also difficult to come to terms with the fact that He seeks His glory above our comfort and that is a good thing.

Who really "counts it all joy" when he meets "trials of various kinds" (James 1:2)? And who really believes such testing will produce perseverance, steadfastness, character, hope, and joy?

The answer is the man or woman who's experienced suffering and hardship, who has known God's faithfulness in the darkest times. The person trudged through the world's miry trenches in devoted obedience to God's call to holiness and selflessness.

If the Father's will for our Lord Jesus was to make Him perfect through suffering, if Jesus "offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death . . .and learned obedience through what He suffered," we should count ourselves honored to bear His likeness in our own circumstances.

"Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword, from men by your hand, O Lord, from men of the world whose portion is in this life. You fill their womb with treasure; they are satisfied with children, and they leave their abundance to their infants.

"As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness" (Psalm 17:14–15).

"The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed I have a beautiful inheritance" (Psalm 16:5–6).

"Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood . . . My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastises every son whom he receives" (Hebrews 12:3–6).

If you and I are alive today, and we are enduring persecution or hardship or trials in our quest to follow God, we should count ourselves privileged and take heart!

Praise God that He counts us worthy of refinement, of participation in His beauty and glory and mercy in the world. Praise Him that He is present and promises to be a rock and a refuge for His children. May we joyfully accept whatever portion He has chosen for us in every season of our lives. May we count it joy, knowing the Father goes behind us and before us. May we deeply experience His steadfast love and mercy and peace.

Photo from http://www.uark.edu/misc/wheat.

Last of Summer's Sweetness

Last days for a soft cotton, pale blue summer dress with pin tucks, a sophisticated collar, and fancy trim, lovingly fashioned by a sweet great-grandmother. Looking forward to the Christmas rendition.