Saturday with Doll-Girl

Fog, Hollows, Found

Somewhere a dog barked loud.

She looked across fields.

There's always something barking loud in you that you need a bigger field.

A better job, a bigger house, a greater life, a grander point.

There's always a part of you that wonders if anything you do matters enough.

And there's always someone who makes sure you know how much smarter and wiser, bigger and better, known and greater they are.

There's always someone who snatches the horn to sing too loud of their own tens of thousands.

She had to remember to tell herself that: The ones keeping tally in life just want to know they count.

Everyone wielding their own horn just wants to be held.

And Jesus, He stretched His arms out to the whole world.

Who wants the love of a Messiah more than the lauding of men?

She could do this: When the world strives - the wise still. It's the only way to feel God's embrace.

The whole world could compete to be heard and esteemed and known and get ahead. She didn't have to. She could breathe deep and feel all of her filling with this calm sea of peace.

You can give up the need to compete in the world - when you accept being complete in Christ.

Sometimes the way to win is to never enter the race.

She stood there listening to the frogs croaking, song filling all the spring sky.

She just stood there...

She needn't be heard...because she was known.

The fog settled down in the hollow, a veil hiding the woods away. Behind it somewhere the frogs sang on...

She was found.

 (from Ann Voskamp's "A Holy Experience," with pictures by Indie Grace)

Success!

We made these paints using egg yolks and pigments. The kids had soooooo much fun and feel very proud of themselves for being able to paint the frescos with a medium they created. Aaaahhh, these are days it's satisfying to be a teacher.

Object Lesson

We are studying thermodynamics and heat transfer in Physics. Today Rain was doing an experiment that I was recording. As I watched and listened, the concepts of heat absorption began to resonate in my heart as I thought about the similarities to the Holy Spirit's presence in my life. I know, it seems a stretch, but not really. When you hold a flame to an "empty" balloon, the heat is transferred to the balloon. Eventually the rubber becomes weak and unable to resist the pressure of the air inside - so it pops. A balloon filled with water, however, will not pop. Why? Because the water inside the balloon absorbs the heat. It enables the rubber to remain strong enough to withstand the pressure of the air. It holds firm. 

Life without the Holy Spirit? Weak. Eventually it will not be able to withstand the pressure being exerted. Life with the Holy Spirit? Strong. Someone else is taking the heat, allowing us to stand firm. A couple of times Rain's matches refused to remain lit. Of course, nothing happened to the balloon. So it is with me. When things are going okay, when I am not in the fire, I think I have it all taken care of. I'm secure...but the minute the flames start licking at my edges - the need for a "heat absorber" becomes glaringly clear.

Thank you, Lord, for Physics and a lesson tailor-made for this teacher. As our video guru would say, "And THAT is why science matters!"

"If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you...Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

-John 14:16,17; 26,27

A Safe Harbor

(Taken on ferry cruise with momMA)
Click picture to see larger view

Accepted

A friend is a hand that is always holding yours, no matter how close or far apart you may be.

Meet Luna Hogwarts

I had to say good-bye to Sidda Lee yesterday. We enjoyed 7 happy years together but she was starting to get old so after talking to her and explaining the situation we agreed it would be best for her to retire. She was good and reliable and comfortable, though, and I assured her I wanted another just like her. Sidda drove me to the family homestead last night where I met her brand new cousin, Luna Hogwarts. She is a 2012 Kia Soul. My heart still belongs to Sidda but Luna is like a young puppy. I can't help but be excited. She's new and fresh and full of life...also a lot better on gas mileage :-)