...grateful

I noticed yesterday that the tree these beautiful golden yellow leaves fell from is completely bare. Less than a week ago Thea discovered the wonder of the autumnal ritual of playing in these leaves under a tree still covered in foliage. We actually spent several days playing there and I watched her progress from the stage of certain hesitation to touch them, to the sheer joy of tossing them with a giddy "whee!" into the air of a perfect fall day. What awakened me yesterday was the God-gift of those moments. So many years, seasons, the leaves, they drop and blow away while I'm not looking- and the moments of awe and belly-deep joy with them. This year, this time, under this tree, they fell upon a grateful grandmother and this precious tot, and I am beyond grateful I didn't miss it. 

firsts...

A first birthday.  A pretty big deal.  A celebration.  Anticipated, planned, deserved- after all it has been a big year. A very big year. Her first steps shortly after her first Christmas. A Christmas that could not, did not disappoint. She topped the list of physical blessings we counted her first Thanksgiving and was our delight and favorite treat this first Halloween. She will not remember her first vacation to Minnesota but it is etched in our hearts, with the sounds of her first splashing in the backyard swimming pool. Sitting up on her own, teeth popping up here, popping up there, crawling, giggling, one milestone after another. First fireworks that didn't come close to lighting up our world as her little face. Oh, that little face. First Father's Mother's Days. First Easter. First Valentine's Day, filling our hearts with more love than I thought they could handle. 

First granddaughter. 

Welcome into our hearts and our world Thea Lynn. It has been the sweetest year God has allowed us so far. I love you so very much. May you grow to know that this love I have for you, that anyone has for you, beyond pales in comparison to the love of the One who is LOVE. The One who knit and holds you together, this year and those He allows to come. To imagine love greater than how we feel about you sweetheart is unthinkable but the gospel truth. Happy Birthday. For you, for all who love you, including your two three-year-old brothers who would likely have popped that balloon by now...for the glory of God...

we be expecting...

The size of a mango. A mere twenty weeks between me and my third grandbaby. We are halfway there and the light is back in the daughter's eyes. Beyond curious about pink or blue, names and such, but mostly just plain blessed to be enjoying an uneventful pregnancy. Always the doting mother, I have the What To Expect app on my phone and am enjoying the daily countdowns to our happiest day. Our Jad and Kal will be two in a few weeks, and we are all keenly aware of their absence, of what this anticipated sibling might share in common with its older brothers, of what this would feel like were they running each and every direction around us as we wait. Also keenly aware that with each passing appointment, each strong heartbeat, each completely normal development we are grateful, we are understandably, relieved. Shawna looks as beautiful as you might imagine and smiles when she tells me how often she's feeling baby kicks. I'm just over the moon. I am more than ready for this and more than anything, I want this for her. For John. They will love being parents and will love how God will show Himself anew as this miracle lands in their lives. There are many, many prayers preceding this little one.  Many more going ahead. Joy in the midst of uncertainty and disappointment has a beauty all its own, but joy in the midst of this type of happiness-well it's absolutely gorgeous.

eighty-one...

Today is dad's 81st birthday. I spent it with a hectic day at work and a relaxing evening at home. Taking a break from listening to sermons I checked facebook and forgot I had posted dad's picture there this morning. I was a little surprised to see all the comments people had posted through the day, he certainly had his admirers. He was fun and kind and memorable. And he is missed. We are enjoying his physical features and mannerisms as they randomly appear in Chandler these days. A Chandler who out of nowhere turned sixteen on Friday. Time is a slippery one. A few weeks ago it was mom and dad's 54th anniversary. That seems crazy too, since the math means I'm only a year behind that in birthdays. Thinking about having cake more often. Never know how many candles are left for the lighting and once a year seems risky and a bit too established. Maybe that's why dad always had a bucket of candy handy. A walking party, that man.

wonderful wednesday..

Morning at home- read some, walked some. Great lunch with Sha. Meant a great deal to hear her say That was helpful- as she left the car and headed back to work. I love her so and am as curious as she is to see who she has become this side of the boys. Changed everything.

A bit of a rushed afternoon, thanks to copier quirks but a great day. A little one on one with Nikki, a little choir, a little rehearsal and a little chat with Neal. Wonder...

Topped her off with DOOL with Kev. Still a little weird he goes to rehearsal somewhere else. And tonight he got Sha. Wish I could hear her sing. Thankful she felt it went well and found some joy in singing...

Really thankful about that.

Another great staff meeting this morning. Love these people. Challenges me to pour into the people I know He has placed in my life.

Kids came over for dinner-they never cease to amaze me. Seeing them grow into these people God is using to influence a core group of young people is pretty fun. They really do seem to be living out relational discipleship in about the most natural fashion I've seen. Grateful...

family famine...

Reading an update on the famine in southern Somalia I finally noticed that many are walking for hours in the heat of the sun to find food in Kenya and....Ethiopia. It struck me that my grandchildren might be among those who are hungry and displaced. How quickly the heart engages when it gets personal...it's pretty easy to donate to help...