The Shaping of a Christian Family

"Love sees what needs to be done, and does it." Somewhere in this book, I read this line and it struck me as absolutely true (even in the deepest spiritual sense, when Jesus went to the cross to save sinners), as well as terrifyingly convicting. How often I notice work that needs to be done and I don't want to do it. I'm thankful that I follow a God who loves perfectly, and can enable me to love others better, as "the fruit of the Spirit is love...". There are so many other good thoughts in this book; do read it if you ever get your hands on a copy.

Aunt Sarah in D.C. (Year 2)

Wow, we had a great week hosting Jon's sister Sarah. She flew in from Louisville just to hang out with us. During her stay we saw a bunch of other friends, too - the fact that Sarah is beloved by nearly all who know her made our house a popular hangout this weekend. We especially had fun seeing the Dewberrys (or is it Dewberries? ;)) who drove down from Philadelphia. Sarah also kept Bram overnight one night and Jon and I stayed in a hotel in a nearby city. We thoroughly enjoyed the 24 hours kid-free by going to dinner, seeing a movie, having a leisurely breakfast out, touring the Smithsonian's Museum of American History, seeing the WWII Memorial, and grocery shopping. Other highlights from Sarah's stay include: eating her cookies, seeing how fast she does dishes, laughing at Bram's constant request for Sarah to take him out to the basketball court (our deck with the Little Tykes goal), and lots of good adult conversations. We are already hoping to reserve her for a week next summer. Love you, Sarah!

Newest Niece

Welcome to the world, Charity Nicole! Born yesterday, 8/21/2013 to my brother-in-law Josh and sister-in-law Cacey. I'm so happy to be your aunt and can't wait to meet you.

God Moves in a Mysterious Way

This hymn has ministered to me innumerable times in the past few years since I became aware of it. I may have already posted about it before, it comes to mind so frequently. At my previous church, my associate pastor shared the lyrics alone (no melody) during the weekly Bible study when the church had been experiencing difficult times. All I remember Ryan saying was that William Cowper (author of the lyrics) struggled with depression for much of his adult life, and this hymn was birthed in the trials and pains of his Christian life. This gives even more meaning when I sing this song (much like when I learned that John Newton of the hymn Amazing Grace was a slave trader-turned-Christian pastor). Upon moving to Maryland and joining Capitol Hill Baptist Church in DC, I actually got to learn the melody and get to regularly sing it with the congregation. What a joy! Beautiful poetry with word pictures about trusting God in trials. Also interesting to note, John Piper wrote a book called The Hidden Smile of God: The Fruit of Affliction in the Lives of John Bunyan, William Cowper, and David Brainerd, the title of which is based on 4th verse of this hymn. I haven't read it, but I think it would be a great read.

God Moves in a Mysterious Way
Words: William Cowper (1774)
Music: Dundee, Scottish Psalter (1615)

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

A Song for the Suffering with John Piper

I'm not undergoing a grave trial right now, but I know those that are. And I know come one day or another, I will undergo hardship. This is not pessimism, but a realistic and biblical view of living in a fallen world, and being a fallen person, though I am redeemed by Jesus Christ. With that being said, this song by Shane and Shane, A Song for the Suffering, is relevant to all Christians. May we as believers bless the name of the Lord even when we encounter trials that He has willed us to face. (Click here to watch the video and hear the song.)


I come, God, I come
I return to the Lord
The one who’s broken
The one who’s torn me apart
You strike down to bind me up
You say you do it all in love
That I might know you in your suffering

Though you slay me
Yet I will praise you
Though you take from me
I will bless your name
Though you ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who’s all I need

My heart and flesh may fail
The earth below give way
But with my eyes, with my eyes I’ll see the Lord
Lifted high on that day
Behold, the Lamb that was slain
And I’ll know every tear was worth it all

Though you slay me
Yet I will praise you
Though you take from me
I will bless your name
Though you ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who’s all I need

Though tonight I’m crying out
Let this cup pass from me now
You’re still more than I need
You’re enough for me
You’re enough for me

[Not only is all your affliction momentary, not only is all your affliction light in comparison to eternity and the glory there. But all of it is totally meaningful. Every millisecond of your pain, from the fallen nature or fallen man, every millisecond of your misery in the path of obedience is producing a peculiar glory you will get because of that.
I don’t care if it was cancer or criticism. I don’t care if it was slander or sickness. It wasn’t meaningless. It’s doing something! It’s not meaningless. Of course you can’t see what it’s doing. Don’t look to what is seen.
When your mom dies, when your kid dies, when you’ve got cancer at 40, when a car careens into the sidewalk and takes her out, don’t say, “That’s meaningless!” It’s not. It’s working for you an eternal weight of glory.
Therefore, therefore, do not lose heart. But take these truths and day by day focus on them. Preach them to yourself every morning. Get alone with God and preach his word into your mind until your heart sings with confidence that you are new and cared for.]

Though you slay me
Yet I will praise you
Though you take from me
I will bless your name
Though you ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who’s all I need
Sing a song to the one who’s all I need

Bram turns 2!

Birthday boy at breakfast

 We had a great morning celebrating our little guy's second birthday. Lots of little friends came to his party and had a great time eating lunch, playing with toys, and chowing down on chocolate birthday cake. Bram walked around saying things like, "birthday!", "balloons!", "so many people!", "birthday cake!". He is now happily napping. Our next door neighbor Bill (who, along with his now-late wife Gloria, gave us their blender last year) even came to the party and gave Bram a special stuffed animal that Gloria treasured for a long time, he said. Bill (in his late 80s) remarked how he loved getting a chance to watch the little ones play. It was a special day all around!

He was super excited that we got balloons for his party.

My sister, Julie, mailed me the fondant decorations for the cake.

My sister, Sarah, ordered us an adorable keepsake print (background) with facts about 2-year-old Bram.

A lot of friends joined us to celebrate!

Our neighbor, Bill, came

My friend Crystal and one of her babies

Even one-month-old Hope made an appearance!

Bram was serious as he listened to the Birthday Song being sung to him

He needed a little help blowing the candles out

But he needed no help to eat the cupcake!

He was excited to open "peasants", until, he opened some trucks and just wanted to play!

He had some professionals help him open gifts

Birthday boy tired out at the end of the party

Gloria's turtle (turtle needs a name!)

Strawberry Cream Muffins

We had these strawberry muffins today (a Heavenly Homemaker recipe), and they were tasty. They were very moist! The recipe says to use sour cream instead of milk. I used plain yogurt because we had no sour cream on hand. Very tasty!

I haven't made many muffins recently so when Bram saw them he called them "cookies". Then he tried to master the word "muffin" but it came out in several funny ways before he got it down: "mussins" and "puffins" were the ones I caught.

http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/strawberry-cream-muffins


Strawberry Cream Muffins
1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup sucanat
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/3 cup coconut oil or butter, melted
1 egg
1 cup sour cream
1 cup chopped fresh or frozen strawberries

Stir together flour, sucanat, baking powder, and salt.  Add oil, egg, and sour cream, mixing well.  Fold in strawberries.  Scoop batter into 12 well greased or paper-lined muffin cups.  Bake in a 375° oven for 18-20 minutes or until lightly browned.