Monday, May 30, 2011

Free

Today we had the most luxurious day at home that I can remember.  We played a lot of games together, and everyone pitched in to help me make a special, summery dinner.

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We lingered for a long time in the warm breeze, and had a festive dessert.  And seeing that we were celebrating a holiday, after all, I asked our kids, "Which of our freedoms are you most thankful for?"

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Ben replied, "That's easy!"

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I was waiting for the freedom to play baseball.

He went on.  "The freedom to follow whatever religion I want!"  I asked him to tell us more.  "I know lots of people are persecuted for their faith.  I would do that, but it sure is nice not to have to."

Wow.

I took a chance.  "Would it be OK to have to all follow one religion if the religion were Christianity?"

"No!  Then people wouldn't know whether they wanted to be a Christian or not, because they wouldn't have a choice."

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Bethany piped in just then.  "When you HAVE to do something, it makes you really not WANT to."

Amen, Ben.  Amen, Bethany.  Thank you, God, that my children understand.  We love you because you loved us first.  We follow you freely, willingly, joyfully.

We do not confuse our identity as citizens of the United States with our identity as children of God.  They are completely different, and separate.  But we thank God for a country where we are free to choose, and for brave men and women in our past, present and future who have paid and will pay the ultimate price for that freedom.

"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love."  Galatians 5:13

Sunday, May 29, 2011

My agenda



When Lee asked me what my agenda was for our holiday weekend, I smiled a thankful smile.  He is so good about giving me an outing fix whenever the opportunity arises.


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Of course I had an agenda.
I needed to catch a glimpse of spring
at my favorite park.

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There was mini-golf

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and a little posing

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some gorgeous sunlight

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and enough time for
a little walk

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some wildlife

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and a test of the self-timer...
finally.

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It was the perfect evening.

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Agenda accomplished.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Ten Thousand Villages

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Have you heard of this place?

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Ten Thousand Villages is a large and growing retail business (that is really a beautiful ministry) developed to bring beautiful artwork and craft items to people like us, and provide a fair and productive living for the artists around the world. They are nationwide and also have an online store.

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I went to the local store yesterday with a friend (who also carries a camera), and the salespeople graciously allowed us to click away to our hearts' content.  The colors and textures made my mouth water!

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I love textiles...

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...so there was plenty of drooling going on.

And I thought of my husband when I saw all the recycled things:

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flip flops

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seed pods

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remnants of broken bangle bracelets

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newspapers and magazines.

I also happen to be a pushover for blue ware--such an abundance!

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And...

what an amazing collection of unique nativity sets!

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This teeny tiny Peruvian nativity comes with a lid that makes it look like an egg!
What a sweet surprise.

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If you have any occasion to celebrate, any special person to honor, you are bound to find something at Ten Thousand Villages.  There are toys, games, jewelry, accessories, musical instruments, beautiful books, home decor, office stuff.  Really, something for everyone.  Go there now.  See if they have a store near you.  Shop online.

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Honor the people you love by giving to a great cause--
AND having a beautiful, unique gift to wrap and give.

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Saturday, May 21, 2011

Various and sundry

Don't you wish blogging could be done telepathically?  Seriously.  As I am standing in the bathroom drying my hair, I come up with profound posts.  Here are some of the topics I have recently blogged about.  In my mind.  In no particular order.

1.  If I were an animal, I would be a cow. Because, you know, they have four stomachs. I digest things very slowly and thoroughly. It takes a lot of processing. Talk to me about a topic I haven't processed thoroughly, and you probably won't get much out of me. (Although I might be able to process as I hear you talk, and then I will respond. But not as intelligently as if I had chewed on it for awhile.) Talk to me about a topic I have processed thoroughly, and you will get...well a wordy blog post, because no one I talk to face-to-face really has that much time.

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(Yes, I realize this is not a cow, but I have no recently taken pictures of cows.)


2.  Photography and another trip to the big city.

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3.  Crab apple blossoms.  And other spring happenings that I love to watch unfold.


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4.  Confession.  (This is bound to become a legitimate post one day.  See #1.)

5.  How glad I am that last year I made a mental note to think of summer as two seasons:  Summer I and Summer II.  In Summer I, I am a spectator/photographer.  In Summer II, I am a happy participant.  It is making me a happier camper in Summer I.  (Not that you could really call this summer yet.)

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6.  Nostalgia over my growing kids.  Really, there is not so much more to be said about that.


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7.  How thankful I am for God's faithfulness to me, to my family, to all of us.