5 Reasons Why I Love Jesus

This is so cool. My friend Matt Kingsley did this, and I loved reading the answers. Mine is not quite as eloquent or, um, (what's a smart word for smart???). But my heart was genuinely excited in writing out just 5 of the many reasons why I love Jesus.

1. His ability to redeem the most unlovable, pitiful creatures. It still amazes me that even knowing Judas was in the process of betraying Him, He still called him "Friend." I am amazed that He counts me worthy of redemption.
2. His power. He speaks, and the wind and waves obey. He calls, and the dead come out walking. He touches, and healing is present. He is the only one with the power to transform us into something God can use.
3. He knows perfect balance. He knew how to honor God's holiness, yet temper it with grace. He knew how to care for physical needs without losing sight of the true spiritual need. He knew how to live on earth, yet be consumed with the heavenly, the eternal.
4. He knows how to see potential. He is not discouraged by what is--He has the ability to see what is possible, and then the power to bring it about. He sees beyond sin and failure, to redemption, new life, and transformation.
5. Jesus suprises people. Even now.
They're expecting an end to Roman oppression. Instead he ends the oppression of sin and death (they set the bar too low!)
They're expecting the Messiah to conform to the man-made additions to the law. Instead He fulfills the requirements of the law and makes it all an issue of the heart.
They expect him to associate with the more important members of society, and then he welcomes the children and has the audacity to tell them to become like these little ones.
We think we have to kick and scream to be first, to be recognized, to be appreciated...Yet He gently reminds us to serve and to be last.
We think we have to fix ourselves to come to Him, yet He still beckons, "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened."

Perhaps one of my favorite books is Hind's Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard. (Sorry about the book title, I can't underline??) Most of you who know me well, know that it is a favorite of mine. But the main character says of her shepherd something that is forever engraved on my heart,

"I cannot live without loving You."

Much like when Jesus asked the Twelve, "You do not want to leave too, do you?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." John 6:67-68

This is my heart tonight...Without Jesus, I am sunk, I am lost. I love him because I cannot live without loving Him.

A Long Time...and oh yes, Frozen Peas

Well, sometimes life gets so crazy that you don't really have time to stop and say much about it. Or sometimes, life gets so heavy that you just don't have any words to describe it. I am not really sure what category I fall under anyway, but I haven't had many words, or the time to use them if I did.
Needless to say, I do feel like the Lord is at work, in our life, and in my own heart...gently convicting, bringing to mind a few things that He is changing my perspective on. But, I am not exactly sure what it will mean, or where it will take me. So I am just quietly waiting, to see what it is that God is up to.

The only news I really have to report is that Noah's doctor thinks he will be at least 6 foot 2 inches. So yeah, that's just crazy, but we do have my brother (who is 6'5") and Ben's brother (I think 6'2"), so we definitely have some height in the genes.

So, about the Frozen Peas...
I had forgotten that a good friend of mine had told me when Emma was young and teething, and already eating many table foods, about Frozen Peas. She used the petite ones. Anyway, Emma had loved them! And of course, that had carried on with Caleb. Somehow, I had forgotten about them, until my friend again reminded me for Noah. (Side note: Noah really doesn't eat any baby food, except that which I make like mashed potatoes. He just wants table food...) So tonight for dinner, we were having fish, and I realized that somehow I had forgotten to make the salad to go with it. Ben had already left for work, so I really didn't want to make a big salad, even one head of romaine lettuce worth, for just me and the kids. So, I got some organic frozen peas out for Noah to munch on while I tried to figure out what to serve the kids with the fish. They were so excited about Peas, begging me for them, and yup! They wanted them frozen!! I was so thankful in my heart, because they got a vegetable, it required very little work from me, and everyone was happy. Phew...I needed that. I am tired tonight. Thank you God, for frozen peas.

Good intentions, Banana Bread, and Vacation Bible School

Well, Ben had his first week off last week. I had had a couple of people suggest that during some point of his seven days off, I might start wanting him to go back to work!! Yeah, they were wrong. In fact, I kept thinking how fast the time was flying. He did get to go fishing and surfing (yes, surfing on his bad knee.) So, I think he really enjoyed the time off. But he is back to working his nights, trying to sleep during the day.
This week is Vacation Bible School, and I am teaching Caleb's class, which technically is not a class, so much as childcare provided for workers of VBS. However, if any of you know me, you know that it is not often that I "babysit", so much as have structure, routine, and guided activities. So, yeah...we are having a pretty good time, and the kids are doing very well. But it does make for a very busy week. In fact, I have already contemplated several times staying home a day, because Little Miss has already shown some wear from doing so much. I think that, like mommy, she is an introvert. So all those people all the time sort of wear her out. I have noticed her attitude struggling a bit, so we will see if we make it all week. She does enjoy the music most of all.
So anyway, Jonah (my best friend's little boy) has been a guest of ours this week. Now Becky, (his mommy, my best friend) told me that Jonah does not take naps. Well, I put Noah down in our room, Caleb on the floor in Noah's room (because I am not sure I trust Caleb to stay out of trouble in our room), and Emma and Jonah in Emma and Caleb's room. The first day they had some quiet play time, and all was well. Yesterday, Emma was getting a little restless, so I asked her to come and lay on the floor of the living room where I was...When I went to check on Jonah, he was fast asleep. So, Emma and I made some banana bread while the boys slept. There were two loaves, so I figured I could send one home with Jonah. It made a very nice snack for the kids when the woke up, and then Ben took some to work...well, needless to say, the banana bread didn't make it home with Jonah. Two loaves, almost all gone now. But, yeah, my intentions were good, just not good enough to overcome my urge for just one more piece....=) Maybe next time.

Update

Quick update...

The night shift has been pretty rough on Ben. However, the first three or four nights were the worst, and these last three or so have been much better. His knee is okay, he can walk and do most normal things, he just can't do the things he really loves...like surfing. He is going to see an orthopedic surgeon as soon as possible to try and schedule a surgery for one of his off weeks. This surgery should have a relatively short recovery period...

Ben's truck is totaled, so there is a 4 runner in our carport that is very smelly and essentially has no right half of an engine, only copper wires with lots of charcoal. The fire also busted through to the passenger side of the car inside, but didn't get too far into the car. Ben loved getting to go to work, and having to ask for a new pager. When they asked him why, he said, "Oh, my pager got destroyed when the fire department was spraying their chemicals to put the fire out." Good for shock value.

Caleb seemed to thoroughly enjoy his birthday. He asked me this morning, again, very groggy, "Mommy, am I still three?" We have assured him that there is no turning back!!

Here is a picture of a really sad attempt at an elephant on the cake. Elephants are Caleb's favorite animal. But just so you know, art is not one of my strong points.

A Wonderful, Crazy Day...

Well, it's not over yet. But anyway, today is Caleb's birthday. This morning, he came in quite groggy, and said, "Mommy....am I three now?"
Ben has been working his night shifts, which has proved quite a challenge. Saturday and Sunday (today) he works an extra long shift, 3:30pm to 7am. So, when he got home this morning he gave Caleb a big hug, watched Caleb open a few small presents, and then went to bed. I was getting the kids ready for church, trying to get there a little early since I was to teach Caleb's Sunday School class. Emma came in and said, "Mommy, it's smokey!!" I thought, "Did I leave the burner on when I lit Caleb's candle this morning?" As I came around into the kitchen, I could see smoke pouring into the back yard and back play room. It soon came to mind that Ben had mentioned his truck was running funny. Well, you guessed it. It was on fire!! Ben ran out, I took the kids to the front, where a neighbor was frantically knocking and ringing the doorbell to tell us that we had a car on fire. Anyway, the fire department was already on their way, I got the kids out and on our way to church, and they put out the fire. So, the car is totaled. We will spend Ben's first week off looking for a replacement or something. But, Ben is okay, the kids are all okay, and the house (which could have very easily caught on fire from the carport) is unharmed. So, we are most certainly counting our blessings, that all the important things remain untouched and unharmed.
This verse has new meaning for us today...
"When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."
Isaiah 43:2b
And of course, we didn't walk through fire, but we are thankful for His protection none the less.