He is Greater.....John 3:30 says He must become greater, I must become less"

Their names were Don and Eiko.....He was from the midwest and she was from Japan.  When we arrived at their home we noticed lots of lawn statues and decorations....and christmas lights....and a whole lot of tender loving care.  There were rose bushes and climbing blooms on trellises....and a gazebo....and more lawn creatures.  Don came out and shook our hands....Eiko came out soon after.  Don and Roger walked around the RV in the Sunday mid-day sunshine and Eiko told me about her problems with allergies and pain and how they could no longer travel in the RV.  Don and Eiko were selling the RV.  They were in their 70s and just not getting around as much. We took the RV for a ride and first Don got it off the blocks and down the road...then Roger got in the driver's seat and Don gave him some lessons.  Don shared that Eiko had lupus and couldn't stand sunlight and extremes in temperature.  He also shared that he was a service veteran of the air fo...

So, today I am noticing a theme on social media.  Moms are posting the first day of school and last day of school pics side by side.  I'm thinking......jeesh.  Did I even get a first day of school pic?  And the last day of school?  Well, Claire's last day was last friday and she was wiped out.....slept about 15 hours that night.  No photo.  Precious had her last day of TK on Wednesday and went to school in tears because she said, "I'm not ready mom!"....no photo there..... Today the boys finished.  I picked Isaac up an hour before school was done to go to his first baseball game of the season.  Our public school won't let him play with the local team because is isn't enrolled there....but he is welcome to join a team in 2 different towns that have Christian high schools.  Our Christian grade school doesn't have a football or  baseball team....so we have to go out of town for those sports.  Ridiculous.  More ridiculous yet ...

I have a friend and co-worker who is a mom to 4 children 6 and younger.....with no extended family in the area.  She works hard and likes to enjoy her family.  She has had a woman come to clean her home for awhile....named Violetta.  One of the first times Violetta came to her home, she finished the jobs that were  requested and then just folded my friend's laundry because she had time.  My friend was blessed.  Another time, my friend was battling the stomach flu with her kiddos and told Violetta that maybe she she wanted to skip a week so that Violetta didn't get sick.  Violetta said, "oh no!  you need me to come!"  We stopped by the next day to check on the tired mama and her sick nest of birdies and she said, "I'm fine....Violetta was here".   Violetta.  It sounds like something fragrant and pleasant......and feels warm and fuzzy.  Say it.  "Violetta".....ahhhhhhhh. Violetta was looking for more houses to clean and so I...

Tomorrow marks the last day of this school year for Precious Maryn.  She finishes Transitional Kindergarten tomorrow with a pool party and a trip to Culvers for Ice Cream.  Who even cares if she is allergic to dairy......she's gonna go and enjoy and savor every moment of her typical, happy, well-adjusted class farewell.  This is particularly emotional for me because 2 weeks ago we stopped giving Precious meds for her ADHD.  The med we were using caused her to be far too sedated and wore off abruptly and the recommended new med was gonna cost us $260.00 a month.  A.  Month.  Disgusted by the injustice of this, I determined that we could make it without meds and just use our therapeutic tricks and oils and diet and prayer......but its been a really, really hard 2 weeks.  She has this behavioral issue pretty intensely.  I kinda forgot how hard life was with her since she'd had meds for the past 6 months.    I love this child so, so mu...

Today is May 23.  Two years ago, I went to a meeting in the morning and learned that Josiah and his first mama were in trouble.  I started to pray and ask God to help them and to make sure Josiah would be safe, whatever God chose to do with his precious little life.....and by 5pm, the DHS worker was bringing him to my home.  We were willing to love him and help him and comfort him.....and that night, as I held him and and listened to him jabber and tell his story, I felt.....like clay to the potter.  God used us that day, to help Joe and his birth mom.  We borrowed some formula, went to Walmart late at night for Batman pajamas and bottles and diapers and clothes and more formula......set up the pack n play......and hauled out the baby toys. I sheepishly called my parents and a friend or two and said something like this:  We have a baby here.  We don't know how long he will be here but for now, he is here. Our friends and family came in droves with...

Luke tells of three distinct experiences. A violent wind filled the house: breath or wind is a symbol of the Spirit of God. Ezekiel 37 tells the story of the prophet's vision of a valley of dry bones which come together: when the 'breath' of God enters them, they come to life and stand on their feet. The Pentecost wind represents the power of God to bring life to the 'dry bones' of faith. Tomorrow is Pentecost.  I am so not qualified to write about this significant event in our faith....but when I asked for an idea for a blog, my friend Jen suggested Pentecost.  Here goes.  The above paragraph is something I found on google to get me started....and so for the moment, I want to think about the wind.  The Wind of the Holy spirit......I have sat in my rather quiet and conservative church many sundays and prayed that God would send the wind of His spirit over us to shake things up, scare us a bit, declare His power and presence....and so far, He has remained quie...

I was in my bathroom this morning and saw a quarter on the floor.  I looked at it and thought to myself......wow.....its like ever since I started collecting change for Sarah's Covenant Homes, I seem to find it everywhere!  Maybe God is depositing coins around my house now, just so I will find them for his special kiddos in India!  I stood at the sink and looked at my tired self in the i .  I pulled at my eyes, you know how we women do....and practiced a smile.  Then a frown.  I checked my teeth.....and then looked down as I washed my hands and there was another quarter.  2 quarters in the bathroom first thing this morning! People. Join this effort.  Please?  These very real children living on the other side of the Earth need medical care and food and clothing and education and love and prayer......and our money.  Many of us already have a charity or a passion for something and I'm not asking that you replace it with what weighs hea...