When we lived in Michigan, our closest family member, at least until Jukes joined the Hope party, was 3 hours away. Especially once we and our friends started having kids, we would struggle when friends would mention having regular date nights with grandparents watching kiddos: we couldn’t afford to pay babysitters AND pay for dinner! Continue reading “l e n t :: day29_surround”
Tag Archives: lenten
l e n t :: day28_faithful
All the chisels I’ve dulled carving idols of stone That have crumbled like sand neath the waves I’ve recklessly built all my dreams in the sand Just to watch them all wash away Through another day, another trial, Another chance to reconcile to one who sees past all I see And reaching out my wearyContinue reading “l e n t :: day28_faithful”
l e n t :: day28_silence
I’ve never been a fan of silence. Starting at age thirteen, maybe younger, I would slide my portable CD player into the waist of my cheer shorts so that I wouldn’t have to mow the lawn in eight hours of silence. I would sing to myself, or recite my next upcoming drama lines, or tellContinue reading “l e n t :: day28_silence”
l e n t :: day27_spirit
an oldie but the best representation of spirit :: Raena J, circa January 2015 Raena is thoughtful and creative. Shy but attention-longing. Bright and cunning. Strong and willed. Spirited. All of which cause challenges almost daily. All of which initiate the greatest gut laughter. I would not be surprised if Raena became a world leader,Continue reading “l e n t :: day27_spirit”
l e n t :: day23_help
Tomorrow is move day : out of Mom and Dad’s to the Ranch House next door. We’ve all been “project”ing all day. Yes, all. Can’t you see how the girls are helping Jeff un-install and re-install our water filter? Well today was a full day; we needed help. The kind of help that Fazolis andContinue reading “l e n t :: day23_help”
l e n t :: day23_power
No explanation needed. There is power in prayer Your Faith is the key, And God’s good gifts You long to receive Are possible now – – If you will but dare To take Him at His word …and Believe! –Jon Gilbert (From a little gem my beloved grandfather, Richard Ripberger, used to carry around inContinue reading “l e n t :: day23_power”
l e n t :: day22_found
Today has been a bit of a rough day – not bad in circumstance per se (outside of my favorite pair of pants ripping in the I-obviously-do-not-have-a-thigh-gap kind of way) but in more of a head swimming, not always positive bit of overwhelm. It seemed some certainties were succeeding some seven month uncertainties only to beContinue reading “l e n t :: day22_found”
l e n t :: day21_witness
Witness is a term saved for few instances: attending or standing in a wedding, being present at or seeing a crime occur, or acting as a witness for faith. Each carries magnificent weight on an individual’s life—making a lifelong covenant, pursuing justice for a wrong, sharing Good News. Witness is people changing people’s lives. WitnessContinue reading “l e n t :: day21_witness”
l e n t :: day20_thirst
This morning, since the next IF:Equip study hasn’t started yet, I perused John Piper’s recent articles and decided to read one titled Love is the Main Thing in Saving Faith. Here’s a quick excerpt (although I encourage you to read the whole thing!): Here is the way Paul put it: The coming of the lawlessContinue reading “l e n t :: day20_thirst”
l e n t :: day18_heal
When I was a younger child, many of my family members were not my biggest fans. They said I was bossy to my other cousins. That I didn’t go with the flow the way children are supposed to. Spoiled, I suppose. An aunt even brought up last week that I was demanding. Over the years,Continue reading “l e n t :: day18_heal”
Magdalene A.R. Mastin 