Daniel's Prayer

This is for Daniel's memory, because his mom can't remember dates or details of conversations...

Last night, after books, Daniel asked me if Jesus ever sinned.  This led to a discussion about Jesus dying on the cross and how God left Him alone for just a moment so Jesus could take on all of our sins and die in our place.  And by some precious words and timing from the Spirit, Daniel wanted to pray for God to live in his heart.  We called Daddy to tell him the good news.  I put Daniel to bed.  And then I crumbled and wept in gratitude.  Thank you, Lord for calling my son.  I am overwhelmed.

Homecoming

Since more and more soldiers are coming home these days, there are tons of videos on tv and online of soldiers surprising their families with their homecoming.  I tear up...every...time.  Especially when the kids just fall apart into sobs and whimpers because they missed their Daddies & Mommies so.  Every time I see one of these videos it makes me imagine what my homecoming will be like.  I've studied a little Daniel and Revelations and I know He's coming back in all kids of loud, crazy (frightening) glory.  But at some point, I guess at my judgment, I imagine I'll get to be alone with Christ.  Maybe while I'm waiting outside the courtroom.  I bet He'll be late just to make me sweat.  But I wonder what I'll do.  Will I fall on the floor and weep in shame and humility?  Will I run to Him as soon as I recognize Him and jump into His arms?  Will I ask for ID?

I really, really hope it's not an awkward hand shake.

Collaboration

 

Last month the kids and I repainted this old wooden parrot that had been living on the fence post by our front gate.  I bet it's been there for the last 20 years.  Most of its paint was gone and the wood was weathered.  The kids took turns painting bright colors and patterns on the parrot and when they were finished I painted on the black details and gave it a nice coat of varnish to finish it off.  I love how it turned out.  The parrot now lives in Daniel and Addie's room, perched above their window.  This piece marks our first successful collaboration.  Here's how our collaborative efforts usually go:

After reading my friend Greta's adventures in paper mache with her kids, I decided to pull out the paints this afternoon so the big kids could help me with a project.  I wanted to change a painting I had worked on a few years back (that I never really liked all that much) so I could hang it in Nathan's room.  The idea: Have the kids finger paint leaves on the trees.  The collaboration started out strong.  The kids wanted to add some more colors to the trees and I agreed and they actually looked great.

Then.  Then.  I asked the kids to paint stripes on the ground.  Daniel didn't want to paint stripes, he wanted grass.  I insisted on stripes.  That was me firing the first shot and within seconds the battle between creative kids and psychotic art director ensued.  "Daniel, you're using too much paint."  "Addie, don't put a green stripe next to a green stripe!"  "DANIEL!  You just dripped brown paint all over the sky!"  "ADDIE! YOU CAN'T USE A STICK TO PAINT! IT'S GETTING DIRT ALL OVER THE PAINTING!"  Kids, I'm so happy we shared this quality time; building memories.  I'm sorry your Mom does not know how to play well with others.  Please forgive me.

The painting actually turned out pretty well.

Please excuse the Cybill Shepherd frosted filter on these photos.  There were a lot of kid fingerprints on the camera lens.  Yes, I crabbed at them about that, too.

Nathan, I hope you appreciate the sacrifice your brother and sister made in their efforts to make your room look cool.