The wind is blowing...

So hard that this young man fell off his stool he used to prepare that yummy frosted cinnamon roll.  

Or maybe he was just so excited to eat it!

He was NOT wearing that shoe that snuck into the background.

It would match though!

Lost and Found

"Rejoice with me, I have found my lost sheep!"

So yesterday, I lost a child, a 2 year old child.  Something is just not right about that, but it happened. Quick to lose, what seemed like forever to find.  20 minutes is forever in a mother's heart.  Vincent is a wanderer, he had no intention of being lost.  In his mind he was not lost.  It was no big deal to him.  He was on his own, and perfectly fine with that.  His mother however was not.

And that is life.  How often do we go off exploring on our own, separated from our Father.  And to us, it's no big deal.  We think we are fine.  We don't see the danger with our independence. But He still gives us boundaries to keep us safe and hunts for us until we are found and back home again.

'Father, forgive us, for we know not what we do.'

Luke 15:1-7
Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them.  Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'  I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

Just a little Yoda fun...

"Size matters not. Look at me. 

Judge me by my size do you?

 Hmm?  Hmm?

 And well, you should not!"

When nine months old you are, be as strong and hard working, will you not?  hmm?

Monday it is,

Put my best knee forward, I will. 

Crawl with me, will you?

The dog food and water I must reorganize.

And the cupboards, open and empty I will.

To de-pile clothes I am hard at work.

But be warned, strong and hard working I am, but not that strong, because remove me from work Mother will.

Get it, I do not.

World Cup Bound

Yes, things are getting a bit more intense on the pitch!

Vincent's cheekbone bruises are beginning to fade from Saturday's pick-up game with the big kids; but the lessons live on!

There are many times in our game of life that we have a choice to play hard and do the right thing.  Many of those times we take a bit of a beating. We're like grapes tossed into the wine-press; trodden upon and bruised.  For what reason?  To be made into the finest wine! Jesus gives us the ultimate example of giving it our all: beaten and bruised to become a pleasing offering to God.  It's not particularly enjoyable, but I guess God knows what He's doing.  All we need to do is thank Him for the opportunity to suffer, offer that suffering as a prayer, and allow Him to transform us.

Are you Cup bound?

Jesus take the Wheel

When I first saw this picture, one that a child of mine took, it was a bit eerie for me. It really looks like Christopher's riding in a driverless vehicle.  I thank the child that took this picture, because it's makes me reflective.  On my road of life, who's doing the driving? Is it me, or should I be letting go and trusting someone I can't always see?

 

If we are to be like children, we can't make this trip on our own. A lot of times, we'll feel like we are facing backwards. Along the ride, we'll be happy, playful, sad, tired, and hungry. Like any good parent, God will provide for us. Our duty is to trust that everything is going to be ok.  

~Stepping back and pretending to drive!

Air Support

As it began to rain on our van, John declared from the back of the 'tank', "We've got Air Support!"
I replied back, "What did you say?"
John, "Yeah, we've got air support, the rain is dropping like bombs!"

Which made me think: Yeah, we do have Air Support! Heaven sends us Air Support! When we are on the brink of despair, Air Support can be called in to give assistance to us on the ground crew.  They've got a better view of things up there! And with Heaven's assistance, it's amazing how industrious we become!  As the Air Support flies in, each droplet/water bomb makes up the communion of saints and angels working to help wipe out the enemy and assist in cleansing us!

"I have told you these things that you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Catechism 101

In conversation:
Mom: "Let's name the sacraments to remember how many there are."
Boy: "Which ones are the sacraments again?"
Mom: (Describing baptism...)
Boy: (with a hint of pride)"Oh yeah, Eucharist!
Mom: "Good!" (but then tells what Eucharist is and hints to describe baptism again)
Boy: "1st Communion, 2nd Communion. (pause, then counting on fingers) Eucharist, 1st Communion, 2nd Communion. That's 3!"
 
I think we have a little more work to do!