Meandering through the trails literally and metaphorically, Mikayla and I embark on our journey to Starbucks.   My heart is always affected by the joy that is deep within her heart for a passionate walk with God.  I am mesmorized with thankfulness to a Savior that pours Himself out so liberally into the souls of those open hearts.  Along our walk, we navigate the paths of purity, God's holiness, understanding of who we are in Christ, personal convictions, relationships, mutual love of writing, thankfulness for family and friends, and our understanding of the Gospel.

 A friend asked me if I was happy the other day..."are you happy"?  Not a heartbeat passed without me saying....YES.  Then, my mind instantly reminded myself that I was suffering from the flu...had been sick for almost 2 weeks with an allergic reaction and had a house that needed to be brought into order, and that school had taken a slow start.  In the midst of that struggle, I had a deep seated contentment that transcended my physical circumstances simply because the of the grace of the Gospel.  In understanding more and more the grace of the Gospel and striving to live in light of that Gospel all things become so temporal and take on a mist-like quality. When the light of the Gospel is shone on any circumstance the Cross becomes all that we see....His sacrifice for us.  In my life, it is a continual battle to see life in this light...in the light of eternity..in the light of His gospel..in the light of His grace..and yet it is one that I want to continue to fight and grow stronger in my understanding of.  I love the journeys that heart to heart conversations take me on....the deeply scented undergrowth of greens saturated with morning dew, the hot steamy cement paths, the casual sits at Starbucks slurping up a frapp the size of a small locomotive compliments of Mikayla's ordering....all of those moments encapsulate the conversations that we can have.  Some are sweet and refreshing, some are hard and faithbuilding and heated, some are friendly frolics and I love all of them. I love getting to know someone's heart and learning about that person, who they are growing to be in God.  What a treat to share those moments with one of the most special people in my life.  My daughter. 

My family truly is a gift beyond measure (used often and felt daily).....what a precious gift we bestow to our family when we convey how deeply and richly they fill our lives with joy.  When those thoughts cross our minds about how richly blessed we are to be in community with our family, our church, our friends....don't hesitate...speak them out loud and bless those around you.   When my heart wanders down those memory lanes, I am gifted with memories of many moments when friends and family have spoken sweet words of affirmation and encouragement to me about others or myself.  A recent one touched my heart..."Being with you is one of my favorite places to be".  Words are powerful tools...in written form, in spoken form and in thought.  We are all writing a book as we live our lives..we are living epistles for the glory of God...let's make it a delight to read. 

The day is bustling with "back to school" preparations in sorting the house, getting prescriptions filled,  books found and put in appropriate bins, shoes sorted, clothes laundered.  We are busy and the feeling of accomplishment washes over us.  A day well spent which also included a trip out to the slushy store.     We come home and get dinner on the table...a rather sketchy event with only Meghan and I to prepare for.  (How does one cook for two??)  We decide on chicken caesar pizza and eat cuddled up under a cozy blankie watching a movie together.  After the movie is over, it is bedtime for her and more school preparations for me.  Brushing her teeth she feels the night closing in.  Her eyes mist over with tears as her lip quivers and she asks, "where is daddy?".  I remind her that he is gone for a couple of days.  She disappears into our room.  Coming out, she is wearing one of his shirts as her pyjamas.  If he can't cuddle her then she will wrap herself up in his t-shirt.  As I watch my baby sleep, I am so grateful for such an amazing daddy who loves his children so much.  They miss him when he is gone and anxiously await his return.  When it is six o'clock, the kids are waiting for the door to open, knowing that it is Kevin coming home and they love to run up to be the first to give him the hug. (slightly competitive but he always loves it)  I know that I have been blessed and the children have been so blessed to have a daddy that cares for them like this and longs to spend time with them.  I am reminded of another daddy.  Our Father in Heaven who desires for us to wrap ourselves up in his clothing...His robes of righteousness and long for His presence.  Oh that we would have the faith of that little child to just grab His t-shirt and wrap ourselves up in His presence.  I long for that love and passion for our Lord.  So, as I watch Meghan contentedly bundled up in her earthly daddy's t-shirt, I pray also that her heart would long for her Heavenly Father all the days of her life.  I pray that for each one of my children...for in that...there will be so much joy, much rest and a contented heart in the knowledge that they are children of the living King who wear His robes of righteousness. 

FIRST DAY BACK

Getting back from our Seattle trip, the duties of the day were a bit daunting.   Waking in the morning, our bodies were wracked with coughing and yet there were things to be done.  Clearing our throats, the tasks were started.  I was blessed with the good attitudes of the kids.  The older girls dove into sorting and cleaning tasks without being asked.  After we had a full morning of school, chores and sending Grandma off to see her little guy, Jack...I settled into a few computer errands and scrabulous.  Coming out of the computer room, my heart smiled to see Jenna and Zachary launched in a game of Backgammon (thanks Jordan....amazing gift...well used around here!!!) and Mikayla taking the little girls for a walk to the grocery store and a "princess milk" treat. 

  Mikayla and Jenna take time for their little siblings and spend time enjoying their company.  That is such evidence of God's grace in their lives and I am blessed beyond measure with our family.  Even in the midst of sickness, the girls were intentional about time spent with their family and being productive. 

The hours invested in these friendships bless both Kevin and I....as we seek to raise our family for Him.  Yes, there is bickering.....yes there is whining and yes there is complaining....but YES...there is JOY and love and servant hearts abounding!!!  I am so excited to see that fruit and to see the Lord using the older girls to minister to the younger ones.  My cheerful heart doeth good like a medicine!     There is no greater joy to be had for a parent than to see the evidences of God's grace manifest in their lives as they walk out His redemptive majesty.