Outside my window... It's bright, sunny, crisp cool air. Perfectly typical Texas February weather.
I am thinking... That sin is so hurtful and destructive.. that I hate it, and I hate how it hurts people and relationships. That school starts again in the morning and I need to set out clothes, prepare lunches, round up all my school books, and get my steno machine packed up.
I am thankful for... Family... family laughter, family chatter, family love and friendship. Friends who call or write to check on you. For the book, Lena by Margaret Jensen... Mom gave us sisters a copy to share, and it's just really "hitting the spot" for me today.
I am wearing... "Comfy clothes"... the sort you wear on Sunday afternoons after you slip out of your church clothes... like a favorite soft pink jacket, house slippers, and a worn in polo shirt and shorts.
In the learning room... It's Sunday... all is quiet. I force myself to do no studying on Sundays. It's my way of setting aside the day to honor the Lord and rest.
I am remembering... with the sound of the Super Bowl playing in the background, how the "football game sounds" bring back happy childhood memories of going to my Italian Great-Grandma's house for lunch on Sunday afternoons as a child. When we walked into her house, the aroma of spaghetti gravy and the sound of the football game playing on tv greeted us, all warm and welcoming.
I am going... No place tonight... To school in the morning... down the long country road, lined with ranches, cows, horses, and fields... it's a happy drive.
I am currently reading... A biography about Hudson Taylor, Lena by Margaret Jensen, and The Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. And some school books. But they are of no interest to anyone but me.
On my mind... so many things... (like, isn't this almost the same exact question as, "I am thinking..."??) that I need to take some time before the Lord and do a routine "motive check" on everything I'm doing... that I need to get our car listed on Craig's List (and what will I drive after that??)... that I need to keep fighting to be faithful in the small things... that I hate diagramming sentences... that I need to write a sticky email... and that I want to be like this dear Lena lady when I grow up.
Noticing that.. I forgot to drink the coffee we made... horror!
Pondering these words... from the book Lena: "What if that tree could talk, Lena? Think o f all the secrets that majestic oak could tell." Laughingly Lena answered, "Oh, but that tree do talk. It say, 'Lena, just stand where God put you, like I do. I don't fret and carry on to be a tall pine. I just be standing here, unshakable, unmovable, a shelter in the storm, and a shade in the heat.' Then I tell myself, 'Lena just be-- just be abounding in the work of the Lord. Do your work as unto the Lord, for God sees the heart and is a rewarder of them who diligently seek Him.' That tree be talking, Nurse Jensen, and I talk back. I say, 'God planted you outside my kitchen, and He planted me inside this kitchen.' We just stand praising the Lord together."
From the kitchen.. Andrea Bocelli is singing from the cd player... but we're getting ready to get in gear to prepare dinner.
Around the house... It's Sunday afternoon, so the family is meandering around... waking up from naps, reading books, checking emails, chatting, etc.
One of my favorite things... Eating a meal outside on a beautiful day.
Here's a few pics I would like to share today:
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| Sisters and long time friends... I love these girls! Lea, Rebecca, me, Sarah, Hannah, Michelle |
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| Getting to see Elisabeth Elliot Gren and Lars Gren at a recent wedding was the highlight of the year so far. (Rebecca, Lea, me, Mr. Gren, and seated, is Mrs. Gren) I owe a great debt of gratitude to Elisabeth Elliot, for her books and writing, which have shaped me in so many ways. Mom used to make us girls listen to her radio program as part of school, and I am so glad she did. (My mom has always had a really good grasp on the most important sort of learning.) |
