Prayer Poem

This was so good that I had to cut and paste it from Dad's blog today:

I Didn’t Have Time to Pray
(author unknown)

I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day;
I had so much to accomplish I didn’t have time to pray.
Troubles just tumbled about me and heavier came each task.
Why doesn’t God help me, I wondered.
He answered, “You didn’t ask.”

I tried to come into God’s presence, I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided, “Why, child, you didn’t knock.”
I wanted to see joy and beauty but the day toiled on grey and bleak.
I wondered why God didn’t show me.
He said, “You didn’t seek.”

I woke up early this morning and paused before entering the day.
I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray.

Pancake Girl

Sunday night dinners are always interesting at our house! We usually have big bowl of popcorn (Whirley-Pop, of course!) and some Coke after naps and before going to the evening service at church. By the time we get home it's almost 8 o'clock. So we'll usually have a sandwich, or a bowl of cereal, or left-overs or occasionally we'll grab a $5 pizza at Little Caesar's on the way home. Well - yesterday was unique. After I tucked a tired little Valerie into her crib, I came out to find Marc and Ally in the kitchen....MAKING PANCAKES!!! They really hit the spot and I wouldn't be surprised if they become a Sunday night tradition in our family. Only thing is, I hate sending kids to bed smelling like syrup. Ick.

Tired Valerie. Sundays really wear this poor kid out!

Marc and Ally (poser!) in the kitchen.

I love the look of concentration as she flips them off the griddle.

(By the way, this girl can put down a pancake or two....or five or six!)

A Blessing on Your Head

Reading this passage meant a lot to me this morning:

Matthew 5 (The Message)

When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:

* "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

* "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

* "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

* "You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.

* "You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.

* "You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

* "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.

* "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.

* "Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

A Recipe for Happy Chaos

2 Grandparents

3 Sets of Aunts & Uncles

5 Small Children

1 Cabin in the Snowy Woods