I took this photo while Belle was napping today. There are few things sweeter than watching your child drift into a peaceful sleep.
I hope your day is full of rest & peace.
ejk
Sunday, December 7, 2008
the scent of evergreen now fills the air
After a crazy week, we set aside Saturday to get our Christmas tree. And we found it: the perfect tree...a stunning 9ft douglas fir.
What a great day it was. It's especially difficult to be away from family around this time of year, so we cranked up the music and celebrated our own traditions to make the ole' condo a little less lonely. We captured a few moments from our day(below) to share with you...hope you enjoy.And before we begin...here are our new stockings...we love them. I've been working on embroiding our names.
They're not perfect, but not too bad for freehanding it...and my first try at embroiding by hand.
Okay, that's about it. Time for the movie...if you don't have time/interest to watch the whole thing, you've got to skip to the end. We "wish you a merry christmas" & the movie closes with Belle saying, "Now, that's some really good singing!" after the song. It's so precious!
ejk
oh, oh, one last thing...you might have to crank it up - this was recorded on our digital camera.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
God loves us enough to let us fail.
"For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all." Romans 11:32
I find this very encouraging. No matter your shortcoming or failure, God longs to be merciful to you. He longs for a relationship of true love, and a love that is demanded is no love at all. So, he lets us disobey him. He lets us sin. He lets us go our own way. Why? So that he can be merciful.
God lets us fail because he knows our failures make us rely on him even more, and the more we rely on him the stronger we become. James 1 says it this way: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
I don't know about you, but I know my faith is tested the most when I disobey God--when I sin against him. When I finally have the courage to face him after a failure, you know what I find? Mercy. Everytime. And the more merciful he is the more I want to please him and never fail again. But I do. And he lets me, because God loves us enough to let us fail.
APK
I find this very encouraging. No matter your shortcoming or failure, God longs to be merciful to you. He longs for a relationship of true love, and a love that is demanded is no love at all. So, he lets us disobey him. He lets us sin. He lets us go our own way. Why? So that he can be merciful.
God lets us fail because he knows our failures make us rely on him even more, and the more we rely on him the stronger we become. James 1 says it this way: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
I don't know about you, but I know my faith is tested the most when I disobey God--when I sin against him. When I finally have the courage to face him after a failure, you know what I find? Mercy. Everytime. And the more merciful he is the more I want to please him and never fail again. But I do. And he lets me, because God loves us enough to let us fail.
APK
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
A bit of catch up posting
I didn't take many picts of vacation, but I did capture a few of what has become a new tradition when we travel home:
CRACKER BARREL at the half way point in Lima, Ohio!
Belle was pumped for her pancakes after being in the car for 3 hours -- but it was only 9:00 am.
We always play with the notorious PEG toys and build towers with our creamer to keep her distracted from the walls of toys in the other room.
Old Timer's breakfast...here he comes!
As I approached she took one look at me and said, "OOOOhhh, mommy, I love your dress." She paused and then said, "Mommy, I wear it. That's Belle's dress. I wear it."
CRACKER BARREL at the half way point in Lima, Ohio!
Belle was pumped for her pancakes after being in the car for 3 hours -- but it was only 9:00 am.
We always play with the notorious PEG toys and build towers with our creamer to keep her distracted from the walls of toys in the other room.
Old Timer's breakfast...here he comes!
And one other story to share. Sunday morning I walked into Isabelle's room to get her ready for church. She was already awake, standing in her crib waiting for me.
As I approached she took one look at me and said, "OOOOhhh, mommy, I love your dress." She paused and then said, "Mommy, I wear it. That's Belle's dress. I wear it."
She had to settle for one of her own, but by the end of the day, she finally got to wear the dress she had to envy all day long (its actually a tunic shirt, so it kinda fit her when tied up in the back!)
And finally, to mirror Amber's post, I think we'll wrap up a few boxes and a couple of my dresses for Belle for Christmas and just save our money. I've never seen her play better! And she was so quiet just playing in the dark. Genius!!
ejk
Kirk Haven Pop Off
You might feel a bit dumber (or is it more dumb?) after watching this...and that's okay.
ejk
Saturday, November 29, 2008
We are back...
and we have much to be thankful for.
What a blessed week it was. And little did I know how true the previous post indeed would be as the Lord truly went before us and created beautiful moments that we will cherish.
I wish I had taken more pictures to share with you all, but I was living in the moment and the thought to capture it totally escaped me (this is rare!).
But alas we return, and we are restored. We are both anticipating what God has in store for tomorrow - the worship set is going to be powerful.
the kirks 3
and we have much to be thankful for.
What a blessed week it was. And little did I know how true the previous post indeed would be as the Lord truly went before us and created beautiful moments that we will cherish.
I wish I had taken more pictures to share with you all, but I was living in the moment and the thought to capture it totally escaped me (this is rare!).
But alas we return, and we are restored. We are both anticipating what God has in store for tomorrow - the worship set is going to be powerful.
the kirks 3
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
rest and more
We have been going from 6 am till midnight every day since Friday...and Aron & I are simply depleted.
Tommorrow we leave at 5 am to travel home for Thanksgiving.
I, for one, will be very grateful for rest, quietness...sharing the same space with my hubby & daughter - and all of our family we haven't seen in months.
I am excited to see how God is going before us to create moments of healing, of remembering, of thanksgiving. What a God who cares and shares so intimately in the details of our lives.
ejk
Tommorrow we leave at 5 am to travel home for Thanksgiving.
I, for one, will be very grateful for rest, quietness...sharing the same space with my hubby & daughter - and all of our family we haven't seen in months.
I am excited to see how God is going before us to create moments of healing, of remembering, of thanksgiving. What a God who cares and shares so intimately in the details of our lives.
ejk
Friday, November 21, 2008
if you never washed your hands before...you will now!
I can distinctly remember the lectures in nursing school about worms - and not the kind you fish with. I'm talking microscopic sized creepy little guys passed inconspicuously through poor hygiene or undercooked pork into the body of unknowing humans. Though small enough, the naked eye cannot detect them...they can grow to be multiple feet long - a parasite literally sucking the life out of you as they steal your nutrition. I HATE worms...tape worms, any kind really....GROSS!
Which brings me to this picture. You are looking at a worm growing inside an Arizona woman's brain. After weeks of cancer like symptoms, the docs went into this brain expecting to remove a tumor - what they found was much different! A live, growing worm!!! Is your skin crawling yet? Mine is! EEwwwwh!
So I'm thinking how similar this little parasite is to things I've observed in my own life.
Ever so subtly, the little worm of deception or fear slips in - without me even realizing it.
As I go about my life, this microscopic harmless thought, wound, or worry begins to implant, embedding itself among all that is giving me life. Slowing it begins to feed on what is meant for my nourishment and growth, and the fear/wound/worry begins to thrive.
Before I am even aware to defend myself, the parasite has now gone beyond thriving to actually starving me - taking all the goodness that God is pouring into me & thieving it for its own purposeless existence. It simply exists to rob me - expertly placed my the one Jesus says comes only to "steal, kill, and destroy".
Once fully grown, I need an expert to carefully detangle this foul creature that has so enwrapped itself among the complexities of my inner spirit. I need to go to the Great Healer, Jesus, to free me, to release the grip of the fear/pain/wound/worry.
So the moral of this story? Wash your hands really, really well - you never know what your ingesting....
And be just as diligent about the subtle messages you allow to filter into your life. (Above all else, guard you heart...it is the wellspring of life *Proverbs 4* or to paraphrase Paul, take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ). Or if Satan so expertly attacks your wounds (he knows them very well, and he knows how to make them bleed) submit them to Christ for healing. Do not let the lies that break your heart begin to settle in and entangle themselves in your spirit. They will feed on all that is intended for your joy and steal the LIFE Christ intends to breathe into you.
ejk
(this is so speaking to myself above all else. This is just a truth God revealed to me tonight that is so relevant to some things I'm dealing with. I just thought I'd share with you as I'm trying to learn.)
Which brings me to this picture. You are looking at a worm growing inside an Arizona woman's brain. After weeks of cancer like symptoms, the docs went into this brain expecting to remove a tumor - what they found was much different! A live, growing worm!!! Is your skin crawling yet? Mine is! EEwwwwh!So I'm thinking how similar this little parasite is to things I've observed in my own life.
Ever so subtly, the little worm of deception or fear slips in - without me even realizing it.
As I go about my life, this microscopic harmless thought, wound, or worry begins to implant, embedding itself among all that is giving me life. Slowing it begins to feed on what is meant for my nourishment and growth, and the fear/wound/worry begins to thrive.
Before I am even aware to defend myself, the parasite has now gone beyond thriving to actually starving me - taking all the goodness that God is pouring into me & thieving it for its own purposeless existence. It simply exists to rob me - expertly placed my the one Jesus says comes only to "steal, kill, and destroy".
Once fully grown, I need an expert to carefully detangle this foul creature that has so enwrapped itself among the complexities of my inner spirit. I need to go to the Great Healer, Jesus, to free me, to release the grip of the fear/pain/wound/worry.
So the moral of this story? Wash your hands really, really well - you never know what your ingesting....
And be just as diligent about the subtle messages you allow to filter into your life. (Above all else, guard you heart...it is the wellspring of life *Proverbs 4* or to paraphrase Paul, take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ). Or if Satan so expertly attacks your wounds (he knows them very well, and he knows how to make them bleed) submit them to Christ for healing. Do not let the lies that break your heart begin to settle in and entangle themselves in your spirit. They will feed on all that is intended for your joy and steal the LIFE Christ intends to breathe into you.
ejk
(this is so speaking to myself above all else. This is just a truth God revealed to me tonight that is so relevant to some things I'm dealing with. I just thought I'd share with you as I'm trying to learn.)
Thursday, November 20, 2008
a bit of random goodness
I've been sick since Tuesday with a yucky flu-like bug - and I had to work with this virus 12 hrs. on Wednesday. Which leads to my first moment of random goodness. I awoke Thursday to all of the dishes DONE & put away...all of the laundry DONE & put away. My wonderful husband stayed up late after I crashed Wednesday night to take care of some chores so I could rest on Thursday. What a man!
Aron worked long hours today, so Belle and I spent the whole day alone at home. But Random Moment of Goodness #'s 2-4 include phone conversations with three very special people in our lives: My precious cousin, Kim.
My wise & jovial daddy
and my gentle-spirited, nurturing mommy-in-love
Random Moment of Goodness #5: A Cinderella DVD for our little princess arrived in the mail from our fun & lovely college friends who are now preparing to marry, Kim & Dave.
Belle was ecstatic, and so was I. We've been singing Cinderelly, Cinderelly all day.
Random Moment of Goodness #6: I went grocery shopping in 28 degree weather, and my feet stayed warm the entire time because of 1 pair of Bearpaw boots.
My sweet friend, Hannah, recommended these boots to me. She said I'd never want to take my feet out...she was right. I used to snub my nose (hypothetically, of course) at this type of shoe because I tend to choose a more dainty style that has much less comfort and much more heel. But this winter, I refuse to have numb toes from shoes with hard soles and no insulation against the mounds of Michigan snow. So here's a plug...these are the BEST! They're lined with this awesome sheepskin/wool that feels like heaven. Get some!
Random Moment of Goodness #7: When daddy finally did arrive home, we had a good 30 min of play time. Belle was hiding under the pillows on our bed, and Aron & I were "sneaking" around the bed on our hands and knees & jumping up and tickling her. At one point, we both crouched down and were silent. I suppose the anticipation was too great, so our 2 year old decided to call our bluff. She burst out from under the pillows, stood up & shouted, "I go pee, I go pee". Of course Aron & I jumped right out shouting, "No, no, not on our bed." Belle started belly laughing and dove under the pillows. She did not have to potty at all, that little stinker!
And to know that our Father delights in our moments and squeals as I have delighted in all of these today! I guess that makes Random Moment of Goodness #8.
Aron worked long hours today, so Belle and I spent the whole day alone at home. But Random Moment of Goodness #'s 2-4 include phone conversations with three very special people in our lives: My precious cousin, Kim.My wise & jovial daddyand my gentle-spirited, nurturing mommy-in-loveRandom Moment of Goodness #5: A Cinderella DVD for our little princess arrived in the mail from our fun & lovely college friends who are now preparing to marry, Kim & Dave.Belle was ecstatic, and so was I. We've been singing Cinderelly, Cinderelly all day.Random Moment of Goodness #6: I went grocery shopping in 28 degree weather, and my feet stayed warm the entire time because of 1 pair of Bearpaw boots.My sweet friend, Hannah, recommended these boots to me. She said I'd never want to take my feet out...she was right. I used to snub my nose (hypothetically, of course) at this type of shoe because I tend to choose a more dainty style that has much less comfort and much more heel. But this winter, I refuse to have numb toes from shoes with hard soles and no insulation against the mounds of Michigan snow. So here's a plug...these are the BEST! They're lined with this awesome sheepskin/wool that feels like heaven. Get some!
Random Moment of Goodness #7: When daddy finally did arrive home, we had a good 30 min of play time. Belle was hiding under the pillows on our bed, and Aron & I were "sneaking" around the bed on our hands and knees & jumping up and tickling her. At one point, we both crouched down and were silent. I suppose the anticipation was too great, so our 2 year old decided to call our bluff. She burst out from under the pillows, stood up & shouted, "I go pee, I go pee". Of course Aron & I jumped right out shouting, "No, no, not on our bed." Belle started belly laughing and dove under the pillows. She did not have to potty at all, that little stinker!And to know that our Father delights in our moments and squeals as I have delighted in all of these today! I guess that makes Random Moment of Goodness #8.
ejk
And as a bonus because I'm behind on posting, here are 2 video's of Belle joining Aron in his workouts. Its pretty cute until she realizes she's being recorded...then she pops up to see.
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