I Am Alive

Yes, really, I am! Alive, I am! :-)

I know it's hard to verify when I am absent from here. I'm sorry about that. I want to be here more, but since I haven't really been able to do so--for so many reasons--I'll just apologize to you and work on not beating myself up over it.

But I wanted you to know, I am alive!

Still questioning? Let me prove it:

See! This photo was taken during one of the most wonderful weeks of my life. My entire immediate family--all 16 and 1/2 of us--were gathered under one (rented) roof for an entire week in early January. It has been 4 years since that happened, and one spouse and three children have been added in the interim. And it will most likely be that many years or more before it ever happens again.

But oh, the gift of those precious hours and days together. Almost all the people I love best together under one roof... So many hours spent playing and singing and gaming and cooking and eating... It was wonderful. Truly, a jewel crafted by the Lord and given as a gift to me/us. I am so grateful!

Wanna see all of us crazy folk? Well, we don't usually clean up this good, but...

Happy days are here again!

I'll try to be back soon. It feels surprisingly good to be typing these things. And, as usual, I've got stuff on my heart to share. Let the therapy and praising begin!

Blessings until then,
-J

P.S. An extra for you: Here's what happens when an aunt tries to get a pic with all the nieces & nephews...even though the pictures caused them to miss nap time...

I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me. --Psalm 13:6, NIV

God's Grace Is Bigger Than My Graceless Mouth!

Remember my lament a few weeks back about the girl I 'called out' publicly in one of my discipleship meetings? Well, I've received both grace and mercy on that one!! Mercifully, the fallout I deserved didn't happen, and Grace has given me a growing relationship with her!

Over the past few weeks, she has sought me out to ask Bible questions (You showed me this in the Scriptures, but this other person said that; what's up?) and to share with me the often-difficult 'goings on' in her life. She still seems eager to build our relationship...and that is unmerited favor if there ever was some!

And I am so grateful...

Praising God!
-J

(c) 2008