Dietrich Bonhoffer passed on something he learned......

Dietrich Bonhoffer wrote when he was in prison in Germany, Christmas Eve 1943.
He had been in prison 9 months at this time.

He talks about missing his loved ones.
1.  He said nothing can make up for the absence.  God doesn't fill the gap.  He keeps it empty so helps us keep alive the communion we once had, even at the cost of pain.
2.  The dearer and richer our memories, the more the difficult the separation.  But gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy.
3.  The separation can be a means of strengthening fellowship quite remarkably.
4.  We must not let fear and anxiety be magnified.  From the moment we wake until we fall asleep we must commend other people wholly and unreservedly to God and leave them in his hands, and transform our anxiety for them into prayers on their behalf.

                      With sorrow and with grief,
                      God wil not be distracted.  

My birthday party

I love words.  My family gave me a great gift yesterday.  Words about what I mean to them.  That was a gift I will remember and cherish for a long time.  Thanks Molly, for the idea, the work to get that done, and the love shown to me!  Here a couple of examples.  The poster heart is titled, We love Grandma because....She comed with me to get my eyebrow glued!  She is my Grandma!  Ansley.  She is nice.  She took me to Montana!  Kennedy.  Like I said treasures!  There were more comments that make me all teary eyed.  Makes me so thankful for my family......

Words, words, wonderful words!

  Here are a couple quotes I have.
  This is one of my favorites, not my own, one I have copied from Priscilla, a teaching leader at Bible Study Fellowship. " Life is good and getting better!" Which is better than my old quote, " Life's a bitch and then you die."  Anyway, that's the history for the name of my blog.
  Another favorite is a quote from Denis Haack at Ransomfellowship.com talking about things he fears.
  "More than anything I fear that my family will be fragmented with unresolved tensions, many due to my foolishness or wickedness as a parent.  I fear growing old, becoming a burden so that my final years are a return to infancy.  I fear loving the biblical Story so much, in all the ways it satisfies my yearning for meaning and truth and beauty, that I fail to simply love God.  I fear the myriad regrets from my past will strangle my ability to fully know and demonstrate grace.  I fear my introversion will keep me from deepening relationships I hold dear.  I fear these things happening and being aware of it too late to may any difference.
  I find reason does little to dislodge fear.  Unhurried conversations, meals in safe places, trusted fellow pilgrims, the quiet beauty of art, metaphor, and story--these are stronger cures."
 

Making a home

Being a woman, it is natural to want to make your home sweet.
Besides cleaning, cooking, and laundry there is my favorite decorating!

My daughter, Cassie, told me a new concept.
Her home is also Josh's home.
My concept is I do whatever I want inside,
Marc does whatever he wants outside.

I needed a couple lamps for our home.
Marc and I were shopping togther.
He picked out this lamp:

Then he sent out a text message to everyone in our family.
All the men responded they love this lamp.
Not one of the women responded, we think they don't want to pick sides.
I'm still trying to decide, do I let it stay or not??
FYI:  It does make the room brighter and more fun!