Rich

Here we are again...one more week until Thanksgiving. The most wonderful time of the year for sure. I try to honor each holiday with intention, but since reading Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts at least three times in the last five years or so - every day is Thanksgiving. Minus the turkey and pies.

So how does one make it special when already in the habit of deliberate daily giving thanks? I have journals full of lists of praise for provisions and experiences gifted by God. What else?

Prayer, Bible study, and a good book should give me what I'm looking for.

Philippians 4:19 "My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of God."

Perhaps Philippians' "riches of God" coupled with Ephesians 1:3-10, God has "blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ..."

What are the spiritual riches, eternal and unseen that are more valuable than the richest objects or experiences on earth? A new list!

To start:

He chose me
to be holy and blameless in His sight
In love, He adopted me into His family
He has freely given me abundant grace
In Him I have redemption through His blood (the only way to become right with God),
forgiveness of sin
in accordance with the riches of God's grace
that He lavished on us
Love
Joy
Peace
Christ's righteousness now mine
Hope for heaven
Intimacy with God
Good works prepared to fulfill my purpose

I'm rich! Rich in all the above (which is just scratching the surface).

Let's have some fun with this. What else am I rich in?

Currently-

snowflakes
trees - covered in snow
mountains
icicles
I'm rich in nature!

Friends who
love me and my family
ask hard questions
encourage and tell truth
sharpen me
who give up a Saturday morning
to shower my engaged daughter with gifts and marital advice
and come early
and bring food
and set up
and stay late
and clean up
I'm rich in friends!

praying parents
faithful, loving husband
grown kids who share with Scott and me:
love for Jesus
participation in family traditions
laughter
familiar jokes
a long history of memories and same experiences
daughters-in-law who love Jesus and my sons with gusto
I'm rich in family!

pastors who preach the Word
and pray for us
a Sunday School class to teach
younger women to mentor
Biblical worship to express this thanks
I'm rich in church!

I'm rich in bibles and books and sweaters and mugs (seasonal, of course) and shoes and table linens and artificial trees covered in white lights and food and Christmas music, movies & books....

I think I'm on to something. This is like giving thanks on steroids!

Not convinced? Psalm 84:11 says, "No good thing will He withhold from those whose walk is blameless." This cannot be true. Are you thinking this? Are you mentally listing out all the things the Lord has failed to provide for you? I am too. But guess what - I've learned this: If I pray for it, and God doesn't provide it, it means it wasn't a good thing or it wasn't a good thing for me right now. But even deeper than this simple platitude is the idea of 'withholding'. I read in John 3:34 that "God gives the Spirit without limit." Without limit! In other words, God does not withhold Himself from us. We can have all of Him that we want in an unlimited way."*

I've always wanted the most gifts. Excuse me while I go get a new journal.
But not just a list. If I'm rich, then the right thing to do is give it away - share the abundance of riches with others.  Advent is right around the corner. Stay tuned on how this plays out.

Wanna Join me?

And Happy Thanksgiving!

*My favorite book from 2018 - Seated With Christ by Heather Holleman

The Morning Moon

When a particularly bright moon, a dazzling radiant unanticipated interruption, draws my gaze to a supposed-to-be-dark window, I stop, take in the brilliance and think (actually pray), "Lord, I see you watching over us",  and I smile, feeling safe and noticed by the God of the whole universe.

Then there's the morning moon. It delights me for some reason. I think because it screams that God has held everything together while I was sleeping and I thank Him for that very thing every time I see it. Today was no exception.

I saw this guy shining in the window early and enjoyed my usual soul-pleasing thoughts. A few minutes later, settled in my chair with coffee and blanket, candles lit, Bible on lap, I read Psalm 139 - the homework I gave my Sunday school class for the week.

If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,

  and the light about me be night,”

12 

even the darkness is not dark to you;

    the night is bright as the day,

    for darkness is as light with you. v.11,12

This is one of my favorite verses to rehearse when darkness seems to be eclipsing light in my life. No matter how dark things get or how little I can see in front of and around me, it's not in the dark to God. Not even cloudy! John tells us, 

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, 

that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5

What an amazing comfort. He sees it all. Nothing is unclear to Him. Nothing a mystery. He sees all and knows all. He sees me. He sees everything that pertains to me. And if that isn't enough - He loves me! 

Currently darkness has invaded my vision and I can't see a foot in front of me. That sentence is amusing. Can we ever truly see a foot in front of us? No, we can't. And this is why the wisdom belongs to the one who surrenders that desire for control to the Only One who has it.

Morning moon speaks truth. Now my current darkness must bow its knee to God's ever-glowing light. Not unlike early morning fog, the peace God gives in abundance blankets me in - despite the haze - and I can start the day. Now that's illuminating.

The Most Beautiful Day of the Summer pt 2 - The Reception

The most beautiful day ended in the most wonderful night. If you missed my post of Ben and Katelyn's wedding, you can read it here. Such a fun reception followed.

Speeches from "best" older siblings laced with phrases like "role model", "look up to", and "admire". Speaks to the caliber of character and commitment to the Lord and His Word that Ben and Katelyn have exhibited for years. 

the look on my boys' faces - aaaahhhh!

and then there was dancing..

The bride and groom's first dance was to 

Michael Jackson's "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" because 

obviously Ben Burtis

I miss the days when I could read
without glasses.

Of course, I had to say a few words before Ben and I danced. You see, I chose a sappy song that would make anyone cry - a song new to me called "Seems like yesterday". What made it more meaningful, was that a very important couple recorded it to surprise Ben and Katelyn and her parents. Rob and Annie Phillips, now our pastor and wife (formerly Word of Life Island Directors - ministering to our kids every summer), were in a special relationship with Kate's great-grandpa too, and wanted to help us honor him this night as well. Did I mention Annie is Ben's 2nd favorite singer?

Then I had a little surprise of my own. You may know of Ben's love (first love) for Whitney Houston. I asked Scott to add the big finish and final chorus from I Will Always Love You to the end of our dance. We told no one. Last instruction before I went out there was to Drew, Britt and Ally: "Something's going to happen at the end of the song. When it happens (you'll know when), come running out on the floor for a family hug."

the  moment he recognized the song

What I wasn't expecting was a group singalong as each one started belting out the words with volume and gusto! It was something I'll never forget. And I think it pleased my Ben-Ben and officially welcomed Katelyn into the crazy.

 What I especially need you to notice is how Ben and his Dad have exactly the 

same expression when they're singing. So good!

This one may be my favorite. The way Drew and Ally welcomed 

Katelyn in and how we are all obviously so taken with her. Love!

Now if this wasn't enough excitement, when we arrived in Utah we were immediately put into dance lessons for a family gift to the wedding guests. The East girls choreographed "I'll Say a Little Prayer for You". One, who will remain unnamed, couldn't seem to coordinate. Not sure if you'll see that in these pics, but I'll tell you who it is if you twist my arm.

The moment I wake up

before I put on my makeup

I say a little prayer

for you

I'm combing my hair now

 and wondering what dress to wear now.

Forever and ever you'll stay in my heart!

It got a little chilly for little girls....

And while lining up to light our sparklers, we looked back and saw the most breathtaking sight

 - the final dance -  just for two. 

What a spectacular celebration!

Many thanks to Russ and Tammy East for giving our family the gift of a beautiful wedding. You two are the most generous, thoughtful, fun, and loving couple. And the most supportive and encouraging, praying second set of parents we could have dreamed up for our Ben. We are so grateful for you.

The Most Beautiful Day of the Summer pt.1

I've been wanting to write this post for months. Today is finally the day. It will be shamefully filled with pics from one of the highlights of our family this year.

We hightailed it out to Utah for Ben's wedding back in June. The week was filled to the top with blessings God granted two families. We are thrilled to be joined with the East's now forever.

The top two major parenting goals were met first when Ben and Katelyn received the Gospel of Jesus Christ as their salvation and purpose and hope for present and future. The second is choosing whom they will partner with in service to Him for their lifetime. (You can read their story here.) I think I speak for the four of us that we see how God brought these two together and we say, "Amen!"; more than we were hoping for.

Lesson to parents: pray for who your child will choose as a life partner and feel free to expect they
will seek Biblical standards (hold them to it) in doing so.

Few friends and family were able to make the trip out west, so this is for you. I hope you can feel like you were there. Looking these over again makes me so happy. For those of you who have invested into Ben's and Katelyn's lives - I hope you feel it too.

The venue Kate chose, Thanksgiving Point, was breathtaking as you'll soon see. Here a few pre-wedding shots.

They chose not to see one another but still met for prayer to commit their day to the Lord.

My response to this first glimpse was instant tears for the sheer beauty of her.

Addy Grace loves her Uncle Ben

Is there anything more beautiful than a bride coming in with her Dad?

This. I love so many things about this picture. 1. Ben's emotion. 2. Big brother Drew keeping his eye on Ben.
3. Lifelong friend Terry officiating.

And he rallied!

A certain (granddaughter) flower girl got a little distracted by all the pretty things

success!

Scott and I were so thrilled with the God-honoring ceremony Ben and Katelyn designed. They planned meticulously how best to display the work of God in their lives and their desire to commit to serve Him in marriage to each other.

Complete with a time for parents to pray for the couple, Dads getting to share, and communion led by Ben. Stunning.

I don't want to forget to mention the beautiful music they chose. The parents and bridesmaids walked in to "Come Thou Fount" sung by MercyMe. (Do I need to say how much that meant to me as MM's biggest fan? Also, it was so perfect)

Katelyn walked in to a gorgeous instrumental piece from one of our favorite family movies, The Parent Trap. Which, to me was a nod to one of my Hollywood boyfriends Dennis Quaid. He happened to be in I Can Only Imagine, the movie about MercyMe's lead singer, Bart, too. So it was special to have both of them as part of the wedding. 

This may or may not be what B & K had in mind. But, whatever.

Mr. and Mrs. Ben Burtis

June 7, 2019

Now some extras from this mama of the groom....

the boys!

and we are forever grateful for family (and a few friends not pictured) who traveled all the way to Utah to share our joy. We thank God for you.

Thanks for indulging me! 

Blog post #2 will capture the reception.