tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34896289466755192962012-01-29T01:21:27.305-08:00As our hearts are brought to the One who is worthy of all of our devotion, we find ourselves worshiping at His feet and pouring out our heart treasures there. And there we come face to face with the Lover of our souls, the One who has been seeking our hearts long before we loved Him.Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.comBlogger4321100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-92028170111364860962012-01-22T20:47:00.000-08:002012-01-22T21:20:41.313-08:00

At our church before we partake in the Lord's Supper we have a bit of time for quiet reflection of our lives. I love this time - time to just be quiet and think. Time to think about my week, my life, my heart.Time to ask myself, Do I love God as I should?Have I lived a life that pleased God this week? Am I at peace with my fellow man?Is my heart where it should be? On some days {like today} I

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-47521111950313357242012-01-17T19:39:00.000-08:002012-01-17T19:41:13.912-08:00

"It's snowing still," said Eeyore gloomily. "And freezing." "However," he said, brightening up a little, "we haven't had an earthquake lately."

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-64228017385850488052012-01-10T10:11:00.000-08:002012-01-10T10:12:39.490-08:00

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease muffin tins for 24 muffins. ½ cup oil (I used coconut) 1 ¼ cups fructose, sugar or other sweetner 5 large eggs 1 1/3 cups plain yogurt 4 teaspoons vanilla ¼ cup apple cider vinegar 2 cups flour (I used ¾ cup lentil flour, ½ cup millet/rice combination, and ¾ cup fine cornmeal) 2 tablespoons, plus 2 teaspoons aluminum free baking powder 4 teaspoons baking

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-8625952239022157892012-01-02T08:43:00.001-08:002012-01-02T08:54:38.629-08:00

Gluten-free recipes that can also be made with alternative sweeteners are at a premium around our house. This yummy cookie is a cross between granola bars and crispy rice treats. It is easy to make, and packed with three kinds of fruit, nut butter, and a few kinds of seeds, and very forgiving if you don't have all of that on hand. If you have peanut allergies, you can substitute almond butter for

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-45811929024460643042011-11-08T13:32:00.000-08:002011-11-08T14:00:59.998-08:00

Today the Lord reminded me through the kind hands of someone else that I need not fear giving til I have nothing else. Because He gives and gives and gives. As so often happens at our house, today there were unexpected needs - people to serve. The door was answered in the pouring rain before the sun came up to a man whose family was breaking apart. Problems were discussed {abuse, anger, fights,

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-55993216887905212712011-10-09T14:21:00.000-07:002011-10-09T15:29:55.624-07:00

A few months ago, I found the words of this hymn echoing through my heart day after day:Fill thou my life, O Lord, my GodIn every part with praise,That my whole being may proclaimThy being and Thy ways;Not for the lip of praise alone,Nor e'en the praising heartI ask, but for a life made upOf praise in every part.Praise in the common words I speak,Life's common looks and tones,In fellowship at

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-28237090478348050152011-09-26T23:58:00.001-07:002011-09-27T17:07:45.140-07:00

It was a warm summer day as I was driving across the Midwest. It was just going to be a short trip for some continuing education at a conference. Instead it had become a painful reminder of what wasn't. I drove past places that all haunted me with what could have been. And I remembered what I almost had, only to have it gone.Sometimes it takes seeing what you could have to make you realize what

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-38403159822837123252011-09-25T20:51:00.001-07:002011-09-25T20:55:23.515-07:00

I wrote this post a few months ago, and didn't want it to be taken wrongly, so I hesitated to hit "publish." But, once again, I've been thinking on these things and asking God to make me a merciful person ~ one who pours out grace on people who don't deserve it. I hope you'll be challenged to do the same.~MaryI've been thinking today of the people I don't like to help and "waste" my time on:The

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-83699894662749003892011-09-24T21:53:00.000-07:002011-09-24T22:04:26.151-07:00

One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD.... Psalm 27:4What do I want? If we could have one thing granted just for today, what would we choose? Seeing a friend?An hour to myself?A happier marriage? My stress to go away?More obedient children? A clean house? Enough money to pay

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-4357921166279814152011-08-28T20:25:00.000-07:002011-08-28T20:35:21.137-07:00

Josh and Jemima's beautiful baby girl has arrived: Cherish Mercy!All 7 pounds and 4 ounces of sweet perfection. How did God come up with a creation as wonderful as babies?!I love her to pieces and can't stop nuzzling her soft face and kissing her!

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-71372253129924593512011-08-26T19:41:00.000-07:002011-08-26T19:51:52.369-07:00

"Looking off unto Jesus," my spirit is blest;In the world I have turmoil - in Him I have rest;The sea of my life all about me may roar,When I look unto Jesus I hear it no more. Soon, soon shall I know the full beauty and graceOf Jesus my Lord, when I stand face to face;I shall know how His love went before me each day, And wonder that ever my eyes turned away. ~ Verses 2 and 5, sung to the

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-44188364433454766662011-08-23T21:11:00.000-07:002011-08-23T21:31:59.488-07:00

I love, love, love Ruth Bell Graham's poetry... Mom introduced it to me in fourth grade when she gave me a copy of Ruth's book, "Sitting By My Laughing Fire" and told me to learn to write poetry. {I never did write anything worth saving.} At the time, I thought her poetry was annoying and hard to understand. Then I grew up a little and lived a little life and started to savor some of her

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-21742363636968540712011-08-22T22:56:00.000-07:002011-08-22T23:14:49.565-07:00

It's been one of those days when I hate being a midwife. If I wasn't an adult, I would have jumped up and ran out of the office today and said I wasn't coming back. Why do mamas who don't have many years left to have a baby and who've tried so hard to get pregnant for years and years and years have to be so bitterly crushed and disappointed... told that the little one growing inside them is no

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-83021275665657276302011-08-16T09:13:00.001-07:002011-08-19T21:27:31.525-07:00

It seems that I've had a lot of needs in the past couple of years. Things that send me crying to my Heavenly Father, begging Him for help, for wisdom, for what I need. Sometimes I don't even say what. I just sigh and say, "God, you know..." Some things in my heart are just beyond words. Sometimes I feel ridiculously needy and wonder to myself, Does anyone else have a heart that wanders as much

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-41334363080833641852011-08-09T18:35:00.001-07:002011-08-09T19:05:26.408-07:00

... A new book stand in the kitchen window so I can sing all 21 verses of "Immanuel's Land" while doing dishes ... Watching a friend in love ... Seeing my little sister grow up into somebody really sweet and Godly ... A brother who is tender and thoughtful and misses us so much ... A sister with a swelling belly full of wiggly baby ... A whole quiet day at home by myself (

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-77540576074370834802011-08-05T23:00:00.000-07:002011-08-05T23:14:48.527-07:00

Without air conditioning, there's no escaping the warm stickiness that pervades everything from morning til night all summer. After a week of triple digit temperatures, it's been lovely to wake up to cool breezes and a few raindrops blowing in the window. It's been more than lovely. It makes me smile as soon as I'm conscious and thank God for the little blessings He sends my way! Tomorrow it's

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-55676357422996116462011-08-05T22:57:00.000-07:002011-08-05T23:00:00.954-07:00

To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable.Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless.- G. K. Chesterton

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-3008729981745157822011-08-05T22:55:00.000-07:002011-08-05T22:56:19.270-07:00

"If God can bring blessing from the broken body of Jesus and glory from something that's as obscene as the cross, He can bring blessing from my problems and my pain and my unanswered prayer. I just have to trust Him."Anne Graham Lotz

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-52962599311991173272011-07-27T21:16:00.000-07:002011-07-27T21:32:58.962-07:00

I've noticed over the years that many time friends "steal" quotes from my blog and post them as their Facebook status for the day... Tonight, I'm going post a quote that I "stole" from my sister, Jemima, who recently posted it on Facebook.... :)"Tonight, my soul, be still and sleepThe storms are raging on the deep -- God's deep, not yours --Be still and sleep.... God's heaven will comfort those

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-36209603977973723102011-07-22T14:18:00.001-07:002011-07-22T14:59:01.847-07:00

Psalm 27:4 has been one of my favorite verses for a long time. When I think I want something badly, I often restate the words of the Psalmist: "ONE thing have I desired of the Lord...." THAT will I seek after. God. Knowing Him. Loving Him.His Worth. THAT will I seek after. All the days of my life. The other day I was looking at the verse again, trying to figure out how to paraphrase it for

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-8686209448822644362011-07-16T17:37:00.000-07:002011-07-16T17:45:22.686-07:00

If my life is broken when given to Jesus, it is because pieces will feed a multitude, while a loaf will satisfy only a little lad. ~ Ruth Stull

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-41660423770793239602011-07-16T17:13:00.000-07:002011-07-16T20:49:39.724-07:00

I wrote this last summer, and then never posted it. It's kind of pointless, I guess, but it amused me. :)~ Mary Yesterday I was running errands, going to home visits all over the rural Ozarks.I ran out the door at 7 am, with a rice cake and a date cookie to sustain me for the day. Now it was early afternoon and some food sounded good. Maybe Subway? Except there was no such a thing in any of these

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-26325667711767351032011-07-12T22:02:00.000-07:002011-07-12T22:08:46.248-07:00

Re-posting this from a couple years ago, because it's just so true. It doesn't matter what other good things you choose in life. It really doesn't. God is the choice in life. He is the way, the truth, and life itself. May I live that way! If you have not chosen the kingdom of God,it will make in the end no differencewhat you have chosen instead.- William Law

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-3548593558724243802011-07-12T11:56:00.000-07:002011-07-12T12:37:52.261-07:00

The thermometer on the back porch reads 109 degrees today. That's out of direct sun.Jemima asked me today if I'd like to be her - pregnant, on bed rest.... in air conditioning. It made me chuckle. Well... maybe.... today! :)

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-81767373831138542832011-07-11T20:41:00.001-07:002011-07-11T21:15:22.257-07:00

The real me is what is inside my heart, not what I choose to carefully let out of my heart." Hayley Novak

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-56318005396347460352011-07-04T22:44:00.000-07:002011-07-04T22:57:15.683-07:00

Mom wanted family pictures for Mother's Day since she had all of her kids home for the day. Jemima was on bedrest (still is), so that decided the location for the pictures - her front yard, where she could hurry from the couch to a chair and sit up for a few minutes, looking like she does that all day. Jon from church agreed to accompany us over there and use his skills to create stuff we would

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-1371618004765407692011-07-04T22:38:00.000-07:002011-07-04T22:42:46.038-07:00

The two happy newlywed ladies in the family(Heather - left, due in November; Jemima - right, due at the end of August) both even more happy to be adding to the family! (Sorry if these pictures bore you... I did post them on Facebook a few months ago...)

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-18606115975742951822011-07-04T22:16:00.000-07:002011-07-04T22:37:03.132-07:00

Choose for us, God, nor let our weak preferringCheat us of goodThou hast for us designedChoose for us, God;Thy wisdom is unerring. And we are fools and blind.

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-13289270176949380092011-07-04T20:34:00.000-07:002011-07-11T21:23:35.420-07:00

I'm sure some of my friends wonder what happened and why I left Facebook for now, after being a prolific Facebook poster for several years. There really wasn't (and isn't) any stunningly huge reason, other than that I simply felt the Lord asking me to do it. It was amazing how simple it was for me to give it up, too. I just said, "Okay, Lord" and actually began looking forward to life without

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-81956569396902418102011-06-29T20:06:00.000-07:002011-06-29T20:07:11.515-07:00

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;Wean it from earth, through all its pulses move;Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art,And make me love Thee as I ought to love.I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,No sudden rending of the veil of clay,No angel visitant, no opening skies;But take the dimness of my soul away.Hast Thou not bid us love Thee, God and King?All, all Thine own - soul, heart, and

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-72003783215996520892011-06-29T20:02:00.001-07:002011-06-29T20:04:55.470-07:00

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-65157936003836189912011-06-23T08:26:00.001-07:002011-06-23T08:26:45.203-07:00

While I'm publishing stuff that's sat in draft form for way too long, here's another old post that I never published.Re-reading it brought a smile to my face.I hope it does the same for you. :)Today's been quite a day. But it's been full of grace... grace I didn't deserve. Not only is God far kinder than I deserve, but so are people in my life!Today really started with yesterday, when my car

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-39185115324372313272011-06-23T07:58:00.000-07:002011-06-23T08:06:43.364-07:00

It is not thy hold on Christ that saves thee; it is Christ. It is not thy joy in Christ that saves thee; it is Christ.It is not thy faith in Christ that saves thee; it is Christ. - C.H. Spurgeon

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-36999254435535599642011-06-21T20:30:00.001-07:002011-06-21T23:32:23.793-07:00

My little sister, Joanna, in the hayfieldI wrote this blog post a few months ago, and then never posted it. Tonight, as I was looking through some of my old drafts that I never quite dared to hit "publish" on, I decided to go ahead. I hope it blesses someone. :)Today's been a day of reflection. I spent most of it out in the sun, making a garden for a dear friend. I loved soaking up the sun, the

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-76236668214054957002011-06-18T20:23:00.000-07:002011-06-18T20:29:54.575-07:00

Nothing can alter the character of God. In the course of a human life, tastes and outlook and temper may change radically: a kind, equable man may turn bitter and crotchety: a man of good-will may grow cynical and callous. But nothing of this sort happens to the Creator. He never becomes less truthful, or merciful, or just, or good, than He used to be. --J.I. Packer

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-11809665373070332242011-06-18T20:08:00.000-07:002011-06-18T20:17:08.384-07:00

I went for a run in the already warm, sticky, sun-coming-up-over-the-hills morning and I found myself grateful for a healthy bodygreat running shoesan Ipod full of lovely music and thoughts and wordssummertimecreeks babbling over polished stonessun-dappled country roads with trees forming a canopy overheadAn hour alone without my phone ringing or people trying to talk to meLiz back at home,

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-36289347012357154922011-06-15T07:48:00.000-07:002011-06-15T07:52:49.922-07:00

I'm thinking it may be time to give up. Give up, once and for all - give up all the fears and all that weighs heavy.Give up the worries - and "bend the knee and be small" and let God give what God chooses to give --because He only gives love.~ Ann Voskamp

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-15775761081222944602011-06-12T22:55:00.001-07:002011-06-12T23:08:13.179-07:00

I'm so glad God sends me tokens of His love. Sometimes it's just peace, complete peace, when a situation is rearing it's ugly head and threatening to destroy what I love most. John Wesley said it well when he said, "I see God as sitting upon His throne, ruling all things well." I've repeated that to myself so many times this week. And it reminds me to believe it that, YES, God IS on His throne,

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-87368169623001403912011-06-10T08:18:00.000-07:002011-06-10T09:01:20.108-07:00

A few tidbits from J.C. Ryle this morning: Forgiven souls hate sin.Remember the woman in Simon's house weeping at Jesus feet over her sin? (Luke 7:38)Remember how the Ephesians publicly burned their wicked books? (Acts 19:19)Remember how Paul mourned over his youthful transgressions? (I Cor. 15:9)Forgiven souls love Christ.As Jesus said to Simon, "Her sins, which are man, are forgiven; for she

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-64566087546778317612011-06-08T18:25:00.001-07:002011-06-10T08:18:10.421-07:00

One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can't utter. - James Earl

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-60527108693489988622011-06-07T20:42:00.000-07:002011-06-07T20:46:18.824-07:00

Surely what a man does when he is taken off his guard is the best evidence for what sort of man he is? Surely what pops out before the man has time to put on a disguise is the truth? If there are rats in a cellar you are most likely to see them if you go in very suddenly. But the suddenness does not create the rats: it only prevents them from hiding. In the same way the suddenness of the

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-73011435177562830702011-06-02T22:16:00.000-07:002011-06-02T22:39:40.997-07:00

Tonight I'm thankful forSo very many dishes to wash16 little children, mostly under the age of 8, at our house for the dayAll the cheerios, pineapple, peanut butter sandwiches, yogurt smoothies, chicken nuggets, mulberries, strawberries, and cherries they ate all day long, leaving crumbs all over the floor and juice dribbling down their chins and armsSweaty, dirty little 2 year old arms

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-83655598597109506962011-05-24T21:37:00.000-07:002011-05-24T22:00:30.259-07:00

My 60 year old dad... is. a . saint. He spent his whole evening cleaning off and washing a huge pile of poopy diapers for another family who had something unexpected come up and ended up with about five days worth of dirty cloth diapers. Dad did it cheerfully with a smile, humming to himself while he scraped poo into the toilet... for several hours. His servant's heart has always led we children

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-17732804052501890442011-05-22T17:02:00.000-07:002011-05-22T17:05:40.858-07:00

"It was her business to be satisfied - and certainly her temper to be happy." - Jane Austen, writing about Elizabeth Bennet

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-11285436372756639102011-05-20T18:54:00.000-07:002011-06-07T19:43:09.246-07:00

Jesus of the ScarsIf we have never sought you, we seek you now; Your eyes burn through the dark, our only stars; We must have sight of thorn-marks on your brow, We must have you, O Jesus of the scars.The heavens frighten us; they are too calm; In all the universe we have no place. Our wounds are hurting us; where is the balm? Lord Jesus, by your scars we know your grace.If, when the doors are

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-91145943214791510852011-05-19T19:54:00.000-07:002011-05-19T22:01:45.360-07:00

There's nothing quite like the moments when God shows you why He did something. I've had a lot of those moments in the past three days. Matter of fact, in the last three days, I've welled up with gratefulness on different occasions for every single really hard thing that happened to me in the past year. Really? All of it? Everything? Genuinely grateful? Yes. On Monday, I was dealing with a client

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-44590371226678220362011-05-08T19:50:00.000-07:002011-05-08T19:55:33.699-07:00

I walked a mile with Pleasure.She chattered all the way; But left me none the wiserFor all she had to say.I walked a mile with Sorrow, And ne'er a word said she;But, oh, the things I learned from herWhen sorrow walked with me. ~ Unknown

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-17727257950342899012011-04-06T10:41:00.000-07:002011-04-06T10:43:40.818-07:00

Never forget that some of God's greatest mercies are His refusals. He says "no" in order that He may, in ways we cannot imagine, say "yes."All His ways with us are merciful. His meaning is always love.- Elisabeth Elliot

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-32410600100798452082011-04-03T19:13:00.000-07:002011-04-03T22:18:09.011-07:00

God's so good. He's so good to me. He keeps reminding me of that. And He keeps reminding me that He really does have my best interest in mind. All the time. In everything. Yes. Somehow. Always.

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-3317349016563667192011-03-30T23:01:00.000-07:002011-03-30T23:02:13.448-07:00

"I feel... thin. Sort of stretched, like... butter scraped over too much bread." ~ B. BagginsIsn't this a much more interesting way of saying, "I'm busy and tired"? I thought so. :)

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-22327696343101021582011-03-30T22:45:00.000-07:002011-03-30T23:00:52.290-07:00

Sometimes the very desire for action leads to the neglect of action. Looking for some wonderful opportunity to give oneself, to devote oneself, one forgets the humble brother close at hand who is waiting for a word of comfort, a saving gesture. Let us not linger in contemplation of the road ahead; let us follow the narrow path. Let us not look too far or too high, but right in front of

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-90333582545890496832011-03-26T20:29:00.001-07:002011-03-26T20:32:43.731-07:00

I LOVE rainy days at home! I can't remember the last time when I've had a whole long rainy day to do nothing but sleep in, spend a long quiet time with Jesus, be with my family, make pizza from scratch for lunch, do a pile of laundry and work through my to-do list.These are the days that keep me sane! :) Thank you, God!

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-27955297687158463292011-03-25T23:55:00.000-07:002011-03-26T00:09:47.598-07:00

2:00 am. I guess I should go to bed.Eight hours of staring at my laptop this evening and the unread messages have been reduced from 3, 426 to 1980. About 100 replies sent. The flagged emails... well, there's still a couple thousand of those, but certainly most of them are too old to even answer at this point. At least the pregnant women who requested initial client packets a full month ago

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-47362378341291961702011-03-25T23:07:00.000-07:002011-03-25T23:13:50.473-07:00

Grace is found where there is brokenness.... mistakes; through ugly things, through things swept away by others as useless and hopeless... Grace is found in the One who justifies the ungodly at His own great cost. Grace was most vividly illustrated when Jesus chose worthless, God-hating sinners to make Holy and then called them His Friends. ♥ May I extend the same Grace ...

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-44835830584097467042011-03-22T11:01:00.000-07:002011-03-22T11:42:12.874-07:00

I wasn't God's first choice for what I've done for China.... I don't know who it was....It must have been a man... a well-educated man. I don't know what happened. Perhaps he died. Perhaps he wasn't willing........and God looked down... and saw Gladys Aylward...And God said - "Well, she's willing." -- Gladys Aylward

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-15830559579654823102011-03-13T20:24:00.000-07:002011-03-13T20:36:51.710-07:00

Playing the piano is so therapeutic. Why haven't I done it in years? Maybe I should get back to trying to teach myself guitar again, too. I loaned my guitar to a friend years ago when lobbying took over my life, and apparently, it's gone. She probably sold it at a garage sale during her many moves. I need to get another one. Or do I? I have no idea when I'd fit in even 15 minutes of piano or

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-77433665085098113222011-03-12T22:11:00.000-08:002011-03-12T22:54:18.576-08:00

It's been quite a week! It started with the transmission in my car going out on Sunday. So, that meant that I've been begging cars off people to drive all week. My dad has been really generous and let me drive his old clunker on prenatal days. For some reason, all of our other nicer, newer vehicles break down and have problems at least occasionally. The old white beast that he bought at an

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-17867397843340434102011-03-05T22:04:00.000-08:002011-03-05T22:26:03.915-08:00

Has another week went by? For real?!? I drove almost 1, 200 miles, two babies were born, I went to the Capitol twice, did numerous prenatal and postpartum visits, spent most of my nights sitting up typing up legislative reports and emails nearly til the sun came up and then I rushed off to appointments and meetings after a couple of hours of sleep. Tonight I worked furiously to try to pull

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-13288748404450774102011-02-27T21:09:00.000-08:002011-02-27T21:20:47.966-08:00

While I'm on a posting binge, some thoughts of mine from a few months ago: We pray for holiness and revival in our lives. And yet we don't know what it is we are asking for. Holiness is not a sudden state of being; a confident feeling of glory, an overwhelming knowledge of the Presence of God. Holiness is simply being LIKE GOD.And where shall we go to find out how to be like God? We ought to go

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-39523929804372487192011-02-27T20:58:00.000-08:002011-02-27T21:06:40.853-08:00

I know, I know... I'm not married so I don't know anything about marriage. I know I don't.But, quotes like this are too good to pass up. And if you, married person, resent me posting marriage "stuff" on my blog... just think of it this way: I'm posting it for myself. Because really, I am. :) "You're just going to need to get rid of the idea that marriage will make you happy. It won't. Once the

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-82209523487608168692011-02-27T20:34:00.000-08:002011-02-27T20:48:45.292-08:00

Seriously?!I just spent my four hours of rare quiet, unscheduled time on a Sunday evening emailing a bazillion legislative updates, because I need to leave for my day of prenatals at 7 am tomorrow.... and most of the "updates" pertain to stuff that MUST be done/figured out by the legislative committee tomorrow while I'm ignoring my emails and doing prenatal visits and preparing to drive back to

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-4416167341329143432011-02-18T21:32:00.000-08:002011-02-18T21:53:48.948-08:00

I knew I needed to work on taxes and birth certificates and charting and bill-paying and email-answering the whole long day today. (As is the case, pretty much every day, in addition to catching babies and a whole array of other things in my life.)But today was my first almost whole day at home since I don't know when. A week ago, probably. I couldn't bear to not fulfill at least a few of my

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-20271943129376723322011-02-06T22:23:00.001-08:002011-02-06T22:42:40.597-08:00

Humility is a right estimation of one's self. Not more, not less than what one really is. Humility is the willingness to be known, to be talked about, to be thought about, and to be treated just according to the truth. Poor, lost, wandering souls... only of any value because of a kind and merciful God took what was worthless and redeemed it! Humility is living in the constant awareness of the

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-90116781324429383652011-02-05T21:48:00.000-08:002011-02-05T22:09:21.327-08:00

I've GOT to spend more time soaking up and savoring the Words of God for my life....But how? People matter. God loves people. Even when Jesus tried to escape the multitudes and they found Him and asked Him to help, he stopped and helped. He touched the sick ones and he made them well. He fed the hungry ones. He taught them. He loved them. He never rebuked them for coming to Him or told them to go

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-36383933112983634602011-02-01T21:17:00.001-08:002011-02-01T21:18:07.753-08:00

"You are as holy as you want to be." - Keith Daniel

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-68983182351623443992011-01-31T21:46:00.001-08:002011-01-31T22:03:41.889-08:00

"God is beyond good to bless our lives with children!When we don't know what our hearts need, He does!! All we have to do is let Him bless us. :-) " -- The words of a long-time family friend, a mommy of 14 children, writing about her youngest child turning three. "When we don't know what our hearts need, He does!!" So true. So true. 2010 was a year of me not knowing what my

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-46883291420020879342011-01-16T16:21:00.001-08:002011-01-16T16:26:22.480-08:00

My brother, Isaiah, married Heather a week ago! I've seen lots of couples that seemed perfect for each other, but I'm not sure I've EVER seen a match made in heaven like this! Isaiah and Heather "finding" each other has reminded me over and over that God is SO GOOD and He makes all things beautiful in His time! Why would we ever doubt His Wisdom?!

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-29835405308637653212011-01-16T16:09:00.001-08:002011-01-16T16:10:23.056-08:00

Be careful what you desire and seek after in life. You'll probably get it.

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-68376282050823334072010-12-28T10:04:00.000-08:002010-12-28T10:08:47.062-08:00

‎"What is meaning & how do we find it? What brings meaning is when you can combine a sense of wonder, under-girded by Truth, experiencing the richness of love, along with the knowledge of security. Those 4 components bring about genuine meaning to life. The older you get, the more it takes to fill your heart with wonder, and only God is big enough to fill that heart." ~Ravi Zacharias

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-76464874447538002972010-12-24T11:45:00.000-08:002010-12-24T12:23:49.678-08:00

I, like usual, have been dreaming of a dozen yummy things to cook and bake, if only I had the time.First, there's the midwife thing that gets in the way of my "want to do's." I may go ahead and start a couple of cheesecakes and hope that I get them finished before someone in early labor calls me back and I have to leave in a hurry...Then there's the no-gluten and the no-sugar thing. Yeah. That

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-84172645234131172042010-12-17T21:20:00.000-08:002010-12-17T21:46:16.615-08:00

A year ago, I so desperately wanted just one good, committed apprentice who I could count on. I'm now blessed... almost a little too abundantly with wonderful ladies and assistants who work with me and are just too good to me! This lady practically came out of nowhere... a hospital midwife who decided she wanted to learn the homebirth side of things. She knows so much that I don't know and I know

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-61625492749688520692010-12-10T21:47:00.000-08:002010-12-10T23:56:47.034-08:00

I was sitting at one of the tables with a dear, dear friend. I've known her for a long time. But I've come to love her even so much more in the last year as we've went through some of the same struggles together.People all around us were chattering, laughing, catching up with old friends, meeting new ones. Both my friend and I knew quite a few of the people milling about the room. So, we leaned

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-29593557036548412752010-11-14T00:18:00.000-08:002010-11-14T00:22:33.449-08:00

The golden poppy is God's gold, The gold that lifts, nor weighs us down, The gold that knows no miser's hold, The gold that banks not in the town,But singing, laughing, freely spillsIts hoard far up the happy hills;Far up, far down, at every turn - What beggar has not gold to burn! ~ Joaquin Miller

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-91082902702879453002010-11-13T23:17:00.000-08:002010-11-14T00:17:29.571-08:00

A word spoken in due season, how good is it! ~ Proverbs 15:23Heaviness in the heart of man makes it to stoop: but a good word makes it glad. ~ Proverbs 12:2Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my Redeemer. ~ Psalms 19:14

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-46520758438512498132010-10-26T23:08:00.000-07:002010-10-26T23:31:31.931-07:00

I arrived home late tonight to a lot of housework that really needed to be done. As I was scrubbing out and re-organizing the pantry that had dissolved into a messy pile of cans and leaking rice bags and dusty jars of home-canned tomatoes, I needed to carry several bags of trash outside as the clock neared midnight. I just had to pause in the quiet, dark yard.It's gorgeous out tonight -- the moon

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-84221699930486293242010-09-25T22:25:00.000-07:002010-09-25T22:56:12.340-07:00

I rarely get online anymore. It's sad and it's wonderful. After 5 years of spending 2-6 hours a night frantically replying to emails, my life is very different to say the least.I used to have days at home more frequently when I could spend the whole morning and/or afternoon working through my crammed inboxes, and even squeezing in a bit of "fun stuff" (blogging and Facebooking). And when I didn't

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-71741466652412064602010-08-20T12:11:00.000-07:002010-08-20T12:13:39.069-07:00

Jesus, I am resting, restingIn the joy of what Thou art.I am finding out the greatnessOf Thy loving Heart...It's true... when the heart is most broken and bitterly disappointed,the Goodness and Tenderness of God's loving Heart becomes all the more precious.

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-12751483020206223482010-08-17T10:46:00.000-07:002010-08-17T11:00:16.775-07:00

"Safe in the arms of Jesus, Safe from corroding care, Safe from the world's temptations, Sin cannot harm me there."I hadn't even announced on my blog that my sister was pregnant.... and now she isn't any more... My first little niece was born on Sunday morning, August 15th, quite suddenly and unexpectedly.23 1/2 weeks15 ouncesalmost 11 inchesShe lived for 9 hours.Her mommy and daddy (Josh and

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-42855552133948753222010-07-20T22:42:00.000-07:002010-07-20T22:57:15.328-07:00

"Faith does not know why in terms of the immediate, but it knows why it trusts God Who knows why in terms of the ultimate." - Os Guiness

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-35576900220856719992010-07-20T21:55:00.000-07:002010-07-20T22:36:40.963-07:00

" 'Not called!' did you say? 'Not heard the call,' I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible and hear Him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity; listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father's house and bid their brothers and sisters

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-88114151558328258742010-06-05T23:50:00.000-07:002010-06-05T23:53:30.041-07:00

The ultimate good of the gospel is seeing and savoring the beauty and value of God. God’s wrath and our sin obstruct that vision and that pleasure. You can’t see and savor God as supremely satisfying while you are full of rebellion against Him and He is full of wrath against you. The removal of this wrath and this rebellion is what the gospel is for. The ultimate aim of the gospel is the display

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-82576809256515377202010-06-05T23:44:00.000-07:002010-06-05T23:49:10.497-07:00

"God created us for this:to live our lives in a way that makes Him look more likethe greatness and the beauty and the infinite worth that He really is.This is what it means to be created in the image of God." -- John Piper

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-50866162862341927742010-06-01T14:06:00.000-07:002010-06-01T14:15:34.263-07:00

I came across this quote the other day while reading "The Pursuit of Holiness" and found it so thought-provoking that I had to text it to several of my friends who have been living through many of the same things I have been.It's one thing to say God is right. It's yet another to really feel in the depths of your heart that He IS right, no matter what He chooses to do with your life."To complain

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-37948301569659272982010-05-12T22:17:00.000-07:002010-05-12T22:18:48.562-07:00

"Forgiveness is me giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me." Author Unknown

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-24054535665843246282010-05-11T23:55:00.000-07:002010-05-12T00:02:35.846-07:00

Just had to re-post from a friend, Jonathan Smith's Facebook status tonight:"Christ, while on the cross, was 'accused' of 'trusting God.' May I live such that I might be accused of the same." (Mat 27:42) "He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.(Mat 27:43) He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-49316941183461752872010-05-11T16:34:00.000-07:002010-05-11T16:49:12.652-07:00

"In your mind you have to want to create a work of art. You have to be willing to invest the time to go back over your writing again and again, to shape every sentence so the whole piece sparkles. In spite of all this effort toward stylistic beauty, your aim is not to bring attention to your style but rather to make it a servant to the truth that's driving your story." -- Jamie Langston TurnerI

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-30161178220836285722010-05-11T15:26:00.000-07:002010-05-11T15:27:22.510-07:00

Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering. The love of God did not protect His own Son... He will not necessarily protect us - not from anything it takes to make us like His Son. A lot of hammering and chiseling and purifying by fire will have to go into the process. ~ Elisabeth Elliot

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-85656283175164806762010-05-07T19:47:00.000-07:002010-05-07T19:52:26.559-07:00

Take my will and make it Thine -It shall be no longer mine;Take my heart - it is Thine own,It shall be Thy royal throne,It shall be Thy royal throne.Take my love - my Lord, I pourAt Thy feet its treasure store;Take myself and I will beEver, only all for Thee,Ever, only all for Thee.- Francis Ridley Havergal

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-90887014072615491842010-05-05T22:05:00.000-07:002010-05-05T22:12:41.824-07:00

The cry of my heart in recent days: "May my life show the world that God is gloriously sufficient and completely trustworthy." -- John Piper

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-82591471094543595072010-04-07T20:31:00.000-07:002010-04-07T20:33:11.310-07:00

Thou art coming to a King,Large petitions with thee bring;For His grace and power are such,None can ever ask too much.- John Newton, who also penned "Amazing Grace"

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-77859753777933981812010-04-07T20:30:00.000-07:002010-04-07T20:31:05.233-07:00

"Faith is not believing in my own unshakable belief.Faith is believing an unshakable Godwhen everything in me trembles and quakes."-Beth Moore

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-68958890502166162072010-04-07T20:19:00.000-07:002010-04-07T20:26:40.632-07:00

"...Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow,Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!"What a life, what hope, what joy, what a future, what a God!

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-20492598745624108442010-03-30T21:10:00.000-07:002010-03-30T21:43:50.338-07:00

It's not that my life has been quiet and calm and boring.It's not that I have nothing to say.It's not that I don't want to blog.Sometimes there's just too much to say.And never enough time.Or there's too much to say, but here isn't the place.Or I don't even know how to make sense of what I'm thinking.And I have no idea how to put it into words for all the world to read.Or if I did, I don't know

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-56433811643902253872010-03-21T19:44:00.000-07:002010-03-21T22:02:05.084-07:00

Defeat may serve as well as victoryTo shake the soul and let the glory out.When the great oak is straining in the wind,The boughs drink in new beauty, and the trunkSends down a deeper root on the windward side.Only the soul that knows the mighty griefCan know the mighty rapture.Sorrows comeTo stretch out spaces in the heartfor joy!-- Unknown

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-3237467448400865902010-02-27T11:52:00.000-08:002010-02-27T12:31:42.807-08:00

"The enemy of our souls knows that if he can't convince usthat God's ways are wrong,he can at least try to convince us that we've misunderstoodwhat God said."From the book,Passionate Housewives, Desperate for God

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-27628041270581815632010-02-05T09:05:00.000-08:002010-02-05T09:09:26.402-08:00

All the siblings together when Josh and Jemima came out for dinner the other day.

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-18400982182899408912010-01-30T20:03:00.000-08:002010-01-30T20:33:33.277-08:00

My, my! It's been over a month since my blog has seen my presence.My sister got married and has settled down to housekeeping in their darling little house. Babies have been born, and a whole lot of other stuff has occurred. Enough to keep me constantly living life and not finding time to tell you about it. But soon, but soon... (I know, I keep saying that.) There are so very many wedding pictures

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-65588081210931320472010-01-30T19:53:00.000-08:002010-01-30T20:02:42.564-08:00

"Fight for us, O God, that we drift not numb and blind and foolish into vain and empty excitements. Life is too short, too precious, too painful to waste on worldly bubbles that burst. Heaven is too great, hell is too horrible, eternity is too long that we should putter around on the porch of eternity." ~ John Piper

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-67815597918316316242009-12-27T21:43:00.000-08:002009-12-27T21:54:40.280-08:00

True worth is in being, not seeming, -In doing, each day that goes by,Some little good - not in dreamingOf great things to do by and by.- Cary

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489628946675519296.post-51211927755262377752009-12-23T21:25:00.001-08:002009-12-23T21:46:50.693-08:00

The five of us sisters are the best of friends...I don't know what we'll do when Jemima's gone!L-R: Mary, Jemima, Liz, Ruth, Joanna(taken Sept. 09 at Bakersville)As most people are busily wrapping presents and stringing the last of the Christmas lights, our house is abuzz with activity, too... except it's more like the sewing machine humming over yards of midnight blue satin and dresses and

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299954938590112630noreply@blogger.com4