Spring Has Sprung

Hannah was at a friend’s bday party yesterday so I decided to take the boys to the park.  Its been awhile and my poor little hermits couldn’t get their shoes off quickly enough to feel the cool sand between their toes.  And then I mentioned taking a picture or two…such little hams, maybe they’re feeling deprived ( as if I don’t take pictures every day of their sweet little existence!)

The weather is already beautiful this spring and I am itching to start my garden.  My dearest has been working on adding to my preexisting raised bed (severe allergies to boot!), so this year I will have double the space. I really want the kids to have a more active role in the garden this year so we have all been discussing what to plant.  So far we have come up with corn (only 1 stalk), carrots, green beans, lettuce, tomatoes…and of course many herbs-the oregano from last year survived! (and my strawberries are already blooming)

My thoughts are also leaning towards my impending travels.  Only 6 more days until I leave for S. Africa!  I feel like I still have much to do.  Most of that is in preparing my little family to be mommy-less for a week and a half.  I need to make sure that there is lots of "easy" food, complete all the laundry ( have I ever done that?!), and make sure the babysitting schedule is in place and everyone is aware of their times/responsibilties.  Thankfully my dear mom is looking after the kids for about half the time and is much more organized than myself.  I was joking with her the other day that they will probably get bathed at her house more than they do at home!

I also have my boys’ bday party to finish planning.  Their bdays are only 2 days apart, so for now they share a party.  We will be having many friends and family over this Sunday to celebrate and I hope to make it a fun and special day for them.  I can’t believe that they will be 5 and 3!

Well, that’s it for now-all of this talk about getting ready is making me antsy and I need to go and do something constructive!

An Ode to Jarrett

Once upon a time there were two young people
in love with each other and headed for the steeple,
but before their time came a pup appeared
they named him Jarrett and to their hearts he steered

The couple wed, the puppy grew,
their love for him he always knew,
they welcomed a second, a little girl
a furry sweet sister, a rare little pearl

Life marched on for the happy little clan
the dogs grew up and the folks formed a plan,
to buy their dream farm, a place to call home
with room to explore, to run, to roam

Little did they know sweet Jarrett’s last days
would be lived on his farm, with his parents loving praise
his purpose on earth as God had planned
was fulfilled in his love and loyalty, so grand

Goodbye sweet boy, you’ll always be missed
with love in our hearts and kisses on our lips
your time with us we will never forget
we’ll love you forever, our sweet Jarrett!

In loving memory of Jarrett Bagdanov   1996-2007

Be Thou My Vision

Life is full of ups and downs, sorrows and joys, happiness and mourning.  Our human minds and hearts long to escape the miserable parts of our existence but its those very parts that make us seek our Savior.

    "It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.  The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold". Ps 119:71-72

 They make us realize that we are not home yet.  They help us to realize the graveness and ugliness of sin and the immense price that Christ paid for us to give us hope, faith, a relationship with our Father.  They teach us. 

  Paradoxes of the Kingdom
A Puritan Prayer

Lord, you have brought me to the valley of vision
Where I live in the depths but see you in the heights;
hemmed in by the mountains of sin I behold your glory
Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up
that to be low is to be high
that the broken heart is the healed heart
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.
                                           

 We are not floundering around on this sad planet with no purpose.  We are here to glorify Him.  That sounds kind of lofty, unattainable, but I believe its simpler than we sometimes think…confession and repentance, praying for one another, praying with one another, giving him credit with our words and actions for what he is doing in our lives, loving him and attesting to that love when things are falling apart, reminding each other of the gospel.

"See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God";

How can we not love such a Father who speaks to us words like:

"Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Is 41:10

"For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope". Jer. 29:11

"The LORD appeared to him from afar, saying, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness" Jer. 31:3

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. Is 43:2

"But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!" Is. 43:1

I know I have probably posted this great hymn before but I am compelled to do it again.  Its the prayer of my life:

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.