Thanks for all of the notes and prayers! It’s been a great day and I’m still in the thick of research and review. One of my files led me to an old blog post that I thought I’d share with you again because it gave me a lot to think about. The title of the post was “Being Human Versus Sinning” and I wrote it back in 2009, when my oldest daughter (Sophia) was just about six years old. Here it is in its entirety: ——- November 12, 2009 Sophie and I had a long conversation this morning about the differences between life in a fallen world as a fallen human being andintentional…

Sophia said a beautiful turn of phrase last night and I thought you might enjoy it too: “My favorite hobby is thinking.” What a great hobby! She just likes to lie there, think a thought, and then mentally run with it.   “It’s SO fun!” I’ll say! And wouldn’t you just love to be a fly on the proverbial walls of her thoughts? I would. I bet it would be fascinating, challenging, entertaining, delightful, introspective … lovely. I’m just so glad for the times she shares her experiences and the deepest cries of her heart with me. What a privilege it is to be her mother, her sister in Christ, and…

During our long cuddle and talk times today, Sophia and I discussed many topics. One of my favorite nuggets from the day had to do with the topic of how greater freedom brings greater responsibility. I was giving her a bunch of hypotheticals (which she just LOVES) and she was sharing about different situations she’s been in with other children her age.  In one retelling she told me: “I tried to avert my ears, Mom.” And I thought to myself, “What a fun turn of phrase. And a wise choice.”  

Sophia’s science fair project has a title something along the lines of: “Chill Out, Mom! The Kitchen is Clean Enough!” It is based on two ways of cleaning the counter and floor—the “old way” (409 for the counter and regular mopping for the floor) and the “new way” I have adopted since Ella was born (Clorox wipes and Swiffer WetJet). Sophie’s hypothesis was that the new ways are fine and I can stop feeling guilty about the easy/quick way I’m cleaning lately. But then there’s that pesky ol’ scientific method that is CLEARLY proving her hypothesis to be false. Yes, yes. It’s true. We have MANY colonies of bacteria thriving…

Of course there are serious, nation-wide and worldwide concerns that this simple poster from WWII surely addresses in this day and age. But I also had a more intimate connection to its words simply as a mother and wife and church member: Oh! How sweeter and calmer (and far more productive!) so many things would be if those of us who are prone to paralysis by our fretting would simply keep calm and carry on.   (HT: Challies for posting this great video of the story behind this poster …)  

I appreciated Challies pointing to this article: Five Things Infertile Couples Want Others to Know It was an excellent reminder of many things I felt during our first  nine years of (childless) marriage and also how important it is that I am careful (full of care!) in my interactions with others about this sensitive issue. Hope you enjoy.  

One of the many things I am grateful for re: my childhood is that my parents taught me to stand when introduced to someone; to look them in the eye and repeat their name back. (“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Jones.”) They also taught me that adults should be referred to by title, unless they invited me to use their first names (my godmother was “Anne”—one of the very first adults I ever called by their first name) or by a nickname (“Auntie Dianne”). I try to continue this teaching with my girls, especially as regards adults with titles: Dr., Professor, Pastor, Congressman. Yes. That’s actually the reason for…

Challies linked to this very sweet (everything is OK in the end!) and yet stressful (calling 9-1-1 is always stressful) video: And it reminded me that I may never have shared this book with you all: It’s Time to Call 9-1-1: What to do in an Emergency   Just like the very helpful Safe Side Super Chick video, I really appreciate how the author communicates vital information WITHOUT painting the entire world as dangerous/to be feared. As someone who had to call 9-1-1 as a child (teenager, but still) when her parent was near death, I can tell you that I was nowhere near as composed as the little five…

This brief, but substantive, article from Ed Welch is absolutely worth your time: Spiritual Protection for Your Growing Child (Or Anyone Else) Oh, and a really funny pic here:   Oh! The Irony …