And yet…this afternoon I sat down to do my bible study, we are working our way through the book of John and watching Jesus’ miracles unfold.  With each miracle, those who began to follow and believe grew dramatically in number.  They had seen his miraculous signs and believed.

Before many of Jesus’ miracles occur, usually some sort of problem is identified.  {think, there is no more wine, where shall we buy bread for all of these people…}  Through an earthly perspective the solutions seem impossible and yet if we remember, nothing is impossible through Him.  There is power in possibility.

And so today, I come to you with a problem.

Kelly is traveling in FIVE days to go and get Charlotte.  If they are not able to reach their fundraising goal of $17,000, they will not get to travel, attend the court hearing, and bring Charlotte back home with them.

Will you join us in helping as a miracle unfolds?

Will you help save a little girl?

Go here to make your donation.

From Kelly’s blog:

Today I have so many ducks I want to get in order maybe we should go with bullet points?

Ready! Set! Goooo!

Cutest random picture ever?  I think so…

::  Overheard by Alex while duck-hunting with Henry.  {I really wasn’t planning on a duck theme here, but let’s go with it…}

Fellow hunter to Henry:  Hey Henry, I just found this {very large and dead} bull frog.  Do you want to take it home and eat the frog legs?  {Alex, promised that he was teasing…}

Henry:  No, I don’t eat frog legs…pause….but I do eat elephant ears. 

Ha!  Elephant ears, you know, the kind at the fair.  For some reason I feel better confirming that.

::  Somehow, someway, Alex and I managed to sneak out-of-town in the midst of *snowmagedon* with friends for a looong weekend away.  And while all of the extra snow was dreamy for us skiers it sort of wreaked havoc on the grandparents left with all of our ducklings at home.  {this duck theme is getting old isn’t it?}

Thank goodness for Nana and Pop-pop who handled all of the school delays and closures like champs.  Henry was thrilled to shovel snow for days on end while Alex and I skied together for the first time in years.  {That probably sounds strange, but really we were all happy campers, well except for Nana, but her coffee pot broke half-way through the weekend so we’ll cut her some slack…}  We enjoyed five days filled to the brim with good food, an abundance of laughter, and wonderful friends.  I’m already in training for next year.

::  Alex and I watched Courageous last night.  Honestly I wasn’t sure what he would think.  It was very well done and I was pleasantly surprised that Alex enjoyed it too.  I might be stepping out on a limb here, but it would be pretty incredible for all families if every dad watched this movie.

::  I have a new favorite book I’ve been recommending to parents who recently had their child diagnosed with Down syndrome called A Good and Perfect Gift.  Faith, Expectations, and a Little Girl Named Penny.  There are a handful of books written by parents who have walked this journey – raising a child with Down syndrome – and while many have resonated with me, this story felt like my own.  It was so reassuring to know that I wasn’t the only one who had asked big questions of God, and wrestled with my faith in the wake of my son’s birth. This beautiful story is told by a mother who openly and honestly shares the early months following the birth of her daughter Penny.  Amy Julia Becker does not hesitate to share her stories of fear and healing and the road that led to full peace and acceptance of her daughter Penny, who of course was a good and perfect gift from the beginning.

:: In other ground-breaking news, I decided to try something that has been floating around blogland for a while.  The whole *What I wore Wednesday* thing where people take daily photos of themselves and share the details of their outfits.  I’d even read a handful of moms {here and here} who made the bold claim that they were *more inspired* to put together an outfit knowing that they were going to take a photo of themselves.  Needing some inspiration myself, I decided to give it a go.

I lasted one day.

::  Cabin fever has hit.  The snow has lost its luster {think brown slush} and it no longer seems magical putting on our snow boots, mittens, snow pants, coats, and hats for the 3,057th time.  And yet…it’s so worth it to pull everything back out and go outside.  Even for 10 minutes.  Even if its to play in the slush.  We are always happier, every single time.

::  Getting outside didn’t do the trick?  Still need a good laugh?  Read this.  I had tears running down my cheeks.  Hilarious.

Ok, ducks are in a row.  Time to start thinking about dinner…

 via

Goodness, my mind is all over the place.

Lately, when I talk about my faith here – you know sharing my innermost thoughts about Jesus on the world-wide web – I start rambling, sweating and even hesitate to share my words….I don’t know why this is happening.  I question what I’ve written, I get nervous.  Each time though I’m reminded that we are called to share our testimonies.  To share our personal stories of love and redemption so that others too, may discover the love of Jesus…

I still don’t have all of my thoughts sorted out enough to share – which yes I know, hasn’t stopped me from sharing here in the past – but anytime I try to sort out my feelings on these subjects in-person I’m left with blank stares – clearly I have more sorting to do.  {What subjects you ask? Oh you know; secular vs. biblical, am I truly living out my Christian claims and faith or simply submitting to our cultural norms…you know, the light and fluffy stuff.  It’s one big laid-back party in my brain…}  So…I’ll do my best to kick my brain into a higher gear and report back quickly.

In the meantime, I want to post something I shared at our Spirit Led Life bible study last Tuesday.  It’s long, so make yourself comfy.

Signing off with sweaty palms….

______________________________________________________________

I came home last week to a message from Kathy {our bible study leader} asking if I would be willing to lead the listening prayer today.  My initial reaction was laughter.  Of all of the times.  Why couldn’t this be a time when I’m more on?  When my relationship with the Lord is smooth sailing and life is light and easy?  Right now I’m all mixed-up and confused.  Perhaps, said Kathy, this is why your name kept coming to mind….

And so today I stand before you humbly, sharing a bit of my story, my faith and walk with the Lord, which for me involves lots of praying and worrying.  I’m worried about sharing His truth properly, especially when I’m barely scratching the surface myself.  Yet I’m reminded that we are called to share our testimonies with one another.  If we don’t all take this leap of faith – sharing our faith out loud – we would miss out on the great opportunity to witness the Lord at work, all the time, in all of our lives.

In the last year I’d grown discouraged with my faith.  I had no doubts about Jesus mind you, but rather how I was actually living out my faith.  See, I think it’s easy to get too comfortable in our walk with Jesus – it’s easy for me to claim that I’m a Christian.  Yet ironically, more often than not I find myself living out a more secular life – one that more closely follows the social norms of this word rather than living out a biblical life, one that no doubt would call me to stand out and do things I might be uncomfortable with.

It seemed like all of the “real Christians” were all doing something amazing.

Adopting orphans with special needs.

Serving as missionaries.

Feeding the poor and hungry.

And here I was a wife and mother of three whom on some days could barely pull it together enough to get to the grocery store.  My greatest parenting achievement of the week?  Weaning my four year-old off of his pacifier.

Some Christian I am.

You can imagine my relief when I read the scriptures in our study this week.

When Jesus saw Nathanael sitting under the fig tree, he might as well have been looking at me.  It was balm to my soul to read that Jesus met him right where he was and spoke the words Nathanael needed to hear in order to fully believe and follow the Lamb of God.  I was reminded once again of how Jesus will always meet us right where we need him, and he will speak the words that we need to hear to believe.  He does not use smoke and mirrors.  He makes no demands or guilt trips.

His words to the disciples were kind, simple and straight to the point. His truth always speaks right to our hearts.

Come, follow me.  He came alongside them, as a guide and teacher.  He asked them to let go of their preconceived notions and cultural beliefs and follow him.  He does this for us too.

As I dug deeper into the study I started to notice a pattern.  Perhaps this was just something funny that caught my attention, for I have a love of words.  It doesn’t matter if I’m writing or using them carelessly as I speak throughout my day.  But this I know:  There is power in words.

And there was defiantly a play on words unfolding right before me:

In the beginning the Word created.

He spoke the world into being with words.

His words had power as he spoke to His disciples.

Today, He still speaks to us and through us.

His Word is all-powerful.

We learned in our study this week that as temples of the Holy Spirit – as believers of Jesus Christ – our words too have power.  James 3:3 – 12 details the power of our own tongues.  How we have the power to create, to share our testimonies in the name of the Lord.  And yet with that very same tongue we have the power to do damage that cannot be undone.

As believers, follower of Jesus, our words are powerful.

I spent quite a bit of time pondering what sort of fire I’m setting with my tongue.  Am I setting fires for Jesus, or are my fires more of the destructive kind?

Which brings me back to the beginning of my story.

Sometimes I may not even realize it, but the Lord always meets me where I am.  He knows my life, and more importantly my heart for Him.

Like Nathanael, he will meet me right where I am.  And he has equipped me with a great gift for this journey.  A journey where I am always asking questions, discovering more about Him, and most importantly following Him.

His gift?  He knows me and decided to start with something simple.  It was literally right under my nose.  My tongue.  My words.  This is a gift that I can use while at home with my children, when I speak with friends or when I write.  It doesn’t require me to travel across the country or world to serve my Lord.

This gift is a blessing but no doubt has also been a curse.

I’m learning that there are all kinds of needs in this world and all kinds of ways for us as Christians to meet them and show the world His love.

Sometimes that means adoption and serving on a mission trip to another country.

Sometimes it doesn’t.

I’ve come to believe that he has offered up this gift of words – this opportunity to serve Him – to all who believe in the Lamb.

When we use words to encourage, bless, and fill-up we are feeding the poor in spirit.

When we give hope, speak truth, blanket with love, we are clothing the naked.

When we offer grace, break down walls, speak truth instead of lies, we are setting the oppressed free.

He has given us the perfect blessing; all we need to share His love, truth and grace with others.

Knowing this I want to choose only words that strengthen others.

To carefully choose each and every word I speak to my children, my husband, my family, friends – anyone I interact with.

In Prayer:

Lord, we come to you this morning with open hearts, saying yes to your invitation to come and follow you.  Lord, we also repent. We ask that you would change our way of thinking as all too often our words and our actions don’t always line up with yours.

Lord, please reveal to me any beliefs I cling to that keep me from fully saying “yes” and following you.

Lord, as the bread of life, the living Word, may we be reminded to come to you all day, everyday. Let us be reminded that we don’t have to come up with all the words all the time. We only have to come to you and ask for them and be willing to share.

Lord what bread do you have for me today?

Lord, all too often with our tongues we speak words of praise to you, and then turn around and use words to curse others who have been made in your likeness.

In Ephesians 4:29 (NCV) you tell us:  When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger.”

There is power in what we say to others.

Lord, would you please bring to mind someone in my life who could use a word of encouragement, who needs to be shown the love of Christ be it through conversation, action or in prayer?

Lord I pray that you would be with each and every woman here this morning as she goes out into this world.

Lord help us to all choose words that only make souls stronger.

Even if our words are just the ones we speak to our family and friends.

Even if our encouragement is just for the tired mom at preschool pick-up.

Even if we feel like we stumble along the way.

Amen.

__________________________________________

It should be noted that I wrote this knowing I have a long way to go.  I can just hear my family saying “Libby, wrote that?  Huh.”  Yeah, go figure, I’m a total work in progress who will be forever be thankful for His grace. 

Is there anything better than a snow storm and a garbage truck parked in front of your house?  Certainly not if you are William…

We’re in the midst of a pretty major snow storm around here.  The weather man said we might break some sort of record.  A record that will be measured in feet rather than inches.  Now, I’m all for a good snow storm – I love it all – the school delays and cancellations, shoveling, helping little hands and feet into mittens ten times a day.  However if you consider our plans for the end of this week this storm is quite comical.  Really.

Last Friday Henry and I had our own special snow day.  Every other week this winter his class is taking Friday off and heading to the ski slopes.  Many parents have helped to organize this day which includes group lessons with classmates, lunch together and then a free ski time in the afternoon.  It was pretty amazing to watch all of these grade-schoolers wrestle with their own ski gear, help and encourage each other no matter their skill level.

In the afternoon Henry and I headed out on our own.  This was probably a selfish move on my part – breaking away from the rest of the group – but I rarely get this sort of one-on-one time with my oldest son.  All too often I’ve found that Alex and I divide and conquer when it comes to the kids – he and Henry pair off and I take charge of the two little ones.  As a result, I’ve missed out on some fun adventures with Henry.  This time I was taking full advantage of our time together.

It was one of those days when you can’t stop talking about how beautiful everything looks.  The sun was shining, Mt. Rainier was out in all her glory, there was corduroy everywhere you looked and I was skiing with my son.  All over the darn mountain mind you.  He took me through the trees, down a black diamond and even into some powder.

He also cracked me up.  Multiple times.  Henry is a mixture of all things big and bold and bright in this life.  He is loud, funny, stubborn yet compassionate, and has more energy than any other person I have ever met.  He is also the only person I know who literally talks from the top of a run all the way down to the bottom.  I have no idea what he was saying, but he talked the entire time.  Funny boy. 

At one point in our afternoon, after getting off the chairlift, Henry turns to me and announces: Mom, I’m so embarrassed!  I can’t believe you didn’t ask the man we rode up with where he was from!  If you know Alex, or Pop-pop, both of whom Henry skis with often, then you also know that you always engage in some sort of conversation with the other people you are riding up with on the chairlift.

Heading back up the chair again, Henry elbows me whispering ask him where he is from! nodding towards the man sitting next to me.  I did, and we had a great conversation.

Sweet boy.

My favorite part of the day has long been that little slice of mid-day heaven that is otherwise known as *nap time.*

Oh, glorious nap time.  Ask almost any mother of small children and she will most likely smile, let out a pleasant sigh and start to get a far-off look of longing in her eyes as she dreams about this blessed time of day.  Now you don’t start thinking this means I don’t love my darling children – obviously I do.  But who couldn’t use a *moment of peace* in between the chaos?

And when I say *a moment of peace* I should probably clarify.  My *moment of peace* is really an hour to eat my own lunch, clean up everyone else’s lunch, answer e-mails, return phone calls, pay bills, read blogs, write, and try to catch up on my bible study homework.  Yes, sometimes I need a moment following my moment.

Anyhow, I’m getting way ahead of myself.  The point is, sometimes things change.  {gasp!}  And small children stop napping.  {double gasp!}  Initially I wasn’t sure what to do when Charlie gave up his naps.  Persistent mom that I am, we would still read stories and I would put him in his room for some quiet time, but more often than not he wouldn’t fall asleep until minutes before we would have to leave the house to go pick up Henry from school.  This wasn’t working.

After making a few adjustments, we’ve found a solution that suits us both.  As soon as we {William, Charlie and I} get home from picking up Charlie from school, the two boys eat their lunches.  I then get William ready for bed while Charlie plays in the family room with his toys.  I then come back out to eat my lunch and Charlie joins me for his *second* lunch.  He especially loves this round because mama brings out the potato chips.  Score!  He snacks on his chips and oranges, while drinking from his big-boy cup.  I ask him about his day at school.  We laugh, smile and carry on even if very few words are spoken.

On special days we make cookies {adventures in gluten-free baking, but that’s a story for another time…}  He knows that this is a special time – just mommy and Charlie – and I soak up this precious one-on-one time with my middle son.

With about one hour left until we leave to get Henry, Charlie goes into his room for some quiet time.  He is ready, sweet boy needs his solo time just like his mommy.  And just like that, our {new} favorite time of day is over.

Do you hear that magical little giggle of his?  Perhaps its the sweetest sound ever?

Of course little brother William wanted to get in on the action too.  {And I should note that at this point it was just me and the two little ones…and one very kind and helpful magic carpet attendant…}

Henry, who after showing his brothers the ropes on the magic carpet had taken off with his dad for another big day on the slopes.  Apparently they did a few *steeps* and skied the *trees.*

This left me snapping photos of my oldest only while sledding, later in the day, way after the big-time skiing was over.

Other funny notes about our winter weekend:

::  While pulling the two little ones on the sled {around the parking lot and such…} I turned around and caught them doing this:

we’re eating snow mommy! said William.

Oh dear.

::  Yes, that is William’s winter hat.  And yes, it fits his personality perfectly.

We have two new favorites around here and we’re hooked.

The first can be either a snack or a veggie side-dish.

Kale Chips.

The boys love them.  As in Henry begs; can we please, please, make some kale chips today mom?

No joke.

via

We use the recipe from smitten kitchen.  {side-note, am I the only one who goes to that site to just look at her beautiful pictures of food?}

Baked Kale Chips
1 bunch kale
1 tablespoon olive oil
Sea salt, to taste

Preheat oven to 300°F. Rinse and dry the kale, then remove the stems and tough center ribs. Cut into large pieces, toss with olive oil in a bowl then sprinkle with salt. Arrange leaves in a single layer on a large baking sheet.  Bake for 20 minutes, or until crisp.  *crisp is key*.

Perhaps this is the perfect example of how a little oil and salt can make anything tasty.

Our second favorite is a salad that I made up out of desperation.  {Anyone else do that, oh shoot!  It’s five ‘o clock!  What are we going to have for dinner?! scramble?}  Anyhow, using what we had in the fridge/pantry I stumbled upon a salad that Alex and I could eat every night.  And we do.

I also happen to think it’s pretty.  Yes, this is important when it comes to food.

It doesn’t have a name, but let’s call it the *Quinoa, arugula, feta and pomegranate salad* for short OK?

In a salad bowl add:
2.5 Ounces of arugula {that’s half of one of those small pre-washed, boxed salads}
Crumbled feta, about 1/3 cup
2 ounces pomegranate seeds {Alex got all thrifty on me and seeded them himself…who knew?}
1/4 quinoa cooked according to package directions {we add straight from the stove to the greens}
Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.
Serves 2

Enjoy!

Yet this year I’m drawing a blank.  Nothing, nada. No big aspirations or dreams are presenting themselves for the new year.  It doesn’t help that I’m a bit of a perfectionist and being it’s the 5th day of the new year, I sort of feel like I missed the whole *resolutions* boat.  {scary how my mind works…}

Truthfully, I’m a bit gun-shy after last year and would happily settle for a boring uneventful 2012.  By all means 2011 was a great year, filled to the brim with more joyous memories than I can count, yet I was also stretched more than I’d like to admit.

Last year I finally accepted {surrendered to?} the fact that joy and pain not only can, but simply do live alongside one another in this life.  I’m the first to admit that all too easily I let myself get caught up on a runaway train of “what-ifs” or “whys.”  Or, I’ve realized, I can accept every single moment simply for what it is.  I can choose to count my blessings – to be thankful in and for all things – just as they are.

During our 9-hour Christmas road-trip we make the same stops each and every time.  {they have been oh so carefully mapped out by Pop-pop…}  Two of the three stops are truck stations/casinos.  Never underestimate the variety of things you can purchase at a truck stop.

One of our favorite things to peruse while waiting for the restroom and stretching our legs is a large book stand filled with clever titles.  Last year I *might* have had a *slight* meltdown the day before we left town for our trip.  And if I’m being really honest, I might have a *slight* flare for the dramatic.  Anyhow, my dad wasted no time pointing out this book to Alex:

He thought it would be good reading for my hubby.  Ha.  {it’s OK, we kid out of love}

This year however, a newer, calmer, slightly less dramatic Libby made her debut, and so far she has been well received.

My dad, {gotta love him} pointed out this book:

Ha.  Love it!  Seriously it’s practically our new family motto.

Too Blessed to be Stressed. 

We joke, but really isn’t that the truth?  We’re simply too blessed to be stressed.  Even when you’re worried about your health.  When you worry about schooling options for your children.  When your heart aches for a friend.  Even when your washer, dryer and refrigerator all kick-the-bucket in the same month.  And your car needs new tires.

Because if you dare to look past all of those distractions it’s easy to see that His grace was alongside us all year.  All the time.  And stepping into 2012 {five days late and all} resolutions or not, this I do know; God is the Rock that I want to stand on as we plunge into 2012.  No matter what each day holds.

His goodness is overwhelming, isn’t it?

Eight days.

Nine people.

Nine hour road trip.

Three under the age of six.

It was amazing.

Really.  As in I would do it all again in a heartbeat.  {Though I’m not so sure everyone else is ready to give it a go quite yet…}

Some highlights {before the massive photo share}:

::  Henry skied four days total and kept up with all of the adults.  And if I’m being honest, he may have even passed me up a couple of times…Of course I’m sure our helpful coaching of Henry, if you aren’t able to keep up with the adults, you’re going to have to go in…was very helpful.  We’re nice like that.

::  Watching my brothers spend some quality time {a.k.a. eight days} with my boys.  Henry, Charlie and William adore their uncles, but we don’t get to see them as often as we would like, so this was a great way to get our fix.

::  Skiing one afternoon with my dad, two brothers and Henry.  How cool is that?

::  Christmas Eve.  We went to a child-led service and our boys soaked it up.  They were mesmerized by the Christmas carols and William was thrilled by the real live donkey.  Look mommy, a baby horsey! 

::  Spending time with my God-parents Jim and Anne, their kids and spouses.  There isn’t anything better than friends that are really more like family.

::  My parents.  They are endlessly patient with our kids, their kids {a.k.a. *me*} and are so generous.  We love them so much!

::  Car time with Alex.  When I’m not sleeping away in the passenger seat we always have some great conversations; planning and scheming for our future, parenting, and life.  Simple stuff like that.

Apparently this was the trip where Alex escaped all of the photos and Pop-pop was always ready with a smile…

It was a wonderful vacation and celebration.  The perfect way to wrap up the year.  Now it’s probably time to go and be productive again.  You know, like think of resolutions and goals for the new year and such.

Did you see how much we were able to raise during Xander’s fundraiser?

$6,151.90!!

Amazing!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for stepping out in faith, for praying and donating money for sweet Xander.  For spreading the word about him and the many other orphans with Down syndrome who are waiting for a family to bring them home.

It was so fun to partner with Jeannett.  She is an amazing woman, mother and inspiration and I was humbled to work with her on such a special project.

God is good. All the time.  Even when the situation seems hopeless or overwhelming.  There is ALWAYS hope.

Can I step out in faith and make one more request?  Would you please continue to remember Xander in your prayers? Pray for his caregivers, that they would be loving and compassionate as they care for him.  Pray that a family will step out in faith and welcome Xander into their home.  Pray that his sweet soul only knows and feels the love and compassion of Jesus.

Thank you.  Now go find out who won the giveaway items! Was it you?