Finding peace

I'm not sure if we've hit the mid summer doldrums or whether preparations for our trip north are making things chaotic, but either way we seem to be a little short on peace around here lately. We seem short with one another and there have been too many sibling quarrels to count.

I've often found myself hiding (quite literally) from the masses and seeking to find snatches of personal time and space. It's rare that I need to take a break from the family, but I finding myself wishing for some solitude and quiet time that is purely my own.

I know that I should be down on my knees thanking the Lord that life here in our home is usually quite peaceful. We're often busy, but generally well purposed and serene. There tends to be a calm and predictable order to our lives, and its comforting.

These verses spoke to me today as I'm seeking the Lord's help in restoring a sense of peace here at home.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15 (NIV)

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing..
He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
1Peter 3:8-9a, 11 (NIV)

P.S.: I hope we're all in better spirits come Thursday night as we depart for New England. A less than peaceful car trip of 17 hours would be most unpleasant!

The girls

Here are a couple of shots from our recent photo shoot. Everyone is sporting a true summer glow. We've had many happy days at the pool lately. It's been a fun summer.

Trust

I've been meditating a lot on Psalm 31 lately. I know that there are a few areas of my life that I still have yet to completely give over to the Lord, at least consistently. As a result I often flounder and worry needlessly. To truly rest in Him, I must completely trust in Him. He wants my will, my desires, my plans, my future, and most of all my heart.

I've studied several versions of this passage, but the New King James version has particularly resonated with my spirit, as I seek to commit it to Him more fully.


1 In You, O LORD, I put my trust;
Let me never be ashamed;
Deliver me in Your righteousness.
2 Bow down Your ear to me,
Deliver me speedily;
Be my rock of refuge,
A fortress of defense to save me.
3 For You are my rock and my fortress;
Therefore, for Your name’s sake,
Lead me and guide me.
4 Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me,
For You are my strength.
5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit;
You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
Psalm 31:1-5 NKJV

A great week!

Just had to pop on quickly and thank the many who prayed for our VBS (and for me) this week. I was blessed with an incredible bunch of 'littles' and some super support staff in my room. From what I saw of other spots it was a good week all around. Our older three girls all had a wonderful time and made some new friends. Littlest is a bit tired out though. I think the peak attendance this week was just shy of 800. God is good!

Off to Outrigger Island...

It's VBS time again! It's always a busy and fun week. As usual I'm a bit frantic, making sure I have all my details taken care of. I'll be leading a group of worker's children who are older two's/younger three's. These little children are always so full of joy and it's contagious! Whenever the Lord allows me to interact with and lead a group of children I always learn as much, if not more than, they do.



Please join me in praying for our VBS and for the many others that will take place this week and throughout the summer. Dear friends in New Hampshire, please know that I am already praying for your week as well.



Father,

We seek to glorify you in all that we say and do. We can never thank you enough for the love and grace you've given to us freely in your Son. Please enable us to reflect your love in our words and actions to all the children and adults we'll encounter during Vacation Bible School. Help us to be instruments in expanding your kingdom. We ask for your protection over the children you'll place in our care and ask that you'll continue to uphold and uplift us physically and emotionally as we seek to do your work. I pray that your Spirit will work mightily in our midst and that many hearts will be sealed for you, Lord, during these days. We'll continue to give you all of the glory!



In Jesus' name, Amen.

One day in your courts...

How lovely is your dwelling place,

O Lord almighty!

My soul yearns, even faints,

for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and flesh cry out

for the living God.

Better is one day in your courts

than a thousand elsewhere;

I would rather be a doorkeep in the house of my God

than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

~Psalm 84:1, 2, 10NIV

Back to the beach!

We were blessed with an opportunity to head back to the beach this past Memorial Day weekend, this time with Dad and Grandad in tow. We had a wonderful time. The kids enjoyed boogie boarding in the pretty rough surf, played lots in the sand, and swam in the pool. We were visited by a beautiful Great Blue Heron each morning. He anxiously eyed the fisherman who'd fish in the surf each day and hoped they'd drop one. 'Twas a wonderful way to usher in the summer.