Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29

91. girl time with papa at our favorite annual christmas party (crafts, live music & food!)

92. running into old friends at live nativity and marveling over our savior's rescue plan

93. seeing "growing up" and "work" through a child's perspective ...excitement & anticipation!

94. healing with stitches

95. time with family
(photos: mom & dad, brother & my girls, mom-in-law & nieces with kindergirl, bro-in-law & girlfriend, mom-& sis-in-law)

96. time for crazy antics
(photos: interpretation of holiday blur, kindergirl with whipped cream on top, kitty in a drawer, big kid - little bike, cat set play by kindergirl and gentle thinker, sister balloon toss/wrestle, caricatures of us, sister reflections of christmas, mid-wrestling sisters)

97. photos by kindergirl

98. morning light in the kitchen
99. images of christmas morning ... quiet, simple & content


100. rest from the storm

Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy.

The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to him in song.

The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Psalm 28:6-8

last week a storm arose. reckless waves crashed one after another. in the beginning, toes dug into thick sand and eyes focused resolutely on hope ... each day the water rose higher still, waves closing in relentlessly. then, the waves reached out, threatening the safety of my little ones. no longer were these eyes focused. no longer were these toes dug in. gulping for air, i slipped under and gave way to the churning sand, disoriented and unable to stabilize direction. desperate and blinded, i cried out to El Roi, the God Who Sees. the Rock of Refuge. because He was there all along. i couldn't see the way, but He could.

tonight i breathe deeply of His presence, comfort, and peace as He continues to work things out. amen.

81. opportunities to give time, hope, comfort, money, food

82. peaceful, creative, child-inspired, Christmas crafting

83. good medical help when accidents happen

84. Christmas music for singing along and dancing around

85. reminders of the grace i so desperately need and am so generously given

86. positive perspective from a gentle thinker

87. broad wings covering our nest

88. learning to lean in to the Word

89. instruments and their talented players

90. suffering and hope, pain and joy, tears and laughter

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12

71. learning to use scissors for the first time (oh, the excitement of a two-year-old!)

72. after-school art projects with kinder girl

73. cousins, all girls, building a gingerbread house together

74. sitting on his lap and capturing the moment at arm's length
75. jumping contests with neighbor friends

76. childhood revisited, three decades later (hey, it looked fun...what can i say?)

77. a fine, feathered friend and neighbor
78. year-round reminder of summer sunshine and warm days ahead...very warm
79. getting back outside after two weeks of dreary rain, clouds and cold temps

80. family fun, neighbor fun...living close together

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

without excuse, i continue counting a thousand gifts...

61. waiting for a turn

62. worn door leading to warm embrace
63. family recipes
64. long road trips offering time for being still and lots of talking, laughing, singing and, sometimes, contented silence

65. new additions = very happy girls
66. my precious grandmother, nanny, dwelling with Jesus for decades...found on facebook
(on the left)
67. snow flurries in central texas & teachers abandoning plans for such a rare winter treat

68. a crafting two-year-old

69. shifted plans, amazed vessel, awesome God

70. laughing in bed with hubby