He Is Risen
He is risen, indeed. I love Easter. I love that it's accompanied by nature's budding spring growth, reminding me that someday I'll be mature and complete, but that this life is truly a growth process. On the heels of Lent season and Easter, I'm posting a piece I wrote...
Practicing Gratitude… 3.19.12
- A weekend with these DEAR friends, the Brogdons. Oh my gosh - a shot in the arm of deep friendships College friendships that have not just sustained the years, but grown over the years - Tall, elegant, lovely Dar, and a couple of precious hours with her over...
Having Finished the Work
I woke up this morning to an empty calendar page. Clear of appointments and meetings, a day that stretched wide open for all those weighty "to do's." To do's like clearing the paperwork on my desk and sorting through boxes in the garage and sunroom, both areas...
Practicing Gratitude… 2.20.12
- Such great people running our elementary school. Just really kind people.- My husband\'s email response to me... always giving me grace- Offering gratitude when I don\'t feel like it (this week specifically - when things don\'t go the way I want them to for one of...
Happy 12th Birthday Bran!
B - Seriously, 12?! Goodness. I always find myself at an impass on your birthdays. On one hand, I'm surprised at how these years are flying - a reminder that hearts created for eternity are not intended to comprehend the passing of finite time. But on the other hand,...
Grrrrrr
A force to be reckoned with. With another one of those open-mouth/astonished expressions that she's into these days Now, I can honestly say that I never anticipated this phone call. Checking a few emails before the end-of-day-run to get carpool, my cell phone rang....
Practicing Gratitude… 2.01.12
-Yet another family portrait... a priceless one at that -This legacy that Papa\'s building... love, love, love and WHIPPED CREAM- Star Blazers, a new bond for Hud & Daddy- Pretty eyes, pretty hearts- That your presence, Lord, in the present is an endless source of...
Jesus and Lions Don’t Need My Help
"Here, read this book, it's exactly what I believe and what I want to teach my children about who I think God is." The last part of her sentence was telling... "who I think God is." In this case, coming from the lips of a self-proclaimed atheist, "who she thinks God...
Practicing Gratitude… 1.25.12
- Love notes she tapes on my desk- Watching Basden rest her head on Papa\'s shoulder in church - A mouthful of stitches and capable docs and professionals to take care of Hud - Strong, healthy teeth that remained in tact- First one tooth, then the next... and now both...
Practicing Gratitude… 1.09.11
- little girls in foam curlers (oh my gosh)- Rainy Mondays- Sacrificial husbands- Tina and her camera- Corbin taking Bran & Hud for a (quick) trip to the mountainsBran, Foster and Hudson. I remember dreaming with Mama and Auntie Cam about the day they would grow...
Practicing Gratitude… 12.31.11
- Cappy & Daboo\'s full house for Christmas (almost full, anyway - missing our Atlanta crew!) - That Christmastime can make even veggies a special treat- Aunt Julie\'s creativity in merging James traditions... great job, Julie. You make Christmas FUN. - Cousin...
An Open Gate
This Christmas photo, circa 1976 or so, takes me back to my growing up years when we spent every holiday in south Texas with both sets of grandparents. Here I am with Pappy, Cappy's daddy. Pappy had more interesting stories than could possibly fill this blog, and...
Practicing Gratitude… 12.21.11
- Amy\'s LIFE. We\'ll never know. - Being reminded of this... There is no greater measure of my work as a woman than the extent to which I serve as the heart of my home. - Nancy Leigh DeMoss- December 15 - happy happy birthday Dad! So glad you were born!- December 17...
John’s Gift
His thoughtful gift not only took me off guard, but it surprised me how much it meant to me. He met me in the kitchen, eyes bright and expectant, and ushered me to the festive gift bag and generous plate of cellophane-wrapped brownies perched on the counter top. He...
Practicing Gratitude… 12.12.11
- These eyes. They’re not from me or from her daddy. Just an over-the-top gift. - Boxing gloves- Oh goodness - how we love Mrs. Warner! She not only teaches Basden to play piano, but she brings out such sweetness in her. - Michelle\'s email- Friends who remember. A...
Practicing Gratitude… 12.05.11
- Hand prints in wet concrete, evidence of those precious souls who inhabit this home - Psalm 1, timelines, and a bag of apples - That Adventures in Odessey has the power to draw in my (no longer) reluctant tween - From Essie, \"I just love you so much, I could kiss...
Practicing Gratitude… 11.28.11
- Creative Mama - Cooking in Mama\'s kitchen, with people who can really cook - Uncle Alan\'s turkey - Bran and Hud\'s \"man cave\" in the suburban - That the piano never sat silent - Our Christmas gift from Benjamins - These awesome yellow things... transformed ice...
Practicing Gratitude… 11.21.11
- Our brand-new little cousin, Brenna Christian, born 11.11.11. She\'s the youngest of four - all 4 years and younger! Thankful for a new (beautiful!) James gal. - A friend\'s reminder, \"Love is the willingness to give to the other person what I have that they need,...
Happy 10th to Hud
Last week's unique date 11.11.11 prompted a myriad of celebrations around the world - weddings, over-the-top anniversaries, treks to casinos in hopes of extra luck on an extraordinary date... and our family even welcomed a new little gal into the world on that...
Living, Active Words
Scripture describes itself as living and active. And it is. I've seen it, experienced it. But I'm reminded tonight that many words are living and active, that it's not just the Bible that can touch and convict and encourage, in different ways, in different seasons....