The Birds Will Tell You

"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, 

or the birds of the air, and they will tell you;

or speak to the earth, and it will teach you;

or let the fish of the sea inform you.

Which of all these does not know 

that the hand of the Lord has done this?

 In His hand is the life of every creature

and the breath of mankind."

                           - Job 12:7-10

Rachel and Pete

"The Lord has done great things for us,

and we are filled with joy."

                      -Psalm 126:3

Show Me Your Resurrection

"Show me your resurrection.

Show me the power of Christ 

that has raised you with Christ.

Show me the power of marriages that thrive

and the wonder of mercy for prodigal sons.

Show me a life changed by prayers

and grace and radical faith.

Show me real sacrifice for the homeless

and love for children oppressed by poverty.

Show me the power of the risen Christ in you.

Show me your resurrection."

Counting the Ways

"How many of the popsicle days, 

the run and twirl and spin days, 

the bare feet on grass days have I slept through? 

Life is too sweet, too delectable to rush through. 

All these moments are for you. 

Count the ways He loves."

                          -Ann Voskamp

I Believe It

"Because I believe it, 

right down to the toe-end of me:

that His grace is everywhere,

written right into the walls of this world.

That man's only successful end

is to glorify God where he is."

                              -Ann Voskamp

Right-Ordered Love

At the end of a 12-hour day,

there's paper scraps beneath the table

and sprinkles in the cracks of the chairs.

A mound of dirty dishes sits in the sink

while yesterday's laundry still isn't put away.

I murmur the words again..

"A right-ordered house isn't virtuous

like a right-ordered heart.

It's never worth disordering the heart

simply to get a right-ordered house.

Is my love ordered towards a 

Better Homes and Gardens House?

Or a better, holy heart?"

                                -Ann Voskamp

I think of the snuggles and laughs,

the princess tales and soccer games,

reading goodnight stories 

and the little voice calling for

 'just one more hug Eenna'.

And the disordered house?

It doesn't matter anymore.

Weekends Are For

Marveling at His creation- little tiny snowflakes.

Sleepovers and origami parties.

Birthday blueberry shortcake leftovers.

Breakfasts of cinnamon oatmeal and coffee.

Weekends Are For

Snowy, snowy days.

Learning this piano song, all by yourself.

Cradling a 5-week-old baby in your arms.

Remembering and missing this place.

Homemade cheese pizza.

Family Photography

I did photography for a (very sweet) family back 

in the fall, and I just realized I didn't post the photos.

Definitely a fun afternoon with some of the cutest 

(and most hilarious) little guys ever!

Weekends Are For

Snow days.

And play dates with friends.

A dinner of satay chicken, pad thai, rice,

and lots of laughter.

And cleaning very messy kitchens.

A New Year with New Prayers

"A thousand times I've told myself 

'I simply must try harder.'

But I know it: 

trying harder only results in harder trials.

To forge new tracks across this new year

will need more than simply sheer effort.

To track new ways,

one does not need to try harder,

but to pray new prayers

asking to be filled with His Spirit."
                           -Ann Voskamp