Wordy But True

". . . from whence I have since often observed, how incongruous and irrational the common temper of mankind is, especially of youth, to that reason which ought to guide them in such cases, namely, that they are not ashamed to sin, and yet are ashamed to repent; not ashamed of the action for which they ought justly to be esteemed fools, but are ashamed of the returning, which only can make them be esteemed wise men." 

                                         ---Daniel Defoe in Robinson Crusoe

Such an astute observation of us sons and daughters of Adam  . . . and stated so well.

                                                                                                                        Titus

Haste Makes Waste--One Thousand Gifts Chapter Four

Being in a hurry.  Getting to the next thing without fully entering the thing in front of me.  I cannot think of a single advantage I've ever gained from being in a hurry.  But a thousand broken and missed things, tens of thousands, lie in the wake of all the rushing. . . . Through all that haste I thought I was making up time.  It turns out I was throwing it away. 
--Mark Buchanan, The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Your Sabbath

On every level of life, from housework to heights of prayer, in all judgment and efforts to get things done, hurry and impatience are sure marks of the amateur.
--Evelyn Underhill, quoted in Marin H. Manser, ed., The Westminster Collection of Christian Quotations

Hurry always empties a soul.
--Ann Voskamp

Busted, big time.  It's going to take a whole lot of grace to help me change my wasteful, amateurish, empty habits!  

Ruthanne's Group Shots--LW '11

This was our fun shot.  We were told to line up in front of the camera, I think.

This is the official group shot--and we don't even look like we just got back from a long walk thanks to Ruthanne's wonderful photo shop skills . . . speaking of which . . .

. . . this is what I got when I asked Ruthanne to cut and paste herself into the fun picture.  This displays her sense of humor more than her photo shop skills--another of her attributes which I highly appreciate!

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us." 

--J.R.R. Tolkien as quoted by Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts Chapter 4

And a corresponding constant prayer:

"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." Ps. 90:12

Training Wheels--One Thousand Gifts, Chapter 3

"If you think of this world as a place intended simply for our happiness, you find it quite intolerable: think of it as a place of training and correction and it's not so bad."  C.S. Lewis

"Practice is the hardest part of learning, and training is the essence of transformation."--Ann Voskamp

" . . . life-changing gratitude does not fasten to a life unless nailed through with one very specific nail at a time."--Ann Voskamp

Ladies' Weekend 2011--Part 2: Scenes from Sugarloaf

"Without exception . . . all try their hardest to reach the same goal, that is, joy."

from Augustine's Confessions 
as quoted in chapter two of One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

Ann's book was an encouragement to all of us last weekend. More favorite quotes to come.

Ladies' Weekend 2011--Part I: Scenes from the Lake House

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diapers and Autonomy

Today's brief post on Conversion Diary is worth clicking on to read in its entirety; the quote below sums it up pretty well:

But to buy into that mentality, the idea that I would be happier and my life would be better if I could just do whatever I want all the time, would be to fall back into the spiritual morass I found myself in before my conversion to Christianity.  As I’ve said many times before, one of the most shocking truths I discovered when I converted to Christianity was that autonomy is not the path to happiness. The golden calf that I spent most of my life worshiping turned out to be a dead idol. I always thought that the secret to a fantastic life was to optimize on getting as much autonomy as possible so that I could do whatever pleased me, whenever I felt like doing it. Boy was I surprised when I found out that that kind of life left me amused but not deeply happy, and that the only source of real happiness — of joy — is God. And you only need to glance at a crucifix to be reminded that God is the God of self-sacrifice.

My Life Changing Diapers

Leave out the atheist phase while substituting "pride" for "laziness" and changing the numbers to reflect our ten years of parenting six sanctifying blessings, and this post could be mine.  However, Jen has once again said it better than I could.

Recent Sundays

Last Sunday was cookie baking with Emily.  Thanks for the flamingo kit, Uncle Stan!

This Sunday was Grandad's 59th birthday.
I wonder why the little granddaughters wanted in his lap.

When we need some entertainment, Daddy performs magic tricks--after his nap, of course.

Mommy's trying to learn magic, too, but just can't seem to get the hang of it.

Facing the Last Enemy

To Accept What Cannot Be Helped

This was a very well written article about courage and love at the end of life.  Of course, it was very sad, but I also think it was beautiful on many levels.  The details of each person's story will certainly differ, but I can't help but think that if an agnostic and her family can display such strength of character, how much more should we?

HT:  Rick at Dry Creek Chronicles

One Thousand Gifts in a Nutshell

Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.

     Sarah Ban Breathnach as quoted by Ann Voskamp in chapter three of One Thousand Gifts

A Little Extra Real Food Motivation

Krispy Kreme Deconstructed

Isn't it amazing how photography can make the mouth water?  Scrolling down, however, makes me more motivated to make our own--once we're finished with this candidas diet, that is.

A Favorite Floridian

 

When Uncle Stan comes in the door, the pint-sized photographer is too excited to hold the camera steady.

 

Here's a clearer picture (from the three foot perspective) of the man the kids have decisively dubbed 

"The Funniest Adult."

The tough guy is cautiously optimistic.

 

Grammy is excited to see Uncle Stan, too, but this particular look of delight is due to the fact that she was finally able to untangle the wind chime Uncle Stan gave Eva.  Eva only held it for a few minutes, but it took a bit longer than that for Grammy to sort through the results.

 

Electronic entertainment is always involved no matter who visits.

We love us some good company.

Good to see you, Uncle Stan!

Keeping Souls

Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children . . .


                                                                 Deuteronomy 4:9