Celebrating, Learning, Praying

I have been away from the blog world for quite some time! Haha, when I first started blogging, I posted like, every other day. Now it's been 6 weeks! Ah well, I heard someone wise say, "Your blog should work for you. A blog stops being useful when YOU have to work for your BLOG." I agree. So enough apologies - I don't feel guilty!

I did have a couple things on my mind I wanted to mention.

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First, my mom is married to a wonderful man!

She had a gorgeous wedding last Saturday, October 18. And I could not be more happy for her! She is positively radiant wit

h joy. I don't think I've ever seen her like this - ever. I will never forget seeing her spontaneously dancing with Jesse, giggling like a little teenager, a couple days before the wedding. It was the perfect snapshot in my brain. That image contrasts so starkly with where she had been over the last 5 or 6 years, after my parents divorced. It was so hard seeing her hurt so much. Her delight in her new marriage is another representation of healing and peace for our family. I know last Saturday was a great day for my mom. But it was a great day for me, too!

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The next thing I wanted to share is a little story about Elijah. A couple weeks ago we were in the car, listening to some music. The words to the song included the phrase, "Freedom is mine." Elijah asked me, "What is freedom?"

After taking a minute to think how I could put it in terms he could understand, I said, "Freedom means being able to make your own choices."

He totally surprised me by responding, "Well, I don't want that!... I want GOD to make my choices for me."

I couldn't believe it! I thought it was just awesome that that was in his heart. I was taken aback - the song wasn't even a Christian song, so it was so cool to see him integrate his budding faith into a part of life that, on the surface, seems unrelated.

And I thought about it later - I thought, he's right.

Especially in light of this election - it's important to remember who is really calling the shots.

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Finally, I want to enlist each of you to fight in prayer for Austan, Melanie, and Witt Lupher (Melanie is Annalee's sister-in-law). They learned that little Witt has Edward's Syndrome, which brings with it a short life span. They have been told most likely 1 month to 1 year.

My heart breaks for them. Please pray. They must be carrying a heavy load, dealing with the struggles and questions of this seemingly impossible calling.