My Little Magnifying Mirror

She has been writing lists with me for a few weeks now, and I'm noticing a pattern.

Her lists, they fill with things like mine, many, she wants written exactly the same way.

It's not lack of creativity. It's just, when I say something I'm thankful for, even a certain way, that becomes exactly what she is thankful for, too. She can't see it any other way after the words have left my lips. If I say I am thankful for slices of light that peep through the blinds, she sees and is thankful for slices of light.

And her original thanks too, like "oxygen" and "that God exists in our lives" and "angels"... once they fall from her lips, I am so thankful for them too.

Thanks magnifies thanks and it multiplies joy. You start to see all the "little things" more clearly, and you see them everywhere.

Won't you consider counting with us, too?

jotting down thanks with my sisters from A Holy Experience...

#167 crisp, cold sliced apple

#168 the girls napping at the same time-allowing me a little mid-day quiet time

#169 her eyes

#170 worn through knee spots on well-loved, much playing in jeans

#171 the way she un-successfully attempts to tuck a curl behind her ear, over and over

#172 read-aloud library books

#173 Husband-made blueberry pancakes

#174 Mom bringing homemade chicken broth and her company

#175 my baby wanting my mom to hold her and not put her down

#176 citrus jewels

#177 Little Girl's pink and white striped sweater, threaded through with sparkling silver

#178 Husband-cleaned kitchen, hand washed dishes

#179 Baby sticking out her tongue the whole of bath time trying to drink water from the shower head

#180 baby monitors

#181 wind wild dancing with pine needles 50 feet above my head

#182 curious, chubby baby fingers stained blue from an ink pad

#183 the big one feeding the little one

#184 how badly Baby wants to do things herself

#185 the way Baby loves to sleep right on our faces

#186 a much needed job just in time to pay the maintenance fee

#187 friends who want to spend time with me

#188 a god-daughter turned 3

#189 sweet Sister, who wanted her love letter enough to ask(I had forgotten to give it because we weren't together on Christmas day, when the rest were handed out!)

#190 Sunday family meals, time, talks

#191 homemade guacamole

More Selah Sayings and Stories

Dearest Selah,

You are growing up so fast it makes my heart ache in the most joyful way. I get a front-row seat to see God shaping you into the beautiful young woman He has created you to be. It is a glorious show with all kinds of hilarious twists and compassionate turns. I wanted to record some of the adventure here, because you love it when I blog about you.

God has given you a compassionate heart. You care very much about other people being sad, or lonely, or scared, or without something they need. Like when you wanted to give every item in the catalogues as Christmas gifts to those in need. Or how you can't stand it when Alexa cries at bedtime. You cover you face with your pillow and cry too, saying "please, please just pick her up and nurse her or hug her or something!".

I remember when Great Paw Paw(my Grandpa) was still alive and living with us. He would sometimes be quite grumpy because he couldn't remember things, and that worried him, but you never let his grumpiness bother you. You were very patient, and set a great example for us adults. You would say "it's okay, I know Great Paw Paw just can't remember...". One time, after Great Maw Maw(my Grandmom) had gotten up for the day and had gone into the living room, Great Paw Paw stayed in bed for a long time. He couldn't remember where his wife had gone, and still wanted her in bed with him to hold his hand, and he called out over and over "Rachel!.... Rachel!... Rachel!...". She had already stayed in bed with him sooooo long, and we told him that she needed to get up for a little while. He couldn't remember that and still called out. Do you remember what you did? You said "it's okay Great Paw Paw, she's just in the other room..." and you crawled into bed and lay next to him and held his hand. He stopped calling out, and wasn't afraid anymore, because you were there with him. You lay still and quiet, just holding his hand, for a long time. You were four years old. That is a great example of what it means to be "the hands of Jesus".

God has also given you a sharp mind and He uses you to bring so much joy to everyone who knows you. One time, you were playing charades with some family members and you kept huddling on the ground with you legs and arms all tucked up, and you'd lay very still. You were "being a rock". After you did this many times you were asked to please try and be something else. The next time it was your turn, you took the exact same positioning again, and the response was very unenthusiastic "let me guess... you're being a rock." You would grin and not move. "Nope." After a while you revealed what you were posing as and though I wasn't there at the time you said it, I was quickly found in the next room and through tearful laughter heard that "Selah said... she was being... gum!" God is going to use your mind in powerful ways! I'm so glad you are so devoted to memorizing scripture with me! You challenge me to learn more, I am trying to keep up with you! We will have the book of Colossians memorized by the end of the year! (You can join us, too! Click here to see how).

And lastly, I wanted to write down something you've been saying lately that makes me smile every time I think about it. You love to go outside and play, however, since it's been so cold lately, you haven't been staying out too long. Whenever we have a bright day full of sunshine you can't wait to burst out the door. But then when the cold air hits you, you turn to me full of disappointment and almost wail "Ooooooo noooooooo! It's fake sunshine again!!"

**I love you**

~Mom

A New Name

It takes quite a lot of effort to really remember my life before her.

This beautiful little girl, entrusted to me to steward, parent, play with, grow with. What kind of wild, unrestrained, staggering Grace is given me?

He pierced my heart with her and poured Himself in. He gave me a new life, New Life, adopted me as His own. He gave me His name.

Now it is time for her to take my Husband's name, the only Daddy she's ever known.

And we've talked about Moses, Samuel, Esther, and Jesus... all beautifully planned "adoption" stories.

He planned this beautiful, intentional, redemption story, too.

I don't know what all this story will hold, but I know it's going to be glorious.

Counting thanks today with all my lovely, adopted Christ-family from A Holy Experience...

#107 the privilege of being a mom

#108 celebrating advent for the first time as and adult, thank you, Ann!

#109 unexpected, encouraging text messages from my sweetheart Husband of almost two years now

#110 baby saying "na na na!" over and over so I will tickle her and play with her, toothy grin and all!

#111 Selah choosing to re-write certain things in her school, because she wants to do so well, wants me to be pleased. I am pleased, Selah! So proud of you.

#112 that's it is time to write love letters again!

#113 having too many cute pictures to choose from

#114 roof to protect us from the rain

#115 bearing His name

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"

~1 Cor. 2:9