We Love Thomasville

Mama & Daddy

Uncle Alex & Aunt Darla

Omee & Grandaddy & Mama

I love Ellen's laugh!

Omee & Mama

Lillian & Ellen LOVED the pool!





*I just wish I had a picture of

Hannah & Lillian in their matching

shoes! :(

Precious Silence

Susan Hill's essay, "Silence, Please"--on the need for children to have the gift of silence. Available here: http://www.standpointmag.co.uk/node/1201/full

And a nugget:

"Without an experience, preferably a regular one, of what it means to spend time in silence, we are impoverished and we communicate that impoverishment, and our slowly withering appreciation of the joys of quietness, to our children. Their nature, their very instinct, is to make a noise. The sound of a playground of primary school children or their chatter, like a flock of birds as a bevvy of them pass us by in the street, are among the most joyful in the world. Children want and need to move, to leap and jump, hop, skip and run. It is not in the nature of the child to yearn to sit still or keep silent. We must teach them how to do it and to be comfortable within and unafraid of silence, because those are human needs, as much as fruit, good meat, fish, milk, bread, love and tenderness, stories and songs. Silence nourishes an inner awareness and a deep though not uncritical contentment with self. In silence, we learn to feel happy in our own skins, we discover what our personal resources are for dealing with the problems, stresses and complexities of the world and how we can deepen and strengthen them."

Feminist pioneer’s rethink: ‘a woman’s place is in the home’

http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.2508616.0.feminist_pioneers_rethink_a_womans_place_is_in_the_home.php

A Chance to Die

To be transformed into the image of Christ I must learn his character, love his obedience to the will of the Father, and begin, step by step, to walk the same pathway. For Christ the pathway of obedience began with emptying Himself. I must begin at the same place.

He "made Himself nothing." (Phil 2:7 NEB)

"You must arm yourselves with a temper of mind like His." (l Pt 4:1 NEB)

"If anyone wishes to be a follower of mine, he must leave self behind."
(Mt 16:24 NEB)

What does this mean? Is it mere words? How can one leave self behind, make
himself nothing? The answer will not come in a vacuum. If a man or woman
honestly wishes to be a follower, the opportunity will present itself.
Christ will say, "Here is your chance. Now, in this situation, you must
make your choice. Will it be self? Or will you choose Me?"

An older missionary said something to Amy Carmichael when she was a young missionary that stayed with her for life. She had spoken of something which was not to her liking. His reply was, "See in it a chance to die."


"A Chance to Die", by Elisabeth Elliot, A Lamp For My Feet

Matthew 16:24-26
Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?

Beautiful Indian Lake

Lillian and I went down to the lake this afternoon. The Wooton Yacht is holding steady and ready for another summer. As you can see, Lillian doesn't love the swing. She signed "help" the entire time she was in it.

Why are we moving again?

For Katy & Seth

There are two readings for 2 Tm 1:12, "I know who it is in whom I have trusted, and am confident of his power to keep safe what he has put into my charge"(NEB) or "what I have put into his charge." Christ has all the power needed to keep anything safe. What He gives me, or what I give Him, He can take care of. I can rest in perfect assurance, having that kind of coverage.
And--come to think of it--have I anything to put into his charge that He has not first put into mine? It all comes to the same thing. "What hast thou that thou didst not receive?" (1 Cor 4:7 AV).
Paul was writing from prison, where he was powerless to help those he loved or to look after things he cared for. No matter. He knew the One who is never powerless. He was sure of his power to keep.
____________________________________________________________

Title: Power to Keep
Author: Elisabeth Elliot
Book: A Lamp For My Feet

Happy Mother's Day

28Ascribe to the LORD, O clans of the peoples,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
29Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come before him!
Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;
30tremble before him, all the earth;
yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
31Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,
and let them say among the nations,
"The LORD reigns!"
32Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it!
33Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.
34Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
I Chronicles 16:28-34

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__f7iesZSCI