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…even for one second.
  If I do, I find you in crazy places.
 Like inside the dishwasher.
 How did you get in there little man?
You are so sneaky.
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted,
and the train of his robe filled the temple.
Isaiah 6:1
I love it when you are learning something about God and everywhere you go He seems to remind you of that specific truth. I have been attending Bible Study Fellowship this year and I am absolutely loving it. My head sometimes feels like it is going to burst because I am learning so much. We are studying Isaiah and this past week we were learning about the holiness and glory of the Lord. Isaiah saw a vision of the Lord. He saw a God who is like no other. I walked away challenged to ask myself this question: Do I have a vision of the Lord? If I do, it will change my life. I couldn’t get that out of my head. I want to have a vision of the Lord. I want my life to be changed by Him. How do I get there?
Then last night Joel and I were at church for the dress rehearsal for Judgement House. We have been a part of this ministry for the last three years, but this year the story became very personal to us. In fact it wasn’t just a story. As we watched the drama last night we felt every emotion. We had been the parents standing outside the hospital room when the doctor said there was nothing else he could do for their daughter. She wasn’t going to make it. For us, it was real life.
This year our Judgement House script is Hannah’s Hope. It is the true story of a teenage girl who lost her six month battle with cancer. But Hannah and her family did not fall into despair when facing death. Their testimony of faith and unwavering hope in Jesus through their storm is amazing. I am so challenged by this young girl’s strength and by her parent’s continued trust in the Lord. Hannah has left behind an incredible legacy and her story continues to reach so many. This year her story is even reaching Newton, Kansas.
At the end of our time together last night, we read an excerpt from Deb’s journal. I was so touched by her words:
…You know Lord, I have heard it said many times – even this week – that so much fruit has come from Hannah’s journey. In the deepest recesses of this mother’s heart, I pray we have not seen anything yet. As I stood at her grave yesterday morning after sharing with a middle school FCA, I asked you again to bring forth much fruit from this kernel of wheat that has fallen into the ground and died. When we stop missing Hannah every day and thinking about her all the time, perhaps I will stop asking You to bring forth fruit from her life. No, don’t count on it. We want every single bit of fruit You desire to bring forth and for as long as we have breath in our bodies we will continue to ask. We ask it not only through Hannah’s life but through the lives of her brothers – whose cost has also been high.
I am a spectator in this arena called earth, Lord, and I want to see You in all Your glory! And I think You want us to see You in all Your glory! Isaiah saw You – he saw You the year King Uziah died – I saw You too, Lord – the year Hannah died. You have changed me – I never want to be the same again. I never want to go back to life as usual – I never want to settle for less than all You have for me. When we see You, Lord, You transform us. You do it over and over again through Your word! You deepen our understanding of who You are – of how big You are!…
I loved that she said, “I saw you too, Lord – the year Hannah died.” And I saw the Lord too – the year Cora died. The Lord has changed me and I echo Deb’s words, I never want to be the same again. I never want to go back to life as usual – I never want to settle for less than all You have for me. I too pray that as long as I have breath I would be faithful to use Cora’s story for His glory, that I wouldn’t stop asking Him to bring forth the fruit that He desires from her short little life. I may not have physically seen God, but through Cora’s death I have seen aspects of His in His Word and in His works…and I am forever changed. I hate that Cora died, but I love that He is changing me and using Cora’s life to change the lives of people around me.
I am praying as Judgement House approaches this week that the Lord will continue to use Hannah’s story to draw people to Himself. That many will come to understand true HOPE that can only be found in Jesus.
There is nothing better than getting to ride in the combine
with Dad on a Friday afternoon.
 At least there is nothing better if you are a little boy.
 Joel was combining soy beans in a field right by our house this afternoon,
so we went out to visit him.
 Levi played in the dirt for a while until the combine drove up.
Playing in the dirt was pretty awesome too.
 But when we climbed into the combine Levi was in heaven.
He sat still like this for almost twenty minutes.
Seriously, twenty minutes…
and he hardly moved.
I think that might have been a first. :o)
 He did occasionally look back at us and smile.
And then he realized he could crawl around…
and eat the dirt of the ground…
and touch everything is sight…
and he was back to his old self.
 He thought it was pretty great to drive with dad too.
 He told his dad how awesome his combine was.
 And then he tried to take over.
I love that this is just the beginning of so many memories
that Levi and Joel will have together.
Have a great weekend!
Remember this cute knit hat from last winter?
 I love it.
It was a handmade gift.
But now it is too small for Mr. Levi’s head.
Sad.
So, I am on the hunt for a new hat for Levi.
His head has grown just a little. :o)
Not that it is cold here…it is just beginning to feel a little fall-ish.
But soon I will need to help Mr. Levi keep his head warm.
 I love this one from Old Navy.
They used to have it in blue too.
But I can’t find it on-line or in the stores anymore in the right size.
So, I am turning to you for help.
Where can I find a cute beanie for Levi?
I would love to find a handmade one. Any Etsy store recommendations?
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Joyce - I don’t often comment here but I just had to pop in and say that your little guy is absolutely too adorable. I bet its hard to say no to that face : )
I hope your weekend is full of smiles too!
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A - So cute 🙂
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Stef - cute picture! I love the red chair too 🙂 Happy Weekend!
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Nancy - He’s so handsome! Have a happy weekend!
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Anonymous - Who needs a nap with that happy smiling face :)..Enjoy your weekend!
Kim
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Amber - Your little guy looks like such a bundle of joy and fun! I love the red chair!!! I need to find one for my house 🙂
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MFuglseth - Hope you have a great weekend! What a handsome little boy!
Molly 🙂
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Mama in the City - He is adorable and full of life! Hope you enjoyed your day of hanging out, despite the lack of naps! I remember when my boy had a little ‘nap strike’, it was so sad but did resolve!
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Debi - Boy sure looks like his daddy! Such a handsome little dude….
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Kristi REDISKE - He is just adorable! Love watching him grow.
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Wendy - Hello,
This week a community very close to my heart suffered a terrible loss when a 13 year old girl with type 1 diabetes died in her sleep as the result of Dead In Bed Syndrome.
It has rattled the T1D community to it’s core as she is the 5th or 6th (known) teenager to succumb to this tragedy in as many months.
Anyway, after Cora died, my mother wrote you a letter. I don’t know if you’ve ever read it or not, but I wanted to let you know that I re-posted it on my blog in an attempt to offer comfort to grieving mothers who may stumble upon it.
God Bless.
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Jenifer's Journey - Its fall break for me so I am having a Great Weekend
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Heather - Jess…I bought that book by Sheila Walsh…so good so far!! Thanks for the suggestion!
Heather
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Anonymous - Any luck on Levi a hat..I too like the one from Old navy and have looked at tons on etsy but really just want a plain one…no brim? just wondered what you have found?
thanks
Kim
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loren/anne - what a crazy awesome smile!
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