Cute Rain Gutter Bookshelves

I ran across these adorable and economical rain gutter bookshelves.  Cute!  Down the road I'd love to put these in the basement.  I like the idea of the kids seeing the front of the books and being drawn to read more often than they would seeing the side of the book spine.

If you are interested in making them yourself here is the link.

God at work

God provides for us always.  Sometimes it's at 11:59 p.m. before the clock strikes midnight.

I'm thankful that God is always at work.  This week my sister-in-law and soon to be brother in law donated their car to us (the same night we were about to purchase a van).

We've been applying for adoption grants and just last night met with some friends who were able to put in a good word for us concerning one of the grants.

My husband kept his word in a potentially difficult situation (in spite of his selfish wife urging him to do otherwise - thankful Drew listens to God more than me:)

I've felt overwhelmed by the friends and family God has provided to be encouraged with us about adoption.

So why was it on Wednesday night I was in tears unable to see how everything would work out.  I've felt sad this week thinking of how often I have NO perspective in the crucial hours when it's most needed.  I'm not totally sure why I get that way.  I know the truth is that even if I face death itself that I have hope that will never pass.

Drew and I have been listening to a Josh Garrels song called Ulysses all week.



I'm holding on to the hope that one day this could be made right
I've been shipwrecked, and left for dead, and I have seen the darkest sights
Everyone I've loved seems like a stranger in the night
But oh my heart still burns, tells me to return, and search the fading light

I'm sailing home to you I won't be long
By the light of moon I will press on
Until, I find, my love

Trouble has beset my ways, and wicked winds have blown
Sirens call my name, they say they'll ease my pain, then break me on the stones
But true love is the burden that will carry me back home
Carry me with the, memories of the, beauty I have known

I'm sailing home to you I won't be long
By the light of moon I will press on

So tie me to the mast of this old ship and point me home
Before I lose the one I love, before my chance is gone
I want to hold, her in, my arms 

Once again I find myself running home to my God who is love. Always forgiving, restoring, blessing because of the finished work of Jesus.  Freedom to hope.

Give them Grace

This summer has been so refreshing to my soul.  I have seen my husband renewed and restored with rest and reading good books.  Drew and I have had lots of time to be together and enjoy our friends and family.  I have done a few home projects like refinishing our dining room table and spray painting the brass chandelier over that table cream.

The kids I get to take care of have been so precious and hilarious all at the same time.  Life is very funny with little kids around.

Drew bought me a book that I have been L-O-V-I-N-G!  I want to buy a copy for every single parent I know.  It's called Give Them Grace- Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick & Jessica Thompson.

I'm only a few chapters in but already my heart is inspired by their words.  I was telling Drew that every other parenting book I have read has had some helpful ideas in it but usually I walk away thinking how will I ever remember all of that!  Defeat sets in quickly after.  This book has been so different.  It builds upon what God says is true of the human condition and how that condition is rescued.  One phrase that has been ringing in my head from the book is, "everything that is not gospel is law, everything that is not gospel is law."

This morning I was reading from Genesis.  When God created man and woman he said it was VERY GOOD!  Humans were in God's likeness and it was very good.  Very quickly when Adam and Eve chose not to believe that truth, disobedience entered into the world and so did brokenness.  We've been trying ever since to figure out how we can be called good again.  The self esteem movement in the 50's and 60's that reinforced this idea still lingers today.

The truth is that there has only been one good parent and one good son- God and Jesus Christ.  By believing in Jesus' work for us we are not only forgiven our wrong doing but also credited with his righteousness.

This is the premise of not only what I believe but what I want to point our children to.  There is hope but it's not in ourselves it's in Jesus alone.

I will never cease to be refreshed by that message!

When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God.  God brought you alive- right along with Christ!  Think of it!  All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ's cross. (Col. 2:13-14 Message)