Boundless Compassion and Love

Isaiah 49:15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, these may forget, yet will not I forget thee.

I was thinking about this verse when I saw this sight...

You might ask what two doves/pigeons (anyone know what they really are?) sitting on a window ledge outside with a cat on the window sill inside has to do with this...

I kept wondering why the birds were not terrified to be that close to the cat--especially an obviously interested cat and one that kept attacking the window! I came to the conclusion that they must be nesting nearby and trying to protect the babies. Sure enough-- A nest was in the tree right outside the window.

That is when I started thinking about how these parents were trying to protect their young no matter what. Everyone knows that a nursing mom cannot forget her baby, but the Bible reminds us that God's love for us is even greater! Even in the chance that the nursing mom forgets her child, we have a God who will never forget us! That is boundless compassion and love like no other!!!

Spring Has Sprung: Part 2 --or better known as summer as come

After planting these lilies 2 years ago, we finally get to see the blooms! And the knockout roses are doing their best to be knock-outs!

Two years of hard labor

Well, not really...

It has been about 3 years (but only 9 months of which has really been pretty intensive, with a few breaks)

No, I am not talking about the hard labor of a career, or of an obligation, or of childbirthing, but something equally as satisfying at the end. ~A SAMPLER~

I grew up with a mother who has spent hours completing needlework projects of all sorts, most of which grace someone's else's home (many in ours, including a piano bench, several pillows, and a sampler) Like my mother, I have always had an affinity for needlepoint over crossstitch. Needlepoint goes so much faster and requires far less attention than counted crossstitch. However, I have always wanted to complete an old-fashioned sampler. (and these are always found in counted crossstitch)

sam·pler

Pronunciation: \ˈsam-plər\, Function: noun, Date: 1523: a decorative piece of needlework typically having letters or verses embroidered on it in various stitches as an example of skill

I currently have two samplers hanging on my walls--one is the aforementioned one completed by my mom many years ago and the other is one that dates back probably 100+ years ago by another young girl. Now it was my turn.

Right before we moved from Maryland 6 years ago, I found one that I loved from Hobby Lobby on clearance. I picked it up thinking that one day I would get around to doing it...I finally decided about 2 1/2 years ago that I would have the patience to start a counted crossstitch piece. The kit was a pattern of a historic Danish sampler from 1763. Only after I opened the kit and started to determine where my first stitch would go did I notice the size. I had been planning to do a nice, standard 8"x10" or so sampler. This one is 26"x28"!!! (yes, that is almost 2x2.5 feet!) I debated about whether to change the name and dates to my name and dates since I was copying a historic design, but since a sampler traditionally declares the name and year of the workman, I decided to adjust those in the pattern. I had a relatively easy job since the girl who completed this project already bore my same first name! It was an easy job from there to change the dates (what was not so easy was to determine which dates to which dates, since she had the date it was begun and the date it was completed and her birthdate, but all were identified in Danish! I had to go online searching out the infinitive of the verb forms to try and identify what it was saying in Danish) I did keep the original date of the sampler (as represented in the bottom right building tower.)

When my mom was here last summer, I truly began in earnest to make some headway--after taking off from it for more than 6 mos. before that. It has been a constant goal since then to finish it. Our nights of snuggling on the couch watching a movie were mostly over (but hey, all the guys need is shoulder to shoulder time, right?) while I would work feverishly on the sampler during movies.

Then comes last week...I knew I was getting to the end. I had the project on a frame, and since it was so large, I could never see the whole project at one time. Last week, I finally reached the final corner where I could see my pattern from one side match and fill in the pattern from the other side. So to make light of many more hours, I put in the last stitch last night amid cheers from my sister (on the phone) and Michael. What a sense of accomplishment! Now, if I can only frame it without costing an arm and a leg--especially since it is an unusual size and will need to be custom framed! I am already looking forward to the next project (and no, it will not be counted crossstitch!!!)

P.S. Michael and I celebrated by snuggling last night for 15 minutes on the couch.

Spring has Sprung

To all the folks reading this up north, here is a glimpse at our only "Spring" in Houston. We have been enjoying these flowers for the past month but know that when the summer heat descends, many will die out.

His scars

A half-conscience thought in the morning a couple of weeks ago is prompting this blog...I hope my thoughts will make as much sense here as they did in my half-awake state at 5:00 a.m.

I wore some cute but pretty uncomfortable shoes to a party 2 weeks ago. To make matters worse, the party was within walking distance so I further aggravated the problem by walking there in them and then walking home. I knew about half way through the party that I would have blisters as recompense. Sure enough I had raw blisters for the next week and still are bearing the marks of those shoes!

Well, after waking several mornings in a row with a first thought as to how uncomfortable my feet were with the sores rubbing each other or the sheets, I was brought to remember the shoes that I had worn...

...and then I thought of Jesus and how He had far greater scars on his feet from his crucifixion. I thought of how Thomas said he would not believe unless he put his fingers in the scars. I have found myself doubting in the past, like Thomas. Maybe just like my sores were a constant reminder to me of the circumstances that placed me there, I needed to remember that Jesus' scars are the constant reminder that my sin placed Him on a cross. Maybe I just needed to remember that even in His resurrected body, He had a constant reminder of the "cup" He willingly accepted to provide salvation for the whole world--the "cup" He accepted because He loves ME!

Just as I still bear the scars of that fateful shoe decision, Jesus, even as Resurrected Lord, still bore the scars of His love for me!

6 months and counting

For those of you who have requested a picture of the pregnant mama, you will be pleased. I was waiting to take pictures until I actually looked pregnant and last week or the week before, I think I finally hit that mark! I am beginning to look pregnant not just "tubby" (my previous post) However, a lot of it is still exaggerated or lessened by what I wear. My maternity (or baby-doll, as the case may be) tops have rumors flying, while my extra-large but regular fitted tops cause consternation when I tell folks that I am 6 months pregnant.

Below you will see a tale of the former...(never mind the fact that the words proclaim the message :) loud and clear!)

But first...

I was shopping for shoes for Michael on Saturday. One of our expeditions led to a location where he could look for shoes while I checked out the maternity section for a few more t-shirts (yes, you will outgrow even the largest shirts in your closet). I came across this shirt. I burst into laughter!!! (aloud) ...and here is the story...

I was born in Japan and my parents have constantly shared stories with me of our time there. One of my favorites... Like many places now, the younger generation then were in love with anything American--especially English t-shirts. At that time (probably not true anymore?), many young Japanese did not know a whole lot of English. My mom recounts a story of a young, teen-age boy wearing an American t-shirt. It read "Baby Below" and had an arrow pointing down at his stomach! Of course, we laugh but what makes it even funnier is that he had no clue what it actually said--only that he was being hip and wearing an American t-shirt. Therefore, when I saw this t-shirt, it brought that story to mind and a laugh to my lips!

and me holding my t-shirt tight for full effect)

Make Way for Baby #3

I was reminded last week that we in fact will have three babies come July. The first two are just a bit furry-er.

I mean, who else but babies

...have to be bundled up in the cold weather... ...play in the fireplace... ...make a mess drinking out of glasses... ...are subject to Michael's enthusiasm for cars at an early age... ...sit in a highchair...

...and most recently, sleep in a crib?