rest

I've been "doodling" with digital chalk art tonight, praying that the words from this morning's sermon on Matthew 11 will sink deeply into my heart this week.

I've been weary lately. We've moved, unpacked, started school again, etc. I should feel a great sense of relief, but I'm just too tired to feel much of anything. I know it's true, because of this tell-tale sign of motherhood: I'm snapping. No, not with my fingers, but with my words.

Here's what I learned this morning from Matthew 11:

It's a simple invitation, really...Come.

This yoke that I take up is made for 2. When I'm yoked to Jesus, I have direction, purpose, even comfort as I work.

Learn from Him. This was the clincher for me. He is gentle. I am not. Just ask my kids. This reminded me of something I noticed years ago while reading in the book of John. John was a volatile man, known as a Son of Thunder. When people didn't agree with Jesus, John told Him to send down fire from heaven and torch everyone. Ouch! Then at the end of Jesus' life, as He's hanging on the cross, He looks down and asks John to take care of His mother. Why would He do that? Why pick the guy with the bad temper? I think John had changed. How could he not? He had walked and talked with Jesus for 3 years. 

Learn from Me.

I don't want to be a John. I want to be like Jesus with all of my heart, and I want my children to see Jesus in me. I can blame it on being tired (oh wait, I already have!), or I can fit myself in under this yoke made for 2 and walk beside Jesus throughout my day, imitating Him by being gentle when I speak.

Come to Me.
Learn from Me.
And you will find rest for your souls.

"I heard the voice of Jesus say,
'Come unto Me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down,
Thy head upon My breast.' 

I came to Jesus as I was,
Weary and worn and sad;
I found in Him a resting place,

And He has made me glad."

  -Horatius Bonar

be mine

 Happy Valentine's Day! Feeling quite festive today, I made this yummy flour-less chocolate cake for dessert tonight. It's one of my favorite things to make, especially on Valentine's Day when I'm listening to Frank Sinatra and wearing my red sweater and pink rosette earrings. My friend, Andi, shared the recipe with me years ago. Good friends have good chocolate cake recipes. :) You can't go wrong with chocolate and 1 1/2 sticks of butter. I think the cake is smiling back at me.

 Pink and red are so cheery!

 My girls and I had fun reading our Valentine's books together. The boys opted to play Lego instead.

After breakfast, Lily and I made a few more Valentines to hand out today.

Hope your Valentine's Day is a sweet one!

well hello there, february

It may be cold, cold, C-O-L-D outside, but we're enjoying our first February here in Minnesota. The kids love playing in the snow, and this month sure is jam-packed with fun holidays to celebrate. I'm a big fan of Groundhog Day (strange, I know). I woke up on Saturday, February 2, and my Lily met me in the hallway around 7:00 a.m. and said, "Look, Mom! I made a groundhog craft!" Sure enough...she had gone through our craft supplies and made the cutest little groundhog out of brown craft foam and affixed him to a wooden stick. Wow, does she ever take after her mom! The other day she asked me if we could make eclairs. Don't they look yummy? I've always used Susan Branch's Profiterole recipe and I've never been disappointed.

And my crafty little girl painted this painting of the presidents for President's Day

Friends of ours in Medford gave us paper white bulbs to plant as a going away gift. We planted them two days after we arrived here in Minnesota

They certainly have taken root and are blooming well, as we all are here in our new home.

The view from my kitchen window

so happy together

Having so much fun outside together with my little family

Oh, to be seven again!

The size of Jared's snowballs for our snowball fight--his favorite quote for the day..."You can expect me when you least expect me."

Gracie is a snow-ball-rolling and snowman-making EXPERT!

Phil in the hat that he brought back from Siberia (no, I'm not kidding)