With the exception of a bad case of the flu for Ryan, we’ve had a wonderful first ten days of 2014.
Movie nights with candles…
gazing at sleeping babies…
playing with growing-too-fast babies…
enjoying the massive sheet of ice that covers our property…
look closely and you’ll find Jameson!
making silly faces…
learning new cleaning techniques, thanks to Norwex (and loving it!)…
and watching my children live each day with joy and excitement.
I began with an old favorite that needed to be brought back to the forefront of my mind:
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
–Joshua 1.8-9, typed out from memory. How did I do?
Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed.
Dismayed: horrified, shocked.
Dismay: the feeling that has accosted my soul regularly in the last 5 years.
Emmanuel: God with us.
Emmanuel: the antidote for fear of what may be and dismay over what is.
He is my strength and my courage.
This is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith. (1 John 5.4)
A new year.
A chance to know Jesus in increasingly wonderful and meaningful ways.
Be blessed!