SQUISHY LITTLE GUY

Getting even one good photo was impossible, but there's only

one squishy little guy in our group, and he has ginger hair.

You have to look closely on the left to see grandchild #5.

NJ's outfitted in pink and brown and rather blends in with LG.

I shouldn't really call JA my squishy little guy any more because he's stretched out and gotten so big, but I love his soft and spongy little cheeks and thighs, and plan to call him my squishy little guy until he's old enough to know the difference! Then, I'll stop. Maybe.

MEMORIES

Just some random photos of our grandchildren from over the past few years. Most of our photos are either in on-line albums or on our Dell hard drive which is just now being transferred to an external hard drive.

I haven't used this desktop Dell for much of anything in a long time, so it's been a short trip down memory lane...

Isn't God good?! And, faithful and loving. He gives us more than we can ever ask or think to ask.

ENCOURAGING WORDS

Earth Wind & Fire

For because of our faith, He has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to actually becoming all that God has had in mind for us to be.
Romans 5:2
Life Application Bible

God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. Don't throw me out with the trash or fail to breathe holiness in me. Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails! Give me a job teaching rebels your ways so the lost can find their way home.
Psalms 51:7-13
The Message [Bible] Remix

Going through the motions doesn't please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you.
I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shaped lives ready for love don't for a moment escape God's notice.
Psalms 51:16-17
The Message [Bible] Remix

UNPACKING CHILDHOOD BAGGAGE...

5 Little Girls and How They Grew

5 Strong and Healthy Women

The difference was... that she was old enough to understand the nature of the story: that everyone had one, but that it was thrust upon you, as often as not. That what counted was what happened after that, the combining of the aftermath with the original story.

Nobody grows up in a home such as ours. You just wait to be done with it, and you hope you'll have the opportunity to grow up later.
For Love by Sue Miller


... the process of confiding is so powerful. Research shows that when people begin to confide, their blood pressure goes up, they begin to tense and sweat and their immune system is less effective, but after they're through, all their vital signs improve. It actually requires energy not to tell stories.
Confiding by Susan Baur


For because of our faith, He has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to actually becoming all that God has had in mind for us to be.
Romans 5:2
Life Application Bible

CELEBRATING LIFE CHANGE - JENGA!

SETUP

1. One player builds the tower on a flat, sturdy surface by using the loading tray as shown below. Place three blocks in each layer, at right angles to the previous layer. When you finish you'll have a solid, 18-story tower that can more than double during play!

2. Use the loading tray to set the tower upright Then carefully slide the tray away, and put it aside.

3. Remove one block at a time from the tower, and stack it on top. The last player to stack a block without making the tower fall wins the game, or...

JENGA!

Life change is hard, but I willing entered this tunnel of chaos just over one year ago. I didn't work for 8 - 9 months--traveled, rested, created, grandma'd, and just healed from the workplace turmoil. I don't talk about it any more even to close friends. I have processed everything. I really just stayed too long--it is like the game "Jenga." The last piece went on the pile and it all fell apart and I knew that I needed to get away to remain healthy and whole.

It was really John Ortberg's fault because I listened to one of his messages--he said that we are afraid of risk and many, many times stay in situations that no longer work for us just because we are afraid of the unknown. And, that God is in charge and we should take the risk, make the move, step out and trust God to not only catch us, but to lead us on better pathways where we can fully experience his love as we rely wholly on him. I am working again, but very intermittently. I take jobs on contract in Chicago--I ride the train. I treasure my down time and have gotten very busy with my blog, creative projects, traveling, friends, cooking and baking, etc. I am more of an introvert than ever, but still stimulated by social interactions! I love my quiet time and being alone in my home--sometimes I am home for several days at a time and that is no hardship!

God and I are doing just fine--smashingly, actually! We have attended services at various churches, but for much of this last year I have listened online or just walked quietly with God... Our small group has been together for about 13 years now, so that is a big part of our church community experience.

* * *

For because of our faith, He has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to actually becoming all that God has had in mind for us to be.
Romans 5:2
Life Application Bible