Tagged

I was tagged by Kirstin in her blog- you choose the 4th folder in the place on your computer that you store your pictures, choose the 4th picture and explain it. Then tag 4 other people.So here is my picture and the explanation. Actually, I store my pictures in lots of places and so may use more than one! It needs no explanation. Burke is the cutest elf ever.
This was the picture in the other place I store them. This was in April 07 and we had a huge snow that day. Isn't it just gorgeous?

I am going to tag-
Karen Anderson
Aaron Gentry
Cheryl Allen
Tina Gilchrist

I just love this picture. Kirstin put it on her blog and it just makes me laugh! I sure hope he loves to read as much as his Momma and Nana do. I get to keep this sweet boy this weekend while Adam and Kirstin go to a retreat. Our first time to keep him overnight! Can't wait.

A beautiful gift

As I wrote on Caringbridge today, sometime God does surprise us and show His love to us through others in ways we don't even expect. I wanted to add to the information about the quilt that my neighbor Alicia made and hopefully get a picture of it so you can see how beautiful it is. Isn't it incredible? Each square and star and design symbolizes something special about our family. The colors for our times in Lake, City, the squares for Mark's life, the bear for his battle with cancer, and more. A true gift of the heart that we will cherish for years to come.

Just so you know, this is the same neighbor that makes wonderful pumpkin rolls and brings them to us, takes care of Toby even when having serious intestinal problems, whose husband and kids help clear our driveway when we are gone and generally is an amazing person all around.

As I was trying to get this post done, my friend Karen called and asked me why I didn't have information about me on the blog. I had erased anything that might point to me since I do think pride is one of my most difficult sins that I have to deal with. She did point out, being the blog guru, that I should add something about myself for people who may read this and not know who in the world I am. So, Karen, noted and changed. Thanks for the input. It was really funny to me that I had just clicked "enter" for caringbridge and she called. I hadn't even had time to post on my blog yet!
This works way faster than I thought.

I continue to read When God Weeps and hope that it will be something that will encourage and bless your life also. Joni's life speaks volumes about living with grace in the midst of suffering. I just pray that God will be glorified in what I do and say no matter what the circumstance.

Me, start a blog?

I started thinking about having a blog after posting to the Caring Bridge website these last few months. The problem with starting one was trying to find a title. Everything that I chose was already taken. The choice of Engraved upon His Hands obviously came from scripture but was also influenced by my very favorite book by J.I. Packer entitled Knowing God. Chapter 3, Knowing and Being Known, is perhaps my favorite in the book, although it is hard to pick a favorite because they are all wonderful. I will quote one paragraph from the end of that chapter that so speaks to my life.

"What matters supremely, therefore, is not, in the last analysis, the fact that I know God, but the larger fact which underlies it-the fact that He knows me. I am graven on the palms of His hands. I am never out of His mind. All my knowledge of Him depends on His sustained initiative in knowing me. I know Him, because He first knew me, and continues to know me. He know me as a friend, one who loves me; and there is no moment when His eye is off me, or His attention distracted from me, and no moment, therefore, when His care falters."
-from Knowing God by J.I. Packer

He is never distracted, as I so often am and His care never falters. What peace that brings to my heart when I don't understand His ways and things look pretty scary. Nothing comes to me apart from Him and all of it He will use for my good and His glory. Do I understand that completely? Absolutely not! Do I trust Him to do what is right and good and perfect? Absolutely yes. I have known His faithfulness in the past and He never changes.