by Sarah Anne

The sea is blue.

The sky is too.

The children shout.

Sailboats are out.

The seagulls fly

Up in the sky

Palm branches sway

In the cool day.

Butterfly wings flap

And little children clap.

The ships are large, but far away

Sailing in their very proud way,

And though I'm stuck inside all day,

When my father returns,

On the beach I'll play.

Sarah Anne and Matthew, with Mom and Dad and Johanna,

 returned from California last week.  

The above poem, written by Sarah Anne, 

was a school project during their month away, and, I think, 

a darling perspective of their lives in Santa Barbara. 

 Read more of the story here.

Curlers again?

... Sarah Anne did not quite agree that she was "absolutely adorable"

in the little pink scarf, which was holding her curlers securely in place.

... though the thought of looking like the lovely Deanna excited her!

... as well as thinking about

singing like the Lennon Sisters!

And so we are on the road again!

Doing shows as the phone rings, following as the Lord leads.

And finding many trials and joys along the way. :)

The most wonderful thing is that He is in it all.

-Johanna

There Once Was A Girl

She was born on September 9, 

a soft, sweet child with the fairest skin, 

the blue-est eyes, and soft gold ringlets around her heart-shaped face.

She grew up with a heart for God, with a yearning to know Him, to seek after His heart.

And He built in her a passion, for acting, for singing, for dancing and photography,

For sharing herself with others, 

for being the best of friends with those the Lord brought her way,

And he built in her a hope, 

a hope for that which so many girls dream of,

a home of her own,

Someday, faraway, 

where she might ply her skills as a wife and a homemaker, 

and follow the path of womanhood.

She has had her struggles, and her heartbreaks.  

She has built friendships, some to mourn for, some to rejoice in.  

She has her weaknesses, like all human beings, 

and has struggled with sorrow at the discovery of them,

like we all do.

And she is overcoming.  

She is putting her best foot forward, clad in a ruffled silver shoe.  

She is lifting her chin and fighting the good fight.  

She is doing the best that she can do, and she is intent upon doing it, 

in His strength.

Are there more words to describe? 

Yes, many, but I shall stop at these...

The Lord has blessed my life abundantly, 

He has overflowed me with His goodness, 

and this particular gift, this sister so strong of heart, 

this friend beyond friends, this vessel of His glory, 

my dear one...

Is beyond words.

I love you Johanna!  

Congratulations on your amazing 18 years!

-Em

a Psalm

The Lord is my strength and my shield.

In Him my heart trusts, and I am helped.

My heart exults

And with my song I give thanks to Him!!

[Psalm 28:7]

Johanna

Greenness

There is green outside the glass

Of my window.

There is peace beyond the veil

Of myself.

Why don't I break the glass?

Why don't I tear the veil?

Why don't I step outside 

To where He's standing 

With a sword and a shield?

Why don't I begin?

My sister

... are there words to describe her?

She is... my sister

She is always there.  Always with an open heart.  Wanting to grow with me.  Showing her love through simple actions.

Working together during this burdensome time has been beautiful to me.  My lovely sister has been... my sister.  In the truest form.  

How can that simple word be so beautiful to me?

Because Jesus placed us in this place.  He is intertwining our hearts.

Every day... in every meal that we prepare...

In ways I never imagined. 

I love you Emma.

[and Happy Birthday you 20-year old today!!!!!]

Blessing

We were baptized last week,

All seven of us,

Beneath the water of a Texas lake,

Rejoicing beneath the wonder of God's grace.

The Lord is filling our lives with blessing.

Yes... with sorrow, and anxiety, and fear for the future.

But also with blessing.

Loved ones have coming from across the country to visit us and help us.  

People call and write, and send their love.  

I cannot begin to express my gratitude 

for all of the thoughts and prayers sent our way. 

 Thank you!  

We are blessed beyond measure.

And every evening we rest, beneath the spell of spirit-led music, 

touched by the warmth God is covering us with,

 folded tightly against his peace, 

finding it is best to be still.

He is leading us.... and he is blessing us.

For more updates on Mom's condition and progress, visit the new blog... Bless Bonny.