In case you've been wondering

*PLEASE, dear friends, take time to read the link I've included later in this post.

I haven't actually fallen off the face of the planet.  I do, at some point in the future, plan to blog on a more regular basis.  I think I need that new software called "Dragon" where I can SPEAK my thoughts and it will type out what I say!  If you are my friend in real life, you know that I could more than fill a blog with that!

What I really wanted to share with you today is the best description of Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) that I think I've ever read.  I often have people ask me how I would describe "attachment issues" and I think that Lisa captures it SO clearly *HERE.  From a mother's perspective, this is exactly what it is.  Even if you don't parent children with attachment issues, it would be so great to read this so you can understand and support your friends who are parenting children from hard places!

Also, please pray for Jeff and I as we may be speaking at an upcoming foster parent event - about adopting older children and about helping children with RAD heal.  Even though we've lived it and LOVE to share with others, this feels a bit daunting to me.  Of course, my dear preacher husband will be just fine, but I do better in the one on one conversations!

Paul Tripp interview

love this interview with Dr. Paul Tripp.  His books are always excellent and I highly recommend them!  There is a great little bit about parenting with the gospel as our focus if you skip ahead to about minute 20.  Enjoy!

Things I'm thinking about today

I KNOW this is true.  How good it is to hear another Christian wife and mother articulate these things.  What encouragement to continue on in ways that are, for the most part, extremely counter-cultural today. Join me in reading here today.  I'd love if you'd click back over here and comment on your thoughts, experiences, or questions in these two areas!  Let's talk!

Homeschooling too much produces too little.

Preparing our children for what?

Oh, Lord, that we would truly grasp the fullness of your Gospel.  Fill us, live in us, love through us.

Merry Valentines Day?

I'm posting this so late, I can't say Merry Christmas! I guess there is enough red to call them Valentine's pictures!

more to come (if the computer cooperates)

In a stable

Reading over at "it's Almost Naptime" today.

Remembering that God is Good and God is Sovereign has seemed to be the THEME of our lives these past 4 years. . .

maybe it is the theme for all of life?

Especially on those days or in those seasons when we feel like we're living in a stable: uncomfortable, not expected, sometimes full of stinky cr*p.

Don't miss reading all about it here - In a stable

Sacrifice, Service, and the Savior

Although it seems like a lifetime ago, Jeff and I were BLESSED to spend 3 1/2 years living alongside some of the most amazing families when he was getting his MDIV at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary.  A few of those good friends were just having their first babies (and our son was just turning 5) when it was time for us to pack up and head out on the next adventure God had for us.  Now, two of these precious mamas have a great blog encouraging families to intentionally disciple their children (raisingdeeproots).  

Recently, Kelli asked for friends to share some ways they intentionally encourage discipleship in their homes and I shared a few thoughts.  Be sure to go back and read her post too!

What I said about intentional discipleship:

I think you are right, it is the simple things.

the daily living 

and talking 

and praying.

consistency.

telling The Story and not “the stories.”   

Not, "Moses was good, so be good. . . Daniel trusted God so trust God" 

but instead, 

"See how GOD is at work, see what God did, see that GOD is trustworthy and good - You aren't good, so trust God!"

and time. 

you’ve got to have time 

to talk and share and laugh and pray . . . 

and 

you’ve got to BE together and not apart all day long living parallel yet separate lives

 (and yet, sadly, that is SO prevalent in our cultural “norm” of family life today:  mom and dad off to work, kids off to daycare, sports, and friends houses).

and

keeping the things that matter at the forefront 

rather than on the backburner.

easy now. 

easy when the kids are little,

and you are motivated,

and have great intentions and plans. 

hard to hold-fast to as they grow. 

 we have wept as we have watched SO many fall away and towards the things the world says matter. . . 

and they forget that 

discipleship won’t just happen when life becomes all about 

soccer, school, and success 

rather than 

sacrifice, service, and the Savior.