WWU--This is My Comfort

Thank you, Mary, for hosting Weekly Wrap-Up!

It's time to reflect back on my week, to store up memories in my heart,

and to acknowledge the Lord's ways in my life.

To participate with us, please click on Mary's button above.

This Weekly Wrap-Up is going to be short and sweet.  Well, short, at least.  I need to get to a couch to give my back a break.  It is really aching now, but oh, how I've missed blogging this week!  The Lord had other plans for my life, however, and I am content in that.  Without further ado...


Home Life

The Lord allowed my back to "go out" on Wednesday morning, to the point I was in utter agony by that evening, and immobile until some time on Friday.  When I could focus, I spent time in Psalm 119.  God's Word is a balm.

My view from the couch as my guys made Wednesday dinner.  :)

Jacob and Danny finished college classes and finals by Tuesday.  Everyone is happy.  :)

Danny is happy.

Jacob is happy, too.

My Kitchen and Garden

I baked whole-wheat peanut butter cookies on Tuesday, right before injuring my back.  God's timing is impeccable.  :)  (They turned out yummy, by the way.)

My Project Desk

...sits empty for the time being.


Behind the Lens

My first piece of official mail for my business!

The hilarious thing is that this particular piece of mail was from the county clerk's office, who returned my assumed business name application.  Apparently, they do NOT accept temporary checks.  Now that I have my "real" checks, I have to re-submit the application.  *rolls eyes*


Heart Thoughts

My heart has focused on the Lord this week.  That focus always gets keener when I'm experiencing trial, for which my back pain definitely qualifies.  As I lay in bed Thursday morning, wondering if I'd ever be able to get up to take a shower, I carefully read Psalm 119.  Here are a few verses that stuck out to me, and that I leave you with (all from the NASB).

My soul weeps because of grief;

Strengthen me according to Your word.

verse 28

This is my comfort in my affliction,

That Your word has revived me.

verse 50

It is good for me that I was afflicted,

That I may learn Your statues.

verse 71

I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous,

And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.

O may Your lovingkindness comfort me,

According to Your word to Your servant.

May Your compassion come to me that I may live,

For Your law is my delight.

verses 75-77

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

Month of Thanksgiving -- Blessing 16

This post is part of a giveaway at Tamara's blog.

Please click on her tag below to find out more!

Today I thank the Lord for Thomas.  What an incredibly fun bundle of energy he has always been!  Now, I can think fondly back to the times when he learned how to flip the deadbolt on our front door, and would go out there and ring the doorbell.  Incessantly.  Um, I didn't let that continue for very long...

After learning to not go out the front door, Thomas would slip out the back door.  "Jacob, go chase your brother again!" I would call as Thomas tore across the field as fast as his little legs could carry him.  And there went Jacob, flying after him on his slightly longer little legs.  Thomas always came back willingly.

Just a few weeks ago, Thomas ran out to get the mail.  I heard the doorbell ring; he had inadvertently locked himself out.  I opened the door a crack, and teased him, "What's the password?"

"Mom is brilliant," was his grinning reply.

"Works for me!"  I let him in.  :)

My son, keep my words

And treasure my commandments within you.

Keep my commandments and live,

And my teaching as the apple of your eye.

Proverbs 7:1-2 nasb

Thank You, Lord, for Thomas.

Please visit Tamara's blog to find out more about Month of Thanksgiving,

to be encouraged by others' blessings,

and to participate!

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

Month of Thanksgiving -- Blessing 15

This post is part of a giveaway at Tamara's blog.

Please click on her tag below to find out more!

Today I thank the Lord for Joseph.  Just his very presence in my arms as a newborn was a testimony that God loved me.  According to the Word, Joseph was a reward!  God was good!

As he grew, we began to walk the confusing, blessed road of autism.  But Joseph was still a reward.  And God was still good.

God has kept our sweet, no-nonsense son to even today.  And Joseph is still a reward.  And God is still good.

Give me your heart, my son,

And let your eyes delight in my ways.

Proverbs 23:26 nasb

Thank You, Lord, for Joseph.

Please visit Tamara's blog to find out more about Month of Thanksgiving,

to be encouraged by others' blessings,

and to participate!

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

Month of Thanksgiving -- Blessing 12

This post is part of a giveaway at Tamara's blog.

Please click on her tag below to find out more!

Today I thank the Lord for teenagers, and more specifically, teenage sons!  They are amazing, marvelous people, and I have enjoyed the presence of four very different ones in my home.

Danny, the 17-year-old

Since both photos are of Danny, I particularly thank the Lord for this amazing teenager.  Boy, this little guy was interesting--we half-jokingly said that if Danny made it alive to his fifth birthday, we would have a Miracle Birthday Party.  He did, so we did!  He was Superboy--able to slide down a staircase in ten seconds flat, scale a chain-link fence barefoot before we could blink, climb on top of the washer or dryer unassisted, and fearlessly climb out onto the roof to make a bed for himself for the evening.  Um--these were all before the age of four...

To see the young man of God that Danny has become is truly a miracle.  He is tender-hearted--all little children love him--and yet practical, and can be heard singing (beautifully) at any given moment. 

Each of our sons has his own personality and character, and I still marvel that the Lord used Fernando and me to create four completely separate and unique individuals to the praise of His glory.

Danny, 85% done with his college English essay

Our four sons are goofy and serious, loud and introspective.  They're in each others' rooms, lives, and conversations.  (They're in the fridge a lot, too!)  God has forged their bond of brotherhood, both by blood and by the Spirit, for eternity!  Thank You, Lord, for teenage sons!  And thank You for Danny!!

Let our sons in their youth be as grown-up plants...

Psalm 144:12a nasb

Please visit Tamara's blog to find out more about Month of Thanksgiving,

to be encouraged by others' blessings,

and to participate!

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

Tomato Time

It's a day of tomatoes.  Besides picking three bowls of them, we just finished skinning and chopping 10 quarts.  I know it's not a fantastic amount, but to have any amount is just fine with me.  And the tomatoes are one of the few veggies that are proliferating in my garden.

So, I'm taking a break and going to the store to get some onions and a few green peppers, neither of which are doing much in my garden.  Salsa-making, and hopefully canning, await us this afternoon.

Back to life,
Christine
who is thanking the Lord for helpful teenage sons  :)