Almost Empty

"As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: so the LORD alone did lead him..."  --Deuteronomy 32:11, 12a

Even though I actually haven't yet experienced having a truly empty nest, I've been feeling a bit blue today as I've been reminded of the inevitable.  When my children were younger, they once went to summer camp for a week, but I knew they would soon be home again.

My first experience with long-term separation was a couple of years ago when our second son went away to college for a year.  That was a little difficult, because he is the more exuberant of the three, and he and I have always enjoyed having some serious theological discussions.  He also gives wonderful shoulder massages. The house was quieter while he was gone.  It was then that I realized I was being prepared to one day face an empty nest.

Our daughter, left yesterday to visit her out-of-state boyfriend for just short of a week.  I’m glad she’ll be coming back, because I have been enjoying the growing friendship between us.  I will always be her mother, but I’m glad we’re becoming friends.  She adds creativity and beauty to our family, as well as delicious aromas from the kitchen.  I miss her smiles, giggles, and stories.  Her kitty, Leslie, misses her, too.

Our oldest son is planning to depart Thursday to take a job half way across the country.  Although he attended a technical college for four years, he was able to live at home and commute.  He graduated last year with a bachelor’s degree, and although he was able to work at a temporary job for a few months, the job market in our state has been very bleak.  I’m so grateful for my sister’s and brother-in-law’s offer of a job and a place to stay.  While I am sad he’ll be leaving home, I’m excited for the journey the Lord has set before him.  I’m also delighted he’ll be with family where deeper relationships can be built.  I’ll miss his smiles, hugs, and analytical wit.  Oh!  And his macro lens and curry fried rice.  (^_~)

Perhaps I won’t really have to experience an empty nest.  Our second son married a very nice young lady last year, and they are expecting their first child in July... Grace Elizabeth.  So before our daughter leaves the nest, our family will soon be blessed with a little one to fill it up again.

Happy Resurrection Day

"For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ."  --2 Corinthians 1:5

Snowdrops are said to be symbolic of consolation. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work." (2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17)

Happy Resurrection Day  :)

 

Father-To-Be

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward." --Psalm 127:3

My son and daughter-in-law asked me to take their picture before they headed out to a benefit waltz class. I just love seeing my son's playfulness and affection. I think he's going to make a wonderful father.

Passing It On

“That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:  That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God...”  --Psalm 78:6-7b

My daughter-in-law is now five months pregnant with my first grandchild.  She and my son already sing and read to their unborn baby... a girl?  It’s never too early to start.  Studies have shown that a prenatal baby’s developing brain is stimulated by the sounds, which helps them develop.  After being born, hearing those familiar sounds, stories, and songs can help to calm the baby.

It warms my heart to know that both my son and daughter-in-law share the same beliefs and are working toward the same goals.  How difficult it can be for children when there is no clear sense of direction... or hope.  Who should they believe?  By having to choose one, they are essentially forced to reject the other... or both for that matter.  “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”  (Amos 3:3)

Having pretty much raised our children, I know they won’t always believe exactly as we do.  But that’s okay, because we’re still learning, too.  God is still working to open our understanding and mold us into the likeness of His Son.  So, what’s important is to have a firm foundation in what we believe and pass it on.

Working Together

Mmmm... can you smell the apple sweetness and spices?  My daughter and I worked together to make shepherd’s pie for dinner a couple of nights ago.  She wanted to have a bottom crust, but since the pie crust recipe was for a double crust, we had leftover dough.  She asked if we had any apples, because she had seen a recipe for mini pies made in a muffin tin, and she wanted to try it out.  So I peeled and chopped the apples, while she worked on the sweet, buttery, cinnamon sauce and rolled out the remaining crust.  Aren’t they cute?  And oh, so tasty!

 

I wanted to be sure to get a photo of them, and I was delighted when she wanted to once again work together.  I’m so glad she did, because she is more creative than I am.  We have turned my married son’s bedroom into a sort of mini studio.  It has a nice exposed brick chimney in it, so we used it as a backdrop.  I used my son’s 60mm macro lens to create the blurry background.  One of the things I’ve learned when composing a photo is to have an odd number of objects, rather than an even number.  I'm not sure why.  Maybe it has something to do with the Golden Ratio?

My daughter thought you might be interested in seeing our unorthodox setup:  one of the shelves from a bookshelf, a couple of wooden bowls, a paperback book, a box of tissues, and a box of old flatware.  Hey!  Whatever works, right?

Love Rocks

"Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart..."  --Proverbs 27:9

My new favorite scent from Victoria Secret!

Thank You...

Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday.  I am grateful for birthdays and for those who express their love through birthday greetings and gifts. I am also grateful for my daughter's creativity and resourcefulness. The wrapping paper is actually old wall paper she spotted in a recycle shop.  Doesn't it make a beautiful gift wrap?   The tabletop tripod is from my son, and the camera battery and card are from my husband.  God is good...