Alone

Last night, this was a part of Abby's prayer:

"... thank you, God, that Great Grandpa and Great Uncle Jack could be in heaven with you, and pray that Great Grandma and Great Aunt Ginny are getting used to living by themseleves..."

I echo your sweet thoughts, Abby!

Dear Family, may the Lord continue to show Himself faithful to reveal the truth of Heaven and His soothing grace to each hurting one. May His providential hand be evident in your lives... in work, at home, in health, through private struggles, at school, in the community, and even in the mundane daily chores.

Sending you a BIG HUG!

Perfect Timing

When I was 10, without much warning, my family packed up and moved from Taiwan to California. Upon starting High School, I started attending various churches regularly. Shortly after I was 18, I acknowledged Jesus as my God and Savior. At 22, I was devastated that I wasn’t finished yet at UCLA and had to stay another year...

God’s sovereign hand… perfect timing

Without being brought here to the United States, I would not have been introduced to Jesus. Without accepting Christ as my Savior and Lord, I would not have been involved in the Grace On Campus Bible Study at UCLA that transformed my heart and life. Without staying that 5^th year at UCLA, I would not have met Matthew, God's gift and tool to "hold on" to me. Without my husband, I would not have been linked to the amazing Holbrook family and Grace Church family...

God’s sovereign hand… perfect timing

This morning at about 6:30, the phone rang. It was Mom, calling for Matthew. Dad was gone on a business trip and she needed her first born son. Grandpa Norris has gone to sleep last night and woke up in heaven! He must be so excited to be able to ditch his Parkinsons ravaged body, the wheelchair, aprons, and all them handkerchiefs! I picture him prancing and darting from one place to another, on the streets of gold, eating and drinking all sorts of delights without waiting for things to be "mechanical soft" or thickened! As Aaron said, he is probably fixing everything in heaven and saving all the parts J. But here below, I am thankful that Mom was able to have Matthew and Aaron (who just happened to be in town for the week) with her and Grandma.

God’s sovereign hand… perfect timing

After some final good-byes, the mortuary took Grandpa’s body. Everyone reconvened at Mom’s house. Through the tears, we celebrated Grandpa’s full life. Mom told us that a decision was made yesterday that due to Grandpa’s need for additional care, Grandpa and Grandma were not going to be able to live in the same unit anymore. Mom woke up in the early praying for wisdom and peace. Then, her phone rang…

God’s sovereign hand… perfect timing

Thank You, Lord, for Your perfect timing. Thank You for allowing us to see and recognize your mighty hand upon the details… in hindsight. Thank You for shielding and protecting our eyes and understanding when knowing would be too overwhelming for us to bear. Thank You Lord, for teaching us to trust You in our steps and to challenge us to live a life of no regrets. I praise You for Your good and faithful servant… Grandpa Norris.

I miss you already, Grandpa! Love you, see you soon!

New Toy

Just got a new camera with a bigger zoom for all these fun sporting events for my children :). It also has some cool functions to make pictures "artsy"! Sometimes, technology makes me giddy :D

"Fish eye" effect :)

Didn't get a picture of "sleeping Isaac" :( He woke up and asked me what I was doing!!! Can't believe it! Nex time...

Christian Character

While answering questions on the application for student representative for his class this afternoon:

Isaac: Mom, do I have "a good Christian character"?

Me: Well... what do you think?

Isaac: (pause) Well, if I don't, I need to go get one...

If only everything is that easy :)

Happy Birthddy, Seth!!!

Caramel Chocolate Wow cake!!!

My most favorite middle child is a 9-year-old!!!

I can still remember 9 years ago on this day, getting out of bed at 2:30am and jumping in the shower... and how your daddy thought I was just a crazy pregnant girl :). By the time we left for the hospital, I was all clean (with nicely curled hair and just a touch of make-up so not to get lipstick on you when you came out!). You were born on a Sunday morning, about 6 am. You did make Daddy late for 1st service, but not too late to teach Sunday School and attend 2nd service! How considerate! A-ma was with us when you come out. A-gon stayed home to watch Isaac. I think Daddy took my camera to church to show you off to Grandpa and Grandma and the rest of our family and church family! When Daddy brought Isaac and A-gon to see you, Isaac was so sweet and gentle with you. He was such a proud big brother... welcoming his little baby brother with all sorts of soft little kisses on your head! It still makes my eyes well up remembering how my boys met :). When Daddy came back from church, he brought a little red rose from the top of the piano... I think Mr. Gronewold clipped it for you to show our church family that a new baby was born. We used to do that at our church. I'm not sure why we don't any more.

Mrs. Steiger's special birthday pencil jar :)

Grandma's getting some "sugar"!

Well, my sweet Sethy, you are not 7 pounds and 21 inches anymore. I am so grateful to be your mama... even if you tell me that I have bigger thighs than your dad :). I love that you always want hugs (and tells me that "Hugs are what keeps you alive!"), even when you are at school. You make me laugh with all your little antics and sayings. Even yesterday when we were enjoying your birthday lunch of Western Bacon Cheese Burger without barbecue sauce, you told me that Amanda (the girl that you sit next to) is the one with the bananna colored hair :D. How descriptive!!! I don't think I've ever thought of anyone with bananna colored hair! I love your goofy sense of humor and how you and your brother so enjoy each other's company. You two are the perfect roommates. I am thankful that God has given you a spirit that desires the best for others. It makes my heart glad when you genuinely celebrate with Isaac or Abby when they have a victory or do well in something. I am thankful for your tender heart that desires to pray for those who do not know Jesus yet. I love that you are so kind and patient with your little cousins. I think you will be a great daddy one day!

Trying out the new Ripstick

New pet... Jerry Sea Swisher

This last year was an import one for you, you were given permission to take Communion for the first time in December, and the three fold communion just a couple of weeks ago. Daddy and Mommy are glad to give you this privilege because that you have shown a clear understanding of your sin, of repentance, and of the Cross. I'm grateful that God is working and will continue to finish the work He has begun in your life!

Happy birthday my Monkey Boy! I thank God for loaning you to our family. I pray that Mommy and Daddy will stand before God one day and hear "Well done, good and faithful servants. You have been wise and diligent in guarding over My precious treasures in Isaac, Seth, and Abigail..." We desire to teach you and ground you in the Word of God. I am thankful that we see a desire in you to know Jesus more and to follow Him. I love you, buddy! May God continue to grow you into a God-fearing young man!

Choices

Choosing gratitude means choosing joy. But that choice doesn't come without effort and intentionality. It's a choice that requires constantly renewing my mind with the truth of God's Word, setting my heart to savor God and His gifts, and disciplining my tongue to speak words that reflect His goodness and grace -- until a grateful spirit becomes my reflexive response to all of life.

--- Nancy Leigh DeMoss in Choosing Gratitude

I pray that in 2011, my response to discouragement be that of Dr. Wayne Grudem's:

"Honestly, I don't often become discouraged. I continue to see evidence of God's work in my life and the lives of those around me, and I am simply overwhelmed with thankfulness to Him."

Thanksgiving Reflections

Thanksgiving... one of my favorite American holidays. I love that we set aside time to think about what we are thankful for and what we thank God for! I think if we did that more often, we would have such better perspective on life.

Here are some of my "top thankful items":

• My husband - I'm thankful that Matthew is deeply in love with Jesus, His Word, and His character. I love that he champions the Truth and is bold in proclaiming it! His thoughtfulness and service to others exemplifies to us in how to love sacrificially, with the Christ's attitude of viewing others as more important than ourselves. I'm thankful that he leads our home on the basis of God's Truth and that he not only shepherds us spiritually, he also has a clear perspective in leading our family in action, thought, service... and of course in all sorts of fun :)
• My children - I'm thankful that I have 3 very distinctly different kids :) I love my Isaac's "fight" and determination in excelling in life. I am warmed by Seth's desire to seek God in service and "hugs are what keeps you alive" mentality. I am thrilled to see God develop in Abby a spirit of thoughtfulness and generosity.
• My family - I'm thankful for my parents and brothers (and family) in giving me my "background" :) I'm grateful for the characters that my parents instilled in me to work hard and to look for bargains!!! I'm thankful for for the family that God allowed me to marry into... for the spiritual heritage that came with becoming a Holbrook. I'm especially spoiled to have some family near by and for planned and impromptu cousin-times.
• My church family - I love our family at Grace! I love that we are like-minded and like-hearted and have a common goal. While we may not all take the same route to get there, I love that God has allowed unity in the midst of our diversity!
• My school family - Well, my children's school family... I love that we have the opportunity to send our children to FCS, a school that is committed to teach and train the students to love God and to work hard at shaping each child to have a Biblical world view! I love that my children are not having to constantly decipher truth from error at school and that we can build on and enforce Biblical principals that have been introduced at school on the home front.
• My God, and Lord, Jesus Christ - Who was and Is and Is to come!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! I pray that you will spend some time thinking upon the many many blessings that you've been given and be so very thankful for each one!