a good word

Yesterday was the first day of a new year according to the Church calendar, which begins on the first Sunday of Advent. Although there was no late night champagne or fireworks, it did feel very much like the beginning of a new year for me. The following words are from a song called "Benediction" by Maeve, and I think they work well as a new year's blessing:

May the Lord bless you and keep you
May he shine a light upon your face
May you feel the heat of his glory in your bones
May you know his kindness and his grace

May his love define your ways of living
May you see his face among your friends
May you live your story empowered by his love
May you be comfortable walking in your skin

May you find your worth from your Maker
and live in freedom all your days
May you grow in the sense of who you really are
May his light show you the way

May you know that you have the power
to add beauty and grace into this world
May you discover all your gifts and give them generously
May you listen for God's every word.

I pray these words for you today, and ask that you would do the same for me. Happy New Year!

they said it: thanksgiving

Dexter: It's Thanksgiving! We should say thank you.

Jon: That's right Dexter -- who do we say thank you to?

Dexter: I don't know... Grandma Boonstra or somebody.

----

Jon told the boys that if they stood still, smiled, and looked at the camera for a good picture then they could throw a snowball at him. It worked!



In fact, it worked so well that I tried to snap a bunch of pictures while I had them. There were, however, diminishing returns over time.



Can we throw a snowball now please?!

[click to enlarge the picture and check out Dexter's face]

cold shots

thankful

for old magazines and glue sticks that keep hands and minds busy



for serious faces



for sharing chairs



for my budding photographer

psalm 131

My heart is not proud, LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;

I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.

But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.

Israel, put your hope in the LORD
both now and forevermore.