The boys are napping. They are also feeling almost 100% better! Thank you for your prayers, all. We are grateful. Amazing how much happier life is when sicknesses are past. Sayler, we hope you're better very soon!
On Saturday Scott worked all day so, feeling sorry for us loners, I packed up a picnic and took the boys on an adventure (if I am stir-crazy and desperate to get out of the house, I'll tell Ranne to grab-up his adventure hat and climb in the car). We had a wonderful time in super warm weather, eating ice cream, and walking our legs off. Ranne is amazing. As soon as he saw downtown and his Uncle Brendan's workplace, he knew we were headed for the zoo. I was trying to keep it a secret until we got there.
Toby quickly adjusted to the routine. When the stroller stopped at an exhibit, he would either stand in the seat to see, or climb out and stretch his legs. Ranne is showing off his favorite animal habitat, the Sea Lion tank. 
One animal picture was all I took, other than of a duck. Here are my two little guys feasting on grapes. 
This picture makes me proud. There is a large play set at the zoo for children to scramble in. It was infested with kids! Yikes. Even so, Ranne went in alone, made friends, was patient, forgave elbows and feet and knees jabbing at his person. He did great. It's nice that it's mesh too, so the sun can bake all the grodies off from sick kiddos.
Yesterday, Monday, Scott stayed home since he worked Saturday and Sunday (preaching in Bosque Farms for the latter). The women the CSC helped move on Saturday donated $400 for their help, which was awesome. The church in Bosque Farms reacted to Scott's visit very favorably. They are interested in possibly contributing again to the Center as well as just give a lot of GREAT encouragement to Scott for his teaching and his work. Praise God for that.
Scott's stay at home yesterday was wonderful. We accomplished many things. I am slightly embarrassed to say, the best of all was finally purchasing and installing a new toilet seat for our main bath. Stupid how that can be such a relief. He also did major damage, help, to the Junipers on our back patio. Ranne received a birthday package from Grandma and Grandpa Free that he's enjoyed all day today. We will put them to MUCH use.
No, Toby's attire is not of great taste. But, he is a cute little man if you look beyond the unsnapped onesie, no pants, stocking cap look.
Today, I have shopped for a house with empty cupboards, cleaned the wood floors, made cookies, picked up junk, worked with Ranne on his alphabet and planned dinner with ingredients on hand. Seems fairly productive. The boys played most of the day alone, and well. Ranne knows he can't be ugly to Toby, but is whining about his brother not sharing (giving him whatever he wants). That's been the ONLY distraction. WONDERFUL. I like the following picture of Ranne. He's always watching and dreaming.
Lately I have had some pretty fun thoughts on Micah 7 inspired by a question from a friend. Read the chapter and tell me what you think. My mind rolled on her question of forgiveness and anger as she studied a verse in this chapter for a study we are going through. The study talks about the qualities of Love, one being that it is not quick to anger, referencing the end of Micah 7. I don't think the reference applied at all to the study, BUT good contemplations came from reading it. I thought to write my opinion on here, but that would be preachy and perhaps not appropriate for some of my gentleman readers. Hehe. I can email them to you, but only if you first tell me what you think. ;-)
Saturday the Prayer Circle with the Student Center ladies has been worked into a hike in the foothills. That is encouraging since I didn't initiate it at all this time. One of the laides emailed me with news that one of her prayer requests from last month was answered in a very big way. This is EXCITING!!!!! Praise God.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Monkeys and Micah
The Free Tree Tuesday, March 4, 2008
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3 Responses:
It is so exciting to see the kids feeling so much better. I really enjoyed Ranne's little excited voice on the phone the other day. I am so proud of you all.
You asked about our take on Micah 7. Here is mine. Be careful what you ask for, huh?
God indeed pledged an oath to the fathers that a blessing of salvation will come through the lineage of Abraham. He was, of course, just in His anger against His people because they prostituted themselves against Him. Yet, because of His promise and His undeniable providential abilities weaving through the scores of human lives His great Godly plan to bring salvation to mankind, He enabled His ability to again, forgive and restore.
We too can forgive yet unlike our God, we can not forget. We are instructed to forgive just as our God forgives. Yes, seventy times seven if it is repented of by the offender. The hard part for us is to learn to trust and alas, trust is based on our ability to forgive a repented sin to a large degree. We tend to believe at times that trust is a condition based on the other persons behavior. However, that is more of a carnal way of thinking and not necessarily a spiritual decision. It is easier to trust our eternal God than it is to trust each other. Even Paul had problems with forgiveness and trust as he argued with the apostle Barnabas (yes, he was an apostle....just not part of the special twelve) about taking John Mark on a mission or not. John Mark disappointed him and Paul either did not trust him (more likely the case) to maintain the faith or he was giving John Mark a consequence. However, Barnabas showed a greater form of forgiveness and trust and took John Mark with him instead on their own mission of encouraging the brethren. Thusly giving John Mark another opportunity to prove his repentance.
To show trust is an exercise, a result of your forgiveness.
Another thing I get out of Micah 7 is to never ridicule those who are down and out either by their own bad decisions or by God's divine discipline. We are not to even ridicule and gloat over our enemies.....including Satan. Giving praise for victory over our enemies of God is acceptable but never gloat over their demise. It is a matter of respecting all whom God has created. Whether they turn evil or not. Jude 8-10 reminds us, "Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves." Paul is not gloating over these evil men he was talking about but was just describing their bad behavior and warns of their destiny if they do not change.
The same problem arose within the ranks of the Israelites as one tribe rejoiced in the demise of another because God had so severely punished them. God turned on the revilers as well. Our purest example of this attitude is, of course, Jesus Christ as He was hung on that cruel cross. Not once did he revile anyone. Yes, He will judge someday and it will be terrible judgment for an enumerable amount of people, but until then, He holds out His divine hands and invites all to come to Him.
Because god loves us so much, He is willing to discipline us if necessary (Heb 12:1-13) and when we continue to repent and trust Him in all matters of our life, He will never disappoint us and will deliver us when our day of judgment comes.
That is what I get out of Micah 7.
I adored that picture of Toby in the red cap. I also adored the Ranne pic - dreaming while looking out the window.
Good job on the junipers, toilet seat, and zoo trip!
How great to hear that a Boxque Farms church would possibly be interested in contributing again!
I'm also quite pleased to hear about the greatly improved health of those two boys!
I appreciated your dad's thoughts on Micah 7 (and his comment on Sayler's Paige!! How sweet!)!
Does it get old for me to continually thank you for blogging? Thanks! ;)
Ohhhhhhhhhh, Amanda!! Your blogs of late have been such a joy! I am right with you on the fearfulness of croup, both of our children having experienced it numerous times before age 4. Breathing treatments, steroids, etc. At one point we had to sign a waver at the clinic that since we declined an ambulance ride to the hospital (financial reasons), if Justus suffocated in our car on the way there, the clinic wasn't responsible for his death. UGGH. I am extremely relieved, with you, that you guys are back to well.
I absorb every word and every picture; since it is all I can have of you at this time, I wring out of every post all that I can. :) Your dad's precious responses are, to this observer, a significant addition to the view, so to speak. Amen!
I'll glance at Micah 7. Exciting! My new Minor Prophet favorite is Joel; what great fulfillment is found in discovering and re-discovering beauty, promises, chastisement, and comfort in the pages of God's book.
I echo ((echo)) Sydni's sentiments expressing great appreciation for the effort you invest in blogging. I often let my mind imagine what life would be like if I lived so far away from my family a century ago ... and/or even just a few decades ago, even. Then, I thank God for the technological advancements which allow us to share one another's lives even with ssso many miles between us. Love, sf
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