Aunt Becky and Uncle Fred Birthday Presents

Thanks for the presents!!!! For those of you watching the video the skirt actually plays music from "Swan Lake" when Abby dances around :) David and the frog is priceless, too.

happy birthday abby

Our sweet daughter Abigail turns five today! She is the special joy of our life and is growing up (fast) into a wonderful girl. Happy birthday Abby, and we pray for God’s fullest blessings in every part of who you are growing up to be.

what does it mean to love without hypocrisy?

What does it mean to love without hypocrisy?

(click on the pic to make it bigger...)

We are here in Boston, have a house, a neighborhood and even now a new office building for our ministry. But I am still trying to find my place – my location on the map of this organization. I think I need to rediscover a little more of what it means to love.

Obedience alone is not enough. Following the call out of trust even isn’t enough. Staying the call out of perseverance is not the way. Love is what is required. With all my heart, all my mind, and all my soul.

I can’t make a love like this, but I can posture my heart and life to receive it and be a conduit. I can receive the graceful love of my heavenly Father, every day learning a little more what it looks like to be a true son. I can extend loving ways and behaviors to those around me – assume and presume less, withhold judgments, and truly believe the best. ‘There is no victory without hearts of purity.’

People are ultimately the best objects of love. We can love things, ideas, callings/vocations/jobs, places, etc. But that love will always really be one-sided. When you love people, that love takes on life, sows seeds, breaks chains, changes the world.

Let love be without hypocrisy.

I don't want to be an actress

The other night as we were putting Abby and David to sleep, Abby was just being so loud and dramatic. She was singing at the top of her lungs, dancing, jumping, and making HUGE body gestures. She was being so crazy, I almost couldn't take it anymore :)

I said to her, "Abby, you are totally going to be an actress when you grow up." She looked at me and said, " Well, Mom, I don't want to act like anything - I just want to be what God made me to be."

Oh...the wisdom from the faith of a child. For some reason, all of her craziness didn't seem to bother me anymore because that's who Abby is...A beautiful creation from a loving God.