Let It Out

• Two weekends ago, Micaiah, my mom, and I came down with the Norovirus. It was yucky! 
• Then, we had to rush and do taxes before the deadline. 
• Also, we potty-trained Micaiah a week ago. For two days, we were disappointed, thinking the 4-hour training method we used did not work on him (but it worked great for Aolani). Then, he self-initiated going to the potty and urinating two days after the training... He has not had an accident at home since! He is so cute and big and proud of his new skill :) This explains the undies-without-britches look in the pictures below ;)
• We also got an iPhone upon discovering the SAR shield, which dissipates cell phone radiation (the reason we never got a smartphone).
• Further, the radiator in our van broke and had our car overheating. So, we had to get a new radiator, too.
• This was our first Easter weekend at home and not with family. So, we got to go to our church on Resurrection Day, and then we had dinner with a dear family from our church. The weather was perfect, which was nice. My wheelchair had some wheel trouble that day, but the problem is resolved!
• Aolani invented this song one morning: cream of wheat, cream of wheat, come back later so we can eat :)

• Verse passage to memorize over the next few weeks: 1 Timothy 1:15-7 ~ Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Secure

My time to write again yesterday disappeared :) I'll try next Sabbath. Here is such a strong quote to relish:

"They say that the most hilarious line in the Bible is Pilate speaking about Jesus’ tomb: “Go, make it as secure as you can.“

Good luck with that.

Because the thing is:

We now get to live secure through family messes and wearying trials and bloody places because nothing could secure that tomb.

We can live secure through anything now because nothing could secure that tomb."

~Ann Voskamp

Pump It Up

• This week is crammed full... no time to write. Here are some pictures we uncovered from my birthday last week:

• Verse passage to memorize over the next few weeks: 1 Timothy 1:15-7 ~ Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

And Be Thankful

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

~ Colossians 3:15-7 

Three verses in a row.

Be thankful.

With gratitude.

Giving thanks.

Is Paul trying to give us a hint or what?!

Receive Christ's peace? Be thankful. Helping others? Sing to God with gratitude. Doing anything? Give thanks to God. Thankfulness is that dire!

I wonder -- if Paul concludes each sentence here with gratefulness, then is that his way of telling us how we are to conclude every gift received, every word spoken, every single thing we do?

I think that there is a lot more insight to be gleaned from these thankfulness directives (is Paul building upon the previous one? each one seems to be specifically paired with the main exhortation of the verse...).

Other verses cover giving thanks in everything (1 Thess. 5:18), for everything (Eph. 5:20), and I think these ones really might be pointing us to giving thanks through everything.

May our actions and words be filled with gratefulness,

On the Move

• The past week was busy -- my friend, Teresa, left over the weekend (but we have lots of good memories thankfully); Ricky's parents visited and we had a brunch with our Romanian friends, so they could finally meet; and, my mom returned on my birthday this past week (we celebrated with a coffee cake, the card game Bohnanza, and Studio C's new season).
• Micaiah woke up vomiting :( He took two naps today and seems to be in good spirits despite an upset tummy.
• Aolani says so many hysterical things, and I just cannot get them down -- ugh :( Here's the only one I remember: After feeling Ricky's hair, she informs me, "Daddy's hair is like sprinkles!"

Caps for Sale

Spaghetti

• Verse passage to memorize over the next few weeks: 1 Timothy 1:15-7 ~ Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Threads of Genius

This is hardly a pondering...

Here is a short comedy film that we recently remembered, found, and uploaded that Ricky and other guys on his college-dorm hall made in 2004. Starring: Ricky DiMartino. Enjoy (and laugh) :)

Beauty and Eternity

• Another week to give thanks for: a tea party at a friend's house (Superwoman took me by herself while Ricky was at work -- that is tough!), hosting groups of friends two nights in a row, and warm, sunny, breezy springtime weather is here :)
• About 10 days ago, Ricky's grandfather passed away from a tumor around his aorta. His health deteriorated just a month prior, so it was fairly quick. Anyway, we believe he is with Jesus now, but losing a loved one is still sad to us (hence, my silence last week -- we were still processing).
• Here is my monthly updated health improvement spreadsheet.
• Micaiah's mishaps: After we finish reading The Stinky Cheese Man earlier that morning, he declares of his drawing, "Cheese bird!"
• Aolani's antics: "If we put on Micaiah's jacket and zip it all the way up, he will look like a court reporter just like Daddy!"

• I'm going to add some verses to my repertoire that I already know but do not have their reference memorized and therefore do not routinely quote: 

1. 2 Kings 19:30 ~ The surviving remnant of the house of Judah will again take root downward and bear fruit upward.
2. Proverbs 14:1 ~ The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
3. Proverbs 15:1 ~ A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
4. Ecclesiastes 3:11 ~ He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
5. Ecclesiastes 5:18 ~ It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life.