We had high expectations since we had seen Rashmi’s previous photography. But even with such high expecations, we knew that it was truly special the instant we saw it. Yet like most great things, it gets better with time. Much, much better.
I’m referring to the picture that serves figuratively as our family’s current theme and literally as the background image for this website.
We have the same picture on 20″x30″ canvas hanging above the fire place in our living room. Every now and then, I sit on the sofa to look at that picture. I love staring at that picture! God has a tendency to reassure, move and speak to me through it. I’m sure that God spoke to me while I was looking at it a few days ago; “Neither you nor Lana could actually see that picture when Rashmi took it. But I saw it. Isn’t it amazing?”
…
How many times do I stroll through life and think I see what’s going on around me yet come to realize that I am way off? How often am I so sure that something is the way I think it is, the way I see it or the way I imagine it? How many times am I dead wrong?
Something bigger and better is going on in us, through us and all around us. Yet I am too blind to see most of it. Lord, give me eyes to see not just a beautiful picture but also the wonder and beauty of your whole creation surrounding me.
Heavenly Father, please help me to see as You see! (Psalm 146:8, Isaiah 42:16)
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Dave’s parents came for a visit and we had quite a feast! I fixed sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, creamed peas, mushrooms and onions, homemade cranberry sauce, Southern cornbread dressing, and yeast rolls. My mother-in-law cooked the turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, stuffing and chocolate pie. My father-in-law made a pumpkin pie. The good thing is that we will have leftovers for the rest of the weekend!
Today we did a little shopping. My friend Karen is making a castle cake for Lauren’s Princess birthday party and I found a carriage with Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella figurines at the Disney Store. Lauren will LOVE it! She asked for a teddy bear from Carmen and my mother-in-law found one from the James Fund. (The James Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the needs of orphans and widows around the world.)
Last weekend we had the honor of having Dave’s grandmother for a visit. Dave’s dad drove down with her and we had a wonderful time. We got some nice pictures of the girls with their great-grandmother.
Today is my birthday. My friend Karen had a lunch at her house with a few mom friends and kids. Karen fixed yummy chocolate-cherry cake. Thanks Karen! Lauren and Carmen both had a nice time. Carmen gets tired out when we go places and took a little nap on my shoulder. She is such a cuddly baby! Lauren played with her friends and only came to find me to ask for a second piece of cake!
Tonight Dave got my favorite- Indian food! Carmen and Lauren gave me hand lotion and a nail kit. Dave gave me Red Letters by Tom Davis (author of Fields of the Fatherless). This looks to be my kind of book. The introduction starts with an apology. Tom writes, “The Christian church owes an apology to the almost fifty million individuals in our world currently infected with HIV/AIDS. Those of us who claim to follow Christ’s teaching should be ashamed for what little we’ve done to help the countless millions of women, children and orphans who have died or are dying.” Dave and I certainly aren’t doing enough to help the plight of so many in Africa. We sponsor a little girl in Malawi thru World Vision. I am looking for ways to do much more.
Since today is my birthday, I’ve been thinking about the past year. This was definitely one of the most exciting and the most heartbreaking years I’ve had. In one year we brought Carmen home, found out Carmen has Tay Sachs, AB Variant and sold our house at a huge loss and moved into a rental. It was a hard year and I don’t even remember the person I was a year ago. It makes me cry to think that as hard as this year was, a harder year is coming when Carmen loses her battle against this disease. I try not to dwell on the fact that Carmen is dying. There is ALWAYS room for a miracle! I want to enjoy each day with Carmen and Lauren. It has only been 4 months since we found out something was very wrong but seems like a lifetime.
As I write this journal, I am watching the CMA (County Music) awards. I do love country music! Kellie Pickler made me cry!
Comments (0) 
