With My Own Eyes

There are so many things I appreciate about my daughter.  Recently, I have appreciated that as a 7th grader, she isn’t “too cool” to help the little kids with their Christmas program.  She was a good soldier and wore the star costume with a smile and grace.  In so many ways she shines.

I had visits to three separate doctors last week.  This is what I actually heard…

1. “It says here on Wikipedia…”

2. “So, does he have a uterus?”  (This one was overheard while the doctor was on the phone).

Ah, healthcare…

Seriously, though, I have been blessed to see some top-notch doctors the past few months.  I am grateful.

‘Twas unselfishness you wanted,

Asked for it in prayer,

And the sacrifice He asked for

Seemed too great for you to bear?

Ah, He cared, He heard and answered,

Answered full your prayer;

For we learn to be unselfish

By the sacrifice we bear.

(This is stanza 3 of a poem by Josephine Hope Westervelt found in the book Streams in the Desert.  I will post addition stanzas in the days to come.)

No turkey.  No stuffing.  Basketball!

Such is the way the Zauchas (at least the boys) have chosen to spend Thanksgiving the past few years.  Josh and I are big fans of the “76 Classic” college basketball tournament at the Anaheim Convention Center.  It is a good field  of teams (St. Louis, Villanova, Oklahoma, Washington St., New Mexico, Santa Clara, UC Riverside), cheap, general admission seating, and a very small crowd.

If you get there early you can sit right behind the bench.  You almost feel like you are in the huddle with the team.  It is really interesting to watch how different coaches coach. St. Louis is coached by one of my favorites, Rick Majerus.

There is a lot that is cheesy about this tournament, including its mascot Pumpy.  Josh and I love to make fun of Pumpy.

Of course the girls find their own fun.  This year it was some fancy curling iron to give Anna a new look.

Much to be thankful for.

Did you ask Him for submission?

Did you plead for it in prayer,

And such suffering great o’ertook you

That you thought He didn’t care?

Ah, my dear, He heard and answered

That true prayer with bitter tear;

For we only learn obedience

By things we suffer here.

(This is stanza 2 of a poem by Josephine Hope Westervelt found in the book Streams in the Desert.  I will post addition stanzas in the days to come.)

Did you ask the Lord for patience?

Did you plead for it in prayer,

Then tribulations great befell you,

And you thought He didn’t care?

O, my child, He heard and answered,

Answered full your prayer;

“Tribulations worketh patience,”

That’s the gem you longed to wear.

(This is stanza 1 of a poem by Josephine Hope Westervelt found in the book Streams in the Desert.  I will post addition stanzas in the days to come.)

The first trimester of seventh grade (yikes!) is in the books and we are off to a great start. I even think my kids might be starting to appreciate each other a little bit.

Yesterday was amazing.  The post about my health situation got passed around a little bit and I heard from people representing most every season of my life–even the elementary school I attended in a different state.  It really was a blessing to connect with so many different people from so many different places and so many different times in my life.  I think one lesson from this experience has been that technology has made it possible for us to positively impact the lives of more people than we realize–even those we may have primarily known in another time and another place.  This has challenged me to consider how I can be a greater source for good in this whole world of social media.

“Nevertheless, when exercised with a pure heart and a right motive, fasting may provide us with a key to unlock doors where other keys have failed; a window opening up new horizons in the unseen world; a spiritual weapon of God’s providing, ‘mighty, to the pulling down of strongholds’ (8).”

“There is concern in the hearts of many for the recovery of apostolic power.  But how can we recover apostolic power while neglecting apostolic practice?  How can we expect the power to flow if we do not prepare the channels?  Fasting is a God-appointed means for the flowing of His grace and power that we can afford to neglect no longer (25-26).”

“It will be a fasting and praying Church that will hear the thrilling cry, ‘Behold, the Bridegroom!’ Tears shall then be wiped away, and the fast be followed by the feast at the marriage supper of the Lamb (26).”

“It’s The Most Doctrinal Time of the Year” – Part 2: “The Humanity of Jesus”