With My Own Eyes

Reading through the Bible in a year is a great thing.  Doing it with a bunch of friends is even better.  What if we embarked on a journey through God’s Word together in 2012 and shared regularly what we are learning and how we are growing?  If you would be interested in doing this, respond to me by comment, email, or Facebook personal message.  I will be following a plan that includes daily reading in the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs.  You can follow this plan at the One Year Online Bible.  Another helpful site that follows the same schedule is The Daily Audio Bible.  I really believe there is a lot we can learn from each other.  Plus, we have the opportunity to encourage one another along the way.  I look forward to journeying with you.

Zac gave me this sweet T-Shirt this week.  Do you remember?

“Did you ask the Lord for victory,

Plead for it in prayer,

And life’s battle surged around you,

Hid His face so fair?

Ah, my child, He heard and answered,

Answered your own prayer;

For we learn to be victorious,

By the daily cross we bear.”

(This is stanza 4 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.)

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.