A vision of the world

Friday May 17, 2013

Spring gives one a new vision of things, doesn't it?

I love that about spring. A new vision of the world...stayed tuned for today's quote.

I'm linking up with Susanne of Living to Tell the Story for Friday's Fave Five today, where we recount our blessings of the week.
My favorites this week:

1. The countdown. Yes, this has to be #1. One more day of classes, then exams. Summer is on its way.

2. Teaching. I know it sounds odd; in one breath, I’m happy summer is here, in another I’m thankful for teaching. As I watch seniors get ready to graduate and try their wings, I’m grateful to have had a small part in their lives. I spoke to upcoming sophomores this week about their summer reading, and the anticipation on their faces piqued mine. And just last night, I heard from a former student who took a bumpy road in high school, but is being so used by God now. (You can read her wonderful testimony here.) Yes, indeed, I’m thankful for my day job.

3. Adoption. My daughter-in-law wrote a beautiful post this past week, and I quoted some of it here. Her heart for their daughter who’s waiting in India is so full. Watching her and my son live out God’s call on their lives is such a blessing.

4. Video. We took tons when the boys were growing up. We’re working on a video for our son’s rehearsal dinner, as we did for the eldest, and it is SO much fun to look back and reminisce. What fun, crazy days those were!

5. A quote:

"Young lovers see a vision of the world redeemed by love. That is the truest thing they ever see, for without it life is death.” (W. Berry)

A vision of the world redeemed by love – that’s what I want to carry with me. When times are hard, the road is bumpy, if we can remember that this life is redeemed by love…well, that’s hope.

Wishing you the truest thing this week,


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An Open Window

Friday May 3, 2013

I just love open windows.

They make me think of...stay tuned (to Fave #5) for why I love that image so.

I’m linking up with Susanne of Living to Tell the Story for Friday’s Fave Five today.

Come along with us and post five blessings from your week!

My favorites this week:

1. Anticipation. There’s lots of good stuff going on this summer, and I’m excited about it. For one, a wedding! Andrew (my third son) and his sweet fiancé are getting married in June and it promises to be a great family time. And I’ll have some news later this month about a novel… And I’m going to a writers conference in early June and am gearing up for that. Oh, there are about eleven days left of school, not counting exams!

2. Charles Dickens. I do love Dickens’s work, and the aforementioned son gave me a book for Christmas that he picked up at a unique bookstore in New York. I started it a week or so ago and I’m enjoying reading about the author’s life and times. (Yes, I know…I’m such an English teacher!)

3. College boy on his way home! He’ll be home this week, and I can’t wait. I need to do some serious grocery shopping and meal planning this weekend.

4. Boy pics. I love getting pictures on my phone of grandson Aiden. This week, my son, Jonathan, and Aiden were at Tractor Supply and Aiden was walking in front of his dad. My son looked down and when he looked up again, this is what he saw.

Ah, the spontaneity of childhood! What a boy.

And a bonus here…you may have read here that Jonathan and Kristen have been approved to adopt from India, and it’s not an inexpensive process. But the Lord is providing, step by step, and they’ve just acquired enough to go ahead with their home study—another milestone in the journey. You can read about their precious family and their adoption journey here. 

5. A quote:

“I have always loved a window, especially an open one.” (Wendell Berry)

Why do I love the image of an open window? To me, the word “hope” spring to mind. An open window signifies freedom, escape, newness, anticipation, the future. I love it!

Wishing you open windows this week,


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