10,000 Reasons

We are hunkered down for the day. Our North Country sky, which usually boasts bright sun at this time of year, is gray and overcast for multiple days in a row now. The wind is howling so that the much warmer than average temperature we are experiencing is almost nullified by its biting chill.

Bronwyn is on day 6 of feeling rather sick. What began on Saturday with a high fever and throwing up has turned into a full-fledged tonsil infection. She is pale, quiet, and tired. We do our best to cheer her with favorite movies, wii competitions, Edy's popsicles, books, gifts from a friend and an aunt, and lots of candles, while encouraging lots of fluids and rest and vitamins and probiotics. I am hopeful that the worst is behind us, but she seems to have a good road to full recovery ahead of her yet.

Of course, having one of my students missing school has meant that we've all adjusted our schooling slightly. The boys plug away at math, handwriting, and reading, but we are foregoing most history and science until all our members are once again fully able to participate . Things like reading The Best Christmas Pageant Ever aloud together, listening to Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, and baking lots of holiday cookies (the tally is well over 35 dozen at this point-- but don't worry, we've given most of them away!) take the place of normal school activities.

It is so good to be home. I am so thankful to spend each day with these beautiful five people that I call my own. There is no place I'd rather be.

I have to say, I always love this place I call home. I love the security and family and love and commitment and Christ that is in it. I love the uneven wood floors, the old doors, the big windows. I even love the noisy heat ducts and ongoing projects and toys on the floor.

I love that it is a refuge. I am thankful for God's design for us, to give us a place where we can laugh and cry and share and mess up and repent and grow and be. It's not about the house itself or the way it looks, but how we conduct ourselves in it and how He pours Himself out right here in our daily lives.

I'm often undone by how good God is to us, how thoughtful He is in His plan for our lives. Lately, I tear up regularly and at times downright cry about how above and beyond He goes for us. I don't always stop to consider His kindness the way I should; I am sure even now of how far short I fall in my attempts to consider and comprehend His love for me.

I want to try, though.

Each and every single day, I want to try to see a bit more.

I want to wake up each morning eager to better understand His heart toward us.

You're rich in love and You're slow to anger
Your name is great and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find
- matt redman