Resurrection Cookies

Last year our local newspaper printed the following recipe for Resurrection cookies (yes, it's a small town and yes, we love that very much!).

The kids and I made them Saturday night so they were ready Easter morning. It was great to have such a practical visual to share the story of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection.

It is important to follow the recipe carefully and make sure you read all of the Scriptures together. It makes for a rich and meaningful time of reflection and appreciation.

For this recipe you will need:

1 c. whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 c. sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
The Bible

Preheat Oven to 300 degrees (this is important - don't wait till you're halfway done with the recipe!).

Place pecans in zipper baggie. Let children beat them with the wooden spoon so they break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested he was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Pour into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.

Add sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us, He wants us to know that and He wants us to love Him as well. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts and drop by teaspoons onto a wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Sunday morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On Resurrection morning, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

Core Lies

Just want to invite you to visit Sarah May at Like a Warm Cup of Coffee and join her fabulous study on Core Lies. She's been working on it for a few weeks now, but I encourage you to go back to the beginning (the button above will take you there). Start journaling and take your time getting through it (some of us have more than a few empty notebooks lying around waiting to be filled, wink!). It is good, it is valuable, it is freeing. And most definitely worth the investment.

Quote of the Week and Stuff

It's been a tough week here on many fronts and for sanity's sake, I had to take a complete break from the cyber world. I'm playing a little bit of catch up this evening and look forward to visiting more in the next couple of days.

In the meantime, here's my "Quote of the Week":

Our Saviour kneels down and gazes upon the darkest acts of our lives. But rather than recoil in horror, he reaches out in kindness and says, 'I can clean that if you want.' And from the basin of his grace, he scoops a palm full of mercy and washes our sin.

Max Lucado

While I was away, I was graciously and lovingly bestowed an award by two of my favorite blogging-friends. If you haven't met these lovelies yet, do visit Heidi Pocketbook at Bargain Hunting in the Corn and Becky at Holiday in the Sun. Thanks, Ladies. What a welcome back into blogging world! God knew I needed a little lift!

If The Shoe Fits is an award for those enthusiastic people who just bubble over!! I'd like to share it with my incredible sister-in-law Beth at It Is What It Is , my dear friend Liz at A Day in the Life of Liz, and my new bloggy friend, Isabel, whose life I can relate to in so many ways, at Thrills, Frills and Drills of Motherhood. Amazing Fiona at FeeBeeKay, who has a true-blue heart and the (6th!) most beautiful baby on the planet, also deserves the award but has already been granted it twice, otherwise, I'd share it with her too!

When I finally got out of the house today, this is the song that came on the radio. It was just what I needed:

I look forward to sharing what God has been doing in my heart and life, knowing full well that He only puts us through the fire so that we come out more refined and closer to His image than we were when we went in.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2&3

Testimony Friday

Sometimes someone else has already said it far better than I ever could. For me, that is true in the case of this song. It's an oldie, but a goodie!

Through the trials, the doubts, and the fear. Through the joys, the blessings, and the victories. No matter what state I've been in, HE has been faithful.

In my moments of fear

Through every pain, every tear

There's a God who's been faithful to me

When my strength was all gone

When my heart had no song

Still in love He's proved faithful to me

Every word He's promised is true

What I thought was impossible

I've seen my God do

He's been faithful, faithful to me

Looking back, His love and mercy I see

Though in my heart I have questioned

Even failed to believe

Yet He's been faithful, faithful to me

When my heart looked away

The many times I could not pray

Still my God, He was faithful to me

The days I spent so selfishly

Reaching out for what pleased me

Even then God was faithful to me

Every time I come back to Him

He is waiting with open arms

And I see once again

He's been faithful, faithful to me

Looking back, His love and mercy I see

Although in my heart I have questioned

Even failed to believe

Yet He's been faithful, faithful to me

Hold the Calls Please

I loathe the telephone. Okay, maybe loathe is too strong a word...but then again, maybe not. I don't consider the phone a modern convenience; I see it as an intrusion into my daily life. These feelings are more likely related to my current situation, as opposed to actual animosity towards an inanimate object.

As the mother of five children under the age of seven, three of whom are still in diapers, sometimes it's just too hard to pick up before the answering machine does. Sometimes it's too loud and I can't hear the phone. Sometimes I just can't seem to find the phone. And sometimes, the thought of talking to another person is just entirely too overwhelming, so I simply choose to ignore the phone! Perhaps it's because I know I won't possibly be able to get through a conversation without being interrupted a thousand times. But whatever the reason, I long ago concluded that the phone is not my friend!

Now that I've revealed my secret, I have probably alienated half of my friends! But if it is any consolation, I do not have caller id (why would I pay for extra services on a device I don't use much?!), so I am not a respecter of any particular persons. My own husband even has to go through the screening process!

Our answering machine message used to sound something like this: "Hi, you've reached the Somma's. Please leave a message. Thanks." Notice it did not promise a call back. That was not an innocent oversight, it was entirely purposeful.

Several months ago, one of the kids inadvertently deleted that tried and true greeting, so Steve recorded a new one: "Hi, you've reached the Somma's please leave a message and we'll get back to you." When I heard it I panicked!

"Honey, please don't promise we'll call people back. It's just not honest. I can't possibly call everyone back who leaves a message. I have five children at home by myself for fourteen hours a day. I don't have time to call people back, sometimes I just don't want to call people back. Please, please, please don't tell callers I'll get back to them!" I was practically in hysterics trying to make him understand.

So my ever patient and obliging husband walked over to the machine and proceeded to record the following message:

"Hi, you've reached the Somma's. We can't come to the phone right now. We're probably changing diapers, feeding a baby, doing laundry, doing dishes, vacuuming, reading a story, or playing a game. We're probably here though. We just can't get to your call. So if you want to leave a message, please go ahead (chuckle), but you might just want to try again."

He looked at me triumphantly and said, "There, now that's honest!"

That has been our message for the past few months. Those who are most familiar with our life are usually laughing by the time they get to actually leaving their name and reason for calling. I'm sure others are completely annoyed and offended. One thing I do know: those who choose to wait through the whole thing and actually leave a message really want to talk to us!

One of the kids was touching the machine again the other day, and our "honest" message was deleted. We have yet to record a new one. I'm thinking the standard electronic greeting might suit us best for the time being.

Now rather than feeling like they're not being given priority, our callers will simply wonder if they've reached the right house!

Dirty Wash

A friend emailed this little story to me yesterday. It depicts what God has been revealing about my own heart this past week, although I've been struggling to put it into words...

A young couple moves into a new neighborhood. The next morning while they are eating breakfast, the young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside.

'That laundry is not very clean," she said. "She doesn't know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap." Her husband looked on, but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, the young woman would make the same comments. A month or so later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband: "Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this?"

Her husband said, "I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows."

...And so it is with life. What we see when watching others, depends on the purity of the window through which we look.

He Knows What We Need

I ASKED, HE GAVE

I asked for Strength...And God gave me Difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for Wisdom...And God gave me Problems to solve.

I asked for Prosperity...And God gave me a Brain and Brawn to work.

I asked for Courage...And God gave me Danger to overcome.

I asked for Love...And God gave me Troubled people to help.

I asked for Favors...And God gave me Opportunities.

I received nothing I wanted. I received everything I needed.

Author Unknown

25 Things

I have nothing noteworthy to add to my blog today, so thought I'd share a recent list of 25 interesting (maybe) things you might not know about me. And although I've tweaked it a little, for those of you who've already seen this in our Facebook world, my apologies...

1. When I was 17, I proclaimed that I'd move to the East Coast one day. When I was 24, I actually did.
2. The town I grew up in was smaller than my husband's high school.
3. My favorite ice cream flavor is bubble gum. Without the gumballs.
4. I watched the Twin Towers burn from my office window and should have lost my husband that day. But God.
5. I have two "sets" of kids who are less than thirteen months apart and I’ve been pregnant or nursing for all but 5 months of the last seven years. My husband once told me he wanted enough kids for a hockey team. I didn't believe him. I should have.
6. I was a nanny and my memories with those children are among the highlights of my life.
7. I feel like a new person since I stopped eating gluten.
8. I've met Mr. T and Lyle Lovett (and have the pictures to prove it).
9. I've been to Disney World twice while pregnant. With different children.
10. I'm a homeschooling mom and it challenges me to get outside of myself every day.
11. I would love to live in New England. One of my favorite places is Cape Cod.
12. I now live on the island I used to vacation on as a kid, and am thankful it has bridge access rather than having to depend on a ferry.
13. Watching my kids interact with each other is one of my favorite pastimes.
14. While on a missions trip to Egypt, I floated the Nile and rode a camel in the Sahara Desert.
15. In a symbolic expression of joining our two worlds, my husband proposed to me on the Staten Island ferry in front of the Statue of Liberty.
16. I don’t have tv, x-box, wii or an ipod and I’m doing just fine.
17. I have discovered I actually enjoy blogging.
18. My ideal wedding spot would have been Hawaii…my husband has promised that someday we’ll renew our vows there.
19. I was diagnosed with ADHD three years ago. I am not taking medication for it, and consider it more an exercise in discipline than a disease.
20. I used to work for the 2nd largest food manufacturer in the world and got to taste-test new products before they went to market. You might have some of those items in your pantry right now.
21. I usually have to read myself to sleep.
22. My 21 month old daughter has ridden in a helicopter, but I never have.
23. My husband thinks I became Italian when he married me. I'm not, but I have learned to make a mean Eggplant Parmesan and my Chicken Piccata isn't bad either (Aren't you proud of me, Liz?).
24. I care too much about what people think. My heart's desire is to be more concerned with the approval of God than the approval of man.
25. I know God is real, His Son paid the price for my sin and He loves me. No doubts.

Random Thoughts

A few random Monday morning thoughts...

In keeping with the challenge and revolution, I've decided to pick one thing off the obedience checklist to focus on this week. Of course, I would love for my husband to come to me after a few days and tell me he's noticing a change in my heart and attitude towards him. But even if he doesn't, I am committed to pressing on. After all, this isn't about what God wants to do in my husband, it's about what God wants to do in me.

So, this week, I am choosing "do I seek to affirm him?". I know what I love and appreciate about my husband, but does he know what those things are? This week I am going to make sure he does.

And if you're wanting to join the challenge, it's not too late. Leave a comment and I'll pray for you. This is not going to happen in our own strength. If there's one thing I have learned about marriage, it is that Satan does not want it to succeed. We need prayer and total dependence on the Lord.

Lois over at Walking on Sunshine is spending the week sharing a devotional on the Proverbs 31 woman. It's worth checking out.

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On another note, I was lamenting the change in government last week. Our President has entered office with a seeming determination to "turn the world upside down." He has already made great strides to overturn policies on values I hold dear. This can make me almost fearful.

But I am taking great comfort in Proverbs 21:1, which was, incidentally (or not), the opening verse of the Proverb for January 21st, one day after the inauguration. "The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes."

Nothing is out of God's hands.

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Now on to lighter things.

Yesterday Aiden was taking inventory of our family: "There are two boy kids and three girl kids."

In a great homeschooling mom moment, I decided to capitalize on his analysis and make it a math lesson. "How many kids do we have all together, Aiden?"

"A lot."

Out of the mouths of babes...

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And finally. Just what is it about little girls and their mother's (best) lipstick?

Have a great day!

The Faith Hall of Fame

I read Hebrews 11 in a new light this week.

It's easy to read the Bible and the stories of the heroes of our faith and think there was something supernatural about them. To put them on a level somewhere above human. The truth is, they were carnal, sinful, imperfect people just like me. But they had faith. They trusted God's character in spite of the circumstances. And they were rewarded.

There is no reason why it cannot be the same for me. Except that I get in the way.

By Faith We Understand

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Faith at the Dawn of History

4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Faithful Abraham

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

The Heavenly Hope

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

The Faith of the Patriarchs

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” 19 concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

The Faith of Moses

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command. 24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.

By Faith They Overcame

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. 32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

Hebrews 11

Sinless?

We subscribe to a monthly publication called God's World News: Early Edition for the kids. It's full of current events articles tailored to their ages and understanding. It has been a great way for us to introduce them to what's happening in the world around them from a Biblical perspective.

I finally sat down to look through the January issue today. I was startled by what I read in the editor's note to parents on the first page:

Most British schoolchildren carry a copy of the Oxford Junior Dictionary to use in their public school classrooms. Now the latest edition of that work has dropped hundreds of words linked to Christianity, the monarchy, British history, and nature.

Coronation, decade, duchess, duke, emperor, empire, and monarch have been erased. The publishers also believe the children's lexicon has little use for words like beaver, cheetah, goldfish, lobster, oyster, panther and spaniel.

The Oxford University Press says that a dictionary should "evolve to reflect that fact that Britain is a modern, multicultural, multi-faith society." So abbey, bishop, chapel, devil, disciple, monk, nun, psalm, saint and sin have also been removed.

Words like analog, blog, celebrity, chatroom and voicemail are now included in the dictionary instead.

Oxford University Press, with the help of lexicographers and teachers, analyzed millions of words. They looked at children's books to see how frequently words were used, before making a decision on an addition or deletion.

....The story underscores the importance of what you do as you teach your children to look at everything through the lens of God's word. (emphasis mine)

Is it just me, or is this alarming?

I am shocked that the authors of a British dictionary would not find it relevant to provide a definition for the word monarch. Why is it unimportant to define a decade? And can you hear it: "Mommy, what is that little orange thing swimming in the bowl called?" "Well, I don't know dear, there's no longer definition for it."

And of course I am most disturbed, but sadly find it less surprising, that the words devil and SIN have also been deemed unnecessary. As if, by omitting the words, the truth can also be denied.

This is how subtle and crafty our culture has become in an effort to wipe out truth. I mean really, just how many parents do you think are perusing their children's dictionaries at night to see which words have been omitted? But it's happening. And if it can happen in a first world western civilization like Britain, don't think it can't happen here in our beloved "land of the free."

Which reminds me that today is inauguration day. We don't have tv, so I won't be able to watch the ceremonies. But from what I've read and the buzz I've heard, many of the festivities and events of the day are a grievous departure from what was once a government based on Biblical principles. Seems more like a reflection of the "modern, multicultural, multi-faith" (translate SIN-less?) society America has become.

God help us.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith."

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Romans 1:16-32 (NKJV)

Looking Back

Today I sit and reflect on 2008 and anticipate the changes we are looking forward to in 2009. I didn't get a Christmas letter out this year, but if I had, the summary of our year would look something like this:

January got us off to a great start. Avery broke her foot (as AJ had just 6 months before...we're all for helping the local podiatrist feed his family!)...well, actually Aiden broke her foot, but we'll leave it at that. Sigourney and Avery both got pneumonia (again, we love keeping our physicians employed!) and we were down for most of the month!

February was much better. We cashed in the remainder of Steve's frequent flier miles and spent 10 glorious days on Maui with my parents. Three years of non-stop travel had to benefit us somehow! AJ lost his first tooth (the first without the help of a dentist anyway!) on the Road to Hana and Sigourney loved crawling in, and occasionally eating, the sand. We whale watched and body surfed and spent lots of time just hanging out on the beach. On the plane trip home, we decided we were glad we'd used the last of our miles because four kids on a plane for six hours was not an experience we wanted to repeat any time soon!

In March Aiden turned two. He'd been acting like he was two for quite awhile, but finally made it official! Cars, trucks, and anything with wheels are hands-down favorites. We find them in his bed, in the shower, in the pantry...just follow the Matchbox trail, and there Aiden will be. He does an amazing job keeping up with his older brother and sister and emphatically states that he is "not a baby, 'Gourney is a baby." With March also came the announcement that a new Somma would soon be arriving.

April was a big month. Sigourney turned one on the 6th and had a grand mal seizure on the 13th. What a way to celebrate a birthday -- she even got an airlift out of the deal. You can read more about her experience and prognosis here. A week after her seizure ordeal we attended a homeschool conference that radically changed our perspective on our childrens' education and the calling God had for us in their lives. We knew it was His timing and we heard Him loud and clear. Being faced with the possibility of loosing a child made us realize we don't have a moment to waste.

May brought Sigourney's second grand mal seizure and subsequent epilepsy diagnosis. We were so thankful to finally have an answer and to get her on medication. Thankfully, from a grand mal standpoint, she has been seizure free.

In June we celebrated AJ and Avery's 6th and 5th birthdays and Grandpa Joe visited from Florida. AJ is into riding his bike, playing baseball in the backyard, and donning his army gear to go find "bad guys" in the woods. Avery is into all things feminine as she refuses to wear pants, loves to help mom in the kitchen, and hosts fabulous tea parties for her siblings, her friends and anyone else who stops in for a visit.

July and August were pretty disappointing weather-wise, but we spent as much time as possible at our local parks and beaches. Avery taught herself to ride her bike without training wheels (in a dress of course!), Sigourney started walking and Aiden got a clean bill of health from his surgeon. The portion of his lung that was removed when he was three months old is regenerating as expected. By the time he is seven, when looking at an x-ray an untrained eye will never know it was missing.

September brought my sister Erin's outdoor wedding on what seemed like the rainiest day of the year. Avery and her cousin Shae were "flower fairies" and the nephews were cowboys. It was a race to the finish as we took bets on what would come first, the wedding or the baby...fortunately the wedding won. We also began our homeschool adventure with AJ in first grade and Avery in kindergarten.

Lydia Rose joined us October 6th. Another quick delivery and a precious baby girl. Avery was thrilled to have a blue-eyed sister and once AJ held her in his arms, he got over his disappointment at not having another brother. Lydia is the recipient of much love and affection at our house; she has lots of baby-holders, and a couple of diaper changers. She is our loudest crier yet, but we have concluded that it is probably the only way she knows she'll be heard.

In November, Steve started work on a new project in an exclusive Seattle neighborhood. We are thankful for people with large trust funds who continue to build houses in this rough market. His commute is long, but I think he secretly enjoys the peace and quiet of his truck for three hours a day!

Our church also went through a significant restructuring in November, and a group of us is now meeting in the home of dear friends. It definitely doesn't look like church as we have known it, but we are seeing God move mightily. It has been a wonderful environment for our family as we are building stronger relationships. We are coming to understand that our spiritual discipleship and growth should not be left to a church on Sundays, but should be taking place all week long within the walls of our home. It has been an exciting journey.

December brought with it one of the biggest and most fun snowfalls the NW has seen in a long time. We ended up with over 20 inches at our house! While the typical snow pattern here is snow one day and rain the next, we saw continued snowfall for almost two weeks. The kids spent lots of time sledding down the hill in front of our house, and Steve brought his New York snow experience into the mix by building them the coolest fort in the neighborhood.

Christmas Eve we spent with my family. My cousin Seth was home from Iraq and joined us with his twin girls, so we had 22 people, twelve of them children and ten of those under the age of eight! It was pretty crazy!

Christmas Day was one of the best ever as we spent it with some dear friends. We ate great food, sang carols, read scripture and the kids put on a spectacular Christmas story performance.

Also, in December I shocked friends and family by starting this blog. I have found it a great way to share what God is doing in my heart and life and home. As I write, I realize that although I am easily discouraged with myself and the growth I would like to be making, the Lord continues to mold, shape and refine me.

The year of 2008 was a blessed one for the Somma household. The life we experienced stimulated growth and dependence on God in ways we would have otherwise never imagined. We look forward to 2009 and anticipate the changes it, too, will bring, being confident in this:

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen

Ephesians 3:20-21

A Tribute

Two years ago today, our dear friend Mark Panzanella was ushered through the gates of heaven and into the arms of Jesus. Here on earth, he left behind his wonderful wife Nicole, and his two young daughters, Francesca and Gianna, who are now 8 and 6 years old. My heart goes out to Nicole and the girls in a special way today, so I'm dedicating this post to them and to Mark's memory.

Mark was radical. Nothing Mark did was "the norm." He laughed loud, loved hard, and served Jesus with an all or nothing spirit.

Hailing from Ohio, Mark was an avid Cleveland Browns and Indians fan. He and Steve spent many hours sharing their love of sports and razzing each other about who claimed the better team.

Mark loved being Italian. As couples we'd sit out on their back porch on the weekends eating the great food that Mark loved to prepare, listening to funky Italian music. One of our favorite songs was That's Amore. Mark is still the first person I think of when I hear it.

Mark gave the greatest whole-hearted, squeeze-you-to-death hugs on the face of the planet.

Mark stood up for us at our wedding and believed in our relationship when we were hearing from a lot of naysayers. He saw a God connection that didn't necessarily make sense and encouraged us to look to Him rather than for the approval of man.

Mark had a heart to worship God. He would play for hours on Sundays (and Thursdays and Fridays and Saturdays...) and seemingly never tire. He was a true 'Nagan' worshipper. We still love watching some of our old Church of the Hills videos and catching a glimpse of Mark on the keyboard. He had a gift for music that he gave back to the Lord by using it to honor and glorify Him.

Mark always, always, always kept his eyes on the Lord and drew his strength from Him. He and Steve were the key players in the video ministry at our church. For Steve, it was mostly a hobby. It was Mark's profession and livelihood. He didn't get paid enough and could have made a lot more money somewhere else, but he wouldn't think about it. He wasn't doing it for a particular church or for public acclaim, he was doing it for the Lord. He believed he was exactly where God wanted him to be and nothing else mattered. He knew God was his provider and Mark placed a much higher priority on living in the will of God than having a fat bank account.

I asked Steve this morning if he wanted to contribute any thoughts to this post. He said "Mark loved the Lord with all his heart. He was one of the most committed men I have ever met. And I am better for having known him. He is in heaven, side by side with his Savior and I know I'll see him again. That about sums it up. That's all that matters."

So Nicole, we love you. We know that this day is hardest on you as you remember all that you have lost here on earth. May your memories of Mark be sweet and may you feel the arms of Jesus around you in a profound way. May God give you the strength you need to raise your girls to be as committed to Him as their daddy was. May He provide for your every need in such a way that you can truly rest in Him.

Francesca and Gianna, be assured that your daddy is waiting for you in heaven. I see so much of him in both of you. In your broad smiles and the sparkle in your eyes. More than anything else, the legacy your dad would want you to carry on would be in your love for Jesus Christ. May God show Himself to you in such a real way that as you mature you become as sold-out and radical as your daddy was.

In our carnal minds, it's hard to understand why God chose to take Mark at such a young age. I can only imagine that God was so pleased with him that He wanted him in heaven more than we needed him here. I can almost picture Mark sitting at the feet of Jesus worshiping and praising Him...and asking that He would please give the Cleveland Indians a better season than the Browns had!

Looking Toward 2009

The snow has mostly melted, the Christmas decorations are mostly put away and it's on to the next thing, so I'm contemplating my New Years' resolutions.

I heard the challenge across the radio yesterday: "What will your resolution be? To lose weight? To live a healthier lifestyle? To clean out the closet you haven't seen the back of in months?" etc. etc...

Somehow those suggestions just seemed so shallow. So inadequate and insignificant. So focused on ME. So I began to think about what my list would -- or should -- look like. What God would want my resolutions -- or life changes -- to look like. After all, He is the One who gave me life and it is His purposes I should be living out. My weight and the closets are not things He is especially concerned about.

Here's Phase 1 of my list:

Sara's 2008 Resolutions

1. To spend more time with God every day; to hear from Him and to respond accordingly. And to teach my children to do the same.
2. To respect my husband more. To focus on him and his needs; to spend time figuring out what makes him tick and to honor him the way he needs to be honored.
3. To connect with my kids in ways that let them know I am for them and that I really do love them. To invest energy in letting them know that I am on their side, and that they are among the greatest gifts God has given me. To reinforce by my attitude and actions that they are not a burden or a chore, but that they are my blessings!
4. To let go of my need to be right. To drop the issues that are unimportant, and to seek righteousness rather than rightness. After all, what glory is there in being right anyway?
5. To be better at letting go of the distractions that keep me from doing the really important stuff (like working on #s 1-4).

And then, once I've conquered some of these, maybe I'll spend a little time working on my weight and the closets that are calling my name...