June's Book Review

I have this wonderful balm that seems to heal all sorts of maladies. From burns, bites, bruises and general "why not try...", this cure-all seems to immediately bring relief. Reading this biography and hearing of the deep love of a pastor for his flock to come to know Christ was a sweet balm for me this month.

McCheyne, who died at the age of 29, was a pastor in Scotland. He had a small church to officiate over and spent much of his life struggling against illness. Maybe this is why he was so compelled to bring people to the feet of Christ?

He humbles me in his remorse over time poorly spent, as he laments "What right have I to steal and abuse my Master's time? 'Redeem it,' he is crying to me."

He encourages me as he reads of the life of Jonathan Edwards , "How feeble does my spark of Christianity appear beside such a sun! But even his was a borrowed light , and the same source is still open to enlighten me."

He spurs me on in heavenly-mindedness, "O how I repent of our vain controversies on Establishments when we last met, and that we spoke so little of Jesus! O that we had spoken more to one another! Lord, teach me to be always speaking as dying to dying."

Reading his life made me want to sit at his feet and just absorb his presence; to breathe his air. But this would not be his desire and in fact was something he was saddened by as people came to seek him out. "I fear I am not thoroughly humbled. I feel the pride of my heart and I bewail it." He was wholly compelled for them all to know the Great Shepherd, in His glory.

His desire to know God better; to speed us on to glory is just so wondrous to behold. He knows the time is short and our view is dim. This book was written by his dear friend and contemporary, Andrew Bonar, and his love for his precious friend is evident. I'll leave this quote as a balm for my friends:

"If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million of enemies. Yet the distance makes no difference; he is praying for me."

Here's a great link to his sermons; organized by topic, and they average about 5-6 pages.

Next month's book: God of Promise by Michael Horton

What we've been up to...June

Slip n Slide! Okay, Madeline found out that you can stomp on the sides and control the sprinkler system. Apparently that is way more fun than the actual slide..


Sweet Henry had a surgery. He had a open sore on his belly that was bleeding. This immediately reminded me of Lazarus at the gate, and the dogs coming to lick his sores;... it truly is a pitiful sight. He had a surgery to have the cyst removed and it turns out our little guy has skin cancer. We won't be treating it. We love him dearly, but I can't justify treating a animal in his senior years while people live in impoverished conditions around the world. He has gobs of energy, as always, and outside of the diagnosis, you would never know anything is wrong. We hope for no more sores and the wisdom to release him when it is time.




We've been baking......






We've been waving.....









We've been partying!

I knew..

better. But, it was still a true statement and even as it came out of my mouth I was still shocked by it. "We've had lots of wet pants accidents, but never anything more." "Really?" My friend replied. "We have".

This week that statement has rung in my ears- twice.

Pride comes before a fall and children provide the stumble.

Editor's note: The most important tool to have in your arsenal before children? a good washer and dryer.

Guess who...

is a professional flower maker??

Not this girl... but Captain America, my husband.



Don't hide your light under a bushel, my dear, the fondant flowers on future birthday cakes are all yours.

Cool!