M'Cheyne on the New Year

It's a great day at home, enjoying the baby grands and giving the much-deserving Gracie a break from the action. It's wonderful having them here, I must say.

Our dear pastor (who can be heard on http://sermonaudio.com/aashepard) always has outstanding books for me to read, and here are a few quotes from my current reading in Memoir and Remains of M'Cheyne. (I find that the word "remains" in that context makes me smile.) The section from which I quote is from a time of revival in Scotland.

"On the Sabbath he preached to his flock in the afternoon. He chose 2 Chronicles v. 13,14, as his subject; and in the close, his hearers remember well how affectionately and solemnly he said, 'Dearly beloved and longed for, I now begin another year of my ministry among you; and I am resolved, if God give me health and strength, that I will not let a man, woman, or child among you alone, until you have at least heard the testimony of God concerning His Son, either to your condemnation or salvation. And I will pray, as I have done before, that if the Lord will indeed give us a great outpouring of His Spirit, He will do it in such a way that it will be evident to the weakest child among you that it is the Lord's work, and not man's. I think I may say to you, as Rutherford said to his people, 'Your heaven would be two heavens to me.' And if the Lord be pleased to give me a crown from among you, I do here promise in His sight that I will cast it at His feet, saying, 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain! Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever.' "

And some days later, he adds in his journal, "Evening.--Mr. Miller preached delightfully on 'The love of Christ constraineth us.' His account of the Protestants of France was very interesting: the work of God at Nismes, where it is said that they are no more fishing with line, but dragging with the nets."

I am praying for such times to come to us, and speedily; there are not enough places in the earth where the people confess: O LORD, our LORD, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

Austin and the Cafe

Welcome home, Pee Wee! Greg and I had a great time in Austin. We got to eat at the Daily Juice Cafe, newly opened there, where Paul and Dan work. Scrump-dilly-umptious! Wow. At our table we had bbq sandwich (the "meat" was coconut, and was it flavorful!) (and the "bread" was nut loaf, which was excellent), mole enchiladas (superb!), and tacos, which, you get the idea, were outstanding! And, to top it off, we had some of Paul's raw chocolate. He does it right. (Did I mention we saw the boys and went to Whole Foods, my favorite grocery store in the world?)

Got me in the mood to bust out the dehydrator. I made some raw jalapeno corn chips, and the smell in here is "like Abuelo's," according to Gregorio. Puts a grin on one's face. So what does Greg want for supper? Eggs and french fries. Bummer. Here's what I'm having right now, before my supper of a big salad. I'm inspired.

Happy New Year, gang! What are you doing for New Year's? Leave a comment and let me know. Love to all!

Closing Out the Year

Here is what has been filling my life as of late:

UIL Academic Meet for junior high. I LOVE UIL! I was able to be a judge for Prose and Impromptu Speaking. Prose is my favorite. These junior high kids were amazing! I did hear two readings from A Child C*lled It, a VERY sad book. The best read was from a wonderful 7th grader who did an excerpt from Eleven, which must be quite a book! The rest of the 7th graders were in there for the finals, and a HUSH came over the room as she read, and we knew we were listening to the first-place winner. Wow. One of the judges said the junior high was as good as, if not better, than many high-schoolers she had heard. That was good, but my favorite was 2 readings, one by a boy in the prelims, and another by a girl in the finals, from Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch, which I have to find and purchase! Cute, cute! I just laughed out loud. And the kids did a great job with the voices. They are all so impressive. I would love to have known what I know now and have competed when I was that age. AND, wonder of wonders, for the first time EVER, I got PAID to help with UIL! They had to pick up my jaw from the floor. Whoo hoo! I offered to help judge and grade high school, even before I knew I'd get paid. (Did I mention I love UIL?)

Moved my mom from Brownwood's nursing home to Coleman's, where our pastor preaches on Wednesday mornings, and where some of my friends live (I AM getting old when I say THAT!). Our former pastor's wife is there, and I have so THOROUGHLY enjoyed spending time with her (Hi, Patty!). They are a joy. I've been trying to spend a lot of time with Mom, to ease the transition, and I'm asking the Lord to give me patience and compassion. I need it. Especially the compassion. Trust me.

The kids' former principal died yesterday. He was Greg's age; complication from surgery. What a dear man. We loved him, and he was so good to our family.

We're off to Austin tomorrow; hope to eat at Paul and Dan's new raw food restaurant. We may spend the night with friends. Really, though, I just love being home.

I'm going to enjoy having my dear husband home for 2 weeks, if he doesn't drive me crazy first. He needs the rest, and I do love ministering to him. Plus, we have the best talks, and we don't have to quit talking because he has to go to sleep for work the next day. The other night we had about a 2-hour discussion on p*lygamy in Bible times and for today (or, should I say, against today!). You would've loved that one!

Head over to http://sermonaudio.com/aashepard to hear my dear hubby's Sunday School lesson, and our pastor's Sunday message. Truly we are blessed. I love to hear my husband teach, too--he's bordering on preaching, not teaching, and that makes it even better. King David had an incredible life. So many lessons there for us!

Off to get ready for the day. For a great blessing, head to http://challies.com and find the post on Memorizing Scripture that has 2 videos and watch them! A young man named Ryan Ferguson does a dramatic recitation of Psalm 22 and Hebrews 9 and 10, from memory, and it is outstanding! I weep every time I watch it, and I've watched it more than once. Sarah and I are currently working on Psalm 103. What a blessing--forgiveness and so much more! Bless the LORD, O my soul!

Good day to all! Leave a comment and make me smile....

Adios, Brethren

The family on the left is leaving us! We are heartbroken, but we know God is going to use them mightily elsewhere. How we love you!

The Photos Got Shot

Beautiful family. I wish the pics would do them justice. Thanks for a fun shoot! (I know, I know--they haven't been cropped yet!)

Minus Jason

My wonderful family! It was a fabulous Thanksgiving--thanks, Grace and Dean, for opening your beautiful home. Didn't feel like 23, did it? God is good.

I Love the God Who Answers Prayer!

Look at this! I had me a cry this morning: God is SO good! This young man had a severe injury more than a year ago, and his fiancee has faithfully stayed by his side all this time. And he has FINALLY spoken! Precious blog about a young man named Ian. Since our first grandson is named Ian (the end of VivIAN, you may note!), when I first read about him I started to pray for him. And look what God is doing! Glory to God! Looking forward to more. I recommend his family's blog: http://prayforian.com. Thank you, great God of wonders!