tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201866987177267232024-02-24T02:29:18.856-08:00My Place of Peace"Peace isn’t a place to work towards, but a Person to walk with." Ann VoskampShilohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685484529067710610noreply@blogger.comBlogger175125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620186698717726723.post-48757338369155889592012-06-08T18:38:00.000-07:002012-06-08T18:38:00.223-07:00Brothers<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-o_BE689g3X0/T8gdwyZs2QI/AAAAAAAAA54/hSex3vNi_UU/s1600-h/Cain%252520family-1746%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Cain family-1746" border="0" alt="Cain family-1746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-g8VwZJzP0Omf5pxMJEJwAIAPU22NkEFbdejEMXxcpfKY3ry1hYOZcXRWZx3sXW0uM6XQMuolKxxPLn4VUoxyAgfrWao9ZkQjfSxXdLMVafB2V6D2Wo34AnZ4OakfSXtksf8uLJtCQH6/?imgmax=800" width="276" height="412" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8FPze0ZwTuk/T8gd2z1fx4I/AAAAAAAAA6I/W6ATXF1iLgk/s1600-h/Cain%252520family-2021%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Cain family-2021" border="0" alt="Cain family-2021" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_Vsyn3BzmhA/T8gd5INL8fI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/BDVFLdJmWPo/Cain%252520family-2021_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" height="297" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SZJicctTwhk/T8gd68hyrfI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/07nGlb8UPXc/s1600-h/Cain%252520family-1924%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Cain family-1924" border="0" alt="Cain family-1924" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tQtPUWyzXic/T8gd7-VjtfI/AAAAAAAAA6g/m6yLvUbnntU/Cain%252520family-1924_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="286" height="400" /></a></p> <p>Sparing partners and best friends…I love seeing them together and pray they will always be close!</p> Shilohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685484529067710610noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620186698717726723.post-61281902058244857382012-06-06T18:42:00.000-07:002012-06-06T18:42:00.122-07:00Our Princess<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdetWaNwdyuR5CJM0Bawcxv5Bix4bnRAwNmnnbuk4P41h6saMMYJ6ARsLpCVpFA0WvQy8VW-iEloB1n4Yk1CtCMAxI8OELnZcchqALBuBk6FGTxBW8RQRD4X-lJse4rxeXADDDOhOFSWP/s1600-h/Cain%252520family-1441%252520bw%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Cain family-1441 bw" border="0" alt="Cain family-1441 bw" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3MdhSOhrA7w/T8gc8qmtvDI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/2u7-Ga7oadk/Cain%252520family-1441%252520bw_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="432" height="309" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oghuH0OAnr4/T8gc9l_Cq2I/AAAAAAAAA5Y/aVQjE4y4k1s/s1600-h/Cain%252520family-1523%252520bw%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Cain family-1523 bw" border="0" alt="Cain family-1523 bw" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4pHxe6V2QWk/T8gc-W0tAuI/AAAAAAAAA5g/bhYhMWjMndA/Cain%252520family-1523%252520bw_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="314" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUpWLu1kAbRHEY3j9lyp1MWUnwKCndZiFIbLj5n03yX8fl1pIPDzlbbpBDmV5PHZfGJwTkGvGaEGUfAGZOULcrvM4Ih7eAXgADfzu-lq80FT6oup7UzZTseOqU4Po-QQTwBERqmactN74/s1600-h/Cain%252520family-1548%252520bw%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Cain family-1548 bw" border="0" alt="Cain family-1548 bw" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-ZJpA7gAl4xACKWxYN-SQ6vKVs9UOBagO4rGFca3GRTKMeIPgeHdIXXPQ-Ysz2_tMpH_1ly_RtUpPvo_0JY1iTAgwlww6488d0g80wjqYy2zD2183bcevXVM40XK6hWpscC8_PGKJyO-/?imgmax=800" width="338" height="473" /></a></p> <p>Two months already and SUCH a treasure!  We’re enjoying her immensely!  </p> Shilohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685484529067710610noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620186698717726723.post-60359622398711559012012-06-04T18:34:00.000-07:002012-06-04T18:34:00.328-07:00My Second Treasure<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DNxyuImF2Dc/T8gcQKSQjpI/AAAAAAAAA4o/ixdAGD9g020/s1600-h/Cain%252520family-2012%252520bw%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Cain family-2012 bw" border="0" alt="Cain family-2012 bw" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q1lAtF0HqgI/T8gcQgaSAeI/AAAAAAAAA4w/CHetNBOP9WU/Cain%252520family-2012%252520bw_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="409" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UauY8hDB_4Y/T8gcS2S7wcI/AAAAAAAAA44/0VbR899Gv4g/s1600-h/Cain%252520family-1731%252520bw%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Cain family-1731 bw" border="0" alt="Cain family-1731 bw" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LLADKMLALsM/T8gcT48YNfI/AAAAAAAAA5A/XsknPbebBAo/Cain%252520family-1731%252520bw_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="446" height="319" /></a></p> <p>My three and a half year old who loves every bit as hard as he plays!  </p> Shilohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685484529067710610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620186698717726723.post-28278962575843232852012-06-02T18:30:00.000-07:002012-06-02T18:30:00.235-07:00My Firstborn<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WqH2tCW47DU/T8gbYH2EK3I/AAAAAAAAA4I/U1be0NaJYto/s1600-h/Cain%252520family-1935%252520bw%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Cain family-1935 bw" border="0" alt="Cain family-1935 bw" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGg3PCHs7zCLpvsETuYkZoerXKDuaESILRGuGQMokbaI9PPyskQ6-dBhK8rBfvgFqzbZSryduct85x8WObwBbcusKnB5YPNaWVr4KIZOHTB4PuEjDsfpOgpBIJWjD9fp0htqZwAiLe5LC/?imgmax=800" width="282" height="422" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EoopnxPYmvM/T8gbaLdzGAI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/HciweGlLUh0/s1600-h/Cain%252520family-1909%252520bw%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Cain family-1909 bw" border="0" alt="Cain family-1909 bw" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4OImbonqxnA/T8gbaktX7TI/AAAAAAAAA4g/Pjkd286ZuJE/Cain%252520family-1909%252520bw_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="283" height="395" /></a></p> <p>Almost seven already…how does that happen? </p> Shilohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685484529067710610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620186698717726723.post-33608437847526524142012-05-31T18:24:00.001-07:002012-05-31T18:24:53.926-07:00My Beautiful Family<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7xqvwofeGIV4X6iu5p_eqnpIRpQyj1-T0PIwQ5A0ho4bX03DTSZBeJVG5f39IFWuJHMJZ55shNX9eSGKGg-mgMgP_el9ZrGe_OYeZCSZoHL0e8EBLYhyHsEqU-JhmJTYhJiw8onX2fG3/s1600-h/Cain%252520family-1597%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Cain family-1597" border="0" alt="Cain family-1597" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QKilSDFObyg/T8gZ1c5a93I/AAAAAAAAA3w/EOS2axCTwTs/Cain%252520family-1597_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="432" height="309" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4Ree_ZsFiWs/T8gZ4UwxOAI/AAAAAAAAA34/L9qiAEq3X2g/s1600-h/Cain%252520family-1585%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Cain family-1585" border="0" alt="Cain family-1585" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6oDaTVGqqCEOljoKxVVArZPi45qzdeSnH594sDKME1UO7UFXpbX_YzmJgErUP4Ldz4a53unQvFtcI-g56EwmBjeW6hJ8vL6vu7jBrZyqP0noeWvwhH-HAegWoBZxlL-NW-VFpoBmWSCG_/?imgmax=800" width="432" height="309" /></a></p> <p>Special thanks to our dear friend and photographer, Jenn of <a href="http://www.rubyhillphotography.blogspot.com/">Ruby Hill Photography</a>!</p> Shilohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685484529067710610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620186698717726723.post-66045838916967864152012-04-19T08:21:00.001-07:002012-04-19T08:21:23.505-07:00She’s Here!<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lC0PXsv1ih8/T5AtbpvQWcI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/df-HqKB41rk/s1600-h/IMG_0596%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0596" border="0" alt="IMG_0596" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-asH4U406Yjo/T5AtctAcMJI/AAAAAAAAA3g/745a9qmKduc/IMG_0596_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="433" height="326" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Our princess arrived on March 31st at 6:25 pm PST!  Even though she weighed 9 lbs, 3 oz and was 21 1/4 inches long she made it easy on mom and continues to do so!  She’s a sweet baby and we’re enjoying her so much!  </p> Shilohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685484529067710610noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620186698717726723.post-38108477437339916122012-03-27T20:43:00.001-07:002012-03-27T20:43:16.178-07:00A Year<p>One year ago today, we left our home in Paraguay.  I cried for hours.  Actually, I think I had already been crying for days.    </p> <p>I cried halfway to the capital city.  I cried while we sat at the tire shop getting a flat tire fixed and the men stared at me.  </p> <p>I cried unashamedly as we fueled the van up and the boy from our church averted his eyes from my pain.  </p> <p>Despite appearances, I was leaving well.  I had said my goodbyes, did special things one last time with friends, I’d eaten local foods, prayed blessings over precious heads, even left time for impromptu goodbyes.    </p> <p>I did all the right things, all the things they suggest, but regardless, the act of leaving still threatened to drain the life right out of me.  (Incidentally, I think that’s one of the biggest lies missionaries fall for.  We think that if we UNDERSTAND something, we shouldn’t have to experience the emotions of that thing, be it culture shock, transition stress, etc.).  </p> <p>In some ways our departure from Paraguay was more painful than others we had experienced because we had worked so hard to put down roots and make it home.  And it had truly became that, against all odds, in under two years.</p> <p>I still miss it, but I haven’t cried for it again since that day.  I know myself (and His grace).  The leaving is hell, but I’m always ok when I get where I’m going.  </p> <p>In a strange way, it’s actually a blessing to have gone through so many transitions because now I know myself and how I instinctively handle them, which allows me to adjust my thinking and behavior to be able cope with them healthily.      </p> <p>And now here I am, three hundred and sixty five days later…in Washington state, a totally different life.  Another change coming, this time a <a href="http://myplaceofpeace.blogspot.com/2012/03/things-are-about-to-change-around-here.html">precious little girl</a> joining our family.  This is a transition I haven’t done before (well, at least not in PINK!).  And it will be a goodbye of sorts too, I suppose but I have every confidence that God will guide me not only through it, but also through the emotions of another change, albeit a joyful, desired one.       </p> <p>There truly is a season for everything…and this year has been proof of God’s loving work, using all things to shape me into His image…sowing in tears, reaping in joy…it’s all His grace.  </p> Shilohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685484529067710610noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620186698717726723.post-37774762084663978612012-03-06T10:07:00.000-08:002012-03-06T10:07:02.810-08:00Things Are About to Change Around Here!<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcS4gm64frU2D6ogeP9JrjmndS6B-xSeNe2BcEZaiMZOecB3cRi6QOjppGUC8lczx9jpdI0w4nukAK3Ra8WNSmZ29c4qkZd9IupmvCT4-kCtgyNA5HGRyJIy53arLvBFaJoiYjhLImeyR/s1600/IMG_0288.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcS4gm64frU2D6ogeP9JrjmndS6B-xSeNe2BcEZaiMZOecB3cRi6QOjppGUC8lczx9jpdI0w4nukAK3Ra8WNSmZ29c4qkZd9IupmvCT4-kCtgyNA5HGRyJIy53arLvBFaJoiYjhLImeyR/s320/IMG_0288.JPG" /></a> </div>
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We're gearing up for a much awaited change around here! Pink has invaded the house, the pack 'n play has been set up and THE suitcase has been packed! Our precious gift is due to arrive March 25th, but I'm <i>hoping</i> I get to introduce you to her before that! :) <br />
Have a beautiful day, friends!<br />
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<a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>Shilohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685484529067710610noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620186698717726723.post-26610706490807506832012-01-11T15:39:00.001-08:002012-01-11T15:40:29.500-08:00The Aroma of Grace<p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgon8BIWeHj-diUio60UiLw_DS1BMaqyeEq-6Sbd3OqPSW_LojJhgVV2mmyNIDhDh0yZzB5EAd7id3ICYBkf6OE64oBRHx-AcGknvs6VKsJa7BgOWi10xs2k9o1UmnAjc1zE1zVWW4R66he/s1600-h/image%25255B19%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JCIxbrf55eo/Tw4dsiVZvWI/AAAAAAAAA28/hyj3C8eZNBA/image_thumb%25255B13%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="373" height="215" /></a></p> <p align="justify"><font size="1"><a href="http://www.davenportwa.us/">Photo</a></font></p> <p align="justify">We’re back on Highway 2, the same road I’ve taken to the city and home for seventeen years.  This time more than a quick trip to the city, we’ve crossed several state lines and driven a dozen hours to get back to the familiar.  Back to the rolling hills laden with ripening wheat.  The red barns.  The roads named after farmers long gone, whose land still feeds and clothes their sons and grandsons.  </p> <p align="justify">Though they mark our nearness to home, I hardly give them thought.  Hardly realize that I’m watching for Zeimer Road, now that we’ve passed Janett Road.  I’m so fixed on getting out of the car, that I don’t really appreciate it all.  </p> <p align="justify">And then slowly my subconscious wakes up and I notice.  It smells like home.  I take a deep breath of the earthy, late summer smell.  The smell of wheat turning to gold.  The smell of land well loved.</p> <p align="justify">I look over to my husband, weary chauffer, “You smell that?” I ask.  “Smells like home.”  He nods that it does.  I smile.  Home.  I hardly know a word as pleasing.  </p> <p align="justify">But before we know it we’re pulling in to the garage and unloading suitcases and  I’m doing laundry and <a href="http://myplaceofpeace.blogspot.com/2010/07/top-5-cooking-epiphanies-2010-version.html">feeding souls</a> and life is back to it’s normal rhythm.</p> <p align="justify">That is, until the next time I’m on my way home from the city.   This time I’m alone, lost in my thoughts.  I pass the Grange Hall where the straight as an arrow road finally bends.  </p> <p align="justify">Not a mile later, I smell it again.  The familiar.  The smell of home.  I smile and think how much I love this place.  </p> <p align="justify">Then I realize, it’s ten miles sooner that I drink it in today.  And I wonder, was I really so oblivious a few days earlier?  Why hadn’t I noticed?  Had it really taken my subconscious ten miles to wake me up?   I’m vaguely bothered by the inclination.  </p> <p align="justify">My discomfort grows.  I’m face to face with the fact that too often I sleep with my eyes open, blind to the glorious beauty of the mundane.  Deaf to the miraculous melodies in the familiar.  And worst of all, oblivious to the aroma of grace.  I journey miles and miles without breathing it sweet.  </p> <p align="justify">And I know then, that just like the smell of home lingered in the air for ten miles before I finally woke up to it, His grace is all around me, abounding.  It’s always there, even when all I breathe is the stale car air of the mundane.  </p> <p align="justify">The smell of grace hangs in the air, waiting to nourish, comfort and thrill.  His blessings abound.  And I, for one, never want to return to shallow breathing but instead daily partake of the wondrous aroma of grace.   </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/category/1000gifts/">Continuing the count</a>: </p> <p align="justify">1229.  Sitting through an entire sermon</p> <p align="justify">1273.  Waves crashing, hearts talking</p> <p align="justify">1301. The smell of home</p> <p align="justify">1311.  A year without any major health crises</p> <p align="justify">1312.  Baby girl on the way!  </p> <p align="justify">1324.  Those who encouraged me to start writing again</p> <p align="justify">1352.  Sons reading Frog & Toad</p> <p align="justify">1355.  Pink and purple sunrises</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FxjADxgYCJU/Tw4dtOZfQ7I/AAAAAAAAA3E/1UTYQV1jVso/image%25255B7%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="433" height="128" /></a></p> Shilohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685484529067710610noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620186698717726723.post-8074610900514655712012-01-06T21:08:00.001-08:002012-01-06T21:08:16.707-08:00The Meager Few<p><img src="http://pentagram.com/en/Saks_3rd_3_620.jpg" width="434" height="289" /></p> <p><sup><font size="1"><a href="http://pentagram.com/en/Saks_3rd_3_620.jpg">Photo</a></font></sup></p> <p>Three.  The meager number of times I posted here in 2011.  Once to tell you <a href="http://myplaceofpeace.blogspot.com/2011/05/god-is-good-diagnosisms.html">I have MS</a>.  Once to share <a href="http://myplaceofpeace.blogspot.com/2011/05/god-shouts.html">the blessed suffering of acceptance</a> of said disease.  And finally, once to tell you I was back to blogging (which I obviously was not) and share how <a href="http://myplaceofpeace.blogspot.com/2011/11/thankful-for-yellow-and-brown-swirl.html">thankfulness changes our perspective</a>, making beautiful to us things that once seemed undesirable.  </p> <p>So much left out.  Such a gap of understanding between us.  2011 was surely more than was represented here.  I lament that.  I grieve that I did not do the work of discovering and testifying to God’s sufficiency in every circumstance  (that’s what writing is for me).  And I regret that I did not share it with you who have been so kind to me and who, for some reason, still come back here, still think this place is worth keeping.  Over and over God has used you to confirm that there is a gift that needs to be fanned to flame.  Thank you.  </p> <p>I’m not making any promises for 2012, but I do truly want to respond to the Spirit’s prompting when the words start piling up and rearranging themselves in my mind.  I do want to share the encouragement I find so regularly in the person of God.  And I do want to honor what it is that you have worked hard to encourage in me.   </p> <p>Thank you for being here at My Place of Peace.  It’s an honor to journey together with you!  Happy New Year, friends!    </p> Shilohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685484529067710610noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620186698717726723.post-34729551808339001912011-11-21T15:57:00.000-08:002011-11-21T15:57:14.002-08:00Thankful for Yellow and Brown Swirl Carpet (and a special giveaway)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://formissionarymoms.com/2011/11/21/thankful-for-yellow-and-brown-swirl-carpet-and-a-special-giveaway/"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTRvc0G9Kj8Jezpj48Ekk1bEx7qdRodlkPMtlubbD-iynbL42adeERq1MkUryBHg7niJ52ypRiIWQOfmC-jhQoo8N4v2dNIbwVu1zFlmx_YpunokQVNg8XivzBBFNe7gTsXvl30cLFhk/s400/over-at-for--missionary-moms.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm excited to be entering the blogging world again, starting with a Thanksgiving post at <a href="http://formissionarymoms.com/2011/11/21/thankful-for-yellow-and-brown-swirl-carpet-and-a-special-giveaway/">Missionary Moms</a>! I'd love to have you pop on over to say hi and enter our giveaway! </div>Shilohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685484529067710610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620186698717726723.post-8716218204946506562011-05-23T22:48:00.003-07:002011-05-24T07:54:00.630-07:00God Shouts<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">"<span style="font-size: small;">God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world." C.S. Lewis</span></span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Though I don't ask for pain, it awakens my senses like nothing else can. I have known this before. Now I live it again. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I see the spoon God offers me. I put it to my lips reluctantly and wonder, "Can I really swallow this strong tonic? Or will it kill me?" I don't know if I can withstand this pain. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am weak and too often buried under my circumstances. I have swam in the torrent of my own tears. I've been captive of fear, prisoner of panic, slave of self-pity. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Lord, I believe! <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+9:24&version=NLT">Help Thou my unbelief</a>! Though you slay me, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%2013:15&version=NKJV">I will trust in You</a>." Tentative, I open my mouth to take it all in. My unbelief lingers. I expect to sputter out a "<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2015:23&version=NLT">Marah</a>". </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But instead I taste honey. And it is good. Not because it cures me. Not because I suddenly feel no pain. It is good because it is wakes me up to <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+73:28&version=NLT">God near</a>, nearer than ever before. He's everywhere. His goodness, His mercy, His grace, His love, His comfort.<br />
<br />
Do you think God is shouting? Or am I just FINALLY listening? <br />
<br />
Continuing the count:</div>997. <a href="http://myplaceofpeace.blogspot.com/2011/05/god-is-good-diagnosisms.html">MS</a><br />
1026. Jesus! Hope!<br />
1064. Driftwood cross<br />
1099. All for His glory<br />
1100. All for my good<br />
1111. Budding trees<br />
1116. Laughing until you cry - twice in one day!<br />
1129. Heart groaning<br />
1130. Redemption coming<br />
1165. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2033:14-17&version=CEV">God's friend</a><br />
1174. Gentle breezes<br />
1206. Birdsong<br />
1212. God shouting<br />
<div align="justify"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/"><img alt="mondaybutton2" border="0" height="124" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TJlb6HlkNVI/AAAAAAAAA0M/dMJmgl8MsMc/mondaybutton2%5B4%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="mondaybutton2" width="429" /></a></div>Shilohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685484529067710610noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620186698717726723.post-3146451714598307922011-05-09T21:18:00.000-07:002011-05-09T21:18:25.575-07:00God Is Good (Diagnosis:MS)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPS3FWKrdijrVgCegLmTNyqd4XyrfV3ooYuFXmM-5kHdR3rfJVvmKzWoowOXUCKsYubxGlyYeKgy6c9NvZfCXshyphenhyphenXaymwRu5tvUs_5YwStT3N-DWQIR241mNy2k4DBGRRFi4edZpSUve3f/s1600/IMG_4379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPS3FWKrdijrVgCegLmTNyqd4XyrfV3ooYuFXmM-5kHdR3rfJVvmKzWoowOXUCKsYubxGlyYeKgy6c9NvZfCXshyphenhyphenXaymwRu5tvUs_5YwStT3N-DWQIR241mNy2k4DBGRRFi4edZpSUve3f/s400/IMG_4379.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hi! It's been so long since I've posted, you might not even know that I had been sick and we returned to the US at the end of March for some medical testing.<br />
<br />
Last Friday my neurologist called to inform us that I have <a href="http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/what-we-know-about-ms/what-is-ms/index.aspx">multiple sclerosis</a> (MS). At this point, the disease does not appear to have done much damage, thankfully, and I feel well. We are still very much hoping to return to Paraguay, though we do need to remain in the US for now since I need to have some follow up testing in 6-9 months. <br />
<br />
We would greatly appreciate your prayers as we process this information, work to educate ourselves about MS, and explore my options for treatment and prevention of future damage. There is currently no cure for MS, but it is very treatable and we have hope that I will be able to function well and manage the symptoms successfully for many years to come. <br />
<br />
Now, if that was all that needed said, you would have seen this post three days ago when I started it. However, I knew you would be concerned about how we are doing emotionally having received this news. And that's the part that's a bit more difficult to put into words. I would say we are grieving hopefully. Grieving because we are human and we fear the potential implications of having a debilitating disease. And hopeful because we wholeheartedly trust our Creator and Sustainer to be near and give us victory in this situation! Remember how the apostle <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II%20Cor%204:8-9&version=KJV">Paul described it</a>? "We are troubled, yet not distressed; we are perplexed but not in despair...Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed day by day."<br />
<br />
Our heart's desire is to actively proclaim God's goodness, even in this. Maybe especially in this. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps.%20119:68&version=NLT">He is good, only does good</a> and <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%208:28&version=NLT">works out all things for our good</a>. MS=good? Crazy! It's a debilitating disease! But if a debilitating disease causes us to know Him more fully, it is. If it causes us to live more purposefully, more passionately, it is. If it brings Him honor in some way that we still can't foresee, it is. May you also taste and see His goodness today, no matter what you are facing in your own life! <br />
<br />
Love, <br />
<br />
Shilo<br />
<br />
P.S. If you have a few minutes, I encourage you to read John Piper's excellent article "<a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/taste-see-articles/dont-waste-your-cancer">Don't Waste Your Cancer</a>". Obviously I don't have cancer, but I think the truths are transferable and it encouraged me!Shilohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685484529067710610noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620186698717726723.post-58171693271351825792010-12-04T16:39:00.001-08:002010-12-04T16:39:42.996-08:00My Beautiful Family<p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Possibility 1" border="0" alt="Possibility 1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sLLdY-561FMfu4gnRg29K4-L86nixWTov-7wiUc2fF8AIwWfxz4FOK08obI4IKoYLZjbcxSntIhBs0h3EKodVI1SD7PEy1XxACqJQUcS4swvHdOXrzQSkWyQBAD8S2rBAHvT_3WIJ-T3/?imgmax=800" width="429" height="337" /></p> Shilohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685484529067710610noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620186698717726723.post-28285669476064701232010-09-25T18:28:00.001-07:002010-09-25T18:32:58.688-07:00Our Peaceful Place<p align="justify">Welcome to our home!  I am so glad you came!  :)  We are blessed to be renting this house from another missionary family who will not need it for the next five plus years.  It’s incomprehensible, in the most wonderful way, to think about not having to move for that long!   </p> <p align="justify">When you walk through the front door (which is to the right of my purse), you enter the dining room.  <a href="http://myplaceofpeace.blogspot.com/2009/08/nuestro-refugio-en-paraguay.html">The table</a> remains my favorite piece of furniture!    </p> <p align="justify">Still to do: The curtains are going to get a little lengthening treatment so I can get away from the high water look (and also hopefully raise the curtain rods a bit so that the ring clips are not competing with the window trim).  Stay tuned!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TJ6hYnNIcDI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/ZfFy54sq69g/s1600-h/Dining%20Room%201%20Compressed%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dining Room 1 Compressed" border="0" alt="Dining Room 1 Compressed" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TJ6haGdPsWI/AAAAAAAAA0U/ggReUEaLn9A/Dining%20Room%201%20Compressed_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="323" /></a></p> <p align="justify">The dining room and living room are actually one long, skinny room.  This is the furniture I had to work with for this small living space but I was not happy with the lack of color, pattern, varied wood tones or scale (the sofa is much too bulky)!  Alas, that is life when you buy furniture for one rental and have to find a way for it to work in the next.  :) </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TJ6hbM_UXOI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/YJfg01eVv5w/s1600-h/Original%20Living%20Compressed%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Original Living Compressed" border="0" alt="Original Living Compressed" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TJ6hchCF03I/AAAAAAAAA0c/fUPTygvmMeg/Original%20Living%20Compressed_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="323" /></a>  </p> <p align="justify">So first, my super talented friend (and now sewing teacher) <a href="http://thechacogirl.blogspot.com">Brenda</a> made the chair slipcovers and I used a painters drop cloth to cover the coffee table.  </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TJ6hfCs_LsI/AAAAAAAAA0g/Ld4cawmQNfw/s1600-h/Second%20Living%20Compressed%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Second Living Compressed" border="0" alt="Second Living Compressed" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TJ6hhCqFrsI/AAAAAAAAA0k/NSmDw2eQdSQ/Second%20Living%20Compressed_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="323" /></a>  </p> <p align="justify">Even though it didn’t feel right, it stayed this way <a href="http://myplaceofpeace.blogspot.com/2010/07/hand-holding-and-sitting-by-fire.html">until the weather got cold</a> and we moved the couch right in front of the fireplace for staying warm!  </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TJ6hisJUz5I/AAAAAAAAA0o/NsCB-IB__9Q/s1600-h/Living%20Room%201%20Compressed%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Living Room 1 Compressed" border="0" alt="Living Room 1 Compressed" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TJ6hkfnUJ1I/AAAAAAAAA0s/7J1iou8RzME/Living%20Room%201%20Compressed_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="323" /></a></p> <p align="justify">Then it dawned on me: putting the arrangement on the diagonal took away the improper balance of weight in the room!  It felt so much better!  Eventually, I hope to get 2 side chairs (with my Christmas money??) so that we aren’t sitting on hard dining room chairs for visiting with our friends!  :)  But for now, it works and all it cost was less than $15 for the chair slips.  </p> <p align="justify">Still to do: Sew some little pillows to put on the chairs for color and verve .  It’s all a bit predictable right now!  :)  Also, hang some family pictures!  It’s driving me crazy that we only have one picture of family hanging on the walls!  </p> <p align="justify">Across from living room on the left is the entrance to the TV room.  We’ll skip the toy mess and move on.  :)</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TJ6hkzLM5nI/AAAAAAAAA0w/ljlC-3okiPw/s1600-h/Before%20curtain%20cropped%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Before curtain cropped" border="0" alt="Before curtain cropped" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TJ6hl87d0KI/AAAAAAAAA04/2KywQfa9iq4/Before%20curtain%20cropped_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="210" height="414" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TJ6hnbL7RNI/AAAAAAAAA08/_NLnoe5K_SY/s1600-h/Curtain%20cropped%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Curtain cropped" border="0" alt="Curtain cropped" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TJ6hodCOz8I/AAAAAAAAA1A/MrHZ5uJhXgY/Curtain%20cropped_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="209" height="414" /></a></p> <p align="justify">Next you come to the main bathroom on the right.  The brown shower curtain was one I had on hand.  It was ok, but it just felt like it went a little <em>too</em> well with the 70’s tile, so I used some of my birthday money (thanks Dad and Mom) to buy this fabric.  After a couple of sewing lessons, I completed my first big project!  I’m happy with it.  </p> <p align="justify">Because the ceiling is low, I wanted the shower curtain to go to the ceiling to make the room look bigger, as well as hide the shower head, etc.  Unfortunately, it needs to be a few inches off the floor because of the water drainage.  </p> <p align="justify">I’m hoping to find a pretty burnt orange rug to warm up the space a bit and eventually I think it would look much better to have burnt orange/rust/umber walls too.  The current paint color works well in the rest of the house, but for some reason (lighting?) it doesn’t look that great in here.  </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TJ6hpTyqXeI/AAAAAAAAA1E/gVRKfSlxPvQ/s1600-h/Towel%20Shelf%20Compressed%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Towel Shelf Compressed" border="0" alt="Towel Shelf Compressed" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TJ6hqTpgqnI/AAAAAAAAA1I/F8x0OsxpGss/Towel%20Shelf%20Compressed_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="572" /></a></p> <p align="justify">I’d also like to replace the tan towels with burnt orange (if I don’t end up painting) because that would really help the paint color to look less “off” as well (I always have so many plans for my Christmas money!!).  For now, it’s fine!</p> <p align="justify">If you continue straight down the hall, you get to my kids’ room but I didn’t take photos of that either.  Hardly anything is done in there.  I still have beds to paint, hang their names, etc.  The do have their <a href="http://myplaceofpeace.blogspot.com/2010/08/pottery-barn-kids-inspired.html">Pottery Barn Inspired Transportation Art</a> hanging though.  :)</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TJ6hsPc9knI/AAAAAAAAA1M/EIO0xO8VABY/s1600-h/Bedroom%20Compressed%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Bedroom Compressed" border="0" alt="Bedroom Compressed" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TJ6hs7X64LI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/dV2CsHkz3TQ/Bedroom%20Compressed_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="323" /></a></p> <p align="justify">Then to the left at the end of the hallway is the master bedroom.  You can see I did a little rearranging since <a href="http://myplaceofpeace.blogspot.com/2010/06/sneak-peak.html">this</a> and <a href="http://myplaceofpeace.blogspot.com/2010/07/sometimes-it-takes-month.html">this</a>.  I wasn’t happy with the headboard so this is what I came up with for now. Often in the past, I have used a window for the “headboard” but I could not get that to work for me this time because of where the windows are located!  Oh well!  Eventually, we’ll figure out a headboard, maybe even by filling in the <a href="http://myplaceofpeace.blogspot.com/2010/06/sneak-peak.html">other one</a> with some bead board or something.  </p> <p align="justify">The desk was formerly my <a href="http://myplaceofpeace.blogspot.com/2009/10/hall-table-makeover.html">hall table</a> but it was a lot prettier than my other desk and fit the space better too so it got a coat of white.  I absolutely love it!  </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TJ6htlXFGdI/AAAAAAAAA1U/ICfWVf3W-PU/s1600-h/Bedroom%20Right%20Compressed%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Bedroom Right Compressed" border="0" alt="Bedroom Right Compressed" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TJ6hv9qBFgI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/qH_tG9rGvqI/Bedroom%20Right%20Compressed_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="570" /></a>      </p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify">The location of the bed is totally impractical for opening the windows, but I’m more “form” than a “function” so for now it stays!  <br /> <br />Still to do: Some sort of art or pictures!  </p> <p align="justify">I’m sure you are wondering about the kitchen…I’ve got a project brewing there (hint: it has to do with the <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205:6&version=NIV">Sermon on the Mount</a>) and I want to finish it first!  But I do have plenty of cabinet and counter space which is such a blessing!  </p> <p align="justify"><strong><em>So, now that we have the house tour out of the way, we can sit down for a good latte and visit a bit!  You KNOW you are always welcome here!    </em></strong></p> Shilohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685484529067710610noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620186698717726723.post-25198601933052846682010-09-21T18:29:00.001-07:002010-09-21T18:37:07.806-07:00Remind Me to Praise You<p>Dear Father, </p> <p>Thank you for all You are and all You have graciously given me.  I long to have a thankful heart that is easily given to Your praise, to lifting up Your name.  </p> <p>Yet, so often, Lord, I confess that I fail to stop and know You.  I merely rush through my day not acknowledging the blessings I am already experiencing.  </p> <p>I pray that Your Spirit would minister to my heart in those moments with a reminder, with a word of caution, that I might slow down, stop and bless Your name!  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TJlb3uOycyI/AAAAAAAAA0E/JU8L_NL922I/s1600-h/Desert%20Bloom%20Compressed%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Desert Bloom Compressed" border="0" alt="Desert Bloom Compressed" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-oSP7sqFcyj1GkCmLY37QBvOrswwHaen2q4q6LWvfOCClcnPoOz1Z88W742JE0dl08tqLn6tKs12J0B74vicIH9Z-rmY6KiHHsuSI90INv134CawlTU9fbiuii9JYMiRT2jwJ04R2CyR/?imgmax=800" width="429" height="323" /></a></p> <p>For You are the mighty God of the universe, the Creator of the ends of the earth, the One who has existed from eternity and who rules with power, justice and love.  You are an awesome God.   Nothing compares to You.  Your deeds are unmatched and recounted all the world over!  You rule and reign in majesty!  You reveal the thoughts and intents of hearts and cleanse by the power of your own Son’s blood!  You deserve to be praised!  </p> <p>You saved me, redeemed me, made me one of Your own!  Thank you for Your unmerited favor and for Your mercy towards me, oh God!  I don’t deserve what You have given me, what You have done for me, but I am so grateful to You, the Giver of all good gifts!  </p> <p>*Originally written in December 2009, before <a href="http://myplaceofpeace.blogspot.com/2010/01/two-messages-on-her-phone.html">God healed me completely</a> from the vision loss in my left eye.  It was followed by 4 pages of things I was thankful for.  I found it again today and thought it was fitting for a <a href="http://myplaceofpeace.blogspot.com/search/label/1000%20Gifts">1000 Gifts</a> post.   </p> <p>797.  The privilege of homeschooling!  </p> <p>803.  <a href="http://myplaceofpeace.blogspot.com/2010/09/million-miles.html">A loving family to miss</a></p> <p>813.  Sewing Lessons</p> <p>814. An imperfect, but finished shower curtain</p> <p>818.  Dessert blooms</p> <p>825.  A gentle breeze</p> <p>836.  The pain that drives us to Him</p> <p>837.  My 5 year old reading to me!  Wonder!</p> <p><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="mondaybutton2" border="0" alt="mondaybutton2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TJlb6HlkNVI/AAAAAAAAA0M/dMJmgl8MsMc/mondaybutton2%5B4%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="429" height="124" /></a></p> Shilohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685484529067710610noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620186698717726723.post-26843763705564076822010-09-16T12:09:00.001-07:002010-09-16T12:11:52.354-07:00A Million Miles<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TJJrUM-OggI/AAAAAAAAAz8/1bFhuymhzE0/s1600-h/Shilo%27s%20photos087%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Shilo's photos087" border="0" alt="Shilo's photos087" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOHsolv-DY-OVEfRlKZcdpobYoXaaZGZcBmGUmLK6wF0pW7VdhXh1PKElD9zy8lOqTnY-y70pSpzcdAq8JoXyqi7xrAJtnVmk5ZnkdjnrHOwvX9nhC45s5HCWdYOZ_9DXI6qi9JD2ZJaf/?imgmax=800" width="429" height="497" /></a> </p> <p>When your mama turns 50, you can’t be there to embrace her.  A million continent miles stand between you.    </p> <p>Your heart clenches tight, your eyes leak your pain, and you’re sure a million miles just might kill you.  </p> <p>You’ve counted the cost.  And you do it again.  A million miles offered up on the altar.     </p> <p>But as you watch them burn up (sweet aroma to Him, you pray), you think of another million miles.  The chasm between God and man.  </p> <p>Though it’s long been bridged by God Man blood,  (and by grace, through faith you’ve crossed it), still so few know that Eternal Balm came to mend the million mile tear in their hearts.  You have to stay and tell them.  </p> <p>A million miles.  How strange that the thing that rends your heart is the very thing that compels you to stay.</p> Shilohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685484529067710610noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620186698717726723.post-12452593732165126562010-09-13T18:19:00.001-07:002010-09-13T18:21:18.916-07:00I’m Looking Out the Window<p>Twenty years later, I find her words ringing in my ears.  I miss that voice enough to squeeze my eyes shut hard, stop the tears springing up and listen.  How I cherish this hands on hips proclamation returned to me.  Would that she could too.      </p> <p>We were rolling down some Montana highway when she’d marched to the back of the motor home and stood over us.   My cousin and I were each perched on skinny twin couches next to a window.    </p> <p>“You may not read one more page of those books until you look out the window for at least 30 minutes!”</p> <p>Even though I knew Grandma was given to passionate proclamations from time to time, this one surprised me.  After all, she was an avid reader.  That same summer, I’d caught her up “way too late” because she couldn’t stop the turning of the page.   </p> <p>Still, there was another narrative she found more powerful than any type engraved in paper.  The one that has no words, yet speaks with a powerful voice, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2019:1-4&version=NLT">declaring the glory of God</a>.  That was the one she was compelled to help us discover.  </p> <p>And she did.  A thousand times before and after, so subtly that I’m not sure a one of us were cognizant of it at the time: slipping into a chair on the front deck at sunrise, coffee cup in hand; going barefoot through the ice cold stream; stopping on the trail to photograph a tiny pink flower; laughing at the fish jumping in the hatchery brook for five cent handfuls of food.  Peaks out the window, all.    </p> <p>Grandma, today I want you to know I’m listening.  I’m pulling my nose out of the book of daily living for a look out the window, for a listen to the glory song.  I need to hear it.  I need to remember that the very thing that lifts me to a place of holy wonder is also the thing that grounds me - the worship of my Creator.</p> <p>Looking out the window, the incomplete count continues:</p> <p>491. Snail mail </p> <p>506. 95 Manjui Baptized, wish I could have seen it with my own eyes!  </p> <p>536. Family visiting from Colombia and the USA</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TI7NYC9KPiI/AAAAAAAAAzg/QMlMr-MKiM4/s1600-h/All%203%20Edited%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="All 3 Edited" border="0" alt="All 3 Edited" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TI7NZoBrcwI/AAAAAAAAAzk/EjQkR9qEPsI/All%203%20Edited_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="287" /></a></p> <p>570.  Sanapana Scripture portions ready for printing</p> <p>587.  Pain that pushes us hard into Jesus</p> <p>606. Cries of inadequacy</p> <p>607.  His sufficiency</p> <p>669.  Rain!  </p> <p>710.  Explosions of yellow, tiny but beautiful<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TI7NagLw7NI/AAAAAAAAAzo/pbGeRPs_R9U/s1600-h/The%20speck%20compressed%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="The speck compressed" border="0" alt="The speck compressed" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TI7Nbtkc5-I/AAAAAAAAAzs/637MpKKMu4M/The%20speck%20compressed_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="330" /></a></p> <p>726.  Grandma Bert</p> <p>756.  Dreams – wild, crazy, with God all things are possible dreams</p> <p>776.  Salmon Sky</p> <p>   <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMsIDsc9yK7VDk7d0Q8x9z7F-pmPU3aDzvjGHF30YpW03fUA4dEBzcHQFNwjstuAxw-pPSC-7tgNLHyjAPxXV4sc_pVXkzIO7foC8RCKlcK6xTYSHyONkOm7CvzdroVL7xDfENfMdSsDB/s1600-h/Sunset%20Bottle%20Tree%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Sunset Bottle Tree" border="0" alt="Sunset Bottle Tree" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJ47WzKUIkvAygXdUtNYqW7zYgunUtJi5eZePw4gWBKXy5PqxpiZATTCBEYt6kuOczFNV8_25cWKo5p8xd4tfYQFgsJsy7nXwV0GCIGd8O97z72q2SP05YN_8Q7caZ8xD0vDfW_4MTl65/?imgmax=800" width="429" height="571" /></a></p> <p>781.  Wild love, undeserved</p> <p>788. My wonderful, merciful Savior</p> <p><a href="http://aholyexperience.com"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="mondaybutton2" border="0" alt="mondaybutton2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TI7NgyS6meI/AAAAAAAAAz4/qAT2dVhe7go/mondaybutton2%5B5%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="429" height="124" /></a></p> Shilohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685484529067710610noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620186698717726723.post-42404956189901326292010-08-11T05:45:00.001-07:002010-08-11T05:45:56.319-07:00Pottery Barn Kids Inspired Transportation Art<p><img src="http://www.potterybarnkids.com/pkimgs/rk/images/dp/wcm/201031/0004/img44m.jpg" width="450" height="398" /></p> <p><a href="http://potterybarnkids.com"><font size="1">photo credit</font></a></p> <p>When I saw these the other cute painted canvases the other day (for $39 each – yikes!), I decided to make my own version for free using fabric and frames that I had on hand.    </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TGKbbXv8HSI/AAAAAAAAAzI/vicj_K9IZLg/s1600-h/IMG_3171%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_3171" border="0" alt="IMG_3171" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TGKbct2xzJI/AAAAAAAAAzM/ik1VSf-RzGA/IMG_3171_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="342" /></a></p> <p>Darling Little Redhead chose the truck.  And we together chose the boat for El Principito.  I was thankful that’s how it worked out because the airplane looked the most complicated!  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TGKbd6xzdRI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/11WGAAaUlsQ/s1600-h/IMG_3173%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_3173" border="0" alt="IMG_3173" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TGKbgFabZvI/AAAAAAAAAzU/oc-pJt1PvYg/IMG_3173_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="342" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>These will go above each boy’s bed.  I hope to make a small coordinating pillow too.  I’m not sure if that comes before or after painting their bed frames but hopefully it will all be done before too much longer!</p> <p>Have a wonderful day everyone!!  May the joy of the Lord be your strength!  </p> Shilohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685484529067710610noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620186698717726723.post-55466690566686833012010-07-23T15:09:00.001-07:002010-07-23T15:09:34.924-07:00General Tsao’s Chicken (Better than the Restaurant)<p><img src="http://images.media-allrecipes.com/site/allrecipes/area/community/userphoto/big/7897.jpg" width="400" height="400" /> </p> <p><a href="http://allrecipes.com/Cook/Photo.aspx?photoID=7897">photo credit</a></p> <p><strong><font size="4">Sauce:</font></strong></p> <p>Ingredients: ½ C cornstarch, ¼ C water, 1 T minced fresh garlic, 1 ½ tsp ginger (or fresh grated), ¾ C sugar, ½ C soy sauce, ¼ C white vinegar, 2 ¼ C chicken broth, 1 tsp salt</p> <p>Instructions: Put all ingredients in a jar, shake and set aside (or refrigerate).  Just shake again when you are ready to use it.</p> <p><strong><font size="4">Chicken:</font></strong></p> <p>Ingredients: 2- 2 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into chunks, ¼ C soy sauce, 1 egg beaten, 1 C cornstarch, oil for deep frying</p> <p>Instructions: Mix chicken and soy sauce. Stir in egg. Add cornstarch and mix until chicken pieces are coated. It’s pretty gooey and nasty looking. Deep fry until golden brown then drain.</p> <p><strong><font size="4">Combine Sauce and Chicken:</font></strong></p> <p>Ingredients: 1 C sliced green onions, hot peppers to taste</p> <p>Instructions: Sauté 1 cup sliced green onions and hot peppers in a bit of oil.  Add sauce mixture and cook until thick.  Then add chicken until rewarmed.  If desired, throw some broccoli crowns in with the chicken and it will cook to perfection while the chicken warms.</p> <p>Serve with rice.  </p> <p><em><font size="4">Please let me know if you try this recipe!!   I would love to hear what you think!  </font></em></p> Shilohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685484529067710610noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620186698717726723.post-36532580934705335992010-07-22T12:51:00.001-07:002010-07-22T12:55:29.053-07:00Top 5 Cooking Epiphanies, 2010 Version<p align="justify">5.  In my kitchen, cookbooks just take up space (don’t shoot me)!  I rarely use them and prefer tried and true recipes from friends or highly rated recipes at <a href="http://www.allrecipes.com">Allrecipes.com</a>.  Now that I realize that, I’ll stop carting them around the globe!  </p> <p align="justify"> <img src="http://images.media-allrecipes.com/site/allrecipes/logo/new_logo.gif" width="400" height="144" /> </p> <p align="justify">Here are a few of my favorites from All Recipes: <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/JPs-Big-Daddy-Biscuits/Detail.aspx">JP’s Big Daddy Biscuits</a>, <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Jays-Signature-Pizza-Crust/Detail.aspx">Jay’s Signature Pizza Crust</a>, <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Baked-Teriyaki-Chicken/Detail.aspx">Baked Teriyaki Chicken</a>, <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Rhubarb-Strawberry-Jam/Detail.aspx">Rhubarb Strawberry Jam</a> (my kingdom for some rhubarb right about now!) and <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/One-Bowl-Chocolate-Cake-III/Detail.aspx">One Bowl Chocolate Cake</a>.</p> <p align="justify"><strong>Bottom Line: I stick with the tried and true and that is ok!</strong></p> <p align="justify">4.  Grating an onion doesn’t make you cry like chopping one does.  I am also less likely to injure myself with a grater than I am with a knife.  :) Not to mention the fact that my kids and onion hating brother-in-law are less likely to notice onions in this form! </p> <p align="justify"><strong>Bottom Line: Am I the last person on the planet to figure this out??</strong></p> <p align="justify">3.  I can make it!  Whether it is rolling out a flaky pie crust, frying up some down home chicken or making <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Crispy-and-Creamy-Doughnuts/Detail.aspx">Crispy and Creamy Donuts</a>, it’s possible.  To me those foods seemed complicated and like they took special skill, but I finally just tried them!  Sure I’m not famous for any of these things (yet, lol) but but no one is complaining!    </p> <p align="justify"><strong>Bottom Line: No more saying, “I don’t know how to make that!”  Just give yourself plenty of time and try it!</strong></p> <p align="justify"><img src="http://images.media-allrecipes.com/site/allrecipes/area/community/userphoto/big/7897.jpg" width="400" height="400" /> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://allrecipes.com/Cook/Photo.aspx?photoID=7897"><font size="1">photo credit</font></a></p> <p align="justify">2.  General Tsao’s Chicken made at home tastes JUST as good as the restaurant!  My husband and every single person I have made it for wholeheartedly agree! </p> <p align="justify"><strong>Bottom Line: You want the recipe, right?</strong></p> <p align="justify">1.  Cooking is holy work!  My new mantra is “I don’t feed bodies, I feed souls!” and I think I’m going to paint that on the wall of my kitchen for those times when I forget that the heart of my work in the kitchen is NURTURING and LOVING my precious family and friends!  </p> <p align="justify"><strong>Bottom Line: If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some souls to feed!</strong></p> <p align="justify"><em>What have you learned about cooking in 2010?  I’d love to hear!  </em></p> Shilohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685484529067710610noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620186698717726723.post-45642719868593905652010-07-19T09:22:00.001-07:002010-07-19T09:23:17.110-07:00Hand Holding and Sitting By the Fire<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TER7o4R8jxI/AAAAAAAAAzA/YDNbnMct_FY/s1600-h/Holding%20Hands%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Holding Hands" border="0" alt="Holding Hands" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TER7qoT3HtI/AAAAAAAAAzE/MtNkw0f-QM0/Holding%20Hands_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="373" /></a> </p> <p>My honey was in the hospital for 3 1/2 days last week, so this weekend we did a lot hand holding, resting and basking the warmth of the crackling fire (it’s winter here!).  My soul feasted and was fed by God’s gracious favor.      </p> <p>Praying your soul was also fed this weekend as you enjoyed His good and perfect gifts!  </p> <p><em>“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father…”  James 1:17</em></p> Shilohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685484529067710610noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620186698717726723.post-78837386817344157572010-07-07T09:17:00.001-07:002010-07-07T09:17:35.647-07:00Sometimes it Takes a Month<p>Exactly one month after we moved into our house, we finally hung window treatments!  Part of the slow down was that I didn’t find anything I loved in our little town so I was waiting to shop in the big city.  I’ll tell you more about that trip soon…but for now, I couldn’t wait to show you!  I think they were worth the wait!  Special thanks to my Dad and Mom for the birthday money!  :)  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TDSoOFGHJCI/AAAAAAAAAyw/6g7zGd1qEMo/s1600-h/Month%20Long%20Curtains%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Month Long Curtains" border="0" alt="Month Long Curtains" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TDSoYOCRS9I/AAAAAAAAAy0/rD7ZUQHlzNU/Month%20Long%20Curtains_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="571" /></a> </p> <p>I am also thrilled with my screen door mirror!  My former landlady generously gave me the screen door and when I was thinking about how nice it would be to have a full length mirror, this idea dawned on me. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TDSoaep4n-I/AAAAAAAAAy4/JxZyxMtcslQ/s1600-h/Screen%20Door%20Mirror%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Screen Door Mirror" border="0" alt="Screen Door Mirror" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TDSomPe2BkI/AAAAAAAAAy8/rorzkchgab8/Screen%20Door%20Mirror_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="728" /></a> </p> <p>Now, let’s just hope it doesn’t take me another month to finish this room!  And that another month doesn’t pass before my next blog post!  :)  Can’t wait to tell you all I’ve been up to!  </p> Shilohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685484529067710610noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620186698717726723.post-52474174184044960802010-06-21T11:46:00.001-07:002010-06-21T11:46:24.738-07:00Sneak Peak<p>Hi!  I’m still working on decorating our new home, but I thought you would enjoy a few sneak peaks!   </p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TB-zBtWJGOI/AAAAAAAAAyA/k0CN-BLx6N4/s1600-h/zcabinet%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="zcabinet" border="0" alt="zcabinet" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TB-zC3l82bI/AAAAAAAAAyE/maZO1QbZfWE/zcabinet_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="323" /></a> </p> <p>Beautiful Kitchen Cabinets</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TB-zExtukzI/AAAAAAAAAyI/sMfAQUkKfOk/s1600-h/zflower%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="zflower" border="0" alt="zflower" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TB-zHsvUclI/AAAAAAAAAyM/UfT1ol8X1Bk/zflower_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="429" /></a></p> <p>The last of my birthday flowers  :)</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TB-zI7gm8WI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/SqJ5262gQrk/s1600-h/Zfavorite%20spot%202%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Zfavorite spot 2" border="0" alt="Zfavorite spot 2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TB-zMMstTAI/AAAAAAAAAyU/NxqFhanwnng/Zfavorite%20spot%202_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="323" /></a></p> <p>I smile EVERY time I see this!  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TB-zNl8QaxI/AAAAAAAAAyY/ZgqrCg3E1cc/s1600-h/Zdesk%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Zdesk" border="0" alt="Zdesk" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TB-zPXTUUtI/AAAAAAAAAyc/WG8UlHl0XfI/Zdesk_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="477" /></a></p> <p>Bedroom…hoping to find fabric for curtains in the capital this week!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TB-zWRbxIyI/AAAAAAAAAyg/a4pLDs0Czjk/s1600-h/ZHeadboard%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="ZHeadboard" border="0" alt="ZHeadboard" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TB-zaMJEz2I/AAAAAAAAAyk/KvJge0K4_eQ/ZHeadboard_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="323" /></a> </p> <p>We made the headboard out of a screen door our last landlady gave me!  I would like to put fabric in the openings.  We’ll see!  :) </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TB-zdJ3KQ7I/AAAAAAAAAyo/h8CuPTowZ7A/s1600-h/ZDwell%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="ZDwell" border="0" alt="ZDwell" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TB-zfeiHHAI/AAAAAAAAAys/dlC6G3ciaB0/ZDwell_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="307" /></a>  </p> <p>This is what the little chalkboard usually looks like.  Ha ha!  We try to dwell peacefully, but more often we dwell with a little bit of chaos and craziness around here!  :)  </p> <p>Hugs!  Hoping to show you a more finished house soon!!!  </p> Shilohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685484529067710610noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620186698717726723.post-85890920740134503562010-06-16T17:23:00.001-07:002010-06-16T17:25:28.053-07:00One Year in Paraguay!<p>Today we celebrate one year of ministry in Paraguay!  I am so thankful to the Lord for how much this country and her precious people have worked their way into my heart already!  I can honestly say I love it here!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TBlq-NloioI/AAAAAAAAAx4/ORMbXeAAJGo/s1600-h/Best%20Swing%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Best Swing" border="0" alt="Best Swing" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_J-L9Kgbl4qo/TBlrB4g1NyI/AAAAAAAAAx8/NVN-AlqnFB0/Best%20Swing_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="462" /></a> </p> <p>Three moves, learning a new culture and ministry, <a href="http://myplaceofpeace.blogspot.com/2009/12/bruises-fading-fears-rising.html">one major health crisis</a> and <a href="http://myplaceofpeace.blogspot.com/2010/02/mother-of-six.html">4 extra kiddos</a> made this a busy and challenging year to say the least, and yet I wouldn’t trade what CHRIST has done in me through it all.  I pray that He will continue to increase in my heart and somehow use me to make Him known here in Paraguay.    </p> <p>Thank you so much for your love, prayers and support over the past year!  I am so thankful for every single one of you who read my blog!    </p> <p>Also, I hope to get back to blogging regularly again soon.  I have really missed it!  Thanks for your patience while I finish getting settled in house number three and also host some family visiting from Colombia and the United States.  I’ll be back soon with pictures of our new home!  </p> Shilohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00685484529067710610noreply@blogger.com11