These are a little late, but Kate had her 9th birthday party a couple of weeks ago.  It's really wild how quickly time flies (I know . . .a recurring theme in my blog posts).  Here are some pics from the party.

Not long ago, we spent a few days in the mountains with some dear friends.  One morning, as I was sitting on the deck listening to the river below and the wind rustling the trees, I jotted down these lines:

Holy Spirit send your reign

Let your glory fall.

Sweeping through this broken soul

Be the Lord of all.

Rushing wind of heaven's peace

Stir this heart of mine

With your gentle spirit move

In you hope to find.

Mighty God, who chooses love

Let your power show

Kindness in this holy place

So all the world will know.

Redeeming grace, Love's perfect gift

Showered from above

Flowing in a crimson tide

Streams unconditional love.

Roaring river flood this heart

The crucified has won

The battle's over, victory mine

The Son has overcome.

The battle is over, friends.  I don't have to work, prove anything, try to be good enough, etc.  

Redemption and sanctification are ours through Jesus.  

Thank you, Jesus, for winning the battle and for chasing after me all these years. I'm sorry it took me so long to see you - the real you.  Use my life, my experiences, my mistakes, and my victories to help people see the only true love - Jesus Christ. 

It's been a while since I've written anything.

Life has a way of doing that, doesn't it?  You look up one day and . . . BAM!

Everyone is five years older.  You wonder where the time went?  It's a bit cliche, but it seems like yesterday my kiddos where just babies and we were up all night rocking and singing them back to sleep.

They are 9 and 10 years old now. 

God, grant me the peace and wisdom I need to get through the next few years.  May these years be ones they remember forever.  May the next few years be in slow motion.  I don't want to miss a moment.  Not a second.

I'm reminded of the lyrics of one of my favorite songs by Mark Harris. . . 

I came home from work And she was waiting at the door
Had that bad day look in her eyes

And I heard the sound of her little feet Across the hardwood floor
And I knelt down with my arms open wide

When I asked her what had happened
She pointed to our son and said "Why don't you show your daddy what you've done"

And I could see the writing on the wall

Evidence of little hands
Picasso with a purple crayon

And I tried to act upset But I was smiling through it all
'Cause I could see the writing on the wall, yeah

It was the first day of school Standing by the laundry door
Wondering how third grade came so fast

I took a ruler and a sharpie pen And I drew the line once more
So amazed at how the time had passed

With a backpack full of promise And wonder in her eyes

I turned my head just so she wouldn't see me cry

'Cause I could see the writing on the wall

It seems no matter how I tried
The pages of this life keep turning
It's a roller coaster ride
And even though I knew we had it all
I could see the writing on the wall

I got a cinematic memory Playing pictures of the past
Adding to the story as we go

'Cause every day I'm learning That tomorrow comes too fast
So, I'm holding on to the only way I know

Yeah, yeah, whoa

I can see the writing on the wall
It seems no matter how I tried The pages of this life keep turning
I can't stop the hands of time
Even though I knew we had it all
I can see the writing on the wall

Whoa, I can see the writing on the wall

Read more: Mark Harris - Writing On The Wall Lyrics | MetroLyrics