Under contract

Early last week we got an offer on our house.

In this housing market that is forecast to only get worse,

this offer came at just the right time.

Thank you Jesus.

Would you like a little tour?

While we wait for the house to sale

We enjoy Colorado scenery.




We celebrate four years of Ethan!

We partake of local amusement.

Ethan visits the dentist for the first time.

Our days have been quite full with fun events and daily events, however, it is the four months of having a house for sale that is truly filling our time. I had no idea how time consuming this endeavor would be. Despite the numerous showings, we are now considering renting the house and holding on for awhile longer. In about three we will be released from HQ and will begin raising support and exploring our next assignment.

Want to know what it is?

Aviano, Italy!

Thinking about memorizing scripture...

While working on next year's school plans I found this.
All four minutes are worthy of your time.



I listened with tears and desire.

Happy Easter

I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions,
for my own sake,
and remembers your sins no more.
Isaiah 43:25

For my own sake...
I thought the reader said it wrong on Thursday night.

Such sweet glory in the forgiveness of my sins!

Halfway to a driver's license

I remember those early days. I couldn't get enough of you.

And those days, really weren't very different from today, because I still can't get enough of you. All the days from then till now, have been better than I imagined. You have become quite a girl - beautiful, confident, tender-hearted, creative and helpful. I'm so proud of you.

Happy Birthday my little love!

Coming in from play

Last week, Kristen addressed the age old question "Is it different raising a boy than a girl?" In my house, with a girly kind of girl and an all-boy kind of boy I tend to give the boy/girl thing a lot of credit. Let me offer the most recent evidence.

Exhibit A by Emma

Exhibit B by Ethan

Exhibit C (Let's just say that I would never at anytime, under any circumstance have caught Emma doing this!)

On Sunday, 3 people complimented my scarf and 2 people liked how I was wearing my hair.

The frequently worn scarf was a few years old. And the hair, we'll, it's the same style I've been wearing most of my adult life - sometimes with bangs. Can you see what they didn't see?

In conversation

Yesterday while we were driving to a friend's home, we passed a power sub-station and began to discuss the wonders of electricity and all the fun little shapes, wires, connectors and whatever else might be found in a sub-station. A few minutes after passing the area and on to another topic Emma says, "Mom, Brynn is so lucky to get to live in this neighborhood, she has lots of fresh electricity!"

And on another note, when we got home Ethan stuck his water bottle in the refrigerator and proudly proclaimed, "I put my water in the freezerfraitor!"

Ethan's newest creation ~ It's a cool house!

Thoughts from Exodus and the Chronological Bible Reading Plan

*The timing of Aaron building a golden calf for the Israelites to worship was happening at the very same moment as Moses receiving instructions for Aaron's robe and consecration as priest. Yet, God made Aaron the first priest, the beginning of " a priesthood that will continue for all generations to come."
God's grace was unthinkable, even when the law was being carved in stone.

*God talked to Moses "as a man speaks to a friend".
Does that stir up your longings like it does mine?!

*As Moses's young aide, Joshua never left the tent of meetings, even when Moses did.
Is that one of the 7 habits of highly effective people?

*Some men where filled with the Spirit and given gifts of skill and ability in order to craft the tabernacle. Some of the gifts included carpentery, weaving and embroider and overlaying gold.
What a reason to embrace and flourish in the me that God made.

Last year, I used the Bible reading plan where you read a whole book of the Bible each day for a month. I mostly stuck to the epistles and even at that, I often read just a few chapters a day and continued that reading for a second month. I loved, loved that approach and relished the immersion and depth that it offered. Without a doubt, it is a plan that I will return to at some point.

This year I'm using a chronological plan. I haven't done this since college, when it was assigned. After almost two months of using the chronological Bible reading plan, I'm really loving the consistency and overview the I can see. Time has been necessary to settle into the broadness and speed at which each chapter and book is covered. At first I felt challenged (!) as though I was missing the important stuff. After all there was no time to delve deeper into much of anything, because the next day was on to the next chapter. After some frustration with Job, Rick recommended that I look through Phillip Yancy's The Bible that Jesus Read. This book has been a great companion. The book only covers a few books, but I'll pull it out again when I come to Deuteronomy.

I've just now finished Leviticus, and again, I haven't had time to work through some of my thoughts. God writes a strange and wonderful book. Leviticus has had me furrowing my brow and taking note of the seriousness of God.

What are you currently studying? Do you like the plan or do you prefer something different?

*Also, Emma and I are studying the ancient people of the world using, Susan Wise Bauer's Story of the World, volume 1. Although my degree is History, which covers Biblical History, I've really loved this volume because when we are in the middle of Egyptian history, we discuss the Israelites in that historical/cultural context.

I sure enjoy this boy!

This morning Ethan ended up with a bit of a cold shower. Always trying to solve a problem, he says, "Hey, I've got a dea (idea)! We could hook up the hose and spray all the cold water out of the house!"

How can you say there is no God?

I love the little girl, barely able to fit on my lap, loudly singing,

"I believe."

Outside my window... bright sunshine breaking through the crisp winter air.

I am thinking... about the interchanges between Pharaoh and God and Moses.

I am thankful... for a day of chores around the house (I know, I know, but ordinary is good sometimes).

From the learning room... compound words, ancient Greece (just in time for the Olympics!) and lots of puzzles.

From the kitchen... marinating chicken pieces to roast with rice and salad for dinner.

I am hoping... that this afternoon is both quiet and productive.

I am hearing... Emma read the Town Mouse and the Country Mouse to Ethan... in the closet, which is for some reason the reading corner today.

I am praying...for my Aunt Nancy today.

Around the house... a stuffed animal doctor's office, scattered books, socks and blanket.

A few plans for the week... traveling to Lincoln for my uncle's funeral and then back on Friday for a women's retreat.

Pictures that I am sharing from our Valentine's candy project...

Idea from the Simple Woman.

The Mitten

A few years ago, Emma received Jan Brett's Christmas Treasury for Christmas. The pages of this large and beautiful book are filled with Brett's unique Ukrainian stories and art. At the time, it seemed large and hard to hold for her little hands. But over the years she has grown into the book and has a great love for all of her stories. When we sit down to read stories, this one is chosen over and over.

Mrs. Brett's website is packed full of activities that compliment her stories. A quick download of The Mitten story sheets gave us hours of fun crafting and reenacting the story.


Ethan thought is was great to fill the mitten with animals and then "sneeze" them out as Emma told the story.

Outside my window... bright light sparkling through melted wax snowflakes.

I am thinking... about loving my children more generously.

I am thankful... for a lovely winter walk with my curious family yesterday.

From the learning room... adding, subtracting and a short glance at the Great Depression.

From the kitchen... a hot, steamy cup of coffee.

I am hoping... to put some of my goals for the year down in writing.

I am creating... a fresh simple look for my house before it goes on the market.

I am hearing... the squeaky rhythm of the washing machine agitator.

I am praying... for energy and vision for this week.

Around the house...matchbox cars, markers and gluesticks.

A few plans for the rest of the week... 1. finish lesson plans for Friday's book club 2. look for some spring bulbs to begin forcing 3. buy some marbles for a marble jar.

Pictures I am sharing from our walk yesterday...

Idea from The Simple Woman.

We had a wonderful Christmas time

Clockwise from upper left corner:
1. Emma opening earrings on Christmas morning. She bravely got her ears pierced.
2. Our special day oven pancake.
3. Ethan opening Legos.
4. Rick and I at the Billy Graham Conference Center.
5. David and Suzanne Mikkelson - we had a wonderful surprise when we ended up at the same conference for chaplains! (Rick taught a few workshops.)
6. Ethan trying on glasses when Em got her ears pierced.
7. Playing with nuts and bolts set on Christmas morning.
8. Our reading corner full of Christmas books.

Happy New Year!

From the Scott home...

...to yours.

In 2010, I am using a chronological Bible reading plan.

Today would be a great day to start.

Will you join me?