The Cross Changes Everything

Every time I study a book in the Old Testament I am struck by the contrast of it to the new testament. The other day I scribbled out a little illustration that followed my reflections. As we approach Good Friday I am amazed at how MUCH the cross changed things. Firstly, we must always have God at the center. N.T. or O.T. It all comes back to our creator, Father God. In the Old Testament, God is at the center and the Jews are on the outer circle. You might notice that I said *we in the diagram because I was thinking of believers today as being the same as believers in the O.T. but ultimately I would have been a gentile and one of the *others. Notice all the arrows go to the center. The culture of the Israelites was very "exclusive". Far from being inclusive, they had many rules to maintain their purity as a nation, including not intermarrying. In fact, some of the most disturbing parts of scripture, where the Jews are called to annihilate whole peoples as they took over the land, have something to do with this God-ordained purity. What was the point? Time and again foreign influence would lead them astray. The boundaries and the LAW that only the Jews observed were supposed to make them a beacon in a land of idol worship and moral degradation. Every aspect of their daily lives; the sacrifices, the worship, the feasts, were designed to point back to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Others who heard the power of "their" God were drawn like moths to the flame. Even foreign sinners such as Rahab the prostitute understood that the Jews served a living God, unlike any she had ever experienced of wood and stone. By putting her faith in Him she was saved during the destruction of her hometown. A city on a hill cannot be hidden and that is exactly what the nation of Isreal was. They were at times mighty, and other times captives and slaves, but God maintained the covenant bond between them. Everything about the nation of Israel focused in toward their God. 

Then Jesus came and everything changed. 

We know God himself does not change and that is a wonderful comfort because even in some of the more chaotic parts of the O.T. we see His love and grace shown over and over again to His chosen people. What does change though, is how he relates to the world. Suddenly, God sends His son right into the middle of our mess. The arrows from the inner circle of  God go back and forth now to us on the outer circle through the blood of Christ. Us - once the *others outside of the old covenant circle now have an intercessor  ,a mediator, that makes a way for us to God the Father. The most precious gift ever given can now be received and in the NEW covenant it is no longer about turning IN and shutting out, it is about turning OUT and sharing the righteousness we have been given with the whole world. The good news sends us out. God - Jesus - Us- The World! 

Spiritual Blessings in Christ:

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in heavenly realms. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Ephesians 1:3-10

and just like that February is done.

The second half of this month has been a whirlwind. Mom, Nat, and the kids came over for mid-winter break and boy did we make use of our time together. They got her on a Tuesday and Wednesday morning we took Sophie to pick up her American Girl Doll. I had been searching craigslist for months for a dining room table and chairs but was having trouble finding one I thought would work well for homeschooling. Tuesday night I saw a handmade table over eight feet long and I thought "oh too bad I have no way to get it". Well lo and behold mom and Nat made the serendipitous decision to bring the truck instead of the jeep. It occurred to me I might actually have the ability to get a table of such size. So on the way to the A.G. store I stopped by to see it. I was very excited. It was just the right size, unique, and interesting, and I wouldn't have a heart attack if it got a little beat up. It's made of Virginia barnwood by a man who makes cane chairs. When his client (who I got the table from) told him she couldn't find a table to fit the chairs he had already made he declared he would make them a "good family table".  He filled every knot that fell out with an inset diamond of wood that gives the table character.  In the end after we got the doll I turned right around with the van (who knew that it would actually have MORE room with all the seats in the floor than my sister's truck) and mom and I loaded it up and brought it home! On Thursday, I hit the ground running and bravely painted over an old canvas my mother had given me. That was totally fun except that Blake completely lost it when my mom told him he couldn't have a snack and I had to intervene and it was a big ugly disciplinary mess. Having my family here though made it a little easier and on Friday we hosted a baby shower for my dear friend Morgan. It was lovely and I was SO thankful for Mom and Nat's help. Sadly they had to go on Saturday but it was a wonderful visit. Here are some pics of the table and painting, and the kids who got to enjoy our old fashioned popcorn machine. I had Trinity play photographer as it was the first time we had used it and they are making faces because they thought it took too long. We also took a little nature walk as we waited impatiently for them to get here so I will through a few pics of that as well.

thank you MyCakes

 these are the letter I made Morgan for the party

ah Nat, congratulations on your doll! lol

the canvas I painted over. Bye Bye eighties pueblo

and so back to the parenting. Some of you know that Trinity was recently diagnosed with ADHD. I believe that Blake is right behind. After an upswing of behavioral issues I have realized that some serious changes are necessary. I don't know if I will seek a diagnoses immediately but rather begin some reading and learning and PRAYING. Blake and I had another big go around earlier this week. I was truly at my wits end, tried everything, and went to bed completely overwhelmed. I know all mommas get here but man, it is just no fun. After a few days and a few key phone calls to the people I know can speak truth and encouragement to me I feel better this weekend. God is bringing me to my knees this lenten season and I need to just get comfortable here. I need to learn to LOVE here. Becuase it is the ONLY thing that's going to get me through the next few years of parenting. lol. #noseriously 

I think for Trinity the homeschooling is a real hope for me. This year is going to give us time together that no one can take away from us, ever, and at such an important stage in her development. I think for Blake we are looking at a resetting of the clock. If you are going to act like a three year old then we must treat you as such. I think major screen-time restrictions (although I still defend that it does not directly affect his ADHD symptoms) are in order. A marble jar for good choices/bad choices with a pretty big goal in mind (like a trampoline). Apparently for ADHD kids it is very difficult to understand that the past and present affect the future. So more time devoted to talking about spiritual matters, how to incorporate what past behavior has gotten you and why working on good habits now is essential to your future (which you should definitely care about). The Lord led me to a great verse to encourage me this week with Blake. Blake struggles to accept responsibility for actions. He would rather lie about it than confess. So we talked about this: "For Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death" - 2 Corinthians 7:10

He has been a little slower to anger the last few days and asking for hugs unprompted. =)

February is Flying By!

Just another general update for friends and family. I traveled the end of January for my Uncle's services. It was a great time with family and also funny how fast we reverted to that family unit of just my brother, sis, parents, and I.  I don't remember when the last time was we spent a few days together just the five of us. Also, that meant I was in the Boise airport waiting to return home when the Seahawks lost the superbowl. Depressing to say the least. But time marches on and we turn the calendar to February. This month has been flying by. It has been full of highs and lows. The first week of February was full of fun playdates. In fact on Friday we had two in a row and Isaac kept asking the next day to go to his "friends" house. He was so disappointed we don't go out like that daily. Trinity began a 3D computer class and really enjoys it.The bummer of that week was that Mr. Cuddihy, Trinity's school counselor passed away unexpectedly following a stroke. Trinity has worked closely with Mr. Mike since her first year at SES in second grade. I was even in talks with him to continue therapy in his private practice next school year as we take on homeschooling. It was quite a shock to hear he had suffered a stroke and was in the hospital. To add to the trouble, her teacher this year is his wife, Mrs. Cuddihy. So Trinity is missing both of these influential people in her life. It's been a tough time for her as she is very emotional in the first place. She is handling it as well as can be expected. I just feel for her because this has been her most improved year yet and this is such a blow. Praying for wisdom in the deep conversations this situation is still bringing up. Here is a little Valentines craft made by Isaac. Yes, this was the first year that I had to provide Valentines for three separate classes. They had their parties on different days so it was hilarious as I tried to remember what to send with which kid each day. I sat in on Isaac's class for "communication" day. There are some cute kids in his preschool class and he still loves attending. We stayed home on Valentines because Trin wanted to spend it as a family. That was sweet and I had to remember not to be frustrated that I couldn't just fly out the door with my hubby but to be THANKFUL that she is still so close to me. We went out Sunday evening instead. For some reason I really love giving the kids nice cards on valentines day and tucking boxes of conversation hearts in their lunch boxes all week. On Sunday we went and saw Kingsman, eh....I do love me some Colin Firth and there were a few witty lines but it could have been netflixed. At least we got out. I even ordered a strawberry margarita at the restaurant. Crazy, I know. Blake enjoyed his first basketball season. It was brief but he really took to it! Got video of a good little pass he made. We will sign him up again next year for sure. (and probably by a hoop in the meantime)

more to come . . .