beauty everywhere

drinking deep the beauty that is all around me.  we're swamped with ministry; our cup runneth over.  we're loving this crazy season!  but i must pause and capture the beauty of now, or else i'm just running blind.

"To not simply be lulled by beauty but to read God in the Beauty, the eyes need to wear His Word and to see a thousand gifts, a thousand features of His face, I first need to slow my life, wear a lens of words and turn the inner eye." -Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts

excerpts of gifts #4775-4814

"Come aside by yourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile." -Mark 6:31

--the beauty of this quiet place. how it beckons.
--little boys pausing
--Caleb's new love for You- what a beautiful thing to witness

"and whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." -Col. 3:17

--beautiful Rose teaching us how to make chapati
--little hands covered in flour. patting. rolling.  tasting.
--her graciously accepting their "help"

"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!" -I John 3:1

--beauty of tradition
--Sunday night breakfast for dinner
--beauty of adoption, sweet Zuri crying for her new mama
--our adoption into the family of God

"The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord." -Psalm 33:5

--such a beautiful place to call our school
--learning and worshiping and growing as a community
--Your handiwork everywhere, in minute details and in grand vistas

"Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14

--beautiful, this posture of prayer
--little heads bowed, and hands folded
--the whole school carving out a week to seek You