markmanry

[bl]M[/bl]y little Tessa has thrown up over 25 times today (Thursday). She’s the third child to get the stomach virus this week. My welcome home gift. Monday’s post of thankfulness never happened because I was traveling. I need it today. Fast. This sweet girl has gracious received her first stomach sickness. She has laid on the couch, all pale and pitiful. Asking how the other sick ones in the household are doing. Claiming that the vomiting is “hurting her feelings.” And whispering funny little comments like, “This popsicle is good. Seriously, it’s furlicious.” All while throwing up every 30-40 minutes. […]

[bl]I[/bl] got a taste of Africa in America. And it was good! Lydia Jane and I traveled to Tulsa, Oklahoma to visit dear friends that lived near us in Jinja. They arrived to Uganda ten months before we moved away — a parting gift from God. Neighbors, playmates, dinner partners and friends. The Palmers brought companionship to our last months. And though our time together was short, the heart connection was strong. Michelle with her poetic, pensive spirit. Me with my creative energy. We are harmonious together. Our chord is genuine, our melody joyful, our song truthful. She’s my apron […]

50 degrees in mid February? Thank you Jesus! It’s so refreshing to walk outside and breath in warmer air. I know other places are enjoying 60, even 70 degree weather, but we Michiganders will take what we can get. We need this to make it through the rest of winter. [lightbox href=”http://environmentsofgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_0719-e1297976765891.jpg”][/lightbox] I look out the window. The once fluffy white snow melts into the ground and makes a soggy mess. The dog tracks in mud, the kids track in mud. And the picture out my window is bleak. Meltdowns. They are welcomed…but they are never pretty! [lightbox href=”http://environmentsofgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_0728-e1297976966531.jpg”][/lightbox] We […]

[lightbox href href=”http://environmentsofgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_0707-2-e1297869121457.jpg”][lightbox] [bl]A[/bl]nd we continue to love… Every day we love.  Not because we are obligated. Or rewarded. Because we were created by Love and for love. Because the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Because love is the fulfillment of the law. Because the fruit of the Spirit is love. Because perfect love drives out fear. Because love is as strong as death. Because in love a throne will be established. Because love builds up. Because love covers a multitude of sin. We love. Not because we are asked to. Because we are called […]

[bl]O[/bl]n Mondays, I’m going to be joining Ann Voskamp in her commitment to “slow down and taste life, give thanks, and see God.” Ann is the author of One Thousand Gifts and writes everyday at aholyexperience.com.  In her practice of continually giving thanks, she has experienced the presence of God in the every day little and big things of life. And God has multiplied her joy and her experience of this holy life. Ann makes a continual list of the things she is thankful for, and is encouraging others to join her. She is leading people into a life of […]

[lightbox href href=”http://environmentsofgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_0669-e1297282166827.jpg”][/lightbox] Two hearts unequally yoked. Long has been the journey of an unfaithful people and a faithful God. He always knew they would leave him. We would leave him. Oh faithful God, we are humbled by your compassion. By your steadfast love. We will never know a more faithful lover than you. This is Love… When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. But the more I called Israel, the further they went from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images. It was I who […]

[bl]D[/bl]ear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. Sounds easy! Love one another. So why is it so hard? Why is it that our love comes out awkward or ill timed? Why do we pass up opportunities to show love but we’re quick to pass judgment? And why do we hide our love with pride and selfishness? Why is it that all day long I plan to greet my husband with kind, gentle, I’m-so-glad-to-see-you words when he walks through the door from work….but instead I spew at him all the frustrating things the children […]

[bl]D[/bl]ear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. [lightbox href=”http://environmentsofgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_0658-e1297281869775.jpg”][/lightbox] Our most genuine efforts of love don’t necessarily come on Valentine’s Day. But still, it’s a time when the world acknowledges love. Images of love and romance throughout our towns, all red and pink. We make heart shape cookies and trade love notes. We created to love humans welcome all gestures of love, even the superficial, and especially the ones covered in chocolate! [lightbox href=”http://environmentsofgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_0612-e1297275996332.jpg”][/lightbox] A world trying to love. Imperfect love shared between imperfect people. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows […]

[bl]L[/bl]arge flakes of snow swirling and falling. Blowing and gathering. The barren winter earth covered in a thick blanket of white. Pine tipped with snow, green peaking through. [lightbox href=”http://environmentsofgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_0524-e1296707403752.jpg”][/lightbox] Deciduous trees, otherwise bleak and brown, made pretty by the snow gathered in their crevices. [lightbox href=”http://environmentsofgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_0518-e1296747559464.jpg”][/lightbox] And when the ice hangs on and the sun shines in just the right way, it’s stunning. Children with rosy noses and cheeks. Footprints of play. Giggles on sleds. [lightbox href=”http://environmentsofgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/20081201-004-e1296763789786.jpg”][/lightbox] Sweet hands cupping hot cocoa to warm their fingertips, to warm their body. [lightbox href=”http://environmentsofgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_0561-e1296758773565.jpg”][/lightbox] I sometimes forget that these beautiful winter […]

[bl]A[/bl]fter weeks of sickness and pushing through the darkness to find the light, we finally receive our reward.  Two friends who share a birthday. Just two days apart…and ten years. We dropped off 7 children to spend the weekend with Aunts and Grandparents. Met at the airport with handsome husbands in the lead and only one darling baby to keep us from forgetting who we really are – parents. We depart for Maine, and the lovely Kismet Inn. [lightbox href=”http://environmentsofgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7236-Version-2-e1296667813592.jpg”][/lightbox] From the dead, bleak, cold of winter we enter into Shadi’s home. A home of life, color and warmth (which […]