Day 2...

Well Karen's back and the boys are delighted to see her and are loving all over her which is good for her and them. Definitely feels like it's time to get things more regimented now that the summer is over and most of the visitors will come and go now more scattered throughout the year, so we're working today on chore charts, and school schedules and things like that. It will be easier for all of us when we bring more kids in if we iron some of this out now, so we're working on that. Please pray as we try to catch the boys up to be ready to do public school when a new school year begins in February. They are way behind. Ok we'll put some more pictures on here soon, maybe tomorrow.

Here's Day 2 from what has become one of my very favorite devotional books. (31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers)

Thank You, Father, that You so loved the world that You gave Your one and only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ...that when the time had fully come, He wrapped Himself in human form, being born as a helpless baby in a poor family. Thank You that He walked here on earth radiating the brightness of Your glory and flawlessly expressing Your nature...and so, through Him, people saw You in action, involved with them, available to meet their needs. Thank You that He focused Your almighty power into the lives of common people with deep needs, just like me...that He preached the gospel to the poor, proclaimed freedom to prisoners of sin and recovery of sight to the blind, and set free the oppressed victims of sin and Satan -- the downtrodden, the lost, the hurting, the broken. Thank You for the way He rebuked the arrogant and looked with favor on the humble-minded opening wide the door of His kingdom to those who were destitute and helpless in spirit. I delight in Your tender mercies, O my God, by which the Sunrise from on high has come to us!

Thank You that through the gospels I can watch this beloved One walk among ordinary people. I can hear the gracious words that came from His lips. I can see His compassion and tenderness toward needy people, His anger at hypocrisy, HIs faithfulness, His intense love for His followers.

Fairest Lord Jesus! You alone are my heart's desire...my chief delight...my soul's glory, joy and crown. Every advantage life can offer is like rubbish, compared with the overwhelming gain of knowing You. You are worthy, Lord - worthy to be thanked and praised and worshiped and adored.