Contentment

Recently, God's Word has been teaching me the great art of contentment.  I'm learning it because of an unlikely problem.  That problem is none other then unanswered prayer.  Yes, unanswered prayer.  Seems funny doesn't it?  You would think if I prayed about something that I felt persuaded to pray over and over again, and I didn't see the answer...then I would suffer discontentment. "He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?"(Romans 8:32 ESV)
I mean, if God the maker of heaven and earth moves in me to think His thoughts and act upon His will, then He will provide those things that are needful to those of us on this earth who love and serve Him.  Right?.... you would think that truly humble, genuine, unanswered prayer could drive a person to severe discouragement.  And well actually it did.  BUT, as I began to bring it to the Lord and ask for wisdom concerning the situation, my discontent suddenly became great contentment. "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." (James 1:5 ESV) I can rest in His answering me, or answering me differently than I want,  because He is a Sovereign God.  His timeline isn't mine.  He gives us all things, and I will lack no good thing. "Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!"  (Psalm 34:9 ESV) (Psalm 34).  Aaaahhhhhh...what a relief!  What a marvel!  So what if my little prayers did not get answered yet.  He is good and cannot lie.  I can trust Him.  And so I keep praying.

These two baby geese are Mary Beth's. I love it because of the calm contentment they showed in even getting in this pitiful example of a pond.  There they are, doing what geese do and showing no signs that they're thinking rebellious thoughts toward their governess. That's contentment.

A kindred spirit

He is Risen!

Happy Resurrection Sunday from Texas!

From left to right:
Miguel Bueno (7), Nate Jacobson (10), Elsa Rose Bueno (3), Nora Jane Bueno (1), Gabriel Bueno (5)

"God didn't answer. He turned away from his Boy."

Charity and I are big fans of The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones. It's one of those books that while I am reading it I keep thinking..."Oh, I wish I could write like this!"   Just recently I purchased a read aloud copy for my Kindergarten Sunday School class.  Nate (10) noticed it (of course...because he notices anything new in the house). He was interested, so in the evenings we have been reading the death and resurrection portions to him before bed.  Now, this is a boy used to reading chapters of the Bible regularly during family times.  I thought perhaps he was too old for it...boy, was I wrong!  He LOVES it!  He is never satisfied with one or two stories.  That's all he gets though so the enthusiasm doesn't wane.  He's enthralled with the artwork which is edgy and fun.  Sally Lloyd Jones is a master story teller and has done us all a huge blessing.  Bless the children in your life this Easter with this fabulous Bible.

"All who call on God in true faith, earnestly from the heart, will certainly be heard, and will receive what they have asked and desired."   Martin Luther

Home Project Take #4

Well, it's a work in progress because I want to have a canvas black and white made of each of the kids and grandkids.  Right now, there's four out of nine of my children up there.  I like it though!  The pictures below fail to show just how badly that wall needed paint.  We did get it finished over Spring break, thanks to a mother/daughter pact between Charity and myself.  I had to wait for the canvases to arrive to snap this pic.

Dorm Room Creativity

A huge box of fresh oranges in the corner of my room, a lime juicer from my three year old niece Elsa Rose, a small little mug from Japan, and a Gerber "tool."  Really, all I needed :)

Study Corner

April 10th, Concerns of Couture will be a presentation on how worldview is reflected in our clothing.  I'm not quite sure of the answer to that question yet, but Lord willing I will be in 2 1/2 weeks.

Spring Break

I wanted to post these pictures earlier.  Spring break was great!  The best part was being outside in the beautiful spring weather of the hill country.  Needless to say, it is rather hard to come back to CA . . .

Sporting some pretty spiffy overalls!

Real food, good food . . . 

Farkle . . . 

Baby Nora on the move all the time . . .

Screen doors and big porches with their dogs

Gardening

Charity and Joey are Playing Hookie!

Happy 1st Birthday Nora Jane

MARCH 16

Home Project Take #3

Home Project Take #2

Home Project Take #1