A day at the Cosley Zoo...and a perspective shift.

Any time that we get to be all together and do something fun, it is a good day!  Last Saturday was a that kind of a good day.  The weather was really nice - a pleasant fall day.  We were wearing some kind of outer wear, but it was really warm enough to have it unzipped - or in Zeke's case totally off!  That boy is always warm!  We have had this day planned for a really long time - think last Christmas when Gwen and Tim gifted this trip to Grace!  Finding a good day for all of us when there are no birthdays around is really tough.  And we actually planned this for the fall rather than go in the heat of summer.  Grace really loved it and Cosley is exactly the right amount of things for her to see.  She told me this week that her favorite thing was the Llamas.  I was surprised that she remembered seeing them. 

When we were looking at my pictures on my phone, she easily identified this photo!  As a matter of fact, I said "oh look at the donkeys" and she said "Grandma, those are llamas!"  So I guess she remembered them!  

The kids had fun playing in the natural playground area and on the bales of hay that were stacked near the pumpkins for sale.  And, of course, we took the photo on the steps of the caboose!  

This is a must get photo every time we visit Cosley since we have ALWAYS taken a photo here.  This is from a visit to Cosley in 1983!  That is Doug at about 18 months old and Gwen at about 4 1/2!  

They have made some changes to the caboose but it is still in the same exact spot.  The animals have also changed a bit over the years, but it is still pretty much the same as in those early years.  

There is something so wonderful about revisiting these places with the grandchildren and the adult kids.  I never imagined when I took that picture in 1983, that 36 years later I would be standing in that same spot taking a picture of our growing family.  This has certainly been a few weeks of these kind of memories.  First Brookfield Zoo and then Cosley.  So much fun and so many new memories.  

I have seen so many articles about the advantages for children who get to spend time with their grandparents.  This week I read an article about the benefits to the grand parent!  One noted result was a great decline in dementia in people who babysat their grandchildren on a regular basis.  I guess this is certainly something for which I can thank my kids!  I wouldn't trade this time with the  grand kids for anything!  

This week at my small group we were talking about just how HARD everything seems now.  While it is true that looking at social media or watching the news is very depressing, it is important to remember that Jesus reigns!  Spending time just in quiet, reading the Bible, listening to praise music or just resting certainly helps to change your perspective on things.  

 I just love when my devotional matches exactly where I am each day!  This one really hit home.  Even when it seems really hard, in good times or in those not so good times, Jesus is there with us.  Most of all, He is always waiting for us!  I love the first line of the second paragraph.  Which one of us doesn't doubt that God is with us at times.  What a great reminder that even when it might FEEL like Jesus is not with us, HE IS!     

Jesus, thank you  for speaking to us with exactly the words we need at exactly the right time.  Holy Spirit help us all to not get so caught up in our day to day activities that we forget that you are with us.  When times seem especially hard and we are struggling, help us to remember that you are by our side always.  Thank you for good times with family.  And thank you for Llamas!  Amen

Quality Time is really the best present!

Yesterday was a continuation of the celebration of my birthday!  Gwen and I took Lia and Ellie for a "girls day" that included a pedicure (Ellie's first) and then a painting party!

Everyone was so relaxed and happy after the "spa treatment" we got at the nail salon!  Lia picked out a purple polish and Ellie got pink sparkles (of course)!  Gwen and I went with a bit more subdued colors (Ellie had picked out a bright red for me, but I went with a more neutral shade!)  The painting party was run by the same company (Art Raves) that Gwen and I painted with previously.  They do this family paint at an ice cream shop on Saturday afternoons.  Really a neat activity. The good news is that each persons painting are just an "interpretation" of the sample painting, so each expresses the individuals personality. What could be a bit stressful (for all of us "non artists") becomes a relaxing and fun activity.   I just loved spending time with my girls!   It really is the best present ever!

I don't know why it is so hard for us to understand that one of the best things we can offer to Jesus is our time and attention.  Most of us know and appreciate that time with our loved ones is just wonderful.  I remember when I first learned about "quiet time" that it seemed like an impossible chore to set aside 30 minutes a day to read the Bible and pray.  I really couldn't imagine finding that time in my really busy schedule.  A wise older person suggested that I start with just 5 minutes a day and add an extra minute when I felt that I needed to.  And then I found that it helped me focus to have music playing.  And then I started adding special songs to the time.  And I got a couple of devotional books to use.  My time kind of bled over in to my commute time and that became my worship time.  The Holy Spirit is amazing in making any time we devote to Jesus so good that we just want to spend more and more time with Him!  It is a wonderful truth of the Christian life.  As I said above, I don't know why this is surprising when spending time together with people we love makes us hungry for more time with them!  

Yes, spending this special time with Lia and Ellie and Gwen did remind me of how important it is to set aside this quality time.  That realization reminded me that Jesus desires those special times with us.  Isn't it wonderful how the Holy Spirit can issue a "wake up" call through our lives?  I am going to be more aware of the time I set aside to be with Jesus during the coming weeks.  It might be time to add a minute or two to my schedule!  How about you?

Jesus, thank you for Lia and Ellie and Gwen.  What a wonderful treat it was to spend this special time with them.  Thank you for the reminder that you desire time with us!  Holy Spirit help us all to set aside this special time to be with Jesus.  Help us all to care for all of our relationships through sharing quality time with those we love.   Amen

Doesn't matter how old you are!

In a spare moment this morning, while watching those precious grandchildren, I picked up this book off of the coffee table.  Honestly, I didn't remember purchasing this book, but there it was - in ink - that this book was gifted to Lia on December 24, 2010 by Grandma Lyn and Grandpa.  That was a long time ago...almost 4 years.  And Lia was just 4 1/2 at that time.  And here is Lia from today!  A very grown up 8 1/2 year old.  Full of fun, full of live and full of love.  What a cutie!

Later, while Anna was napping, I picked up this book, one more time.   I was so impressed by these one page devotions.   Just perfect for Lia.  And just perfect for me!

There were so many that I read that really hit home for me today.  Isn't it wonderful that Jesus can use even kids books to speak to us?  I just loved this "Royal Connections".   It uses the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to discuss having Christian friends.  What a wonderful tie to a Bible story.  I especially love the last part of these devotions - "I know I am loved because.....".  Every devotion has this last line with an appropriate response.  This one says...God sends friends who love him, too!  I guess that really spoke to me today because I was thinking about my small group and how much I love those gals.  

Don't we ALL need to hear these thoughts EVERY DAY?  I need to know I am loved because...  with a special Word from Jesus.  Yes, that is really powerful.   I can tell you that reading that little devotional book today just lifted my spirit and filled me with an amazing sense of the presence of Jesus.  I saw things like....."God has a plan for my life",  "God is always with me".  Yes, sometimes it is good to go back to the basics.  I confess that "daily devotion" time has not always been easy for me.  I struggled with trying to find a balance of stories and just the Bible.  And I have been so blessed by the many, many devotional books that I have found.  Today, I am thankful for this little Princess book that "Celebrates the Love that God has for You"!  So my encouragement to you today is to find a devotional book that will help you focus on Jesus.  Don't get bogged down in the details, Just read and let Jesus speak into exactly where you are. I can assure you that He will speak!

Jesus, thank you for the reminder that you will speak to us through many different means.  Thank you for this book for little girls that will show them every day that they are loved.  How amazing it is to know that you arrange for us to have friends that also know you!  Thank you for all of my wonderful friends.  Thank you for Lia and all that she brings to our family.  Amen