things a two year old says

Yesterday Malachi was playing in his room with his friend Micah and I overheard him say, "no, no Micah, you can't hide from God." so this little phrase comes from a kids bible story on Jonah and in the story Jonah is told he can't hide from God. who knows what was going through Malachi's head as he said this to Micah.

It made me laugh and then I started thinking about it. It is true we can't hide from God - he works in our lives despite us. We ignore him, try to hide or just become overwhelmed. I have shared with some that this past week I was overwhelmed with a lot of brokenness and hurt around me and in people's lives that I care about. To top it off on Tuesday night there was a dramatic arrest of a car thief across the street from our house. Note to all who live in the LA area, when the helicopter keeps on circling around your house you should just go inside and lock the door. So anyway. We have been reading Space for God in our Monday night group and I have just taken a lot to heart from the readings. One huge lesson is that prayer brings us to the places that break God's heart, to the brokenness in our community. Then this brokenness and injustice lead us right back to our knees. My friend read Psalm 121 on Monday, the words have gone with me through this week. Then when Malachi pulled the phrase on not hiding from God out of his memory bank, it led me back to this Psalm. God does always watch over us, we can't hide.
Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills-
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip -
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watch over over Israel will
neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm -
he will watch over your life;
The Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Ok so I haven't been very attentive to this blog - but I have an excuse, actually 2. One my computer is not allowing me to save anymore pictures, yup I'm out of disk space. Second we have had visitors - my parents and sister Annika. We had a great time going to the beach, seeing the Korean friendship bell, playing at parks, and just hanging out together. We missed Sarah & her boyfriend Ryan but enjoyed our time together. I stole the pictures from my parents blog so I could give you all a glimpse into life here. The boys are great and full of energy. Abram is now in the final countdown to 1 and letting his personality shine. He has a new pouty face which cracks us up and he seems to like to use it. He is such a cuddly kid and loves giving kisses and snuggles. He is standing on his own now and walking behind anything that moves, chairs, toys, empty buckets. Malachi has a favorite new hobby, puzzles. He enjoys figuring out where the pieces go and as we call it is a great, puzzler. He also discovered a new "friend" in Ryan's old cabbage patch kid. Joey, now sleeps with him, goes to the potty with him, eats with him, plays with his toys - its very entertaining to see what Joey does each day with Malachi. We are also doing well - Ryan is enjoying the growth happening with Kingdom Causes - two new programs starting in the last months. Affordable Housing: Our Place Housing Solutions and a Landscaping Business/Job Training: Good Soil are both taking off, very exciting. If you live in Bellflower and you need your lawn mowed call, Kingdom Causes. After feeling really tired earlier this summer he is discovering new energy in focusing each morning on glorifying Jesus in each day, one day at a time. Simple yet something we need to be intentional about in life. I am learning more about being a parent and we trying to figure out all the best discipline strategies for our precious (sometimes stubborn, yes you can laugh) boys. What a 2 year old can't teach you would be my question of the year!? I am also enjoying working about 1 day a week consulting with Kingdom Causes main office. This is a transition back into a place I love working, yet in a new role. We also are loving having family here with us and look forward to Ryan's parents and brothers coming this week. We have recruited another family member to CA, Rob will be starting at Azusa Pacific this week!! This is our plan if you didn't know, slowly bring our family members to CA, one by one.

our little guy is growing like a weed and gets bigger in my eyes each day


malachi's new favorite past time - puzzles


reading with annika


dirk's place in hollywood


venice beach


11 months!


fun at the park with oma


learning to walk

if you've ever wondered where malachi learns his stuff...

WORD

I feel like when I have the chance to blog lately it is to just get something up and not very reflective or profound. I am just trying to keep up some days with everything, ok most days I am just trying to keep up. That is why laundry is unfolded, dishes are dirty and toys have taken over the house. But I continue to learn that it's ok to set that all aside to just be with God each day. Today I read some words from a couple authors that I enjoy and I wanted to share some of it - so I'm not being profound they are - but the words were good and true.

"I, who live by words, am wordless when
I try my words in prayer. All language turns
To silence. Prayer will take my words and then
Reveal their emptiness. The stilled voice learns
To holds its peace, to listen with the heart
To silence that is joy, is adoration.
The self is shattered, all words torn apart
In this strange patterned time of contemplation
That, in time, breaks time, breaks words, breaks me.
And then, in silence, leaves me healed and mended.
I leave, returned to language, for I see
Through words, even when all words are ended.
I, who live by words, am wordless when
I turn me to the Word to pray. Amen.

Madeleine L'Engle, The Weather of the Heart, p.60