Not to be cliche, but the Rock House has been rocked a little lately, a little wind-tossed, spirit rains pouring down followed by the floods and more rains and more floods, but there’s a wise man here, so the rock house has stood firm.

In this world we will have trouble, but isn’t that perfect reason to snuggle, to hunker down and hold truth, let the shoulders touch? It’s a good time to love.

We began movie night last week, the same as I had with my family and that Seth had with his. We also started taco night, one food on which we all agree. It was simple. Simple is the most good. Simple is that discipline we suddenly desperately prioritize again into our lives.

Now, there are more important things. We have a home, and we feel crowded sometimes, but we do have room. We have room for a crib, room for some baby toys, and room in our hearts, so by God, we’ve befriended a little girl who comes into our space only two days a week, and she has eyes that catch – Oh Father of – Light.

I have fallen completely head over heels, keeping my nose to the back of her ears all the time. I hold her, and the boys win her attention. We pile up, and then we crash so hard into naps that we don’t know where we are when we wake.There’s something about having her here that makes me feel normal, a little irrational, but normal nonetheless.

The hard is the good: the paperwork for my little one, some sins revealed in us, the ketchup that dried like a fruit-roll-up on the floor, a series of comments that have blown my mind – all hard, all good.

And then, there’s Ann Voskamp, such an unearned gift in this time. Holley made arrangements for us to be real-life together, so I met them for coffee and tea around 3:30. I saw Ann, who knows how it pours, and I cried, and she cried, and then we sat, and eventually Holley cried, and then we cried again. We prayed. In public, holding hands, we are sisters. Then we drove to a mountain and looked over, said Jesus’ name. We giggled, loved our town, loved Ann in our town.

We later met with our husbands and with Stephanie from (in)courage and her husband. Some mountain music played in the corner of the restaurant. Ann knew I wanted to dance. Seth was in animation.

This morning, Stephanie, Holley, and Ann came for a bit. Ann read the perfect book to my boys. They loved it, her, and then went completely buck wild. I’m surprised we don’t all all pump knots on our heads.

Isaac received some photography lessons, and then he took this picture.

It’s my favorite.