Some Simple and Good: a rock home companion
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.
- March 8, 2010
- 20 Comments
- 0
- rock house
Kristen@Moms Sharpening Moms
March 8, 2010Y'all radiate effervescence.
It must be a Jesus thing. :)
To Think Is To Create
March 8, 2010That little girl? *Thud* Heart on the floor.
I so needed to see y'all today. That picture is my gift.
xoxo
Linda
March 8, 2010Oh Amber - I must confess - I am so jealous. I am also so delighted that you all got to spend time together. I am old enough to be mother to each of you, but you bless me so much nonetheless. You fill my heart with joy and hope and faith that all is well.
abbyleigh
March 8, 2010this is a beautiful reflection of a beautiful life being truly eaten up for all its deliciousness. you share without bringing out the envious in me - the part that wants to skip ahead to this part of life when we have (some)things figured out. keep devouring life and i will too - especially those babygerrrl cheeks - yum!
Jennifer @ GDWJ
March 8, 2010Beauty Times Four.
Jesus a-shinin' bright right there.
Corinne
March 8, 2010I'm in awe of all that... I don't even have the word for what I imagine the four of you to be like together... full of life and prayer and soul.
What an amazing time for you all :)
Amber
March 8, 2010What I want to say here is that we are to the floor humbled that God granted us arms yesterday and today. I certainly don't aim to say Na Na Na Boo Boo. I cried when I found out I would get to be with that little group. The timing was perfect.
Abby! I want to skip ahead to the part where we have some things figured out, too! It's funny.
Ari, I've thought about you all day for many days. Come and live in my house, please.
Jennifer and Kristen, thanks for seeing Jesus. You know, sometimes it's good to hear. Of course, Seth said he had expected the Shekinah Glory to show up with Ann. I had him to know that she's just a person, too. He said I was probably right.
Amber
March 8, 2010Corinne, I'm not sure if I've been able to express here Seth's and my deeply-rooted goofiness. It was a blessed time, but not without a lot of goofiness.
Who here knows what "putting on the dog" means? We discussed this and other Southern phrases. It was rich conversation.
Sara
March 8, 2010So happy for you! And a little jealous, too. ;-) I love Ann's site and go to it daily for quiet, comfort, and SLOW. I have enjoyed your site recently, led to it from another site, though I don't recall where. I'm looking forward to reading more. Thanks for sharing your journeys!
Tammy
March 8, 2010I so enjoy reading your posts. Your pictures are absolutely beautiful. I think we all could benefit from a little more simple in our life. I know I could. And what a pretty, pretty princess that has entered your world!
Elizabeth (@claritychaos)
March 8, 2010just have to say how much I love that your little one is holding a light saber or sword or something in that first picture. classic!
Bomi Jolly - JollyNotes.com
March 8, 2010aww...what a sweet, sweet post:)! Your little ones are so cute, and your little girl is adorable!!! Thanks for making me smile=)!
Nish
March 8, 2010I'm so glad that you were blessed by good sisters, taco night, movie night & snuggles behind the ears of a babe with Light in her eyes... seemingly at a perfect time for you.
God moves! And we are blessed by your sharing of His movement in your life.
emily
March 9, 2010how much would i love for my face to be there between Amber and Ann. I'm not sure what to say about this beautiful post, except *sigh*.
Megan@SortaCrunchy
March 9, 2010This is all kinds of gorgeous.
Rachel Boldman
March 9, 2010I have tears running down after reading this... As I'm going through this tough place right now you remind me of what I really need: my family, my sisters in Christ and my savior.
So happy you've been having a good, soul-nourishing time!
Lora Lynn
March 9, 2010You are glowing with happy and strength in that picture. Seriously. All this Heavy has made you radiate Light.
Kiss that baby head for me. So proud of you.
thegypsymama
March 11, 2010It looks like family to me. It looks like sisters. It looks like love.
Adventures In Babywearing
March 17, 2010Love this and you.
Steph
Ann Kroeker
March 24, 2010I'm not sure why your feed isn't showing up in Bloglines, so it seems I have to click directly over here and try catching up.
And I knew you'd met. I saw a different picture, but not this one.
As much as I wish I were Right There in the Middle of Things, I'm glad I wasn't there...because I think something needed to happen, some interaction, memory, and connection, with just y'all.