Romans 11:25-36

By God's mercy and help I finally completed memorizing chapter 11! I just looked back and saw that I have been working on chapter 11 since May 21st! Whoa! I memorized chapters 1 through 10 from Jan. 12 through May 20, just over 4 months for 10 chapters (only by HIS great help!). Then, I got stuck. It has taken well over 3 months to complete this one chapter. Clearly, I cannot do this in my own strength. I have been chipping away at it slowly over the last 2 weeks or so. I plan to get back to posting as I memorize, we'll see if that actually happens!

Romans 11:25-36

Lest you be wise in your own sight, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, "The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob"; "and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins." As regards the gospel, they are enemies of God for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" For from him and to him and through him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

O merciful Father! Thank you for the gift of your Word! It is precious to me! Thank you for allowing me to finish this chapter. Continue to help me hide your word in my heart. I feel my weakness and inability to take on the last 5 chapters. I can and will only do it if you will help me! I will not move forward in my own strength! I need you! Please help me by your Spirit and for YOUR glory alone! Amen.

And now, right now, I will go and begin working on chapter 12! Praise God!

I wanted to take a moment to introduce you to our church and the PC rooms. I got these images from our new friends', the Tregs, blog. They actually thought of taking pictures of these things for people back home. This has never occurred to me.

So, if you've never seen our church, there it is!

This is the PC classroom where my husband and 16 others will spend many, many hours this year.

Kevin will spend lots of time studying and reading and praying and studying and writing and reading and praying and learning, here. This is the PC library. I foresee Kevin sitting in that chair.

A lot.

Notice the books. There are many more on the other side of the room. It is well stocked. Kevin will love it here. He loves books.

Last, but certainly not least, the PC breakroom. There is a constant flow of coffee out of this room. My husband will certainly partake. Apparently, there is also a pretty steady stream of goodies.

Anyway, just a glimpse of where Kevin will be "doing life" for the next 9 months or so!

Hair

She was playing quietly. I could hear her talking softly to someone or herself. Then I heard crying. I asked, through her closed door, are you okay? She responded, "I sprayed my eyes!" I immediately opened the door, knowing she had gotten out the de-tangler for kids I use on her hair when I put it in pigtails. I was tempted to give her a stern speech about not using that stuff. I began with, "Chloe, you may not get out that spray." She said, in a tiny little voice, "but I wanted to make my hair pretty for you." I, of course, melted. I knelt down beside her and said, "Chlo, you can't use it by yourself." She comes back with, "But it says to use it by yourself." I laughed. She is still rubbing her eyes with soaked hands. I now realize that she is drenched in the stuff! We went to the bathroom to get a washcloth and wipe away tears and product. She was concerned that I not wipe too much off. I noticed various clips in her hair. She had certainly made an effort! I wish I had pictures!

One of those days.

Today is one of those days.

I use this phrase too often. It typically means I am tempted or have been surviving a difficult day.

Today is one those days...

I feel the joy of mothering; there is peace in my house.

What made the difference between this morning and the last?

Maybe it was the fresh reminder of the Gospel I received last night.

Yesterday, I took the kids to the store and through a variety of circumstances (Besty Ricucci would call these providences) I found myself very angry at one of my children; sadly, not an unusual situation. I stood there, in the middle of the grocery store, fighting for faith. I stood still for several minutes trying to decide what to do. I left very aware of my anger and sinfulness. Questions raced through my mind even as I tried to take them captive, "Why do I still get so angry?" "Will I always respond in anger?" I saw little hope for change, though (by God's grace alone) I was aware that my status before the Lord was/is secure in Jesus.

The rest of the day was fine; not joy-filled, but fine.

Last night we had our first Mahaney Meeting. Each month we have the privilege of meeting with CJ and Carolyn Mahaney for 2 plus hours. This generous usage of their time has already proven life-changing for me. In typical CJ-fashion, we were freshly reminded of the gospel. The gospel oozes from CJ's pores. He is saturated in it and seems to be always affected as he speaks of what Christ has done for him, for us. So, in light of the exhortation to remember the gospel, this morning I read through "A Gospel Primer". I was deeply moved as I reflected on and rehearsed God's grace to me. This line in particular, was affecting for me, "No wrath is awakened in God at my sin, because Christ appeased it..."

No wrath.

No wrath because

Christ appeased it.

He took it.

He bore it in full brunt on that Tree.

I do not deserve this great salvation. I don't deserve it "on my holiest day", much less any other sin-filled day. I am never, could not ever be, worthy of this great love and mercy.

6 years.

This is the official first class. Kevin has already had more reading to do, in one week, than I usually get to in a month or more. He is proving his ability to walk the line of diligence in study and faithfulness to his family. This weekend provided quite the training ground because...

Our 6th anniversary was on Sunday! 6 years! Wow...

My husband blessed me in numerous ways, but my favorite was the note he wrote and gave to me (along with the one dozen GORGEOUS white roses - seriously, I've never seen more beautiful, perfect roses). He has a way with words.

He lavished me with other gifts including an amazing Le Creuset enameled cast-iron skillet. I picked it up today (he ordered it from their outlet) and can't wait to put it to use tonight for my Beloved's dinner...pork chops...yum! He also took me on a shopping spree meant to bless me because I enjoy shopping; I must say, though, it is less fun with children. Kevin took the full brunt of the complaining and arguing so that I could enjoy myself. What sacrificial love!

He took me to dinner at my favorite restaurant: Tower Oaks Lodge. I L.O.V.E. eating there! My favorite part of the evening was watching Kevin dive into his dinner! I've never seen him get so lost in a meal before! Usually we discuss flavors and textures and delight over each bite. Last night, he was speechless. He just zoned out of reality for about 5 minutes. I was delighted to see him enjoying it that thoroughly!

All of this to say, my Beloved blessed me a great deal this weekend. He was thoughtful and generous and lavish in his affection. He joyfully gave me his time, though he certainly had much to do. His desire was to have his reading completed by today, but sacrificed that desire to bless me. I cannot help praising God for giving me to this man. God brought us together and held us together through a season that seemed too dark to ever end. Ours was the marriage that nearly wasn't. But, by God's abundant grace he saw us through and united us on August 30, 2003. We have only grown closer and more in love since that day. This has been coursing through my mind over the past few days: Praise God from whom all blessings flow!" It is the cry of my heart as I reflect back on the past 6, grace-filled years.