baked goods

 Yesterday the girls and I hid Matt's gifts and birthday snacks just before he walked in the door in the one place we knew he'd never look...the oven.

Today, of course, as I was homeschooling and trying to get a chocolate pumpkin cheesecake in the oven so it would have four hours before dinner to chill, the piano teacher noted a nice plasticy burning smell, as my oven preheated Matt's new shirt, Reese's peanut butter cups, birthday cards and fall blend coffee. 

It was just one of those days.  Lately life has been feeling like seven directions at once.

When Matt did finally open his singe-y shirt, (color blind as they come, Matt is) he quickly pulled it on and asked us what color it was.  "It's like a burnt orange color," I told him, and Sofie immediately started cracking up with, "That's 'cause Mama cooked it!"  

How thankful we are all the same for Matt in our lives, and for a few dear neighbors to celebrate with tonight. Matt's mama comes in this weekend to celebrate him, too!

Can I continue to ask you to be praying for my brother? Lost in many ways...

This quote I read tonight is for me, in the middle of adventures and in the throes of mundane, trying-to-be-faithful days.

"The Christian life is not

a series of a few special performances;

it is a steady persistence for a lifetime.

Many of us can produce a burst of enthusiasm now and then...that's not particularly difficult. 

The real challenge is to stay the course over the long haul--not a flash in the pan, but steady, stable and persevering in the essentials of maturing faith."

-Alistair Begg