behind the pictures

 I don't think we've closed the doors or windows since Matt left...the last two days have been cool-er and clear and the rest of the world finally agrees with me that living outside would be better. Or at least a few of them do. We went to pick up pumpkins for Matt's birthday on Wednesday and they had just a few:

Couldn't help but look around and remember all the many, many years that we sacredly got our two styrofoam orange painted pumpkins out of the rubbermaid for Matt's birthday, dusted them off with a sweaty hem, and declared it "fall".  Isn't it strange how such little traditions that felt pathetic at the time feel so special now. Our kids will always remember those two pumpkins, and pulling out the long hidden can of pumpkin pie filling off the top shelf, purchased months before in America for his annual pumpkin birthday pie.

We fear having little, fear having not enough. But I can testify that having very little makes everything feel special in a way that having more never really does.

Matt has had a good and busy time at the New Room conference...met and reconnected with a lot of people, heard some great preaching and taught his Thursday night class from his hotel room tonight...we'll all be glad when dad is home again.

I don't know what to do for Haiti but to pray, and pray, and love the people behind the pictures as well and as painfully as we possibly can, to remember the people behind the pictures are the people who carried us water when the pump was without power...who sat all night for fuel when there was none, who rocked my sick babies, who showed up at all hours, who cared for Matt when he was hurting, the people behind the pictures who taught ME to love DEEP and WELL, who point us to Jesus and faith, always... Please keep on praying