Day two PM - Cape Ann Whale Watch - Gloucester

So, on day two after Saugus, we quick drove up to Gloucester to catch "our" boat to the whale watch. This was the first time our kids had ever been on a boat (yes - Dramamine... especially Chris who was pretty out of it by the time it kicked in enough for him not to be sick!), so this was more than one adventure! Here is the view as the ship started up...

This is a castle you can see from the bay - it is a European style castle - the man who built it couldn't seem to decide on one style - so it is a combination of 4!!! It also has a pipe organ throughout the entire house....

The lighthouse as we went out to sea...  : ) 

Leaving Gloucester behind......

Our first sighting. This was a VERY playful humpback whale that we stayed with for a good bit of our time. He kept coming up around the boat every 10 minutes or so between feeding dives. There is a protected area from Cape Cod up to Maine, and there are three feeding "ledges" that the whales tend to stay around. We went to the most Northern (Tilly's I think??). There was an organization called "Ocean Alliance" that was on board for education - they gave us a lot of information on feeding habits, size, and even names of the whales we may see. Michael Ben got the only shot we have of that tale going in. It happens SO fast that I was glad he got at least one!

Here is a humpback whale breaching the water... see the itty bit of green on the side? That is where the whale's color turns white. You can't see how big they really are while you are out there.

Another breech. This time with a blow... Again - notice the green - that's his FIN! 

Michael also got the only shot taken at the dock. For perspective - that's grown man standing on part of a fin. They spray painted the outline of a humpback on the dock - the previous pictures show the really tiny part of the upper body. Amazing creatures!!

Heading back, I had a thought. We were only 10 miles out. That's it. 10 Miles. Here is a shot from the back of the boast as we headed in....

Here is a shot from one side of the boat. Again - remember 10 miles.

The other side of the boat....

See anything?  Me neither.... the front of the boat looked the same. In fact, while the boat was moving we were freezing, so as we rushed back to shore, we were really, really looking for the sight of land. Really scanning for it. Again - we were 10 mile out. and there was NO land in sight. NONE. One of the things that struck me are the many references in scripture and song in which we refer to the sea. How vast it is! And yet, I had never realized quite the extent of that vastness. You don't have far out to go before it becomes very obvious how small you are and how great the ocean. 

Psalm 104: 25-26:

"O Lord, how manifold are your works!
    In wisdom have you made them all;
    the earth is full of your creatures.
Here is the sea, great and wide,
    which teems with creatures innumerable,
    living things both small and great."

Another thought that kept running through:

"O the DEEP deep love of Jesus vast unmeasured boundless free, rolling as a mighty ocean in it's fullness over me. Underneath me all around me is the current of Your love- leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above"

and:

" Here is love vast as the ocean, loving kindness as a flood, when the prince of life our ransom, shed for us His precious blood. Who His love will not remember, who can cease to sing His praise? He can never be forgotten throughout heaven's eternal days!" 

(Actually caught myself singing it out loud!)

And some day - we will sing.... on that day

"Hallelujah -bless your name. We will bow at your throne singing Hallelujah we are finally home!!"

And we will finally feel that vastness with a full understanding!!!

"For the earth will be filled
    with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord
    as the waters cover the sea."

 (Habakkuk 10:14) 

Come soon Lord Jesus....

Picture Explanations in LOTS of Posts! Our trip to Massachusetts... First stop? Boston.

 Well - technically, Franklin. We left our house around 5 AM to get to Franklin to worship with our sister church, Crossway. I don't have any photos of the church, but we were very blessed and happy to visit with them. We got to see some familiar faces from Youth Camp and meet a few new people. Worship was good and the sermon was just what I needed to hear (it was the first on a three part series on Cynicism ). We really enjoyed our time there, and, since we hope to continue heading "up north" on occasion to see Mike's sisters, it is great to have a New England "home church". 

   I probably didn't mention yet that two of Mike's sisters live in Massachusetts. They have been up there a few years now - Mike's family lived up there until he was 14. Anyway, we took the train from Somerville (where his "baby" sister lives) into Boston. Mike's sister had a light lunch waiting for us when we got to her apartment, then it was off to the station. This was the kids first train ride ever, and they were SO excited!! These first two pictures were taken from the train as we on our way into city. BEAUTIFUL!

 

      This is Park Street Church - one of Mike's previous pastors is now preaching here. A lot of history has happened in this building. We didn't get a chance to see North Church this trip - we only stayed for the afternoon.

We didn't go in, but did take time to visit the graveyard next door. Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, Phyllis Wheatly and Ben Franklin's parents are all buried here....

      Next - it was off to Boston Common. This is a preserved space for the enjoyment of the city. It is a park - the weather was perfect, and we enjoyed things like the fountain (which they just finished renovating),

      The "Make Way for Ducklings" sculpture - the story took place here in Boston, and the ducks are heading toward their pond...

      We had the kids pose with their Aunts, but apparently there was a lot of glare... Everyone is trying not to go blind - Chris must have given up because his hand went right over his whole face...  Oh well..  : )

The Carousel was also open that day. Everyone got a chance to ride...

Then it was off to Beacon Hill to see some of the Architecture...

      The kids had found this door knocker online, and were so thrilled to see is "in person"!!

      Then we headed over to Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market.

Here's another shot of Faneuil Hall - see the golden grasshopper weather vane on the roof?

Here's a better shot of the grasshopper. They have drawings of old fashioned fire engines spraying it clean... Again - the kids loved seeing him "in person"!

We had dinner at the Green Dragon (again - no pictures - sorry!!), and then headed over to see the scene of the Boston Massacre. The building and area seem so out of place among the skyscrapers that surround it. We did learn a bit about this from Mike though. Since we have been doing school, symbolism has taken on so many more meanings! I will explain more on that later, but when dealing with historical sites, the carvings and sculpture actually meant something - other than ornamentation. Do you notice the Lion and Unicorn?

They are the symbols of the English monarchy. The Lion is England, the Unicorn is Scotland, and they were incorporated together under James who was already the sovereign of Scotland when he became the King of England. They are the symbols of the crown. So, there was even more outrage in the colonies because the "Massacre" took place under the "full view of the crown" symbolically. In fact, the originals were torn down and burned in a bon fire - that's how seriously it was taken...

      Here is the "site" itself. It is a paved round with labeling around the edge that states it is the sight of the Boston Massacre. After this, we headed back to the subway (across the street from the site - that was strange for me!), said goodbye to "the Aunts", and headed over to West Peabody, which is where we were staying. We packed a lot into that day. We slept well! It was also such a gift to be able to spend time with Mike's sisters. They put so much time and energy into planning our time in Boston, fitting things in, showing us things we were specifically studying in school - all things they really didn't have to do, but did with such willingness. It was awesome!
      This was our first "family" vacation we have ever taken. After the first day, we were alone and seeing things as a nuclear family for the first time ever. It was such a gift to be able to do this. The weather and timing of things were so perfect and we are so grateful for the blessing this weekend away was!

"What have they got that I ain't got?"

Part 1 - written 3/24

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032138/quotes?qt=qt04098Scene quoted not scene pictured...

Cowardly Lion: Courage! What makes a king out of a slave? Courage! What makes the flag on the mast to wave? Courage! What makes the elephant charge his tusk in the misty mist, or the dusky dusk? What makes the muskrat guard his musk? Courage! What makes the sphinx the seventh wonder? Courage! What makes the dawn come up like thunder? Courage! What makes the Hottentot so hot? What puts the "ape" in apricot? What have they got that I ain't got? 

Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Woodsman: Courage! 

Cowardly Lion: You can say that again!

      Well - we've had quite a couple of weeks.  I don't have a lot of time to post actually - we got caught up in baking and I have 15 minutes until the timer goes off - and, well, I have a lot more to say than I can in that time.  But - in 15 minutes I can do a quick summary and then, maybe, I will be faithful enough to follow through with a little more detail after that.  Right.  OK.

    Just recently came under the conviction that I really have a whole lot of fear.  And not just the "normal" morbid Italian type either (and I mean that with the utmost of respect - being half Italian and all.....) - not just fear of things going wrong.  Fear of things going right.  I actually fear blessing.  And I don't know why.  Don't get me wrong - I have the normal "living in a fallen world" fears.  I am afraid when I watch my son walk to drum lessons by himself now (he's 13) - maybe he will get hit by a car, or worse, hurt by someone else.  Maybe this will be the last time I ever see him.  Which of course gets me to thinking that maybe I should have thought about that when I said "Goodbye" to my husband this morning - maybe he's not coming back either.  And you know where that spiral ends up.  Let's just say that I am very familiar with the phrase paralyzing fear.  It's not a stranger in my mind.  And it's a battle I have to fight in faith - faith that God loves all of them more than I ever could.  That kind of battle, to me, is normal - at least normal-ish.    

          This battle is new ground in my awareness of my lack of faith.  And I am finding it goes much deeper than the "normal" fear I am used to battling.  It's that fear of waiting for the other shoe to drop.  It's a fear that whatever might be going well is just a set up for something going really, really wrong.  It's a facet of a battle I had thought I had already had victory in - the battle of cynicism.  And it turns out it is just as paralyzing as the other kind - but in a different way.  


Part 2 Written 3/27
    You know how faithful God is????  Just two borrowed thoughts for now.  Imagine, my surprise as I sat in church on Sunday and listened to our sermon .  As I listened near the end, sitting there crying and hearing some of these exact phrases coming out in application for a heart that is trusting in performance instead of the finished work of Christ.  Things like waiting for the other shoe to drop.  Things like being paralyzed with fear and weary.  And then, this morning, reading these thoughts from another blog - again tying in insecurity and fear to trust in our performance (definitely worth a read!!).  He is faithful to answer, isn't He?  I said this was new ground - but He was already at work.  Still reeling from the love He has for me - will get more into detail maybe later.  For now - that battles is still very much on in my life this week - and I am still fighting and "in the midst" - and it feels more and more intense as I try to cling to truth instead of fighting the "old" way.  Prayers are appreciated - but even more than that - to be able to sing to Him, tears streaming down my face Sunday "I Will Sing of MY REDEEMER" - It is FINISHED!!!  Praise the Lord!

  

Fall is HERE!!

This is my favorite time of year!!!  Absolutely.  Crisp weather, stunning colors, every sense is amplified!!!  And the smells!!  And I get this baking bug (we have been eating very well around here as of late....  :  )  ). Here are some pictures of my decorating - it's an event around here!  And I can edit out the messy parts of the house.....bonus!!   : )

Our archway between the living room and dining room:

 

One side table of the sofa:

The other side table:

The blanket on the sofa I finally finished last year!

The wall behind our table:

The window next to our table:

The window behind our table:

My hutch:

Left corner close up of the hutch : ) :

Right corner close up of the hutch:

In the hutch - my pottery leaf - love this thing!!

I LOVE fall!

Another song post.... :)

Ok - Can't help it.  Here is another song that struck a cord with me this week!  We have had a lot of interesting things happen over the last few days.  Here is a snap shot....

  My dad had surgery last Thursday, we went to pick him and my mom up on Friday.  After getting them settled in at their home, our van's brakes went out all at once - thankfully in a a parking lot next door to their house where it was parked.  Praise God it did not happen on route 78 on the way back from Hackensack.  Praise God we own not one, but 2 mini vans, and were able to switch over the vans (yes - we were crazy enough to drive the other one home - hey - it's only 10 minutes...) , and pick up our kids.
We got it back yesterday - turns out the brake lines ruptured - they had to be custom made (whole other story - our mechanic couldn't get them from the local GM dealership because there is some anger over there right now as next week they are closing), so it took 3 days.  Van is running wonderfully now.  Given the miles we put on that thing each week at this point - we are grateful for God's timing.  Another praise in the dad and surgery area is that my dad was spared some major complications because he had robotic and went to Hackensack instead of staying local (as I had mentioned - our family has some physical quirks - apparently on both sides!!).  He would have suffered permanent damage if he would have gone traditional.  Praise God for His hand in ordering my parents steps as they walked through all of the treatment options!!

Got said van back yesterday - my brother's truck seized up on 78 last night (back wheels locked - he was able to get off the road safely!!  Praise God!!!).  Mike's van out on loan today to him for work travel.  Mike is off until Tuesday from working at his dad's - so we were able to "lend out" so my brother doesn't have to worry about missing work while he comes up with the money to have his truck repaired. In the meantime my washing machine shut itself down.  At least I had been able to get half of the wash done before it rebelled.  Typing next to washing machine parts strewn all over my kitchen floor - glad my husband is "handy" - but what a mess!! And my laundry is sitting in little piles around the border.  Planning a trip to mom's in the next 48 hours if we can't get this thing fixed.  Praise God for local relatives who don't mind lending out their washers!!!

So we have one car (better than none), and lots of laundry to catch up on - but only half of what was here before!!  I want to go back to sleep for a long time (plus I am running a fever - that could explain some of it - but most of it is an effort to get away :)  ).  This morning I needed some music that would help me keep focused as I cleaned up the kitchen and tried to get some things in order.  Decided on Keith and Kristin Getty.  Truth to music that also has that "marching as to war" feel.  At least some of it - and that was what I was after.  Needed a steady rhythm and gaze lifting lyrics.  Here is the one that was brought home this morning :

"Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer"
Music by Keith Getty; Words by Margaret Becker
Copyright © 2002 Thankyou Music

Jesus draw me ever nearer
As I labour through the storm.
You have called me to this passage,
and I'll follow, though I'm worn.

May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart's testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.

Jesus guide me through the tempest;
Keep my spirit staid and sure.
When the midnight meets the morning,
Let me love You even more.

Let the treasures of the trial                                
Form within me as I go -
And at the end of this long passage,
Let me leave them at Your throne.

Love the lyrics of this song!!  This mix of dependency and walking really speak to me - and it is my prayer that as I walk through all of life's journeys that at the end I might wake more in the likeness of Christ, and cast any treasures I might gain at the throne of Christ at the end.  What a picture!!!  It is a wonderful and reflective song (not one of the "Marching as to War" ones :) - told you I have a music thing.... ).  

I know that God will finish His work in us as we continue in Him.  To borrow one of my husband's favorite phrases "May Christ receive the glory in all things"  !!

An Update?

I realize I haven't posted in 2 months. We have had a crazy summer. Mike is finishing up his finals this week, and we have both been counting down the days this semester. It has been an unusually tough time for us time wise.

Last week we had the opportunity to go to Worship God '09 (the SGM Worship conference). Mike had been able to attend last year ('08), and really wanted me to come along with him. I can't express how grateful I am that he pushed me to go. It was an amazing time, and God used so many things over the course of the 4 days we were there to re-center my focus on Him. It was time well spent, and we are tremendously grateful to have been able to go (and grateful to my parents for watching the kids!!).

Mike is really looking forward to finishing his semester. One more semester, and he is done. I have no idea what the next few months will hold as we move forward, and that can be a bit unnerving. I think we are both feeling that. These past few months have been a mixture of fear, hope, confusion, peace, and a wonderful exercise in faith. I am feeling as if the next few months will bring about a whole new level of exercise. I know that He will be faithful to complete the work He has started in us - I am really praying for peace in the transition.

The kids have been great. I truly do not deserve to be blessed with the gift of my kids! They continue to grow and encourage me in so many ways!! We are getting ready to shift back into school mode. They are eager (especially the younger 2), and are looking forward to starting back up again. I need to bathe that in prayer - I am not there yet. I keep putting our start date off. It is time to get organized and going....

My heart has been heavy as of late. God is faithful. I know He is. It just feels like a free fall right now. I feel like we have been given such a great gift in this time. I am not sure if we have used it effectively. God has been bountiful in His provision to us. He has been gracious to our family. As I look back on all He has done over the last 8 months (WOW!!) that Mike has been home, I am nothing but grateful. I am starting to wonder what comes next now. I am not sure if that is helpful. And yet, as this season winds down in the next few months, I find myself asking my husband more and more often "What's going to happen to us? Are we going to be OK? We're going to be OK right?"

Even as I ask I know that I should know better. Mike is not my saviour. He loves me, and God uses him to provide for our family (in ways we could never have imagined). But he doesn't know, nor does he control the future. And I know who does. And I know He is faithful. And He has walked us through in ways I could never have anticipated. Please pray for a more profound focus. Please pray that I would not be "like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like." (James 1:23-24). But that I would be about doing the word - and that my trust would be planted firmly in God who NEVER changes.

Another Monday!

Wow - it has been over a week since I last posted! I though maybe I would do better. Looking over the last 10 days, I am realizing just how much I have to be thankful for. Someone at church yesterday made the observation that this has been a week of answered prayers. At that moment, as she and two other friends and I were talking, it seemed very clear that it indeed had been. Then we left church.

How many times have we heard the exhortation that we can take our Sundays into the week? What a beautiful Sunday it was! We are in a series called "Pierced for our Transgressions". It is a timely reminder of what Christ accomplished on the cross for us - something I am in constant need of!! The worship was intoxicating, the sermon was full and deeply satisfying. It was a gift of grace to us. http://www.gcchurch.org/pages/index.php?pID=37

Yet, even on the way home the weariness settled in again ( I will never use the word doldrums again! :) ). I need to see Christ right now. It's funny how that ebbs and flows. Some days I see Him so very clearly. Some days I feel like I am straining to see - but He doesn't seem to be there.

But I know that even as I write, He is faithful. A friend shared with me on Saturday that she is talking with her children about the faithfulness of God by using the sun as an example. She shared that she had been telling them that the sun is always there - even when the clouds hide it, even on rainy days, even at night. The sun never moves away from the earth. It remains the same distance from the earth whether it "feels like it is there" or not. The Spirit of God is in us! He can't get much closer than that! So why does He feel so far away?

This has been a week of answered prayer. A new life was saved, a job situation we had been praying for has been resolved, provision has been made for those of us that are in need. These are facts - not feelings. Those things have not changed. I think for me, the sun illustration goes a bit deeper. The reason that Sunday was so wonderful was that I was looking straight into the sun. There is a song we sing called "In the Shadow of the Cross". The first two lines say :

In the shadow of the cross

Let everything fall into place again

Simple, yet not so simple. Sunday morning, I was being immersed in the Cross. Everything fell back into focus for a time. Then I turned around. Now it feels cold, as if I can't see the sun. I have two choices - I can face the sun, or demand that the sun face me. So far, to be honest, I have chosen the latter. I have a list of demands that I would like fulfilled, and they are this way, not that way. I covet your prayers right now! I need to realize that how it "feels" and the facts are two different things. I need to realize that more than just with a verbal assent.

We finally got the virus....

Today we were all home sick with the flu that everyone has been getting. We missed our church family so much!! After all the kids are medicated, they act pretty normal, so it has been a strange day. Once their medicine wears off though, they can barely stand. I hear this is a week long flu. At least we can still do school :) - one of the draw backs to being homeschooled.

My First Blog Post

This is a brand new thing for me. I remember writing in a journal as a kid and having my mom ask what was happening in my life. I would ask why she wasn't reading my journal. Now I have one online!!