Ice Cream Princess

This is how a princess enjoys an ice cream sandwich...and then rides off into the sunset.

because two is better than one...

This week I took care of two precious 11 month old twins. It was fun to see how different they were side-by-side. Different personalities, different interests, different tastes. One a boy and one a girl. Yet their differences complimented each other and made it all the more fun to be around them.

It would be well for me to remember how this reflects all people. And how our differences compliment each other to enhance the whole.Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow... Ecc 4:9,10

Give Me The Bible

Aiko is a little girl that lives near me. I watch her and her little brother sometimes when her mom has to work. She is very bright and asks so many questions. Deep questions that are far beyond her years. I like that I can talk to her and have her understand me better than a lot of people 5 or 10 times her age. She is quick and perceptive, she has a great memory and attention to detail. Traits that I appreciate at any age.

In a lot of ways she sees the world from a 5-year-old’s viewpoint, but then she’ll surprise me with a profound insight that leaves me just staring at her and wondering what little wonder this is.

One day she asked me what I had gotten for Christmas. I thought back and said “Well, I got a Bible”. “What’s a Bible?” she asked. I was flabbergasted. How do you explain what a Bible is to someone who has never heard of one? This was new to me. It’s a book...a collection of books...a collection of stories...the Word of God...direction...inspiration...glory...

“Well’ I began, ‘it has a lot of great stories in it about God and things He wants us to know.” “Oh, yeah!” she interrupted, “I know one of those stories.” “Which one?” I queried, expecting her to tell me about one of the more well known stories like Jonah and the great fish, Daniel in the lions den, Noah and the flood, the birth of Jesus or even Queen Esther...but no. This child is always surprising me.

“Yeah...the story about painting the blood on the doors” she said. She then proceeded to ask me about what that story meant and why they had to put blood on the doors. Why they had to kill the lamb. What a wonderful opportunity was opened up before me to lay out the plan of salvation to a child. I don’t know how much of it she understood, but I am just here start the wheels turning. The rest will come in time.

Since then she has asked me a few times about the bible I got for Christmas, why I wanted one, why I need more than one, if she can hold it...

It just amazes me that someone who lives less than two miles from me has never held a bible before and doesn’t know what it is, or what it contains...makes me want to share more. I pray for these children and the influence I may be in their lives...I underestimate the impact they have in mine.


Give Me The Bible
by E. S. Lorenz

Give me the Bible, star of gladness gleaming
To cheer the wandrer lone and tempest tossed
No storm can hide that radiance peaceful beaming
Since Jesus came to seek and save the lost

Give me the Bible, holy message shining
Thy light shall guide me in the narrow way
Precept and promise, law and love combining
Till night shall vanish in eternal day

Give me the Bible, when my heart is broken
When sin and grief have filled my soul with fear
Give me the precious words by Jesus spoken
Hold up faiths lamp to show my Savior near

Give me the Bible, all my steps enlighten
Teach me the danger of these realms below
That lamp of safety oer the gloom shall brighten
That light alone the path of peace can show

Give me the Bible, lamp of life immortal
Hold up that splendor by the open grave
Show me the light from heavens shining portal
Show me the glory gilding Jordans wave

Haiti Blog

I really need to do more blogging and hopefully that will happen this summer.
My Haiti updates can be found at http://laurenlombard.posterous.com

Valentine Memories

We treasured this valentines day knowing that there will likely never be another one like it.

Happy Valentines Day!

Today is a day that many celebrate and unnumbered others fall into great depression over their state of singlehood. I can say that I have never been part of the second crowd, not because I have had a Valentine on the 14th of February every year, but because in my family Valentines Day was always a time to celebrate love with those who were in your life, not just one person. So, all this candy and hearts and explosion of pink around us is just a great reminder to cherish the ones we love...and really, that's what it's all about--LOVE.

A winter Sabbath by the shore and sushi

cigar smoke and an intriguing soul

We went to the shore this afternoon for the beauty and the brisk air. When we arrived at the waters edge we were met with the sweet smell of what I thought was pipe smoke. Upon turning a corner we found an older man enjoying a european cigar and admiring the view while simultaneously consuming a Toblerone bar. He had a bushy white beard, a bulky coat and fine leather shoes. David struck up a conversation with him and found out he was Romanian. I asked what he did and shared that I had spent some time in Romania. It turns out that he is well published author an student of his surroundings. He shared many things that left me intrigued, but what impressed me was how freely he spoke of his God-it was the first thing out of his mouth and the last as he prayed a blessing over us. It's not everyday that you meet a world-famous-writer that was educated by monks. He said that he had found Maine to be quite cold to foreigners and kept apologizing for his accent. We were charmed and sat with rapt attention. He kept saying that it was so amazing to meet us, as if WE were the world-renowned accomplished individuals. It struck me that everyone needs someone to listen and it is often what we don't say that draws them to us.

Clinging to God

God is good. That is all I have to say. All I need. All I want. He's been right there holding my hand or allowing me to cling to Him.

a taste of summer...

This summer we made homemade pasta again and it turned out much better. The combination of fresh pasta and sauces was amazing.

a kid again...

I say that my favorite thing about my job is that I get to kiss babies all day long which is true and I love it. However, there are other benefits that go along with it too. It has been good for me to slow down and enjoy life through the eyes of a child. I get to wear pigtails and candy cane striped who socks, I get to play in the mud and pick wild flowers. Everyday is an adventure and it has been good to be a kid again. The other day Sophie told me "You're so fun. No one ever plays in the mud with us! Our friends are scared to and adults don't want to get dirty." They have no idea what I'd be up for. So whether we are swinging through trees or creating a hair salon, there is never a dull moment.

sunflowers

Yesterday was the perfect summer day. It was a "Luke day" and his mom had told me about an organ concert at the big church on the corner. I didn't know if he would like it or if he could make it through the whole thing, but I thought we could try. He was great and was not only quiet the whole time, but actually seemed to enjoy it. We then walked down the street and I got a scoop of Maine Tracks ice cream which I paid for in pennies because I can. Tacky I know, but who cares? It's kind of fun to be random sometimes. Then we walked over to the park and perused the farmer's market. I spied some beautiful sunflowers (which I just love) and had to buy them because they were just too happy to leave there. We sat in the park for a bit: Luke cooing and I reading a book I'd brought and then I gave him a flower which he happily waved about and tried to eat. He is growing so fast. Now he can roll over! And he is using his hands a lot more. It was a beautiful day. Warm breezy and happy.