Nathan's in Afghanistan

Nathan left Sunday for Afghanistan. Through quick cell calls and texts we were able to follow his progress: McChord- Germany- "stan" something- Kyrgyzstan- he was suppposed to be in Kandahar early this morning. We should have an address for him sometime in the next 2 weeks.

Grandma Hendrickson's 90th Birthday

On March 13th we celebrated Grandma Hendrickson's 90th Birthday with friends and family. She was born March 10, 1920.

This is Grandma with her parents the Rev. Ernest & Irma Shaw and her 2 younger sisters, Bernice and Lois. They have both passed away in the last 7 years.

 

Grandma's Graduation picture. I believe it was in Maryland.

1938- Grandma told me that this was actually the morning after their wedding, they got dressed in their wedding finery and posed for 2 pictures in her parents front yard.

Grandma & Grandpa Hendrickson

Grandma with Carol & Karen

Grandma's 80th Birthday in 2000.

March Madness

And I don't mean basketball! We let 3 of the kids play baseball this year (or in moments of complete honesty I should say I encouraged the kids to play baseball this year). With Ryan home all week I didn't think it would be too onerous to try it out. Rush is playing for Adna High School, Jonah is playing minors, and Tovah is playing U-8 girls softball. We haven't played organized sports since the fall Arin & Rush were in U-8 soccer and Nathan played U-14. Nathan played 2 years of T-Ball and Coach Pitch.

Yesterday Tovah started her practices. Our week now looks like this:

Monday: Rush- afterschool until 5:30 @ HS, Tovah- 4:30-5:30 @ AES, Jonah- 5-7 @ HS
Tuesday: Rush, Jonah
Wednesday: Rush, Tovah, Jonah
Thursday: Rush, Jonah
Friday: Rush, Tovah

Plus Monday we're supposed to be at Cub Scouts 6-7 p.m. Wednesday we still have dinner and AllStars at church (for 6 more weeks). Thursday is Chess Club for Isaac right after school and Boy Scouts at 7. Friday Isaac & Arin have CAST from 3:30-5:30. This week Jonah is at the Batting Cages from 6-7 on Tuesday and Rush has games Wednesday and Friday. We don't know what Jonah & Tovah's game schedule will be.

And the gear we've had to buy- 2 batting helmets, 2 bats, a glove, 4 undershirts, a belt, a hat, a bag, and black & white socks. Luckily I've been stockpiling cleats and somewhere I acquired 5 pairs of baseball pants that fit Jonah & Tovah. I'm supposed to be looking for an "A" sticker for Jonah's helmet since he's the only one who doesn't have one but no one seems to know where you get them.

But the kids seem to be having fun and all that fresh air and running around is supposed to be good for me. Tonight I'm going to try and walk the track while Jonah is at the cages.

Eternal Father

Thursday we went to Ft. Lewis to attend Nathan's Battalion's Casing Ceremony. The Battalion's flag was wrapped and covered and will remain cased until the Battalion returns to the States.

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidst the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
O, hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea!

Christ, the Lord of hill and plain,
O'er which our traffic runs amain,
By mountain pass or valley low,
Wherever Lord our brethren go,
Protect them by Thy guarding hand
From every peril on the land!


O Spirit Whom the Father sent
To spread abroad the firmament,
O Wind of Heaven, by Thy might
Save all who dare the eagle's flight,
And keep them by Thy watchful care
From every peril in the air!


O Trinity of love and power!
Our brethren shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them whereso'er they go.
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee,
Glad praise from air, and land, and sea!


~William Whiting
 

I know this is traditionally the Navy Hymn but it's the one I think about the most when I think about Nathan (or any of our country's young people) going into danger in a war zone.
 

He had the rest of the day off so we took him to Applebees for burgers for lunch.

Grace Greater Than Our Sin

This week I’ve been thinking about the whole concept of giving things up. I guess my question is- if the Holy Spirit is working on me to give something up that I’m holding as an idol in my life then have I really repented if I only give it up for 40 days? Or am I saying to God, “Yes, this may be an idol in my life, but it’s more important to me than you are. However, to make me look good, I’ll give it up for 40 days.”


Is acknowledging that something may be a sin but not addressing that sin making the sin worse? James 4:17 says “Therefore, to him who knows to do good, but does not do it, to him it is sin.” Isn’t just by saying I’ll give it up for 40 days admitting that you know it’s a sin?

I know that God’s salvation is a free gift, Christ died for me and nothing I do can earn it. I’m not saying that I have to work for my salvation, but as a growing Christian I am to become more Christlike and to put off the sin that ensnares me.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1

Grace Greater Than Our Sin

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,

grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!

Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured,

there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

Grace, grace, God's grace,

grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

grace, grace, God's grace,

grace that is greater than all our sin!

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
threaten the soul with infinite loss;
grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide.
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,
brighter than snow you may be today.

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see his face,
will you this moment his grace receive?

~ Julia H. Johnston

They Survived

Last night was the first time we've left the 5 "little" kids home by themselves for longer than it takes me to run to the little store. They've been left home alone in different combinations that "get along." But never the whole group. Ryan was getting our Troops Spark Plug award at the District dinner and my folks were still in Oregon for the day.

Rush wasn't done with Baseball practice until after we had to leave so I made arrangements for a friend to bring him home and to come into the house to make sure everyone was set. We fed the kids Totinos pizzas before we left, left phone numbers in conspicous places (with the cordless phones), made arrangements for another friend to be on call and get here in less than 5 minutes, and set the Autotune for 8 p.m. for a show we wanted them to watch for school (I don't think they know how to override it).

I have to say they seem to have survived the evening. My parents were home before we were but we didn't walk into any chaos or tattling about what one brother did to another. Our cells phones didn't ring once the entire evening. Sometimes I really have a hard time remembering that they really are growing up- they are 15, almost 14, almost 12, 10, and 7.

Amazing Grace

GRACE- unmerited favor from God

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.


T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.


Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.


The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.


Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.


When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

~John Newton

I've been thinking about Grace a lot today. My Aunt Jane was hospitalized with suspected leukemia and had AML confirmed on Wednesday.
As Jane's diagnoses came back it unearthed a lot of pain and memories of being without control. But I know that Taryn's diagnoses and death touched lives and hearts and souls in ways that we can't imagine. For all the pain our family felt God was able to use us to further His work. I'm not the same person I was 17 years ago, I think I'm a different mom and wife because of Taryn. Ryan and I grew closer. I learned to hold tightly but also to let go. I learned that I can handle BIG things but small things drive me over the edge.

Today as I sit here and ponder I have to praise God, Jane's husband, my Uncle Dwayne returned to God and grew to love Him deeply. And his salvation was instrumental in bringing Jane and Sarah into a closer and deeper walk with God. Even if Dwayne's is the only soul that was saved then who am I to wonder as to how God works?

God showers grace upon us not because of the good things we do but because He loves us. His grace and favor is unmerited- I can't earn it and even if I blow it and don't extend grace to those around me He still loves me and  is gracious to me. God's grace has showered us with 5 Boys and a Princess (2 Princesses counting Cheyney). And in the end, His Grace will lead me Home...

Now, because I don't want to leave you in tears- Enjoy!