I have been clinging to Psalm 62-63 this week.  Here is a sampling:

God--you're my God!  I can't get enough of you!

I've worked up such hunger and thirst for God, 

traveling across dry and weary deserts.

So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, 

drinking in your strength and glory.

In your generous love I am really living at last!

My lips brim praises like fountains.

I bless you every time I take a breath;

My arms wave like banners of praise to you.

Psalm 63:1-4 (The Message)

I also enjoyed this passage from the Message translation:

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides.  You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors.  So don't try to get out of anything prematurely.  Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father.  He loves to help.  You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it.  Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought.

James 1:1-8 (The Message)

Wow.  How true it is that my faith-life has been forced into the open, and I am not so proud of its true colors.  But times like these are necessary to grow.  I pray that I will not only be changed and mature in my faith walk, but also not have to backslide so much next time before a major growing period again!  Lord, help me to not "try to get out of anything prematurely" so that you can do your work in my life.  I want my faith to be well-developed!  I love the line, "If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father."  How often it is that I don't know what I'm doing!  How blessed we are to have a Father who brings us hope, joy, and peace!

I haven't gotten a chance to blog in a while, so here's an update:

Last week I coordinated a Family Fun Night at school.  It was very fun to plan and get the kids all revved up for it.  Our school has never done anything like this before, but over 50 kids showed up with their parents!  It was fun to see them in a purely fun setting with their families. I also enjoyed giving out many free books!  I felt like Santa!  I'm hoping to continue this as a yearly event and build relationships with the families involved in Title I.

Last weekend we headed up to Newfolden to celebrate Thanksgiving with Joel's extended family before his grandpa heads to Texas for the winter.  It was the first time in many years that all of Joel's cousins could be together.  It was a packed-full house, but what a special time for the whole family to be together!  There are now five great-grandchildren in the family, so it was great to see those young ones interact!  Caleb especially liked playing with little Riah (almost exactly one year older than him).  At one point Riah gave Caleb a kiss on the cheek to make his owie feel better, and then Caleb turned and chased her down to try to kiss her back! It was so cute, but I think he scared her off!  Children are such a blessing and a joy!  Here are a few pictures from the weekend:

The immediate family.  I wish I had a copy of the picture of all of us together - over 30 - but only one camera was used to capture that.  I'm sure we'll get a copy eventually.

Uncle Miles, Aunt Judy, Cousins Jenny & Luke with their little baby Cadence, Joe & Liz with Riah, and Jordan.

Cute little Riah!  

Kisses for Mommy!

Making fish faces with Uncle Josh!

The little ones crowding around the fun toy together!

Joel with baby Cadence.

Caleb is sure cruising fast these days.  As of this week he has eight teeth.  I'm a little nervous for the molars that should come in next.  We're still trying to get him used to more "real" food so that he can eat more of what we're eating for meals.

We're enjoying a nice quiet weekend at home.  Hope you enjoy yours too!