Feb.15 welcomes little Naya Faith Green

As David sings in Psalm 139:13-14, "You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." Everytime a new baby's birth touches our lives, we are amazed again at the wonder of how God has made us. The perfections of this precious life from tiny toes to chubby, grasping hands, searching eyes, wisps of dark hair. The immediate familiarity of her mother's voice, scent, touch. Her dependent, completely trusting love. ...Yes, Linda and Josh's baby is here. While grandpop celebrated his 91st birthday, little Naya Faith Green had her birth day. Mom and baby are fine. We are very thankful. And Juden and Ella will welcome their new baby sister.

He keeps the seasons

Our God, who is with us through all seasons, not only created the seasons of our earth but promised to sustain and keep them. I've always loved the promise of Genesis 8:22: "While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease." The reassuring promise of His keeping. And Eugene Peterson's very down-to-earth paraphrasing of Proverbs 3:24-26: "You'll take afternoon naps without a worry, you'll enjoy a good night's sleep. No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner, because God will be right there with you, He'll keep you safe and sound." ... People in upper New York State are dealing with 8 feet of snow and snowbanks that hide houses, and still global warming is a real "hot" topic. I'm not real sure what to think of it all. Of all people, through history's times and places, we are most abundantly blessed. And, I think, we do abuse those blessings often. Instead of godly stewards, we often are careless consumers. There is a self-absorbed tendency to grasp for all that is easiest, most comfortable, instantly obtained-- regardless of care for our world. We can try to be better stewards. Thankful, generous, industrious, careful. And always, we come back to sure promises of God being in control. Truly, "this is my Father's world." Issac Watts wrote a hymn in 1719: "I sing th'almighty pow'r of God, That made the mountains rise, That spread the flowing seas abroad, And built the lofty skies, And built the lofty skies. Lord! how thy wonders are displayed Where'er I turn mine eye! If I survey the ground I tread, Or gaze upon the sky, Or gaze upon the sky! There's not a plant or flower below But makes thy glories known; And clouds arise, and tempests blow, By order from thy throne, By order from thy throne. Creatures as numerous as they be Are subject to thy care; There's not a place where we can flee, But God is present there, But God is present there."

Babies, books, and Eloise Wilkin

Having a glimpse into a baby's introduction to the world of books is a very special thing. For most, it seems to come so natural to love pictures of animals (baby animals, farm animals, pets...) and to turn the thick pages of beloved hardboard books to see the familiar shapes and faces over and over. I wish I had a nickle for everytime I read "And what does the doggie say?" I think little Dove began barking and mooing before "bye-byeing". Heather and I found a wonderful children's book of nine of Eloise Wilkin's books (she is my favorite children's illustrator). Eden and Ella just love this book. The drawings are of beautiful, rosy-cheeked, chubby-faced little ones who delight in the wonders of a star-lit sky, stepping in a puddle, studying a bug or a flower, taking care of "Baby Dear", a brand-new baby doll, just the way Mommy takes care of the new baby brother or sister just brought home. Mrs. Wilkins captures the sweet innocence of children whose faces truly do "hold wonder like a cup". We watch them help mommy do all her household chores and their house comes alive with daintly patterned wall paper, braided rugs, flowered tea sets, curtains blowing in the windows, slippers beside the bed, ... Ella, especially, absolutely loves this book. When I come for my visitis to Chattanooga, after she greets me, she heads right for the shelf where this book better be, expecting me to sit right down and read it to her. She will sit quietly for 200 pages! Then slide down for a little play, but very soon head back to read it again. She never tires of seeing busy Timmy climb in his sandbox, be joined by a robin, a squirrel, and a bunny, "eat all his supper with no help at all", climb into bed all by himself, and lots of other things for "Timmy is a big boy." She loves to see over and over the little boy looking at birds in a nest, the little girl on her swing on the big, blossoming tree in her yard... (Josh has taken to hiding this book some times to encourage some other books and activities!) I remember another little girl (who turned 29 today!) who especially loved The Visit, another book by Eloise Wilkin. I think Linda felt as if she too walked right in the door of Great-Aunt Lavinia's large, Victorian house and made wonderful discoveries in all the rooms, so carefully decorated and furnished. Right up to the attic with its collection of antique toys. So maybe that love for those pictures passed on to little one-year old Ella.

Hunca Munca

No matter how many birthdays pass, most of us could imagine two very naughty little mice getting into a wonderful, old-fashioned doll house and having a great time wreaking havoc. Of course, at first their intentions were only to enjoy the feast laid out on the little dining room table. And the name Hunca Munca is perfect, sing-songy and catchy. I love the picture of Hunca Munca sitting in her chair dressed in one of Lucinda's lovely blue dresses, holding one of her babies beside a cradle filled with the rest of the baby mice. ... Yes, I've recently seen "Miss Potter", the movie about Beatrix Potter. It was really a nice movie, well done. And now I want to get an autobiography or biography of her as she was such an interesting person. Her sketches and water colors are wonderful. Her concern to preserve for all some beautiful acres in the Lake District in England was a great thing for those who can visit and enjoy it all too. (The movie said that she is the most popular children's author of all time.)

Well, here we go. Not quite sure what I'm doing.... So here's the first "post"....hoo hoo hoo.
Thinking about Sunday mornings when I attend church where Heather and family attend. Months ago when Lily was quite young, well before turning one, I was late and sat three pews behind the family. At some point, Lily looked over Heather's shoulder and saw me and her whole little face lit up with the biggest smile. People in the two rows between us, looked back to see who she was so happy to see. That was sweeter recognition than writing a best seller, than doing some uncommon heroic thing, than just about anything else. I worry sometimes when I visit there that the little ones are less settled in the pew than when I'm not with them. They vie to be close, climbing all over me. I get hot, quite rumpled, my hair sticking out in odd places. And somehow I feel more beautiful than if I were 100 pounds lighter, dressed in some sophistcated, lovely outfit just off the rack. Great fun being Nana --- ever since Oak.