I am preparing to go to my once-every-two-years family reunion in Colorado (I can never remember if that means bi-ennial or bi-annual). For those of you who know my mother's maiden name, it is a big deal when that many people gather together using that name. Last time our reunion sign got stolen from my aunt's front yard. Front yard of what we affectionately term "the compound" because they have bought about 6 adjoining lots with homes in order to house all the family for the reunion and their various guests who come from Hong Kong during the remainder of the year.

I am looking forward to good food cooked by someone else. Specialties such as steamed/grilled corn rubbed with lime or this really good Indian spice (fast street food in India). I am panting for the pool and cooler climate and the wide open beautiful skies. The compound is on top of a mesa so it allows for an unobstructed view. I anticipate the conversations with cousins and aunts/uncles who are spread across the globe. I am smiling just thinking about how fun it will be to be there with Xavier, my much-loved nephew, as the family-at-large meets him for the first time. And a whole week with my husband!

Life is good.

Was just on Aaron Klinefelter's blog. Noticed for the first time a similarity between blog names and bumper stickers. I wonder, "for the one title that will introduce you to the entire internet community, why did you choose ______________?" Especially when they are negative. Such as "__________ sucks". Do you really want to be defined by what you hate? Anyway, if you want to listen to somebody rant and rave, just ask my husband John how he feels about bumper stickers.

I've got this little handy-dandy devotional book that my mom gave me. In the past, I might have rejected this sort of thing.... (get into the Word yourself and dig deep!) but the way my life is right now, it seems like some days I can hardly make it to the one-minute version of time with God. This morning's entry was about praising God every day based on Ps 146. He is worthy of praise despite my circumstances of the day. Well, what do you know but I come into work and get blasted by someone else's crisis (that they want to make my crisis). I hadn't even put my lunch in the fridge yet and the day went to "hell in handbasket" (what does that mean anyway?). And do you know, the verse and encouragement of the morning came back to me. Praise God today. Praise Him now in the midst of my heart pounding and my blood boiling because I'm mad. Lord, thank you for today, even though my circumstances lead me to feel like it is not so good a day, because reality is that You are good and powerful and worthy and amazing. You are faithful in all You say and You are gracious in all You do.

We had one of those nice relaxed family holiday get-togethers at the lake over the July 4 weekend. (It really was nice; I am fortunate to have a family I enjoy being with.)

Highlights included seeing nephew baby Xavier paddling around in this inflatable yellow thing with a yellow hat reminiscent of a duck, going around the lake on a pontoon boat, a golf scramble with 3 family teams and a goofball award ceremony. Another favorite was the family gift to Bill Jones (my sister's husband's father who owned the lake cottage). He is an ob/gyn physician and we presented him with a sign for his office: "Dr. Jones...at your cervix."

John and I had some good conversations in the car on the 4 hour drive home. Usually when we try to think of baby names (hey, this kid is coming!) the discussion degenerates into thinking of the most ABSURD names possible. Like....Kookamonga or Blue or....I can't even think of them because the absurd ones usually come from my husband's mouth.

We rested on 4th of July and then I went to the House of Prayer. The Lord had a special gift for us that night...Sandie mentioned some things in the car that became a theme for the evening. Mike sang his own "Declaration of DEpendence". The only way we can be free is to be His "slave", to completely belong to Him. We prayed that there would be no hesitation or question in the way that we follow Him. Jesus is worthy! Oh, if we could only see the Man with eyes like flames of fire. He is the Beautiful Flame, the Beautiful Fire!

It reminded me of Blaise Pascal describing a moment when the Holy Spirit revealed the Beautiful Flame to him.

I quote A.W. Tozer on Pascal, "He was considered a genius in mathematics, and his scientific inquiry was broad. He was a philosopher and a writer. But best of all, he experienced a personal, overwhelming encounter with God one night that changed his life.

Pascal wrote on a piece of paper a brief account of his experience, folded the paper and kept it in a pocket close to his heart, apparently as a reminder of what he had felt. Those who attended him at his death found the worn, creased paper. In Pascal’s own hand it read: From about half-past ten at night to about half-after midnight—fire! O God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob—not the God of the philosophers and the wise. The God of Jesus Christ who can be known only in the ways of the Gospel. Security—feeling—peace—joy—tears of joy. Amen"