check 'im out...

so, my husband has a blog. he's a little more thoughtful about posting than i am....

joshtermeer.blogspot.com

christmas pictures

november

well, ellis got the cast off and life is somewhat normal again. he goes to another appointment on tues to see if he needs physical therapy. brynn became very vocal in her ninth month of life. she's been saying "mem-mem" (mom), "da-da" (dad) for awhile now, but has added "cheese" (for when the camera is out), and "where r u, atye", for when she is calling atley.
the knotts were in town for a few days, which was good times. and the stopyras were in town earlier in the month, so all the catching up with friends was much enjoyed.
now on to christmas...

amusing cast-boy

cast removal and bath day tomorrow!!! we are all thrilled of course, though it has been better than i expected. the worst part right now is the smell. el's surgery had initially bled a little right after surgery and the dried blood has been sitting under the cast for the last 6 weeks. it's the kind of smell that is invasive and lingers and i think that i will remember it forever. not pleasant. can't complain though. about 3 weeks ago el learned how to walk in his cast and that has made the whole process go much quicker for everyone. thank you to all who made meals, gave el presents to occcupy him, prayed for us and basically expressed love for our family. happy thanksgiving!

edit- the video won't load. i'll try it again later.

fall fun

New City

Finally my blood is rushing through my veins, A foreign sensation where flowing and pounding have made peace, My senses are electric and my surroundings are vibrant as the knowledge of who I am moving towards threatens to overwhelm my heart, I have stepped out of a rainy dreary black and white day and into a brilliant morning just outside of a city where even from far off the architecture stuns me, reminding me of every beautiful thing I've seen and many I have not. I follow the road to this greatest city with my friends and companions as celebration begins to break out joyfully, for we are almost at the beginning of a greater and more glorious journey than our last one. Shouts of heartfelt exuberance, tears that just won't stop because the beautiful emotions are just too much, songs of thanks and praise erupt.

This is no dusty road, this is one with a deep rich soft and firm soil. So rich that fruit and flowers abound. So rich it must be alive. So rich it's a pleasure to dig my feet in, step by step.

The river flows nearby, gently rushing in the opposite direction that we are walking, coming from the great city with the strong and beautiful pearlescent walls. I look into the river as it moves swiftly along and see how it is clear as crystal and how the light shimmers off it's surface and pierces to the bottom reflecting off the shiny stones at the bottom.

The gates are open wide in expectation for our party and as I enter the city it takes my breath away and my heart aches with the fullness of beauty realized. This city is both clean and roomy and is buzzing with pure life. Art, architecture, history, and an amazing array of colors and plant life provide a rich backdrop in what can only be called a garden city.

Oh, but the music steals my heart! Even as friends greet one another and some feast at outdoor tables and as others work away at their new creations, I hear amazing melodies that, if I let them, sweep me away! Harmony on top of harmony, old and new songs mix without confusion, all with words of meaning and substance that feed my soul and send my spirit soaring. Such instruments that I have longed to hear without knowing it. I give myself over to the music and dance in the streets singing with all my heart. I realize that I am not dancing in circles but am dancing toward the center of the city and using the flowing river as my guide, for I know that at it's source lies the wellspring of all life.

My heart thumps wildly as I draw closer to the center square and see the King on His throne with a full spectrum of lights all around. My heart explodes with emotion. To use words like joy, fear and worship are too weak. I feel as though a Lion were nipping at my heels. I feel as though I have seen not just one awe inspiring sight in creation but the act of creation itself. I feel as though I have finally met my Father after years of searching. Music fades as I fall first to my knees then on my face, too overwhelmed to stand, too grateful at being created for this intense pleasure to speak. And all at once everything within me is calm and I am able to perceive my surroundings again and I begin to notice a few very key things. This King of Glory has come to greet me and His tears have landed upon my head as He stoops down and warmly embraces me. And all that matters is His approval and my soul thrills to Him as I understand and am in awe that He takes great pleasure in me, His child.

I walked with my King that day, actually walked, step by step. He showed me an amazing palace that He had built for me and my loved ones. It seemed to be a reflection of everything that I am and everything that He is. My favorite thing was when He took me to a table on my new land and ate and drank wine together. It was a reunion like no other as our hearts connected and all the grief from the past world was put away.

The end of cynicism

To see a bit more of God's glory and experience His presence... To have a soul baring conversation with someone else who understands the battle within... To hear an encouraging word from a friend, who knows you, but loves you anyway... To feed mentally upon a new aspect of a beautiful truth... To be infused with power through prayer to live an improbable life.

This is the patchwork quilt that makes for New Testement vitality for today. The vitality that says I've been in God's presence. This vitality is for today, when we are living between a ressurection that takes the sting out of death and a reappearing that will give ultimate pleasure forevermore. The world is a cold place and followers of Jesus need a place where they can come to be warmed by the fire of His presence, where their wounds can be healed and where they can feel the intimacy and security of that quilt.

The stark realities of so much church stuff turns my stomach. Events where the gifting of only a select few is used, leaving the multitudes in a catatonic state of disengagement. The subtle legalism of methodology. The pride of comparing our best with their worst. The enourmous vacuum of no place given to seek the presence of GOD.

I have had enough of my own cynicism and disillusionment. I've resolved to fight hard for joy, to give my heart over to love and to fulfill my callings and giftings.