Little Cabin In The Woods

Little Heaven, Little Flower & Little Pearl

      

Little Heaven Little Flower      Little Pearl

Once upon a time there were three little  wisps floating around the Island of Xiamen off the coast of China.  They didn't know who they were or where they were.  They never contemplated that one day their paths would cross, they just floated.....

One by one each tiny wisp was carefully wrapped  and brought to a place to be nurtured~ for how long they did not know but the three little soul wisps waited.   The people at the place of nurture gave each child  very special individual names:  Little Heaven ~ for she was a pure heavenly child;  Little Flower ~ for she was a dew covered bud opening in the morning bringing  fragrance and joy to all;  and Little Pearl ~  for she was a  demure this little wisp, a  rare beautiful pearl like no other .   Little Pearl was laid in a crib in a quiet room so she could  rest and grow.  Little Heaven and Little Flower were placed right near each other and were always together.  They played and laughed together from morning 'till night ,touching and babbling back and forth.  They were a comfort to one another and inseparable. 

One day , 4 months old later , a lovely couple came tothe place of nurture to choose a child for their own.    They chose the lovely Little Flower for she was delightful and bright.   Arrangements where made for the couple to return and bring her home.  However, when they returned to pick her up she was very ill with pneumonia and they had to chose a another  child instead.  But, God knew.  He was watching and waiting.

Across the ocean in another land, in a small mountain village, a mother had received news that she had been chosen to be the mother of a little girl named (Liu Xiao Hua) which means , Willow Little Flower.  The mother wept great heart tears  and  began to prepare for the journey to bring Willow Little Flower home.  While she was preparing she read through her daughter's papers and noticed that Little Flower's  crib mate, Little Heaven, and another precious little one named  Little Pearl were  also waiting  in the place of nurture. A  sprite named Michelle had told her these little wisps were looking for their mothers. Little Flower's mother wondered  "What if the other little wisps could live and grow and play near Little Flower!"  She spread the news throughout her village and  prayed  that God would lead these little ones to  loving homes.    She told two  families in particular about Little Heaven and Little Pearl expressing  how wonderful they were.  She just knew they were for them.

One morning great excitement broke out in the place of nurture and a hurrying and scurrying was all about.  Little Heaven, Little Flower and Little Pearl wondered what was going on when one of the women  plucked up Little Flower and told her  "You my precious child have been chosen and are going to your mother today.  She has been waiting a very long time ,has traveled very far and  is anxious to have you in her arms!"  Little Flower just stared not knowing what to think for she didn't know what a mother was.   She just liked all the attention she was getting.  She was washed and dressed in five layers of clothes and a bag of comfort items were packed to be taken along for her.  It was a long, tiring  journey and Little Flower soon fell fast asleep. When she awoke she was in a new place.  A place with people she had never seen.  She didn't feel well and was confused.   Where was Little Heaven?  Why wasn't she in the place of nurture?   Among these people, in this strange place,  was one woman unlike the others.  She had fair skin, light green eyes and a bubbling smile. There was something stuck on her face that flashed and it scared Little Flower.  The woman took it off and put it down reaching for her.  What did this woman want?  What was happening?  The people from the place of nurture were telling her this is her mother?  Oh, no, no this must be a mistake. But they kept telling her and the woman swallowed her in her embraced and began crying.  Little Flower started crying.  Everyone else was smiling and laughing.  It was a good match.  God knew.  He was watching and waiting.  Little Heaven was sad and missed her soul mate... what happened to her?  Where was she?  She wept tears of saddness....

Across the ocean, in the land where Little Flower now lived, a mother and father where preparing for their journey to bring home Little Pearl.  She had grown  in the place or nurture and was now fair and lovely.  Oh, what joy when she was placed in her mother's embrace forever!  Her mother and father named her Charis which means "grace".  It was a good match.  God knew.  He was watching and waiting.  Soon she met Little Flower, her red thread sister, who lived in the same mountain village, only a few miles away. 

Little Heaven continued her days in the place of nurture.  She ate and slept and learned to walk.  She never found out what happened to her  soul mate , her crib sister from birth, the little wisp she spent her everyday with and she soon forgot Little Flower.   But God had not forgotten her nor had Little Flower who would ask for her friend often.

Across the ocean, in the mountain village where Little Flower and Little Pearl now lived, a mother and father were anxiously preparing for a journey......

God knew, he had been watching and waiting.

Here today are these three little wisps  

  Little Flower ~ Willow, Little Pearl~Charis and finally  Little Heaven~Anna

Little Heaven gives Little Flower a big smooch

Anna Little Heaven

Three little wisps....

Willow Little Flower

Anna Little Heaven

Willow gives Anna a crown

Anna, Willow and Charis ~ Red Thread sisters

I am thankful today for dreams that come true and the Lord's gracious gifts

Patricia

 

Life at it funnest...
Love at it fullest...
God at his most magnificient
For me
Thankfulness is the humbling experiecne of knowing God loves us.

What Does God See?

 

This morning while reading and praying, my thoughts achingly wandered to the many people of the world.   How does God see us?  Does he scorn the poor?  Does he despise the meek?  Does he shun the sick or reject those who are not fair of face?  What if we are not popular or even well liked?   

Movie stars  are  revered and  esteemed by droze of  faithful followers but many of the same reject our creator.  Christ is even scorned and found contemptuous to man. 

How does God see us?  The Lord doesn't see as man sees (1 Samuel 16:7).   God looks at the heart.... our inside, our soul.    Where man values outward beauty, God values love.  Where man's outward perception of others brings pleasure, God appreciates our inner thoughts and beauty.   Your adornment must not be merely external.... (1 Peter 3:3)  Christ was not comely.  He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. (Isaiah 53:2)

How does God see us?    He sees his creation, his children whom he loves dearly.  God doesn't force himself on anyone but welcomes all.  God sees us as who we are and takes us in our lowly condition.  He knows each of us personally.  Every hair on your head has been counted (Luke 12:7)  and He knew us before we were even formed in our mother's womb (Jeremiah 1:5).  Even if you don't believe in him, He believes in you.  And regardless of our sin He  made a way to bridge the gap.  He loves you that much.  His love is perfect and unconditional. 

How does God see us?  He sees his righteousness.  He sees his spirit saturating  the emptiness even to the depths of our soul.  Our heart yearns for a maker, a master and his desire is for us to come to him.... where He will meet us open armed.  

As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103

 

Winter snuck in on fall without warning .  So,our colorful leaves with their rich hues fell sooner than they normally would.   We are ready for winter but still enjoying these cool fall days until the next blast from Mr. Frost.

 

 

All people are like grass, and all their beauty is like a flower of the field. The grass dries up and the flower drops off, but the word of the Lord lasts forever."  1 Peter 1:24,25

 

Winter settles over fall

Digging out the winter coats so the littles could romp in the snow.

 

Weeelow.... staying snug

 

 

Snuggly warm

 

 

It is amazing how abundant his blessings are.  Just a walk outside seeing the beautiful color and inhaling the sweet crisp air rejuvenates me.  There are some fall photos I hope you don't mind me sharing  next time,... of the girls frolicking in the leaves having a grand ole time as only these little ones can do.   We are still waiting on the Lord for his direction in our lives.  Waiting is difficult but his gifts are easy to receive. ;0)  Have you ever had to wait and wait and wait and felt like the goal was so far off??

 

Patricia

 

 

Growing....

Laughter is such a generator of joy.  You can't help but smile when you are around someone who is so jolly.  Sage is one of those people.  She is full of life and captivates when you are around her.  I have noticed in these past few months how much my littles have grown and matured.  They have all just shot up here recently!

I am filled with cheer all my days because of my Lord and my family.  If I were to lose everything and still have them I would be ok.  There is nothing greater than love ~ not faith, not hope, not kindness.  Love, true unconditional love is the best gift you can give your children. 

The Story Teller....

always ready to entertain

and amuse

sly

expressive

reeeeealy expressive

animated

enthusiastic

comical

charming. 

just mine.

Thank you Lord for this gift....

Patricia

 

Criticism, Judgment & Discernment

"Judge not, that ye be not judged." Matthew 7:1

Jesus says regarding judging - Don't. The average Christian is the most penetratingly critical individual. Criticism is a part of the ordinary faculty of man; but in the spiritual domain nothing is accomplished by criticism. The effect of criticism is a dividing up of the powers of the one criticized; the Holy Ghost is the only One in the true position to criticize, He alone is able to show what is wrong without hurting and wounding. It is impossible to enter into communion with God when you are in a critical temper; it makes you hard and vindictive and cruel, and leaves you with the flattering unction that you are a superior person. Jesus says, as a disciple cultivate the uncritical temper. It is not done once and for all. Beware of anything that puts you in the superior person's place.

There is no getting away from the penetration of Jesus. If I see the mote in your eye, it means I have a beam in my own. Every wrong thing that I see in you, God locates in me. Every time I judge, I condemn myself (see Romans 2:17-20). Stop having a measuring rod for other people. There is always one fact more in every man's case about which we know nothing. The first thing God does is to give us a spiritual spring-cleaning; there is no possibility of pride left in a man after that. I have never met the man I could despair of after discerning what lies in me apart from the grace of God.  ~ Oswald Chambers

How easy it is to judge and criticize someone when you have not experienced their life.  When we put ourselves above others we can, with little to no compassion,  jump to conclusions and develop a critical nature.   The saying "Hind-sight is 20/20" has much value when learning to control our critical attitude.   There is also a saying   "Don't judge a man until you've walked in his shoes"  I say If you are not walking in that person's shoes don't judge them.  

There is of course  righteous or justified judgment  when someone murders, steals, abuses etc...   but I am speaking of  the unjust judgment in which many Christians indulge.  I myself have been guilty of this.

A short time ago someone did  a favor I did not ask for.  I would  like to call it a charitable deed but can not,  for along with it came judgment and a  long list of what was wrong with my circumstance.   Someone who knows nothing about me or my whole condition decided, (plausibly even unconsciously)  he was superior and therefore put himself in the position as master and me in the position as slave.   When someone places himself  above another and advances with his judgment and criticism without asking the Lord first, how does he  maintain he believes  in loving thy neighbor? 

Matthew 6:1-4  Take care not to perform charitable deeds before men  to be seen by others; otherwise you will have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.  When you give, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do ----- to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you give, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your charitable giving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

In this situation I was hurt and had to step back and ask  God for His charity, grace  and discernment so as to  not repay judgment in return for the judgment I had received.  So, before we criticize or judge someone about their situation we need to withdraw and not do it unless it is justified. And no, the majority of the time it isn't (even though we may try to make it seem so)   The Lord has been gracious in letting me learn something good from something bad.   To watch and think before I speak, to not judge others, and to mind my own business.  My purpose is to be a servant of our Lord and do His bidding.   How wonderful Christ has paid for my trespasses,  misgivings and shortcomings!

Should we not  gladly be  slaves to Christ by giving  willing and lovingly without condition, criticism or judgment?  

Patricia

Rose from the East

Lilah Rose

Such joy comes to my heart when I see a child placed in her mother's arms... forever.  Nothing will ever separate them, nothing can extinguish their love and  nothing can break them apart for when united their bond is eternal.   Little Lilah Rose was placed in my sweet friends arms just hours ago.   She is so stunningly beautiful that  I am speechless.  The little roses one her dress are perfect for this moment and I have been told she is gentle and fabulous beyond words as well as completely potty trained. ;)  You can see more about their amazing journey here:  http://millsmore.blogspot.com/   They adopted a little boy the same time we adopted Willow. 

I just had to share this wonderful news!  Oh gosh,  I wanna do it again...

Patricia

3

Willow  (Weeelow, as she calls herself ) recently turned 3.  However, she will not accept the fact she is 3. " I 2!!"  she insists.  She's my little cowboy, my ruffian, my pookie, my little elf, my precious, sassy daughter who is walking around wearing her daddy's dirty, stinky outback hat..... and nothin' else.  Nada.   I think I'll let her be 2 a little longer. 

One of my sons is leaving this week.  He is off to take LSAT"S and then law school.   My mother's heart will bear an emptiness when he leaves.   A loss for those days I can never have again.  I won't see him everyday.  I won't hear him  rattling around~~ which is comforting for a mother.  I won't have to pick up his dirty towels ( ok well, that's a good thing).  The girls will miss him terribly. Whose bedroom will they march into early in the morning to holler "good morning  Jack!" while he is still sleeeping?  Who can they swipe candy from?  Who will chase them around the house while they scream 130 decimals?  ( hmmm, that might be nice too)  Who will give them brother moochies and bring them treats from the store?  Who will take out my trash and bring in my groceries? !  just kidding (well, not really but).  He won't be here anymore and  I will be lost for a while but, it is a new season in his life and mine.  He is a man who loves the Lord and I pray always keeps him first in his life.  I know he will become a great attorney one day.  One who will make a difference.  I'm gonna go cry now.

Elf

Miss-chevious

Actress

Sweetie Pie

Willow

loves her brother

and will miss him when he's gone...  I'm gonna cry.

smirker

orator

Mama's little Pookie

Worms cake... she loves caterpillars but the closest her sisters could come were worms. Didn't they do a great creative  job..... lol  She loved it.

Chocolate

Little Caterpillar "Babe" 

.....she names them all "Babe"

... be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.  2 Timothy 4:2

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

 A time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

 A time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

 A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

 A time to get, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

 A time to rend, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

 A time to love, and a time to hate;

a time of war, and a time of peace.  

Ecclesiastes 3

Patricia