Pilgrims On The Way

jeudi, novembre 22, 2007

Fall 2007 update letter

“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love.”

Psalm 25:4-6a

Hope. Faith. Love. I cannot imagine life without these incredibly powerful realities. The day to day stuff of life is trying enough to one’s capabilities, let alone the blind-side swipes that happen to even the strongest individuals. I can not imagine walking life’s journey without the presence of my loving Heavenly Father and all His beautiful and omnipotent characteristics given richly to my benefit and His glory!

(I feel there is so much in my heart that I just cannot fully express on paper just now.)

I am stirred to these thoughts regularly these days. Yes, my day-to-day weaknesses compel me to draw upon His strengths. But beyond that, I have seen a number of our dear friends in these past months struggle under more than “ordinary” trials.

(this portion edited out for publishing privacy)

There have been a number of situations within our little church in these last several months where God has been glorified (ironically) through terribly difficult situations. May I encourage us who know Him to be willing to say together with these others:

“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me….”

As for my day-to-day, like I mentioned earlier, I am weak. Thank God, HE is strong!

I am bursting at the seams with this baby inside, and yet, I have more than a month to go until the “due date”. It is such a fun and busy season, however, that I am happy for all the distractions to my discomfort. Sorting through mounds of baby clothes, collecting PINK things, sewing girly stuff, and re-finishing furniture with a feminine appeal have been some of my self-induced creative projects of late. (let’s hope the ultra-sound was correct!!!!)

I am still busy leading the young mom’s ministry at our church, as well as singing on a worship team with a wonderful group of passionate Christians. In the giving of my gifts in these areas I definitely find that I receive a blessing as well. Along with my other home activities and responsibilities, I have been blessed with a number of sewing jobs to supplement our Christmas gift shopping. Our gifts have all been bought and ready to give now for a couple of weeks. I do not want to try last minute shopping/wrapping with an impending “labor day” on the way!!

Jeremy has put his schooling on hold until the baby comes. We decided that for him to be in exam mode during the delivery time might add too much stress to the busy time of Christmas as it is. He will hopefully pick up his courses in mid-January again. In the meantime he has been working p/t with his old boss in the construction trade, as well as putting in time at our home that is being built. Up until recently, Jer was leading/organizing the work being done on the house, and it was moving a little too slowly with his already full schedule, and hurting body. Last week Habitat for Humanity actually hired my dad to complete the framing portion of the project. We will have the roof on and the windows in before the snow!! Over the winter we will be busy finishing the interior work and hopefully be ready to move in by Spring!

My boys are such an energetic trio. My goodness!! You’d think out of three of them at least ONE of them would be a quiet, soft-spoken character. I suppose with opinionated and animated parents like Jer and myself, there never was much hope for them in that way!!

Zachariah is enjoying the gymnastics class he is part of. He has excellent skill, balance and strength. It is a lot of fun watching his development in these areas. At home he tries to teach his younger brothers some of the exercises he is learning. His favorite activity of late, however, has been riding his two wheel bike! Although we had taken his training wheels off in early summer, he has only decided in the last few weeks that he actually would like to try riding his bike that way. “I can do it!” “Watch this mom!” He surprised himself with how quickly he caught on to the idea, and now we can hardly convince him to come in out of the cold!! Zach is so curious about everything. His brain is a sponge wanting to know all the intricate facts of ... well, anything! Today I pulled out our old DVD player and a screwdriver and he and Jer stepped out on the back deck to dismantle the device and figure out how it works. I'm sure he's one step ahead of me in the technology department now! Zach has been (more than) hinting for anything with moving parts or things that transform for Christmas. (he he, how ‘bout a baby sister?)

Benjamin is a very energetic, talkative young chap. “What’s your name?” he will ask anyone he sees. “How did you get here? How?” is his next question. “What you gonna be?” is the natural sequence of his curiosity. And this is how he gets to know everyone he can. For all the bonks on the head that this kid has had, he is actually quite clever. He loves counting, identifying colors and animals and singing songs. He and Zach are quick to strike up a round of “The Doxology” (word for word) whenever dinner is ready and waiting at the table. His love of music is also evident as on most Sunday mornings after the service, he sneaks his way up to the drum kit on stage and beats out his rythms and song. Ben is asking for a "green g'tar" for Christmas.

Isaiah has a mischievous side that surprised us. He loves to sneak toys right out from under his brothers’ noses, and run off squealing as the older two charge after him. He finds sneaking behind Mommy and Daddy’s backs quite entertaining as well. His lovely giggle and dimpled cheeks are a sure reminder of his playfulness and joy in being a part of this family. Although his first words were “NO!” and “DON’T!” (in the exact intonations of his older brothers), he has appeased me with his newest, and favorite word, “Mama”, which he uses on a regular basis in between his ongoing jabbering of baby talk. At the playground Isaiah is no longer content to sit and play with the pea gravel; not even content to swing in the baby swing. Mama is no longer able to sit and read a book at the playground, because Isaiah is climbing the highest ladders to the tallest slides and forts he can find! This child of no fear has already been recruited for a junior high rugby team when he comes of age; it has been noted that when he's knocked down he does not ever stay down!! Isaiah needs a solid helmet for Christmas!

The three of these guys get along very well for all their teasing and nattering. I delight in my boys daily, and am honored (and sometimes terrified) to be raising- along with Jer- future men. May God continue to guide us as parents and as guardians. Thank God HE is ultimately Father to them.

We appreciate all of you and send you as warm a greeting as is possible through a mass email… Blessings of Christ’s PEACE and JOY and CONTENTMENT and HOPE to you in this Christmas time.

Love from the Harnett herd.

Posted by Jeremy J Harnett :: 9:26 p.m. :: 3 comments

jeudi, novembre 01, 2007

Trick Or Treat- smell my feet!....

Don't call him a frog, or even a crocodile... Zach is a DRAGON!!

And then there's Benny Polar Bear.

And our sweet lil' Punkin', Isaiah.

The story goes as follows: I decided to take the kids to the mall to collect treats from store to store. The announcement was that they would start handing out treats at 4pm. So, we were a little late getting out, but arrived by 4:45. Nearly every store had already posted signs that they were out of candy- three stores gave us a couple leftovers. It was disappointing... for Mommy. (the boys had no other expectations!) So, funny me, in my annoyance I purchased a big box of clearance Halloween chocolate bars to fill my kids' bags!! (well, afterall, there was supposed to be enough in their bags to share with Mommy and Daddy. grin)
Well, anyway, what really counts is that I got some cute photos of my boys in the end, and the boys had fun showing off their costumes!

Posted by Jeremy J Harnett :: 10:30 a.m. :: 3 comments