God Answers Prayer.

This has been a week of answered prayer, where God has been sensed and witnessed moving in our midst. Many question how people can have faith in something or someone that is unseen, that can't be touched and directly viewed with our eyes. I saw God at work in the lives of people for whom I care about this week, so I am here to say: God is real, He is in the business of life change, and He can be clearly seen and felt if only we are sensitive to His presence.

My sister, Kendra, is home now and even worked for a half-day on Thurday and Friday. God answered our prayers in that surgery is not necessary for the time being. She is understandably tired but feels like she is gradually getting back to being herself. Five days laying in a hospital bed can be exhausting emotionally and physically, so we are thankful that she is feeling pretty good given the circumstances.

My friend, Jody, was able to bring her daughter, Wyndham, home from the hospital yesterday. I can't imagine how difficult it is to see your dear child in a hospital bed, undergoing numerous medical procedures....kids just want to be kids and play and pretend and......just be! But, if you have read Jody's story, you know that she and her family lean heavily on God to get through these trials. Thank God, He was faithful to them once again.

So, look around you.....where do you see God working today?

Pray.

Many of you readers of Table Scraps also read Nitty.Gritty. and know Jody's amazing and inspiring life story (here is the link): http://www.jodyferlaak.blogspot.com/. As you can read from Jody's entry yesterday, she and her daughter, Wyndham, and their whole family are in need of fervent prayer. Read their needs and respond by lifting them up to God as He brings them to mind today. We can make a difference!

Delights of Play.

I had an absolutely delightful play date with my son today. I am currently teaching a Play Therapy class so, of course, the students need to.....play......alot.....while they are enrolled in this course. Today was our field trip to the Grand Rapids Children's Museum, which is one of my favorite places in the world. Everything about this place is a total celebration of childhood and play and learning and creativity. This is not just for kids, so if you live anywhere within driving distance of this place....you need to get there! Buy a membership!! We love this place, and today's visit was no exception. Where else in the world can you........

• Fish for purple and orange fish;
• Make a bubble as big as you;
• Shop for your week's groceries, and not have to pay a {real} penny
• Fight a fire completely garbed in firemen's clothes;
• Drive a bright yellow Volkswagen bug;
• Create your own unique bubble blower, and blow bubbles where no one is concerned if you drip bubble solution onto the floor;
• Have a puppet show where the lizard eats the big black crow, and then the bright orange crab proceeds to eat the big black crow (such is the circle of life!)
• Play in the sand box;
• Pretend that you are the banker in charge of all the world's money;
• See amazing children's art at every turn;
• Just celebrate play and being a kid....no matter your age.

And MORE GREAT NEWS! My sister, Kendra, came home from the hospital tonight after 5 days in the hospital. Thank you for all who prayed and prayed. The doctors are going to observe her for the time being, and put any surgery on hold to see if the antibiotics take care of the problem. Happy Day, and Thank You, Jesus!

Scrapbook Portfolio.

I have had several requests to see some of my scrapbook work; I know that I need to post more pages here. However, I tend to post my layouts first over at the Scrap in Style website. So, if you are interested in seeing some pages, here is a link to my SIS portfolio: http://www.scrapinstyletv.com/portfolio/view_portfolio.php?type=user&c=1789

I hope you enjoy some of the pages celebrating our family and various aspects of our lives. And while you are there, take a browse around because there are many amazing scrap artists that post their work there. And why not register, make your own account, and join the community there! I have made many friends and been inspired many times over!

When Life Gives You Lemons....

Sometimes, life throws the unexpected our way. On Friday, I received a call that my sister, Kendra, had been admitted to the hospital with severe abdominal pain. So, I made some quick arrangements for the kids, got in my truck, and made the 3-hour drive from the west side of Michigan to the east side. I brought this sweet picture that my daughter drew with me, to brighter up the dingy hospital surroundings. I spent most of the weekend keeping Kendra and Dan company, helping out with dishes and laundry, beating Kendra in Rummy (:)), and trying to give my brother-in-law a little bit of a break. I even squeezed a few scrapbook pages into the mix. I am now home, but Kendra is still at the hospital. Please pray for her...the doctors will likely be deciding tomorrow whether to commence with surgery or not. Pray that the antibiotics will do their thing and eliminate the infection, and that surgery will not be a necessary step. Pray for the doctors' wisdom and discretion.

We love you, Aunt Kendra, and are praying that God will heal you fully and quickly.

Cute Rodents.

I never thought that I would utter those two words in the same sentence....but these little guys are pretty adorable. They are only 5 days old and already they are starting to get black hair just like Momma Midnight's....and look at those precious little fingers and toes! We are still not sure exactly how many there are, or if all of them survived, because they stay pretty much burrowed in the nest and are just like a writhing little ball of pink skin and downy fur. It has been fun and educational for the kids to learn about animals giving birth and how Mommy hamsters care for their young. If you know anybody who wants a hamster....please let me know!

New Lens.

For Christmas, my husband gave me a very fun pre-paid VISA card to do a little shopping. Yesterday, I went and spent it on this:











I just love this lens! It is the one that Ali Edwards swears by, and I always love the effects of her candid photos. This lens allow you to hone in sharply on your focal point while blurring everything in the background. EDITED: IT IS AN f1.8 Canon lens, and I use it on my Canon Digital Rebel xTi, though I think it is compatible with all Canon digital SLR cameras. I played with it today during our zoo outing, and I captured some of these images. Like this "what looks like a flying fish"....

























And this is a shot of my daughter that I took last night after she was finished looking at her scrapbook: