The Joy of Grace

Dear September.

Laurin Boeving — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:22:57 +0000

Dear September,

You are here. Oh, yes you are!

I don’t recall being as thankful for you as I am this day. After all, Louisville was the hottest city in America this summer, Memphis the second.

So farewell, summer. And hello, dear fall.

Let’s put away the flip-flops, sleeveless, and seer-sucker. I think it’s still okay to keep out the white, right? Just give me the cordoroy and sweaters. And let’s not forget the hoodies and boots…I may still stick with the tall ones though I hear those ankle ones are really in.

What’s that? Football. Oh, that is all I need to say. Football. But I’ll say more. Though Tennessee may not prove a bit of good this season, there is always the Colts. And did you know I have a little maroon and white blood in me too? We’ll see how they do…

Just give me reds, oranges, and browns. Oh, leaves! There you are in all your beauty!

A little pumpkin spice too. For the candles and the wreaths and the coffee.

Chilly mornings. Chillier evenings. Here they come.

Dear September. You are loved!

What’s that?

Oh, it’s 91 degrees today. And it’s September?

That is okay by me because, you see, September will bring October. And October will turn into November.

Yes…it’s coming. Ever slowly but ever surely.

Dear September.

Ten Things Thursday

Laurin Boeving — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:17:02 +0000

Feeling like I need to give an update on the random happenings of the Boeving bunch these days…so why not a Ten Things Thursday. Oh, yeah. Bringing back the good times.

1. I just still love bath time pictures. One of these days the girls are going to figure out two things: 1. their nakedness and 2. that I put pictures such as these on the dear blog for all to see. Oh goodness. But I just love bath time pictures.

2. Aaron told me yesterday it may be time to retire some of these summer time outfits that I squish the girls into. Particularly sweet Aubsie. I know you can’t tell from the picture, but she has on little shorts that really look more like bloomers on her these days. They do ride up on her long legs, I do confess. Okay, Aaron. I’ll retire that one. Plus, I think fall is quickly approaching. It may be a wishful thought but I’m still thinking it.

3. Our little bookworm. That’s Aubrey for you. I feel like most of her day is spent in front of a book. Love that…hoping that stays with her.

4. Savannah’s favorite past time? ”Writing” notes. Even to Charley. This too is an activity I could stand for her to love for many days to come.

5. Let’s not forget Aaron’s favorite thing to do these days. Sitting in front of the oven watching our home-made pizzas cook to perfection. Before you think he’s too silly, look how they turn out…

Yes, it is as yummy as it looks. I think the key is the crust….we make the dough in the bread machine and then Aaron puts a little garlic-butter sauce on it. Move over, Papa John’s. Here we come.

6. That’s my favorite things to eat these days. Or it was last week. Lest you think it’s all fruits (can chocolate covered raisins count as fruit?) and no fun, think again. I like the not-so-good stuff too these days….

7. But a good meal complete with fries from Chic-fil-A leaves me quite the burn of the heart. Sad, but true. Eating foods such as those during pregnancy have never left me feeling like that until this time around. So…

8. I’ll say: it’s a boy! I mean, we don’t know yet. But, thus far, this pregnancy is way different from being pregnant with the girls. Can’t eat that stuff mentioned above without paying for it. Nauseas way more during the first trimester than I was with S and A. Ummm….totally not having the energy by this point that I did with my other pregnancies. Yes, it’s a little boy. If it’s a girl, though, YAY! too! And, just so you know, never am I right on these such as these. Perhaps I’m feeling this pregnancy differently this time around because, I am….

9. 30! Today, in fact. I woke up this morning to a dozen roses and packages from near and far on the table. I even got an email for one of the Louisville deals of the day being half off cupcakes at GiGi’s. Yay. Happy Birthday to me!

10. And, maybe the biggest news of all: Savannah got her piggy bank! Pink Magenta and all. She was super excited and we were super excited for her and her non-sucking thumb abilities these days.

Happy Thursday!

Encouragement 1-2-3!

Laurin Boeving — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:15:05 +0000

That the Father has made me, once a wretch, a treasure is marvelous. That Jesus experienced the pain of searing loss as His Heavenly Father turned His face away in order that you and I would be sons and daughters of glory is beyond really comprehending. That my sin held Him upon that cross and that my mocking voice called out among the scoffers, humbling. That He has gloriously shown me that it is finished…that I have not a right to boast in anything but Jesus the Christ, the Glorious One…that I am gaining much from His reward and all that I may have “lost” really is dung compared to this life in Christ: really breathtaking, awe-inspriring, and amazing. (My response from the hymn How Deep the Father’s Love for Us by Stuart Townsend.)

And that He chooses to encourage me weekly, even daily, through His word and His servants is just plain wonderful! I am passing along to you this encouragement given to me over the past few days….

1. That blessed hymn mentioned above. We sang it at church on Sunday. Most Sundays I really try to stay in the range of not being heard above my neighbor. It was too hard to do that when we were singing that on Sunday. I belted it out. I love the words. I was just waiting for Aaron to tap me on my shoulder and tell me to simmer down a bit. He did not. I kept on belting it out.

2. A prayer forwarded to me by my sweet sister-in-law from Proverbs 31 Ministry in response to our call to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Christ, particularily in those times you just want to be mean. Yes, mean. A mean wife. A mean mom. A mean employee. A mean friend. Mean, mean, mean….

“Dear Lord, please interrupt my natural flesh pattern today. I desire to change. I need to change. I realize and admit that I need You, Lord. Help me to stop the blaming and finger pointing once and for all. Help me to follow in Your footsteps today. I want to see You with all of my heart. For I know that those who seek You will find You. Thank You for this promise. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Oh, just so you know: Kim wasn’t telling me I’m mean. Even though I’m telling you I am. = ) Don’t we all need to be reminded that we can only be calm and rational in the strength of the Lord? Even to sweetie pies such as these….

3. And, then enouragment from the Word Himself. I read Psalm 121 this morning…

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

What mercy is shed upon us daily! We have help from the Creator of all creation! May we remember our desperate dependence on the Lord this day.

He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

Though I may feel like falling over into a deep sleep numerous times throughout the day~literally and mentally, my God does not sleep! Awake, church! Awake for His glory…His kingdom. Whether the sphere of your influence be tiny tots or tons of “big people”, find rest in the Lord!

The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

As much as I feel quite overwhelmed at times keeping up with everything and everyone that needs my keeping (or that I think needs my keeping), I have a Keeper too! Marvelous. And when I forget, I can liken His presence to that shadow at my right hand. Amazing Presence.

The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

He is faithful.

And that is encouragement!

Nearing That Mark

Laurin Boeving — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:53:59 +0000

In just a week, it will be here.

I knew it was coming.

I’ve got 2 precious little ones with another blessing on the way. I drive a mini-van. I get real tickled over these commercials…

I think my dream car is slowly evolving from the Volvo to a newer mini-van.

That totally means I am nearing that mark.

I got to go out with the graduating seniors from our church the other night.

I had a blast. So did Sally, my friend and pastor’s wife. We will confess: we were downright giddy.

Chocolate fondue galore. Hanging out with sweet 18-year olds, reliving our embarkments on college days. Out past our bedtime. Not having to share the chocolate with our sweet littles ones.

Yes, we were giddy.

And, yes. Proving even more, I’m nearing that mark. Sally has a couple of years to go. That made me feel a bit better and not so silly.

Last week, my parents came and we had a few celebrations while they were here. Their wedding anniversary. My dad’s birthday (which is today…Happy Birthday, Pop Pop!). My birthday.

The best part of the evening? A pretty eventless dinner out with those two girlies. A nice dinner. So yummy. And those girls just let us savor the tastes.

That was a nice early birthday treat. Savoring the tastes without any major “girlie” events.

Oh, yes. I’m totally nearing that mark. That a relatively quiet dinner out with the family puts a hundred smiles on my face and in my heart totally shouts it.

That 30 mark, of course.

It’s coming.

And. I’m. Excited!

Because, you see, in my mind, I’m just leaving my teens.

Oh, yes. I may drive a mini-van. I may get giddy when I’m out past my bedtime. And perhaps all I want for my birthday is a nice quiet dinner.

But, I’m still 19, right?

Bring it on. 30, you are seeming quite lovely to me.

Life in Louisville~A place of abundance

Laurin Boeving — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:47:00 +0000

Saturday marked 2 years of living in Louisville. Wow. In some ways, it feels like we just go here. I guess that’s because time flies. In other ways, it seems like we have been here for much longer than 2 years. I know that’s because the Lord has been pleased to teach us some major lessons here that have incredibly grown us and stretched us in ways that a span of 2 shorts years could not have done had it not been for His prompting.

Does it feel like home? In some ways, yes. Does it really feel like home? Not at all. Yes: because we are a family here and have been established as that in our routine and daily life and in community, thankfully. But not at all because as much as we try to be here and not in the future, the truth of that matter is most likely our time here is transient…Aaron will (hopefully) finish at Southern Seminary in December of ’11. And, too, one of the biggest lessons we have learned here is that….

We are not home nor we will ever really be home this side of heaven.

The Son of Man had no place to lay His sweet head. We are sojourners here on earth. As much as we may try to live in comfort on this wasting plod of land we trod, it just should not be so as our souls constantly (should) strive for something much more. And then comes another major lesson.

In this we glory here on earth: His glory.

And that makes all of our uncomfortableness worth it. All of our light and momentary troubles really nothing compared to His gloriousness. And the biggest kicker of it all?

No matter where we are, we have the divine lot of making Him known…glorying in He Who is worthy.

Phew. I may not have come to Louisville, Kentucky kicking and screaming but after 2 weeks here, I sure was putting up my fair share of kicks and screams and even more tears. I had yet to grasp that no matter where I am~be it Tennessee, ten-buck-two Tiny Town, (deep breath…) as far North as the Lord sees fit, or Louisville, Kentucky~He shall be glorified. It is finished. And His glory has been established for the rest of time.

Yes, life in Louisville has been full these past 2 years. I’ve said it ten times and I will say it again: Aaron may be attending seminary at Southern but the Lord sure did sit me right smack in the middle of His classroom these past 2 years in a way I could have never imagined nor perceived He would upon our moving here. The lessons have been tough but the reward? Entirely and eternally worth HIM!

Bless our God, O peoples…Who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip. For You, O God, have tested us. You have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; You laid a crushing burden on our back; You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water; yet You have brought us to a place of abundance…Come and hear all you who fear God and I will tell you what He has done for my soul… (Psalm 66)

The DL on those girls

Laurin Boeving — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 11:57:32 +0000

So, here’s the down-low (DL) on Savannah Sweets and Aubsey Pooh lately.

~They totally kept a secret for the past 7 weeks. We just had to go ahead and tell them a few days after we found out the news of pregnancy. Only once did one of them let the cat out of the bag. Aubrey rubbed my tummy one night at our church picnic and looked up at me and said: “You got a baby in there?” in front of a friend…I told that sweet friend a few days later anyways. Pretty good for a 2 and 3 year old, huh? Savannah’s take on the ultra-sound Monday: ”Well, it was a little irritating, Mom.” I tried to get out of her what she meant. I still don’t know.

~This week marks the week we are encouraging Savannah GREATLY to stop sucking her thumb. Although I had a friend give me something (per my request) to put on her thumb that supposedly tastes absolutely horrible so when the child puts the thumb in his/her mouth, he takes the beloved thumb out immediately, we decided to take another route and, hopefully, teach Savannah a few lessons in the meantime. A sticker chart! For every hour Savannah does not suck her thumb, she gets a sticker. Well, now it’s a check mark because the cheapo stickers kept on coming off. The first day, she was prompted a lot but we awarded her with a sticker pretty leniently if she kept a sweet attitude and kept her thumb out when prompted. Tuesday (the second day) started out a bit sad for her, but ended up great and we prompted her much less. We’ll see what how the rest of the week goes. Oh, the best part! When she stops sucking completely, she gets to go to Target and pick out a piggy bank. Sometimes she wears a little mama-made cloth to help remind her…oh, and Aubsey Pooh got a chart too. For no reason.

~Aubrey moved into her “big girl” bed! Which is actually a crib converted into a toddler bed…we’re hoping to move the girls into the same room and get her an actual “real” bed in the coming months. So, I always am slow on this change for my children but it’s gone really smooth. She is a bit more brave than Savannah and will meet me at the bottom of the stairs some afternoons after nap time.

~Braids. Savannah loves them. She gets most of her weekly hair-do ideas from books we read. Hey, it’s okay by me if Goldilocks is her example for years to come…

~School! Well, sort of. I’m a girl who thrives on schedule. This summer, we’ve definitely not had one and I’m ready for one! My goal is to have “school time” with Savannah (Aubrey is welcome to join in) during the week with her…we’ll see how it goes. The schedule is made out. I’ve been collecting materials. And she’s been telling everyone that “Mommy is her teacher”. Hopefully it will be as easy as ABC, 123!

~And, finally, we are officially the Snow White Family these days. Savannah and Aubrey introduce me as Snow White, Aaron as the Prince, Charley as the deer, Savannah is Happy, and Aubrey? Well, of course, Doc. They’ve named others along the way…our Pastor deemed himself Dopey.

And that’s the DL on those girls.

That is our God

Laurin Boeving — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:07:40 +0000

We saw a sweet little body moving yesterday. We heard a sweet little heartbeat beating away as well. Here are some of the pictures that were taken…

Baby Boeving will be here sometime around February 21st. We’re thrilled. And, once again, blessed to be in awe of our God’s marvelous creation growing inside of me.

His creation. It just doesn’t get old, does it?

I was reading in a journal entitled As Your Baby Grows and several times I had to stop and just give the Lord the praise due His name. It is not a Christian publication (as far as I can tell) but it shouts the glory of our God as it takes you on a month by month story of the creation of a baby….

We begin a story so astonishing that no novelist could have imagined it, this intricate mysterious dance of molecules and cells that creates a unique human being. Truly, the more you know about the growth of a baby in the womb, the more remarkable it becomes…(pg. 5).

That is our God. He is the Novelist. He is the Remarkable One.

Despite all the advances in biology and genetics, no can can explain how every cell in the embryo knows what to do and what part of the body to become; that remains one of the many mysteries of how human life develops…(pg.8).

That is our God. He knows. He is Creator.

Sometimes at this point in pregnancy (during the 3rd month), you can hear the heartbeat….Yet the fetus is all of about two inches long…and weighs a little less than an ounce…(pg. 14)

That is our God. How great is He!

Thou has created

Has all things created

Thou has created all things

And for Thy pleasure, they are created

For Thou art worthy, O Lord!

Fullness on a Friday

Laurin Boeving — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:00:33 +0000

I woke up this morning, feeling incredibly full in more ways than one…

1. Yes. Full because I have eaten a lot over the past week. We were in Memphis last weekend and the early part of this week, and ate we did! From Italian to Mexican to French to divine fresh vegetables, I still feel stuffed!

2. Our trip to Memphis was full too because it was so good to spend time with family and friends. Of course, pictures I did not take enough of, but I did capture the birthday dance party Savannah “put on” for Mama Boe. Aunt Kim made a CD and Savannah put it to GREAT use the entire trip…she loves to dance! I’ll say this for Aubrey on dancing~she may not like it as much as Savannah but that girl has got rhythm!

3. Full because…Paul won!

I confess: I got a little teary-eyed when Aaron’s phone rang at 11 p.m. and I heard him tell Paul~ “Congratulations!”. So exciting!

4. Full because…the Lord’s love is abundant and His mercy continues to lavishly abound.

5. I read this in Psalm this week…

Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you (Ps. 116:7).

6. I saw a friend this week. It is obvious the Lord has dealt and is dealing bountifully with her soul. Very encouraging.

7. I checked out pictures from the Urban Boy’s Camp on Grace Church’s website. I’ve read testimonies from that week. The Lord deals bountifully with all mankind.

8. That God even deals with us is amazing. That He does so in bounty has really taken my breath away this week. There is fullness of joy in His work.

9. I again sat at Jo’s Kitchen Table this week and read this…

Thou God seest me.

That makes me fuller than full!

10. The spices of fall are coming! I know it may not feel like it outside, but a new season will be upon us in a couple of months. Now that fullness in itself deserves a post all by itself.

I hope your Friday is totally full today!

Cultivating Thankfulness in our Children

Laurin Boeving — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:08:30 +0000

I am very prone to wander in the discipline of thankfulness as a believer. I am very slowly learning to watch myself most vigorously in this area of my life. And inasmuch as I struggle with this, I long for my children to display thankfulness in their lives.

Aaron and I have been pondering this question over the past several weeks in our home:

How do we cultivate thankfulness in Savannah and Aubrey?

It goes so much further than saying thank you. So much further than not saying Yuck! when food is placed in front of them. (Although, of course, we want those things to be very present in our childrens’ lives.)

Yes. It’s more than just good manners. It’s about their 2 and 3 year old hearts just like it is about my 29 year old one.

I Thess. 5:16 urges us to “….give thanks in all circumstances….”
Hebrews 12:28 shakes things up a whole lot to me when it declares the truth of thankfulness being associated with eternity. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire’.”

Here’s the bottom line for the believer in regards to thankfulness: we can count our blessings one by one or, for most of us, fifty by fifty, but it does not mean a thing until are beyond astounded, totally thankful for the ultimate blessing bestowed upon us. That is, God’s gift of eternal life through His Son Jesus.

I am fully aware that Savannah and Aubrey have not been given that ultimate gift yet. Yet I know they are watching me like two little sweet hawks (can hawks be sweet?) to see if I am being thankful for the gift of salvation I tell them I have been given and to see if I am acting accordingly…even if they don’t really know they are doing that yet.

Someone pulls out in front of me while driving. Will I still be thankful?
Dinner burns in the oven. Will I lift up a prayer of thankfulness for their little ears to hear?
I have a huge headache. Will I demonstrate thankfulness even so?
If I have the eternal perspective in my mind and in my heart that I am called to demonstrate, yes I will. If I believe that these little things are just that~little things~in the light of the big picture, I will still be thankful. I will still lift of a prayer of thankfulness. I will demonstrate a heart of thanksgiving. Now you and I both know that I don’t always have that sort of perspective in mind…and if you think I do, just ask that sweet husband of mine.

Yet in the light of what really matters and that is God’s glory, little things that get us down don’t really matter.

So, how do we cultivate thankfulness in our children? Ultimately, by example. And pray that one day it will become not just part of their words and expected actions but part of their hearts too.
What about every day examples?
We are in the process of getting rid of toys/putting up toys for indefinite storage for the girls. They have a lot. And, yes, we may even be getting rid of some they play with a lot. That’s not the point. I am much slower to learn this…Aaron is helping me. The point is we are seeking to guard them against, frankly put, being spoiled.

And we are thankful that we do see them saying “thank you” for the little things in their lives. Like a new pair of tennis shoes. And the purple flip flops that were lost over a month ago at PopPop and Honey’s house, only to be returned a few days later. It’s still one of the first things Savannah will name when asked what she wants to thank the Lord for. And naming specific family members and friends they are thankful for.

What are some ways you are cultivating thankfulness in your childrens’ lives?

I’ll end with a story I heard a few months ago that still brings tears to my eyes. A family of 6 children, ages ranging from 4 to 14, decided to use the money that their parents’ would use on their Christmas gifts and buy gifts for single moms and their children who would otherwise have no gifts. One Saturday, they invited these moms and their children over to their home and they had a party for them, complete with food and gift giving. The house was full. The presents were opened with elation. The smiles were huge. And what did those 6 kids get on Christmas morning? Not the kind of gifts that most of their friends were getting that day. Something much bigger. Much more eternal. The realization of knowing a bit better what it meant for God the Father to give His Son to a world in need.
Now that is cultivating thankfulness. And that is a picture of God’s mercy poured upon a precious family.

Save us, O Lord our God and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name and glory in Your praise. Ps. 106:47

Summer Sensations Again

Laurin Boeving — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:12:22 +0000

I’m going to open up this one and convey that I may be writing these posts to help me cope with summer a bit more easily. It’s hot! Don’t turn on that oven. Here’s a fantastic pasta dish that is super easy and super good.

Tomato Basil Pasta
2 cans of diced tomatoes, drained and rinsed (I get the Italian kind…with it being summer though and the tomatoes being so yummy, you could just cut up several and skip the cans)
1 Cup shredded parmesan, Romano and asiago cheeses (I use whatever I already have in my fridge)
1 Tbsp. Basil
1 clove garlic, minced
2 Tbsp. Olive oil
3 cups bow tie pasta

Mix tomatoes, 3/4 cup of the cheese, basil, garlic and oil. Add to hot pasta in large bowl; toss to coat. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese.

A summer sensation side with the pasta? Baked asparagus. Drizzle fresh asparagus with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper and put in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes. Uh-oh! You just turned on the oven. Just for a few minutes though.

A yummy drink? An Arnold Palmer. Courtney and Daniel finally told us what mixing part lemonade with part sweet tea was called. It’s really good!

I’m going to have that pimento and cheese recipe soon, Mama Boe and Julie!

Until then, enjoy!