Thursday, June 29, 2006
Yay
We're having a baby.(Which is all about my mind has thought about for 7 days straight.)
Yay.
Heather Dowling at 6:07 PM
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
praises
You repair all that we have torn apart andYou unveil a new beginning in our hearts and
We stand grateful for all that has been left behind and
All that goes before us
We will dance 'cause you restore the wasted years and
You will sing over all our coming fears and
We'll stand grateful for all that has been left behind and
All that goes before us
You've got all things suspended
All things connected
Nothing was forgotten
'Cause your love is perfect
You are our healer
And you know what's broken
And we're not a mystery to you
Lord, you mend the breech
And you break every fetter
You give us your best, but what we thought was better
You are to be praised
You are to be praised.
Heather Dowling at 8:26 PM
Sunday, June 25, 2006
the word is out....
Despite thoughts of keeping it quiet for awhile, our excitement got the better of us!
Heather Dowling at 5:43 PM
Thursday, June 22, 2006
my bad days made good
I've been thinking a lot about what my sister posted last. This idea that people can truly see Jesus Christ in me, or at least this is my goal. In what I say, do, and what I surround myself with. I keep asking myself if I truly portray Christ even on my bad days.I remember sitting with a friend discussing this very concept a couple years ago. She had just gone through her second emotionally painful miscarriage and her response to such sadness surprised me. She spoke of how weeks later, after being approached by several people, she began to realize just how much the Lord used her during one of the most painful times in her life. She was amazed, and thankful that God, who works all things together for the good of those who love Him, had used this time to stretch her, grow her, and ultimately still use her for His glory. She was honored.
So, again, I ask myself if I truly count it an honor to show others the love of Christ through my own life. Not just on my days where I feel blessed or things go my way, but am I still showing His character in my "rough" seasons or on my "bad" days. I hope so.
Over time you've healed so much in me
And I am living proof
That although my darkest hour come
Your light could still shine through
And at times it is just enough to cast
A shadow on the wall
I am grateful that you shine
Your light on me at all
You are God alone
From before time began
You are on Your throne
You are God alone
And right now
In the good times and bad
You are on your throne
You are God alone
Heather Dowling at 8:19 AM
Monday, June 19, 2006
warm vs. cold
Most people around March and April start telling others of all their summer plans and how much they cannot wait to bask in the July sun while sipping on lemonade, watching parades, and rolling around in the grass with their kids or pets. Not I.While I enjoy lemonade, children's faces lit up at parades, and lying in the grass... these aren't the first thoughts of summer in my mind. Usually it's more along the lines of me being too hot, too cranky, and too uncomfortable. I'm just not a summer person. Call me crazy, but perhaps this is why I live in the north country. I only have to endure two months of swealtering.
Now, don't misunderstand. I enjoy the liberty to be outside without bundling up or coming home damp and cold. I enjoy camping underneath a canopy of stars. I enjoy garage sales and summer picnics. I'm not a total summer scrooge.
Although days like yesterday and days like today I'm quite content to sit in an airconditioned home until more comfortable days of 75 degree weather.
I'm already anticipating the "are you crazy!?" comments from you all...
But it is true... I already miss my warm socks, big sweaters, and hot cup of tea on a cool autumn evening.
Heather Dowling at 9:37 AM
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
giving credit to where credit is due
I suppose when you become a mother, many things get put on the back burner when it comes to you yourself.That's when friends come in the picture...
For a really great mom who puts her children above herself. Happy Birthday not just to your big little Lael today... but a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Jackie Card.
Heather Dowling at 9:15 AM
Monday, June 12, 2006
for my husband
"To the world you may be one person. To one person you may be the world."Today the man of my dreams grows one year older. He is now offically into his 30's... 31 to be exact. And more handsome than ever if I do say so! Though you can usually find me praising R. Jay for his many talents, charms, and amazing personality... you'll find me and many others celebrating him just a bit more today. The Lord knows there is much to be celebrated.
Thanks to all who sqeezed into our tiny house yesterday afternoon for R.Jay's birthday. We greatly appreciated the gifts, food, and most importantly your fellowship.
So to my best friend who changed my world, blessed me with his life, and draws me closer to Jesus each day... Happy Birthday. I love you. Forever.
Heather Dowling at 2:57 PM
Friday, June 09, 2006
Naive?
Last night we celebrated not just a birthday, but a very special woman. Happy Birthday Tracey. Amidst the laughter and messes, cake and kids, Christ joined us and was glorified in a beautiful testimony.Today we talked. Fears, questions, encouragment, and trust. Christ joined us and was glorified in an earnest heart's desire to please Him.
So I'm listening to Chris Rice again. Which means I'm thinking again. Which of course means I'll post some meaningful lyrics. But just before I type out the lyrics to not only hopefully cause others to think but to cause me to, I have to ask myself... are those moments when Christ joins in on me and my happy, yet aching, circle of friends really enough? Or can I believe that their (and my) circumstances are truly in bigger hands and not in mere glimpses of relief? Or...
Am I naive to want a remedy for every bitter heart
Can I believe you old an exclamation point for every question mark
Can I leave the timing of this universe in bigger hands
And may I be so bold to ask you - please hurry?....
Heather Dowling at 1:38 PM
Monday, June 05, 2006
Psalm 130 & 131
"If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared."The vinedresser is never nearer the branches then when he is pruning them.
"My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my sould within me."
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
.... be anxious for nothing...
Heather Dowling at 3:33 PM
Friday, June 02, 2006
guys & gals
Last night and into this morning I had the priviledge of caring for Kierstan, age 3 and her little brother, Aidan, 21 mo. old. The vast difference between little girls and little boys makes me giggle. Examples:While playing with assorted plastic spatulas, bowls, measuring cups, containers, and spoons (which are pretty much the only "toys" you'll find here due to our lack of children) miss Kierstan informed me she was making a cake. While playing with the same materials, Aidan proceeded to use a cottage cheese container for a rocket, or so I assumed with his "pshh pshh" in my face for 1/2 an hour last night.
At the park last night Kierstan was quite content swinging and riding on a springy seal (with r.jay close by of course- we all know how much she fancies him), whereas her brother thought climbing the highest slide backwards or racing to the top of the highest peak on the playground was much more fun.
This morning while making peanut butter cookies Kierstan ever so delicately would role that brown mush into a ball and gently set in onto the cookie sheet. Aidan thought it much more amusing to squish it between his fingers while grinning at me.
I suppose it doesn't change when you get older:
R.Jay was fixed on Aidan becoming a strong boy and assisting him to the peak of that playground, or showing him how "tools" work. Whereas I, on the other hand, was quite riveted by how cute their clothes were or how sweet their little voices are.
Needless to say, we had a fun time. I'm glad God made man and woman and I'm glad he made us so different.
Heather Dowling at 10:03 AM