{pretty, happy, funny, real} Eastertide friends & gatherings

| a weekly capturing of contentment in everyday life |

A few photos to practice contentment this week

| pretty |

Passover Seder with the Cummins Family, 2016

The Seder feast is a highlight of the year for our family.  We're always humbled and grateful to be included in such an intimate gathering, and considering this to be one of our annual Austin pilgrimages in the coming years.  If you've never been to a Seder, may I suggest you make some friends (or, perhaps, marry one of your kids into a Jewish family, as we did?).  I think it means a lot to our daughter-in-law's family that Alex has been learning songs and Hebrew blessings to (literally) add his voice to the Haggadah - for example, this gorgeous song Zion by King's Kaleidoscope. 

Next year in Jerusalem. May it be so!

| happy | 

there is nothing in the world better than snuggling a newborn baby.  

Ellie could not wait to sing happy birthday to her mom, and to eat the birthday brownie cake

Uncle todd meets his newest nephew 

this girl is ready for temple university. 

Meeting the new roomie & suitemates (in the very cold philly rain/snow)

Let it be known: dad's the one who needed the hand.

Northeast visit

We managed to fit in an abundance of good things in our mini-tour of the northeast this month: an orientation day at Temple University and visit with our family in PA (Philadelphia) with Natalie, a quick day trip (Maryland) on my sister's birthday to meet her one-week-old son, Samuel, a day trip to look for a house in the town we'll soon be calling home (Fairfield, CT).  After that Brian stayed spent the rest of the time in Fairfield getting to know the staff and congregation a bit better -- including preaching his first sermon at Church of the Apostles on Sunday. I spent the rest of the week at the Festival of Faith & Writing in Grand Rapids, MI.  

Phew!  What a whirlwind of good and beautiful things.  We are grateful.

| funny | 

Teddy Bear courier

This week I was given the holy task of delivering one Mr. Ted E. Bear, of Austin, TX, to his friend L, a temporary resident at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, OH.  As part of my task, I made to sure to send Luisa regular updates of our journey.  Mr. Bear was particularly concerned about on-flight safety, and particularly proud of his cab hailing skills.  What a privilege to hand off Mr. Bear to Luisa, and to witness his reunion with a plethora of beloved bedtime snugglers, including his betrothed Mathilda Bear.

| real |

Brian was honored to pray with family & friends in austin before the surgery in oh

my visit with luisa + a card from natalie + a book about another mighty girl

Our strong friend

We've been praying for our sweet and spunky friend as she travelled all the way to Ohio to undergo a major surgery that should help her be able to walk like a champ for the rest of her life.  The rehab process is hard, hard work for many weeks.  We are all praying that God will grant this child her (Biblical) request to be able to LEAP like other little girls, and the ballet dancers she adores.  May it be so, sweet girl.  

I had the opportunity to visit L and her mom (my dear friend Katie) in Ohio for a few days.  Oh my goodness, am I proud of them both (and her dad and big sister at home).  I'm also grateful in a whole new way for those who are called to healing vocations, such as the nurses, doctors, surgeons, and therapists who are helping children like L. flourish in spite of injuries and illness.

Father, may your kingdom come, and your will be done in children's hospitals as it is in heaven. Amen.

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Have YOU captured any contentment this week?  

I'd love to hear about it!

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