Mercy

The Simple Life

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. ~ Psalm 103:  8-12

I've been thinking a lot about mercy since Monday evening. Bible study last night was really good.  I especially enjoy the small group discussions we have before we tune-in to Beth Moore via the video.  Last night one of the questions was on who has made a big difference in our lives regarding our faith.  No doubt about it it was my grandmother.  She was my example of what James talks about when he says that faith without works is dead.  (Not that we are saved by works, but that our faith and love for Jesus produces works.  Our faith causes us to want to SERVE.)  I am so very blessed to have had a grandmother where I SAW Jesus in her. 

This is a forty year old story.  I was in kindergarten (40 years ago), and it was the night of our promotion ceremony.  We got to school and "the little Thompson girl" showed up without any shoes.  Now I need to interject here that I grew up when my sister and I only got two pairs of Sunday shoes per year.  One for summer and a pair for winter.  That was it.  Grandmother was a teacher at the school I attended so she knew most of the students.  Anyway, I remember her leaving and coming back later with MY SHOES in her hand and GIVING them to the little Thompson girl.  THOSE WERE MY BLACK FALL SHOES!!  (I was wearing my white ones b/c it was spring.)  Sure winter was over and I would be getting a new pair in the fall, but still, those were my shoes!!  Some time during the evening, I asked my grandmother why she gave the Thompson girl my shoes.  I can still see her looking at me with those green eyes that danced and she said, "WE gave her your shoes because she didn't have any shoes at all and that is what Jesus asks us to do if we love Him."  End of conversation.  Forty years later, I still remember my grandmother walking into my classroom while we were lining up with my shoes in her hand.  I still remember her answer to my question of "why my shoes".  I am still most thankful for a grandmother that practiced her faith and not just talked it.  (As a side note,  the Little Thompson Girl passed away that summer from spinal meningitis.)

And here are just a few random photos of things that make me smile...

This was taken yesterday.  The Roosters were actually sitting together and not fighting or shoving while they watched Veggie Tales.

 

Veggie Tales Super Heroes

 

OMG!  The big Rooster is actually OUT of his room and upstairs with the rest of the family.  Of course, he has his phone, but I'll take it as long as I get to see him for longer than it takes him to grab something out of the kitchen.

 

This was the Rooster after football practice this AM.  Let me tell you--that is one smelly ride back to the house.  He is so ready for his restricted liscense, and I must admit that I am too so that he can stink up his car and not mine.

 

Are they not just the cutest things EVER?!!  I took this picture because even though they are twins, they are definitely different.  Nick likes the Golden Oreo cookies while John Ryan likes the original ones.  Their mother likes them both and they have found their cookie packs a little lighter on a few occasions.

 

 

I LOVE Diet Mountain Dew.  This is somewhere near me no matter what I am doing in and around the house.

 

I am in love with these chips.  The Sea Salt & Vinegar are awesome as well as the Jalapeno chips.  As a matter of fact, while I'm writing this blog entry, I have both next to me.  Yummy!

 

OMG!  OMG!  OMG!  The BEST summer sandwich EVER!!  The tomato on this sandwich actually is the first 'mator off one of my bushes. 

Look at my beautiful tomatoes growing on my bushes!!  I have six bushes full of tomatoes waiting to turn red and be eaten by me and shared with people. (A lesson I learned from my grandmother!  Wink!)

 

 

 

This is my new "brain".  I can not remember a thing lately.  I am sure it is due to my children and not my age.  (cough, cough)  I used to put sticky notes all over my bathroom mirror.  I now just have different color dry erase markers in my make-up drawer, and I write my weekly "must not forget" list on my mirror.  Genius, right?

 

Are these not some sexy feet?  These are my favorite "house shoes."  Can you tell?  I am laughing right now b/c I can't believe I am actually showing this picture.  Socks with very worn ballet flats?  Really?  I'm looking at them and thinking that they are so torn-up that I might as well just walk around in my sock-feet.  I just think the shoes add a little "something" to my cut-off jeans and T-shirt.  You know you want a pair of these.  Go ahead and admit it.  HA!

 

My friend Simon.

 

 

The Roosters and I rode by the lake on the way home to visit our friends.  The babies (two in the middle) are getting so big.  Their heads are still light brown.  That is how we are able to tell the eight "gooselings" from the adult geese.