Gabriel's handcrafted coffee table

Obviously, Gabriel inherited his father's woodworking craftsmanship. This project turned out better than the original Gabe and Elissa saw in the furniture store. And he saved $1300 designing and creating it himself.

How proud your Dad would be, Gabe. The mom too.

Wedding venue where the 3-fold cord will be established

At the risk of disappointing the clamoring crowds requesting the REAL m.o.b. dress, I have grave tidings; she's in Nathaniel's closet in FarG0! I took it this weekend to show JoyFully Adored and Thanny, then got the bright idea of leaving a couple of the outfits up there. One less thing to think about, I say. So there she sits, in all her glory.

I'd ask the kids to take a photo of the thing on the hanger, but I hardly think it's top priority on their To Do list! Chello - do you think? Great honk - they're getting married in ----- don't make me crunch the days! I can't take it...

Meanwhile, let's envision Joy and Nathaniel exchanging lifelong vows to "Have and to hold until death parts them," in this lovely gazebo. Please join the MacMurchy family in asking the Dear Lord Jesus to be at this wedding like He was at the earlier one in Cana. Jesus must really enjoy creating new families and I'm thankful because we wouldn't hold this June 1st union without Him.

"Your Presence made all the difference exchanging the ordinary water for the extraordinary wine. Do the same in this gazebo with your Beloved children, Nathaniel Wayne Navratil and Joy Kathryn MacMurchy. We love you Lord. We are thankful that you dwell among Your children for Your Glory and our delight." amen so be it

What Not to Wear at your daughter's June wedding

Danielle's worst mother of the bride nightmare! "Mother, you just can't go alone to get your dress. You'll get fall attire in June!" Nothin' like your midborn trustin' you!

Grab your women and children, I knew someone should've shopped with me. There were offers, but worse than shopping in the first place, is shopping with friends who say, "Come out, let us see!" Now you know when you put that thing on, it doesn't look a thing like it did on the hanger! "I'm not comin' out, looking like a beached whale, already! Don't make me!"

The Real 'mob' Dress has been apprehended, so no worries. And, yes, it is season-appropriate. Pic to follow. Still no shoes - will my Keen sandals do?

Beauty - for God's Glory and man's delight

In this quanitative, empirical age where everything is weighed and counted for validation, we forget to celebrate Beauty just for the sake of pure enjoyment. We stop listening for the Happy Creator pronouncing His Goodness on all He made. So many lovely glories are for one express purpose - Delight!

Take flowers, for instance, they seem in their fragile dance to say, "Look at us - from dirt we came. Can you believe it?"

"Beauty is to the soul as food is to the body. It fills a need in us that nothing else can fill," says Frederick Buechner.
Not everything is utilitarian - to be used or consumed. Some things seem to have no purpose other than just light-my-fire wonder-filled breath-taking Beauty.

Johann S. Bach penned "To God be the Glory Alone" on every musical masterpiece he composed. Bach knew the wellspring of his inspiration - and gave God Glory.


"Soli Deo Gloria," For God's Glory and our Delight - now that's a weighty equation.

Our baby found a dress

Always careful not to upstage the bride, Morgan has found a flowergirl dress. The mob - mother of the bride - will discover hers this weekend because the Time is Ripe.

And there's no doubt who will outfox the m.o.b., new dress and all!

When things are as they ought...

I stopped to see a woodpecker, I heard it with my ear;
but looking through the blowing leaves, it turned away in fear.
That's the thing with nature's own, they run when we draw close.

It makes me long for such a time, when lion lays with lamb;
when things are as they ought to be 'tween nature, God and man.

Perhaps I know how Jesus felt when those He loved drew near,
they often were aghast at Him and turned away in fear.

Remember when the shepherds heard the angels loud proclaim,
"The Lamb of God has come to dwell!"
The shepherds did exclaim,
"What can this mean, that Christ has come?"
and they were sore afraid.

Remember when the Good Dear Lord upon the water walked?
And when the pigs flew down the hill, the people cried o'erwrought:
"Away from us, Jesus the Lord, we fear you drawing close.
Keep distance in this earth we dwell, 'til lion lays with lamb;
when things are as they ought to be 'tween nature, God and man."
Spring bike ride, 2007

Grateful for my lush lawn as well as God-filled days

The morning dew kisses the lawns of the righteous and the unrighteous alike. I noticed it today. The Dew-Giver is not a man that He should withhold His Goodness from any of His children.

But the lynchpin is whether God's children trust the Gracious Dear Lord with their lives as well as their lawns.