Samantha Pierce

Saturday we took the kids to the local science museum with hubby's parents. Wandering around the museum reminded me of the vastness and the marvel of creation. There's more to creation than just our little blue planet spinning in the darkness of space. There are thousands of galaxies out there beyond our own. It's a real mind bender to think of it all. But we don't have to go so far from home to see such amazing works of God. Stellar quakes and our own Milky Way galaxy are awesome sights to behold. It all makes you feel very small and very grateful that God bothers with us at all when he can create something as magnificent as this. The geology exhibits added another layer of wonder to the experience. For as vast and amazing as the universe is our little blue rock is a marvel all in itself. Continental drift, plate tectonics, volcanism, weather. Just walk out into your backyard and I'm sure you'll find something to amaze you. We are surrounded on every side ...

I've been a bit of a slacker with the blog lately but I'm trying to mend my ways. So to that end today I am thankful for/that: Isaiah starts at his new school in less than two weeks (just got the call from the school district to confirm it). Sophia writing on and with anything and everything she can get her ink stained little fingers on. She may be a great writer or blogger some day. Maybe I'll have her start blogging for me once she learns how to read. The sight of Sophia clomping around the house in her brother's old snow boots. She's had a thing for shoes ever since she learned how to roll over as a baby. I suspect that she learned how to crawl so she could get at the shoes that I kept moving out of her reach. Peace and quiet. Central heating, indoor plumbing, electricity, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers... What are you thankful for?

I'm a day late but, today I'm thankful for/that: Knitting. I thought about knitting a sweater that says, "I'd rather be knitting" because it's been true for the last few months. I think I'll have to settle for a t-shirt, knitting a sweater would take more time than I have right now. The gift of a bag full of knitting paraphernalia. A friend recently gave me some of her deceased mother's knitting gear. I'm currently endeavoring to use them skillfully. Me: (after receiving a requested hug) Did you just wipe your nose in me?! Ethan: Yeah! (sounding like I'd just asked him if he wanted a cookie.) We've found a full day pre-school program for Isaiah. Now we have to wait a month or two for the bureaucratic juggernaut to say he can go. What are you thankful for?

Today I am thankful for/that: Patience and a mild mannered disposition. My life would a whole lot harder to manage without those qualities. Hubby made me take my vitamins this morning. How thoughtful. Comedy Central is doing a benefit show for autism education . The cynic in me cocked an eyebrow at autism's apparent rise to the status of a celebrity cause. The mother of autistic children in me sighed and thought every little bit helps. What are you thankful for?

Ethan had his first official homework assignment last night. He had to list five words that started with the letter A. He really wanted apple to be on his list but the teacher had already given that as an example. So the words he came up with were airplane, alligator, acorn, and, and at. I was surprised when the first word out of his mouth (after apple) was airplane. It took the most work to get the shortest words out of him. I'm looking forward to more homework. I'll have to make some up for him if he doesn't start getting more.

It seems hubby is rubbing off on me. Or maybe it's thhe kids. I used to be INFP. You Are An INFJ The Protector You live your life with integrity, originality, vision, and creativity. Independent and stubborn, you rarely stray from your vision - no matter what it is. You are an excellent listener, with almost infinite patience. You have complex, deep feelings, and you take great care to express them. You would make a great photographer, alternative medicine guru, or teacher. What's Your Personality Type? Your Hair Should Be Red Passionate, fiery, and sassy. You're a total smart aleck who's got the biggest personality around. What's Your Funky Inner Hair Color?

Today I am thankful for/that: Ethan seems interested in house work. Yesterday he helped put a load of laundry in the washing machine, cleaned the dining room table (with a little help from me), and he was supposed to help make dinner but he saw a can of ravioli that hadn't been put away so that was all he wanted for dinner. He's helped make dinner on several other occasions though. Isaiah's CPSE meeting went very well. The committee agreed that a change of program was in order. We're now looking for a full day program for Isaiah. Isaiah has been keeping his clothes on more often. I guess he likes being cold less than he dislikes clothing. Sophia willingly got into the bath tub yesterday. She still had a fit when I washed her hair but one hurdle at a time. Friends to share a meal with. The witness of the persecuted church. We haven't had to turn the heat on yet. What are you thankful for?

Below is a letter sent to us by a couple living overseas. We've been receiving news of their activities for several years now. Recently the situation in the place where they were living began to deteriorate to the point where they had to leave. Their letters have never mentioned specifically where they were because the government was always distrustful of Christians and foreigners. I've removed their vague references to where they were serving. O God,do not keep silent: Be not quiet, O God, be not still. See how your enemies are astir, How your foes rear their heads. With cunning they conspire against your people; They plot against those you cherish. (Psalm 83: 1-3) Do to them as you did to Midian... who became like refuse on the ground. (vv9, 10) Make them like tumbleweed, O my God, Like chaff before the wind (v. 13) The Psalmist often expresses the cries and longings of our souls. Over the last months scripture like Psalm 83 have become alive to us as we have left our home an...