Embracing Williamsburg

We have had a most excellent visit to VA this week. What began as an opportunity to vacate SC and capitalize on the possibilities of homeschooling, soon morphed into precious moments of fellowship with dear friends. The Lowes were our seminary friends and next-door neighbors in NC. Our kids were best friends at the time, but couldn't even remember each other upon introductions--it's been nearly ten years! Regardless, they had a ball together. And most of them had never met--a combined ten kids! The Shifferts came to stay a night in our luxury accommodations (no kidding--this place has been great), bringing along their K5 son, Cailean. We first met in Florida, and last saw them a year ago living in SC just up the road from us. But the Lord called them away to the ministry of the DC metro area. How we've missed that time with these friends!

Today we spent the afternoon touring colonial Williamsburg. We ran out of time--frankly, didn't plan it very well. If you visit the area, be sure to keep in mind that the stuff closes at five. We also got stuck under an oak tree during a sudden downpour. We made out ok, albeit a little damp. But despite all this, we enjoyed ourselves, visited a few shops (the printer/bookbinding shop was my favorite), saw some shows, and went home with a collection of souvenirs.

Tomorrow, we depart. I haven't seen my college roommate in close to eight years. She is a wonderful friend and lives just north of here, so, of course, we are heading there next. I can't wait! She also has five children, three of whom I have never met. And our last day of traveling, before heading home, will hopefully have us meeting up with Mike's brother's family--some more Kuckels! We have missed our little nephew especially, as it has been several years since we last saw him.

So, I chronicle these escapades mostly for myself. To remember the special, out-of-the-ordinary moments of life. I give God the glory for lasting friendships, and the continuous hope that I am reminded of when I share in others' lives. I am so thankful to serve a God of such grace.

First and Ten...

We've had a special month of celebrating all the boys' birthdays. David Andrew hit the year-mark and Benny and Joey made it to double digits. It's not been my best year for cake...Davy got a banana muffin, and the boys got...well, nothing, actually. I still haven't gotten around to making them cupcakes. And I don't even have any pictures from their birthday! Children can be very forgiving.

Here are some great cakes from the past. I used to put so much time into birthday cake! I am afraid laziness has taken over. Or age. Or number of kids?!

It is well

This was a day like no other. July 10, 2011. Redemption!

Kuckel Countdown

As all Americans celebrate a national birthday and our precious freedom, the Kuckels are celebrating a few other noteworthy events.

Bella, on her own, prayed to God to forgive her sins. She later told us that she had been doing this during "nap time" while laying in her bed. We weren't sure what to make of it. This is something we have prayed for as a family for years. I know that she has wanted to believe, but there was a lack of faith holding her back. As she once told me in the kitchen, she believed in Jesus, but how could she believe since she couldn't see him? How sweet that the Holy Spirit brought her to understanding on her own. She joyfully announced to me, "I am a Christian, now!" Next week, her daddy will get to baptize her.

The same week, we will also get to celebrate David Andrew's first year of life. I haven't decided what to do yet, but he seems to enjoy Pooh and Eeyore from his board books. We will see what they look like on homemade cake...

And if that's not enough, we will celebrate Ben and Joey's big day on the 20th! Lot's of pics coming soon...

Priceless

Making Memories

***************
my prayer is that
you would always
be
the very best of
friends;
and that your differences would bind you
together
like the patches of a handmade quilt-
as beautiful as it is unique.

The Full Counsel

I have been studying through John as part of a church-wide focus on using the SOAP method of Bible study. It is a great method, but it doesn't work so well for me. I found myself getting psyched out by the writing that was involved, not to mention the reading. I mean, it's great to read a whole chapter in Exodus, but when you're reading John, it's nice just to stop and reflect. I make it through about half a chapter, and then I read it again and meditate on it.

It troubles me how people take John out of context. Here is a book that must be read carefully in its entirety. Pulling out one verse or section and hanging all of your theology on that denigrates the purpose of the author and the Author. To illustrate, of course, I have to pull out individual verses, but don't believe a word I say if you haven't read the whole book of John for yourself! It is spoken and written in figures of speech which must be carefully and prayerfully understood through the power of the Holy Spirit of God. Figures of speech can and will be misunderstood because there is a deeper intended meaning than the words portray. Jesus himself tells the disciples in chapter 16, "These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; an hour is coming when I will speak no more to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly of the Father." v.25. You could take that to mean the things that Jesus had just spoken to his disciples as He foretold His death and resurrection prior to verse 25, and that would be accurate, but clearly there are other "parables" that Jesus speaks in John where He relies on the figurative language to relay the weight of His message.

"Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." 2:19

"...unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 3:3

"...whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst..." 4:14

"For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world." 6:33

"He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him." 6:56

"You shall seek Me, and shall not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come." 7:34

"If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink." 7:37

"I am the light of the world..." 8:12

"...and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." 8:32

"...if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death." 8:51

"If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, 'We see,' your sin remains." 9:41

"I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved..." 10:9

"I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." 10:11

"...Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, that I may awaken him out of sleep." 11:11

"He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal." 12:25

"If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." 13:8

"I will not leave you as orphans..." 14:18

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser...and you are the branches..." 15:1,5

"A little while, and you will no longer behold Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me." 16:16

Don't take my word for it, take the Word's word for it. English is a plain language. I wish I could understand the original Greek to really enjoy the fullness of Jesus' words. In China, I had a friend whose mother said my face was a lovely apple. Her compliment was so much more special than if she had simply said she liked my face. But, surely, I could take it the wrong way, too. Who wants to look like an apple anyway?

Consider how John maintains the accuracy of the account, while transcribing the allegorical effect that depicts the heavenly nature of Christ. His words came from the Father, and they are full of wisdom and truth.

David Andrew is Six Months Old Today!!

I just noticed what the date is today. It is a wonderful marker of what the Lord has done. I wanted to post quickly before I forgot and while I have a few minutes before daddy and the kids get back from sledding.

A moment of reflection is priceless.