A Tribute: The Martins

My time working as a nanny for the Martins has come to a close, and I am setting out to write a blog of tribute to this family and these children who have so graciously spent the past year with me. From Megan refusing her bottle the first few weeks to these last months of climbing up the junge gym and going down the sliding board, I've loved watching Megan and Daniel grow into toddlers.

Daniel: Danny loves a good back rub or "spiders crawling up your back", and he laughs and laughs when the goosebumps come at the end of the ditty. He is always pleasant and playful. He loves wearing shoes and going out for a walk around the neighborhood or a trip to the playground. Dan would do all the motions with me to "Itsy Bitsy Spider," and always wanted me to sing it over and over.

Megan: Meg would leave what she was doing throughout the day to come give me a hug and sit in my lap for a few seconds. Her favorite word is "uh-oh!" Reading is one of her favorite activities and she would bring me book after book. She loves dress-up too, and each morning when I would bring clothes downstairs her excitement over getting dressed for the day was obvious.

I have so many memories of being with Meg and Danny - of teaching them "more" in sign language at mealtime; of Meg sleeping in the Moby Wrap; of Danny's sweaty head on my shoulder as we spent the last half of naptime on the couch together; of reading Fifteen Animals a hundred times a day; of pushing the double stroller around the neighborhood; of afternoons at the playground; of rolling balls across the floor, and pretending to drink out of teacups; of smacking my lips to Megan's laughter, and playing peek-a-boo with Daniel behind the rocker; of building towers and knocking them down. I thank God for the privilege of investing in their lives and for the opportunity to learn from being with them. It is a bittersweet goodbye.

Read and Reviewed: June 2012

25. Twelve Ordinary Men by John MacArthur
This book makes you feel like a fly on the wall, as you listen in to the time the disciples spent with Jesus. MacArthur devotes space to each of the twelve disciples, pointing out character traits and re-telling their stories. I enjoyed it, although do not care much for MacArthur’s writing style.

26. A Salty Piece Of Land by Jimmy Buffett
This novel was given to me to read otherwise I would have put it down on page three. It is the story of a Cowboy named Tully Mars who is running from the law with his horse, Mister Twain, and the people he meets along the way as well as the lighthouse he works to rebuild. It is a good story-telling for sure, but I would find it more enjoyable without the profanity, sex, drunkenness, and drugs.

27. The Pleasures Of God by John Piper
Two sentences I highlighted in this book: “In the end it will not be the seas or the mountains or the canyons or the water spiders or the clouds or the great galaxies that fill our hearts to breaking with wonder and fill our mouths with eternal praise. It will be God himself.” Now go read the rest of the book about God’s pleasure in being God because I cannot summarize well enough.

Read and Reviewed: May 2012

19. Transforming Grace by Jerry Bridges
Last year, I read The Discipline Of Grace which was written as a sequel to this book by Bridges. This book is 254 pages of defining grace, God’s unmerited favor to us. While I would highly recommend The Discipline of Grace, Transforming Grace was a long, slow read for me with a seemingly abundance of wasted space and words.

20. Forgiveness by Charles Stanley
Forgiveness is well-written, and a quick, easy read. It discusses in detail God’s forgiveness and how we are to forgive others and ourselves. It includes the steps involved with Scripture scattered throughout. Warnings of bitterness and a life lived without embracing forgiveness is also clearly shown.

21. A Gospel Primer For Christians by Milton Vincent
I was overwhelmed with the skill this book is written with and the depth of its content. Vincent gives thirty-one reasons why every Christian should preach the gospel to himself every day. Then, he proceeds to preach that gospel in both prose and poetry. Nearly every thought is footnoted with Scripture. Its style and effect are startling. It takes what is familiar and depicts it in a way that is fresh and colorful, the way stained glass can take something common and bring a different beauty. I am definitely recommending.

22. Be Still, My Soul by Nancy Guthrie
This book is a collection of sermons, writings, and excerpts from books from twenty-five different authors and speakers on the subject of suffering. Age old writings mingle with the contemporary to complete a perspective not many books bring. I look forward to reading Guthrie’s other collections.

23. Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came To Die by John Piper
The title tells exactly what this book is. Piper says that asking who killed Jesus is not the question, but why he bled and died and rose again, and he gives fifty purposes from the New Testament. This little book is full of Scripture and well worth the read.

24. The Beginner’s Guide to Fasting by Elmer L. Towns
In this book, Towns explains the types and lengths of fasts, and the causes for carrying out a fast. I would not recommend this book. It is repetitive, and makes fasting seem like manipulation. He only briefly talks about it as a spiritual discipline. Not a book you’ll find on my shelf.

Read and Reviewed: April 2012

I may have only read three books this month, but I'm still one book ahead for the year so it's okay.

16. When I Don’t Desire God by John Piper
This book is for the tired heart, darkened by joylessness. Piper offers hope to the hopeless and explains the means to awaken joy in the cold heart. I took notes as I read, uncommon for me, and it drove me to the Word time and time again. This book challenged, taught, and encouraged me. I commend it to you.

17. The Book Of The Dun Cow by Walter Wangerin Jr.
A novel concerning a Rooster and his Coop. This is the story of this Rooster, Chauntecleer, and the goings on within his Coop, the fight against the evil Wyrm living within the earth, and a Dog with a large snout and a Dun Cow. Within its pages are good and evil, hate and forgiveness, and loving sacrifice. Read it for yourself. Your time will not be wasted.

18. When The Darkness Will Not Lift by John Piper
This is basically a short version of When I Don’t Desire God (see book #16) although the back cover does not tell you that. I recommend the longer version if you’re going to just read one. This one was a great reminder and a summary, and although you would not guess it from reading the back cover, seems to be written to the friend of the person walking in the darkness rather than that person himself.

A Tribute: The Bogners

My scheduled time working for Matt and Hope with their children, Kaylyn and Emily, has ended. I hope that although my weekly time with them is over that this is not goodbye. I write this as a tribute to this family as I look back and remember fondly my time with them.

Matt: Thanks for the help with my car when the battery died. You came and picked up my couches and stored them in your shed. You invited me to be a part of your family, and I am so incredibly grateful.

Hope: Our little texts back and forth each week about my schedule with my, "Yup" and your, "Yep." The car ride to Ocean City for you to speak at that conference, and Emi chipping her teeth on the coffee table at the hotel. Your home became my home too when I felt alone in a new city. Thank you for caring about my heart and not being soley professional. It was so needed and I appreciate your encouragement.

Kaylyn: I remember swinging butterfly style, you sitting on my lap, on the swings at the park. Doing cartwheels, and playing tag. Going for walks around the pond, and catching butterflies in the backyard. Making bracelets out of bandanas and flowers out of tissue paper. Being silly; telling stories; making dinner together. Playing volleyball with balloons in the living room. You teaching me how to play Headbandz and playing with my hair while Emi napped. You reading sections of your books to me. I love your caring, sweet heart, KK, and I thank you for making me a part of your family.

Emi: So many trips to parks and playgrounds and the library and Hands On House and Park City. Coloring. Playdoh. Candyland. I loved playing with rocks out on the porch for hours, your creativity inspiring me. Crafts. Games. Tag. Teaching me how to dance to music. Making meals. When I met you, your favorite word was, "Stuck," and now you have grown into a little princess. Thank you for loving me well.

There are so many, many memories. My heart is full. I am blessed to know you and work for you; to love and invest in your children. It was an honor and a priviledge. I thank God for you.