Wednesday Five | Vol. 25

A Quote

"It is very difficult to be resigned, left alone, and in sorrowful circumstance; but feeling immovably assured that my God and Father was too wise and loving to err in anything He does or permits, I looked up to the Lord for help and struggled on in His work. I do not pretend to see through the mystery of such visitations - wherein God calls away the young, the promising, and those sorely needed for His service here; but this I do know and feel, that, in the light of such dispensations, it becomes us all to love and serve our blessed Lord Jesus so that we may be ready at His call for death and Eternity."

-John G. Paton, written after his young wife's death on the mission field

You get a bonus book recommendation with this first quote, because I have to point you to John Paton's autobiography - he was a missionary to cannibals in the South Pacific, and his book is so interesting and edifying!

A Book

Another book I'm reading in my morning time is The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace.  In our modern world, some women would surely be offended by some of the things she writes, but as far as biblical advice for being a better wife, I don't think I've read a better book.  I've been convicted in some way by every chapter so far.

A Bit Of Nature

I'm including this scene from our weekend snowmobiling with my parents recently.  Snowmobiling is such a nice way to get outside in the winter!  We zoomed around in this winter wonderland in 9 degrees Fahrenheit, but when you're having fun it doesn't feel so cold.

A Recommendation

The kids got some oven-bake clay for Christmas, and they've been having fun making little creations...then I remembered seeing videos about making earrings out of polymer clay, and I got rather sucked in yesterday.  I like the earrings on this channel, and this channel explains more. Somehow the process of making these earrings is really fascinating to watch!  I kind of want to buy some of my own clay and try it out now.

I'll also include one other recommendation that I threw out there on Instagram the other day - G3 ministries is addressing The Chosen in some of their articles and podcast recently, and I think they make some really good points.  Unpopular Opinion: I've been skeptical about The Chosen, because I don't like the premise of putting words in Jesus's mouth that He's not recorded as saying in Scripture for the sake of entertainment (or any other reason, but entertainment seems a particularly frivolous reason). But G3 has a whole other angle, and it's given me alot to think about.

A Moment Of Happiness

On a whim, after seeing a post on Instagram (dratted Instagram! I still have a tolerate-hate relationship with it), I purchased a disco ball.  Yes, a disco ball. I saw a post with twirling spots of light sparkling in someone's living room, and I guess I was inspired. I almost immediately regretted ordering it - what was I thinking?  It was only $15, but still.

It arrived, and I was determined that I would send it right back to Amazon.  But I was still curious about what it would look like in the sun.  So before I determined to send it back, I pulled it out of the box, and held it up in front of the sunshine string in from the window.

Immediately the room was filled with flashes of light, dancing on the floors and walls, and I knew right then we'd be keeping it.  The kids were fascinated as soon as they saw it, and whenever it stilled they climbed on the chair to give it another twirl.  One of my kids was sprawled out on the floor, finishing his language arts work, but every now and then he'd just pause, and look at the ceiling with a peaceful smile on his face.

Was it a frivolous $15?  Yes.  We can live without a disco ball, of all things.  But has it added some sparkle and life to these long winter days?  It has, and I'm not sorry I bought it.  Seeing the bits of happiness on my kids' faces these humdrum school days was worth it.