InstaFriday. Ok, InstaSaturday. Ok, InstaMonth.

Lawzee! It's been a month of Sundays since I last posted.

I'm catching up and catching my breath!

What did the last month look like through the lens of my cell phone (and, I must confess a few pics from my real camera)? Well, appropriately enough, it's mostly full of sweet and sassy females, since those are who live in our house right now.  Makes you want to say, "Lord, give Lou strength," doesn't it?

I think we keep him smiling most of the time. Hope a pic or two to follow brings a smile to your face!

As is her custom, our Elizabeth is snapping pics left and right and often grabs somebody to join her. I found this on my phone's lock screen one day.

I love her - and I think she has pretty eyes.

These next couple of months will probably be "Elizabeth heavy." She's my senior, so we're in last hurrah mode. This was our last time to play in one of my favorite venues in Springfield, MO. Central High School's "The Pit" is definitely from the old days, but aside from the really uncomfortable bleachers, I love it.

The girls in green were there to cheer our favorite Lady Liberator on.

Dona (Lou's sister),  Erin (good friend), and yours truly

Our last regular season home game is "Senior Night." The seniors are escorted by their parents as a brief bio is read about them and their future plans. All the girls, including Elizabeth, ended theirs with words about "marrying the man of my dreams and living happily ever after."

After the introductions, we got to watch a little basketball. Nobody is more pesky on defense than our girl.

Ok. This next picture is hilarious.

Did somebody throw frowning powder over the crowd?

Even Hannah and Alex, the happy newlyweds, aren't smiling

Our local radio station interviews each of the senior girls after the game. A fun little perk of a small town and a locally owned radio station.

I have no words for that bun...

Come Sundays, words that remind me of life giving truth get flashed before my eyes. So very, very grateful for that weekly reminder.

Good thing He doesn't, because I sure do.

Sunday nights this winter, Elizabeth, Mary Grace and teammates have been kicking around the soccer ball.

Indoors.

Mercifully, comfortably, indoors during this long arctic winter we've had.

Hannah, Elizabeth, Grace, Brionna, Mary Grace, Julianne

With Luke living in LA now, I totally rely on my phone for glimpses of him. The couple I've gotten this month are just a tad different. An aspiring actor needs to rock completely different looks, right? Love, love that boy either way.

Via text 

Sweet words from sister to brother are pretty precious, too.

One of the highlights of late February was heading to Colorado Springs to attend the graduation of our Faith from Discipleship Training School with YWAM (Youth With a Mission). We had to wait till 5 pm to see her the day we arrived, so we enjoyed a hike at the beautiful Garden of the Gods.

We weren't the only ones enjoying the banner weather in the Garden. This is just a little too ambitious for my blood.

The YWAM graduation was a worship experience - encouraging and convicting. To observe the passion of young people on fire for God and to hear their testimonies is powerful. God is alive and at work!

Faith made lifelong friends

While in The Springs (do I sound like a native?), we stay with some lifelong friends of our own. And boy, do they know how to spoil ya. Nothing like a little Ghiradelli chocolate on your pillow. Thanks, Don and Naomi, and Darrell and Denise!

Once home, Faith shared some Lebanese coffee with us. A little thicker than I typically like, but good in a different, I'm-gonna-try-to-like-it kind of way.

Grandma is very glad Faith's home

I have to include this next picture because it is so, so typical - especially on Sunday afternoons. Sunday afternoons were created for guilt free napping. Add the warm sum streaming in on a cold winter day, and oh my. Heaven on earth.

And I'm not the only one who thinks so.

Sneaky Mary Grace snapped this;)

This past month Lent began, which means one of my favorite decorations came out. I need the reminder that all the joy and grace on this earth and all that is promised me forever came at a very, very high price.

Got this from Ann Voskamp. See "A Holy Experience." 

And as we approach Easter, we are finally starting to see this! Spring has sprung!

Doing a little spring cleaning this past week, I found this. How I thank God for Elisabeth Elliot. She is one of my spiritual mothers. I wrote her once, and she wrote me back and included her autograph and her prayer. These are at least 20 years old. I treasure them.

My man and I had a date this past Wednesday and hit Zio's Italian Kitchen. You get crayons there so you can put important stuff on the paper that covers their tables.

I follow Jon Acuff on twitter and Instagram (and you should too…so funny and motivating). He instagrammed this new Legacy app. It's a countdown to important events and its goal is to remind you to make the most of your limited time with the ones you love. I like it.

At this point, if you're familiar with my family, you might have noticed that one kid is missing from this little "catch up" post. I noticed, so I texted our David and said, "Hey! I've forgotten what you look like! Send me a pic!

Here's what I got.

What a completely adorable goofball. Love him and miss him.

Whew! I'm done, and I feel slightly caught up. Thanks for coming along for my Instamonth. Hope you smiled a little and were encouraged. Encouraged to stop, and remember the ones in your life that you'd fill your InstaFridays with.

Let's thank God for the incredible gifts they are. None of the people who God has us traveling this earth with are always easy or convenient, but then, neither are we. We're all beautiful messes, so let's give each other a lot of grace!

Blessings to you!

Waxing Poetic for Valentine's

Valentine's Day

There is an art to this day of the heart

When paper and pen often meet,

When lovers extol from the depths of their soul

And there's chocolate, yes chocolate, to eat!

There is real reason for red rose season

When florists stand hours on their feet

When ribbons are tied and no flowers have died

And there's chocolate, sweet chocolate, to eat.

There is some sadness around the love madness

When a card or a kiss would be neat,

When they are a-lacking, the heart starts a-cracking, 

But there's chocolate, dear chocolate, to eat.

There is a healing at a wrapper now peeling,

When it's off, then your heart skips a beat

When you take that first bite, Oh! such delight,

There's chocolate, my chocolate, to eat.

There is a word that by needs must be heard

When the day is finally complete

When those happy or sad, stay seriously glad

Because there's chocolate, pure chocolate, to eat!

InstaFriday: Hello Again.

A blast from my blogging past! An InstaFriday!

In case you've forgotten, an InstaFriday is a recap of a week in your life all captured by the lens of the cell phone. Oh, our cell phones. Do we live in a different world than we lived in say, 10 years ago, because of them or what! God, thank you for them, and help us be wise with them!

Our week started off with a ball…a fuzzy yellow ball! Mary Grace had a tennis tournament in Joplin, MO. So much fun watching that girl on the court. And so funny when you snap a picture clueless that a reflection snuck its way in.

Watch out for that backhand!!!!!!

And after the tourney, time for inspiration. We went to visit a long time friend who has suffered for years with Multiple Sclerosis. But in the middle of her suffering, she has shone hope, inspired others, and glorified God. And she was honored by being one of those chosen to carry the Olympic Torch as it made its way to Salt Lake City in 2002.

Lou, Robin Creemer, and Mary Grace, holding the torch Robin carried

Sunday, it was time for a little banquet of the Academic kind. These two knuckleheads make good grades and it makes this momma smile. I also smile whenever I open my phone and find it's been commandeered and photographic evidence has been left behind.

Mary Grace has got Elizabeth's back;)

Sunday afternoon was also a nice day! A biking day! The one nice day we've had all this long polar vortex kind of winter!!! It was the first day my Lou got to try out his Christmas present. Can you spot it?

The Go Pro is seriously fun

Our beautiful little park has a beautiful little pond that, despite the warmer temperatures, was still sporting ice thick enough for the ducks to waddle on. I don't remember ever seeing this before this polar vortex year.

I was about ready to shoot the messenger early this week, but a cooler, (and obviously, fatter) head prevailed. Its news was the push I needed to get my rear in gear and resurrect My Fitness Pal. Lou is doing his part to help my cause - he just made a pound cake. Appropriately named, don't you think?

Hanging in the lobby at Bolivar Family Care Center is this throw back of BFCC kids. Elizabeth appeased me by posing just so. My kiddos are in the red.

Her sweet young self is standing on the stairs

Elizabeth is also one to stand by her friends, even when they eat a goldfish just...because. If you see Kacie (or Emma Wall), ask to see the video of the gastric demise of two unsuspecting innocent fish.

Early morning drives to Springfield for violin have their perks. Glory, I get to see some beautiful sunrises! Here, Venus and a sliver of the moon are greeting the sun. God does amazing work!

Did I mention earlier that we are having a polar vortex kind of winter? Good thing my brother, Keith, gave me this hat for Christmas. Have you heard anybody talk about or have you seen anything on tv about some Olympic games about to begin? Good thing my brother, Keith, gave me this hat for Christmas.

Heart my hat. Heart my brother.

It's always fun to open the paper and see a beautiful picture of a happy couple. And when you know the couple like I know this couple, it's double fun.

Double fun (or double trouble) is what you get when these two get together. Elizabeth took this and Instagrammed it on Wednesday. Her grandmother was her WCW (Woman Crush Wednesday). I think they kind of like each other.

Good thing I started the day today by stacking this wood. The calories burned aren't more than the ones I just consumed in the 2 pieces of pound cake Lou just made, but they did cancel out the first bite, so that's something.

Lots of wood means we are enjoying cozy fires. I'm sitting by it as I finish this post. Hope you are surrounded by warmth wherever you are.

Blessings to you as you start your weekend!

The Doctor, the Dad

The Doctor, the Dad

Dr. Hugh Wynn Vaughan

Here's to the doctor, here's to the dad,

The best on both counts that I ever had.

In memory of him on this his birthday,

I'm rhyming and writing my fingers away.

Born to Marvin and Truma, the second of four,

And now here's a bit of the family lore.

He swore on that day, they let him get cold,

He was cold ever since, which kind of got old.

A preacher's kid, of the Methodist kind,

He'd sometimes swim, just to unwind.

A kid, the same, but the Baptist sort,

Joined him one day to splash and cavort.

They splashed, they swam, then his friend went down!

My dad was afraid that Baptist would drown!

Scared spitless, Dad was, but he dove on in,

Saved the boy and the day - A true Wynn win.

Summers he'd be at his uncle's farm,

Sowing and plowing with tan, strong arms.

He loved that work and the time and the place,

The memories produced a smile on his face.

High school he went to, he studied, he worked,

Nothing on purpose ever was shirked.

But one credit shy he was at the end,

So nope. No diploma did his school extend.

A college still welcomed this smart young man,

He studied, he worked - pre-med his plan.

Courses he needed, he finished, he aced.

No diploma again, but in med school was placed.

From this, he graduated! He did, for sure.

Off to Munford to work and help people, cure.

40 plus years of service, of life.

At his side, five kids and Violet, his wife.

Retirement came and so did a move,

To Bolivar, MO, and I did approve!

The book he wrote is a gift to us all.

His life, his work, now us kids can recall.

The stories, the heart, of this one dear man,

Left on some pages, prized in my hand.

I've missed him daily these last 10 years,

But a reunion's to come, with happy tears!

My Uncle Bill and my Dad -  early 1930s

Uncle Bill and Dad

Who's the only one wearing long sleeves? The one who was cold.

Dad's lifelong partner, Dr Sid Witherington, and Dad in front of their clinic

Dad and Mom
Hugh, Kathy, Me, Andy, Keith

Hugh Wynn Vaughan, M.D.
January 11, 1928 - March 20, 2004

What's In a Name?

I'm thinking about our David Elliot today.

First, it's Wednesday. Wednesday is "David's day." The day I pray for him specially. Not that I can't or don't pray for him or think about him on other days, but I started a few years ago designating days for each of my kids. It just helps me focus.

Secondly, today, January 8, has been on the calendar as the day we were going to hang with David in Springfield before he heads back to college. Lou, David, and I went shopping and out to eat. I've been looking forward to it and I loved our time together. I kind of like him.

And thirdly, Lou, reading Solid Joys this morning, says, "Jim Elliot was killed on this day in 1956."

Hearing Jim Elliot's name reminds me of David.

It takes me back to 1993 when Lou and I talked a lot about what to name the next child who was due in August.

Naming your child is a big deal.

From the moment you know a soul is growing inside you, you start the name game, bouncing syllables around like basketballs.

It's so much fun and a little bit terrifying. You know their moniker is more permanent than a tattoo!

My Lou and I had boy and girl names for children 1 and 2 even before we were pregnant with our first. So when we were expecting our 3rd, we had to do a little more thinking.

Since we never found out what we were having, we had to come up with a boy's and a girl's name. I honestly can't even remember what girl name we had in our pocket, which surprises me. How do you forget that? Anyway, the more we thought about manly boy names, we kept circling back to "David."

We were thinking about King David of the Bible, described as a "man after God's own heart." If we had a boy, we wanted him to be described as that kind of man. And we were thinking about our friend, David Falling, who was a mentor to Lou during medical school, residency, and after. He stood up with Lou when we were married.  (I'm so bummed right now that I can't put my finger on this great picture I have of the two Davids together!) We wanted our boy to be like David Falling.

David. Yes, David.

Now what to go with that good, strong name?

A spiritual mentor to me, although I didn't know her personally, was/is Elisabeth Elliot. Right out of college, I heard a talk by her that challenged me like few talks have. I've listened to The Path of Endurance many times since then and read most everything she has written. She has helped me love God more.

It was in The Path of Endurance talk where I first learned about her husband, Jim Elliot, who was killed along with 4 others 58 years ago today, January 8, as they attempted to meet and take the gospel to the Auca Indians in Ecuador. Her book, Through Gates of Splendor chronicles this story. It was in that book that I got to know Jim Elliot - a good man, a Godly man.

A man who is best known for the following quote:

We wanted our son to be a man who loved God like Jim Elliot. A man who was willing to give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.

Does Elliot go with David?

David…Elliot.

David Elliot Harris.

Yep, we liked it. We still like it. And we like that boy-now-man a lot.

We love him.

Thanking God for him today, January 8, and praying he continues to grow into a man who lives up to his name.