A little group of local friends are reading together this year. It is probably flat out absurd to add more titles to my ever growing stacks when I have school literature to cover with the children as well.  The workload isn't getting any lighter and the state of the nation is nuts.  Creative ventures tend to serve as counter weight for me though. I need beauty and big thoughts to balance out the mundane and the downright difficult.  Seen in that light, more books seem to be just the ticket.  

In January we read Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. It prompted lots of questions and ideas personally and among friends. We discussed some overlap with Vice Admiral James Stockton.  That pulled in the Stoics which he drew from in his imprisonment.  I am attaching the notes, quotes, and links to related things that I collected last month.   These are not especially well-organized so be advised.  They are simply a very informal brain dump.  

Book challenges and book lists of modern classics are filling my imagination these days.  All suggestions are welcome! I hope you are feeding your soul and growing your mind during these rather bleak late winter days.  

Download MSFM notes and links

Some moments hit you that way. I realize that this is no longer just my story but a complex, interwoven story that is ours, theirs. The love among these brothers and sisters, between them and us, between each other – it is complicated, messy, and tangible.

 It is shown by the one who volunteers to be the designated dance parent driving to a downtown hotel in a busy metro area.  

It is shown by the one remaining home to tackle nagging chores that have been chipping away at morale. 

It is shown by a brother and his girlfriend proudly surprising mother and sisters with chocolate and flowers.

It is shown by a sister, awake early and carefully readying her sister for competition. 

It is shown by a brother bringing his baby to his brother's condo to catch up. 

It is shown every time the faraway siblings take time off work and make the long trek home to be there for one of the others. 

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."  - John 13:34-35

If you don’t follow Lindsay Boever of My Child, I Love You on Instagram I want to tell you to go read her posts from this week.  I have long admired her most inspiring mother.  Here she shares some of the hardest hitting, truest truths about marriage and family and who would like to see us fail at both. 

The little Mother Love book does not mince words when composing prayers. In one, we beseech heaven:  

“Preserve us, Almighty God, from the deceits of the evil spirits, and from the malicious or perhaps well-meant though foolish language and counsels of silly people.”

Friends and I were remarking recently that it is entirely possible for someone to win a debate using a seemingly airtight argument and yet still be wrong. Of course the inverse is also true.  In the end this is not about looking good or being right in anyone else’s eyes.  It’s about the messy work of saving our souls.  Odds are good it’s going to be a bumpy ride. 

“I have noticed that we all get to experience each of the sufferings our Lord did with His apostles – betrayal, abandonment, isolation, grief. If you haven’t yet, you will at some point in your lifetime. It might be through your spouse, your child, or another person.
It’s how we share in the Cross.” 

God bless your efforts to know, love, and serve Him in this world and to be happy with Him forever in the next.  

Lindsay IG

Today marks one full trip around the sun for our first (just by a hair) granddaughter, Avery Marie. 

These announcements are different today than the ones I made when I first began writing in this space. Our family is growing through marriage and grandchildren these days.  We have recently gained a daughter of the heart through our third son, Asher, and could not be happier for them.  

Marriage in the time of Covid is not without its unique challenges.  Fortunately, this young couple is extremely modest and thrifty and truly desired a small, intimate wedding anyway.  It was just immediate family for the ceremony and we celebrated together at home afterwards. Friends dropped off reception style decor at my doorstep in the days leading up to the big event.  My friend Annie graciously agreed to capture the day for us.  The kids announced that it was one of the best weddings we have had in the end. 

"Well a man shall leave his mother, and a woman leave her home
They shall travel on to where the two shall be as one
As it was in the beginning is now until the end
A woman draws her life from man and gives it back again
And there is love, there is love."

Noel Paul Stookey

'Been studyin' 'bout that blue hoss," he said when we were halfway to the corral. "awful full o'fight, ain't he?"

"Yes, he is," I said, "but he's been letting me feed him some pieces of biscuit this past week."

"No profit a'fightin' a man as ain't lookin' for a fight," he said. Then he spit on the ground and we went on. 

I was pretty sure Zeb was telling me that when I'd tried to ride Blueboy before I'd let him know I was looking for a fight and that he'd keep right on fighting me as long as I gave him anything to fight against. 

"Takes two to fight." Mr. Batchlett said. 

–  The Home Ranch

“God has created me to do Him some definite service.

He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another.

I have my mission.

I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next.

I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.

He has not created me for naught.

I shall do good; I shall do His work.

I shall be an angel of peace,

a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it…

if I do but keep His commandments.

Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away.

If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him,

in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him.

If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him.

He does nothing in vain.

He knows what He is about.

He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers.

He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me. Still, He knows what He is about.”

― John Henry Newman

We may be unclear about what is happening and why.  Who are the good guys?  The bad guys?  What purpose are we serving in the bigger picture? Are we making a difference?  Doing any good? What is the point anyway?

These are all normal common questions and the author provides answers for them.  It is not only our apparent success that serves a good purpose.  Our God is economical. Nothing is wasted.  Not our sorrows or sicknesses, not our losses or our disappointments.  In all these things we can be good and faithful if we humbly offer them, just the same, trusting that He can do big things with them even if we can’t quite figure out how.  We may not know how it is all coming together in this world.  Ultimately that is the definition of faith – trust in things we can’t clearly see. 

It has never been more important to curate the voices competing for your attention.  Consider your options well. A few quiet voices of truth are all we really need.     

“…the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.”   1 Cor 1:18

There's a place for each Small One
God planned it that way
Time is passing, days are few
Give while you can to one smaller than you
All things living great and small
Each brings a gift that is needed by all
Small one, Small one, Don't look so blue
Somewhere a friend is waiting for you
Someone still needs you to brighten his day
There's a place for each Small One
God planned it that way

from The Small One by Don Bluth

If you haven't seen this short film treasure, treat yourself this week. 

While exploring Silverton, CO we stopped to admire this gorgeous shrine up on the hill.  Built in the 50's to ask God's blessing upon the mining community, it has been said to have brought prosperity and protection to local workers. The full story here.  

While hiking last weekend we came across the remains of the Lake Louisa dam.  The ground we walked on had once been part of a 5300 acre reservoir intended to irrigate the high desert and bring settlers in to farm the area.  We recall from reading Ralph Moody that the whole area had been home to grazing cattle.  I have been day dreaming about this spot for days and found the whole story with many photos from the dam break here.  A 15 foot wall of water ran for miles and miles right into downtown Denver which is a half hour drive today.   Gone was the oasis in the desert. Fleeting work of human hands.  It's amazing really.