Thursday already, november 30th.

hm. now I have my days straight, I think. tonight, i had a "Slumber Party". nope, my friends did not sleep over. they came over, and laughed! it was a ladies-only party, with relationship-enhancing items. coo-ool. Do you have any idea how many uses there are for BATTERIES??? and can you even imagine how much fun it would be to own a LOVE SWING? They do exist...you hang it from an eye-bolt in your ceiling, and can take it down easily when not in use. which is good, because I have a house full of children who would find many other uses for it, I am sure. someday, I may get one!





I had the sweetest compliment...the gal hosting the party said that my house seemed incredibly peaceful for having 5 children. I plainly pointed out to her that the children were not HOME right then (ladies only, remember), and she said "No, no...it is just a...an atmosphere...of peace and calm" WOW - as there has been a fair amount of bickering between competitive boys lately. they ALL think they are right, and they all seem to think that a brother should do whatever is asked of him - immediately! I did not even have "peaceful" music playing...it was a Trans-Siberian Orchestra CD...with electric violins and cellos rocking it out to the carol of the bells. The only thing peaceful is the serene painting on the wall.

It was on my heart to make this just after we moved here, before I knew what I know now. The key thing I know now is that Jesus is not the same to mormons as He is to Christians. AND...the cross is typically offensive. can you believe it? I have a quote written in some notes from a sermon I heard once, that reads, "Until Jesus' death on the cross is personal to you, you are not truly saved". I think that very statement made me want to paint such a scene. Ben and I researched the crucifixion, and how it was traditionally performed - which produced what you see here. The crown of thorns on the ground is the reminder of what Christ left behind, and namely, that He is alive and OFF of that cross! Now, when mormon believers walk into my home, that piece of art is the first thing they see. and, they know immediately - "this family is strange". (Or at least not mormon!) And I think it lends a presence of reverence to our home, or at best, the living room. not sure if it affects the laundry room, but that is another blog entry for another day! so...all the fuss over having company for a ladies-only party was completely worth it when I heard that...peace in my home. never mind the fun cream I got as a reward!!! which, btw, you all should try. please email me for details!!

so, I guess I can rest well knowing that I have made a difference. When I heard her comment, I felt like I should say "It is Jesus' presence here", but the words did not come. I was bothered by that and was sharing with Ben later, but he said "Sometimes you do not need words, and sometimes, they might just make you seem weird. sometimes, a peaceful presence is enough. At least if they find that they need peace, they now know where to come to find it."

I hope they do.