272

relationships.

We have 272 relationships at work in our house.

If I did my figuring right that is.

Seventeen people having to work together with sixteen other family members.

Many, many, many opportunities to love, serve, forgive, support, encourage, overlook...

Grant (16) Alan (14) and it's just Mountain Dew in a glass bottle :~}



Elena (17) Alan (14)



Joel (7) Anya (9) Josh (11) Josiah (15) Joyce (15)

Grace (7) Lily (4)

Lily (4) Ekie (10) Naomi (9)

Lily helping fold the Saturday morning paper for the big kids

Elena (17) helping a not so happy Anya (9) with her math

Sometimes things can get pretty intense here.

We can rub each other the wrong way, not want to forgive, or share, or be patient, or overlook, or love.

But just as hard and intense as things can get, you would find things can be just as fun, encouraging, loving, supportive.

In a large family our weaknesses are exposed more quickly and intensely but so is God's grace.

Being a lump of coal in the hands of our sweet caring Father and being squeezed (via our daily interactions with each other)...is right were I want to be.

And someday God will open up his hand and you just might bear witness to seventeen of the biggest diamonds ever!

Warmly,

A Patchwork Mommy