I keep counting // Sigo contando

(To find out what I'm doing, click here.) // (Para enterarte de lo que estoy haciendo, hacé click acá.) 

109. my husband walking funny (he was born with cerebral palsy. we get through airport security really fast.) // que mi marido camina diferente (nació con parálisis cerebral. pasamos por seguridad en el aereopuerto super rápido.)
110. thankful for helpful, sticker-giving TSA employees // agradecida por empleados de seguridad que estan dispuestos a ayudar y entregan stickers.

111. colored light floating up into the cold night air // luz de color flotando en el aire frío de la noche

112. hugs from family // abrazos de mi familia
113. my daughter's imagination // la imaginación de mi hija

114. loving church family--even though we weren't members, we were still family // una familia amorosa en la iglesia--sin ser miembros fuimos igualmente familia
115. family that is waiting for us // familia que nos espera
116. Alex's song about airplanes // la canción sobre aviones de Alex
117. hope of heaven // la esperanza del cielo
118. friends and family who pray // familiares y amigos que oran
119. flowers in the valley // flores en el valle
120. Alex's freckle behind her ear. it's adorable. // la peca detrás de la oreja de Alex. es tierna.
121. Alex's giggle at anything new and exciting // la risita de Alex cuando ve algo nuevo y emocionante

122. the reminder that we don't live for earth, we live for eternity. what I do now really, really matters for eternity. how I treat those around me (husband and daughter especially) is a reflection of my relationship with God first. what I do unto others I'm doing unto Christ first. // recordar que no vivimos para estar tierra, vivimos para la eternidad. lo que hago ahora realmente importa para la eternidad. como trato a los que me rodean (especialmente mi marido e hija) es un reflejo de mi relación con Dios. lo que hago a los demás hago primero a Cristo.
123. hearing "let your glory fill the earth" and seeing ice-glory in the form of snowflakes from heaven fill my vision. // oir "que tu gloria llene la tierra" y ver gloria en forma de copos de nieve caer del cielo y llenar mi vista
124. tearful goodbyes // adioses con lágrimas
125. fields of cornstalks // campos de maíz

126. big skies // cielos grandes
127. friendships // amistades
128. thwarted plans // planes no cumplidos
129. wild rabbits that won't come out to play // conejos que no salen a jugar
130. glorious sunset light streaming through our windows // luz de atardecer entrando por la ventana

I need to write something...anything // Tengo que escribir algo...cualquier cosa

(más abajo en español)

If my son had survived his very early birth (at 24 weeks), today would be a very different day. We would be celebrating a year of struggles, but we would be celebrating a victory over very bad odds. We would be holding a baby, probably small for his age and probably with some kind of health problem, but we would be holding him. We would be spending money on food, party decorations, getting ready for our family and friends to come over.

But he didn't, so we aren't.

Instead we remember with pain and joy. We smile and cry at pictures, gifts and words from those that love us. We honor Max's short life by remembering, by letting the pain surface. It might be easier to let it all get buried somewhere deep within and go on with life as if nothing happened. But Max happened. God gave Max to us to show us how much we're loved, to show us how great and strong He is, to teach us what grace and peace in the storm look like. To teach us that this is not our home. God took Max because He loves Max. God continues to sustain us because He loves us.

Happy first birthday, sweet boy. 

I miss you so much. I miss all the things we didn't get to do, all the new things we didn't get to see you do, all the smiles you'd give us, all the giggles you'd share with your sister. I miss seeing you sit with your daddy and watching soccer games. I miss hearing your daddy teach you Russian. I miss seeing your grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins love you. I miss all the hours I would have nursed you, touched your soft skin, kissed you thousands of times. I miss all the photographs I could have gotten of your adorable little self.

Enjoy heaven, Max. Have fun with your great-grandparents and cousins and all the wonderful people God has made whole. Praise our Father in His presence; we'll join you one day.

I love you.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Si mi hijo hubiera sobrevivido su muy temprana llegada (de 24 semanas), hoy sería un día muy diferente. Estaríamos celebrando un año de pruebas, pero estaríamos celebrando una victoria pese a las pocas probabilidades. Estaríamos teniendo en brazos a un bebé, seguramente pequeño por su edad y con algún problema de salúd, pero lo estaríamos teniendo. Estaríamos gastando dinero en comida, decoraciones, y preparándonos para recibir a familiares y amigos.

Pero no pasó así.

En lugar de todo eso, recordamos con dolor y gozo. Sonreíamos y lloramos al ver fotos, regalos y palabras de los que nos aman. Honramos la corta vida de Maxi recordándolo, permitiendo que aflote nuevamente el dolor. Quizá sería más fácil dejar que siga todo enterrado dentro nuestro, y seguir con nuestra vida como que si no hubiera pasado nada. Pero Maxi pasó. Dios nos dio a Maxi para mostrarnos cuanto nos ama, para mostrarnos lo grande y fuerte que Dios es, para enseñarnos lo que es la paz y gracia en el medio de la tormenta. Para enseñarnos que este no es nuestro hogar. Dios se llevó a Maxi porque lo ama. Dios sigue sosteniéndonos porque nos ama.

Feliz primer cumpleaños, mi dulce.

Te extraño tanto. Extraño todas las cosas que no pudimos hacer, todas las cosas nuevas que no te vimos hacer, todas las sonrisas que nos darías, todas las risas que compartirías con tu hermana. Extraño verte con tu papá mirando fútbol. Extraño oir como tu papá te enseña ruso. Extraño ver como tus abuelos, tíos, tías y primos te amarían. Extraño todas las horas que te daría el pecho, que tocaría tu piel tan suave, los miles de besos que te daría. Extraño las fotos hermosas que te hubiera tomado.

Disfrutá del cielo, Maxi. Divertite con tus bis-abuelos y primos y todas las personas que ahora están enteras. Adorá al Padre en su presencia; un día estaremos a tu lado haciendo lo mismo.

Te amo.

Things my sister learned from my son

(The day Max went to be with God, my sister started sharing what Max taught her. This is what she's shared in the past year.)

Things I learned from Max #1: The hope of heaven is sweeter when your heart is breaking.

Things I learned from Max #2: God is God, and I am not. So I bow my head and worship. God knows the tears are not accusations.

Things I Learned from Max #3: Life is short.

Things I learned from Max #4: The value of a life really has NOTHING to do with size or age or accomplishments. Max was infinitely precious simply because he was.

Things I Learned from Max #5: My sister is a strong, beautiful woman.

Thinks I Learned From Max #6: Our family's faith is genuine.
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:6-7 ESV)

Things I Learned From Max #7: There are no words that could possibly describe what it is like when the body of Christ genuinely weeps with those who are weeping--not just with condolences or expressions of regret, but by crying simply because I am.

Things I Learned from Max #8: Even halfway through gestation, the beauty of the image of God resting in an image-bearer is breathtaking.

Things I Learned from Max #9: I really can't grasp with my mind what it means for Max never to face evil, for his parents never to have to worry that he'll be safe, because I've never lived anywhere or at any time where evil did not reign. We miss him. But he's safe.

Things I Learned from Max #10: God's promises are sure. He's promised to make all things new, and He will. He's backed that promise with his one power for the sake of His own name. I can trust Him.

Things I Learned from Max #11: I really respect Max's daddy. Christopher Lovelace, you've done an excellent job of loving and caring for your wife, daughter and son. I'm thankful for God's grace in you.

Things I Learned from Max #12: Knowing that Max is part of the great cloud of witnesses is truly a motivator to set the weights aside and run the race set before me. My heart can hear his voice: "Run hard, Aunt Meli! Keep your eyes on Jesus! When you get here and see Jesus yourself, every step of the race will be worth it!"
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
(Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV)

Things I Learned from Max #13: I never thought about the precious joy of worshiping God in song and realizing that I am only joining the song that is already roaring around God's throne, where Max is singing his heart out with thousands upon thousands of other voices.
And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelation 5:9-14 ESV)

Things I Learned from Max #14: One month is a really long, really short time. Still so thankful for Max's life. Still miss him.

Things I learned from Max #15: A heart is changed not by the amount of time spent with someone but by how deeply he touches you. The shape of my heart changed when Max was born. It changed again. permanently. when he left us to be with Jesus. Having our hearts affected and changed and reshaped is a good thing. But sometimes it hurts. And sometimes it hurts a lot.

Things I Learned from Max #16: God is only and always good

Things I Learned from Max #17: No matter how long or desperate or violent the storm, the grace God gives to praise him in it will never be exhausted.

Things I Learned from Max #18: Little ones are precious to Jesus. Jesus noticed, loved, and cared for Max in ways that exceeded even his parents' ability. Now Max is with Jesus, perfectly loved, perfectly safe, and perfectly joy-filled. Little ones are precious. Jesus said so and lived that way, and I want to be like Jesus.

Things I Learned from Max #19: We walked through the fire and were not consumed. Our God is with us.
But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:1-3 ESV)

Things I Learned from Max #20: Tears sprout in unexpected places and unforeseen moments. And that's okay. In fact, it's a good thing.

Things I Learned from Max #21: All I really have is Christ, and Christ is truly all I need.

Things I Learned from Max #22: Living in light of eternity really changes your perspective on a lot of things. I'm amazed and more than a little chastened to realize how often I've been sucked into things that are really. not. going. to. matter. someday when I stand in the presence of Jesus.

Things I Learned from Max #23: God is the one who can hold Max gently in one arm and arrange my world the way he intends it to be with the other. Rest today! :) God is big enough...for anything.

Things I Learned from Max #24: Maxi, you remind me daily that I'm not home yet. This is not where I belong.

Things I Learned from Max #25: You don't have to live long or have many abilities to change lives. But...I HAVE lived long. And God HAS given me abilities. I have so much I am responsible to steward. Thank you, Maxi, for reminding me to be faithful and fruitful.

Things I learned from Max #26: Nothing about grief is easy. And as life unfolds, grief breaks off into jagged, broken edges that catches my breath. But fearing the pain of grief is no reason not to relish the beautiful moments that made up the life a beautiful, strong, amazing little one.

Thinks I Learned from Max #27: Every life matters. That is why we mourn the loss of relationship, whether it's someone we knew for 87 years, for 2 days, or never even met because the pregnancy ended too soon. God creates each person on purpose, for a purpose, from the moment of conception.

Things I Learned from Max #28: I can't put into words how deeply comforting it is to face the loss of babies we've loved, knowing that our loss truly is their gain. Never to have to face evil as our country has known this week. Oh, how I rejoice that the babies in our family that died so soon don't even know what evil is. And they never will. Thankful for heaven tonight.

Things I Learned from Max #29: The just shall live by faith: the bigger picture lends perspective to the present reality. And the big picture is that God is good, that God never acts without a purpose, and that God has planned the day when everything will be right.

Things I Learned from Max #30: For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:18 ESV) This is beyond my comprehension. I know what the sufferings of this present time feel like, and the weight of suffering and mourning is deeper than words can express. But that suffering loses its magnitude in the face of the glory that will be revealed; what must that glory be like that God has in store?! I cannot wrap my understanding around that. But I press into that reality, by faith.

in the kitchen... // en la cocina...

(To find out what I'm doing, click here.) // (Para enterarte de lo que estoy haciendo, hacé click acá.) 

97. the scent of chocolate melting // el olor del chocolate derritiendose

98. the bite of candied ginger // la chispa del gengibre abrillantado
99. cream cheese // queso cream
100. the expectation of chocolate cake // la expectativa de la torta de chocolate
101. pink ice cream for little girls // helado rosa para las nenas
102. the juicy, tangy mess that is a pomegranate // el lio jugoso y ácido de la granada

103. amazing scones // scones alucinantes

104. pesto

105. chai

106. limes // limas

 107. empanadas

 108. homemade bagels // bagels caseros

I give thanks for... // Doy gracias por

(To find out what I'm doing, click here.) // (Para enterarte de lo que estoy haciendo, hacé click acá.) 

84. big fluffy flakes of snow // copos grandes de nieve

85. a fever that tells me that her body is working at keeping her healthy // la fiebre que me indica que su cuerpo trabaja para mantenerla sana
86. seeing in color // ver colores

87. hearing Alex learn colors; thankful she can see the world like I see it // oir a Alex aprender los colores; agradecida que puede ver el mundo como yo lo veo
88. little girls' laughter as they play silly games // las risitas de las nenas mientras juegan
89. tickles with grandpa and grandma despite the distance // cosquillas con los abuelos a pesar de la distancia
90. seeing others grow in grace // ver que otros crecen en gracia
91. being able to rejoice in Christ and the gospel // poder regocijarme en Cristo y el evangelio
92. the ability to dream big because I have a big God // poder soñar en grande porque tengo un Dios grande
93. seeing my own sin again // poder ver mi propio pecado nuevamente
94. the sounds of food cooking // los sonidos de la comida cociendose
95. being able to get food with ease // poder conseguir comida facilmente
96. sharing the table with others // compartir la mesa con otros

gifts of grace I have in Christ // regalos de gracia que tengo en Cristo

(To find out what I'm doing, click here.) // (Para enterarte de lo que estoy haciendo, hacé click acá.) 
(más abajo en español)

70. adoption into an eternal family
71. justification = no guilt!
72. peace that passes understanding
73. a friend that sticks closer than a brother
74. Priest and Advocate that knows my suffering
75. a King who rules justly
76. a sovereign Savior

77. chosen in Him before the foundation of the world
78. an inheritance
79. the Holy Spirit
80. redemption of my soul
81. spiritual life
82. eternal life
83. no fear in facing God

Ephesians 2:1-10

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

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70. adoptada a una familia eterna
71. justificación = ¡no hay culpa!
72. paz que excede mi entendimiento
73. un amigo que es más cercano que un hermamo
74. un Sacerdote y un Abogado que conoce mi sufrimiento
75. un Rey que juzga rectamente
76. un Salvador soberano

77. elegida en Él antes de la fundación del mundo
78. una herencia
79. el Espíritu Santo
80. la redención de mi alma
81. una vida espiritual
82. una vida eterna
83. ningún temor cuando vea a Dios

Efesios 2:1-10

Y El os dio vida a vosotros, que estabais muertos en vuestros delitos y pecados, en los cuales anduvisteis en otro tiempo según la corriente de este mundo, conforme al príncipe de la potestad del aire, el espíritu que ahora opera en los hijos de desobediencia, entre los cuales también todos nosotros en otro tiempo vivíamos en las pasiones de nuestra carne, satisfaciendo los deseos de la carne y de la mente, y éramos por naturaleza hijos de ira, lo mismo que los demás.

Pero Dios, que es rico en misericordia, por causa del gran amor con que nos amó, aun cuando estábamos muertos en nuestros delitos, nos dio vida juntamente con Cristo (por gracia habéis sido salvados), y con El nos resucitó, y con El nos sentó en los lugares celestiales en Cristo Jesús, a fin de poder mostrar en los siglos venideros las sobreabundantes riquezas de su gracia por su bondad para con nosotros en Cristo Jesús. Porque por gracia habéis sido salvados por medio de la fe, y esto no de vosotros, sino que es regalo de Dios; no por obras, para que nadie se gloríe. Porque somos hechura suya, creados en Cristo Jesús para hacer buenas obras, las cuales Dios preparó de antemano para que anduviéramos en ellas.

gifts that make you think // regalos que te hacen pensar

(To find out what I'm doing, click here.) // (Para enterarte de lo que estoy haciendo, hacé click acá.) 

I'm thankful for... // Estoy agradecida por...

61. seeing my own selfishness reflected in my daughter's selfish behavior (seeing our sin is always a gift) //
61. ver mi propio egoismo reflejado en el comportamiento egocéntrico de mi hija (ver nuestro pecado es siempre un regalo)

62. polished and cleaned gold rings. they're beautiful, but I'm sure the process isn't pleasant for the rings.
62. anillos de oro limpios y pulidos. son hermosos, pero estoy segura que el proceso no es placentero para los anillos.

63. mirrors. they help us see who we are // 63. espejos. nos ayudan a ver quienes somos realmente.

64. potty training. reminds me that I am but a servant and a slave, and that what I do for "the least of these" I do for Jesus. //  
64. enseñar a usar la pelela. me hace acordar que soy solo una cirvienta y esclava, y que lo que hago para "los más pequeños" lo hago para Jesús.

65. Alex's reluctance to do what she is supposed to. yep, that's me, too. //  
65. las veces que Alex se muestra reacia a hacer lo que debe. yo hago lo mismo.

66. realizing that usually what bothers/annoys me about others are things that I do, too. //
66. darme cuenta que generalmente lo que me incomoda y fastidia en otros son cosas que yo también hago.

67. water and sunlight for my plant; without them it dies. I need the Living Water and the Light of the World, too. //
67. agua y luz natural para mi planta, sin los cuales muere. Yo también necesito el Agua de Vida y la Luz del Mundo.

68. seeing Alex amazed at the smallest, silliest things, and takes for granted that she'll be taken care of. I want to be like that. //
68. ver a Alex maravillarse por las cosas más pequeñas y tontas, y da por sentado de que la van a cuidar. yo quiero ser así.

69. friends who ask questions and challenge me to think. //
69. amigos que hacen preguntas y me desafían a pensar.

still counting // sigo contando

52. Micah's laugh // 52. la risa de Micah

53. tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fresh basil combined in a beautiful symphony of flavor // 

53. tomates, muzarela fresca, y albahaca combinados en una sinfonío de sabor

54. the best wool socks ever (seriously, if you need warm socks, get these) // 

54. las mejores medias de lana

 55. puzzles // 55. rompecabezas

56. listening to Alex say "please", "thank you", and "your welcome" when she's playing pretend, but can't manage to remember other times. //

56. oir a Alex decir "por favor", "gracias", y "de nada" cuando juega con sus animales, pero parece no poder acordarse a decirlo después

57. fun on ice // 57. diversión sobre el hielo

58. family willing to push Alex around // 58. familia dispuesta a empujar a Alex por la pista

59. new life // 59. nueva vida

60. taking time to play // 60. tomarse el tiempo para jugar

#50--Legos

A place for everything...even little swords. // Un lugar para todo...inclusive pequeñas espadas.

51. niece and nephew with brilliant imagination // 51. sobrino y sobrina con genial imaginación.

trustworthy answers // respuestas confiables

(más abajo en español)

Psalm 13  

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 
How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?  

How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?  
Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, 
lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. 
But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 
I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

 ~~I read this psalm a few days ago and I couldn't help but notice the questions that had no answers. "How long?" I find myself asking that some days. Today was one of those days, as grief washed over me once again. How long will I feel this pain? How long will I grieve my son? How long will my heart feel broken? 

While there are no answers to the questions, there is a certainty in the last two verses that can't be shaken. There is trust in a love that will not let go, and there is rejoicing in the only thing we can truly count on. This results in singing to YHWH. Why? Because of grace. Because the psalmist had seen the showering of grace in his life already, he didn't need to know how long. Even though he had "sorrow in (his) heart all the day" he was singing with joy. While they may seem exclusive, joy and sorrow many times share the same tears.

Gift #49. While I don't have answers, I'm thankful for the gift of knowing that the one who names the stars will also mend and heal me.

Psalm 147:3,4 - He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.
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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Salmo 13  

¿Hasta cuándo, oh SEÑOR? ¿Me olvidarás para siempre? ¿Hasta cuándo esconderás de mí tu rostro?

¿Hasta cuándo he de tomar consejo en mi alma, teniendo pesar en mi corazón todo el día?
        ¿Hasta cuándo mi enemigo se enaltecerá sobre mí?

Considera y respóndeme, oh SEÑOR, Dios mío; ilumina mis ojos, no sea que duerma el sueño de la muerte;

no sea que mi enemigo diga: Lo he vencido; y mis adversarios se regocijen cuando yo sea sacudido.

Mas yo en tu misericordia he confiado; mi corazón se regocijará en tu salvación.

Cantaré al SEÑOR, porque me ha colmado de bienes.

~~Leí este salmo hace unos días y en seguida me di cuenta de las preguntas que no tenían respuestas. "¿Hasta cuándo?" Hay días que me pregunto lo mismo. Hoy fue uno de esos días en que el dolor me inundó otra vez. ¿Hasta cuándo sentiré este dolor? ¿Hasta cuándo estaré de luto por mi hijo? ¿Hasta cuándo sentiré el corazón roto?

Aunque no haya respuesta a las preguntas del salmista, hay una certeza en los últimos dos versículos que no puede ser quebrantada. Hay confianza en un amor que nunca lo va a soltar, y hay regocijo en lo único de que podemos realmente depender. Y esto resulta en canciones a YHWH. ¿Porqué? Por gracia. Como el salmista ya había visto las lluvias de gracia en su vida no necesitaba saber hasta cuando. Aunque tenía "pesar en (su) corazón todo el día", cantaba con gozo. Aunque parezcan excluyentes, el gozo y el dolor muchas veces comparten las mismas lágrimas.

Obsequio N°49: Aunque no tenga respuestas, estoy agradecida de saber que el que nombró las estrellas también me sanará y me vendará.

Salmo 147: 3, 4 - Sana a los quebrantados de corazón, y venda sus heridas.

Cuenta el número de las estrellas, y a todas ellas les pone nombre.

the day I saw fairy dust // el día que vi polvo de hadas

I don't sleep well, so I'm always tired. Being woken up before I'm ready to get up usually makes me cranky. A few days ago Alex woke me up earlier than she usually gets up, so I, reluctantly, pulled myself out of bed. As I sat in the kitchen thinking that I didn't want to be there, I looked out the back window. I saw sparkly powder flying through the air--fairy dust!
I couldn't get a picture of that, but I did get pictures of what was causing the "dust". //
No duermo bien, así que siempre estoy cansada. Si me despiertan antes de tiempo, generalmente me pongo de mal humor. Hace algunos días, Alex me despertó más temprano de lo normal, así que, con pocas ganas, me levanté de la cama. Sentada en la cocina, pensando que realmente no quería estar ahí, miré por las ventanas. Vi como un polvo brillante que volaba por el aire--¡polvo de hadas!
No conseguí foto de eso justamente, pero sí de lo que estaba causando el "polvo".

As the wind caught the ice crystals and they floated by, they sparkled in the air--transparent and icy.
As I took these pictures, the thought that if I hadn't gotten up I would have missed out on all of this crossed my mind. I wouldn't normally consider getting woken up early as a gift, but this day I did.//
Cuando el viento atrapaba los cristales de hielo, y pasaban flotando, brillaban en el aire--transparentes y helados. Mientras sacaba estas fotos, se me ocurrió que si no me hubiera levantado me hubiera perdido de toda esta belleza. Generalmente no considero que me despierten temprano como un regalo, pero este día sí lo hice.

Gift #43. being woken up too early // Regalo N° 43. que me despierten demasiado temprano

44. to see beauty in below freezing weather // 44. poder ver la belleza en clima bajo cero

45. not having to wait till spring to see new leaves on branches //
45. el no tener que esperar a la primavera para poder ver hojas nuevas en las ramas.

46. patterns and details in nature that remind me of a God who is also interested in the patterns and details of my life // 46. diseños y detalles in la naturaleza me recuerdan de un Dios que también está interesado en el diseño y los detalles de mi vida

47. just like beauty and freezing temperatures can intermingle, thankful for the gift of joy and pain intermingling. //  
47. igual como la belleza y las temperaturas congelantes pueden entremezclarse, estoy agradecida por el regalo de gozo y dolor entremezclados.

48. thankful for the reminder that I don't choose my life, but I do get to accept and make peace with it //  
48. agradecida por el recordatorio que no elijo mi vida, pero sí puedo aceptarla y hacer las paces con ella.

God raised him up! // ¡Pero Dios hizo que Jesús resucitara!

(más abajo en español)
 
1 Corinthians 15:20-22 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 

Acts 2:23-28 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David says concerning him,
“‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’" 

Gift #42.Thankful we can dwell in hope in Him whom death could not hold.

1 Corintios 15:20-22 Sin embargo, ¡Cristo resucitó! Esto nos enseña que también resucitarán los que murieron. Por el pecado de Adán todos fuimos castigados con la muerte; pero, gracias a Cristo, ahora podemos volver a vivir.

Hechos 2:23-28 Desde el principio, Dios había decidido que Jesús sufriera, y que fuera entregado a sus enemigos. Ustedes lo ataron y lo entregaron a los romanos, para que lo mataran. ¡Pero Dios hizo que Jesús resucitara! ¡Y es que la muerte no tenía ningún poder sobre él! Hace mucho tiempo, el rey David dijo lo siguiente acerca de Jesús:

“Yo siempre te tengo presente; si tú estás a mi lado, nada me hará caer.

Por eso estoy muy contento, por eso canto de alegría, por eso vivo confiado.

”¡Tú no me dejarás morir ni me abandonarás en el sepulcro, pues soy tu fiel servidor!
Tú me enseñaste a vivir como a ti te gusta. Contigo a mi lado soy verdaderamente feliz.”

Regalo #42: Agradecida que podemos vivir en confianza en Él sobre quien la muerte no tuvo poder.

more gifts // más obsequios

(To find out what I'm doing, click here.) // (Para enterarte de lo que estoy haciendo, hacé click acá.)

29. when we confess, He faithfully forgives // cuando confesamos, Él fielmente perdona
30. love that melts hearts like the sun melts the ice // amor que derrite corazones como el sol derrite la nieve
31. a long-distance job // un trabajo a larga distancia
32. technology that allows me to do my job // tecnología que me permite hacer mi trabajo
33. looking forward to seeing family and friends // esperando con ansias el poder ver a amigos y familiares
34. Alex talking to herself when she plays // Alex hablando sola cuando juega
35. my sister // mi hermana
36. massages and coffee // masajes y café
37. worn wood // madera gastada
38. being asked if I want to be tickled // que me pregunten si quiero cosquillas
39. Alex wanting to sit on my lap // Alex queriendo sentarse a upa
40. spilled pot of budding seeds // una maceta volcada que tenía semillas brotadas
41. starting over with new seeds // comenzar de nuevo con más semillas

Today I read about Saul's conversion. God changed Saul from being a man that hated Jesus into a man who said that he would give everything in life to know Him. So thankful for mercy and grace to start over.
// Hoy leí sobre la conversión de Saulo. Dios cambió a Saulo de un hombre que odiaba a Jesús a un hombre que dijo que daría todo para poder conocerlo. Estoy muy agradecida por la misericordia y gracia para comenzar de nuevo.

learning to see // aprendiendo a ver

(To find out what I'm doing, click here.) // (Para enterarte de lo que estoy haciendo, hacé click acá.) 

19. setting sunlight on snow // sol de atardecer sobre la nieve

20. snow-frosted trees // árboles glaceados de nieve
21. red-rocked beauty // hermosuras de roca roja

22. warm mittens // guantes calentitos

23. the gifter of the mittens // la obsequiadora de los guantes
24. my camera. being able to stop time, record my gifts with pixels. // mi cámara. el poder detener el tiempo, recordar mis regalos con píxeles
25. to be able to see // poder ver
26. frozen water and sunlight // agua congelada y el sol

27. metallic prints // fotos sobre papel metálico
28. friends who send chocolate in the mail (dark chocolate with roasted cacao nibs!) // amigas que mandan chocolate por correo (semi-amargo con nibs de cacao!)