my spiritual act of worship

Here is an excerpt from Ann V. at Holy Experience-- a thoughtful post and conversation with Mental Multivitamin among others... something I have been thinking about a lot lately, and just stumbled across in the blogosphere.

It began with this question from the author of Get to Work: A Manifesto for Women of the World
Ask yourself, What are the implications, personal and political, of the choice many highly educated women make to bend their (advanced) education to the primarily quotidian pursuits of child care and housekeeping?

Can you respond without resorting to clichés and Hallmark sentimentality?

a small portion of Ann V.'s response quoted here...

The Quotidian Universe and Liturgy

As to “the choice many highly educated women make to bend their (advanced) education to… primarily quotidian pursuits” may I respectfully posit that the entire universe is rooted in quotidian pursuits: the rising of the tides, the dawning and setting of the sun, the endless daily rotation of this planet. To undertake the quotidian is to step into the hallowedness of the Other, to fall into the rhythm of the dance of Creation. There is no shame in such a choice. For this quotidian work is liturgy. A derivative of the Greek word leitourgi , liturgy means public service. Liturgy isn't only prescribed services in hushed, hallowed places. Liturgy is prescribed services--like making of the beds every morning---in very domestic places before a Holy God...who makes all places holy. These quotidian pursuits of childcare and homekeeping are my liturgy, my act of public service.

more florida photos

aunt c. went deep sea diving for some real live sand dollars, very cool. the kids were fascinated. saturday... bella came with us to register for the triathlon in St.Pete, and got to swim on the same beach where we would begin the race the next day. aunt c. helped bella make some fun memories feeding fish to the pelicans on the pier, all by herself!
mama and the kids posing on the pier in St.Pete, right before our trolley ride back to the car...
 

florida snapshots

landry had so much fun with aunt c!
loves to share his food, especially cherrio's.

happy to finally be at the beach! playing in the sand while mom frantically tries to rub sunscreen on already sandy skin.

always content to be in mama's arms, my sweet cuddle-bug

does it get any better than this?! pure joy... bella never stopped smiling the whole time we played in the ocean.

 

so many tots, so little time!

 

June Garden

well, tomatoes are turning red finally, handful of green beans ready to pick every other day, cucumbers are producing out of control, peppers are steadily poppin' out... such fun to watch the vegetables come alive!

But also very sad that all the squash plants are looking so pathetic - I have almost lost all hope of fresh zuchinni and yummy yellow squash. I'm pretty sure it's too late & hot to dig them up and start over.

I won't be home to tend the garden next week, so it's up to Nate & george to keep everything thriving! (except the squash, I'm afraid)

I am taking the kids to Florida for a week to visit my very good friend and spend a week here for FREE! I won 7 free nights at this incredible place when I attended the Above Rubies conference. Sometimes God surprises us in very fun ways :) I am really looking forward to our little get-away! 

Pool Time

All the kids & grandkids enjoying pool time at poppa & nanna's house. Blow up the new floaties, break out the swim diapers (is there a cheaper alternative, anyone?), liberally smear on the suncreen and we'll have fun for hours on end!

Doesn't get much cuter than babyK in her tiny pink swimsuit with floral accents...! What a stylin' little girl.