fits and starts

Every new start has to contend with its fits. Fits and starts. Mine goes like this: I'm mulling this turning concept (see previous post), but I'm up against the list. Most everyone I know has a list. On mine this week, at the top, is Jasmine's dedication.

Jasmine is a special gift from the Lord to Margy and me. Jas came into our lives almost three years ago as a foster daughter who became our adopted daughter at the end of last September. What joy and energy in this girl! So we gave her the middle name Joy. Another fit.

So next Sunday we dedicate Jasmine to the Lord. As a gift, this corresponds to what Hannah and Elkanah did with Samuel, although less extremely: they gave their son to God (with the priest as proxy) as a loan for life. For us, it's a public testimony (like a baptism is) of our commitment to raise her in a community of faith in Christ, and also a great opportunity to get together with family and friends and share this milestone in our lives. That's what fellowship hall in the church basement is for. Jasmine has ordered spaghetti and pickles for lunch, and cake for dessert. What a celebration! God is good!

And because he is good, we wait on the other thing on our list: the coming together of our dream for the lot. Background: Margy and I are campus parents for Prepare Ministries, and we've had a vision of living nearby the Minnesota State University campus for almost two years now. And then we discovered this nearly perfect one-acre lot two blocks from campus, on edge of the valley leading to downtown. And then last October, a year since I contacted the owners, it became a possibility that we could buy it. But the details are up in the air for another little while, despite our scheduled closing date of April 3. We're praying for another "and then" that will be supernatural provision to tie up all the loose ends.

Fits and starts. I'm so looking forward to the start of the things that fit. Bring it about, Lord!

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