Family Fun

Those of you following our adoption blog may have noticed we are getting close to traveling time.  Can't wait to meet our new little girl.  In the meantime, we have had some real fun times right here in New York State recently.  It is fall here in the Hudson Valley which means the colors are exploding everywhere.

Like outside my office window:

And on the New York State highways:

And from the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge:

Earlier in the week we got to pick some fall pumpkins and apples...

Apple and Pumpkin Picking

Then today we got to see the inside of that beautiful cathedral in Albany I mentioned briefly a few posts ago as well as visit the state museum in Albany.

From Albany Cathedral

From NYS Museum

So the fall is in full swing.  Hope you are enjoying yours too.

And now for something completely different...

I've talked much in this blog about the blessings of marriage and family in my life. Sometimes pictures are worth a thousand words.

Here is the light of my life on the day we were married.

Here we are on the occasion of our daughter's first communion, at the restaurant where we had our wedding reception! How's that for coming full circle!

And finally - that "quiver full of arrows" referred to in Psalm 127.

Wisdom from the past on the Blessings of Family

I have posted in the past of the importance of marriage and family in God's eyes as I have come to understand these things. Here are a couple of my favorite scriptures that seem particularly clear on the plan of the Father in this regard.

Psalms 127
1 Unless the LORD build the house, they labor in vain who build. Unless the LORD guard the city, in vain does the guard keep watch.

2 It is vain for you to rise early and put off your rest at night, To eat bread earned by hard toil-- all this God gives to his beloved in sleep.

3 Children too are a gift from the LORD, the fruit of the womb, a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children born in one's youth.
5 Blessed are they whose quivers are full. They will never be shamed contending with foes at the gate.

Psalms 128
1 Happy are all who fear the LORD, who walk in the ways of God.
2 What your hands provide you will enjoy; you will be happy and prosper:

3 Like a fruitful vine your wife within your home, Like olive plants your children around your table.
4 Just so will they be blessed who fear the LORD.

5 May the LORD bless you from Zion, all the days of your life That you may share Jerusalem's joy 6 and live to see your children's children. Peace upon Israel!