Taking a Break

I wish that the break could be from packing and saying our goodbyes in order to blog, but it's the other way around! But yinz guys can look for new posts once I'm in Picksburgh.

Best,

Heather

This Was My Husband's Idea

Isn't he cool?!

The dirt is crushed chocolate chip cookies. The dump truck is not edible.

A Blessed Sunday

As mentioned in the previous post, this morning we attended church for the last time at CTK Cambridge. We got a photo of Elizabeth with her Sunday School class.

We ate lunch with the McFaddens at Wendy's. We lunched with them at this fine Central Square establishment on their first visit to CTK - seven years ago. (And I tear up.)

In the afternoon, Elizabeth's dear, sweet Sunday School teacher, Laken, came to spend time with her while we packed and Brian slept. E had an amazing time! They made it back right before an impressive thunderstorm. Thank you, Laken!! Sadly I have no pictures of the two of them. We may have to find her on campus for a photo before we leave.

We ended the day at the Mamedov's for dinner. These dear friends lived in Westgate for two years, have stayed in the area, and just joined CTK last week. We left their place well after Brian's bedtime. It just didn't seem right to leave!

It was a good way to spend our final Sunday here. Now I look ahead to the things that need to be done before we go and some final celebrations with friends. These next 4.5 days will indeed fly by.

Christ the King - Cambridge

For the last seven years we have attended Christ the King - Cambridge. If you are ever in the Boston area looking for a church, please visit. The gospel is proclaimed, the Bible is taught, and growth is inevitable.

This morning, we'll attend for the last time as residents of Cambridge. Sometimes I wonder if God's whole purpose in brining us here was to get us to this church and exposed to reformed theology. Of course, God can have many purposes in the journeys on which He takes us, and it's unlikely this was His only reason for bringing us here. I just sure am grateful that we had the privilege of Rick's preaching and dedicated leadership for so many years. Thanks, God!

What's a post without pictures?

Elizabeth's baptism, 2004

Brian's baptism, 2008

Hooding!

Yesterday Colin received his doctoral hood from MIT. It was a lovely ceremony. The Chancellor and President had very nice opening words of welcome and greeting. They bestowed hoods on 428 new doctors. Then they had a reception out on the lawn. It was long, don't get me wrong, but it was delightful to see my husband get his hood.

To me, it doesn't really matter what school it is or even that it's a doctorate. I am just very proud of my husband: he bravely endured, when he wanted to quit; he humbled himself to get help, when it required admitting his weaknesses; he didn't abandon us, when he could have ignored us until the work was done. Pres. Hockfield commented that the fibers needed to complete a doctorate are courage, stamina, and passionate enthusiasm. I see and admire all of these in my husband. He is a good man. Primarily, I'm amazed at all God has accomplished during our time here! You can read more about God's work in us and on our behalf here.

I would be remiss if I didn't send a shout-out to Kate and Laken for caring for Brian while we were away. It made the event much more enjoyable. THANK YOU! And thanks to Kit, who was going to be with Brian, but got a flat tire on her way and was so sweetly apologetic. Thanks, Kit!

And now, the photos and video you've all been waiting for!

Waiting and waiting for things to commence.

(Get it, commence @ commencement?! ha ha ha!)

President Hockfield

Getting the hood!

(above is a video)

Dr. Cogswell and Dr. Ashe

These guys helped each other through grad school

by talking lots of baseball!

Family Fotos

The Scholar

Congratulations, Colin!

We're so proud of you!!

Memorial Day

This post is going to have too many pictures! Our Memorial Day began with a trip to Target to replenish our packing tape and bubble wrap supplies, among other things. Then the kids and I went to the Cambridge parade with our friends Azilah, Leilani, and Alana, while Colin stayed home and worked on packing up the Command Center. After naptime, we went over to Chris and Jenny's for some burgers and fun. It was hard to leave; everyone went to bed late. It was a delightful day!

Playing at the park before the parade began.

It's coming!

Dylan and Becky were in the parade!

Anticipating the firetrucks at the end of the parade.

The city was shrouded in smoke

that the winds brought in from some fires in Canada!

the adults

Jenny is a funny girl!

the swing

the kids

the menfolk

the princess

the most patient dog in the world

There's Something About That Name

I'm thinking about Jesus this morning. Here are a few verses about Him:

Colossians 1:15, 17

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together

Hebrews 1:3

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.

John 1:14, 18

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father full of grace and truth.

No one has seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made Him known.

Jesus is God, and he had no problem identifying himself that way when he "made his dwelling among us." He's other than anything we can imagine, and yet he walked in our shoes and endured life's temptations, so he could be our perfect Savior. It's all too lofty to comprehend, in many respects. Yet, we're asked to do is believe that it's true.

We don't have to do this blindly and without reason. We can look at Jesus - the radiance of God's glory, His exact representation, the image of the invisible God, the One and Only - at how he lived, died, and rose again, and see how He really does hold all things together. (Col 1:17) As we search the Scriptures, God gives us faith.

I'm sure there's a lot to unpack in the above verses. I'll leave the Word to speak for itself and let you read them in context, study commentaries, etc. My reflection is this: if what the Bible says about Jesus is true, we can find peace in Him alone - wherever we are, whatever we're enduring. God came down to live among us, gave us a chance to know Him better, and He is holding everything together and sustaining it. We need not fear; someone much, much greater is in charge.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

There's just something about that name

Master, Savior, Jesus

Like the fragrance after the rain

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

Let all heaven and earth proclaim

Kings and kingdoms shall all pass away

But there's something about that name

(the Gaithers)