On My Heart Imprint Your Image

Part of our Lenten learning here at the Olson homestead has been to learn the awesome hymn "On My Heart Imprint Your Image." I realized after old-school teaching--sitting at the piano and playing through it numerous times--that the CPH edition of My First Hymnal includes it, too. The boys picked it up in two days and now sing it around the house (building with Duplos? Running amok? Both great times to sing it!). I've appreciated savoring the words and really thinking about Christ crucified being stamped (no smears, either!) on our hearts. May you always cherish His mark on you in your baptism as you work, play, run amok, or otherwise.

On my heart imprint Your image
Blessed Jesus, King of grace,
That life's riches, cares, and pleasures
Never may Your work erase.
Let the clear inscription be:
Jesus, crucified for me.
Is my life, my hope's foundation
And my glory and salvation.

LSB #422

Regifting, Kid Style

While I spent the morning a week or so ago doing the picking-up/dusting/vacuuming workout (Pilates has nothing on this), the boys discovered their imaginations. First they built a train with an assortment of building squares (the base), some mini-chairs (their seats), and a cardboard box (the toilet. But only just pretend, explained Negotiator P). Then they decided to play a variation of Christmas. They woke up and discovered presents! I heard little shrieks of, "Look! I got a United States puzzle! And you got a work bench!" from downstairs and had to check it out. This is what I found.

"Mama, can you take my picture? I'll pose. Cheese!"

Superman, with extra-awesome hair, explains his haul.

The pile of gifts.

It's what I always wanted!

Three minutes later, I discovered that 1) Superman S had put the last 25% of the toilet paper roll in the toilet (the real one). We had to have a little talk about not playing with the TP. And 2) Pearly Girl C shut her finger into the cupboard door and started bleeding and crying. Gifts indeed.

Confession & Absolution

About Individual Confession & Absolution

In individual confession and absolution, the Word of God is spoken directly to a person’s need by his/her pastor. Private confession is already used by your pastor in a variety of pastoral situations—for example, in the midst of marital and family difficulties, and in other such pastoral counseling situations. 
In the sermon, the Christian hears the “general absolution” preached to the whole congregation. But in private confession, he/she hears the Gospel preached specifically to him/her. It is to be thought of as a personal sermon for every person who comes to meet privately with their pastor in confession. Private confession and absolution is used to bring forgiveness and healing to the lives of those who come with troubled and anxious hearts.

Individual Confession & Absolution is available at Our Saviour's every Saturday in Lent from 9-11am, and also by appointment.

Resources:

Self-Examination and Reflection Booklet 2013:                                              

The Ten Commandments preach repentance; that is, by them God shows us our sin and how much we need a Savior.                                                                                                              

What About ...Confession & Absolution

Burdened and weighed down by sin, we are able to go to our pastor and confess our sins,knowing that by virtue of his office,he has been called to speak the word of Christ to us and in the stead of Christ to forgive our sins.

Budding Builder

In the recent vein of posts about my kids (since I haven't posted pictures of them in so ridiculously long), here's some snaps of our Superman, who loves monster trucks so much that he decided to "build" some out of wooden blocks. Mama did the "wheels" and he did the top parts. He got a little shy (?!) when I was taking pictures, but maybe he just wanted the lens to focus on his "twucks." He's such a huggable, loveable guy, our little S. I can't believe he's coming up on the big 3 in a few months!

Our Pigtailed Whistler

So our sweet little C just keeps on growing and learning new things. A few weeks ago, she started whistling. I think she literally woke herself up with a little pucker and a little air through her lips, and since then she's just been whistlin' Dixie constantly. She whistles when she's happy; she whistles when she's excited; she whistles when we whistle to her; she whistles when she wants attention at the dinner table; she whistles as Papa holds her in his arms in Sunday morning Bible class and charms everyone there. (This has happened twice already. I think I know why she's suddenly gotten separation anxiety when I leave to go teach Sunday School; she wants an audience. Unless Gary H. is there to bribe her with animal crackers. But I digress.). She's already cute as a button; now she's cuter than a root-toot-tootlin' whippersnapper sparrow on a sunny summer morning! And no, I'm not exactly sure what that means, except to say that C's whistling is adorable and only adds to her charm.

Well, I thought the cuteness had maxed out. That's until just the other day, when the boys convinced me that C's hair was long enough to put into pigtails. It doesn't look like much, but it looks so girly! And while I find the word "pigtail" slightly repulsive, the actual bunches of baby hair are cheek-pinch-worthy-cute. Now we've got a pigtailed whistler!

AND she smiles at the camera!

Pucker up and sing along!