Paul David Tripp is a terrific teacher who speaks in a natural way that is easy to understand, rather than to attempt to make himself sound smart. I am pulled in by everything he writes and convicted to search my heart. His book, Whiter Than Snow: Meditations on Sin and Mercy, is full of the simple yet heavy truths of the Bible, but in portions that are not overwhelming, even if read at bedtime. I highly recommend this book.

Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your steadfast love;

according to your abundant mercy

blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin!

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

Against you, you only have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight,

so that you may be justified in your words

and blamelesss in your judgment.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,

and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,

and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones that you have broken rejoice.

Hide your face from my sins,

and blot out all my iniquities.

Creat in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence,

and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

and sinners will return to you.

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,

O God of my salvation,

and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.

O Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth will declare your praise.

For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it,

you will not be pleased with burnt offering.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart. O God, you will not despise.

Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;

build up the walls of Jerusalem;

then will you delight in right sacrifices,

in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;

then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Psalm 51

Snow-way!?

I know, it's old news, but despite how inconvenient it can get, I will always get excited about the first snow fall.

The Sunday before Thanksgiving, we gathered at Joe's parents' place to do a little pre-Thanksgiving-funk, of sorts. Then, to our surprise and joy, it started snowing!

Leo's first snow. Looks thrilled, doesn't he?

Joe's attempt at taking a picture of all of us. I love how Tiz is getting a kick out of silly Luca.

Being snowed-in means walking to Essential Bakery for some essential lunch.

Some of us opted not to walk, but sit all cozy in the stroller looking adorable.

You wouldn't believe the amount of fleece I'm encased in.

Before going inside, we had to have a snowball fight.

And make snow angels. I love Luca, he reminds me that I like to have fun too. Thank you Luca for reminding me the joys of snow.

The snow delayed our trip to my sister's in Oregon by a day, but it's okay because we got there and had snow-much fun! It even snowed more while we were there, which led to populating her yard with snowmen. I may or may not post those pictures one day.