In Christ Alone

The words to this song make me cry, especially the last verse:

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

"In Christ Alone"
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2001 Kingsway Thankyou Music

I think of my babies with the words "from life's first cry" and my Mom with "final breath." Then I realize how this last year has been one of terrible schemes of man--in which nothing has been able to "pluck me from His hand." What an amazing, wonderful grace in flesh's form Jesus Christ is. How powerful for my daily life and perspective. May I continue to fix my eyes "on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter" of my faith. (Hebrews 12:2)

It's Been A While...

It has definitely been a while. God has been faithful in upholding me in these months of transition, pain, trips, and life. I can elaborate in any one of those areas, but right now I'm pressed for time. I need to get going on house cleaning, summer organizing, canning plums, playing with the kids, packing to go camping again, and prepare for visitors. My knee surgery went well--but they found out that there's nothing they can fix. So I continue to limp through life for now, desperately needing to draw strength from Him who desires to be that strength in spite of me. It is a great place to be. "For when I am weak then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Here is what we look like now-a-days! Maggie, Trey, Me, Carl, Lily, and Hanna

I was "Artist of the Month" at a store in Healdsburg for a couple of months in the Spring. Here are some of my paintings that filled up the walls! There are more at home still.


We enjoyed camping at Stillwater Cove. The kids loved the hermit crabs, climbing, hiking, exploring, and being with friends.




Fort Ross was fun to explore on the way home.


We enjoyed a trip to Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Carlsbad. It was so wonderful to be able to be a part of the wedding celebration of Sara and Whitney--we thank God for such a sweet couple!


Cousins Connor and Elliot came for a visit (along with their parents). My sister and I had many wonderful days. We took the kids lots of places.




One day was spent in San Francisco. We went to the botanical gardens, playground, and carousel in Golden Gate Park first. Then we went to Chinatown and enjoyed lunch at You's Dim Sum. We drove down Lombard Street and on the way home spent a few moments at this overlook.

We also went to the lagoon at Spring Lake and Doran Beach by Bodega Bay. Another day we went to Armstrong Woods to see the redwoods. It is our State Tree after all!

On Solomon: Wisdom Isn't Enough

Solomon is an interesting guy. He lived a LONG time ago (his dad was David, as in David and Goliath) and he became king after his half-brothers killed each other, raped his half-sister, and tried to take the throne from David (see 2 Samuel 13-19). But Solomon was God's guy for the job. And God asks him what he would like: "Make a wish, any wish, Solomon"(1 Kings 3:5). If I had one wish, what would it be? Would it be a bigger house, more obedient kids, less wrinkles, thinner thighs, a chai cream frappachino, no pain, unending joy....what? What does Solomon wish for? Money, a nicer palace, a chariot, a beautiful wife, lots of children....Nope. He says, "You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David,...you have continued this great kindness...making your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties....So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?" (1 Kings 3:6-9) With amazing thankfulness and HUMILITY, Solomon asks for wisdom. To discern and distinguish between right and wrong. That's his one wish. Wisdom.

God gives it to him big time (along with riches, honor, and long life). 1 Kings 4:29-34 says:

"God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than any other man....And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom."

WOW. Then there are the books of the Bible that Solomon wrote, one of which is Proverbs (which he wrote most of). Today I read Proverbs 19:2--"It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way." What a wise warnings against just having zeal or acting in haste. There are numerous other warnings against acting foolishly, not heeding correction or counsel, loving money, being lazy, and many other things that are not part of wise living. My personal favorite has always been Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on thine own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct thy paths." And there's the kicker. There is a huge difference between the Lord's wisdom and our own. And there's a huge difference between knowing the Lord distantly, and knowing Him obediently.

Solomon knows A LOT. God has given him amazing wisdom. But the sad thing is, it is not enough. "Solomon, however, loved many foreign women....They were from nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, 'You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.' Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been....So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD; he did not follow the LORD completely, as David his father had done." (1 Kings 11:1-6) He didn't follow his own advice. Solomon didn't exert self-control, he didn't love God wholeheartedly, "Solomon held fast to [women] in love." So here's the question for me: What am I holding fast to? Am I following Him obediently or when it's convenient? Am I trusting in the Lord with my whole heart or trusting in my own understanding?

These questions are quite convicting. Especially if you follow where they lead. After having lots of head knowledge but no heart application, things don't go so well. We say, "What's wrong? Why is God so silent?" Solomon concludes, "A man’s own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LORD." (Proverbs 19:3) We may give God lip-service, but still do things our own way. We may be thankful for what He has given us (wisdom, life, love) but don't care to use it His way. And in the midst of our own disobedience and disillusioned attempts to live in the ruins, our heart places the blame on GOD. I'm not sure if Solomon's heart rages against God, but there is no record of his repentance. That is so sad. God spoke His Word through Solomon to us today. "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails" and "The fear of the Lord leads to life: then one rests content, untouched by trouble." (Proverbs 19:21, 23)

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on thine own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the cleansing you provide this wretched sinner from my sin through Jesus Christ dying on the cross. Thank you that I can talk to you right now because of it. Thank you that you promise wisdom when we ask (James 1:5) and promise to lead us through life as we trust you. Help me not make my own plans, or desire my own way so much that I don't follow you COMPLETELY. I don't want to hold back. Please change my heart. I love you! In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Finally...Another Blog!

I definitely feel like I can't keep up right now. I have been struggling with things that are part of the spiritual fight here on earth. Does it ever feel as if sin and injustice rule? These have been months of some serious-soul searching and realization of pride, jealousy, lust, and fleshly idols in my own heart. I am SO longing for my eternal home with Jesus.

These passages in the Bible have encouraged me:

Hebrews 12:2-3
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

I LOVE JESUS. He is the Way--when the path is unclear, the Truth--when people are lying to us and about us, and the Life--when death seems so much better. No one comes to the Father but through Jesus. (John 14:6) Tomorrow is Good Friday--and it sure is GOOD that He has given us life and eternal hope in Him. Trust Him. And please pray for me that I would trust Him more and be faithful with what He has entrusted to me.

A rainy day for the Fletcher 4!

Carl is a little gentleman!


Hanna is our sweet young lady!



Maggie is such a cutie pie!


Trey is 2!


Lily has such an expressive face!

This is the painting of the kids that I gave Carl for Christmas:


Our snow trip to Truckee:

This Is The Day!

These days the journey seems impossible. I am reminded, however, that "I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day (2 Timothy 1:12)." In the middle of the darkest night He is light. His unwavering faithfulness has no end. Oh to let Him transform me completely into the likeness of Jesus!

I am singing "This is the day (this is the day), that the Lord has made (that the Lord has made).
I will rejoice (I will rejoice), and be glad in it (and be glad in it)."


Bonus picts: Christmas photos and our family having fun in the rain and snow....

Our Christmas Eve reenactment of the Christmas story. Friends joined us as Mary and Joseph.

Ducky Trey and Ladybug Lil'

We had the joy of staying at a cabin in Truckee for a few days. God answered my prayers for snow--it practically snowed the whole time! I loved lying in the snow and feeling it fall on my face. We also saw some terrific snow crystals and cut some out of paper to bring home. Some more photos are in the blog above.

Our Christmas Letter

Dear Friends and Family,

As we think about the past year, so many things come to mind. Some small pieces include:

Carl - (36) - In the midst of constant challenges, God is good. He keeps teaching me patience and waiting on Him. My wife continues to be one of His greatest gifts to me. The four little ones are an added bonus. Proverbs 16:32 is a favorite: “Better a patient man than a warrior.”

Kerstin -- “Kasteen” (35) - The one place I am finding myself more and more is in the shelter of the Most High (Psalm 31:20). I trust God. That’s where Mary found herself with this unexpected turn of events in her life as she awaited the Messiah growing within her. That must have been something of a surprise! Everything that followed had to send her there, to that Shelter. So many times this year I have wondered at God’s ways, questioned, cried, laughed, and hunkered down in His sheltering care. Nothing has been as delightful as His continual presence. He keeps bringing me back to the basics: love Him, and love others. In all the things I enjoy other than Him and the people He has put in my life (Things I enjoy: painting, indoor soccer, photography, gardening, baking...) nothing compares to this Jesus whose birth we are celebrating. I am thankful for God making Himself known in the Bible and through His Spirit within me. As Isaiah 28:12 says, “This is the resting place, let the weary rest.” He is that place. Come Lord Jesus!Johanna (10--double digits!!!) - Hanna is a treasure. She thinks of how she can bring joy to those around with gifts and service. Some mornings we wake up and Hanna already has the little ones changed and eating breakfast downstairs. There is always a party or a show going on that Hanna instigated. She’ll sit Lily and Trey on the stairs and tell them when to clap. Hanna is a ballerina, often doing pirouettes in the kitchen (once sending a glass bowl with egg in it flying). She can’t wait to get toe shoes. Hanna also loves horses and sewed a cowgirl outfit that she wears quite frequently. Highlights this year for Hanna include our trip to Germany, time in Santa Barbara with family, and camping in our tent trailer. Both Hanna and Maggie also started the whole orthodontic adventure this year. They are excited about growing older (which they try to pinpoint frequently how they’re actually doing that).

Magdeline (8) - Maggie is our little love. She still prefers to be upside down or in a tree. We love Maggie’s creative way of looking at the world. She drives Hanna nuts sometimes with her stories that are often not true. One morning she said that she heard a tiger on the roof during the night. Another day Maggie says, “I want to go to Spain (meaning Mexico).” Or “I like the way God made your face.” Recent dreams include one that “Mama will have 5 babies in May” and “We were on an island and we caught a whale.” Maggie told someone “I might have to get a heart attack (meaning head gear)!” She also said she did “all of my difficulties (meaning chores).” Maggie uses her own language to emphasize things. If she’s really, really hot or thirsty, she’ll say she’s “beaming hot, beaming thirsty” or “burstin hot, bursting thirsty” or “pure hot, pure thirsty, pure tired.” When Maggie wants to open doors for people she calls herself a “door monkey.” She plays so nicely with the little ones. Trey calls her “Mimi.” Maggie’s favorite thing about Jesus is that “he is going to build a house and I’m going to him.”

Lilyana (3 1/2) - Lily is our little princess. She loves to dress up or color. She happily plays in an imaginary world where her friend Leann does naughty things. If Lily does something wrong, “Leann did it.” “Leann pulled my hair.” Carl tried to convince Lily that Leann moved to Australia, but she still pops up again occasionally. She calls her older sisters “Hannamaggie” and repeats their stories as her own. Lily prefers to sleep on the floor sometimes, or face different ways in her bed. She seriously talks about things being “compicated” and sits next to me and says, “So, how aw your kids? I like your kids--they’re butiful!” When I go to swim laps she says, “I hope you don’t swallow too much water or drown” or “Don’t foget to take your shirt off so it not get wet.” Lily tells stories about a pink hippopotamus, or tells me that tomorrow she won’t be here because she’ll be with her husband and we can talk on the telephone. She is so petite (weighs the same as her little brother) but by far the most expressive child. Her eyebrows go up and eyes wide when she says, “I firsty.” Knuckles are “handy dans.” “When me die, I say, ‘Hi Jesus!’ And that not foolish talk!”

Carl III a.k.a. “Trey” (22 months) - Trey is our little joy. He loves all of his sisters and they sure love him. He is a typical boy--loves balls, trains, cars, loud noises, blocks, animals, drawing on our walls or floors, and throwing himself on the ground with a grunt. Trey/Carl doesn’t like to eat anything that isn’t in the sugar food group (favorites are “coo-key”, “ice eeem”, “lol pop”, “canee”, and “joooosss”). He has to say “So-wee” (sorry) a lot. Trey loves to race around the kitchen on his car with Lily on her car. It is especially interesting while I’m trying to fix dinner. “Sit, Da-dee, sit,” he’ll say and pat the floor next to him. We all love to chase him and tickle him while he chuckles and chortles. “I know” means “I don’t know. “Wa appen, Mama, wa appen?” he’ll repeat over and over. Sometimes he’ll empathize, “Oh no!” Everything gets said twice. I’ll ask him where he is while he hides under his “Kiki” (blanky). His answer, “I wite hea.”

We wish you a very Merry Christmas, and God’s peace in 2008.

Children Are Terrific!

Here are some photos of this past week's festivities. We enjoy going to the neighbors we know and greeting children we don't on Halloween. Our door always has a big sign on it:

Jesus said, "I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness
but will have the light of life."
John 8:12

How amazing, that the God of All has given us light in the darkness. He promises us the LIGHT OF LIFE! Hallelujah!

I have mixed feelings about Halloween. The huge amount of evil, gore, and wickedness celebrated makes me leery of even acknowledging it. A seminary professor challenged Christian America by saying that he had just come from the mission field and found it odd that on the day that the world opened their doors and actually came knocking, no Christians were to be found. Their houses are dark and they are at their local chapel having a Harvest Festival. So we have attempted to love our neighbors and share the light of Christ with them on this day. Here we are...Our cowgirl, Hanna. She "made" her outfit using some clothes we found at the Good Will. If anyone asks Hanna where she's from, she'll answer, "Dallas, Texas!" (She was born there.)

Maggie is such a cute bird. She loves to flutter around and says cute things like, "I'm STEAMING thirsty!"
Little Carl, or Trey, is our Froggie. He enjoyed taking "ca-dee, ca-dee, Mama" with both hands and even disappearing into friends' houses to play while we were chatting at the front door. He can say "pupkin" and "ca-dee", but his favorite things by far are "coo-kee" and "ice-eem." He has lilting speech where he repeats things 2 times, going up in notes first and down for the repeated word. "Mama, Mama."
Princess Lily always wants to be a princess! The girls desperately tried to persuade her to be an elephant, but she would not waver. This little girl is a princess at heart, always a picky eater requesting "nap-kin please" at each meal.

So you know the story The Frog Prince...here is our little frog prince and his princess!
Except that our froggie doesn't seem terribly pleased about getting a kiss!

Of course the frog decides giving kisses is part of the fun!