I was singing a blessing over the children tonight, and part of it goes like this:

"May the light of His countenance always shine upon your way. May His Spirit be ever by your side. May He hide you and hold you in the shadow of His wings, always keep you as the apple of His eye..."

As I tucked daughter #2 into bed, she asked me how all of us can be the apple of His eye. Daughter #1 answered, "God has a REALLY BIG eye."

I thought that was so funny! But they got me to thinking about the apple of the eye. It is the most sensitive, most guarded and protected part of the body. Each eye is nestled in a boney cove of the face, covered by a lid and lashes which keep dust and other matter from touching it and causing irritation or damage. When something flies toward the eye, the reflexes are quick to defend it. What a lovely thought, that the Lord protects His own as the apple of His eye! Isn't that where you would like to be?

"Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of the eye..." ~ Psalm 17:7-8

Today has been such a great day spent resting, reading and reflecting on God's Word. Today was the Sabbath day, yes, the seventh day that God established from the beginning to be a day of rest.

"And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made." ~ Genesis 2:3

For a long time I've wondered about the fourth commandment. When I would think about it, it didn't seem right that it is largely ignored. Do we not hold the Ten Commandments as the foundation of all laws, to honor God and benefit mankind? How is it that we have forgotten the one commandment which begins with, "Remember"?

"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it." ~ Exodus 20:8-11

I've heard a few explanations why this one commandment no longer applies to us, or that the Sabbath day was shifted from the seventh day to the first day of the week, and yet I see no mandate in Scripture to make any such change. On the contrary, it was given as a perpetual sign of God's covenant with His people. Are you one of His?

"Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed." ~ Exodus 31:16-17

And, yes, it's even for those who are not born Israelites..

"Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;" ~ Isaiah 56:6

"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." ~ Galatians 3:29

The Sabbath is not a hard commandment to keep, but it is a pleasure! And it brings God's blessings on the ones who observe it.

"Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil." ~ Isaiah 56:2

I hope that you observe God's day of rest, too. After all, it was made for your benefit!

"The sabbath was made for man..." ~ Mark 2:27

Our Little-House-On-The-Prairie-inspired experiment with "vanity cakes" was, as the preacher said, "vanity and vexation of spirit". They would not puff up, but ended up to be small balls of egg-y bread. Not what we aimed for, but they were edible. I think the next time we try it, we will not add so much flour to the batter. (It's supposed to be sticky.) If you've ever attempted making these, or would be brave enough to try, let me know how it goes!

...But since we had the frying fat hot, we made some Navajo Fry Bread! We like to make it from time to time. It's so yummy, and it makes for an easy meal, with whatever toppings you have available. We top it with refried beans, salad and either dressing or salsa. Good stuff! We used this recipe this time. The bread came out slightly crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, with a yummy, brown flavor. Very good!

So, yes, I've been away on an unplanned respite from blogging. A lot has happened in the last four or five months; more than I can write about! There was the night I was bitten by a street dog, and the subsequent round of rabies shots. (That made me so sick.) Then something wonderful: my parents' visit! They stayed with us for a week or two, and we went to Peten for the first time to see the Tikal ruins. Then more sickness, a brief hospital stay and a seizure. I'm just thankful that the Lord carries us through these things, and draws us closer to Him. Isn't that what life is all about? Learning to walk with Him, and also encouraging others to walk with Him.

..There are so many things He has taught me that I want to share. In good time! For now, I'll just say I am glad to be back in Blogland.