• Jun. 1, 2007
Thank You, Jesus

Do you have this little Bible?  If you have toddlers and you don't have it, you really should.  Today, we read the story of the ten lepers that Jesus healed.  Remember how only one leper returned to thank Jesus for his healing?  Then we sang this little song that we learned from Miss Pattycake years ago:

"Ten men came to Jesus,

Ten men, ten men.

They said, 'Will you heal us?'

Ten men, ten men.

One, two, three, four, five.

Six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

Jesus touched their lives and they were well again.

But they all got excited.  And they all ran away.

Only one turned around.

He came back to say, 'Thank you, thank you, Jesus.  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you, thank you, Jesus.  Thank you!   Thank you!'

Never walk away.

Always stop and say, 'Thank You for the blessings that you give each day.'

Thank you, thank you Jesus!  Thank you, thank you!  Thank you, thank  you, Jesus!  Thank you, thank you!"

Then, I stopped and asked each child what they could thank Jesus for today (And it has been a day when we need to show some gratitude around here, if you know what I mean!).  My oldest son said, "Jesus, thank you for helping me with my behavior because I've been so naughty today."  My middle daughter said, "Even though I'm sad that my doggie can't live with us (Our dog is still back in the States), thank you God that you give us a house here with our family and we get to be together."  My youngest daughter, the two year old, said, "Tank you Sheshus for Daddeee!" 

A very sweet end to a very cranky, grumpy, loud morning.  Thank you, thank you Jesus.

(3 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Mar. 30, 2007
"And the Award for 'Most Patient Mother'"...DOESN'T Go to Me!

If awards were being handed out for mothers, I would not get "most patient".  Motherhood has definitely taught me a plethora of things about myself, one of which being that I'm not patient.  I thought I was patient before.  As a public school teacher, who had 25 first-graders at a time, I wasn't usually rattled by much, but my own three can rattle me plenty!   I've found that usually my lack of patience is in direct proportion to the lack of control I'm feeling at the moment.  Yes, another thing that motherhood has taught me is that I am a total control freak!  When my children don't behave as I wish them to, when they don't do things exactly like I would, when they aren't thankful at the appropriate times, or when they use bad manners, I get impatient because I want them to do what I want.  It seems that, truth be told, I want little "Jonis" running around (Actually, the thought of that makes my skin crawl!  But you wouldn't know it from my attitude and actions.).  But it seems that God has other plans for my children:  to grow unique individuals created and called to do things for Him.  And I get to be a part of that process.  What a privliege!

A verse that's been helping me with this issue lately is from Phillipians 1:3, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you."  Paul is writing to his beloved church in Phillipi and the love he expresses for them in this one verse alone just blows me away.  I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.  Every remembrance. 

Now, I don't know about you, but as a mom, that verse hits me square between the eyes with con-vic-tion!   Because, quite honestly, I don't give thanks upon every remembrance of my children.  Sometimes, my thoughts are like this one that I had just this afternoon on the bus,

"That child is driving me crazy.  Why is she so loud?  Everyone is staring at us.  She makes me want to crawl under the seats she is so embarrasing!"  

Instead of thanking my God upon every remembrance of my sweet middle one, I was complaining to Him about the way He'd made her.  So, this verse has shown me that most of the time, instead of thanking God when I think of my children, I complain to Him about them.  And that's humbling.  Because I love them so much I would stand in front of a bus for them!  And because I think so often that I forget that they are children.  They learn from living and from doing and from experiencing and from mistakes.

As a result of thinking a lot on this verse, what I'm trying to do instead of this complaint-running-rhetoric in my head is something quite the opposite.  Now, granted today, you saw that I completely failed!  But now when I am frustrated, (or truth be told, about to become unglued), with one of them, I am trying to stop to say thank you to God:  Thanking Him for giving them to me, thanking Him for the unique way He made them; thanking Him that through them, He is sanctifying me; thanking them for their personalities that remind me to be childlike and not so serious (read: controlling) all the time.  Might I just tell you that this thankful attitude is making me a more cheerful, compassionate, and thankful (duh!) mama.  I'm smiling more at my children.  I'm laughing more with them.  I'm trying hard to let them be the little people God made them to be.  I'm allowing them to be children, and not expecting perfect little grown-ups in tiny bodies. 

Are you fed up with your children and finding yourself complaining more than thanking God? Try to replace those negative thoughts with thoughts of thanksgiving to God for them (be specific) and I'll bet you'll become a more cheerful mama too!

"The unthankful heart discovers no mercies.  But let the thankful heart sweep through the day and as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings."  --Henry Ward Beecher

(5 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Mar. 28, 2007
A Logical Boy

DD4, upon discovering her brother in the bathroom on the floor, playing a game:  "Buddy, why are you playing your game in here?"

DS5, with his very obvious response:  "Because if I have to go to the potty, it's right there."

(1 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Mar. 21, 2007
Funnies from My Middle One

Today upon hearing the funny pounding sound that the washer was making, dd4 says in her very secret-agenty type of voice, "Shhhh, guys!  Someone is hamm-ing!  Do you hear dat?!"  I think she meant hammering.

And later today, after hearing me explain that God is just so different than us that we can't even imagine Him in human terms, she chimes in with, "Yeah, like He always is wearing the SAME CLOTHES!"  Yes, I guess that indeed is very different from a girl who likes to change her clothes about 6 times a day.

(1 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Mar. 15, 2007
Abiding with my Children

One of the advantages of being with your children for hours and hours and days on end without any outside help from friends, family, or hired babysitters is that you actually get to spend time with them.  I mean really with them. 

God has really been showing me this week how little I actually abide with my children.  I love that word...abide.  It's a great Bible word (epimeno in the Greek).  When I think of abiding, I think of living with, really being with, not just in the same space with, but listening to, learning from, and enjoying.  In Biblical Greek, the term is a literal picture of remaining on, or tarrying, or staying at a place.  It means to remain at or in the same place for a period of time. 

This experience is giving me an opportunity to tarry with my children, to linger with them, to play with them, to listen to them, to really see them.  Has my own life gotten so choked by the cares of this world, (see the parable of the sower in Mark 4), that I've neglected to really see my own children?  I'm afraid the honest answer to that question is...yes.  I have so many things that take my attention at home:  extended family, friends, church, our home, my ministry responsibilities.  Here, I literally have nothing to do except to take care of my family.  And in a way, it's quite restful -- No phone calls to return, no stuff to dust and not much to put away (Our air shipment hasn't arrived yet.),  no meetings, no outside obligations or parties to attend.  Just time, sweet time, to tarry with with my children and my husband.  At home, I don't tarry much.  I flit from this thing to that thing, never really accomplishing much to be sure.  But the duties, the obligations, force me to be the great All-American, multi-tasking mother.  And a multi-tasker certainly doesn't linger!

Ever since it became clear that God was calling us to this part of His Earth, I felt that one of the things He might be wanting to teach me is contentment in my calling as a wife and a mom.  I love being both, don't get me wrong.  But I do struggle with desires and passions to be more, to do more, to make a huge impact in the Kingdom of God.  And I sometimes believe the lie that I can't do that as a wife and a mom.  How impacting is a woman who wipes down the same counters over and over again, who breaks up yet another argument between two quarrelsome preschoolers, who changes yet another diaper?

But what I'm doing right now, in really abiding with my children, I do believe that I can make an impact for God's kingdom.  I can listen to them, and in that listening, they'll feel truly heard and loved.  I can read to them and in that reading, they'll feel valued and learn.  I can serve them, and in that service, I am "doing unto the least of these" and building into their hearts a desire to serve as well.  I can see them, really see them, for the unique creation that God made each of them to be, and in that seeing and knowing, they'll feel acceptance, and yet hopefully be more aware of their need for His grace. 

Is the kingdom of God being built in my little tiny London apartment?  Right now, you couldn't convince me that it isn't.  Because one day these little people will be impacting their worlds; one life, and maybe even one diaper change, at a time.

(6 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Mar. 12, 2007
My Bible Guy

Okay, I know I've been doing a lot of kid quotes lately, but this one from my son warmed my heart.

"Mom, I've been reading my whole Bible almost everyday because I've been learning a lot about the Lord (sounded more like Ward)."

When they say these sweet kinds of things I marvel at God's grace to a very ordinary and often somewhat grumpy mom like me.

(1 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Mar. 11, 2007
Raising Tattling to a Whole New Level

My two year old, who is quite wordy, whined at dinnertime, "Daddy, Coy (how she pronounces her sister's name) himme (hit me)!" 

To which Daddy replied, "No she didn't.  You told her to give you five and she did."

Yes, even the two year old has learned to tempt and tattle!

(0 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Feb. 20, 2007
Recently Overheard in Our Kitchen

New word for you from dd4...

pricktoother....

as in the wooden pointy thing that goes into your mouth after a meal.  Or the kind of instrument one might use to see if a cake is done.  That's right  - she meant tooothpick!  She does have an interesting way of saying things!

(3 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Nov. 26, 2006
Lost and Found

Last week, while shopping with a girlfriend for Operation Christmas Child boxes, my middle dd got "lost".  Just for a few minutes, but it was terrifying.  Actually, it all happened so fast that I didn't realize she wasn't right beside me until I heard her yelling, "Mooooommmmmmyyyyy!" over and over and over again.  I thought to myself, "That sounds like dd" and then looked around, realized she wasn't beside me, and took off in a mad sprint to find the child who beckoned my with her loud, desperate-sounding wails.  She was only about three or four stores back, but she was on the other side of the thoroughfare in the mall, and she was standing there yelling and looking around, twirling to check out all of the faces to see if any of them resembled her mother.  She looked so pitiful standing there.  And even though I could see her, she had no idea where I was.  That is until I turned her around, told her everything was okay, and embraced her terrified little body. 

So many times, my husband and I say to ourselves, "That child is LOUD!"  But never in my life have I been so thankful for the loudness in her voice as I was on that day.  In fact, this child who I am always quieting in the house, I praised for using her loudest voice when faced with real fear and seeming "lostness". 

Two God-type thoughts emerged for me from this situation. 

Number one, I want to be like that child.  When she was lost, she didn't wander around looking at all the pretty things in the wilderness.  She didn't casually look for me.  She screamed with all her might.   I need to do that with my Heavenly Father.  So often, I act casually about my wandering from Him, tempted to believe that it doesn't matter to Him and that it isn't harming me.  Instead of screaming with all my might to my Daddy in heaven, I might whisper to Him, or worse, not even look for Him at all, instead enjoying the distractions of my wilderness.  DD knew instinctively that being away from mommy was terrifying and did what she knew how to do.  She screamed.  And mommy came running.  My Father in heaven does the same for me I'm sure.  But how often to I passionately cry out to Him when I'm lost?

The second God-type thought that emerged for me was how even though my daughter had no idea where I was when she was calling in her loudest voice and searching, I saw her.  I saw her in her lostness, in her misery, in her afraid-ness, and I took pity on her.  My eye DID go off of her for a few moments, but my Heavenly Father's never goes off of her.  Or me.  Or you.  I was reminded of the verse in Matthew 5 about God's eye even being on the sparrow and aren't we so much more valuable than they.  I was reminded of the story of Hagar and Ishmael when Hagar called God, my God, "The God Who Sees Me".  I was comforted that although for a few moments I was completely unaware of where my daughter was, He always knew.  He always saw.  I am also so blessed beyond belief to realize  that this is true for me. 

My husband faces some uncertain times with his job.  We are always wondering exactly what will happen, not wanting to be unwise but to plan.  But we often question exactly what we should do.  But in seeing my daughter, I'm reminded that my Father sees.  He sees and He knows and He watches out for me.  He longs to embrace me like I embraced my daughter, telling me that all will be okay.  Reminding me of what I told her, "Daddy's here.  Daddy's here.  Everything's alright."

Teach me more through my children Lord.  And open my eyes to You all around me.

(0 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Nov. 19, 2006
Brothers and Sisters as Friends

One of those things that makes me lean back in my chair and sigh with satisfaction is watching my children truly enjoy one another.  Part of the thing that is so hard about raising siblings I think are all the arguments.  So, seeing them really like being together or be kind to one another without being asked -- these are things that thrill my mommy heart!

Today, my two oldest were playing on the computer together when the older one went to the kitchen for a snack.  I heard his sister ask him to bring her a cracker too and my cynical self was prepared to give a "be a good leader" lesson to the boy.  Lo and behold, he came in carrying her a cracker as well!  Without being asked.  Just like that.  It was a sweet moment and I was a happy mom.

I also enjoy watching my older daughter "mother" and help my younger daughter.  It's funny, most of the time she can convince the baby to do things that her father and I can not.  She uses her sweetest "mommy" voice and coaxes little sister to eat the vegetables, for example.  Little sister smiles, says "yesh" and opens her little mouth like a bird to please her big sister.  Another happy and sweet moment for a mom.  Oh, and what mom wouldn't enjoy seeing big sister help little sister on with her shoes?

Or watching the children work together on a project or an elaborate play storyline - that's really endearing also.  This weekend, as I was out and about buying Christmas presents and finishing up our Operation Christmas Child boxes, hubby called to tell me that the children had a little surprise for me when I got home.  I came home to find two of our ladder-back chairs from the kitchen set up in the living room with a large quilt thrown over them and a sign for a "magic show" on them.  They performed some hilarious magic "tricks" (such as disappearing by running out of the room!  How DID they do it?!) and entertained us with their teamwork and showmanship-type talk such as, "Now ladies and gentlemen, for our next trick...".  It was just another one of those things that makes me content to be a mom to three children. 

It is one of my most earnest prayers that they will grow up to be friends who love one another like no one else and serve each other with joy.  Most days, I wonder how that will ever happen!  But then God shows me little moments like the ones I mentioned above and I can begin to believe that one day my prayer will be answered.

(0 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Nov. 13, 2006
Recently Overheard at My House

DS (just turned 5):  "When you are old like mommy and daddy, then you grow old and turn into grandma and grandpas.  Then you go to heaven.  I think grandpas die first and then grandmas.  Then mommies and daddies and then us, because we're kids."

DD (almost 4):  "We don't die!"

DS:  "Yeah we do - like Mamaw Turner and Papaw."

DD:  "Oh (with a very sad face).  I don't want to die.  I'll be so sad!"

DS:  "Well, then you may not know me when I am older (implied:  in heaven)."

DD:  "But then we go up to heaven."

DS:  "Yeah."

(1 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Nov. 9, 2006
A Reason to Stay Home

Every day as I tuck him in, or listen to his meal time prayers, my little guy says something like this,

"And thank you (God) that I get to be with mommy today." 

Now that's a reason to stay home if ever there was one.

(0 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Nov. 1, 2006
The TV Ban

My dear son, 5, is a tv addict wanna-be.  Mind you, I don't let him sit around watching tv all day long.  Actually, his tv time is limited to 30 minutes in the morning and additional time on special occasions.  But, let it be said, if the child could, he would watch tv all day long.

Anyway, last week, due to a very serious offense he commited, said son lost all his tv privileges...until further notice.  Hubby and I decided that this would speak volumes to him.  We decided on an indefinite tv suspension because we want to see a true change of heart, not simply, "I'm-being-self-controlled-because-I'm-in-trouble,-but-soon-I-won't-be-anymore-and-then-I-can-watch-tv-again,-so-I'll-stop-being-self-controlled-once-more!"

We simply told him that tv is a privilege and he had lost the privilege for out of control behaviors.  We also told him that until we saw the heart change we desired, tv not be something he'd have the privilege to take part in.  Of course, he was distressed.  Truthfully, I was a little distressed too.  I wasn't quite excited thinking about all the complaining and begging that would probably come about for this indefinite time of the tv ban.

How surprised have I been then?!  The tv ban has brought about an amazing change of heart and attitude in the boy.  I'm seeing some sweet fruit as he plays with his sisters, reads, and generally just has a better attitude.  I'm now considering something totally radical (in this family, anyway)...an ongoing tv ban.  My friend Paula does this.  She inspired my friend Sandee to take part as well.  Basically, the tv isn't on unless it's the weekend, and then only for a short time. 

I do wholeheartedly believe that some of the attitudes that children see on television (even "good" children's television) are inappropriate and teach children bad values -  disrespect and self-centeredness, for example.  And I do find that even to be true on the preschool channels.  But can I just say I'm lazy about it?  Can I just be honest and say that?  Sometimes I need to get something done in the kitchen and it's just easier to plant him in front of the tv.  Sometimes it's just easy not arguing with him about not watching it all the time.  But the fruit of this latest little experiement have just been too great.  So I'm encouraged to keep going with it.

Now if I could only get hubby to go on a tv ban...

(2 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Sep. 21, 2006
I Don't Think So

So, my ds has a new 5-year-old-kind-of-answer for my requests.  Now, instead of saying, "no", as that clearly has not gotten a good response from mommy, he is saying, "I don't think so."  Imagine with me if you will...

Mommy: "Son, please pick up your bedroom." 

Son:  "I don't think so." 

Mommy:  "Son, please help your sister with her shoes." 

Son: "I don't think so." 

Mommy: "Son, it's time for bed." 

Son: "I don't think so."  

Now this new little answer is not going over so well with mommy!  In fact, as I was explaining it to him today, saying "I don't think so" is just like saying no.  It is disobeying even if it doesn't sound like it to him.

Ouch!  That's when the Holy Spirit did His usual thing in my spirit when He's trying to get my attention.  He sort of whispers to me, "Yes, that's right, Joni.  Not exactly saying no is the same thing as saying no.  It's disobedience."  I must confess, I was instantly humbled.  I thought of two specific areas in my life where I tell Jesus regularly, "I don''t think so." 

Does that happen to you too?  Many times what I'm speaking to my own children and trying to press something into their little spirits, Jesus is trying to press the same thing right into mine.  I actually love that about Jesus - the way that he uses whatever I'm dealing with at the time with my children to teach me.  I also find that sometimes the things that drive me the most crazy about my little people are the things that are just like me!  I am aggravated with my son's complaining spirit, but yet how often do I hear myself complaining?  I am impatient with my daughter's pack-rat tendencies, but my house is a collection of things that I "might need someday".  The list could go on and on. 

So, I've asked Jesus to show me plainly those areas in which I'm saying "I don't think so" to Him.  I've determined that to be in constant fellowship with Him, that answer's just not good enough anymore.

(5 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Jul. 20, 2006
Swimming Lessons -- Personalties Revealed

I've learned a lot about my children's personalities this summer just by watching them at swimming lessons.  It's fascinating to see how they act in an instructional situation when mom isn't the teacher and they aren't with their small circle of homeschooled friends.  As a former teacher, I have gotten glimpses of what they might be like if they were to go school.

My son, the oldest, approaches the water very cautiously, not wanting to get his face wet.  He often wants assistance for things he could probably do on his own.  He thrives on praise and wants to please his teacher, often doing what the teacher says -- not because he really wants to, or thinks that he can, but because he knows it's the right thing to do.  He listens well to the instructions of his teacher.  He's my good little listener and dutiful guy.

My daughter, my little middle child, is quite different than her brother.  She approaches the water with great gusto, jumping in with reckless abandon (sometimes without her teacher's permission, I might add.)  She thrives on risk and challenge.  She's constantly going under the water just to prove to herself and others that she can.  She doesn't listen to the teacher a lick, but has made lots of little girlfriends!  She always wants to make sure daddy's watching.  Yes, she's my little risk-taker.  I fear that one day she may call me from Tibet, saying she's just gotten married (to a nice missionary boy she met a few days ago --okay, that's my idea) while bungee jumping!  She constantly surprises us.

The baby is too small to take lessons -- without mommy getting in, that is.  Now, we did the baby swimming lessons with our oldest when he was 11 months old.  Then, we smartened up and realized that we were paying a whole bunch of money to get into the pool and instruct our child ourselves.  Besides, it was "water experience", which means nothing, we learned.  He still screamed like a banchee when we got his face wet in the bathtub!  But, I digress.  Back to the baby.  She doesn't get to swim, so she loves to get out of her stroller as soon as we roll in and then we spend the rest of lesson time chasing her around so that she won't fall into the pool and drown!  But tonight, she found a cute little sparrow to follow around.  She was so fascinated by the little bird that she literally ran all over the deck chasing the poor victim, er, I mean bird.  She got really aggravated every time she got close enough, because of course, he'd fly away.  She chased him around for awhile, making duck noises.  Who is her teacher anyway?  Obviously the little one needs more work with her animal sounds! 

Yes, I've really learned a lot about how my children approach life, other adults, new situations, and peers.  I've been interested to see how each of them are unique and special.  I've also seen things that each of them can work on.  But overall, it's made me realize that I'm so glad that I'm the blessed one who gets to be their teacher.

(2 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• May. 7, 2006
Starvin' In My Heart

One recent morning, DD3 told me she absolutely could wait no longer for me to get out of bed. She was as she put it, "starvin' in her mouth!" I thought it was cute at the time. But since I have been trying to listen to God throughout my day (not just in my morning quiet time), and especially through my children, I pondered it many times as I went about my day.

(1 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Apr. 22, 2006
The Wisdom of Childhood

"You'll teach me of hearts and dreams

And all the most important things

And all that I have lost along the way

And I can't wait."

These words from a Sara Groves song echo my very own feelings about all my children, but especially DD3.  I am ever amazed at that child's wonder, her natural curiosity.  I find myself wanting to study her, wanting to reach back to that time in my life and really remember when I was so innocent, so curious, so pure.  I long to go back to a time when dandelions were beautiful flowers and worms seemed like scary snakes.  When I noticed the beauty in a sunset and took the time to thank God for roses. 

In these ways and so many more she does remind me of all that I have "lost along the way".  I'm humbled by the wisdom of her childhood.  The kind of wisdom that says slow down, notice, enjoy, dance, laugh, play, get dirty. 

My eyes well up with tears as I think about her losing that innocence, that childhood wisdom.  I pray that somehow, God always keeps a little piece of it deep down inside her soul.  And inside mine.

(1 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Mar. 31, 2006
God Made So Many Colors

My son recently changed his favorite color from green to yellow.  I was surprised, no shocked, at this new revelation.  This is a little guy who tends to "hang onto things", shall we say.  He has loved green since he was 2 and now he's all of 4 (and a 1/2!).  Our family has often had to choose food,  tennis shoes, and towel colors because of his green obsession.  I simply had to know more.  The conversation during a recent coloring session went something like this:

"Mom, could you hand me the yellow.  It's my new favorite color."

"I thought green was your favorite color," I dutifully reminded him.

"Well, now it's yellow.  God made so many colors, Mommy.  It's hard to pick!"

He did it again.  About once a day one of the little people at my house says something that speaks to me of the wonder of our creative God.  That day it was Mr. Yellow.  His implied answer to my dutiful reminder was, "Of course God made all they colors too, Mom.  Doesn't it say in the Bible that He made EVERYTHING?" Ah, yes, even the colors and their unlimited variations.  I love the gratitude summed up in that sentence.  Childlike gratitude...I need more of that.

It also brought to mind something God's trying to teach me right now and that is this:  I tend to be in a box with my expectation of God sometimes.  I'm sure He longs for me to be open to His surprises, but my routinized life squelches that sometimes.  I usually just assume He'll work in this or that way, based on how I've seen Him operate in the past. 

My lipstick choices are a perfect illustration of this routinization.  I always buy the same color.  Yes, each time I get a new tube from Target, my Mary Kay-selling friend, or (gasp!) the Lancome counter, I think it is indeed a "new" color.  I am so fired up to take it home and add it to my makeup repertoire.  Then, just as I put it into the makeup bag, I realize that it's just like the other 25 tubes in there. Pink, pink, pink.  ALL of them are some slight variation of pink! 

Maybe I need to start thinking more like Mr. Yellow.  I want to experience all of God's beautiful colors in my life. Maybe not on my lips, but definitely in my life.  Open my eyes, God.  Get me out of my box.  Surprise me.

(0 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)