First, thanks to Crystal for hosting this week's Thankful Thursday!
I started praying through the 23rd Psalm last week, so it seems appropriate to finish it!
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
Thanks for your never leaving presence--there is nowhere I can go, physically or emotionally, where you are not there with me. Thank you that death is just a shadow for those who know and love you.
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Thanks that You guide us and discipline us; you do not let us wander astray.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Thanks for the many, many ways you bless us! You provide in abudance for us, you heal us, and you protect us from the enemy. Thanks for the awesome "object lesson" Tony did with Dan--I will never forget the oil dripping all over Dan, and imagery of how God coats us with his love.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Thanks that You are merciful and good, and that we don't get what we deserve. Thanks for the promise of eternal life! Thank you for musicians who set the Bible to songs. I was sure that Selah did a version of this, but I can't find it--thanks that we got to see them before they went "national". ETA: It was Ashley Cleveland that did this song--I still love it!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
The Yes-Buts
I have a bad case of the yes-buts. I also have a sinus infection and haven't slept well in a while, so that contributes to the yes-buts.
So what are the yes-buts? It's an awful disease. It's when someone tells you something, and your response is yes, but... which means you're digging in your heels instead of doing what you're supposed to do.
Example: see previous post.
YES, I need prayer, BUT...blah, blah blah see previous post
YES, I should have our life group pray for me, BUT...we're supposed to be pouring out not taking since we're the leaders.
YES, seeing a leader need prayer can lead to better prayer times and real relationships overall, BUT we've already done that for me with the miscarriage anniversary AND the second miscarriage AND... See prayer hog reference in last post...
YES, I should go to the Women's Ministry Center, BUT miscarriage and midlife crisis aren't on their "list" of mentor areas.
I know I've had the yes-buts before, my mom commonly diagnosed them in my teen years. But I'm not sure what the cure is, other than a good night's sleep and just saying yes, despite the buts...
(Sorry, no Top Ten this week....I tried coming up with Top Ten good things about "Fall" and could only think of bad things, so if someone wants to generate one for me, I'd appreciate it...)
So what are the yes-buts? It's an awful disease. It's when someone tells you something, and your response is yes, but... which means you're digging in your heels instead of doing what you're supposed to do.
Example: see previous post.
YES, I need prayer, BUT...blah, blah blah see previous post
YES, I should have our life group pray for me, BUT...we're supposed to be pouring out not taking since we're the leaders.
YES, seeing a leader need prayer can lead to better prayer times and real relationships overall, BUT we've already done that for me with the miscarriage anniversary AND the second miscarriage AND... See prayer hog reference in last post...
YES, I should go to the Women's Ministry Center, BUT miscarriage and midlife crisis aren't on their "list" of mentor areas.
I know I've had the yes-buts before, my mom commonly diagnosed them in my teen years. But I'm not sure what the cure is, other than a good night's sleep and just saying yes, despite the buts...
(Sorry, no Top Ten this week....I tried coming up with Top Ten good things about "Fall" and could only think of bad things, so if someone wants to generate one for me, I'd appreciate it...)
Monday, November 12, 2007
Prayer chicken
The correct answer when Tony asked who needs prayer at the Life Group Leaders meeting tonight would have been ME. But that's not what I said. Why not?
I don't wanna be a prayer hog. Is it just me or do I seem to be asking for the same prayer issues every. single. time? It's not like I don't ever ask for prayer, it's just that there are bigger and more pressing issues than me.
I don't want to explain it. No one in that room would have understood. They're all entering or in the prime of summer, it's not fair to make them think about fall.
Fear of looking like an idiot. I was pretty sure I couldn't even say what was wrong without falling apart, and what kind of idiot is upset about getting old??
Pride. Who wants to be the one to say I need help?
Feeling like a failure. Our group is the only one that isn't growing, "multiplying" or showing incredible stories of God working in their small group. Probably not the first or the last time I feel totally unequipped and ungifted in leading a small group. I am not beautiful, popular, charismatic or otherwise attractive, so there's no way our group is going to grow by my power...and as is the theme in my life right now, God's not choosing to show up in this way. Not to mention that life group leading doesn't really overlap with my spiritual gifts inventory, either. Maybe it's a good thing I spend almost every meeting with the kids instead of the adults!
Lord help me say yes when I need it.
I don't wanna be a prayer hog. Is it just me or do I seem to be asking for the same prayer issues every. single. time? It's not like I don't ever ask for prayer, it's just that there are bigger and more pressing issues than me.
I don't want to explain it. No one in that room would have understood. They're all entering or in the prime of summer, it's not fair to make them think about fall.
Fear of looking like an idiot. I was pretty sure I couldn't even say what was wrong without falling apart, and what kind of idiot is upset about getting old??
Pride. Who wants to be the one to say I need help?
Feeling like a failure. Our group is the only one that isn't growing, "multiplying" or showing incredible stories of God working in their small group. Probably not the first or the last time I feel totally unequipped and ungifted in leading a small group. I am not beautiful, popular, charismatic or otherwise attractive, so there's no way our group is going to grow by my power...and as is the theme in my life right now, God's not choosing to show up in this way. Not to mention that life group leading doesn't really overlap with my spiritual gifts inventory, either. Maybe it's a good thing I spend almost every meeting with the kids instead of the adults!
Lord help me say yes when I need it.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Changing seasons
It's definitely fall. On Friday when I was walking to work, the gingko tree was dropping all of its leaves--the ground was covered, and it almost looked like it was snowing.
The seasons are also changing in my life--I think that's a good share of the "blackness" I talked about in my last post.
So what are the seasons of life? Well, if your life is a year, there are four seasons in a year, and the average lifespan of a person is 80 years (give or take), each season is 20 years. So springtime is the time of everything being new--so that would be ages 0-20. Summer is when everything is "hot" and fruits are rapidly developing--that would be ages 20-40, the prime times of career and family. Fall is 40-60, and winter is 60-you meet new life in heaven with Jesus.
But just like the weather doesn't always pay attention to the calendar, neither does our life-- there are days during spring that feel more like summer, and an "Indian Summer" isn't unexpected. While I'm not 40 yet, the winds of fall are beginning to appear--ever since the miscarriage in March, I've started showing signs of perimenopause--the details are more than you want to know :)
The problem is, my whole life has been aimed at achieving "summer" stuff. I don't know what my goals are for winter and fall, and I don't want to be done with "summer" activities. I think I have good company--who isn't sad when school starts (even though it's still August) and the pool closes, when watermelon becomes scarce, and the stores start advertising Christmas (or at least it's how it feels!)
I wouldn't say I'm having a mid-life crisis--I just want to hang onto summer for as long as I can--I'm not ready for fall!
Here's an example of why:
Yesterday we were shopping at Target, and had just succeeded in our mission to find a dark skinned baby doll for our shoebox that's bound for an orphanage in Nigeria. Here's the conversation as we walked by the baby gear section:
Harmony: Mooooom, when are we gonna get a baby? A real baby?
Me (ouch! Ouch! Ouch!): When God sends us one.
Harmony: Well, I want God to grow one in your tummy.
Me: Do you think it would be a brother or a sister?
Henry and Harmony at the same time: A brother!
Conversations like that make me think that God's not done with our family yet....so it can't be fall yet! I know God has given fall and winter babies before (Sarah, Hannah, Elizabeth), but that's a hard row to hoe physically....ugh. It's hard to be patient when you hear the clock ticking!
The seasons are also changing in my life--I think that's a good share of the "blackness" I talked about in my last post.
So what are the seasons of life? Well, if your life is a year, there are four seasons in a year, and the average lifespan of a person is 80 years (give or take), each season is 20 years. So springtime is the time of everything being new--so that would be ages 0-20. Summer is when everything is "hot" and fruits are rapidly developing--that would be ages 20-40, the prime times of career and family. Fall is 40-60, and winter is 60-you meet new life in heaven with Jesus.
But just like the weather doesn't always pay attention to the calendar, neither does our life-- there are days during spring that feel more like summer, and an "Indian Summer" isn't unexpected. While I'm not 40 yet, the winds of fall are beginning to appear--ever since the miscarriage in March, I've started showing signs of perimenopause--the details are more than you want to know :)
The problem is, my whole life has been aimed at achieving "summer" stuff. I don't know what my goals are for winter and fall, and I don't want to be done with "summer" activities. I think I have good company--who isn't sad when school starts (even though it's still August) and the pool closes, when watermelon becomes scarce, and the stores start advertising Christmas (or at least it's how it feels!)
I wouldn't say I'm having a mid-life crisis--I just want to hang onto summer for as long as I can--I'm not ready for fall!
Here's an example of why:
Yesterday we were shopping at Target, and had just succeeded in our mission to find a dark skinned baby doll for our shoebox that's bound for an orphanage in Nigeria. Here's the conversation as we walked by the baby gear section:
Harmony: Mooooom, when are we gonna get a baby? A real baby?
Me (ouch! Ouch! Ouch!): When God sends us one.
Harmony: Well, I want God to grow one in your tummy.
Me: Do you think it would be a brother or a sister?
Henry and Harmony at the same time: A brother!
Conversations like that make me think that God's not done with our family yet....so it can't be fall yet! I know God has given fall and winter babies before (Sarah, Hannah, Elizabeth), but that's a hard row to hoe physically....ugh. It's hard to be patient when you hear the clock ticking!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Joseph's coat
Last night Emma, Ruthie, and Olivia came over for a pajama party. I was talking with Jen about maybe watching a movie towards the end, and she mentioned that they had checked out Joseph: King of Dreams from the library. Things always go a little smoother if we have a couple of structured things planned, so I did the Joseph--a coat of many colors lesson from Danielle's Place (you might need a membership to get to the Joseph lesson--if you don't have one, consider it! I definitely get my money's worth out of it!)
In the lesson, the kids listened for me to say a color, and then colored a stripe on Joseph's coat that color--like I'd say "his brothers were green with envy" and they'd color a stripe green.
Two things struck me as I read the story from my Bible last night. First, how many times it said, "And God was with him." The other was now long it was between when his brothers sold him to the slave traders and when they saw him again. A lot of that time was pretty "black" time--neither being a slave nor being in prison for something he didn't do would be very pleasant, and I'm sure that even after he was raised up, it was a hollow victory without his family. I'm sure there were many days that he wondered when, if ever, his dreams would come true.
Those are good reminders for me. I've been in a bit of a black spell since March, which feels like a long time, but is nothing compared to the two years Joseph was in jail, or the many (maybe 20? just my guesstimate--several years in Potipher's house, 2 in jail, 7 years of plenty, some number less than seven years of drought) years of waiting to see his family.
It's one thing to know in your head that black is an important color in the tapestry of your life, and another to believe it in your heart when it's a long time coming.
Thanks, Lord that you are with us and that you weave it all together for good. I'm ready for another color, please.
In the lesson, the kids listened for me to say a color, and then colored a stripe on Joseph's coat that color--like I'd say "his brothers were green with envy" and they'd color a stripe green.
Two things struck me as I read the story from my Bible last night. First, how many times it said, "And God was with him." The other was now long it was between when his brothers sold him to the slave traders and when they saw him again. A lot of that time was pretty "black" time--neither being a slave nor being in prison for something he didn't do would be very pleasant, and I'm sure that even after he was raised up, it was a hollow victory without his family. I'm sure there were many days that he wondered when, if ever, his dreams would come true.
Those are good reminders for me. I've been in a bit of a black spell since March, which feels like a long time, but is nothing compared to the two years Joseph was in jail, or the many (maybe 20? just my guesstimate--several years in Potipher's house, 2 in jail, 7 years of plenty, some number less than seven years of drought) years of waiting to see his family.
It's one thing to know in your head that black is an important color in the tapestry of your life, and another to believe it in your heart when it's a long time coming.
Thanks, Lord that you are with us and that you weave it all together for good. I'm ready for another color, please.
Friday, November 9, 2007
If you love me...
...you will obey what I command. John 14:15
That's my bible memory verse this week. If you haven't checked out Bible Memory USA, you should!!! I am not good about memorizing Bible verses, but I think it is very important, and this is a tool that really has worked for me--I've learned 14 verses since June, though I'm bad at remembering the citation.
Back to the verse...
Talk about something you don't understand until you're a parent! I'm so thankful for how God uses both our children and our experiences as parents to teach us about Him.
Oh, what I would give for my children to obey me because they love me! The current obedience strategy is a "chore chart", with the basic things that I'd like the kids to do without me having to remind them--clear their dishes, get dressed, brush their teeth, and clean up their messes. Every day they do all their chores with minimal reminding (which still happens more than I'd like), they get a star. After a week of stars, we'll do something fun...Henry's totally into it because of the lesson they did in Sunday school this week...and because he really, really, really wants to go to the Children's Museum. (Little does he know the Star Wars display is gone...he's going to be heartbroken!)
There are lots of reasons that H&H don't obey...ok, why Henry doesn't obey. Sometime's he's so totally engrossed in what he's doing, he doesn't hear us, or if he does hear us, he'd rather continue what he's doing. Other times, he'd rather do it his own way, or for it to be his own idea. And sometimes, he just is being defiant and rebelling against our authority. Huh, sounds a lot like me and God somedays.
Harmony is another story. She's very concerned with following the rules and wanting approval, so she is very compliant. So part of parenting her is showing her that we love her unconditionally, that there is nothing she can do that will make her earn or lose our love. Hmm, sounds like a God lesson too.
Thanks, God for our children and the multitude of things you teach us through them. Help us point our children to you, and use these teachable moments to learn about you and learn to love you.
That's my bible memory verse this week. If you haven't checked out Bible Memory USA, you should!!! I am not good about memorizing Bible verses, but I think it is very important, and this is a tool that really has worked for me--I've learned 14 verses since June, though I'm bad at remembering the citation.
Back to the verse...
Talk about something you don't understand until you're a parent! I'm so thankful for how God uses both our children and our experiences as parents to teach us about Him.
Oh, what I would give for my children to obey me because they love me! The current obedience strategy is a "chore chart", with the basic things that I'd like the kids to do without me having to remind them--clear their dishes, get dressed, brush their teeth, and clean up their messes. Every day they do all their chores with minimal reminding (which still happens more than I'd like), they get a star. After a week of stars, we'll do something fun...Henry's totally into it because of the lesson they did in Sunday school this week...and because he really, really, really wants to go to the Children's Museum. (Little does he know the Star Wars display is gone...he's going to be heartbroken!)
There are lots of reasons that H&H don't obey...ok, why Henry doesn't obey. Sometime's he's so totally engrossed in what he's doing, he doesn't hear us, or if he does hear us, he'd rather continue what he's doing. Other times, he'd rather do it his own way, or for it to be his own idea. And sometimes, he just is being defiant and rebelling against our authority. Huh, sounds a lot like me and God somedays.
Harmony is another story. She's very concerned with following the rules and wanting approval, so she is very compliant. So part of parenting her is showing her that we love her unconditionally, that there is nothing she can do that will make her earn or lose our love. Hmm, sounds like a God lesson too.
Thanks, God for our children and the multitude of things you teach us through them. Help us point our children to you, and use these teachable moments to learn about you and learn to love you.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Thankful Thursday--the 23rd Psalm
Many thanks to Crystal for hosting this week's Thankful Thursday!
The kids are studying the 23rd Psalm, and since I'm teaching, it's a natural guide for my not-feeling-so-thankful-at-the-moment, but-knowing-there-is-lots-to-be-thankful-for heart. As I've been working on it, there is SO much there! So this week is going to be the first three verses, since that's what I'm teaching on Sunday. Stay tuned for the last half next week :)
The LORD is my shepherd,
Thanks, Lord, that you guide us, care for us, watch over us, and don't let us wander too far off. Thanks for your vision that exceeds ours, and that you direct us towards safety and away from danger before we can even see it. Thanks that you bind up our wounds and work tirelessly for us, your sometimes ungrateful sheep.
I shall not want.
Thank you for providing above and beyond our needs--good jobs, stable housing, a budget that has room for the extras. Thanks for Crown Financial Ministries, Dave Ramsey, and other groups that encourage Christians (and others) to "not want"--and realize how blessed they are.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
Thanks for a nice bed in a safe house...and that I don't have to sleep outside in the grass! Thanks for the kids enjoying the leaves this week.
He leads me beside quiet waters.
Thanks for the tranquility that I often find beside bodies of water. Thanks that you refresh us with your living water, even when we wrestle with you. Thanks for River Vineyard Church, and the impact it's had already in both individuals and our community.
He restores my soul;
Thanks that you heal and restore people both physically and emotionally. Thanks for how you use music to restore our soul, and I'm thankful for the many musical settings of this Psalm, especially "The King of Love my Shepherd is" and "Yea though I wander" (track 7 of this CD) that I learned in choir...and my entire college choir career.
He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Thanks, Lord that you not only KNOW the way, you ARE the way. Thanks for revealing yourself to us, and for bringing glory to you through your leading. Help us to be good followers.
The kids are studying the 23rd Psalm, and since I'm teaching, it's a natural guide for my not-feeling-so-thankful-at-the-moment, but-knowing-there-is-lots-to-be-thankful-for heart. As I've been working on it, there is SO much there! So this week is going to be the first three verses, since that's what I'm teaching on Sunday. Stay tuned for the last half next week :)
The LORD is my shepherd,
Thanks, Lord, that you guide us, care for us, watch over us, and don't let us wander too far off. Thanks for your vision that exceeds ours, and that you direct us towards safety and away from danger before we can even see it. Thanks that you bind up our wounds and work tirelessly for us, your sometimes ungrateful sheep.
I shall not want.
Thank you for providing above and beyond our needs--good jobs, stable housing, a budget that has room for the extras. Thanks for Crown Financial Ministries, Dave Ramsey, and other groups that encourage Christians (and others) to "not want"--and realize how blessed they are.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
Thanks for a nice bed in a safe house...and that I don't have to sleep outside in the grass! Thanks for the kids enjoying the leaves this week.
He leads me beside quiet waters.
Thanks for the tranquility that I often find beside bodies of water. Thanks that you refresh us with your living water, even when we wrestle with you. Thanks for River Vineyard Church, and the impact it's had already in both individuals and our community.
He restores my soul;
Thanks that you heal and restore people both physically and emotionally. Thanks for how you use music to restore our soul, and I'm thankful for the many musical settings of this Psalm, especially "The King of Love my Shepherd is" and "Yea though I wander" (track 7 of this CD) that I learned in choir...and my entire college choir career.
He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Thanks, Lord that you not only KNOW the way, you ARE the way. Thanks for revealing yourself to us, and for bringing glory to you through your leading. Help us to be good followers.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Top Ten Tuesdays: Mom initiation
Top ten signs you've been initiated into motherhood:
10. Pee on a stick (which can be harder than it sounds) and seen two lines appear
9. Be sent home from the hospital with a tiny creature to care for
8. Hear something your mother used to say...come out of your mouth
7. Get peed on, barfed on, sneezed on, and seen pretty much any imaginable bodily fluid end up on your clothes
6. Clean said body fluids out of your car.
5. Reach into your purse and pull out a race car, rock, bouncy ball, broken crayon and goldfish crumbs ...and find the same items in your dryer
4. You know all the words to Veggie Tales songs...and sing them in the shower
3. You ask someone where the potty is
2. Have a broken heart for something you can't fix for your child
1. Hear an unsolicited "I love you"
Now it's you're turn! Write your own Top Ten list and add your link!
10. Pee on a stick (which can be harder than it sounds) and seen two lines appear
9. Be sent home from the hospital with a tiny creature to care for
8. Hear something your mother used to say...come out of your mouth
7. Get peed on, barfed on, sneezed on, and seen pretty much any imaginable bodily fluid end up on your clothes
6. Clean said body fluids out of your car.
5. Reach into your purse and pull out a race car, rock, bouncy ball, broken crayon and goldfish crumbs ...and find the same items in your dryer
4. You know all the words to Veggie Tales songs...and sing them in the shower
3. You ask someone where the potty is
2. Have a broken heart for something you can't fix for your child
1. Hear an unsolicited "I love you"
Now it's you're turn! Write your own Top Ten list and add your link!
Monday, November 5, 2007
Monday Meme: Finish this sentence
Stolen from another NaBloPoMo member:
1. My home...is where my family is.
2. I am listening to...the hum of the air handling system.
3. Maybe I should...send an e-mail to an unknown colleague
4. I love it when...there's something fun in the mailbox
5. My best friend...is Jesus
6. I don't understand...why people can't just get along
7. I lost...my Bible...but praise God, Patrick found it!
8. People say...more than they should
9. The meaning of my blog name is...that I have lots of questions for God, but not many of the answers
10. Love is... putting the other's needs first
11. Right now, somewhere, someone is... eating something chocolate
12. I will always... avoid using always statements
13. Once upon a time, I... thought I was good at everything
14. Now, I... know that isn't anywhere close to true
15. I never want to... forget to appreciate each day
16. My personal motto is... Today is your only chance at today--enjoy it
17. When I wake up in the morning... I wish for a few minutes of peace
18. I get annoyed when... people tell me what to do but don't help in the doing
19. People always...surprise me
20. I sing...all the time
21. Hugs are the best when...they come from my kids, unsolicited
22. Today I... went to the gym at lunch and ran--it felt good
23. Tomorrow I will... vote for my husband!
24. I really want... more time with my kids
1. My home...is where my family is.
2. I am listening to...the hum of the air handling system.
3. Maybe I should...send an e-mail to an unknown colleague
4. I love it when...there's something fun in the mailbox
5. My best friend...is Jesus
6. I don't understand...why people can't just get along
7. I lost...my Bible...but praise God, Patrick found it!
8. People say...more than they should
9. The meaning of my blog name is...that I have lots of questions for God, but not many of the answers
10. Love is... putting the other's needs first
11. Right now, somewhere, someone is... eating something chocolate
12. I will always... avoid using always statements
13. Once upon a time, I... thought I was good at everything
14. Now, I... know that isn't anywhere close to true
15. I never want to... forget to appreciate each day
16. My personal motto is... Today is your only chance at today--enjoy it
17. When I wake up in the morning... I wish for a few minutes of peace
18. I get annoyed when... people tell me what to do but don't help in the doing
19. People always...surprise me
20. I sing...all the time
21. Hugs are the best when...they come from my kids, unsolicited
22. Today I... went to the gym at lunch and ran--it felt good
23. Tomorrow I will... vote for my husband!
24. I really want... more time with my kids
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Be careful what you wish for...
Last week I was telling (well, complaining) to Patrick about how I don't like it when the radio is off and no one is talking in the car--it brings back too many memories of the silence in the car whenever my dad was in it growing up.
Today on the way to church, we not only had a CD on (trying to find worship songs with few enough words that the preschoolers can sing), but Harmony talked the whole way. Mostly saying, "Jesus Loves Me, Away in a Manger, Jesus Loves Me, Away in a Manger"...repeat, repeat, repeat for 28 miles. I'm glad she knows what she wants to sing in Kid's Church! Meanwhile, Henry is saying "Stop it, Dad, Stop singing, Dad, stop snapping, Dad..." ARGH! Made me wish for the silent car I was not liking the week before.
So thank you, God, for not always giving me what I wish for.
Today on the way to church, we not only had a CD on (trying to find worship songs with few enough words that the preschoolers can sing), but Harmony talked the whole way. Mostly saying, "Jesus Loves Me, Away in a Manger, Jesus Loves Me, Away in a Manger"...repeat, repeat, repeat for 28 miles. I'm glad she knows what she wants to sing in Kid's Church! Meanwhile, Henry is saying "Stop it, Dad, Stop singing, Dad, stop snapping, Dad..." ARGH! Made me wish for the silent car I was not liking the week before.
So thank you, God, for not always giving me what I wish for.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Your Kingdom Come
Today Jeff Heidcamp from the Minneapolis Vineyard Church was the speaker at our church's fall conference. The theme for the meeting was "The Kingdom of God". We missed the Friday night session, and spent the Saturday morning session praying with some friends from our Life Group, but if the third session was an indicator, it was a powerful conference!
The third session was titled "The Kingdom of God in the 21st Century." Jeff talked about five big areas, and how the Kingdom of God might be seen--mental illness, political division, ethnic diversity, singleness (and marriedness), and being involved. (Pretty good that I remembered the list without notes!)
One thing that really resonated with me was the singleness section, even though I'm married. Jeff talked about the search for someone to fulfill you in every aspect of your life, and how hard that is. But the Kingdom of God in this world is that Jesus can meet all those needs...and if you're looking to a spouse to complete you, your marriage is in trouble. Marriage is really the opportunity to share the great love you've received from your savior with another, not about meeting your needs.
Amen. I've said to Patrick that marriage is about being God's agent of grace to your spouse...though it sure is nice when God works through my spouse to meet my needs!
The third session was titled "The Kingdom of God in the 21st Century." Jeff talked about five big areas, and how the Kingdom of God might be seen--mental illness, political division, ethnic diversity, singleness (and marriedness), and being involved. (Pretty good that I remembered the list without notes!)
One thing that really resonated with me was the singleness section, even though I'm married. Jeff talked about the search for someone to fulfill you in every aspect of your life, and how hard that is. But the Kingdom of God in this world is that Jesus can meet all those needs...and if you're looking to a spouse to complete you, your marriage is in trouble. Marriage is really the opportunity to share the great love you've received from your savior with another, not about meeting your needs.
Amen. I've said to Patrick that marriage is about being God's agent of grace to your spouse...though it sure is nice when God works through my spouse to meet my needs!
Friday, November 2, 2007
Sherpa mom
There are days I wonder if I'm a mom or a sherpa. Like last night, on the way to Life Group. I had in my hands/arms/back: a bag with snack, my Bible, a backpack with activities for the kids, phone lists to give to everyone, the keys to the church office where we meet and my purse. And yet I didn't have everything; the kids very vocally reminded me that I forgot their water bottles, and they would surely die of dehydration on the way. I shut the door with one finger, but had to put stuff down to open the car doors.
The irony was the lesson I had just prepared for the kids was on Hebrews 12:1-2a...
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
Ugh. It's definitely a case where God uses the lesson I'm preparing for me, not the kids--we didn't even end up doing the lesson last night (though I'm using it with my kids and their friends right now). What burdens am I carrying that are impeding my progress? I'm definitely carrying around junk that I should just give to God--worrying about my Grandma and uncle's health, wondering about whether we're done with our family, guilt about working, guilt about being driven crazy by my children when I am caring for them, guilt about making an inedible supper last night and not being a good "reflective listener" to Patrick. 1 Peter 5:7 says "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you," but sometimes I think I'd rather carry them myself and focus on them rather than looking to Jesus at the finish line--my burdens seem more immediate.
But that's not what I'm supposed to do. I'm supposed to give them to God! So sing along with me...
I'm Trading My Sorrows by Darryl Evans
I'm trading my sorrows
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying them down
For the joy of the Lord
I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying it down
For the joy of the Lord
We say yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Amen
I'm pressed but not crushed persecuted not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed
I am blessed beyond the curse
For His promise will endure
That His joy's gonna be my strength
Though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes with the morning
I'm trading my sorrows
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying them down
For the joy of the Lord
I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying it down
For the joy of the Lord
We say yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Amen
The irony was the lesson I had just prepared for the kids was on Hebrews 12:1-2a...
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
Ugh. It's definitely a case where God uses the lesson I'm preparing for me, not the kids--we didn't even end up doing the lesson last night (though I'm using it with my kids and their friends right now). What burdens am I carrying that are impeding my progress? I'm definitely carrying around junk that I should just give to God--worrying about my Grandma and uncle's health, wondering about whether we're done with our family, guilt about working, guilt about being driven crazy by my children when I am caring for them, guilt about making an inedible supper last night and not being a good "reflective listener" to Patrick. 1 Peter 5:7 says "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you," but sometimes I think I'd rather carry them myself and focus on them rather than looking to Jesus at the finish line--my burdens seem more immediate.
But that's not what I'm supposed to do. I'm supposed to give them to God! So sing along with me...
I'm Trading My Sorrows by Darryl Evans
I'm trading my sorrows
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying them down
For the joy of the Lord
I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying it down
For the joy of the Lord
We say yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Amen
I'm pressed but not crushed persecuted not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed
I am blessed beyond the curse
For His promise will endure
That His joy's gonna be my strength
Though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes with the morning
I'm trading my sorrows
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying them down
For the joy of the Lord
I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying it down
For the joy of the Lord
We say yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Amen
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Thankful Thursday--All Saints Day edition
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. Hebrews 11:39-40
Today I'd like to give thanks for all those saints, some living, some with Jesus, who may not have seen the fruits of their labor.
--Cathy, my babysitter and preschool Sunday School teacher. She always had an enthusiastic greeting for everyone, and she made Sunday School a place you wanted to go.
--Shannon, who helped me heal from much of my garbage, and showed me what sacrifice looks like.
--My Principia teacher in college, who always had two listening ears and a few wise words...in the right proportion.
--My religion 101 teachers--one of htem taught me to look for the big themes in the Bible, and the other taught me that worship is what happens in the pews, not up front...even though that wasn't the way the class was taught.
--My grandparents. What amazing champions of the faith. They ran the race well.
Today I'd like to give thanks for all those saints, some living, some with Jesus, who may not have seen the fruits of their labor.
--Cathy, my babysitter and preschool Sunday School teacher. She always had an enthusiastic greeting for everyone, and she made Sunday School a place you wanted to go.
--Shannon, who helped me heal from much of my garbage, and showed me what sacrifice looks like.
--My Principia teacher in college, who always had two listening ears and a few wise words...in the right proportion.
--My religion 101 teachers--one of htem taught me to look for the big themes in the Bible, and the other taught me that worship is what happens in the pews, not up front...even though that wasn't the way the class was taught.
--My grandparents. What amazing champions of the faith. They ran the race well.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Top 10 Tuesday... signs your kids are getting "old"
10. No more diaper bags!
9. You could sleep all night...if you didn't wake up to every creak and passerby.
8. Your child calls you "Mother", complete with eye roll on occasion.
7. Your children can buckle their own carseats (or seatbelt).
6. The phone rings and it's not for you...
5. ...and you don't have to answer it, the kids do.
4. Sippy cups have been replaced by sports bottles.
3. Clothing choices (at least coming out of the closet) are no longer yours to make.
2. Knocked knees and hairy legs show up.
1. Your child says "I love you" without you saying it first.
Now it's your turn! Make a top ten list, and add your post to Mr. Linky!
9. You could sleep all night...if you didn't wake up to every creak and passerby.
8. Your child calls you "Mother", complete with eye roll on occasion.
7. Your children can buckle their own carseats (or seatbelt).
6. The phone rings and it's not for you...
5. ...and you don't have to answer it, the kids do.
4. Sippy cups have been replaced by sports bottles.
3. Clothing choices (at least coming out of the closet) are no longer yours to make.
2. Knocked knees and hairy legs show up.
1. Your child says "I love you" without you saying it first.
Now it's your turn! Make a top ten list, and add your post to Mr. Linky!
Monday, October 29, 2007
Cleaning windows
Yesterday on our way to visit Mammaw and Pappaw, Harmony had a chocolate chip granola bar. In typical Harmony style, she savored it, licking it, smooshing it, and generally making a large mess all over her hands and face. So I handed her a wipe once she was done. She did a good job cleaning her fingers and face.
Then I heard her chirp "God is cleaning the outside of the window while I'm cleaning the inside." She was happily wiping every inch of the window that she could reach with the chocolate covered, lemon scented baby wipe, while the rain beat down on the outside of the window. Needless to say, God did a much better job of cleaning the window than Harmony did.
Don't we do the same thing sometimes, trying to clean our dirty hearts with our own dirty rags? Our own efforts look a lot like the Pharisees, and Jesus had some pretty harsh things to say to them in Matthew 23. Particularly fitting here are verses 25 and 26, which say,
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean."
God, forgive me for the times when I try to fix things myself instead of bringing them to you. Clean us from the inside out so that your light can clearly shine through us, without distortion.
Then I heard her chirp "God is cleaning the outside of the window while I'm cleaning the inside." She was happily wiping every inch of the window that she could reach with the chocolate covered, lemon scented baby wipe, while the rain beat down on the outside of the window. Needless to say, God did a much better job of cleaning the window than Harmony did.
Don't we do the same thing sometimes, trying to clean our dirty hearts with our own dirty rags? Our own efforts look a lot like the Pharisees, and Jesus had some pretty harsh things to say to them in Matthew 23. Particularly fitting here are verses 25 and 26, which say,
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean."
God, forgive me for the times when I try to fix things myself instead of bringing them to you. Clean us from the inside out so that your light can clearly shine through us, without distortion.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
We caved...
...and turned the heat on! Lows in the 30s, highs in the 50s with rain will do that to a family...
A new meme--Top Ten Tuesday!
I had so much fun with my top ten list yesterday that I thought others might like the opportunity...so if it sounds fun to you, make your own list, post it on Tuesday, and add your blog to the Mr. Linky in the weekly post about it!
Friday, October 26, 2007
Top 10 signs it's time to turn on the heat
10. Tomato soup and grilled cheese are back on the favorites list.
9. Said soup is cold before you can finish eating it.
8. The butter that is sitting on the counter is rock hard.
7. Harmony's nose is bright red and she hasn't been crying.
6. Bread baking becomes a daily event, just so we can turn on the oven.
5. We huddle around the dishwasher when it's on the drying cycle.
4. We're wearing more layers than we have members of our family.
3. The kids don't want to take off their coats inside.
2. Slippers are a requirement.
1. The cat insists on sleeping under the covers!
Maybe tomorrow...we're trying to hold out until Nov 1 :)
9. Said soup is cold before you can finish eating it.
8. The butter that is sitting on the counter is rock hard.
7. Harmony's nose is bright red and she hasn't been crying.
6. Bread baking becomes a daily event, just so we can turn on the oven.
5. We huddle around the dishwasher when it's on the drying cycle.
4. We're wearing more layers than we have members of our family.
3. The kids don't want to take off their coats inside.
2. Slippers are a requirement.
1. The cat insists on sleeping under the covers!
Maybe tomorrow...we're trying to hold out until Nov 1 :)
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Thankful Thursday
Give Thanks to the Lord our God;
His love endures forever. Psalm 136:1
I love how Psalm 136 repeats the refrain of "His love endures forever." He doesn't just love us today, He loves us every day, all the time, forever! This week I'm thankful for:
--My grandma, and the wonderful Christian example she's been for so many people.
--For safety for friends and family in the midst of the fires in California.
--For hats, mittens, gloves, coats, and furnaces to keep us warm now that it's getting cold and windy out!
--That God speaks to us in very real ways...when we bother to listen :)
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
When God says No
"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:9-11
The passage above is a bit challenging, especially when you feel like you asked for bread and got a rock. But I’m glad God used the analogy of a parent and a child, because as a parent, it’s one I can understand.
If Harmony had her way, we’d got to Steak and Shake (Snake and Snake, as she says it) every day for grilled cheese and a shake. She loves their shakes, and rarely does a day go by when she doesn’t lobby for one as we’re driving anywhere remotely close to a Steak and Shake.
But although I love Harmony, think shakes aren’t the worst thing in the world for her, and have taken her to Steak and Shake more than a couple of times for a shake, sometimes the answer is no.
No doesn’t mean I don’t love her. It doesn’t mean I don’t want good things for her. It doesn’t mean she won’t ever get a shake from Steak and Shake again.
There are lots of reasons that I say no as a parent. Sometimes what my children want just isn’t safe, like wanting to stomp in the puddles in the street last night. Sometimes it isn’t the right time—last night Henry desperately wanted to build a car garage with a set from his uncle, but it was time for bed, the car garage would have to wait until this morning. Sometimes it’s because I have something better in mind—often the “no” to Harmony’s shake request is because dinner is almost ready at home, and I know that’s a lot healthier for her than a grilled cheese, fries and shake.
But sometimes my no brings fits, tears, and “Mean Mommy!”or “Why?” from her mouth. So I hold her tight and try to explain, but usually it just takes time and a diversion….she’s just not ready to understand it.
But God does all that and one better for us—he gives us a story to help us understand it. John 11 tells us about Lazarus dying, yet Jesus stays away. When he does go to Bethany, both Mary and Martha say, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." Very factual, but I have a feeling that what was in their heart was “Why? Why didn’t you show up when we needed you?”
Jesus answers their question in a couple different ways. In verse 14 he tells the disciples that it’s playing out this way so that they may believe. In verse 40, he tells Martha that it will reveal the glory of God.
In keeping with my blog title, I don’t have all the answers, just all the questions. I don’t know how to tell when a no means it’s not safe or not now or there is something better for you. I don’t know how God will use a particular “no” to bring belief or glory to Himself. But I do know that if I keep these things in mind as I experience a “no”, I might have a fighting chance at experiencing Him more fully and being used to bring belief to others and glory to God.
Thanks, God, that you do say no to us sometimes, and that you have a bigger and better plan in mind. Help us sort through how to use the nos to bring deeper belief and glory to You.
The passage above is a bit challenging, especially when you feel like you asked for bread and got a rock. But I’m glad God used the analogy of a parent and a child, because as a parent, it’s one I can understand.
If Harmony had her way, we’d got to Steak and Shake (Snake and Snake, as she says it) every day for grilled cheese and a shake. She loves their shakes, and rarely does a day go by when she doesn’t lobby for one as we’re driving anywhere remotely close to a Steak and Shake.
But although I love Harmony, think shakes aren’t the worst thing in the world for her, and have taken her to Steak and Shake more than a couple of times for a shake, sometimes the answer is no.
No doesn’t mean I don’t love her. It doesn’t mean I don’t want good things for her. It doesn’t mean she won’t ever get a shake from Steak and Shake again.
There are lots of reasons that I say no as a parent. Sometimes what my children want just isn’t safe, like wanting to stomp in the puddles in the street last night. Sometimes it isn’t the right time—last night Henry desperately wanted to build a car garage with a set from his uncle, but it was time for bed, the car garage would have to wait until this morning. Sometimes it’s because I have something better in mind—often the “no” to Harmony’s shake request is because dinner is almost ready at home, and I know that’s a lot healthier for her than a grilled cheese, fries and shake.
But sometimes my no brings fits, tears, and “Mean Mommy!”or “Why?” from her mouth. So I hold her tight and try to explain, but usually it just takes time and a diversion….she’s just not ready to understand it.
But God does all that and one better for us—he gives us a story to help us understand it. John 11 tells us about Lazarus dying, yet Jesus stays away. When he does go to Bethany, both Mary and Martha say, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." Very factual, but I have a feeling that what was in their heart was “Why? Why didn’t you show up when we needed you?”
Jesus answers their question in a couple different ways. In verse 14 he tells the disciples that it’s playing out this way so that they may believe. In verse 40, he tells Martha that it will reveal the glory of God.
In keeping with my blog title, I don’t have all the answers, just all the questions. I don’t know how to tell when a no means it’s not safe or not now or there is something better for you. I don’t know how God will use a particular “no” to bring belief or glory to Himself. But I do know that if I keep these things in mind as I experience a “no”, I might have a fighting chance at experiencing Him more fully and being used to bring belief to others and glory to God.
Thanks, God, that you do say no to us sometimes, and that you have a bigger and better plan in mind. Help us sort through how to use the nos to bring deeper belief and glory to You.
Monday, October 22, 2007
The REST of the story
Remember when Paul Harvey used to say that on the radio? Yeah, I'm dating myself...I'm old :)
Today the kids had dentist appts in Lafayette--they both got "A"s on their report cards. We met Amanda and Aidan for lunch, using our free Chik fila coupons, and the kids enjoyed the play area. (Sorry, Gracie, you were at preschool!)
While we had a great time and I'm happy for Amanda and her upcoming due date, being around pregnant people just brings back some angst. So I knew I needed to go for a run so I could talk to God about this...again. So despite the rain, I went running outside...the rain was actually quite fitting, given my mood. But I didn't want it to be a complaint fest, though, so I brought my MP3 player and listened to a sermon from the Ithaca Vineyard from their "Just walk across the room" series. It was about telling your story...and God's story
So I thought about my story. We've been doing "Life-timonies" in Life Group lately, and I did mine last week. I definitely need to write it out, or at least practice--the "old" stuff I've got figured out what I should say, but not much past my salvation story...a Lifetimony that's missing 10+ years of info isn't the best!
But what I clearly heard from God today was the miscarriage story isn't done yet. There is a "so" that will come in the story...like "In 2007 I had two miscarriages, so..."
And as I approached home, I could see and hear Henry and Harmony cheering for me on the porch. It was very sweet, and although I returned looking like I had already taken a shower, it was exactly what I needed to get my head back in the right direction.
Thanks, God, that you're not done with my story yet. And thanks that there is a great cloud of witnesses that cheers for us as we run the race.
Today the kids had dentist appts in Lafayette--they both got "A"s on their report cards. We met Amanda and Aidan for lunch, using our free Chik fila coupons, and the kids enjoyed the play area. (Sorry, Gracie, you were at preschool!)
While we had a great time and I'm happy for Amanda and her upcoming due date, being around pregnant people just brings back some angst. So I knew I needed to go for a run so I could talk to God about this...again. So despite the rain, I went running outside...the rain was actually quite fitting, given my mood. But I didn't want it to be a complaint fest, though, so I brought my MP3 player and listened to a sermon from the Ithaca Vineyard from their "Just walk across the room" series. It was about telling your story...and God's story
So I thought about my story. We've been doing "Life-timonies" in Life Group lately, and I did mine last week. I definitely need to write it out, or at least practice--the "old" stuff I've got figured out what I should say, but not much past my salvation story...a Lifetimony that's missing 10+ years of info isn't the best!
But what I clearly heard from God today was the miscarriage story isn't done yet. There is a "so" that will come in the story...like "In 2007 I had two miscarriages, so..."
And as I approached home, I could see and hear Henry and Harmony cheering for me on the porch. It was very sweet, and although I returned looking like I had already taken a shower, it was exactly what I needed to get my head back in the right direction.
Thanks, God, that you're not done with my story yet. And thanks that there is a great cloud of witnesses that cheers for us as we run the race.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Sell me on your Bible
I still haven't found my Bible. While the computer thing works, it's not the best--can't bring it to bed with me :) So I'm ISO a new one. The one I had was a NIV Study Bible by Zondervan--I liked the notes, and it had cross references in the margins, as well as good study aids (concordance, dictionary, maps, etc). Before that I had a Life Application NIV. A little more application based in the notes, it was also good but in a different way.
So sell me on your Bible--what kind do you have? What do you like about it? What would you change? I'm probably sticking with NIV, so I'm more looking for the bells and whistles. I do like to do word studies, but usually end up at www.blueletterbible.org to go back to the Greek and Hebrew...
TIA!
So sell me on your Bible--what kind do you have? What do you like about it? What would you change? I'm probably sticking with NIV, so I'm more looking for the bells and whistles. I do like to do word studies, but usually end up at www.blueletterbible.org to go back to the Greek and Hebrew...
TIA!
Friday, October 19, 2007
The conversation I missed at lunch today...
On Fridays, my friend Jen and I share childcare--this morning I hung out with the kids while she went to the grocery store, and she took care of the crew while I went to some meetings for work. Apparently I missed a pretty interesting marriage conversation over lunch...
DTR, the kids could all *theoretically* be siblings--Emma is 9 months older than Henry, Ruthie is half way between Henry and Harmony, and Olivia is 15 months younger than Harmony...they really do have a great time together. I'm so glad we're friends!
DTR, the kids could all *theoretically* be siblings--Emma is 9 months older than Henry, Ruthie is half way between Henry and Harmony, and Olivia is 15 months younger than Harmony...they really do have a great time together. I'm so glad we're friends!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Thankful Thursday
I need to do Thankful Thursdays because I know I have lots to be thankful for...but often can't remember what it is! And sometimes my memory needs a jog, so today I'm "jogging" it with the alphabet (with some assistance from Henry and Harmony :))
A--Apples; they're one of Henry's favorite foods
B--Babies, especially Baby Helena, born to our Ithaca friends this week
C--Chocolate, need I say more?
D--Dear friends who know me, pray for me, and put up with me
E--Easter (Harmony's idea)
F--Flower, Henry's first word
G--God and his many names; thanks for the study we did on that in Ithaca
H--Hope
I--Isabels--both of them from church--read the story of one Izzy's adventures
J--Jesus and his amazing sacrifice
K--Kitty snugglign with Harmony at night
L--Love that is patient, kind, not self seeking, and enduring
M--Miss Diane and Miss Colleen, the kids' preschool teachers
N--New clothes--thanks for helping me shop, Patrick!
O--On line deals, like my $15 MP3 player
P--Peekaboo--one of Harmony's first words and favorite games
Q--Quilt--the one I made when I was pregnant with both kids that is finally done--thanks Mom!
R--Raking leaves into big piles--coming soon!
S--Samantha and Marisa, H&H's cousins
T--Thankful Thursdays. Thanks, Iris!
U--Uniqueness. Isn't it cool that no two of us, or even snowflakes, are alike?
V--Voting--the opportunity to pick our leaders. Exercise your right!
W--Where I work
Y--Yoda and You Tube, both on Henry's favorites right now
Z--Zoo--we had a great time a couple weeks ago!
A--Apples; they're one of Henry's favorite foods
B--Babies, especially Baby Helena, born to our Ithaca friends this week
C--Chocolate, need I say more?
D--Dear friends who know me, pray for me, and put up with me
E--Easter (Harmony's idea)
F--Flower, Henry's first word
G--God and his many names; thanks for the study we did on that in Ithaca
H--Hope
I--Isabels--both of them from church--read the story of one Izzy's adventures
J--Jesus and his amazing sacrifice
K--Kitty snugglign with Harmony at night
L--Love that is patient, kind, not self seeking, and enduring
M--Miss Diane and Miss Colleen, the kids' preschool teachers
N--New clothes--thanks for helping me shop, Patrick!
O--On line deals, like my $15 MP3 player
P--Peekaboo--one of Harmony's first words and favorite games
Q--Quilt--the one I made when I was pregnant with both kids that is finally done--thanks Mom!
R--Raking leaves into big piles--coming soon!
S--Samantha and Marisa, H&H's cousins
T--Thankful Thursdays. Thanks, Iris!
U--Uniqueness. Isn't it cool that no two of us, or even snowflakes, are alike?
V--Voting--the opportunity to pick our leaders. Exercise your right!
W--Where I work
Y--Yoda and You Tube, both on Henry's favorites right now
Z--Zoo--we had a great time a couple weeks ago!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
MIA: My Bible
That's right, my Bible is missing...and has been for almost three weeks. It's not like I haven't been in the Word--my daily reading comes in the e-mail, and most of the time I end up using Bible Gateway or the Blue Letter Bible when I'm studying.
But today it's feeling symbolic. God seems pretty far away right now. This blog hit me right where I am...yes, old married couples can have quiet time, but that doesn't mean both parties like it. I hate silent cars, and lately Patrick has been quiet in the car and turning the radio off...and I'm getting the same thing from God. And prayer tonight just made me FEEL how far away we are right now. I know He's not really far, but I don't deal with No followed by silence. At least the first miscarriage was followed by lots of good God time...not this one.
On my run this afternoon I went over a bridge that went over some really dry rocks. You could see where the water had been, and how picturesque it would be with the water, but now all there was was dry, cracked ground and some dying algae on the rocks. Yeah, that would be me.
It's a good thing the Psalm in my daily reading addresses exactly this--Psalm 107 talks about how God's people were wandering in the desert, chained in bondage, in a storm, and other calamities, and the two choruses that repeat are
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress and
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
So thanks, God for all the good things you've done for people who are in distress. I need you to show up in my life too.
But today it's feeling symbolic. God seems pretty far away right now. This blog hit me right where I am...yes, old married couples can have quiet time, but that doesn't mean both parties like it. I hate silent cars, and lately Patrick has been quiet in the car and turning the radio off...and I'm getting the same thing from God. And prayer tonight just made me FEEL how far away we are right now. I know He's not really far, but I don't deal with No followed by silence. At least the first miscarriage was followed by lots of good God time...not this one.
On my run this afternoon I went over a bridge that went over some really dry rocks. You could see where the water had been, and how picturesque it would be with the water, but now all there was was dry, cracked ground and some dying algae on the rocks. Yeah, that would be me.
It's a good thing the Psalm in my daily reading addresses exactly this--Psalm 107 talks about how God's people were wandering in the desert, chained in bondage, in a storm, and other calamities, and the two choruses that repeat are
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress and
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
So thanks, God for all the good things you've done for people who are in distress. I need you to show up in my life too.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Coping mechanisms
Everyone has them. I've decided mine are weird, though. Except for the food one (eating when I'm not hungry to fill a different hunger--which is definitely sin), they're healthy habits.
The first miscarriage happened: I started running much more regularly. Regular exercise + set aside prayer time = doubly good habit.
Anticipating what would have been my due date: nesting. I made lots of meals for friends who were sick, preggo or had a newborn, and cleaned out most of the closets. Huh, blessed some friends, and my house looks a little (not a lot, but a little) better.
Actual would have been due date: couponing. If you watch the ads (Walgreens especially) and pair them with coupons and rebates, you can almost make money shopping (though I haven't hit that level yet--but some of these ladies have.) For example, I'm now stocked up on shampoo, with the store paying me a dollar (after rebate), and I'll be picking up toothpaste for the kids for $0.14--boo yah!
So far I haven't gotten past the food thing on this miscarriage, and the wound definitely isn't as deep, but it's cool to look back and see how God has brought good out of bad. What's also interesting is my ultra analytical part can see how these are compensations...running is proving I have mastery over my body, and couponing is proving my "worth" to my family (I know I'm worth more than the few dollars I save each week, though!)
The first miscarriage happened: I started running much more regularly. Regular exercise + set aside prayer time = doubly good habit.
Anticipating what would have been my due date: nesting. I made lots of meals for friends who were sick, preggo or had a newborn, and cleaned out most of the closets. Huh, blessed some friends, and my house looks a little (not a lot, but a little) better.
Actual would have been due date: couponing. If you watch the ads (Walgreens especially) and pair them with coupons and rebates, you can almost make money shopping (though I haven't hit that level yet--but some of these ladies have.) For example, I'm now stocked up on shampoo, with the store paying me a dollar (after rebate), and I'll be picking up toothpaste for the kids for $0.14--boo yah!
So far I haven't gotten past the food thing on this miscarriage, and the wound definitely isn't as deep, but it's cool to look back and see how God has brought good out of bad. What's also interesting is my ultra analytical part can see how these are compensations...running is proving I have mastery over my body, and couponing is proving my "worth" to my family (I know I'm worth more than the few dollars I save each week, though!)
Saturday, October 13, 2007
A Good Day
Today was fall break, and we took it!
First we went to our favorite sushi place, and they made Henry and Harmony their own "sushi" with rice and chicken, while we enjoyed our favorite rolls. If I can't be pregnant, at least I can enjoy sushi!
Then we went to an apple orchard south of Indy. The only reason we picked it was that it was on the way to the outlet mall, but it turned out to be great! There was a pond with HUGE koi, a nature trail, a petting zoo, a bamboo maze, a two story "bumpy" slide, a train, and of course, apples. There was also a hay ride to a pumpkin patch, but we skipped that since we enjoyed that last weekend. The kids had a blast, and we got a peck of apples of several different varieties. It hasn't been a good apple year in Indiana because of a late April frost, but they had all the kinds we were looking for (we asked before we called). Yum, yum!
Then we hit the outlet mall, mostly for me--my work clothes is looking pretty sad, as I discovered on my trip this week. While I didn't find the suit I was looking for, I did spend a couple of gift cards that have been burning a hole in my pocket since Christmas--it's always good to shop without spending money :)
It was a good day. If only I had remembered my camera, it would have been perfect!
First we went to our favorite sushi place, and they made Henry and Harmony their own "sushi" with rice and chicken, while we enjoyed our favorite rolls. If I can't be pregnant, at least I can enjoy sushi!
Then we went to an apple orchard south of Indy. The only reason we picked it was that it was on the way to the outlet mall, but it turned out to be great! There was a pond with HUGE koi, a nature trail, a petting zoo, a bamboo maze, a two story "bumpy" slide, a train, and of course, apples. There was also a hay ride to a pumpkin patch, but we skipped that since we enjoyed that last weekend. The kids had a blast, and we got a peck of apples of several different varieties. It hasn't been a good apple year in Indiana because of a late April frost, but they had all the kinds we were looking for (we asked before we called). Yum, yum!
Then we hit the outlet mall, mostly for me--my work clothes is looking pretty sad, as I discovered on my trip this week. While I didn't find the suit I was looking for, I did spend a couple of gift cards that have been burning a hole in my pocket since Christmas--it's always good to shop without spending money :)
It was a good day. If only I had remembered my camera, it would have been perfect!
Friday, October 12, 2007
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Thankful Thursday
My Bible in a Year reading today included Psalms 105:
What struck me about the Psalm isn't what's above--it's what comes after. What things are they to remember? Wandering around in the wilderness, Jacob being in shackles, the famine and plagues in Egypt...I'm sure that NONE of those things seemed good at the time, and I seem to remember the Israelites complaining through all of that.
When you're in the thick of it, it's hard to remember to be thankful. I'm in the middle of miscarriage #2, so I'm definitely there. But still I'm to sing praises to him! So here's my Thankful List for today:
--Casting Crowns "I will Praise you in the Storm"--I love how they use Psalm 121. It's one of my favorites; my college choir sang a couple different versions of it, and it's one I turn to frequently. If I figured out the "how to post a You Tube Video", it should be on my blog somewhere :)
--Supportive and understanding friends
--My two great kids and awesome husband
--That somehow this black is woven into a bigger picture and it's not all I have
--a flexible and rewarding job
--That I have a God and Savior that is bigger than all of this--I'm not sure how I'd cope as a non-Christian
--That there are miracles and healings--God does work in this fallen world
Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.
Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, O descendants of Abraham his servant, O sons of Jacob, his chosen ones.
What struck me about the Psalm isn't what's above--it's what comes after. What things are they to remember? Wandering around in the wilderness, Jacob being in shackles, the famine and plagues in Egypt...I'm sure that NONE of those things seemed good at the time, and I seem to remember the Israelites complaining through all of that.
When you're in the thick of it, it's hard to remember to be thankful. I'm in the middle of miscarriage #2, so I'm definitely there. But still I'm to sing praises to him! So here's my Thankful List for today:
--Casting Crowns "I will Praise you in the Storm"--I love how they use Psalm 121. It's one of my favorites; my college choir sang a couple different versions of it, and it's one I turn to frequently. If I figured out the "how to post a You Tube Video", it should be on my blog somewhere :)
--Supportive and understanding friends
--My two great kids and awesome husband
--That somehow this black is woven into a bigger picture and it's not all I have
--a flexible and rewarding job
--That I have a God and Savior that is bigger than all of this--I'm not sure how I'd cope as a non-Christian
--That there are miracles and healings--God does work in this fallen world
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Thankful Thursday
I have a feeling this is going to be random...
--http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/ Woo hoo! A way to calculate the milage from my runs, even when I cut across campus like I did this afternoon :)
--For the neighborhood kids, and for opportunities to show them Jesus
--That God has a plan and it's better than mine
--http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/ Woo hoo! A way to calculate the milage from my runs, even when I cut across campus like I did this afternoon :)
--For the neighborhood kids, and for opportunities to show them Jesus
--That God has a plan and it's better than mine
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Wordless Wednesday
From last year's pumpkin picking adventure...
Sometimes you're the pumpkin, sometimes you're the shoe...
Either way, it's a mess!
Sometimes you're the pumpkin, sometimes you're the shoe...
Either way, it's a mess!
Monday, October 1, 2007
Tackle It Tuesday--the trickle down effect
Well, this has been a multi-week project! While Patrick was gone for work, I moved all the paint that was taking over a downstairs closet (20+ cans, thankyouverymuch) to the "attic" part of our house. Yipee! I have another closet!! Notice there are still 2 5 gallon containers of paint and 2 of drywall... but hey, there is room for something other than paint!
But where did all the stuff come from? Well, mostly the laundry room. How it all fit in there before, I don't know...well, I do know. Stuff was not all on the shelves, but now there is room for everything!
Some of the stuff also came from the bookshelf (which I didn't get a picture of), which made room for some of the stuff on the kid's "office" table...
I also conquered the closet in the living room, my dresser top and the front porch...watch out world! Next up: the bookcases...I'm accruing a large pile for Goodwill, that's for sure :)
Whining
Not the kids, me. Another great devotional from Proverbs 31 Ministry ...The author sets it up with talking about a PMS week.
Matthew 9:20-22 I read, “Just then a woman who had hemorrhaged for twelve years slipped in from behind and lightly touched [Jesus’] robe. She was thinking to herself, ‘If I can just put a finger on his robe, I'll get well.’ Jesus turned—caught her at it. Then he reassured her: ‘Courage, daughter. You took a risk of faith, and now you're well.’ The woman was well from then on.” (The Message)I don't want to whine, I just want you to heal me :)
Here was a woman who had been sick for a long time. I can imagine she’d tried many other remedies, I imagine she’d shed many tears, and I imagine she’d had some moments of hopelessness. Finally, however, the Messiah had arrived, and she was filled with renewed hope. Her faith caused her to reach out to Jesus.
Here I was suffering from something relatively minor, and all I did was whine. I have ready access to the Savior every moment of my life simply because I’m His child, yet I had failed to turn to the only One who could make me better.
Sometimes I mistakenly think I need huge faith to pray that God will heal me. Notice, however, in Matthew 9 that these verses don’t say anything about great faith. Just enough faith. That’s all we need – just enough faith for the situation we’re in.
Sometimes we mistakenly think that if we’re fearful or doubting, that we then must not have enough faith to ask God for what we need. Not true. Again look at the verses in Matthew. The sick woman was probably fearful. After all, Jesus said to her “Courage daughter.” I can imagine that she had to muster all her courage to do such a little act, just touch the edge of Jesus’ cloak.
But it was enough. Jesus stopped for her. He noticed that little touch, even as He was on His way to another very important mission – He was going to heal a ruler’s daughter. He stopped for a woman who just touched His garment.
As I came to another verse that morning, today’s key verse in John 5:6, I was convicted by the question Jesus asked the sick man: “‘Do you want to get well?’” I sensed Jesus asking me the same question, Do you want to get well, or do you just want to whine and feel sorry for yourself?
Saturday, September 29, 2007
ISO: Quiet time help
Mine has been pretty, uh, dry lately. If I try to have a "real" just sitting quietly quiet time, I fall asleep. So what I've been doing is a little fragmented; I practice my weekly (well, last week it was a biweekly) memory verse and read my bible in a year passage when I first get on line. I also read a couple of devotions (that also show up in my in-box), and I often spend some time either studying the verses I'm teaching in Sunday School or that are coming up next in our sermon series. I either have praise music or nothing on for the six or so hours I'm at work (not a lot of contact with others) and have prayer time for the 30-45 min I'm running. Some of my routes have definite rhythyms of dialing down, praise and adoration, thanksgiving and supplication...and other days, I never get past dialing down. Like today. But even when I do get past that, it still seems like a totally one way thing--I'm listening but not hearing anything...and I need more than that! I'm open to suggestions...
Thursday, September 27, 2007
What's my title?
Today a journalist called me at work to ask me about my contribution to a local storefront art show. She opened with, "You're a photographer, right?"
Hmm. Photographer is not on my list. Professor, biochemist, Sunday School teacher, yes; Mother, wife, daughter, yes. Photographer? Notsomuch. More like someone who just gets lucky on occasion and gets a great shot, though I really like the notecards I've made with some of my pictures.
But it made me wonder, are there other titles I have that I don't even know that are mine? What titles would God give me?
The two verses I found are Malachi 3:12 and John 15:15:
Malachi 3:12: "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty. This one is a little tricky, because of the "then" at the beginning, but if you read the previous verses, the "if" of the "if then" statement is if you tithe. And God even challenges us to test him on it! While I don't always feel blessed, I definitely AM blessed; God has made good on his promise (like he always does :)).
The second one, John 15:15 is tougher for me: I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. Wow. We're not God's servants, we're his friends!! I'm not sure I can quite wrap my brain around that. But what I do know is that the key difference between servant and friend in this verse is knowledge --we're his friends because he's "let us in" on what he's up to. Isn't that the truth? Your true friends know what's up in your life.
Thanks Lord for calling us blessed and your friends. Help me to be a good friend to you and listen to what you're telling me, and thank you for the many earthly friends you've given me.
Hmm. Photographer is not on my list. Professor, biochemist, Sunday School teacher, yes; Mother, wife, daughter, yes. Photographer? Notsomuch. More like someone who just gets lucky on occasion and gets a great shot, though I really like the notecards I've made with some of my pictures.
But it made me wonder, are there other titles I have that I don't even know that are mine? What titles would God give me?
The two verses I found are Malachi 3:12 and John 15:15:
Malachi 3:12: "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty. This one is a little tricky, because of the "then" at the beginning, but if you read the previous verses, the "if" of the "if then" statement is if you tithe. And God even challenges us to test him on it! While I don't always feel blessed, I definitely AM blessed; God has made good on his promise (like he always does :)).
The second one, John 15:15 is tougher for me: I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. Wow. We're not God's servants, we're his friends!! I'm not sure I can quite wrap my brain around that. But what I do know is that the key difference between servant and friend in this verse is knowledge --we're his friends because he's "let us in" on what he's up to. Isn't that the truth? Your true friends know what's up in your life.
Thanks Lord for calling us blessed and your friends. Help me to be a good friend to you and listen to what you're telling me, and thank you for the many earthly friends you've given me.
Thankful Thursday
I thought I'd take after some of the psalms and do an acrostic...
Godly friends
I have a clean house but didn't have to clean it!
Vineyard Church
Every good gift from God
Thankful Thursdays!
Henry and Harmony
August 2002 mommies
Night time story time
Kisses and hugs from my kiddos
Sabbatical!
Godly friends
I have a clean house but didn't have to clean it!
Vineyard Church
Every good gift from God
Thankful Thursdays!
Henry and Harmony
August 2002 mommies
Night time story time
Kisses and hugs from my kiddos
Sabbatical!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Light a couple of birth day candles today
In memory of the birth day we're not celebrating today.
God, I still don't understand this. Soon (maybe already?) I'll be too old to have more children, and already the gap to my living children is large. But I'll trust you and obey...even if it's not what *I* want right now.
God, I still don't understand this. Soon (maybe already?) I'll be too old to have more children, and already the gap to my living children is large. But I'll trust you and obey...even if it's not what *I* want right now.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Argh!
Still stuck on my Bible memory verse...I got it right, but there was an n in front of my for, so nope, it's not right. God, why do I need to keep saying this verse????
Monday, September 24, 2007
The food stamp challenge
Could you live off a dollar a meal for a week? That's what the average funding level is for food stamps. You can argue about whether food stamps is supposed to provide for all of a family's food needs, and whether it's good to make people put some of their own money on the table, but the reality is that there are people who depend on food stamps and WIC as their only funding for food.
Those of us who have been blessed with more need to walk in someone else's shoes every once in a while. Some members of congress tried it recently. This isn't a good week for us to try it, since the premise is that you can't use any food in your house to begin with--our fridge is packed to the gills, so that wouldn't work this week.
So how far would $84 (3 meals a day x 4 people x 7 days) go for us? If it wasn't for our eating out budget, I think I could do it...but I'd have to think pretty hard about it. So indulge me while I think on line...
Breakfasts are easy--the kids always have cereal. It routinely goes on sale for $2/box, and I don't buy it if it's more than that. The labels say there are 12 servings in a box, but I know we eat more than the given serving size, so we'll round up to 3 boxes--that's $6. A gallon of milk is $2.99, so let's say $10 for the week.
We usually pack lunches. The adults get left overs and the kids get a sandwich, fruit, vegetable, and a treat or calcium source.
1 loaf of bread $2
1 jar PB $2
1 jar jelly $2
1 pkg lunch meat $2
1 lb grapes $2
2 lb bananas $2
3 lb bag apples $3
1 bag string cheese $3
veggies $4
Lunch total: $22.
That leaves $52 for dinner. That would be fine, but we usually have McD's on life group night ($10) and either our favorite Mexican restaurant or Pizza Hut ($25 if we drink water, which we usually do). That leaves $17 for 5 meals, and they need to be big enough for left overs...and I don't have snacks planned yet. I think we'll be eating at home and not out!
Meal 1: spaghetti ($1/box) with meat sauce (1/2 lb ground beef, $1) , salad (half a bag, $1.50), homemade bread (see baking list below) =$3.50
Meal 2: Breakfast for dinner: pancakes (from scratch, see baking list) with applesauce ($1) and scrambled eggs ($1.25) =$2.25
Meal 3: fiesta rice (1/2 c instant rice ($0.25), 1 can corn($0.50), 1 can black beans ($1), 1 can diced tomatoes with chili peppers ($0.75) with tortillas ($1) and salad (other half of bag, $1.50) =$5
Meal 4: Chinese: 1 c instant rice ($0.50), 1 lb meat (chicken, pork or whatever is on sale for less than $2/lb), 1 bag frozen stirfry veggies ($1.50) = $4
Meal 5: Hmm...can we eat out again? :) What else do I usually cook? Pasta ($1) with a bag of frozen veggies or veggies from our garden ($1.50) with shrimp, chicken, or sausage thrown in ($2) = $4.50
Meal 6: grilled cheese (1/2 loaf bread ($1), 4 slices cheese (0.50)), can of soup (0.50), 1 lb apples ($1), 1/2 bag salad ($1) = $4
Meal 7: homemade pizza (dough from baked goods below, left over spaghetti sauce, 1 pkg cheese ($2), 1 pkg pepperoni ($2), 1/2 red pepper (0.50) 1/2 bag salad ($1)=$5.50
Dinner total: $28.75. And I'll guarantee that though those are healthy meals, my crew will be hungry in an hour or two.
But wait...there are no drinks. We'd need another gallon of milk ($3), a 1/2 gallon of "my" (lactose free) milk ($4) a 1/2 gallon of oj ($1 if I make it from frozen) and a 1/2 gallon of crangrape ($2), so that's another $10.
And snacks? My kids always need snacks, at least 2/day. So what could I make with the remaining $13.25? I guess I'd bake! 5 lb flour ($1), 5 lb sugar ($1), baking soda ($0.50), margarine ($0.75), a box of oatmeal ($2) and a dozen eggs ($1.25) . I'd make oatmeal cookies, sugar cookies, jelly muffins, or banana bread with any uneaten bananas...as well as the pancakes and pizza crust in the dinner menu. So $6.50 for baking supplies.
That leaves $6.75 for other snacks. I'd buy a bag of pretzels ($2), a bag of kernel popcorn ($1), chocolate chips for the cookies :) ($1.75), and probably some more fruit ($2).
So we could do it, though we'd definitely be eating out a lot less, or not at all...if we ate out, there would be no snacks, no beverages, and the "skimpier" dinners. And I've got the economy of scale going--and kids eat less than adults, and I tend to watch for sales and stock up--but that's not really a luxury you'd have if you're eating a week at a time. I actually went to the USDA calculator site, and a family of 4 would actually get $73/week, not $84 (bye bye snacks and drinks). I have no idea how you'd do it as a single person.
So how about you? Could you make it on a dollar a meal? What would your meal plan look like? The poor have a special place in God's heart, and it's our duty to not only minister to them, but to align our lifestyles with theirs and advocate when we can. If you think the food stamp allowance should be increased, contact your representatives in congress and tell them--they're supposed to be representing us, so share what you think!
Isaiah 61:1-2 and Luke 4:18-19:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
Those of us who have been blessed with more need to walk in someone else's shoes every once in a while. Some members of congress tried it recently. This isn't a good week for us to try it, since the premise is that you can't use any food in your house to begin with--our fridge is packed to the gills, so that wouldn't work this week.
So how far would $84 (3 meals a day x 4 people x 7 days) go for us? If it wasn't for our eating out budget, I think I could do it...but I'd have to think pretty hard about it. So indulge me while I think on line...
Breakfasts are easy--the kids always have cereal. It routinely goes on sale for $2/box, and I don't buy it if it's more than that. The labels say there are 12 servings in a box, but I know we eat more than the given serving size, so we'll round up to 3 boxes--that's $6. A gallon of milk is $2.99, so let's say $10 for the week.
We usually pack lunches. The adults get left overs and the kids get a sandwich, fruit, vegetable, and a treat or calcium source.
1 loaf of bread $2
1 jar PB $2
1 jar jelly $2
1 pkg lunch meat $2
1 lb grapes $2
2 lb bananas $2
3 lb bag apples $3
1 bag string cheese $3
veggies $4
Lunch total: $22.
That leaves $52 for dinner. That would be fine, but we usually have McD's on life group night ($10) and either our favorite Mexican restaurant or Pizza Hut ($25 if we drink water, which we usually do). That leaves $17 for 5 meals, and they need to be big enough for left overs...and I don't have snacks planned yet. I think we'll be eating at home and not out!
Meal 1: spaghetti ($1/box) with meat sauce (1/2 lb ground beef, $1) , salad (half a bag, $1.50), homemade bread (see baking list below) =$3.50
Meal 2: Breakfast for dinner: pancakes (from scratch, see baking list) with applesauce ($1) and scrambled eggs ($1.25) =$2.25
Meal 3: fiesta rice (1/2 c instant rice ($0.25), 1 can corn($0.50), 1 can black beans ($1), 1 can diced tomatoes with chili peppers ($0.75) with tortillas ($1) and salad (other half of bag, $1.50) =$5
Meal 4: Chinese: 1 c instant rice ($0.50), 1 lb meat (chicken, pork or whatever is on sale for less than $2/lb), 1 bag frozen stirfry veggies ($1.50) = $4
Meal 5: Hmm...can we eat out again? :) What else do I usually cook? Pasta ($1) with a bag of frozen veggies or veggies from our garden ($1.50) with shrimp, chicken, or sausage thrown in ($2) = $4.50
Meal 6: grilled cheese (1/2 loaf bread ($1), 4 slices cheese (0.50)), can of soup (0.50), 1 lb apples ($1), 1/2 bag salad ($1) = $4
Meal 7: homemade pizza (dough from baked goods below, left over spaghetti sauce, 1 pkg cheese ($2), 1 pkg pepperoni ($2), 1/2 red pepper (0.50) 1/2 bag salad ($1)=$5.50
Dinner total: $28.75. And I'll guarantee that though those are healthy meals, my crew will be hungry in an hour or two.
But wait...there are no drinks. We'd need another gallon of milk ($3), a 1/2 gallon of "my" (lactose free) milk ($4) a 1/2 gallon of oj ($1 if I make it from frozen) and a 1/2 gallon of crangrape ($2), so that's another $10.
And snacks? My kids always need snacks, at least 2/day. So what could I make with the remaining $13.25? I guess I'd bake! 5 lb flour ($1), 5 lb sugar ($1), baking soda ($0.50), margarine ($0.75), a box of oatmeal ($2) and a dozen eggs ($1.25) . I'd make oatmeal cookies, sugar cookies, jelly muffins, or banana bread with any uneaten bananas...as well as the pancakes and pizza crust in the dinner menu. So $6.50 for baking supplies.
That leaves $6.75 for other snacks. I'd buy a bag of pretzels ($2), a bag of kernel popcorn ($1), chocolate chips for the cookies :) ($1.75), and probably some more fruit ($2).
So we could do it, though we'd definitely be eating out a lot less, or not at all...if we ate out, there would be no snacks, no beverages, and the "skimpier" dinners. And I've got the economy of scale going--and kids eat less than adults, and I tend to watch for sales and stock up--but that's not really a luxury you'd have if you're eating a week at a time. I actually went to the USDA calculator site, and a family of 4 would actually get $73/week, not $84 (bye bye snacks and drinks). I have no idea how you'd do it as a single person.
So how about you? Could you make it on a dollar a meal? What would your meal plan look like? The poor have a special place in God's heart, and it's our duty to not only minister to them, but to align our lifestyles with theirs and advocate when we can. If you think the food stamp allowance should be increased, contact your representatives in congress and tell them--they're supposed to be representing us, so share what you think!
Isaiah 61:1-2 and Luke 4:18-19:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
Arg! My memory isn't what it used to be...
I've been using the Bible Memory program at http://www.biblememory.us and really like it--I've learned 10 verses so far. One of the features that I like is that you have to get it right before you can move to the next "day", so a week could take you a month.
That seems to be my pace for the current verse--I think I'm on day 10 of this week (and there are only six "days" in each week!). I was SURE I had it today, but this is what the screen said...
You entered:
For where two or three come together in my name there I am with them
The correct verse is:
For where two or three come together in my name there am I with them
Matthew 18:20
Argh! First I was hung up on "gather together" instead of "come together. Then it was the "For". Don't I have the right "gist"? Isn't that good enough?
I guess the answer is NO. God's word is what it is, and it's not my job to change it. I'm also trying to sort out why I need to keep hearing this verse--how is "coming together" different from "gathering together"? He's got a lesson in there for me somewhere...
That seems to be my pace for the current verse--I think I'm on day 10 of this week (and there are only six "days" in each week!). I was SURE I had it today, but this is what the screen said...
You entered:
For where two or three come together in my name there I am with them
The correct verse is:
For where two or three come together in my name there am I with them
Matthew 18:20
Argh! First I was hung up on "gather together" instead of "come together. Then it was the "For". Don't I have the right "gist"? Isn't that good enough?
I guess the answer is NO. God's word is what it is, and it's not my job to change it. I'm also trying to sort out why I need to keep hearing this verse--how is "coming together" different from "gathering together"? He's got a lesson in there for me somewhere...
Friday, September 21, 2007
Quarters in the soles of my shoes...
Tonight I started to put on my shoes, and discovered where the contents of my change jar went...Thanks, Henry and Harmony. Guess you thought I'd do some shopping on my run?
Guess that's life with preschoolers in the house...rocks in my dryer, legos on the floor, dolls in my bed, quarters in my shoes...I wouldn't have it any other way!
Guess that's life with preschoolers in the house...rocks in my dryer, legos on the floor, dolls in my bed, quarters in my shoes...I wouldn't have it any other way!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
That's why they call it research!
I feel like half of what I do in my research is look for things I've already looked for...you know, re-search? Today it was:
Where's the sterile distilled water?
Where's the tape?
Where are the molecular weight markers?
Where is the skinny sharpie? All I can find are the thick ones, and they're too fat to write on the top of this lid.
Where's the sterile distilled water? (Oh yeah, I brought it to the DNA purification station.)
Where's my DNA?
Where'd I put the molecular weight markers?
Where is the fat sharpie? The skinny ones wear off the plates to easily
Where's the sterile distilled water? (Oh yeah, it's over at the gel station.)
And that was by 10 am...
The experiments go the same way:
Which fraction is my protein in?
Where are the yeast colonies with my DNA in it? Oops, I was supposed to put in 200 micrograms, not 200 microliters...no wonder it didn't work, that was 10x too much, guess I'll be doing that experiment again...
Where'd I put that gel?
Did I put the right stuff in that tube?
You have to be persistent and an optimist to be a scientist...and it would help if I were more organized!
Where's the sterile distilled water?
Where's the tape?
Where are the molecular weight markers?
Where is the skinny sharpie? All I can find are the thick ones, and they're too fat to write on the top of this lid.
Where's the sterile distilled water? (Oh yeah, I brought it to the DNA purification station.)
Where's my DNA?
Where'd I put the molecular weight markers?
Where is the fat sharpie? The skinny ones wear off the plates to easily
Where's the sterile distilled water? (Oh yeah, it's over at the gel station.)
And that was by 10 am...
The experiments go the same way:
Which fraction is my protein in?
Where are the yeast colonies with my DNA in it? Oops, I was supposed to put in 200 micrograms, not 200 microliters...no wonder it didn't work, that was 10x too much, guess I'll be doing that experiment again...
Where'd I put that gel?
Did I put the right stuff in that tube?
You have to be persistent and an optimist to be a scientist...and it would help if I were more organized!
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Thankful Thursday, miscarriage edition
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Always, Continually, In All Things...that's a tall order. But I've decided that I need to give thanks for the good things God has brought out of my miscarriage.
Thanks, Lord, for making yourself very real to me during the miscarriage process.
Thanks for teaching me to treasure my living children more fully.
Thanks for the opportunity to be vulnerable with other Christians, leading to deeper relationships and a fuller knowledge of who they are.
Thanks for giving me a glimpse of what it means to sacrifice your child, and for Your Child to take on death for us.
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to run the Indianapolis MiniMarathon...and for all the prayer time as I ran and prayed.
Thank you that you work everything together for the good of those who love you--I love you, so keep working it together :)
Always, Continually, In All Things...that's a tall order. But I've decided that I need to give thanks for the good things God has brought out of my miscarriage.
Thanks, Lord, for making yourself very real to me during the miscarriage process.
Thanks for teaching me to treasure my living children more fully.
Thanks for the opportunity to be vulnerable with other Christians, leading to deeper relationships and a fuller knowledge of who they are.
Thanks for giving me a glimpse of what it means to sacrifice your child, and for Your Child to take on death for us.
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to run the Indianapolis MiniMarathon...and for all the prayer time as I ran and prayed.
Thank you that you work everything together for the good of those who love you--I love you, so keep working it together :)
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Monday, September 10, 2007
Yummy and random stuff
Just random stuff...
--Harmony has a new phrase--"Mom, this is just hill-ar-ee-ous!!" Then launches into a story. She talks non-stop when she's tired!
--Henry convinced Pappaw to duct tape two of his light sabers together to make one like Darth Maul's. I'm waiting for him to break something with them--good thing he knows the rule is outside only!
--We made some really good chocolate sorbet (I used low fat coconut milk for the water--it turned out REALLY GOOD but not very coconutty). If you want to start drooling, check out the ice cream recipes on this blog. I think I'm going to be using the ice cream maker some more!!!
--Harmony has a new phrase--"Mom, this is just hill-ar-ee-ous!!" Then launches into a story. She talks non-stop when she's tired!
--Henry convinced Pappaw to duct tape two of his light sabers together to make one like Darth Maul's. I'm waiting for him to break something with them--good thing he knows the rule is outside only!
--We made some really good chocolate sorbet (I used low fat coconut milk for the water--it turned out REALLY GOOD but not very coconutty). If you want to start drooling, check out the ice cream recipes on this blog. I think I'm going to be using the ice cream maker some more!!!
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Empty arms
I'm having an "empty arms" day today. If I hadn't miscarried, I'd be due soon, and since it was twins, they probably would have come around now. It really hit me at church today, what life would have been like...the family room converted to a nursery, holding a sweet newborn, trying to figure out how to nurse two, how to pay attention to Henry and Harmony, wondering how they'd react, how we'd manage everything... My head knows that what happened was for the best, there are things I wouldn't have been able to do or lessons I wouldn't have learned if I hadn't miscarried, but my heart still has to mourn these things.
It doesn't help that I think I'm hitting a midlife crisis a little early--the whole experience has me feeling like my biological usefulness is over, and given my age, that might be true.
God, all I can say is that I trust you.
It doesn't help that I think I'm hitting a midlife crisis a little early--the whole experience has me feeling like my biological usefulness is over, and given my age, that might be true.
God, all I can say is that I trust you.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Who am I?
Yup, it's week 7 of the I AM...so you don't have to be study. They're starting another round, so if you didn't join, here's your chance!
When we last left the ranch, Moses had just met God in a burning bush on the far side of the wilderness. God has asked him to go and tell Pharoah to let His people go.
This week we're looking at Moses's response in Exodus 3:11: But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"
What strikes me most about God's response is: it's not about you, it's about me. It doesn't matter what your qualifications are, because I'll be with you. How easily we get stuck on ME and what I can do, and forget that we're just the instrument, it's really all about GOD and what HE can do.
How would you answer the questions, "Who Am I?"
Unlike Moses I suffer from having too many titles--mom, wife, professor, Kid's church teacher...some days I wonder who I am if I scrape off all those titles. I think I'm having a bit of an early midlife crisis--who am I anyway?
Have you ever been in a situation where you felt inadequate because of your lack of a 'tagline'?
No, but I've recently been in some meetings where it's obvious that God is grooming me for something, because I am definitely the youngest and least credentialed person at the table. It's intimidating, and my gut response is to withdraw. But God's put me there for a reason...now I just have to figure out what that reason is.
How are you with your dialogue vs. doubt conversations with God? Which does God hear most from you?
I'm afraid I sound more like my kids when they're whining than I'd like to...why can't I stay at home? Why do I have to do research? Why won't my body do what I want it to? Why can't I...blah blah blah. What I've got to remember is that it's not about me, it's about what God can do through me, and to just get over myself.
Thanks God, that you promise to be with us, and that's all we need to do your work. Help me to look past myself and trust you with the tasks you've put before me.
When we last left the ranch, Moses had just met God in a burning bush on the far side of the wilderness. God has asked him to go and tell Pharoah to let His people go.
This week we're looking at Moses's response in Exodus 3:11: But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"
What strikes me most about God's response is: it's not about you, it's about me. It doesn't matter what your qualifications are, because I'll be with you. How easily we get stuck on ME and what I can do, and forget that we're just the instrument, it's really all about GOD and what HE can do.
How would you answer the questions, "Who Am I?"
Unlike Moses I suffer from having too many titles--mom, wife, professor, Kid's church teacher...some days I wonder who I am if I scrape off all those titles. I think I'm having a bit of an early midlife crisis--who am I anyway?
Have you ever been in a situation where you felt inadequate because of your lack of a 'tagline'?
No, but I've recently been in some meetings where it's obvious that God is grooming me for something, because I am definitely the youngest and least credentialed person at the table. It's intimidating, and my gut response is to withdraw. But God's put me there for a reason...now I just have to figure out what that reason is.
How are you with your dialogue vs. doubt conversations with God? Which does God hear most from you?
I'm afraid I sound more like my kids when they're whining than I'd like to...why can't I stay at home? Why do I have to do research? Why won't my body do what I want it to? Why can't I...blah blah blah. What I've got to remember is that it's not about me, it's about what God can do through me, and to just get over myself.
Thanks God, that you promise to be with us, and that's all we need to do your work. Help me to look past myself and trust you with the tasks you've put before me.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
God definitely uses my devotions
I'll let you read it yourself. God's timing is as always, amazing.
http://proverbs31devotions.blogspot.com/2007/09/surrendering-your-marriage.html
http://proverbs31devotions.blogspot.com/2007/09/surrendering-your-marriage.html
Wordless Wednesday--Crazy things in my town...
Check out the rates...a penny is 6 minutes, a nickel is 30 minutes, and a DIME is the biggest denomination the meter takes! And yes, they're still enforced--the fine is $2 :) How they can afford to enforce them, I don't know...
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
More is better, right?
Patrick called me from the farmer's market on Saturday--"Do you want me to pick up some peaches and corn?"
Sounds good to me...but he comes home with a baker's dozen of EACH. To me, "some" means three or four, not 13! And to add injury, every single ear of corn had silk worms--ew. But Henry and Harmony helped me husk them and I cut off the wormy parts...and now we'll be eating corn and peaches all week :) Anyone want some?
Sounds good to me...but he comes home with a baker's dozen of EACH. To me, "some" means three or four, not 13! And to add injury, every single ear of corn had silk worms--ew. But Henry and Harmony helped me husk them and I cut off the wormy parts...and now we'll be eating corn and peaches all week :) Anyone want some?
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Henry's version of Star Wars
Henry is very into Star Wars today...despite never seeing any of the movies. His stories are based on what he's seen on Cheese Nips boxes (his first introduction to Star Wars), Wierd Al Yankovic's Yoda song, packages and inserts from Star Wars toys he's gotten, and stories he's heard from his friends.
His stories are pretty interesting--Princess Leia is a dog, Luke is his dad, Obi Won Kenobi died in a battle with Darth Vader...and if you try to correct the facts, you're met with a "nuh-huh, So-and-so said so," where so-and-so is someone with about as much Star Wars knowledge as he has.
While it's sometimes humorous to see what stories he invents (like needing to say a Bible verse before beginning a light "saver" duel), it reminds me that if I want to know the facts, I should go to the source. I've found a really good devotional I like at Proverbs31 and Mourning into Dancing, but it reminds me that I need time in the Word myself, not relying on what others tell me. I'll still keep reading them--they do a great job of pointing me to things I need to address in my life and modeling what my quiet time should look like, but I need the source, too. I'm glad that I get passages e-mailed to me every day from a Bible in a Year plan.
Thanks for your Word, Lord, and that I can hear it directly from You.
His stories are pretty interesting--Princess Leia is a dog, Luke is his dad, Obi Won Kenobi died in a battle with Darth Vader...and if you try to correct the facts, you're met with a "nuh-huh, So-and-so said so," where so-and-so is someone with about as much Star Wars knowledge as he has.
While it's sometimes humorous to see what stories he invents (like needing to say a Bible verse before beginning a light "saver" duel), it reminds me that if I want to know the facts, I should go to the source. I've found a really good devotional I like at Proverbs31 and Mourning into Dancing, but it reminds me that I need time in the Word myself, not relying on what others tell me. I'll still keep reading them--they do a great job of pointing me to things I need to address in my life and modeling what my quiet time should look like, but I need the source, too. I'm glad that I get passages e-mailed to me every day from a Bible in a Year plan.
Thanks for your Word, Lord, and that I can hear it directly from You.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Ever wanted God to talk to you in an audible voice?
Well, he did this morning. I dropped the kids off at preschool and was driving home. Henry is into a Christian Ska band right now, and that wasn't what I wanted to hear, so I changed it to a Christian radio station. I don't know who the speaker was, but he might as well have been God speaking directly to me.
Here's what I started drafting last night:
I just finished lesson 6 of the I AM...so you don't have to be Bible Study. It focuses on Moses meeting God in the burning bush on the west side of the wilderness. Once again, right where I am! Do you ever feel God has forgotten you in your 'west side of the wilderness'? This question really resonated with me right now. I don't know if I'm having a midlife crisis or what, but I'm feeling very unsettled about everything. The call was very clear for me to come to my job, but I'm just not "that into it" right now. The grass is definitely looking greener on the other side of the fence. I'd rather be staying home with my kids.
And here's what God was saying on the radio this morning, in a nutshell:
"Your job is a gift from God. He trained you and equipped you to be right where you are. What you do with your job is your gift to God."
Thanks, God. Sometimes I need your voice in an audible sense!
Now too bad I was to sick and dizzy to do much of anything at work.... :)
Lord, thanks for your written and audible Word, and for Christian radio stations.
Here's what I started drafting last night:
I just finished lesson 6 of the I AM...so you don't have to be Bible Study. It focuses on Moses meeting God in the burning bush on the west side of the wilderness. Once again, right where I am! Do you ever feel God has forgotten you in your 'west side of the wilderness'? This question really resonated with me right now. I don't know if I'm having a midlife crisis or what, but I'm feeling very unsettled about everything. The call was very clear for me to come to my job, but I'm just not "that into it" right now. The grass is definitely looking greener on the other side of the fence. I'd rather be staying home with my kids.
And here's what God was saying on the radio this morning, in a nutshell:
"Your job is a gift from God. He trained you and equipped you to be right where you are. What you do with your job is your gift to God."
Thanks, God. Sometimes I need your voice in an audible sense!
Now too bad I was to sick and dizzy to do much of anything at work.... :)
Lord, thanks for your written and audible Word, and for Christian radio stations.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Left overs
Tonight we had leftovers for dinner--I had leftovers for lunch, too. We'll probably all have leftovers for lunch and dinner tomorrow, while we're at it.
I feel like I'm kind of having a leftover life right now--everything is microwaved, and either too hot or still cold in the middle. There are not nearly enough hours in the day, and I'd really rather be staying home with my kids than working. Patrick and I did a lot of tag team this weekend to keep Harmony home, so we haven't had a real chance to talk about anything lately. It doesn't help that he got to go to a movie on Saturday night and to a concert on Sunday night, while my plans to go to a gathering at a friend's house today didn't happen...and I didn't get to go running all weekend either. I've not been getting nearly enough sleep, and I feel like sometimes God is getting the leftovers too.
Sorry for leftovers again, God. Please finish cleaning out my fridge of a heart and fill it with You.
I feel like I'm kind of having a leftover life right now--everything is microwaved, and either too hot or still cold in the middle. There are not nearly enough hours in the day, and I'd really rather be staying home with my kids than working. Patrick and I did a lot of tag team this weekend to keep Harmony home, so we haven't had a real chance to talk about anything lately. It doesn't help that he got to go to a movie on Saturday night and to a concert on Sunday night, while my plans to go to a gathering at a friend's house today didn't happen...and I didn't get to go running all weekend either. I've not been getting nearly enough sleep, and I feel like sometimes God is getting the leftovers too.
Sorry for leftovers again, God. Please finish cleaning out my fridge of a heart and fill it with You.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
God working everything together for good
Harmony's been sick since Thursday--she seems fine, then randomly throws up. At first we thought she had just gotten overheated and a little car sick on Thursday night, but there was a repeat performance Friday morning (milk on an empty stomach--on her insistence), late Friday night, and in the middle of the night Saturday. Here's prayers for a puke-free night :)
But God worked it together for good. Friday was scheduled to be a crazy day--work in the morning, birthday party in the afternoon, and a three fork dinner for eight that evening. But Harmony being sick cancelled the first two events--(we thought she was non-contagious, so the dinner party went on, with Harmony mostly hiding in her room or attached to my side). That gave us some precious family time, and we actually managed to pull off dinner, which was more complicated than we thought :) It also meant that Saturday was simpler--only Henry went to the other birthday party for the weekend, and only Patrick, Henry and a friend went to the Taste.
So though I don't wish a sick child or cleaning up lots of vomit on anyone, I'm glad God worked it for good, and I really enjoyed the more relaxed pace :)
But God worked it together for good. Friday was scheduled to be a crazy day--work in the morning, birthday party in the afternoon, and a three fork dinner for eight that evening. But Harmony being sick cancelled the first two events--(we thought she was non-contagious, so the dinner party went on, with Harmony mostly hiding in her room or attached to my side). That gave us some precious family time, and we actually managed to pull off dinner, which was more complicated than we thought :) It also meant that Saturday was simpler--only Henry went to the other birthday party for the weekend, and only Patrick, Henry and a friend went to the Taste.
So though I don't wish a sick child or cleaning up lots of vomit on anyone, I'm glad God worked it for good, and I really enjoyed the more relaxed pace :)
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Wordless Wednesday--Funny Feet
Pedicure by Harmony, Sandal lines by the sun...Isaiah 52: 7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"
Here's hoping my exposure to the Son makes as visible an imprint as the sun has on my feet!
Monday, August 20, 2007
Ever wondered if God is trying to tell you something?
Bible verse for Sunday School this week: 1 Chronicles 16:8: Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
My Bible in a Year reading: 1 Chronicles 16: 7-43...a fuller explanation of how to give thanks, call on his name, and make His name known among the nations.
Gotcha. I know what's on my to do list for this week! I know my Bible Memory program has a different verse for me this week, but this seems to be the one God's telling me to work on!
Thanks, Lord, for all the great things you've done! Help me call on You and tell others what you've done.
My Bible in a Year reading: 1 Chronicles 16: 7-43...a fuller explanation of how to give thanks, call on his name, and make His name known among the nations.
Gotcha. I know what's on my to do list for this week! I know my Bible Memory program has a different verse for me this week, but this seems to be the one God's telling me to work on!
Thanks, Lord, for all the great things you've done! Help me call on You and tell others what you've done.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Back to school season
Back to school means a whole different thing when you're no longer a student...I can't park on campus (not that big of a deal, but less convenient since I'm in the car from taking the kids to preschool anyway); the neighbors and people walking by our house are louder; meetings, meetings, and more meetings; Fazolis for lunch after church is a thing of the past...sigh.
But the good thing about the Saturday before school starts is that it's the anniversary of our engagement! Neither one of us can remember the exact date, but I do know it was the Saturday before the start of school, 1996... Patrick decided he wanted to get a roommate to help pay for his house, so he had me read three ads he was thinking about putting in the paper, and the last one said something along the lines of, "I don't want a roommate, I want you. Will you marry me?" And the rest is history... :)
Happy Back to School!
But the good thing about the Saturday before school starts is that it's the anniversary of our engagement! Neither one of us can remember the exact date, but I do know it was the Saturday before the start of school, 1996... Patrick decided he wanted to get a roommate to help pay for his house, so he had me read three ads he was thinking about putting in the paper, and the last one said something along the lines of, "I don't want a roommate, I want you. Will you marry me?" And the rest is history... :)
Happy Back to School!
Friday, August 17, 2007
ISO: Paul
Every person should seek to have three individuals in their life: a Paul, a Barnabas, and a Timothy.
A Paul is an older person who is willing to mentor you, to build into your life. Not someone who’s smarter or more gifted than you, but somebody who’s been down the road. Somebody willing to share their strengths and weaknesses — everything they have learned in the laboratory of life. Somebody whose faith you’ll want to imitate.
A Barnabas is a soul friend, somebody who loves you but is not impressed by you. Somebody to whom you can be accountable. Somebody who’s willing to keep you honest, who’s willing to say, “Hey, you’re neglecting your spouse, and don’t give me any guff!”
A Timothy is a younger person into whose life you are building. For a model, read 1st and 2nd Timothy. Here was Paul, the quintessential mentor, building into the life of his protégé — affirming, encouraging, teaching, correcting, directing, praying.
Do you have these three people in your life?
By Howard Hendricks, Professor at Dallas Theological Seminary in Men of Integrity, Vol. 1, no. 1.
To answer the question, I have "Barnabas"s (what's the plural of Barnabas?), I have "Timothy"s, but not a Paul. I've been blessed with some great Barnabas's since we got back from sabbatical--it's great having friends who are going through similar things and that we can encourage each other. Many, many thanks, Jen, Amanda, and Kim :)
I also have a Timothy right now--today I had lunch with Julia, a high school student who "hung out" in my lab this summer. It was very cool to feel like I was actually mentoring someone--it was just a much different feel than with my students, and yet it was very natural. I'm also going to see if a new, junior colleague is interested in running with me once a week...we'll see if that becomes a "Timothy".
But I don't have a Paul. In fact, I'm not sure I've ever had a Paul. I have a history of leading things I've never participated in--4-H camp, Bible camp, Church Youth Days, sessions for students interested in teaching at small colleges...never done 'em, but lead them. I could really use a Paul somedays, someone who has been there, done that, and has some advice on what they'd do if they could do it all over again.
Lord, show me a "Paul" in my life--someone with wisdom and experience who can point me to You and how to live it out.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Thankful Thursday
This week's lesson for Sunday School is the healing of the ten lepers--only one came back to say "Thank you!" I want to be the one that says "thank you," not the nine that don't!
--Thank you, Lord, that you heal us even when we don't return and say thanks.
--Thanks for healing my ulcerative colitis last fall. That was such a blessing in so many ways.
--Thanks for the incredible windfall of being able to pay myself summer salary from a grant. Help us spend/invest it wisely. It's such a privelege and a challenge to use our resources in a way that honors you.
--Thanks for the opportunity to teach our children about you, and many, many thanks to Danielle's Place for the creative ideas that work so well in teaching our preschoolers.
--Thanks for giving us friends to be our Paul, our Timothy and our Barnabas.
--Thanks for guiding us and leading us, even when we don't know exactly where we're going. Help us to trust and rely upon you for manna today, not worrying about tomorrow.
--Thank you, Lord, that you heal us even when we don't return and say thanks.
--Thanks for healing my ulcerative colitis last fall. That was such a blessing in so many ways.
--Thanks for the incredible windfall of being able to pay myself summer salary from a grant. Help us spend/invest it wisely. It's such a privelege and a challenge to use our resources in a way that honors you.
--Thanks for the opportunity to teach our children about you, and many, many thanks to Danielle's Place for the creative ideas that work so well in teaching our preschoolers.
--Thanks for giving us friends to be our Paul, our Timothy and our Barnabas.
--Thanks for guiding us and leading us, even when we don't know exactly where we're going. Help us to trust and rely upon you for manna today, not worrying about tomorrow.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
"I Was"
I've been slowly working my way through The Preacher's Wife on-line Bible Study on Moses. It's been so powerful and exactly the issues I need to deal with! Although Lisa is done posting it, I'm on lesson 5 of 12...
The lesson focuses on Moses after he left Egypt the first time, in Exodus 2: 21-22: "Then Moses was content to live with the man, and he gave Zipporah his daughter to Moses. And she bore him a son. He called his name Gershom, for he said, “I have been a stranger in a foreign land.”"
Two main points from the lesson--first, the word content. This is not the blissful content, this is "I'm determined to make this work" kind of content. Settling, perhaps. The second is the name of his son--it sounds like Moses is thinking of himself as a has-been.
My gut reaction to these questions is to not answer them--it feels too raw. But that would be defeating the point of the study, so here we go...
1. Have you ever found yourself 'in faith' yet bewildered or demoralized?
I think I'm kind of struggling with it right now. I feel pretty burnt out about everything--I'm not feeling as called to my work right now, research is aways three steps forward two steps back, and it's just frustrating.
2. Do you consider yourself content? Would you describe it as Decidedly Content or Dreamily Content?
Usually content. I love hanging out with my kids--that's dreamily content. I'm "decidedly content" with our house--we're in year 9 of a rennovation project, and the reason it's taking so long is I've decided to be content to move at Patrick's pace...which is sometimes very hard.
3. If you are not content, are there circumstances that keep you from this feeling?
The unending house project, aspects of my job. I have a feeling God is making us feel some discontent so that we'll be willing to go where he wants to send us, but we just don't know where that is. (Maybe that's next week study!)
4. Have you ever found yourself in a place where you looked back on a period of your Christian walk and believed a great opportunity passed you by?
Not a great opportunity, just lots of little, "why didn't I just..." moments.
5. Do you ever believe your faith was stronger in an earlier time in your Christianity and find yourself floundering now?
Yes. Is there such a thing as an eleven year itch when it comes to faith? It's not that I'm looking outside for satisfaction, it just is a bit of a dry spell right now--kind of the "blahs", going through the motions.
6. Can you recognize that this season may be one of great preparation instead of a period of "I Was"?
I suppose :) We've been feeling like God's preparing us for something anyway, but not quite knowing what that is.
The lesson focuses on Moses after he left Egypt the first time, in Exodus 2: 21-22: "Then Moses was content to live with the man, and he gave Zipporah his daughter to Moses. And she bore him a son. He called his name Gershom, for he said, “I have been a stranger in a foreign land.”"
Two main points from the lesson--first, the word content. This is not the blissful content, this is "I'm determined to make this work" kind of content. Settling, perhaps. The second is the name of his son--it sounds like Moses is thinking of himself as a has-been.
My gut reaction to these questions is to not answer them--it feels too raw. But that would be defeating the point of the study, so here we go...
1. Have you ever found yourself 'in faith' yet bewildered or demoralized?
I think I'm kind of struggling with it right now. I feel pretty burnt out about everything--I'm not feeling as called to my work right now, research is aways three steps forward two steps back, and it's just frustrating.
2. Do you consider yourself content? Would you describe it as Decidedly Content or Dreamily Content?
Usually content. I love hanging out with my kids--that's dreamily content. I'm "decidedly content" with our house--we're in year 9 of a rennovation project, and the reason it's taking so long is I've decided to be content to move at Patrick's pace...which is sometimes very hard.
3. If you are not content, are there circumstances that keep you from this feeling?
The unending house project, aspects of my job. I have a feeling God is making us feel some discontent so that we'll be willing to go where he wants to send us, but we just don't know where that is. (Maybe that's next week study!)
4. Have you ever found yourself in a place where you looked back on a period of your Christian walk and believed a great opportunity passed you by?
Not a great opportunity, just lots of little, "why didn't I just..." moments.
5. Do you ever believe your faith was stronger in an earlier time in your Christianity and find yourself floundering now?
Yes. Is there such a thing as an eleven year itch when it comes to faith? It's not that I'm looking outside for satisfaction, it just is a bit of a dry spell right now--kind of the "blahs", going through the motions.
6. Can you recognize that this season may be one of great preparation instead of a period of "I Was"?
I suppose :) We've been feeling like God's preparing us for something anyway, but not quite knowing what that is.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Happy Birthday, Henry!
I can't believe he's turning five tomorrow! His party was today, and all went well. The cake decorations were my first attempt at fondant frosting--it went well, but I should have read the second and third google directions that have you mix in some of the powdered sugar before you start kneeding it--it was a sticky (but yummy!) mess! I'll definitely be making it again--the reults are worth the mess :)
Friday, August 10, 2007
Is your blog loading slowly?
I know mine was today...and I finally got to the bottom of it.
I think I had a blog virus! When I posted my Thankful Thursday this (well, yesterday) morning, something wierd popped in the posting box. I deleted it and made my post, but all day my blog was taking like 20 minutes to load. I changed the number of posts on the front page to 7 so there would only be one picture on the front page, but that didn't improve it.
So I went looking for help. The blogspot help was not helpful, but a Google search lead me to http://tools.pingdom.com/ which evaluates how long it takes each element of your page to load. I discovered something called http://d5d1.com/b' embedded in my page was what the problem was...but what IS it? And how to get rid of it?
Luckily I found this post which described exactly how to fix it. It was kind of mind numbing looking for that little phrase buried in the template of my blog, but it was worth finding it--I'm back to loading in a couple of seconds instead of minutes.
Wow. It reminds me that I need to be diligent about seeking out my sin and removing it from my life. It may seem like a small thing, but it doesn't take much to ruin a life...or a blog!
Search my heart, O Lord; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
I think I had a blog virus! When I posted my Thankful Thursday this (well, yesterday) morning, something wierd popped in the posting box. I deleted it and made my post, but all day my blog was taking like 20 minutes to load. I changed the number of posts on the front page to 7 so there would only be one picture on the front page, but that didn't improve it.
So I went looking for help. The blogspot help was not helpful, but a Google search lead me to http://tools.pingdom.com/ which evaluates how long it takes each element of your page to load. I discovered something called http://d5d1.com/b' embedded in my page was what the problem was...but what IS it? And how to get rid of it?
Luckily I found this post which described exactly how to fix it. It was kind of mind numbing looking for that little phrase buried in the template of my blog, but it was worth finding it--I'm back to loading in a couple of seconds instead of minutes.
Wow. It reminds me that I need to be diligent about seeking out my sin and removing it from my life. It may seem like a small thing, but it doesn't take much to ruin a life...or a blog!
Search my heart, O Lord; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Serendipity or God's hand?
Could you tell the difference?
http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/life/themorningread/article_1796146.php
Please pray for Sumba, Margaretha, and Abbie!
http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/life/themorningread/article_1796146.php
Please pray for Sumba, Margaretha, and Abbie!
GPS camp
That's where Henry wanted to send his VBS craft--he didn't want to bring it home.
This was puzzling, so we asked him about GPS camp, and he said it's where you go if you're house has been blown up.
Aha. Refugee camp. The offering for the week was school supplies to be sent to refugee camps.
Thanks, Lord, for impacting Henry with your Word and showing him what it means to step out in it.
This was puzzling, so we asked him about GPS camp, and he said it's where you go if you're house has been blown up.
Aha. Refugee camp. The offering for the week was school supplies to be sent to refugee camps.
Thanks, Lord, for impacting Henry with your Word and showing him what it means to step out in it.
Thankful Thursday
--Vacation Bible School. The kids are learning God's word, the leaders are loving them, and we're getting a break! We don't know quite what to do with ourselves...
--Growth at our church. Stretching and exciting!
--An unexpected windfall
--Water parks! We had a great time at Tropicanoe Cove yesterday--and with family night, the price couldn't be beat!
--Growth at our church. Stretching and exciting!
--An unexpected windfall
--Water parks! We had a great time at Tropicanoe Cove yesterday--and with family night, the price couldn't be beat!
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Monday, August 6, 2007
My Visa commercial
Flour, water and old newspapers: practically free.
A balloon: a few breaths of Henry's hot air.
Cleaning the kitchen: don't ask! too bad Matilde came this morning!
Henry's excitement about the Death Star pinata: priceless.
I think this is going to be one of those "it would have been worth it to buy the pinata" projects...
A balloon: a few breaths of Henry's hot air.
Cleaning the kitchen: don't ask! too bad Matilde came this morning!
Henry's excitement about the Death Star pinata: priceless.
I think this is going to be one of those "it would have been worth it to buy the pinata" projects...
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Party Planning
Henry has been planning his 5th birthday party since...oh, two days after his 4th birthday party. The original knight party plans were very detailed, and involved me having to find horses to keep in the front yard and a dragon to tame in the back alley, and a guest appearance by Batman.
Plans have changed. I'm glad I don't have to find any fire breathing animals or superheroes, but finding Star Wars stuff is almost as hard. I did finally find some over-priced decorations at a party store today. $20 for a Darth Vader that will be destroyed in five minutes? I don't think so! I think I'll be up to my elbows in paper mache and making my own Death Star pinata (note to self, must find silver spray paint).
I've also discovered that it's a bad idea to have nine children invited to a party--all the stuff comes in packs of 8. It was hard, though, since we had to invite all three neighbor boys and one friend from school, plus the princess contingency (both for Henry and Harmony's sakes! Henry said it wouldn't be a party without Emma, Ruthie and Olivia there--who would be Princess Leia or Amadela?) Here's hoping someone doesn't show up, else Harmony will be eating on a princess plate instead!
So here's the plan:
--light sabers (savers, as Henry calls them) made out of pool noodles
--Games:
*Jedi training: Use the force (and the light saber) to keep a balloon from touching the ground
*Save Han Solo (a picture of whom will be hidden in an inflated balloon--they have to pop the balloons to free him)
*Destroy the Death Star pinata (with the light sabers)
--Food
*Make your own Padwan (or should it be Jabba the Hutt?) Pizza
*Sith Salad
*Fruit Light Sabers
*Yoda Soda (sprite plus mint chocolate chip ice cream)
*Either a light saber shaped cake or a rectangular cake decorated with Star Wars figurines (arranged like a battle)
*Annakin Ice cream
--Favors
*The pool noodle light sabers
*toys and candy from the pinata
*pretzel light sabers (pretzel rods dipped in red or green chocolate and rolled in colored sugar)
*Wookie Cookies (chocolate chip or toffee cookies)
*Star Wars stickers
*Star Wars Coloring book (I printed pictures off the internet)
Do you think I have enough or too much planned? The party is 3 hrs. I'm guessing an hour and a half for the games (pinata when the pizzas are in the oven) and pizza prep, an hour to eat lunch, and a half hour to open presents. I'm thinking that I'm short a game...any ideas?
Plans have changed. I'm glad I don't have to find any fire breathing animals or superheroes, but finding Star Wars stuff is almost as hard. I did finally find some over-priced decorations at a party store today. $20 for a Darth Vader that will be destroyed in five minutes? I don't think so! I think I'll be up to my elbows in paper mache and making my own Death Star pinata (note to self, must find silver spray paint).
I've also discovered that it's a bad idea to have nine children invited to a party--all the stuff comes in packs of 8. It was hard, though, since we had to invite all three neighbor boys and one friend from school, plus the princess contingency (both for Henry and Harmony's sakes! Henry said it wouldn't be a party without Emma, Ruthie and Olivia there--who would be Princess Leia or Amadela?) Here's hoping someone doesn't show up, else Harmony will be eating on a princess plate instead!
So here's the plan:
--light sabers (savers, as Henry calls them) made out of pool noodles
--Games:
*Jedi training: Use the force (and the light saber) to keep a balloon from touching the ground
*Save Han Solo (a picture of whom will be hidden in an inflated balloon--they have to pop the balloons to free him)
*Destroy the Death Star pinata (with the light sabers)
--Food
*Make your own Padwan (or should it be Jabba the Hutt?) Pizza
*Sith Salad
*Fruit Light Sabers
*Yoda Soda (sprite plus mint chocolate chip ice cream)
*Either a light saber shaped cake or a rectangular cake decorated with Star Wars figurines (arranged like a battle)
*Annakin Ice cream
--Favors
*The pool noodle light sabers
*toys and candy from the pinata
*pretzel light sabers (pretzel rods dipped in red or green chocolate and rolled in colored sugar)
*Wookie Cookies (chocolate chip or toffee cookies)
*Star Wars stickers
*Star Wars Coloring book (I printed pictures off the internet)
Do you think I have enough or too much planned? The party is 3 hrs. I'm guessing an hour and a half for the games (pinata when the pizzas are in the oven) and pizza prep, an hour to eat lunch, and a half hour to open presents. I'm thinking that I'm short a game...any ideas?
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Three dozen
That's how old I am now--my birthday was yesterday. I feel OLD! My friend Jen threw a wonderful birthday party for our family and hers. She made an awesome German chocolate cake--it was WONDERFUL! I am so thankful she organized it--it was much better than the pity party I was having for myself.
Patrick gave me a song--though I don't really feel like I fit it!
Patrick gave me a song--though I don't really feel like I fit it!
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
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