and He receives the glory, there is rejoicing in my heart all over again.
I've just had the sweetest weekend of teaching a group of women that for eight years running has held a retreat in January. They always ask a different speaker, and this year they asked me to teach. The topic was The Steadfast Love of God and the text was Isaiah 36-40.
In the course of teaching I shared a little of our testimony, told how I have experienced the steadfast love of God through James' illness and death and through the adoption of our first son, Nate. The story catches me by the throat even as I remember the darkness and His great light, the terrible sorrow and His precious comfort. And in many ways, our story in all of its details can be overwhelming to the listener. The "I cannot imagine what she went through" business goes through heads.
That worries me though because the point of my teaching is not how it looked or felt in my life, but how mightily and powerfully God intervened to have His purposes worked out. I heard Nancy Guthrie say one time after sharing her story and having my own "I can't imagine what she went through" thought in my head, that her story was only as powerful as it was used to glorify God. How I agree with her on that.
I didn't ask for the story that the Lord has given us. I would never have written in the 2 year illness of our firstborn son and then his death. I would never have written in the toll on our marriage or the broken relationships that came in the years following because of the deep depression of grief. I certainly would not have thought of the surprise of a preemie baby becoming ours or the losses and gains that occurred over the next three years in family and home. Those were the days that I despaired, believing our story would ultimately crush us, that there was no happy ever after for us.
But our story is one of God showing abundant grace and mercy to two people undeserving and imperfect in the highest degree. It is the story of a Savior who does not let His children go; who holds them in His hands (even when one of us was trying to pry herself out). A story of forgiveness and reconciliation and restoration and redemption. It is the story of miracles and common things that because the Lord was in them are still miracles.
A story that is only useful, that is only beautiful as it glorifies God and not the characters. So while God gave me a venue to tell again of His steadfast love in my life, I also spoke the truths of His word to these ladies and reminded them that God wrote Hezekiah's story, Judah's story, my story, and He is writing theirs as well. To Him alone be the glory in each of them.
Showing posts with label Thankfulness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thankfulness. Show all posts
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Working part-time has been...
a rocking of my world. Honestly.
The job came at an opportune moment both time wise and of financial benefit to our family. I had recently completed an eight year commitment to a volunteer position, the boys were now old enough to be home alone for short periods of time, Husband had finished building an office so he could work from home, and it all seemed like a just right moment.
I took a part time position with an organization I had worked with as a volunteer for 11 years. I thought I knew all the ins and outs. I believe in the mission. I have a personal connection to the mission. I liked all of the staff. So there I was, ready to step in and do the next thing.
Boy oh boy.
Multi-tasking within the home was a skill I have taken the last 20 plus years to develop. And even that development is rife with its faults. Housekeeping being only one example. I've learned a certain level of co-existence with dust bunnies. Ergh.
Multi-tasking between homeschooling, working outside of the home, and those other life things I enjoy like teaching Bible study, well, suffice it to say, I didn't know which side was up, which door was out, or what was for dinner for almost four months. And remembering to reboot the laundry was the last thing on my mind.
Insertion: moms take the time while your children are young to teach them multiple household skills from the kitchen to the laundry room. More than once the boys were invaluable in being able to help and work alongside me in the tasks of running our home.
It was a major transition for all of us. And we didn't make it through without multiple mistakes of short tempers, misunderstandings, temptations to laziness, poor habits, and missed opportunities. We had to restructure our week, our homeschooling schedule, and our time together as a family.
Some of those things are still a work in progress, but I am grateful, oh so grateful to have experienced God's sustaining grace and mercy in that work. I have had to learn hard lessons about myself, about contentment, about expectations, and about my place in a mostly secular environment.
Together as a family we have confronted our failures and celebrated new successes. The days have not been easy, but the lessons have been necessary. Sanctification comes in all sorts of packages. But every time it comes, we can rejoice in the promise of God to complete what He has begun, to provide when we are empty, to forgive when we fail, and to love us enduringly.
It was just supposed to be this little ole' part-time job. Instead it has become a function of God's multiple graces to us.
The job came at an opportune moment both time wise and of financial benefit to our family. I had recently completed an eight year commitment to a volunteer position, the boys were now old enough to be home alone for short periods of time, Husband had finished building an office so he could work from home, and it all seemed like a just right moment.
I took a part time position with an organization I had worked with as a volunteer for 11 years. I thought I knew all the ins and outs. I believe in the mission. I have a personal connection to the mission. I liked all of the staff. So there I was, ready to step in and do the next thing.
Boy oh boy.
Multi-tasking within the home was a skill I have taken the last 20 plus years to develop. And even that development is rife with its faults. Housekeeping being only one example. I've learned a certain level of co-existence with dust bunnies. Ergh.
Multi-tasking between homeschooling, working outside of the home, and those other life things I enjoy like teaching Bible study, well, suffice it to say, I didn't know which side was up, which door was out, or what was for dinner for almost four months. And remembering to reboot the laundry was the last thing on my mind.
Insertion: moms take the time while your children are young to teach them multiple household skills from the kitchen to the laundry room. More than once the boys were invaluable in being able to help and work alongside me in the tasks of running our home.
It was a major transition for all of us. And we didn't make it through without multiple mistakes of short tempers, misunderstandings, temptations to laziness, poor habits, and missed opportunities. We had to restructure our week, our homeschooling schedule, and our time together as a family.
Some of those things are still a work in progress, but I am grateful, oh so grateful to have experienced God's sustaining grace and mercy in that work. I have had to learn hard lessons about myself, about contentment, about expectations, and about my place in a mostly secular environment.
Together as a family we have confronted our failures and celebrated new successes. The days have not been easy, but the lessons have been necessary. Sanctification comes in all sorts of packages. But every time it comes, we can rejoice in the promise of God to complete what He has begun, to provide when we are empty, to forgive when we fail, and to love us enduringly.
It was just supposed to be this little ole' part-time job. Instead it has become a function of God's multiple graces to us.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
The laundry was finished....
for exactly 1/2 hour. Now the room is partially full, but the wheels are turning on the bus again (fresh underwear in your drawers will do that) so I'm taking this moment to blog.
As I said, TGCW12 was a fresh vision for me in a heart-stabbing way. See, I just left a successful (how do we define that?) Bible teaching career of 8 years. I know that I was supposed to leave. I went through all the "this is what you must do to leave a ministry" steps, and yet, I did not (and still do not) know exactly what I am supposed to do next.
I didn't leave teaching because it was too big of a commitment. That's the question I am asked most often. I didn't leave teaching because we are homeschooling two ninth graders this next year and a sixth grader. Although I can understand the pressure that would come with this challenge. I didn't leave teaching because I no longer believed in the ministry. Any ministry that is touched by the hands of men (and women) will not be perfect, but I thoroughly believe in the in-depth teaching of the ministry. I didn't leave teaching because I was burned out on teaching. Rather, my last year of teaching I was more energized for the work of Bible exposition than ever before.
I left teaching because the Lord confirmed to me in scripture, through godly counsel, and in prayer that I was to leave teaching. And honestly, since that confirmation I've been waiting for the "moment" of reading in His Word the next confirmation for what comes next.
<<crickets>>
Not entirely, but no great revelations have landed on my head. Going to the conference was an opportunity to receive some of the best reformed Bible teaching and training available. And I hoped that the Lord through the teaching and training would show me what it is I am to do next. I have a desire to teach and train women in the Bible, in how to study the Bible, in how to teach the Bible, in how to delight in His Word as not a pathway for life but as THE pathway for life.
It was humbling and convicting as I wrestled and worshiped and meditated on all that was poured out in the presentation of our God as awesome, holy, perfect, righteous, omniscient, and transcendent. I felt and knew myself to be oh so small in His presence. And I knew myself grateful to be there, in the presence of so many who delight in His Word and love to tell of Him.
I met yesterday with our church's women's ministry director and told her several of the highlights from the conference. I emailed her some of my notes from the various lectures and workshops. She asked me to teach the introductory lesson to next year's Bible study. Next is a meeting with our Christian education pastor to share with him some ideas I gained from the conference. The pressure to have a specific plan has been removed. Instead, I see these meetings and invitations to be faithful in the small things.
A big takeaway for me was to realize how vast the resources are and how much learning I still need to do. I'm learning to trust right now that perhaps the Lord's confirmation that I was to leave teaching for a time, or at least that intensity of that particular ministry, was for a time of "going back to school" so to say. To spend some concentrated study without the pressure of a weekly result.
My bags came home full of books, full of ideas, full of hope. The Lord will use me in His time, and until that time is revealed, I have a lot of sitting with Him to hear His Word, to be renewed in my thinking, to grow in personal training, and to serve as He gives the opportunities.
As I said, TGCW12 was a fresh vision for me in a heart-stabbing way. See, I just left a successful (how do we define that?) Bible teaching career of 8 years. I know that I was supposed to leave. I went through all the "this is what you must do to leave a ministry" steps, and yet, I did not (and still do not) know exactly what I am supposed to do next.
I didn't leave teaching because it was too big of a commitment. That's the question I am asked most often. I didn't leave teaching because we are homeschooling two ninth graders this next year and a sixth grader. Although I can understand the pressure that would come with this challenge. I didn't leave teaching because I no longer believed in the ministry. Any ministry that is touched by the hands of men (and women) will not be perfect, but I thoroughly believe in the in-depth teaching of the ministry. I didn't leave teaching because I was burned out on teaching. Rather, my last year of teaching I was more energized for the work of Bible exposition than ever before.
I left teaching because the Lord confirmed to me in scripture, through godly counsel, and in prayer that I was to leave teaching. And honestly, since that confirmation I've been waiting for the "moment" of reading in His Word the next confirmation for what comes next.
<<crickets>>
Not entirely, but no great revelations have landed on my head. Going to the conference was an opportunity to receive some of the best reformed Bible teaching and training available. And I hoped that the Lord through the teaching and training would show me what it is I am to do next. I have a desire to teach and train women in the Bible, in how to study the Bible, in how to teach the Bible, in how to delight in His Word as not a pathway for life but as THE pathway for life.
It was humbling and convicting as I wrestled and worshiped and meditated on all that was poured out in the presentation of our God as awesome, holy, perfect, righteous, omniscient, and transcendent. I felt and knew myself to be oh so small in His presence. And I knew myself grateful to be there, in the presence of so many who delight in His Word and love to tell of Him.
I met yesterday with our church's women's ministry director and told her several of the highlights from the conference. I emailed her some of my notes from the various lectures and workshops. She asked me to teach the introductory lesson to next year's Bible study. Next is a meeting with our Christian education pastor to share with him some ideas I gained from the conference. The pressure to have a specific plan has been removed. Instead, I see these meetings and invitations to be faithful in the small things.
A big takeaway for me was to realize how vast the resources are and how much learning I still need to do. I'm learning to trust right now that perhaps the Lord's confirmation that I was to leave teaching for a time, or at least that intensity of that particular ministry, was for a time of "going back to school" so to say. To spend some concentrated study without the pressure of a weekly result.
My bags came home full of books, full of ideas, full of hope. The Lord will use me in His time, and until that time is revealed, I have a lot of sitting with Him to hear His Word, to be renewed in my thinking, to grow in personal training, and to serve as He gives the opportunities.
Monday, June 25, 2012
TGCW12 was....
really, truly, simply, overwhelmingly wonderful. And that's just using a few of the adverbs I'd love to spew in description of the weekend. My brain is overflowingly full. If you poke me, doctrine and theology and Here is Our God quotes will leak out in squeaks, gasps, spurts, and sighs.
Several of the speakers I have read or heard via internet. But there is a whole new dimension to sitting in an audience under a megascreen view of the speaker, so close I could pick their noses, and receiving the teaching of God's Word in real time excitement.
These speakers, Piper, Carson, Keller, DeMoss, Nielson, Brown, Sandom, Salt, all big names, all absolutely human and all passionate that the crowd's adoration would not be for them as persons but for Him, for God as a Personal Lord and Savior. That theme was clear as they demonstrated clear, convicting, accurate Biblical exposition on texts ranging from Psalm 40 to Revelation 21-22, from 1 Kings 18 to 2 Corinthians 12.
I feel as though I attended a fast track seminary of three days. And I haven't even mentioned the workshops I attended. Yet. Those were hour long talks where the above speakers and others more closely focused on a topic.
I went to Nancy Guthrie's workshop on Word-Based Ministry to Women. Her key question to a room full of Bible study teachers and leaders and women who want to be teachers and leaders was, "What is going to be the distinctive of your ministry to women?" She spent the hour in Heb. 4:12-13 explaining the 5 marks of a Word-centered ministry to women.
Sheer meat. A veritable feast. I want to go through my notes and put them in a cohesive blog post.
But I must wash some underwear and towels around here. Re-entry after a vacation is tough. Re-entry after a trip to the mountaintop is tough times the number of laundry loads and grocery items that must be purchased to feed the people that didn't go to the mountaintop with you but still need the benefit of what you received while there.
Off to do life. Blogging later.
Several of the speakers I have read or heard via internet. But there is a whole new dimension to sitting in an audience under a megascreen view of the speaker, so close I could pick their noses, and receiving the teaching of God's Word in real time excitement.
These speakers, Piper, Carson, Keller, DeMoss, Nielson, Brown, Sandom, Salt, all big names, all absolutely human and all passionate that the crowd's adoration would not be for them as persons but for Him, for God as a Personal Lord and Savior. That theme was clear as they demonstrated clear, convicting, accurate Biblical exposition on texts ranging from Psalm 40 to Revelation 21-22, from 1 Kings 18 to 2 Corinthians 12.
I feel as though I attended a fast track seminary of three days. And I haven't even mentioned the workshops I attended. Yet. Those were hour long talks where the above speakers and others more closely focused on a topic.
I went to Nancy Guthrie's workshop on Word-Based Ministry to Women. Her key question to a room full of Bible study teachers and leaders and women who want to be teachers and leaders was, "What is going to be the distinctive of your ministry to women?" She spent the hour in Heb. 4:12-13 explaining the 5 marks of a Word-centered ministry to women.
Sheer meat. A veritable feast. I want to go through my notes and put them in a cohesive blog post.
But I must wash some underwear and towels around here. Re-entry after a vacation is tough. Re-entry after a trip to the mountaintop is tough times the number of laundry loads and grocery items that must be purchased to feed the people that didn't go to the mountaintop with you but still need the benefit of what you received while there.
Off to do life. Blogging later.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
If all goes according to schedule....
I, with three other "girls," in less than an hour will be in a minivan headed to Orlando for The Gospel Coalition's Women's Conference (TGCW12).
We're counting on what some say is a 5 hour trip taking us more like 6-7 hours. Because of our bladders. In defense of one of the girls, she is 7 months pregnant.
I have no defense. I just have a teeny tiny bladder. And you can't expect a walnut to hold a gallon of fluid. Not this side of heaven anyway.
And if I'm not blaming the need for stops on my bladder, it is because of my back. Walking every now and then is better for keeping all things in alignment and out of kink.
We're looking forward to the trip. It seems like I've been preparing for this weekend since December. Seeing as how that is when I bought my ticket, that would be why. I'm looking forward to the speakers, to the music, and to the time with sisters in Christ.
And maybe even the pool.
If you're there, look for me. I look like the girl in the lighthouse picture. And I will be in line at the bathroom.
We're counting on what some say is a 5 hour trip taking us more like 6-7 hours. Because of our bladders. In defense of one of the girls, she is 7 months pregnant.
I have no defense. I just have a teeny tiny bladder. And you can't expect a walnut to hold a gallon of fluid. Not this side of heaven anyway.
And if I'm not blaming the need for stops on my bladder, it is because of my back. Walking every now and then is better for keeping all things in alignment and out of kink.
We're looking forward to the trip. It seems like I've been preparing for this weekend since December. Seeing as how that is when I bought my ticket, that would be why. I'm looking forward to the speakers, to the music, and to the time with sisters in Christ.
And maybe even the pool.
If you're there, look for me. I look like the girl in the lighthouse picture. And I will be in line at the bathroom.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Thankful Thursday....
I am thankful for this week's introspection. My mind has been too noisy lately with the beginnings and endings of things. This week has forced me to slow down and choose.
I am thankful for a friend's enthusiasm for studying the book of Nehemiah. She is rejoicing in a God who restores. I know that God as well.
I am thankful for year round schooling. The schedule keeps us from black hole collapse. Accomplishment is helpful for keeping a day and a week on track.
I am thankful for the friends who open their homes and pools to myself and the boys for liquid refreshment and water sport. Living in this heat is made much more pleasant by poolside hospitality.
I am thankful for the Bible study idea that God has given me. Working on it throughout the day is keeping me grounded in this time of transition.
I am thankful for the book club that I am participating in this year with friends. We are studying through Surprised by Grace by Tullian Tchividjian. Our whole church is working through the book of Jonah for six weeks this summer so the book club is a great complement to the study.
I am thankful that even when you haven't blogged in months, writing is still a treat.
I am thankful for a friend's enthusiasm for studying the book of Nehemiah. She is rejoicing in a God who restores. I know that God as well.
I am thankful for year round schooling. The schedule keeps us from black hole collapse. Accomplishment is helpful for keeping a day and a week on track.
I am thankful for the friends who open their homes and pools to myself and the boys for liquid refreshment and water sport. Living in this heat is made much more pleasant by poolside hospitality.
I am thankful for the Bible study idea that God has given me. Working on it throughout the day is keeping me grounded in this time of transition.
I am thankful for the book club that I am participating in this year with friends. We are studying through Surprised by Grace by Tullian Tchividjian. Our whole church is working through the book of Jonah for six weeks this summer so the book club is a great complement to the study.
I am thankful that even when you haven't blogged in months, writing is still a treat.
To pick blueberries....
or not. That was the question that I woke up with on my mind this morning. Not world peace. Not the latest evangelical debate. Not a reality show.
I lay in bed and wondered if I should get up and go early to pick blueberries before the heat swooped in and caused me to wilt. I am a precious flower.
Husband had an early morning meeting so that roused me out of the bed to go and walk on the treadmill. I owed myself 20 minutes from my agenda of the other day. I put in 25 so my list gets a check with a smiley face. It's the little things.
Since I was already sweaty and the boys can cook their own breakfasts these days, I decided to charge ahead with a modicum of spontaneity. Letting Chess know where I was going, I was out the door to pick blueberries.
I was entirely alone among the bushes. An occasional bird would make her irritation known that her breakfast was filling my buckets. An occasional spider would hitch a ride on a blueberry to my wrist. It was me and the blueberries.
I don't like to pick strawberries. I don't mind picking green beans. Picking okra can be a chore. Picking squash can be right painful. But picking blueberries is my favorite. Holding the clusters and rolling those blue orbs into the bucket with a plink and plunk--if I believed in zen, that would be it.
I do not remember what I thought about. I just picked blueberries. Less than an hour later my harvest was 7.7 lbs of delicious.
Now I am enjoying a mixed berry smoothie for a late breakfast. I do not know what the day will turn out to be, but so far the morning has been sweet. I'm glad the blueberries beckoned.
I lay in bed and wondered if I should get up and go early to pick blueberries before the heat swooped in and caused me to wilt. I am a precious flower.
Husband had an early morning meeting so that roused me out of the bed to go and walk on the treadmill. I owed myself 20 minutes from my agenda of the other day. I put in 25 so my list gets a check with a smiley face. It's the little things.
Since I was already sweaty and the boys can cook their own breakfasts these days, I decided to charge ahead with a modicum of spontaneity. Letting Chess know where I was going, I was out the door to pick blueberries.
I was entirely alone among the bushes. An occasional bird would make her irritation known that her breakfast was filling my buckets. An occasional spider would hitch a ride on a blueberry to my wrist. It was me and the blueberries.
I don't like to pick strawberries. I don't mind picking green beans. Picking okra can be a chore. Picking squash can be right painful. But picking blueberries is my favorite. Holding the clusters and rolling those blue orbs into the bucket with a plink and plunk--if I believed in zen, that would be it.
I do not remember what I thought about. I just picked blueberries. Less than an hour later my harvest was 7.7 lbs of delicious.
Now I am enjoying a mixed berry smoothie for a late breakfast. I do not know what the day will turn out to be, but so far the morning has been sweet. I'm glad the blueberries beckoned.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Thankful Thursday....
and apparently I'm a blogging fool these days with so much to say and time to say it.
Thankful today for this week of rest. We've slept in every morning, taken school easily, and called a hiatus on stress.
Thankful for some major projects being accomplished. Namely, our garbage disposal exploded which led to a replacement which led to the broken instant hot water tank being removed which ultimately led to a new sink unit because the old one had been patched for the last 8 years with duct tape. Husband figured that all the work it would take to simply replace the disposal was not worth it if the other broken things did not also go at the same time.
Thankful for Husband's amazing home improvement skills.
Thankful for a current study of James. It is an epistle that has more than once brought me to my confessional knees as I consider its call to steadfast faith without unbelief. Life and times right now give every reason for wondering what the future holds, but believers are called to not doubt the One who holds all plans in His hands.
Thankful for my boys. The older two are applying for summer jobs. The younger one turns 11 this week. With all of the growing up, I am grateful for the time spent with them these past few weeks in life experiences, educational experiences, and rest.
Thankful today for this week of rest. We've slept in every morning, taken school easily, and called a hiatus on stress.
Thankful for some major projects being accomplished. Namely, our garbage disposal exploded which led to a replacement which led to the broken instant hot water tank being removed which ultimately led to a new sink unit because the old one had been patched for the last 8 years with duct tape. Husband figured that all the work it would take to simply replace the disposal was not worth it if the other broken things did not also go at the same time.
Thankful for Husband's amazing home improvement skills.
Thankful for a current study of James. It is an epistle that has more than once brought me to my confessional knees as I consider its call to steadfast faith without unbelief. Life and times right now give every reason for wondering what the future holds, but believers are called to not doubt the One who holds all plans in His hands.
Thankful for my boys. The older two are applying for summer jobs. The younger one turns 11 this week. With all of the growing up, I am grateful for the time spent with them these past few weeks in life experiences, educational experiences, and rest.
Brain dump, status report, part four....
and now we are alive and well in D.C.
When we set our agenda of all the things I hoped the kids would be able to see and experience, I admittedly called the plan ambitious. Others were calling it "insane." However, when all was said and done, we accomplished a whole lotta' sightseeing. Here's the rundown:
Monday: Scored handicapped parking in front of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Trekked some blocks to the National Archives and although an hour and a half early according to our timed entry reservation, they let us in. Toured through there for around two hours before trekking city block upon city block, over hill and dale, through a sculptures garden, to Capitol Hill where we happened upon a press conference regarding the Supreme Court hearings on healthcare. Saw the protestors in front of the Supreme Court, pointed out the Library of Congress, and then trekked another galaxy into the eating district to stuff our faces with burgers and fries from Good Stuff Eatery. With full tummies, we trekked back to Capitol Hill for our staff led tour of the Capitol. In there almost three hours we saw everything we could, including both galleries and even at the favor of a security guard we were allowed into a press room for a special picture. Home again.
Tuesday: I jumped out of the car in front of the Holocaust Museum to wait in line for about 35 minutes but scored major tickets to the museum for that day. Met the others at the Smithsonian Castle and then on to the Air and Space Museum then the Holocaust Museum followed by lunch followed by the Natural History Museum. Home again.
Wednesday: Scored handicapped parking on Constitution Avenue right next to Constitution Park where we then toured the WWI, WWII, D.C., Korean, Vietnam, and Vietnam Women's Memorials/Monuments. Climbed up the steps into the Lincoln Memorial. Also glimpsed the MLK, Jr. Memorial and the Albert Einstein Memorial (which was blocked off and under construction). Drove by the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Air Force Memorial, and the White House. That afternoon we toured the Smithsonian Museum of American History. Several exhibits, almost the entire west wing, are under renovation though so not as exciting. Serendipitously we happened into a special MathAlive exhibit in the underground International Gallery that was really neat for the kids. Home again.
Thursday: Traveled to Arlington National Cemetery. Took a wrong turn on the way but ended up getting to view the Iwo Jima Memorial and then made it back to Arlington to not only see a changing of the guard ceremony but also two wreath laying ceremonies. That afternoon we went to the Newseum. Home again.
Friday: Overslept. Gave hugs, kisses, and farewells. Limped to the car with packed bags and thenflew drove home arriving 12 hours and 15 minutes later. Kissed my Sealy Posturepedic and Husband and went to bed.
We didn't get into things like the Pentagon or the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which we wanted to do, because they require a 4-6 week advance reservation. However, there is now a reason to go back and all of our main goals were accomplished.
Educational, yes. Exhausting, yes. Priceless, yes. I'm very thankful for how God gave the provision in my friend K, the time, the opportunity, the funds, the weather (it was fabulous!) and in all of the many details.
Here ends the telling of the brain dump, status report edition.
When we set our agenda of all the things I hoped the kids would be able to see and experience, I admittedly called the plan ambitious. Others were calling it "insane." However, when all was said and done, we accomplished a whole lotta' sightseeing. Here's the rundown:
Monday: Scored handicapped parking in front of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Trekked some blocks to the National Archives and although an hour and a half early according to our timed entry reservation, they let us in. Toured through there for around two hours before trekking city block upon city block, over hill and dale, through a sculptures garden, to Capitol Hill where we happened upon a press conference regarding the Supreme Court hearings on healthcare. Saw the protestors in front of the Supreme Court, pointed out the Library of Congress, and then trekked another galaxy into the eating district to stuff our faces with burgers and fries from Good Stuff Eatery. With full tummies, we trekked back to Capitol Hill for our staff led tour of the Capitol. In there almost three hours we saw everything we could, including both galleries and even at the favor of a security guard we were allowed into a press room for a special picture. Home again.
Tuesday: I jumped out of the car in front of the Holocaust Museum to wait in line for about 35 minutes but scored major tickets to the museum for that day. Met the others at the Smithsonian Castle and then on to the Air and Space Museum then the Holocaust Museum followed by lunch followed by the Natural History Museum. Home again.
Wednesday: Scored handicapped parking on Constitution Avenue right next to Constitution Park where we then toured the WWI, WWII, D.C., Korean, Vietnam, and Vietnam Women's Memorials/Monuments. Climbed up the steps into the Lincoln Memorial. Also glimpsed the MLK, Jr. Memorial and the Albert Einstein Memorial (which was blocked off and under construction). Drove by the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Air Force Memorial, and the White House. That afternoon we toured the Smithsonian Museum of American History. Several exhibits, almost the entire west wing, are under renovation though so not as exciting. Serendipitously we happened into a special MathAlive exhibit in the underground International Gallery that was really neat for the kids. Home again.
Thursday: Traveled to Arlington National Cemetery. Took a wrong turn on the way but ended up getting to view the Iwo Jima Memorial and then made it back to Arlington to not only see a changing of the guard ceremony but also two wreath laying ceremonies. That afternoon we went to the Newseum. Home again.
Friday: Overslept. Gave hugs, kisses, and farewells. Limped to the car with packed bags and then
We didn't get into things like the Pentagon or the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which we wanted to do, because they require a 4-6 week advance reservation. However, there is now a reason to go back and all of our main goals were accomplished.
Educational, yes. Exhausting, yes. Priceless, yes. I'm very thankful for how God gave the provision in my friend K, the time, the opportunity, the funds, the weather (it was fabulous!) and in all of the many details.
Here ends the telling of the brain dump, status report edition.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Intermission to the neverending tale....
being told of S.C. and D.C.
Today is James' 18th birthday. I know in these earthly lives the 18th birthday is a huge milestone. That landmark event of high school graduation, college choices, and the beginning of adulthood in citizenship, in moving away from home, and in being officially a "man." I doubt eternity notes it at all.
But I wanted to remember today that though James died nearly 16 years ago, this day, his birthday, is still one for me to pause and give thanks. Thanks for his life; thanks for the two and a half years he lived; thanks for how God held me near each of those days; and thanks for the gift of hope I have in eternal life.
He was born this day 18 years ago on an Easter Sunday morning. He weighed 9 lbs exactly. He had a head full of jet black hair with the dark eyes to match. He was perfect to the eyes and hearts of his parents. His life already laid out by his Father would bring us to the heights and depths of knowing God's perfect love.
Every day, and I mean every.day. in some way I miss him. It's not a soul-breaking ache that keeps me in weeping. It's not even visible to those around me on a daily basis. But it is the shadow in my life that keeps me vigilantly aware that this life is not complete and this dwelling is not my home.
Scriptural truths about heaven, about loss, about restoration, about hope, all have greater meaning to me now, in these 18 years hence. I have been privileged to know deeply God's character in His giving and taking of James. Beauty from ashes is truth to me. Restoration of all brokenness is not wishful thinking but certain hope.
If James were alive, today would be a day of celebration with cake, a large gift, friends, family, and dreams of what would come next in this life. In reality, today is still a celebration. Cake and gift not necessary nor imagined as happening in heaven. I don't need balloons floating up to the sky to keep me tethered to a son once held, now remembered.
James' life was exactly as it should have been for a fallen world. His life is exactly as it should be in heaven. That is where I rest. I can miss him with all my might and still praise the Name of the One who is perfect in all of His ways and will.
I have a son, eighteen years old, as we count these days and years. I have a son eternal as God counts. To God be the Glory!
Today is James' 18th birthday. I know in these earthly lives the 18th birthday is a huge milestone. That landmark event of high school graduation, college choices, and the beginning of adulthood in citizenship, in moving away from home, and in being officially a "man." I doubt eternity notes it at all.
But I wanted to remember today that though James died nearly 16 years ago, this day, his birthday, is still one for me to pause and give thanks. Thanks for his life; thanks for the two and a half years he lived; thanks for how God held me near each of those days; and thanks for the gift of hope I have in eternal life.
He was born this day 18 years ago on an Easter Sunday morning. He weighed 9 lbs exactly. He had a head full of jet black hair with the dark eyes to match. He was perfect to the eyes and hearts of his parents. His life already laid out by his Father would bring us to the heights and depths of knowing God's perfect love.
Every day, and I mean every.day. in some way I miss him. It's not a soul-breaking ache that keeps me in weeping. It's not even visible to those around me on a daily basis. But it is the shadow in my life that keeps me vigilantly aware that this life is not complete and this dwelling is not my home.
Scriptural truths about heaven, about loss, about restoration, about hope, all have greater meaning to me now, in these 18 years hence. I have been privileged to know deeply God's character in His giving and taking of James. Beauty from ashes is truth to me. Restoration of all brokenness is not wishful thinking but certain hope.
If James were alive, today would be a day of celebration with cake, a large gift, friends, family, and dreams of what would come next in this life. In reality, today is still a celebration. Cake and gift not necessary nor imagined as happening in heaven. I don't need balloons floating up to the sky to keep me tethered to a son once held, now remembered.
James' life was exactly as it should have been for a fallen world. His life is exactly as it should be in heaven. That is where I rest. I can miss him with all my might and still praise the Name of the One who is perfect in all of His ways and will.
I have a son, eighteen years old, as we count these days and years. I have a son eternal as God counts. To God be the Glory!
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Maybe this means...
I've decided to embrace the weather. Possibly, on a whim, I asked Chess to set up the outside table and chairs so I could sit, in the sun, and write. I might pay for it tomorrow with the allergy attack, but I am weary of waiting for a winter that will not come. I like winter. It's a time of shutting down. Of stopping. Of rest.
I really needed February to be a month of winter rest. I wanted to hibernate. Not stop life and only sleep. (Although that does not sound unpleasant.) Instead I mean that I wanted to enjoy that the hustle and bustle of sports practices and events and stress levels would reduce. Just a bit, but at least some.
February was not a month of rest, and I can't blame the entirety of that on a non-winter. However, the chaos in my closet, that fault rests squarely upon the shoulders of weather that cycled every three days from highs in the 70's to the 50's. Throw in some rain every other week and I have spent roughly the last four months sniffling. I would walk around with a tissue stuffed up each nostril if it didn't cause such a stir. And staring.
Back to February not being about rest. Exhibit #1: the blog was non-existent to me. All that was happening in a non-restful manner was not fit for blog fodder. Exhibit #2: I have developed TMJ issues. From the non-resting life. Exhibit #3: The shortest month in the year became the longest month in my life. Exhibit #4: I was actually relieved to see March enter the picture even though it is proving to be the busiest month. Evah.
But today, I'm breaking the code of silence to say sitting on my deck, in the sun, listening to my folk music mix, sniffling, nursing a sore jaw, writing, is all right. Not everything from February has been solved, but God in the midst of it all, made Himself ever present in help, in love, and in comfort.
And today seemed to be a good day to say that. In the sun. On the deck. With M&M's in my pocket. Definitely with M&M's.
I really needed February to be a month of winter rest. I wanted to hibernate. Not stop life and only sleep. (Although that does not sound unpleasant.) Instead I mean that I wanted to enjoy that the hustle and bustle of sports practices and events and stress levels would reduce. Just a bit, but at least some.
February was not a month of rest, and I can't blame the entirety of that on a non-winter. However, the chaos in my closet, that fault rests squarely upon the shoulders of weather that cycled every three days from highs in the 70's to the 50's. Throw in some rain every other week and I have spent roughly the last four months sniffling. I would walk around with a tissue stuffed up each nostril if it didn't cause such a stir. And staring.
Back to February not being about rest. Exhibit #1: the blog was non-existent to me. All that was happening in a non-restful manner was not fit for blog fodder. Exhibit #2: I have developed TMJ issues. From the non-resting life. Exhibit #3: The shortest month in the year became the longest month in my life. Exhibit #4: I was actually relieved to see March enter the picture even though it is proving to be the busiest month. Evah.
But today, I'm breaking the code of silence to say sitting on my deck, in the sun, listening to my folk music mix, sniffling, nursing a sore jaw, writing, is all right. Not everything from February has been solved, but God in the midst of it all, made Himself ever present in help, in love, and in comfort.
And today seemed to be a good day to say that. In the sun. On the deck. With M&M's in my pocket. Definitely with M&M's.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Finding delight, Week 4...
I participated last week in Leslie's carnival but neglected to add the links. That's what happens when you get distracted while writing a post and end up taking two days to finish it. Hitting publish becomes a welcome relief and proofing flew out the window.
This week I'm watching the links. I hope you'll think about participating as well. While my "delight" passages have not contained the word "delight," it has been a sweet part of my Biblical meditation to think on that attribute of God's Word.
This week I saw delight in examining 2 Thessalonians against 1 Thessalonians. The key theme in 1 Thessalonians is Christ's return and what it will mean for believers--a reception of glory. The key theme in 2 Thessalonians is Christ's return and what it will mean for unbelievers--a judgment of condemnation. While the first glows with delight, the second offends many.
I saw delight in the comparison in a couple of ways. First, God is just, and a moral universe requires the punishing of sin. Scripture has always told this story from the beginning. Either Christ is punished for my sin or I am punished for my sin, but sin is always punished. As a believer, I delight in knowing that God's promise of my sin forgiven in Christ is a lasting truth.
The second way I saw delight was in reading all the many answers in 2 Thessalonians to Paul's prayers from 1 Thessalonians. It is believed that the two epistles were written about one to two years apart. In the first Paul prayed that the Thessalonian believers would increase in their faith and love, that they would persevere in afflictions, and that they would continue to be a model of the power of the gospel to all those around them. In 2 Thessalonians, Paul gives thanks for how these prayers have been answered. It truly is a delight to see how God works in the lives of His people.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Thankful Thursday is....
today. But honestly, I am grumpy and not so grateful.
I have a multitude of things and people in my life for which to be grateful, and yet this morning's extra sleep and even fitting in a quick workout all dissipated in a moment of communication confusion, of a breakfast gone awry, of a kitchen now a disaster, of a hasty spur of the moment trip to a collision center that profited nothing, of an unsatisfactory science review that foretells multiple hours of work on what should already be done. What was supposed to be a relaxing catch up day of sleep and housework and schoolwork has morphed into a long line of irritations. With more on the horizon.
The list could go on. But then that would make it Whining Wednesday and not at all Thankful Thursday.
Some would say that this is when I need to dig down deep and think about for what I am grateful. I know those things--family, health, house, car, food in the fridge, clothes, etc. But a Thankfulness Gospel is not The Gospel. Several of those things for which I am thankful are actually the source of my current irritations.
I am a sinner.
I know that on days like this what I am most thankful for is the truth of my salvation and God's forgiveness and mercy towards me. Because no amount of thankfulness for my temporal things can in any way change or add to my inadequately expressed thankfulness for the eternal things God has done for this wretched, undeserving grump I am today.
This is a day of turning to the truths of Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine!/ O what a foretaste of glory divine!/ Heir of salvation, purchase of God,/ Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood./
This is my story and my song on a day where I know the weakness of my flesh and the sin of my heart. Praising my Savior all the day long for what He has done on my behalf is where my thankfulness must lie.
I have a multitude of things and people in my life for which to be grateful, and yet this morning's extra sleep and even fitting in a quick workout all dissipated in a moment of communication confusion, of a breakfast gone awry, of a kitchen now a disaster, of a hasty spur of the moment trip to a collision center that profited nothing, of an unsatisfactory science review that foretells multiple hours of work on what should already be done. What was supposed to be a relaxing catch up day of sleep and housework and schoolwork has morphed into a long line of irritations. With more on the horizon.
The list could go on. But then that would make it Whining Wednesday and not at all Thankful Thursday.
Some would say that this is when I need to dig down deep and think about for what I am grateful. I know those things--family, health, house, car, food in the fridge, clothes, etc. But a Thankfulness Gospel is not The Gospel. Several of those things for which I am thankful are actually the source of my current irritations.
I am a sinner.
I know that on days like this what I am most thankful for is the truth of my salvation and God's forgiveness and mercy towards me. Because no amount of thankfulness for my temporal things can in any way change or add to my inadequately expressed thankfulness for the eternal things God has done for this wretched, undeserving grump I am today.
This is a day of turning to the truths of Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine!/ O what a foretaste of glory divine!/ Heir of salvation, purchase of God,/ Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood./
This is my story and my song on a day where I know the weakness of my flesh and the sin of my heart. Praising my Savior all the day long for what He has done on my behalf is where my thankfulness must lie.
Monday, January 9, 2012
This weekend turned into...
another project event for poor Husband. The garage door opener broke on the right side. Virtually imploded into shreds because the plastic gears ground themselves into smithereens is the more technical description.
Of course we discovered this fact as we were trying to open the garage door to go to church on Sunday morning. So while in Sunday clothes, Husband is manhandling the door up so we can go out and down so we can come back to an unburgled home. Good times.
After lunch he headed over to Lowe$ to purchase the new unit. Lowe$ is kind of like the Man's Wal-Park. And Sunday afternoon seems to be a big day for wandering around purchasing stuff to do household projects at some time future. Or not. I've come to call the store The Vortex. Because Husband will go in, but I'm never sure until I see him again that he has successfully pulled free from the tractor beam.
Once he did get home with the supplies a marathon of disassembly and re-assembly began. The original door assembly was not square which probably contributed to the opener's gears grinding themselves into oblivion. We've had trouble with the door over the years from the spring popping off and nearly taking a head with it to a man-child backing into the door with a lawnmower during yard work training and bending it. Considering the scope of yesterday's project, those fixes were minor.
Yesterday was the day to fix all of it. To start nearly from scratch. And six hours later the doors were square, the sensors were replaced, the track was re-aligned, the new opener installed, and a new keypad placed on the outside so I can get into the house when I lock myself out. Hypothetically, of course.
It's not Thankful Thursday yet, but I'm entering this post as an early installment to my gratitude for having a handy Husband who spared me from a Manic Monday.
Of course we discovered this fact as we were trying to open the garage door to go to church on Sunday morning. So while in Sunday clothes, Husband is manhandling the door up so we can go out and down so we can come back to an unburgled home. Good times.
After lunch he headed over to Lowe$ to purchase the new unit. Lowe$ is kind of like the Man's Wal-Park. And Sunday afternoon seems to be a big day for wandering around purchasing stuff to do household projects at some time future. Or not. I've come to call the store The Vortex. Because Husband will go in, but I'm never sure until I see him again that he has successfully pulled free from the tractor beam.
Once he did get home with the supplies a marathon of disassembly and re-assembly began. The original door assembly was not square which probably contributed to the opener's gears grinding themselves into oblivion. We've had trouble with the door over the years from the spring popping off and nearly taking a head with it to a man-child backing into the door with a lawnmower during yard work training and bending it. Considering the scope of yesterday's project, those fixes were minor.
Yesterday was the day to fix all of it. To start nearly from scratch. And six hours later the doors were square, the sensors were replaced, the track was re-aligned, the new opener installed, and a new keypad placed on the outside so I can get into the house when I lock myself out. Hypothetically, of course.
It's not Thankful Thursday yet, but I'm entering this post as an early installment to my gratitude for having a handy Husband who spared me from a Manic Monday.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Before and after....
Husband's New Year's Eve project was a rousing success. Honestly, no duct tape involved even. A bit of gorilla glue to create one of the compartments, but truly what began as I thought a sure disaster of sawdust and drill bits and a skill saw ended in a great piece of furniture.
I trust Husband. I really do. That walk to trusting him has come with fear and trepidation at times, sheer will of obedience at others, and behind it all the certainty that God has gifted him for His own glory and I, as his wife, benefit from that. On Saturday I had that choice again. To stomp my feet at the disaster previously known as the den or say, "I trust you," and walk away.
I went through door number two on Saturday. Call it sanctification. That and I was able to blog about it and text with a few empathetic friends.
I wish that I had a before picture, but Husband is not a blogger and does not think of these things. Add to that the fact that I'm near illiterate with this blog when it comes to taking pictures, and well, there you have it. Who thinks of a before picture?
So I went through my photo library and came up with this picture of last year's Christmas. Chess is in the foreground showing off a prize, the Chairman is to his left, my hospital bed is in the right corner, and just behind you can see the TV cabinet as a before shot.
Now using your blog reading powers of imagination, imagine a large screen TV in front of that cabinet on a small table. Got it? Okay, now look at what Husband did to the old cabinet.
Amazing, huh? He essentially cut out the middle and created the three cubbies and left the three cabinets on the bottom. Here is the finished project with the large TV on top.
Yep, that's my man. Considering that the first TV cabinet was a cast off from some friends and Husband's creativity and skills gave us this cabinet, I'm thinking we saved near $1000 when it comes to the price of pressed board these days.
More valuable than the cost though was hearing Husband say later, "It all happened because you said you trusted me so I went with my instincts." Priceless.
Later, I'll tell you about one of my own projects. Prepare yourself to be underwhelmed.
I trust Husband. I really do. That walk to trusting him has come with fear and trepidation at times, sheer will of obedience at others, and behind it all the certainty that God has gifted him for His own glory and I, as his wife, benefit from that. On Saturday I had that choice again. To stomp my feet at the disaster previously known as the den or say, "I trust you," and walk away.
I went through door number two on Saturday. Call it sanctification. That and I was able to blog about it and text with a few empathetic friends.
I wish that I had a before picture, but Husband is not a blogger and does not think of these things. Add to that the fact that I'm near illiterate with this blog when it comes to taking pictures, and well, there you have it. Who thinks of a before picture?
So I went through my photo library and came up with this picture of last year's Christmas. Chess is in the foreground showing off a prize, the Chairman is to his left, my hospital bed is in the right corner, and just behind you can see the TV cabinet as a before shot.
More valuable than the cost though was hearing Husband say later, "It all happened because you said you trusted me so I went with my instincts." Priceless.
Later, I'll tell you about one of my own projects. Prepare yourself to be underwhelmed.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Fun things this Friday....
and the weekend will contain. Brought to you by the letter F.
1. Howling laughter with my homeschool moms' group. Sometimes we actually run an activity for the kiddos, but today the planned activity is about letting them run around so we can sit around and amuse ourselves with the funnies that come from choosing this lifestyle. I'm taking Depends.
2. Birthday lunch with a friend. Not mine but hers.
3. Pizza and movie night with my family tonight. The last couple of weeks we have had other couples over for fellowship, but tonight is all about our own fellowship. Our movie is Invincible.
4. Anticipation of Daylight Savings Fall Back. I may even move all the clocks tonight so we're ready. Who doesn't need an extra hour of sleep?
5. Reading and writing fiction. The October challenge I conducted spurred me to look into a writing course. I had previously downloaded a freebie from Kindle about a MFA in creative writing. I'm slowly working through the exercises and find them excellent for allowing my brain to breathe. A breathing brain is a good thing.
Hope your Friday and the weekend contains some fun, family, friends, and fellowship.
1. Howling laughter with my homeschool moms' group. Sometimes we actually run an activity for the kiddos, but today the planned activity is about letting them run around so we can sit around and amuse ourselves with the funnies that come from choosing this lifestyle. I'm taking Depends.
2. Birthday lunch with a friend. Not mine but hers.
3. Pizza and movie night with my family tonight. The last couple of weeks we have had other couples over for fellowship, but tonight is all about our own fellowship. Our movie is Invincible.
4. Anticipation of Daylight Savings Fall Back. I may even move all the clocks tonight so we're ready. Who doesn't need an extra hour of sleep?
5. Reading and writing fiction. The October challenge I conducted spurred me to look into a writing course. I had previously downloaded a freebie from Kindle about a MFA in creative writing. I'm slowly working through the exercises and find them excellent for allowing my brain to breathe. A breathing brain is a good thing.
Hope your Friday and the weekend contains some fun, family, friends, and fellowship.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Thankful it is November.....
and I don't have to write every day anymore. I privately challenged myself to write every day from the middle of October until the end of October for the sake of writing. October is a tough month for me, and I knew I wouldn't have much to say until the boom of grief had its toll, but once it did, I knew I would have lots to say.
The whole trend of 31 days of all things hit me a bit like most trends do. Namely, is this something worth the investment of my time and bandwagon jumping? Um, no, it was not for me personally. I read some of the other 31 bloggers and benefited from their words, but as far as my blogging personality goes, I have to wear the jeans that fit me best.
Which is writing when I have words, writing when I want to practice writing, and writing for the sake of completing thoughts that otherwise would ping pong around inside of my head and make me inhospitable to the other house inhabitants.
Maybe I should write more. But I buck the trends that do not fit my natural vein. Thankful Thursday though, I love. I don't know if The Upward Call or Rebecca Writes gets first gratitude on it, but my thanks to both for their examples.
My comment that I'm thankful I don't have to write every day anymore is a jest to myself. I needed the personal challenge without the public announcement. I learned about my writing as I made myself do it. Most of my posts were done without editing and editing and editing. More stream of consciousness writing and it was a liberating exercise. Turning off the critic and writing as the words flowed helped me remember why I love writing and also warned me why blogging, for me, has very specific limits.
Of course, November is the month of that Nanowrinomososhopobo thing, or something like that, which also has great intentions. I am just not sure if those are my jeans or not. In the meantime, things I'm thankful for today:
Automated funds monitoring: while sometimes the banking system gets a bad rap, and sometimes rightly so, I was thankful to get a call this morning from my bank stating they had put a hold on my debit card because of suspicious transactions. I called immediately because the children need food to find out that someone else's children apparently needed clothes. To the tune of $2,010.00 from a fancy store in Canada. I confirmed that our shopping was primarily done at Goodwill these days and not online from Canada. The number was cancelled and a new card on the way. The automated system worked on our behalf and also for the merchant who did not, thankfully, lose any merchandise.
Soup: as temperatures drop and friends send great soup recipes, we are all tummy grateful. Still.
Bible study: I'm working through Acts right now and Chap. 14 was a favorite because of its instruction to remember that strength and encouragement come from the truth that through many hard things we will walk to enter the kingdom of God (v.22). Commitment to Christ and His work requires persevering through adversity. He is worthy of any and all we might undergo in this life. He is worthy.
Family: raising teens and a tween is a challenge bar none at times but the sweetness continues to persuade me of why the investment and the struggles are so valuable.
The whole trend of 31 days of all things hit me a bit like most trends do. Namely, is this something worth the investment of my time and bandwagon jumping? Um, no, it was not for me personally. I read some of the other 31 bloggers and benefited from their words, but as far as my blogging personality goes, I have to wear the jeans that fit me best.
Which is writing when I have words, writing when I want to practice writing, and writing for the sake of completing thoughts that otherwise would ping pong around inside of my head and make me inhospitable to the other house inhabitants.
Maybe I should write more. But I buck the trends that do not fit my natural vein. Thankful Thursday though, I love. I don't know if The Upward Call or Rebecca Writes gets first gratitude on it, but my thanks to both for their examples.
My comment that I'm thankful I don't have to write every day anymore is a jest to myself. I needed the personal challenge without the public announcement. I learned about my writing as I made myself do it. Most of my posts were done without editing and editing and editing. More stream of consciousness writing and it was a liberating exercise. Turning off the critic and writing as the words flowed helped me remember why I love writing and also warned me why blogging, for me, has very specific limits.
Of course, November is the month of that Nanowrinomososhopobo thing, or something like that, which also has great intentions. I am just not sure if those are my jeans or not. In the meantime, things I'm thankful for today:
Automated funds monitoring: while sometimes the banking system gets a bad rap, and sometimes rightly so, I was thankful to get a call this morning from my bank stating they had put a hold on my debit card because of suspicious transactions. I called immediately because the children need food to find out that someone else's children apparently needed clothes. To the tune of $2,010.00 from a fancy store in Canada. I confirmed that our shopping was primarily done at Goodwill these days and not online from Canada. The number was cancelled and a new card on the way. The automated system worked on our behalf and also for the merchant who did not, thankfully, lose any merchandise.
Soup: as temperatures drop and friends send great soup recipes, we are all tummy grateful. Still.
Bible study: I'm working through Acts right now and Chap. 14 was a favorite because of its instruction to remember that strength and encouragement come from the truth that through many hard things we will walk to enter the kingdom of God (v.22). Commitment to Christ and His work requires persevering through adversity. He is worthy of any and all we might undergo in this life. He is worthy.
Family: raising teens and a tween is a challenge bar none at times but the sweetness continues to persuade me of why the investment and the struggles are so valuable.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Four things I told.....
the boys this week:
1) You're great kids, and I'm grateful God made me your mom.
2) Be an encourager to your brother and not someone who discourages.
3) Quit messing around and finish your work.
4) Tag! You're it! (What we play when one of us is sneezing and wants to "pass" it on to another.)
This was a good week of sweetness in parenting these teens and tween. We strive to keep a balance in our home between the correction and the commendation. Some weeks that is more easily achieved. Entirely dependent I am sure upon both my relationship to the Lord and theirs.
In other words, when we are all listening to His instruction, things just run more smoothly.
Imagine that.
This week I thought and talked about the days when our lives were in lockdown mode. Lockdown because I had kids who did not obey me and they had a mom who did not have self-control. Trips to the grocery store or playdates or church were nightmarish. There was a lot of anger, a great deal of frustration, and very little peace. A spiritual mentor came alongside of me in those days and told me to get myself together, essentially. She said I had to acquire a future view for what those little boys would turn into one day. She warned me that a 3-year-old that runs away from my instructions is not nearly as dangerous as a 13-year-old who runs away from my instructions.
Her words were the chastening I needed to begin to study how the Lord would have me discipline and, most importantly, Biblically respond to my children instead of sinfully react. I took up that charge, not perfectly, but with a heart repentant towards the Lord and my children for my anger. He changed me. And lo and behold, as He changed me, He *changed* my children.
Peace came to our home. Not overnight. Not without mistakes. But gradually as peace came into our lives through Biblical instruction and God-dependence, our family began to reap sweetness out of our interactions. I saw His words bear fruit in my life and then in theirs.
We're still sinners. No mistaking that. But we're sinners now who will pray together for one another's repentance and encouragement and perseverance. And we rejoice with one another when we see God answer those prayers.
Those early days were mind bending and heartbreaking. I wondered if I, or we, would ever leave the house to enjoy the "outside" or even to be productive members of society. I wondered if I would ever enjoy my kids. I am gratified to say today that God restored and rebuilt us. He did not see us as irrecoverable in our relationships with Him or each other. He redeemed what our sins would have trashed.
To Him be the glory!
1) You're great kids, and I'm grateful God made me your mom.
2) Be an encourager to your brother and not someone who discourages.
3) Quit messing around and finish your work.
4) Tag! You're it! (What we play when one of us is sneezing and wants to "pass" it on to another.)
This was a good week of sweetness in parenting these teens and tween. We strive to keep a balance in our home between the correction and the commendation. Some weeks that is more easily achieved. Entirely dependent I am sure upon both my relationship to the Lord and theirs.
In other words, when we are all listening to His instruction, things just run more smoothly.
Imagine that.
This week I thought and talked about the days when our lives were in lockdown mode. Lockdown because I had kids who did not obey me and they had a mom who did not have self-control. Trips to the grocery store or playdates or church were nightmarish. There was a lot of anger, a great deal of frustration, and very little peace. A spiritual mentor came alongside of me in those days and told me to get myself together, essentially. She said I had to acquire a future view for what those little boys would turn into one day. She warned me that a 3-year-old that runs away from my instructions is not nearly as dangerous as a 13-year-old who runs away from my instructions.
Her words were the chastening I needed to begin to study how the Lord would have me discipline and, most importantly, Biblically respond to my children instead of sinfully react. I took up that charge, not perfectly, but with a heart repentant towards the Lord and my children for my anger. He changed me. And lo and behold, as He changed me, He *changed* my children.
Peace came to our home. Not overnight. Not without mistakes. But gradually as peace came into our lives through Biblical instruction and God-dependence, our family began to reap sweetness out of our interactions. I saw His words bear fruit in my life and then in theirs.
We're still sinners. No mistaking that. But we're sinners now who will pray together for one another's repentance and encouragement and perseverance. And we rejoice with one another when we see God answer those prayers.
Those early days were mind bending and heartbreaking. I wondered if I, or we, would ever leave the house to enjoy the "outside" or even to be productive members of society. I wondered if I would ever enjoy my kids. I am gratified to say today that God restored and rebuilt us. He did not see us as irrecoverable in our relationships with Him or each other. He redeemed what our sins would have trashed.
To Him be the glory!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Thankful Thursday & Cheeseburger Soup....
again. Thinking about what I was going to write, I realized that Thankful Thursday is one of the things I am thankful for this week. I started blogging who knows when (not that it was all that long ago, it's just that I didn't mark the day as anything special when I started and by the time I realized that everyone was all "It's my blog anniversary," that I had no idea when mine was. Although at one point I did try to trace it back to my very first blog post ever and did find a date which then promptly fell out of my head again with the tyranny of the urgent days of living. Such is my life.)
Where was I? Oh yes, Thankful Thursday. The only reason I participate in Thankful Thursday is because of a community of bloggers that started the meme and have faithfully kept it going whether anyone has participated or not (or in my case remembered to). It is about taking a moment away from things to focus on something(s) you are thankful for in your life.
Blogging in and of itself can have an insular focus. Naval gazing on the web. Thankful Thursday keeps it from being that way in your blogging life but with great balance, I think. Reading what the other ladies are thankful for in their lives often reveals to me how to pray for them, with them, and even for myself. That's a good thing.
The blogging community has its issues for sure. But the camaraderie of it also has its perks.
Today, I am thankful for a venue to give thanks. For a community of other "real" blogger friends who also delight in giving thanks. I am thankful for the connections made through blogging that lead to such things as sharing soup recipes because I am always thankful for soup.
Here's the requested Cheeseburger Soup recipe for two of those friends. Enjoy it. This one's on our menu for next week.
Cheeseburger Soup
1/2 pound ground beef (we use ground venison)
3/4 c. chopped onion
3/4 c. shredded carrots
3/4 c. chopped celery
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried parsley
4 TB butter
3 c. chicken broth
4 c. cubed potatoes
1/4 c. all purpose flour
2 c. shredded Cheddar cheese (I use medium)
1 1/2 c. milk
1/4 c. sour cream
Brown ground beef & drain. In a large pot, melt 1 TB butter over med. heat. Cook & stir vegetables till tender, adding beef at end.
Stir in basil & parsley. Add broth & potatoes. Bring to a boil, then simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10-12 min.
In a med. saucepan, melt the remainder of butter & stir in flour. Add the milk, stirring till smooth.
Gradually add milk mixture to the soup, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil & reduce heat to simmer. Stir in cheese. When cheese is melted, add sour cream & heat through. Do not boil.
Where was I? Oh yes, Thankful Thursday. The only reason I participate in Thankful Thursday is because of a community of bloggers that started the meme and have faithfully kept it going whether anyone has participated or not (or in my case remembered to). It is about taking a moment away from things to focus on something(s) you are thankful for in your life.
Blogging in and of itself can have an insular focus. Naval gazing on the web. Thankful Thursday keeps it from being that way in your blogging life but with great balance, I think. Reading what the other ladies are thankful for in their lives often reveals to me how to pray for them, with them, and even for myself. That's a good thing.
The blogging community has its issues for sure. But the camaraderie of it also has its perks.
Today, I am thankful for a venue to give thanks. For a community of other "real" blogger friends who also delight in giving thanks. I am thankful for the connections made through blogging that lead to such things as sharing soup recipes because I am always thankful for soup.
Here's the requested Cheeseburger Soup recipe for two of those friends. Enjoy it. This one's on our menu for next week.
Cheeseburger Soup
1/2 pound ground beef (we use ground venison)
3/4 c. chopped onion
3/4 c. shredded carrots
3/4 c. chopped celery
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried parsley
4 TB butter
3 c. chicken broth
4 c. cubed potatoes
1/4 c. all purpose flour
2 c. shredded Cheddar cheese (I use medium)
1 1/2 c. milk
1/4 c. sour cream
Brown ground beef & drain. In a large pot, melt 1 TB butter over med. heat. Cook & stir vegetables till tender, adding beef at end.
Stir in basil & parsley. Add broth & potatoes. Bring to a boil, then simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10-12 min.
In a med. saucepan, melt the remainder of butter & stir in flour. Add the milk, stirring till smooth.
Gradually add milk mixture to the soup, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil & reduce heat to simmer. Stir in cheese. When cheese is melted, add sour cream & heat through. Do not boil.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Thankful Thursday....
well, I haven't done one of these posts in a great long bit. Today is as good as any to get back into the swing.
I'm thankful for the uber comfy scrub pants that I'm wearing. I've been admiring my friend's pair for some time now. I finally asked her yesterday where she got them and while she didn't remember that, she handed me one of hers. I may never wear any other pants again.
I'm thankful for the season of life we're in with the boys right now, particularly the older two. They are involved in youth group and enjoy telling us about what happens at the meetings. Their comments crack me up and make me thankful that we worked first on building family relationships before having them involved in these type of peer relationships. I'm thankful for the foundation God has given us.
I'm thankful that finally it seems that summer is gone from Hotter Than, GA. After weeks of 80-90 degree temps, I can breathe again in these 60's and 70's. And I'm certainly happier for it to get colder than that.
I'm thankful that because it is colder the era of soups is upon us. A big pot of corn crab chowder is marrying its flavors for service tonight. My stomach anticipates much gratitude.
I'm thankful that we are getting together with new friends this weekend. I look forward to how God is bringing in new relationships and blessings through His people.
I'm thankful for the uber comfy scrub pants that I'm wearing. I've been admiring my friend's pair for some time now. I finally asked her yesterday where she got them and while she didn't remember that, she handed me one of hers. I may never wear any other pants again.
I'm thankful for the season of life we're in with the boys right now, particularly the older two. They are involved in youth group and enjoy telling us about what happens at the meetings. Their comments crack me up and make me thankful that we worked first on building family relationships before having them involved in these type of peer relationships. I'm thankful for the foundation God has given us.
I'm thankful that finally it seems that summer is gone from Hotter Than, GA. After weeks of 80-90 degree temps, I can breathe again in these 60's and 70's. And I'm certainly happier for it to get colder than that.
I'm thankful that because it is colder the era of soups is upon us. A big pot of corn crab chowder is marrying its flavors for service tonight. My stomach anticipates much gratitude.
I'm thankful that we are getting together with new friends this weekend. I look forward to how God is bringing in new relationships and blessings through His people.
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