If you don't blog, it really is easy and fun, and FREE! I am doing so much better about journaling both on here and on a private blog I have. There is something about being able to add pictures, edit, etc. that I like better than writing in my journal. Sure it would be nice for posterity if my actual handwriting was left with my thoughts. But that just wasn't getting done. At least this way there is something.
It also seems to be helping with time management and achieving goals. This makes me at least a little accountable. If I know someone might ask me about something, I guess I want to have an affirmative answer!
To my Friends Who Blog I just want to say that I really enjoy reading all of your posts. I don't get to leave comments as much as I'd like, but I almost always have one:) I love the glimpses into your hearts, your daily lives, your random thoughts. I love the humility and the honesty, the pictures and the sillies. I love it all.
I am sad on days when no one posts anything. I have found some other blogs I enjoy checking, but the ones posted by friends are my most favorite. Post, post, post away!!!
Monday, April 28, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
The View From Where I Live
(photo is a northeasterly view from our back deck)
I remember the very first night this place became ours. I came out here all alone to start unpacking our kitchen. My strongest memory is of the scent of pine trees on a warm summer night. I remember thinking that is all I could smell. There were no car smells or anyone's barbeque. I took long, deep breaths of it and marveled to myself that I might just get to smell that the rest of my life. And it was so very dark, unlike city life where street lights illuminate most streets. I was actually kind of scared.
One of my strongest memories of moving out of our city house is sitting in my garage weeping because I'd be moving away from one of my dearest friends. It was such a blessing to live right next door to Wendy for five years. We both had upheavals in our lives during those years, as we all will within the span of five years, and I am grateful for the support we could lend to one another. I remember her mom stopping by and seeing me cry and asking why. When I told her, she reminded me that we'd only be moving 20 minutes away. Although I knew that was true, I also know that life gets in the way, and I knew there was no way we'd get to see each other nearly as often. I was right. But our friendship is still very precious to me. She walked so closely with me, probably as close as I let anyone walk with me, when I walked through My Dark Night.
Today, our lovely newest neighbor's two mini horses got out and came up onto our property. Of course, Mr. Herriot (my husband) who would certainly know how to catch the horses quickly, wasn't home. But myself and the four of our children who were home, and can walk steadily on uneven ground, were out there slipping and sliding and getting mud covered trying anyway. I was the one in fleece pajamas, wearing Crocs with empty holes for Jibbitz in 4 inch deep mud, in front of the neighbors I don't know very well. Hey, it was what looked decent and comfy when I got home from church. Attractive. I am sure I am making a great impression. The homeschool mom of six, who has goats and a milk cow AND drinks their milk plus wears fleece pajamas on Sundays.
Today, our lovely newest neighbor's two mini horses got out and came up onto our property. Of course, Mr. Herriot (my husband) who would certainly know how to catch the horses quickly, wasn't home. But myself and the four of our children who were home, and can walk steadily on uneven ground, were out there slipping and sliding and getting mud covered trying anyway. I was the one in fleece pajamas, wearing Crocs with empty holes for Jibbitz in 4 inch deep mud, in front of the neighbors I don't know very well. Hey, it was what looked decent and comfy when I got home from church. Attractive. I am sure I am making a great impression. The homeschool mom of six, who has goats and a milk cow AND drinks their milk plus wears fleece pajamas on Sundays.
I did thoroughly enjoy it that this time it was someone else's turn to catch their animals. Those tiny horses were really very beautiful to watch running around. Seeing my children want to help the neighbor rather than sit and quietly enjoy one of the few work-free days they get - good naturedly and with laughter I might add - is a true joy.
Mimmers and Doodle found and caught a beautiful tree frog. I got to stand and chat (in my fleece pajamas) with my neighbor, Lynn, while her daughter very patiently sat kneeling and waiting for the minis to settle down. Our Trusty Farmhand and our Aspiring Statesman were chivalrous in their efforts to help a damsel in distress. Each time I turned around I got to admire the valley below with it's ever changing patchwork of petals and leaves, now in it's spring attire. And I got to breathe in long, deep breaths of pine trees.
I will never take for granted, and never grow tired of, the View From Where I Live.
I will never take for granted, and never grow tired of, the View From Where I Live.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Show and Tell Friday: Rindercella and Her Three Sistie Uglers
Thank you Brenna, for telling me about Show and Tell. Show and Tell Friday is being hosted by Kelli over at her blog. You can go there by clicking on the little square above that says Show and Tell. Maybe you also can show and tell next Friday. I am enjoying, as I can, going to the different blogs and looking at what they are showing. There are collections, things that are historical or came from other countries,items that speak of tradition and heirlooms, things people have made and much more. I smiled to see that I am not the only one who showed something book related. It really is fun to get a glimpse into other women's lives, to see what they treasure, etc.
When I read about it, I started thinking about what "things" really are important to me. If you have read some of my other posts about things, you know I have had this subject of "things" on my mind quite alot lately. It is no surprise, I found that the things most precious to me are not very practical. Many have memories attached or a story behind them which are what make them so special. For this first Show and Tell, I decided to show a book I treasure.
Here's the "tell":
As a kid, usually once or twice a summer, I would go to visit grandparents whom we called "The Grampies" who lived in Bend,Oregon. I have many fond memories of those days.
Grandpa would always be the first one up. I could hear him out in the living room building a fire. The sound of a crackling fire and smell of burning wood would waft through the house, inviting me to go join him. For breakfast, Grandma would often serve the fruit of our berry-picking labors. Grandpa especially loved huckleberrying. Huckleberries only grow in the higher elevations there, which is also where the bears are - or so Grandpa said. He had many a fun moment with various grandchildren, popping out of the bushes with a roar -- each was certain they were about to become bear food!
They had raspberries growing in their yard too, so we often had raspberries on our pancakes, or even just a dish of them, sometimes over vanilla ice cream. And Grandma would always give us a little orange flavored vitamin C next to our plates. To this day, the taste of orange flavors and raspberries take me back to that 60's style table where I would look out over the beautiful view of the mountain range, including the Three Sisters, peaks named Faith, Hope and Charity, with their neighbor, Brokentop Mountain.
Sometimes Grandpa would hitch up their boat and they would take us water skiing. He'd also take me fishing once in awhile. Of particular recall is once when we went with one of his friends (or maybe my Great Uncle Elmer) and we fished all day in his little boat. I was the one who caught the biggest and best fish. Funny how that always happens when little girls go fishing with grandpas...
If we weren't going anywhere, Grandpa would let us ride his little Honda 90 motorcycle all by ourselves around their acreage. We would swim in their slimy pond next to the chicken house, hike around in the red dirt where tumbleweeds (and stinging ants!) grew abundantly, or build things with wood scraps.
Sometimes before bed Grandpa would "read" a book to me. It was more a retelling of famous stories, with Grandpa's own artistic interpretation. One of my favorites was "Rindercella and Her Three Sisty Uglers" (he must have read it to his own children too, because it was already "vintage"). I'd say "No, Grandpa, it's CINderella and her three UGLY SISTERS!". He'd say "Really? Okay, I'll try it again", then just read it again, the same way he always did. He'd tickle me if I protested too much. It is special to me that he lived long enough for me to see him do the same thing with several with my own children.
After he passed away suddenly in early March 2005, just days after we had a huge celebration for his 90th birthday, my aunt was asking us if there was anything we wanted. I mentioned that if she ever ran across the old Cinderella book, that would be something very precious to me. Being from a fairly large family, I never assumed that, even if it was still around and located, I'd actually get it! But soon thereafter, she unearthed it from somewhere and it became one of my most treasured possessions. It sits on a shelf in our bedroom where I can see it every day. Some of my children are too grown now to enjoy a fairy tale, though they do enjoy mom's reminisces, but sometimes I take it down and read it to my younger children.
I hope you enjoyed my walk down Memory Lane and now, my pictures of the beautiful 1954 Grosset & Dunlap edition of Cinderella, which is the very book my Grandpa read to me those years ago.
This is the front cover. As a girl, I imagined this is what my wedding dress would look like.
The artwork of the illustrations is so beautiful.
All of her little friends and that famous pumpkin.
Cinderella forgave her step-sisters, even after they were so selfish. And a romantic outdoor dinner with her prince.
A lovely wedding of every little girl's dreams.
Thanks Honey
This letter one of my friends sent her husband yesterday cracked me up. It so very much reminded me of when my husband was out of town for almost two weeks earlier this month and just about everything went wrong: the brakes went out in my car so I was pretty much stranded out in the country, the cow got out every day, once she took off overnight and it took me and one of our sons over two hours to find her and herd her and her calf back in, the goats kept getting out, I had to tolerate the horribly disgusting smell of a billy goat my husband had conveniently arranged to be dropped off and stay while he himself was out of town -- and the doorknob broke off of the front door. Maybe I'll write about that another day...
'Nuff about me, here is my friend's letter to her man yesterday. Names have been changed to protect the guilty. I love her style...
Just had to tell you how my morning went...
I went out to mow the lawn...
First I checked to see how Adam did on picking up dog poop. I think he miss-understood and just went around and smeared it in the lawn everywhere (besides the 10-15 piles he missed)...
It took me about 20 minutes to get the mower started...
Everytime I shut it off I had a hard time starting it again (I really think we need to buy a new one!)...
The lawn was wet and mushy and the grass kept coming out of the bottom of the mower in clumps...big pain!
I finally finished after it had started raining...(I am soooo ready for sunshine!)
My pants and shoes were a complete mess from wet grass and smeared dog poop...
When I went to wash off my shoes outside, the hose squirt all over me...
I figured after all that I was deserving of a manicure, so I relaxed for the next 1/2 hour and tried to forget the lawn, the rain and the dog poop!
Thanks for the manicure!
Cyndi
Do any of you have a lovely story you can thank your hubby for?
Thursday, April 24, 2008
I need your tiaras!
In addition to looking for stories about "Expectations and Disappointments", I also need your tiara pictures and stories. Some of you have already sent me some pictures -- I need many, many more! Keep 'em coming! Send me tiaras that you think are beautiful or whimsical - or downright dorky!
They can be pictures of yourselves, a friend, a child or anyone wearing a tiara. They can be made of metal or plastic or whatever else a tiara might be made of. They can be funnies about or pictures of tiaras you have found online (but need to be attached as jpg image, not a link), or a piece of artwork you have found or created. It could be a picture of a tiara your child has colored or glittered. They can be jokes, poems or stories involving tiaras - or your thoughts on tiaras, as one of my dear friends artfully expressed in her tiara email. One of my friends actually even gave me a tiny baby tiara:)
Anything tiara related
is very much appreciated :)
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Spring Reading Thing 2008 and My Bookshelf
I have had a list of books I have been wanting to read and I just found out about The Spring Reading Thing 2008! It seems I always have a stack under my bed, in the diaper bag or stashed in the car "just in case" I get a moment to read one. I usually have too many and often don't even get all of the way through them. So, here is my preliminary list of books I want to get all the way through this spring (I might add more but want to make it practical for now, since I joined the SRT2008 late):
Total Forgiveness
A Thankful Heart
Age of Opportunity
The Shack
Do Hard Things
Teach Them Diligently
The Heart of Anger (re-read)
My bookshelf will help me organize my thoughts about each book.I love this new "widget"! I can put all of the books I love on here and then review them. I can add books I want to read, rate them, make comments and write reviews as I read them.
This will help me get through more books, give me a way to keep track of them, and share my thoughts on them:) Even when The Spring Reading Thing 2008 is past.
Total Forgiveness
A Thankful Heart
Age of Opportunity
The Shack
Do Hard Things
Teach Them Diligently
The Heart of Anger (re-read)
My bookshelf will help me organize my thoughts about each book.I love this new "widget"! I can put all of the books I love on here and then review them. I can add books I want to read, rate them, make comments and write reviews as I read them.
This will help me get through more books, give me a way to keep track of them, and share my thoughts on them:) Even when The Spring Reading Thing 2008 is past.
Blooming Sideways
(Fromthe 18th of April)
On another day, I will write about the beautiful place where we live. It is what "inspired" today's musings.
The view from the bathtub in our master bathroom is mostly a beautiful stand of evergreen trees. I think they are Fir Trees because of the yellow shower of pollen that comes from them this time of year (this week in fact), coating everything around here in a thin film of yellow powder.
As I was relaxing in the tub last week, while the rest of the house was still quiet (maybe I got the idea from Christa!), I particularly noticed a more spindly tree growing in the midst of those giants (see pic above, to left and going across and up). It is growing there in the shade of the big trees -- and it is blooming! It doesn't refuse to bloom because it isn't getting much sunshine and warmth. Apparently it is making the best of it's situation and even grows somewhat sideways to get the most it can out of what sunshine it does get. It isn't just standing there waiting for sunshine to come to it. It is going out and looking for it!
I think that I, too, shall choose to bloom - even on my shady days.
Even if it's sideways.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
"Lord, I'm being humble, but no one is noticing!"
Signs of Pride:
~ "A Critical Spirit" : Wow, this is an easy one to have. I think for women it can really play into the self-esteem issue. We start "leveling" -- elevating ourselves or putting others down so we feel better about ourselves. It can become deeply ingrained and, as it takes root, we can find ourselves being critical about pretty much everything.
~ "Inability To Receive Correction" : Can you say DEFENSIVENESS? Even if we don't think we are wrong, accepting correction with a quiet and humble spirit, giving the Holy Spirit time to convict us if there is truth in it rather than automatically putting up a wall of defense, would be humility. I'm thinking how many marital arguments this could prevent! Or arguments between parents and older kids, or misunderstandings in organizations. I guess just arguments in general.
~ "Refusing To Forgive": As I posted on Sunday, I have been reading alot about forgiveness, and I have found some clarity. I have uncovered some areas where I have had unforgiveness without realizing it. And I have found that just knowing about them frees me up to be able to forgive. Ahhh, I feel much lighter! I know that I need the Lord to CONTINUALLY keep opening up my ugly parts and showing me situations where I am unforgiving, even when I haven't known that I have been. Then I need to give those to Him continually.
"Evidences of Humility:
~ A Teachable Heart
~ A Submissive Heart
~ A Servant's Heart"
To me, this also spells out a quiet spirit. That makes me feel peaceful. No struggle to try to make sure I am viewed as being right and, for me an even bigger release, no struggle to make sure I am understood.
"Humility is the beginning of usability." I had never thought about that specifically until we started going to the church we are in. They have mentioned on several occasions that their leaders are those who thought they were ill equipped. They don't think of themselves as the "go-to guy" for a specific thing because they have that topic mastered. They just want to serve and help people. Lord, I want You to use me! Please give me more humility.
The outline and quotes are from our Pastor, Phil Comer. I thought it was very applicable and thought provoking so wanted to apply it to myself personally here in this blog. You can listen to Sunday's message where he gave it here: http://www.ajesuschurch.org/teachings_topic.php?tid=539&c=1
The outline and quotes are from our Pastor, Phil Comer. I thought it was very applicable and thought provoking so wanted to apply it to myself personally here in this blog. You can listen to Sunday's message where he gave it here: http://www.ajesuschurch.org/teachings_topic.php?tid=539&c=1
Sunday, April 20, 2008
My Tiara Project, Topic One
I am doing research, as I have time, for a project I began several years ago. I call it "My Tiara Project". It is (as I am!)a work in progress...
I am eventually looking for real life stories and testimonies about the following:
~ Expectations (about yourself, others or God)
~ Self-Esteem (high or low)
~ The Perfection Trap
~ Comparing yourself to others
... and how these/this has affected your life or lives of people you know.
This week's specific request is for stories or testimonies about:
~ Expectations/Disappointments (about yourself, others or God)
I don't want to give much detail about it because I want ladies to have that specific "thing" pop into their mind without me putting parameters on it. You can go as much or as little into depth as you feel comfortable with. I would just love real life stories from real, honest-to-goodness ladies. None of us are alone in our journey and it is so refreshing to read about others walking the same paths and sharing the same struggles, but in a different story. It could be something you have experienced or read, or some thoughts you have about expectations. You might already know after having just read the word. Maybe it made you start feeling heavy, or sad, or hopeful or...
I am not yet sure to what degree this info will be used. I felt a pull in my spirit several years ago to create a Bible Study for women about specific topics, including the list above. Being a woman myself, maybe God is having me write it just for myself. I don't know. Maybe for a ladies conference or a tea, maybe God will use further. Maybe a submission to a magazine -- or even a book. I just don't know! I have been at it for a few years in theory, in thought, in prayer and pondering, but it is time for me to start getting more serious about putting all of the pieces together.
Please email to me at CTBunch@aol.com under the heading Tiara Project/Expectations. Please let me know if it is okay to use your name associated with it in future writings, or if you'd prefer it remain private. Thank you! And stay tuned for the website specifically for this to be ready to read in the coming months.
I am eventually looking for real life stories and testimonies about the following:
~ Expectations (about yourself, others or God)
~ Self-Esteem (high or low)
~ The Perfection Trap
~ Comparing yourself to others
... and how these/this has affected your life or lives of people you know.
This week's specific request is for stories or testimonies about:
~ Expectations/Disappointments (about yourself, others or God)
I don't want to give much detail about it because I want ladies to have that specific "thing" pop into their mind without me putting parameters on it. You can go as much or as little into depth as you feel comfortable with. I would just love real life stories from real, honest-to-goodness ladies. None of us are alone in our journey and it is so refreshing to read about others walking the same paths and sharing the same struggles, but in a different story. It could be something you have experienced or read, or some thoughts you have about expectations. You might already know after having just read the word. Maybe it made you start feeling heavy, or sad, or hopeful or...
I am not yet sure to what degree this info will be used. I felt a pull in my spirit several years ago to create a Bible Study for women about specific topics, including the list above. Being a woman myself, maybe God is having me write it just for myself. I don't know. Maybe for a ladies conference or a tea, maybe God will use further. Maybe a submission to a magazine -- or even a book. I just don't know! I have been at it for a few years in theory, in thought, in prayer and pondering, but it is time for me to start getting more serious about putting all of the pieces together.
Please email to me at CTBunch@aol.com under the heading Tiara Project/Expectations. Please let me know if it is okay to use your name associated with it in future writings, or if you'd prefer it remain private. Thank you! And stay tuned for the website specifically for this to be ready to read in the coming months.
Back At The Cross, Where I Belong...
Relinquishing bitterness is an open invitation for the Holy Spirit to give you His peace, His joy and the knowledge of His will."
It is not comfy to make changes. I don't really like it much. I like familiarity. One of my most favorite things in life is a sense of belonging.
Sentiment.
My husband likes to rearrange the furniture. I like to find a way I just love it and keep it that way. I love going back to places I went as a kid and finding them pretty much the same. I don't like when I go back and there is nothing recognizable about a place.
Nostalgia.
I love having a "past" with people. I love saying "Remember when we ...". I love looking at pictures from way back when and seeing the face of someone I still see regularly. History.
So this has been a great hurt for me. Someone caused the loss of my sense of belonging to a certain place; sentiment, nostalgia and history have been stolen from me. When something happens that reminds me of that, I am tempted to allow unforgiveness in.
We have made every attempt at resolution, but have been denied on each attempt. This gives more reasons for unforgiveness -- or more opportunity for forgiveness. I am reading the book Total Forgiveness and I am seeing applicable, practical facts about forgiveness I didn't realize before.
Forgiveness without resolution is something I had never really studied about. But this caught my eye:"One must totally forgive those who will not be reconciled" and "An injured person can forgive an offender without reconciliation." I am reading so many things that ring true and are eye opening. This book brings me back again and again to God's Word. That brings clarity and, for this black-and-white, rule-following kind of gal, helps me see the path. Straight back to the foot of the Cross...where I will always belong.
"It may be far easier to forgive when we know that those who maligned or betrayed us are sorry for what they did, but if I must have this knowledge before I can forgive, I may never have the victory over my bitterness."
"Total forgiveness is a choice. It is not a feeling -- at least at first -- but is rather an act of the will."
"...grace is getting what we don't deserve (favor), and mercy is not getting what we do deserve (justice). So when we show mercy we are withholding justice from those who have injured us, and that is one aspect of godliness."
"True forgiveness shows grace and mercy at the same time."
"If I have a genuine heart-experience, I will not be devastated if there is no reconciliation. If those who hurt me don't want to continue a relationship with me, it isn't my problem because I have forgiven them."
"Confidence toward God is ultimately what total forgiveness is all about; He is the one I want to please at the end of the day."
Okay, I will stop now. Read the book!
It is not comfy to make changes. I don't really like it much. I like familiarity. One of my most favorite things in life is a sense of belonging.
Sentiment.
My husband likes to rearrange the furniture. I like to find a way I just love it and keep it that way. I love going back to places I went as a kid and finding them pretty much the same. I don't like when I go back and there is nothing recognizable about a place.
Nostalgia.
I love having a "past" with people. I love saying "Remember when we ...". I love looking at pictures from way back when and seeing the face of someone I still see regularly. History.
So this has been a great hurt for me. Someone caused the loss of my sense of belonging to a certain place; sentiment, nostalgia and history have been stolen from me. When something happens that reminds me of that, I am tempted to allow unforgiveness in.
We have made every attempt at resolution, but have been denied on each attempt. This gives more reasons for unforgiveness -- or more opportunity for forgiveness. I am reading the book Total Forgiveness and I am seeing applicable, practical facts about forgiveness I didn't realize before.
Forgiveness without resolution is something I had never really studied about. But this caught my eye:"One must totally forgive those who will not be reconciled" and "An injured person can forgive an offender without reconciliation." I am reading so many things that ring true and are eye opening. This book brings me back again and again to God's Word. That brings clarity and, for this black-and-white, rule-following kind of gal, helps me see the path. Straight back to the foot of the Cross...where I will always belong.
"It may be far easier to forgive when we know that those who maligned or betrayed us are sorry for what they did, but if I must have this knowledge before I can forgive, I may never have the victory over my bitterness."
"Total forgiveness is a choice. It is not a feeling -- at least at first -- but is rather an act of the will."
"...grace is getting what we don't deserve (favor), and mercy is not getting what we do deserve (justice). So when we show mercy we are withholding justice from those who have injured us, and that is one aspect of godliness."
"True forgiveness shows grace and mercy at the same time."
"If I have a genuine heart-experience, I will not be devastated if there is no reconciliation. If those who hurt me don't want to continue a relationship with me, it isn't my problem because I have forgiven them."
"Confidence toward God is ultimately what total forgiveness is all about; He is the one I want to please at the end of the day."
Okay, I will stop now. Read the book!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
A Dream Come True
I never dreamt
that tender blosoms
would be brown
Or precious angels
could come down
to live in the garden
of my giving heart
But here you are
brown angel
~Walter Dean Meyers
Yesterday was my daughter's birthday. My Daughter. Ahhh, those sweet words.
I think of the first moment I laid eyes on her,
Her newborn, yet wise-old-woman eyes...
Her first birthday...
Sitting on a beach in Hawaii with a floppy hat...
The "booty bounce" way she got from one place to the next...
Days in the sun swimming and sunning and playing...
Of loving and being deeply loved...
I can't believe it has been seven years!
I have a daughter. She is my constant companion, my cheerleader, mini-mama to my baby. She is still my baby girl, yet she is getting so grown up. I prayed specifically -- for dimples, for sweetness and spunk, and so much more -- and God came through abundantly over anything I could ask or think...
She is a Dream Come True.
Happy 7th Birthday Dear, Sweet, Precious Daughter
Prayer
Shout my name to the angels
Sing my song to the skies
Anoint my ears with wisdom
Let beauty fill my eyes
For I am dark and precious
And have such gifts to give
Sweet joy, sweet love,
Sweet laughter
Sweet wondrous life to live
~Walter Dean Meyers
that tender blosoms
would be brown
Or precious angels
could come down
to live in the garden
of my giving heart
But here you are
brown angel
~Walter Dean Meyers
Yesterday was my daughter's birthday. My Daughter. Ahhh, those sweet words.
I think of the first moment I laid eyes on her,
Her newborn, yet wise-old-woman eyes...
Her first birthday...
Sitting on a beach in Hawaii with a floppy hat...
The "booty bounce" way she got from one place to the next...
Days in the sun swimming and sunning and playing...
Of loving and being deeply loved...
I can't believe it has been seven years!
I have a daughter. She is my constant companion, my cheerleader, mini-mama to my baby. She is still my baby girl, yet she is getting so grown up. I prayed specifically -- for dimples, for sweetness and spunk, and so much more -- and God came through abundantly over anything I could ask or think...
She is a Dream Come True.
Happy 7th Birthday Dear, Sweet, Precious Daughter
Prayer
Shout my name to the angels
Sing my song to the skies
Anoint my ears with wisdom
Let beauty fill my eyes
For I am dark and precious
And have such gifts to give
Sweet joy, sweet love,
Sweet laughter
Sweet wondrous life to live
~Walter Dean Meyers
Friday, April 11, 2008
Our Son Is Going to Zimbabwe!
There is a team of about a dozen going out from our church in August to Zimbabwe. They will be helping with projects at an orphanage in the capital city of Harare. If you have been following the news, you know there is much political unrest there. Please pray for the country, for things to settle down and for God to prepare the way for this team.
We are selling honey to raise money for Andrew for this trip, as well as possibly for Anthony who has applied to go on a Mexico trip. Please see price list and info to left on this blog. I will post more info as it becomes available.
We are selling honey to raise money for Andrew for this trip, as well as possibly for Anthony who has applied to go on a Mexico trip. Please see price list and info to left on this blog. I will post more info as it becomes available.
Fertilizer
However I might feel about Shout To The Lord being sung on A.I. this week, I want to think about how I can let everything the Lord allows into my life be stimulus for changes I need to make.
It kind of reminds me of a story I heard once: Some teens really wanted to go and watch a movie. It was rated R, which was against family policy, so they went to talk to their dad about it. They told him their very good Christian friends had seen it and it wasn't that bad. It actually had a good storyline, with just a few bad words in it. The dad wisely told them he'd pray about it and they'd talk the next day. The teens were excited -- "Hey, at least he didn't say no, so he must be considering it!". And the dad prayed. Prayed -- and baked.
The next day, he met with his teens, as promised, to let them know what he had decided. He told them he had prayed about it and made his decision. But, before he told them what he decided, he wanted to share with them a very special batch of brownies he had made just for them."Kids, I love you so much that I used only the finest ingredients. I used the finest European chocolate and fresh eggs from a farm. I used organic flour and butter and fresh milk. Then I added just a teeeny, tiny bit of dog poop. It's not much, just the smallest amount, so I'm sure you'll still love them -- and I baked them just now. They are fresh and nice and hot and gooey. Here, have one, then we'll talk."
I can apply this to events in my life and to what I choose to participate in. I can also apply it to myself. There can be alot of poop mixed in with the good stuff God wants to do in and through me. I don't want people to have to ask themselves (or even take a vote!) if I am using God when it is convenient! Do I live my life wholly for Him? When I see poop in my life, do I go ahead and mix it in with all of the fine chocolate,in hopes that it will not be noticed, or do I keep it separate and ask God to take it away?
That said, I also know God knows me. He still loves me and works through me, even when I am full of poop. I mess up all of the time, yet He is lovingly there to keep cheering me on to be all that He made me to be. And, yes, sometimes He even uses the poop in my life and makes it all good!
It kind of reminds me of a story I heard once: Some teens really wanted to go and watch a movie. It was rated R, which was against family policy, so they went to talk to their dad about it. They told him their very good Christian friends had seen it and it wasn't that bad. It actually had a good storyline, with just a few bad words in it. The dad wisely told them he'd pray about it and they'd talk the next day. The teens were excited -- "Hey, at least he didn't say no, so he must be considering it!". And the dad prayed. Prayed -- and baked.
The next day, he met with his teens, as promised, to let them know what he had decided. He told them he had prayed about it and made his decision. But, before he told them what he decided, he wanted to share with them a very special batch of brownies he had made just for them."Kids, I love you so much that I used only the finest ingredients. I used the finest European chocolate and fresh eggs from a farm. I used organic flour and butter and fresh milk. Then I added just a teeeny, tiny bit of dog poop. It's not much, just the smallest amount, so I'm sure you'll still love them -- and I baked them just now. They are fresh and nice and hot and gooey. Here, have one, then we'll talk."
I can apply this to events in my life and to what I choose to participate in. I can also apply it to myself. There can be alot of poop mixed in with the good stuff God wants to do in and through me. I don't want people to have to ask themselves (or even take a vote!) if I am using God when it is convenient! Do I live my life wholly for Him? When I see poop in my life, do I go ahead and mix it in with all of the fine chocolate,in hopes that it will not be noticed, or do I keep it separate and ask God to take it away?
That said, I also know God knows me. He still loves me and works through me, even when I am full of poop. I mess up all of the time, yet He is lovingly there to keep cheering me on to be all that He made me to be. And, yes, sometimes He even uses the poop in my life and makes it all good!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Was I Dreaming?
(See Related Poll Results At Bottom Of Post)
Last night I thought we were going to watch the results show for American Idol. But it was their fundraising night. I was moved by the different stories of people from here in the U.S. and all over the world, so we watched.
I could talk to you about how it was a great opportunity to talk to my younger kids about what organizations we give money to (mostly Oregon Right To Life www.ortl.org and International Medical Teams , www.medicalteams.org)and why. I could tell you this was the first time I have heard Fergie sing and that I think she was great. Or we can talk about the daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus,15 year old singing sensation Mylie Cyrus, discuss how she has gotten so popular and my opinion on young girls who act or dress like they are grown women. I could talk about the irony of Mariah Carey, who just within the last few weeks said she doesn't think she acts enough like a diva and should be even more demanding, singing about pain and suffering in the world and asking for the Lord's help. But, those would be bunny trails -- so I won't mention them.
My point is what happened at the closing of the show. Ryan Seacrest announced that the finalists were going to sing "Shout To The Lord". Pan over to the finalists all dressed in white, flanked by singers in choir robes. What? Did I roll over on the remote and change the channel? Sure enough, I hear the familiar intro to a song I know so well. I did catch the change of the second word of the song, "My Shepherd" instead of "my Jesus". Too bad. But they went on to sing the entire song, sounding beautiful, with individual interpretations of certain parts by each artist.
There are two ways we, as Christians, can view this. We can roll our eyes and say how we are so sick of Hollywood using God at their convenience, for their own reasons. And we'd be justified, just as we are when we get upset about people who wear a cross only as a fashion statement.
Or we can rejoice that a song as powerful as this was used in a television program, broadcasted all over the world.
I get pretty mixed reviews in chatting about it. Most feel a certain way, but can see how others might feel differently.
I'd love to hear if you watched and how you felt about it while watching, or how you feel about reading about it. Which opinion do you have? Please vote in my poll, send your friends over to vote, and write your comments.
Please read my follow up post listed above...
I asked the question: "How Did You Feel About the song "Shout to the Lord" being sung on American Idol last night?" I left the poll open for one week.
Here is the input I received:
It bothered me. I can do without Hollywood using God to be trendy.23%
I loved it. I think it is wonderful that a powerful song was broadcasted to millions of people through a mainstream source. 70%
Don't care one way or the other. 5%
Last night I thought we were going to watch the results show for American Idol. But it was their fundraising night. I was moved by the different stories of people from here in the U.S. and all over the world, so we watched.
I could talk to you about how it was a great opportunity to talk to my younger kids about what organizations we give money to (mostly Oregon Right To Life www.ortl.org and International Medical Teams , www.medicalteams.org)and why. I could tell you this was the first time I have heard Fergie sing and that I think she was great. Or we can talk about the daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus,15 year old singing sensation Mylie Cyrus, discuss how she has gotten so popular and my opinion on young girls who act or dress like they are grown women. I could talk about the irony of Mariah Carey, who just within the last few weeks said she doesn't think she acts enough like a diva and should be even more demanding, singing about pain and suffering in the world and asking for the Lord's help. But, those would be bunny trails -- so I won't mention them.
My point is what happened at the closing of the show. Ryan Seacrest announced that the finalists were going to sing "Shout To The Lord". Pan over to the finalists all dressed in white, flanked by singers in choir robes. What? Did I roll over on the remote and change the channel? Sure enough, I hear the familiar intro to a song I know so well. I did catch the change of the second word of the song, "My Shepherd" instead of "my Jesus". Too bad. But they went on to sing the entire song, sounding beautiful, with individual interpretations of certain parts by each artist.
There are two ways we, as Christians, can view this. We can roll our eyes and say how we are so sick of Hollywood using God at their convenience, for their own reasons. And we'd be justified, just as we are when we get upset about people who wear a cross only as a fashion statement.
Or we can rejoice that a song as powerful as this was used in a television program, broadcasted all over the world.
I get pretty mixed reviews in chatting about it. Most feel a certain way, but can see how others might feel differently.
I'd love to hear if you watched and how you felt about it while watching, or how you feel about reading about it. Which opinion do you have? Please vote in my poll, send your friends over to vote, and write your comments.
Please read my follow up post listed above...
I asked the question: "How Did You Feel About the song "Shout to the Lord" being sung on American Idol last night?" I left the poll open for one week.
Here is the input I received:
It bothered me. I can do without Hollywood using God to be trendy.23%
I loved it. I think it is wonderful that a powerful song was broadcasted to millions of people through a mainstream source. 70%
Don't care one way or the other. 5%
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
C.S. Lewis on Hope, Desire and Longing
I am a big C.S. Lewis fan. His writings helped anchor me during the Dark Night I walked through. He has a way of saying things that helps me put my finger on what I've been feeling or thinking and making sense of them. He makes things which are intangible into figurative language I can relate to. I think this piece also speaks faith.
"Most people, if they had really learned to look into their own hearts, would know that they do want, and want acutely, something that cannot be had in this world. There are all sorts of things in this world that offer to give it to you, but they never quite keep their promise.
"We do not want to merely "see" beauty--though, God knows, even that is bounty enough. We want something else which can hardly be put into words--to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of it.
"At present we are on the outside... the wrong side of the door. We discern the freshness and purity of morning, but they do not make us fresh and pure. We cannot mingle with the pleasures we see. But all the pages of the New Testament are rustling with the rumor that it will not always be so. Someday, God willing, we shall get "in"... We will put on glory... that greater glory of which Nature is only the first sketch.
"The Christian says, 'Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists.' A baby feels hunger: well, there is such a thing as food. Men feel sexual desire: well, there is such a thing as sex. If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.
"If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only... to suggest the real thing. If that is so, I must take care, on the one hand, never to despise, or be unthankful for, these earthly blessings, and on the other, never to mistake them for the something else of which they are only a kind of copy, echo, or mirage.
"I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to the other country and to help others do the same."
"Most people, if they had really learned to look into their own hearts, would know that they do want, and want acutely, something that cannot be had in this world. There are all sorts of things in this world that offer to give it to you, but they never quite keep their promise.
"We do not want to merely "see" beauty--though, God knows, even that is bounty enough. We want something else which can hardly be put into words--to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of it.
"At present we are on the outside... the wrong side of the door. We discern the freshness and purity of morning, but they do not make us fresh and pure. We cannot mingle with the pleasures we see. But all the pages of the New Testament are rustling with the rumor that it will not always be so. Someday, God willing, we shall get "in"... We will put on glory... that greater glory of which Nature is only the first sketch.
"The Christian says, 'Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists.' A baby feels hunger: well, there is such a thing as food. Men feel sexual desire: well, there is such a thing as sex. If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.
"If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only... to suggest the real thing. If that is so, I must take care, on the one hand, never to despise, or be unthankful for, these earthly blessings, and on the other, never to mistake them for the something else of which they are only a kind of copy, echo, or mirage.
"I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to the other country and to help others do the same."
Sunday, April 6, 2008
"God, please, just Get Me!"
Psalm 40:1-3 I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined His ear to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay and set my feet upon a rock, making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to God. Many shall see it and shall fear and shall trust in the Lord".
Several years ago, on a Sunday morning, I was walking down our stairs. I had been getting ready for church, so I was wearing high heeled shoes and my arms were full. As I came within about 6 stairs from the bottom, I began to fall. My husband and one of my sons were at the bottom. They watched me as I tried to catch myself, not quite knowing what to do. It became apparent to ME that I was not going to be able to catch myself, but that this was NOT apparent to my guys at the bottom. So I just cried out -- "Get me!". Of course they did , and my little disaster was averted.
I promptly forgot all about that morning until one day a pastor we know was preaching and recounted a story about a youth camp where he had been sharing and the youth pastor drowned during the camp. He described a young man under some waterfalls and asked the "if that happened today, where would you be?" question. But all that I saw in my mind's eye was this young man, under the pressure of the waterfall, helpless from having hit his head, and it brought tears to my eyes as I asked, "Why God, didn't You just "get him?".
I immediately knew why it struck me so. In my own way, I had asked God repeatedly, over the several years previous to that, to "get" me. I don't mean "get me" as in take me to Heaven. I mean in the sense that He rescue me, be near me, comfort me.
"God requires belief and trust in moments of human weakness, but faith is what makes us strong."
From the time I was a child, I had a gift of faith. I didn't have to choose faith, it was just there for me. Not that I didn't sometimes need to choose to follow God, or make right choices, but I never doubted if what Jesus said was real. I had happily lived my life, feeling the Tangible Presence of God with me, pretty much at all times. And I did not take it for granted. I knew about so many people who struggled with their faith, and I was grateful that I didn't face that struggle myself.
In 1998, a couple weeks after the loss of our baby boy about halfway through my pregnancy, in one moment of time, I went from a state of unquestionable faith to utter despair. For the first time in my life, I wasn't so sure it was all true. I desperately wanted our baby back, yet the greater grief that consumed me was my loss of innocence and the subsequent loss of the gift of faith I treasured so dearly. That Tangible Presence was no longer tangible. God promised us in Psalms that He is near to the brokenhearted so I wanted to believe He was, but I could no longer feel Him.
As the weeks and months went by, then turned into years, I prayed so many times that God would again make Himself real to me in a tangible way. Everything seemed so futile, without purpose and very temporary. I would beg him as if I were a little girl. "God, it would be so little effort on Your part, if You are really there, can't you PLEASE let me feel You again?". One time I was soaking in our bathtub and crying. Out of desperation I prayed the dumbest prayer I have ever prayed. I just said "God, PLEASE be there!". I wondered if there was a lesson He wanted me to learn. But then I would think of my own children. I'd think about the fact that if they got hurt and were begging for me to help them, I couldn't think of a lesson I'd want them to learn that would be more valuable than "mommy's here". How much more would God want me to feel that from Him? I just couldn't understand. So my decision had to be made. Was it all real or wasn't it? My new life of choosing faith had begun.
I prayed on more than one occassion that I'd see a demon. I figured if there was anything spiritual at all, there must be something after this life. And, if there was a hereafter, I had no problem believing that it was as Jesus said. I went into the bookstore looking for books about people who had near death experiences. I briefly headed toward the "new age" area where I could read about ghosts and seances, etc., but "something" made me stay away.
"We do not believe in immortality because we have proved it, but we are forever trying to prove it because we believe in it". ~ James Martineau
I think something in me knew all along, because I would quote scriptures I had memorized from the time I was a child. I was so grateful I'd been encouraged, and sometimes forced, to memorize different passages. When I think of it, it drives home how important it is for us to have our children have it constantly be sowed into them.
It was during this time that the Lord really brought to mind the verses at the opening of this post. They kept coming back, washing over me time and again. I began to read it and quote it as if it were my biography. My life from Then until The End. Okay, Lord, I will take it one step at a time.
1~ I waited patiently for the Lord
2~ He inclined His ear to me
3~ And heard my cry
4~ He brought me up out of the pit of destruction
5~ Out of the miry clay
6~ He set my feet upon a rock
7~ Making my footsteps firm
8~ He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to God
9~ Many will see it and will fear and will trust in the Lord
Lord, let it be so...
This post is becoming way too long. Soon I will lose your attention, if I haven't already. I'm certain I will post about this again. I'd love to hear from you if you want to talk about it or if you are struggling, so I can encourage you.
If you have ever walked the path of grief, or the Dark Night of the Soul, or if you are walking it now, do not lose heart. It's okay. God says that our faith will be tested. Choose faith. Every moment. When you don't feel like you can, ask Him for more faith.
James 1:2-5 My brethren, count it all joy when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance, and let endurance have it's perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
If you'd like to read more about faith, there are some great studies at these links:
http://www.acts17-11.com/faith.html
http://www.bible-knowledge.com/What-is-faith.html
http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=1561
Also, read The Case For Faith by Lee Strobel
Several years ago, on a Sunday morning, I was walking down our stairs. I had been getting ready for church, so I was wearing high heeled shoes and my arms were full. As I came within about 6 stairs from the bottom, I began to fall. My husband and one of my sons were at the bottom. They watched me as I tried to catch myself, not quite knowing what to do. It became apparent to ME that I was not going to be able to catch myself, but that this was NOT apparent to my guys at the bottom. So I just cried out -- "Get me!". Of course they did , and my little disaster was averted.
I promptly forgot all about that morning until one day a pastor we know was preaching and recounted a story about a youth camp where he had been sharing and the youth pastor drowned during the camp. He described a young man under some waterfalls and asked the "if that happened today, where would you be?" question. But all that I saw in my mind's eye was this young man, under the pressure of the waterfall, helpless from having hit his head, and it brought tears to my eyes as I asked, "Why God, didn't You just "get him?".
I immediately knew why it struck me so. In my own way, I had asked God repeatedly, over the several years previous to that, to "get" me. I don't mean "get me" as in take me to Heaven. I mean in the sense that He rescue me, be near me, comfort me.
"God requires belief and trust in moments of human weakness, but faith is what makes us strong."
From the time I was a child, I had a gift of faith. I didn't have to choose faith, it was just there for me. Not that I didn't sometimes need to choose to follow God, or make right choices, but I never doubted if what Jesus said was real. I had happily lived my life, feeling the Tangible Presence of God with me, pretty much at all times. And I did not take it for granted. I knew about so many people who struggled with their faith, and I was grateful that I didn't face that struggle myself.
In 1998, a couple weeks after the loss of our baby boy about halfway through my pregnancy, in one moment of time, I went from a state of unquestionable faith to utter despair. For the first time in my life, I wasn't so sure it was all true. I desperately wanted our baby back, yet the greater grief that consumed me was my loss of innocence and the subsequent loss of the gift of faith I treasured so dearly. That Tangible Presence was no longer tangible. God promised us in Psalms that He is near to the brokenhearted so I wanted to believe He was, but I could no longer feel Him.
As the weeks and months went by, then turned into years, I prayed so many times that God would again make Himself real to me in a tangible way. Everything seemed so futile, without purpose and very temporary. I would beg him as if I were a little girl. "God, it would be so little effort on Your part, if You are really there, can't you PLEASE let me feel You again?". One time I was soaking in our bathtub and crying. Out of desperation I prayed the dumbest prayer I have ever prayed. I just said "God, PLEASE be there!". I wondered if there was a lesson He wanted me to learn. But then I would think of my own children. I'd think about the fact that if they got hurt and were begging for me to help them, I couldn't think of a lesson I'd want them to learn that would be more valuable than "mommy's here". How much more would God want me to feel that from Him? I just couldn't understand. So my decision had to be made. Was it all real or wasn't it? My new life of choosing faith had begun.
I prayed on more than one occassion that I'd see a demon. I figured if there was anything spiritual at all, there must be something after this life. And, if there was a hereafter, I had no problem believing that it was as Jesus said. I went into the bookstore looking for books about people who had near death experiences. I briefly headed toward the "new age" area where I could read about ghosts and seances, etc., but "something" made me stay away.
"We do not believe in immortality because we have proved it, but we are forever trying to prove it because we believe in it". ~ James Martineau
I think something in me knew all along, because I would quote scriptures I had memorized from the time I was a child. I was so grateful I'd been encouraged, and sometimes forced, to memorize different passages. When I think of it, it drives home how important it is for us to have our children have it constantly be sowed into them.
It was during this time that the Lord really brought to mind the verses at the opening of this post. They kept coming back, washing over me time and again. I began to read it and quote it as if it were my biography. My life from Then until The End. Okay, Lord, I will take it one step at a time.
1~ I waited patiently for the Lord
2~ He inclined His ear to me
3~ And heard my cry
4~ He brought me up out of the pit of destruction
5~ Out of the miry clay
6~ He set my feet upon a rock
7~ Making my footsteps firm
8~ He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to God
9~ Many will see it and will fear and will trust in the Lord
Lord, let it be so...
This post is becoming way too long. Soon I will lose your attention, if I haven't already. I'm certain I will post about this again. I'd love to hear from you if you want to talk about it or if you are struggling, so I can encourage you.
If you have ever walked the path of grief, or the Dark Night of the Soul, or if you are walking it now, do not lose heart. It's okay. God says that our faith will be tested. Choose faith. Every moment. When you don't feel like you can, ask Him for more faith.
James 1:2-5 My brethren, count it all joy when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance, and let endurance have it's perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
If you'd like to read more about faith, there are some great studies at these links:
http://www.acts17-11.com/faith.html
http://www.bible-knowledge.com/What-is-faith.html
http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=1561
Also, read The Case For Faith by Lee Strobel
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Then Sings My Soul Saturday
(See here: http://signsmiraclesandwonders.blogspot.com/2008/03/then-sings-my-soul-saturdays-inaugural.html)
Several years ago I walked through what my Grandma called "The Dark Night Of The Soul". Through that, this song became a favorite of mine.Here are the words. See/hear video below.
Redeemer By Nicole Mullen
Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning
Who told the ocean you an only come this far?
Who showed the moon where to hide 'til evening
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?
Well I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
All of creation testify
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives
The very same God that spins things in orbit
He runs to the weary, the worn and the weak
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken
They conquered death to bring me victory
Now I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I know my Redeemer, He lives
To take away my shame
And He lives forever I'll proclaim
That the payment for my sin
Was the precious life He gave
But now He's alive And there's an empty grave.
And I know my Redeemer, He lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives
Several years ago I walked through what my Grandma called "The Dark Night Of The Soul". Through that, this song became a favorite of mine.Here are the words. See/hear video below.
Redeemer By Nicole Mullen
Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning
Who told the ocean you an only come this far?
Who showed the moon where to hide 'til evening
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?
Well I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
All of creation testify
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives
The very same God that spins things in orbit
He runs to the weary, the worn and the weak
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken
They conquered death to bring me victory
Now I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I know my Redeemer, He lives
To take away my shame
And He lives forever I'll proclaim
That the payment for my sin
Was the precious life He gave
But now He's alive And there's an empty grave.
And I know my Redeemer, He lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives
Friday, April 4, 2008
A Gentle Reminder
My baby has had a rash for a year. I have tried lotions and ointments, changes in diet, avoiding certain foods all together, naturopaths, delayed response allergy testing, chiropractors -- today I took him to the allergist. He has only one slight, possible allergy, to weeds. This is not causing his skin rash. (He has something called Keratosis Pilaris. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keratosis_pilaris)
We can spend a whole lot of time and energy trying to figure things out, to "go natural", to be healthy and not use chemicals or preservatives and only eat grass fed meat. And we can still have "conditions". We can spend a year trying to solve a skin problem -- totally change a baby's diet, spend lotsa bucks on what might be a cure and sleepless nights wondering - then walk into the allergist one day and find out it was all for naught.
Isn't that just like our walk with God? We can spend our lives trying to figure things out, to do things just right, we can exert and expend and exort and excel -- but our dependence has to be on God. He has all of the answers. Thanks God, for the gentle reminder...
We can spend a whole lot of time and energy trying to figure things out, to "go natural", to be healthy and not use chemicals or preservatives and only eat grass fed meat. And we can still have "conditions". We can spend a year trying to solve a skin problem -- totally change a baby's diet, spend lotsa bucks on what might be a cure and sleepless nights wondering - then walk into the allergist one day and find out it was all for naught.
Isn't that just like our walk with God? We can spend our lives trying to figure things out, to do things just right, we can exert and expend and exort and excel -- but our dependence has to be on God. He has all of the answers. Thanks God, for the gentle reminder...
Thursday, April 3, 2008
On Being A Helicopter Mother
Parents of millennials have been obsessive about ensuring the safety of their children, Howe said. When the first wave was born in the early 1980s, "Baby on Board" signs began popping up on minivans. They were buckled into child-safety seats, fitted with bike helmets, carpooled to numerous after-school activities and hovered over by what Howe describes as "helicopter parents."—Don O'Briant, "Millennials: The Next Generation," The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, August 11, 2003
I had never heard of this phrase until last Sunday. Our pastor's wife was talking about different parenting styles and this was one she mentioned. Of course I want my kids to be safe. Yes, I even hover at times. I think I zoom around alot too. My head certainly spins around alot. And I can imagine that when I am not in control I may sometimes go into a tailspin. I don't usually crash, but I come precariously close. I am still trying to learn to steer this thing (parenting). I sorta thought I had it down, and I might - in about 5 minute occasional increments.
Some definitions say the helicopter parent doesn't allow their kids to learn from their mistakes. I guess they think of a helicopter as swooping down to rescue every time danger is near. I say, "Hold those feet to the fire"! I don't think they can learn from their mistakes until they admit they make them. I drive some of my children crazy with this one at times.
So I think I'd rather be more like a safety boat escort for someone swimming the English Channel: Somewhere through the fog, available if needed.
I had never heard of this phrase until last Sunday. Our pastor's wife was talking about different parenting styles and this was one she mentioned. Of course I want my kids to be safe. Yes, I even hover at times. I think I zoom around alot too. My head certainly spins around alot. And I can imagine that when I am not in control I may sometimes go into a tailspin. I don't usually crash, but I come precariously close. I am still trying to learn to steer this thing (parenting). I sorta thought I had it down, and I might - in about 5 minute occasional increments.
Some definitions say the helicopter parent doesn't allow their kids to learn from their mistakes. I guess they think of a helicopter as swooping down to rescue every time danger is near. I say, "Hold those feet to the fire"! I don't think they can learn from their mistakes until they admit they make them. I drive some of my children crazy with this one at times.
So I think I'd rather be more like a safety boat escort for someone swimming the English Channel: Somewhere through the fog, available if needed.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
I Am Pregnant!
~ YES, we are excited.
~ YES, we know how that happens.
~ YES, every child is a gift and YES it is wanted.
~ YES, I am, well, older. NO, I am not scared that my baby might be retarded because of it.
~ And, yes, I do know the ages of my older children. Yes, I know.
~ And, yes, ma'am they are ALL mine. In fact, I have 4 more at home (and college).
~ Oh, and NO, we can't afford it. In fact, it might send us to the brink of bankruptcy. We might have to sell our home and possessions and live in our camping trailer on the edge of town. Maybe in the WalMart parking lot, if it is done being built in time.
Gosh, what WERE we thinking?
Oh, and by the way....
!!!!!!APRIL FOOL'S!!!!!!!
~ YES, we know how that happens.
~ YES, every child is a gift and YES it is wanted.
~ YES, I am, well, older. NO, I am not scared that my baby might be retarded because of it.
~ And, yes, I do know the ages of my older children. Yes, I know.
~ And, yes, ma'am they are ALL mine. In fact, I have 4 more at home (and college).
~ Oh, and NO, we can't afford it. In fact, it might send us to the brink of bankruptcy. We might have to sell our home and possessions and live in our camping trailer on the edge of town. Maybe in the WalMart parking lot, if it is done being built in time.
Gosh, what WERE we thinking?
Oh, and by the way....
!!!!!!APRIL FOOL'S!!!!!!!
Going To The Butcher
I remember when, as a kid, probably only 6 or so, my dad took me to a butcher on 181st and Powell. They had cow tongues in a line, sort of stacked on each other. You could see the taste buds. It obviously made an impression. I don't remember going to a butcher since then, except one that used to be on Cedar Hills Blvd. and sold European chocolates. I went for the chocolates and didn't look at the meat.
Recently, I purchased half of a cow from a farmer up in Washington. It was a grass fed Limousin cow, raised naturally and humanely. The arrangement is that the farm takes the cow to the butcher and I pick it up there. So I actually had to go to the butcher shop.
I have purchased ground beef from a farm before (and a friend picked it up from the butcher for me), but never any meat that has been put into cuts. It was a new experience for me that I needed to tell the butcher what kind of cuts I wanted. Since I haven't been a big beef eater myself, I am not even that familiar with what cuts are what. It was a learning experience.
Okay, so I am still amazed when I think of my experience at Gartner's Meats. They are in N.E. Portland, so I had to drive in. The parking lot was full when I got there. I thought it was very rude that people in the neighborhood used up all of the butcher parking on a Saturday so customers couldn't find a place to park. It never occurred to me that the cars in the spaces DID belong to the people that were actually IN the butcher shop.
Am I from Timbuktu? Really. I have never heard of such a thing as a CROWDED butcher shop. I am not kidding you. There was barely any standing room. We had to take a number! There were probably 60 people in line before us. NO, I am NOT exaggerating (is this not a suprise to you? Is this common?). We waited close to 30 minutes I'd say, before it was our turn. I found out later that I could have gone to a side door since I was picking up a custom order. But I am glad I didn't. It was fascinating to me to see that many people buying meat and thinking about what they were going to do. A family barbeque? A Sunday dinner at home? All alone in front of the T.V.? Buying it for someone else?
It was also very interesting to see all of the different types of meats and jerkys. Since it was just before St. Patrick's Day, I bought some sliced corned beef. I noticed he piled on alot of meat, so I reminded the guy that I only wanted a pound and a half. He assured me that it was only that much. I couldn't believe it. Apparently most commercial outlets put in a lot of fillers, making the meat heavier. I paid about the same per pound, got more meat with no fillers AND they don't add nitrates. If you are ever near N.E. Portland and want some meat -- or you just want to people watch --take a trip over to Gartner's Meats (www.gartnersmeats.com/). Apparently they have been around for many years -- and I can see why! Oh, and by the way, I didn't see any cow tongue:)
Recently, I purchased half of a cow from a farmer up in Washington. It was a grass fed Limousin cow, raised naturally and humanely. The arrangement is that the farm takes the cow to the butcher and I pick it up there. So I actually had to go to the butcher shop.
I have purchased ground beef from a farm before (and a friend picked it up from the butcher for me), but never any meat that has been put into cuts. It was a new experience for me that I needed to tell the butcher what kind of cuts I wanted. Since I haven't been a big beef eater myself, I am not even that familiar with what cuts are what. It was a learning experience.
Okay, so I am still amazed when I think of my experience at Gartner's Meats. They are in N.E. Portland, so I had to drive in. The parking lot was full when I got there. I thought it was very rude that people in the neighborhood used up all of the butcher parking on a Saturday so customers couldn't find a place to park. It never occurred to me that the cars in the spaces DID belong to the people that were actually IN the butcher shop.
Am I from Timbuktu? Really. I have never heard of such a thing as a CROWDED butcher shop. I am not kidding you. There was barely any standing room. We had to take a number! There were probably 60 people in line before us. NO, I am NOT exaggerating (is this not a suprise to you? Is this common?). We waited close to 30 minutes I'd say, before it was our turn. I found out later that I could have gone to a side door since I was picking up a custom order. But I am glad I didn't. It was fascinating to me to see that many people buying meat and thinking about what they were going to do. A family barbeque? A Sunday dinner at home? All alone in front of the T.V.? Buying it for someone else?
It was also very interesting to see all of the different types of meats and jerkys. Since it was just before St. Patrick's Day, I bought some sliced corned beef. I noticed he piled on alot of meat, so I reminded the guy that I only wanted a pound and a half. He assured me that it was only that much. I couldn't believe it. Apparently most commercial outlets put in a lot of fillers, making the meat heavier. I paid about the same per pound, got more meat with no fillers AND they don't add nitrates. If you are ever near N.E. Portland and want some meat -- or you just want to people watch --take a trip over to Gartner's Meats (www.gartnersmeats.com/). Apparently they have been around for many years -- and I can see why! Oh, and by the way, I didn't see any cow tongue:)
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