Hubby is singing at our Christmas Eve service tonight. He is singing one of my all-time favorite songs, "While You Were Sleeping" (Christmas version) by Casting Crowns. The lyrics are so powerful.
While You Were Sleeping
Oh little town of Bethlehem
Looks like another silent night
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
A giant star lights up the sky
And while you're lying in the dark
There shines an everlasting light
For the King has left His throne
And is sleeping in a manger tonight, tonight
Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
For God became a man
And stepped into your world today
Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping
Mary shivers in the cold
Trying to keep the Savior warm
Born among the animals wrapped in dirty rags
Because there was no room for Him in the world He came to save
United States of America
Looks like another silent night
As we're sung to sleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children
And while we're lying in the dark
There's a shout heard 'cross the eastern sky
For the Bridegroom has returned
And has carried His bride away in the night
America, what will we miss while we are sleeping
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay
America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King
Will we be sleeping
Will we be sleeping
United States of America
Looks like another silent night
Friday, December 24, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Christmas Glow
Christmas is a
Whispering candle
Heard all over the world....
Whose fragile and flickering
Light touched men
Everywhere,
Leading them through
The night...in prayer
And understanding,
So that all men might share
The sacredness of the season,
And walk and talk together
With the Prince of Peace.
-Annette Victorin
Copied from Christmas Ideals, Vol 27, No. 6, November, 1970.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
O Come O Come Emmanuel
"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14
Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come, our Wisdom from on high,
Who ordered all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come, oh, come, our Lord of might,
Who to your tribes on Sinai's height
In ancient times gave holy law,
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come O Rod of Jesse's stem,
From ev'ry foe deliver them
That trust your mighty pow'r to save;
Bring them in vict'ry through the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come, O Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav'nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come, our Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by your drawing nigh,
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Oh, bid our sad divisions cease,
And be yourself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come, our Wisdom from on high,
Who ordered all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come, oh, come, our Lord of might,
Who to your tribes on Sinai's height
In ancient times gave holy law,
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come O Rod of Jesse's stem,
From ev'ry foe deliver them
That trust your mighty pow'r to save;
Bring them in vict'ry through the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come, O Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav'nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come, our Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by your drawing nigh,
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Oh, bid our sad divisions cease,
And be yourself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Another Attempt at Advent
The last few years, I have felt led to celebrate Advent with our family. I started just with reading advent scriptures the first couple of weeks only to have it fall by the wayside with the busyness of the season. Last year we actually did some Advent activities for several days and stayed with the scriptures longer.
It is obvious that finishing what I started is something with which I struggle. The pile of unfinished scarves and socks is further evidence of this shortcoming.
So, I have been pondering Advent and how to create a situation I must see through. I decided the key is in the planning. So, as is my way, I started planning waaaay ahead. On Sunday. Ahem.
Okay, so I'll have to let you know later if it works. The idea, however, is that I bought some of those miniature stockings at our local discount store for $1 each. In each will be be tucked a scripture and a location. There are 24, with little white tags (straight from the office products dept of same store) labeling the days. I also picked up some treats. With four kids and a roommate (I'm sending a box to The Big Boy at college and including his roomie), it can be costly, so we are talking very low cost treats. It isn't about the wonderful gift, it is about the anticipation of our Savior. The treats just make it an exciting activity. I bought candy, chap stick, cheap toys, playing cards, beef jerky, and other whimsical items. I'm thinking the beef jerky was the most costly of the lot. Many little gifts like this can be purchased in the seasonal department. Another place to check out is the travel item section. Those little sodas in six packs are another idea. Boxes of snacks are always good.
I'll string the stockings across the front of the mantel and each day they will read the scripture and ponder it in their hearts. Of course they will. Then they will look at the location where their treat for that day is hidden.
The big boy has a box and the treats are in little bags and labeled by day, with scriptures attached. Well, almost. I'm doing that next. His covers him through finals, then he will join the rest of the family in our Advent adventure at home.
I'm hearing voices from "Christmas Vacation" in my head, "Sparky, you create expectations no family gathering can meet..." (or something like that) Voices, be gone!!!
Two great places for Advent ideas are:
Cathy's Christmas Cottage Advent Calendar
Teaching Mom's Advent Calendar
Even if you just do a couple of activities and a few scripture readings, it still is a step toward making Christmas about Jesus in your family.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
The Stockings Were Hung
When I was small, one of my favorite parts of Christmas was getting out my one very own ornament & my stocking. They were the two decorations that had my name on them. In the mix of things, they were mine. Allllllll mine.
Then, my mom started making stockings for everyone. Some were knitted, some crocheted, and some were stitched using counted cross-stitch. All were beautiful, and more importantly, all were different. Each pattern was chosen with the recipient in mind. Holly, whose nickname was Holly-Bear, had a red stocking, knitted, with a bear design. The bear was holding a sprig of holly. Mom made a stocking for each of her four kids, each of her four kids-in-law, and every single one of her grand kids. All 13. That would be 21. She also made a few as gifts, I believe.
Then, the tragedy of cancer entered in. Mom never met her last two grandchildren, numbers 14 & 15. That would be my Things 1 & 2. So we have dug around all these years, using old pet stockings and extras that were gifts for the older two. I kept thinking I would make them one, so theirs would be homemade, too. Last year was attempt #1. It was ok, but not just what I wanted. I only had one stocking, too. And by the time I finished it, I wasn't up for another one. Each year about this time I think about it, and either I get new ideas, or I have no hope of accomplishing the task in time for this year. Regardless, at ages 11 & 13, my Things remain stockingless. Until now.
Today, I ordered The Things stockings from Pottery Barn. No, they are not homemade. But they will have their names on them.
For Thing 1:
For Thing 2:
As much as I would love to, I'll never be able to make them a stocking from my mom. It's just one of those things that happens in life. Some day, maybe I'll make them all stockings. Maybe not. But at least now, they have their very own stockings, that are not hand-me-downs from siblings, (or worse yet, pets), and I don't have to cringe when we hang them up on Christmas Eve.
No, Christmas isn't about the stockings. It's about Jesus. It's also about family. Each year when we get out those stockings we talk about their Grandma and how much she loved them and how proud she would be of each of them. We remember how she always had Pringles and gum and lots of love and hugs for her grandchildren. We wonder just what stockings she might have made for The Things. Then we laugh, because she would have laughed. She knew how much it meant to have something that was just yours, with your name on it. She would be glad those Things finally have stockings.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Thankful
Thankful, thankful, thankful.
As I scurry about the kitchen, I hear it on the tv in the next room. I hear it on the radio. I hear it at church, see it on the blogs, and on Twitter. Everyone is thankful. Even my little Clementine orange sports a sticker, "Thankful for Cuties".
Thankful.
Grateful. Webster says thankful means "conscious of benefit received", or "well-pleased; glad".
Thankful.
Full of thanks.
Thankful.
Am I?
Thankful.
Why, yes, I am.
I'm thankful for my health. I'm thankful for my home. I'm thankful for my family. I'm thankful for everytime I laugh. Oh, yes, and I'm thankful for my orange Cuties.
Those are all good things. It's easy to be thankful for those.
What does God's word say about thankfulness? It says a whole lot. For example, Ephesians 5:19b-20 says, "Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Sing & make music....from your heart to the Lord.......ALWAYS GIVING THANKS.....to God the Father.....for EVERYTHING....in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ.
There is a lot to be learned there.
Thankfulness is from our heart. Sayin' "I'm thankful" doesn't make it from the heart. Can you sing about it? Compose a trill about it? Search it out. Do you really mean it? Are you really glad?
Who do we thank? God the Father in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ. The Creator. The Prince of Peace. The Almighty. Makes sense.
We are supposed to always be thankful.
For everything.
Uh-oh.
I'm not up for composing a trill about the 9x13 glass pan that dropped on my foot last night.
Nope. Thankful is not what I was just then.
I'm not really sure that is what that means. Honestly. I can say, however, things sometimes happen that I just don't like, and I have learned that God always gives me a reason to be thankful.
I have a long way to go. I know that gratitude is a state of heart, and I need to be more grateful. I'm getting there. Sometimes it just takes living life to learn thankfulness. I'm thankful that I'm learning.
I think just pondering it all & searching my heart is another step on the journey.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Juggling Phantom Balls
I was inspired to write a post about this weekend after reading Staci's post about her weekend. I'm a copycat that way. Staci, just remember, imitation is the most sincere form of flattery....or something like that.
The last three or four weeks have been really busy with a vast array of activities & commitments. I kept thinking this week would be MUCH calmer. Heh.
Last Thursday, The Big Girl came home from a wonderful week at nursing camp to get turned around and leave again on Saturday morning for church camp. Unbelievably, Thing 1 also attended youth camp. I'm still astounded that he has aged so!
Youth camp required a 5:15 arrival at our church, requiring a 4 am wake up call. As is typical, bedtime was midnight-ish. You can do the math.
Once Thing 1 & The Big Girl were safely deposited on the bus, I headed to Walmart to make a grocery run. I feared returning to our home again with no groceries, as my remaining children may well have been planning a mutiny. After a fairly long grocery run, I got home, we had breakfast and headed out to the Air Show.
Now if anything makes a person more weary than a 4 am wake up call, it is standing out in hot, humid weather all day. However, I think I would have walked on coals to see the Blue Angels perform. There were many air acrobats that had us in suspense and amazed. My dad was there with us, and as a former pilot, he was a wealth of information. The Blue Angels performance filled me with awe. Each time they zoomed by, Thing 2 and I squealed giddily. I'm sure it was less than attractive for this middle-aged woman to squeal, but it was what it was.
We ended the evening cooking a few things for Father's Day dinner, then, exhausted, we hit the sack at 11ish. Wow, it was a long day.
Now we begin a new week. I have termed the phenomenon that is this week "Juggling Phantom Balls". You see, we may or may not be showing our house this week (no, it isn't listed yet. There is a reason for that. It isn't READY). If we don't show it this week, we will next week. We may or may not be going to Cedarville next week for a college visit. I may or may not be picking a friend up from the airport a couple of hours from here on Wednesday. I don't know if I'm juggling these balls or if they really aren't there, because I don't know what will happen yet. They aren't anything I can really grab on to, but there is something there, to be sure.
Tonight, though, we are definitely hosting our long-time friends in hopes of hiring him to be the general contractor on our new Timber-Frame house.
Kids at camp. House showings. College visits. Timber-Frame construction planning. I think I need to stop & take some time to pray a little more.
The last three or four weeks have been really busy with a vast array of activities & commitments. I kept thinking this week would be MUCH calmer. Heh.
Last Thursday, The Big Girl came home from a wonderful week at nursing camp to get turned around and leave again on Saturday morning for church camp. Unbelievably, Thing 1 also attended youth camp. I'm still astounded that he has aged so!
Youth camp required a 5:15 arrival at our church, requiring a 4 am wake up call. As is typical, bedtime was midnight-ish. You can do the math.
Once Thing 1 & The Big Girl were safely deposited on the bus, I headed to Walmart to make a grocery run. I feared returning to our home again with no groceries, as my remaining children may well have been planning a mutiny. After a fairly long grocery run, I got home, we had breakfast and headed out to the Air Show.
Now if anything makes a person more weary than a 4 am wake up call, it is standing out in hot, humid weather all day. However, I think I would have walked on coals to see the Blue Angels perform. There were many air acrobats that had us in suspense and amazed. My dad was there with us, and as a former pilot, he was a wealth of information. The Blue Angels performance filled me with awe. Each time they zoomed by, Thing 2 and I squealed giddily. I'm sure it was less than attractive for this middle-aged woman to squeal, but it was what it was.
We ended the evening cooking a few things for Father's Day dinner, then, exhausted, we hit the sack at 11ish. Wow, it was a long day.
Now we begin a new week. I have termed the phenomenon that is this week "Juggling Phantom Balls". You see, we may or may not be showing our house this week (no, it isn't listed yet. There is a reason for that. It isn't READY). If we don't show it this week, we will next week. We may or may not be going to Cedarville next week for a college visit. I may or may not be picking a friend up from the airport a couple of hours from here on Wednesday. I don't know if I'm juggling these balls or if they really aren't there, because I don't know what will happen yet. They aren't anything I can really grab on to, but there is something there, to be sure.
Tonight, though, we are definitely hosting our long-time friends in hopes of hiring him to be the general contractor on our new Timber-Frame house.
Kids at camp. House showings. College visits. Timber-Frame construction planning. I think I need to stop & take some time to pray a little more.
Monday, May 31, 2010
A Fun Old-Fashioned Family Camping Trip & Weekend
My extended family owns land about an hour from here on a small river. The river is a huge local recreational area where people camp, fish, swim, float, and just spend a lot of summer hours. The land we own has several great gravel bars, fishing holes, swimming & jumping spots, and some nice areas to camp. So, this weekend my brother & sister decided it is a great time for a Fun Old-Fashioned Family Camping Trip. We planned, like my other brother & family, to visit but not camp. Until Thursday night.
Thursday night was a tipping point, when the minions known as our children begged & begged until we did the unthinkable. We gave in. We decided to go camping.
Friday we were on the run as soon as our feet hit the ground. Because we hadn't camped in many (MANY) years, we were less than prepared. We popped up the little ol' pop up camper & cleaned it out. We made a list of all the items that needed to be replenished or replaced. After a four-hour trip to Walmart & Sam's, we loaded said camper with....stuff. Lots of it. We loaded 4-wheelers on a trailer, threw a bunch of....stuff....in the back of the Expedition and Pickup, baked a cake for Aunt D's birthday, packed, iced cake, loaded up our crew plus The Big Boy's Friend That is a Girl, K, and ..... wait. What about the little dog that lives in our house? Can't stay out, can't stay in, too late to board....so Benny loaded up, too, and we headed out.
We arrived at dusk. After setting up camp in the dark & digging around to find some hot dogs & marshmallows to roast for a fine & nutritious supper, we settled down to some campfire talk. It was lovely.
Picture the setting: The river flows just a few yards away....my brother's camper is a toy hauler that is larger than our first house. It has several large beds, several tv's, hot water, microwave, and....satellite. Fox News 24/7. Deluxe. Next to that is my sister's airstream with running water, generator, beds, kitchen, etc. Verry nice. They have awnings, carpet, space, organization. Then, next to that is our popup. No electricity. Water in large bottles & coolers only. Very little space for the stuff of 7 people. A luxury compared to our previous camping abode, a small tent, but still the runt of the litter. However, we did keep up with the Jones's. We, too, had an awning.
We had a relatively short night, waking at the first hint of light the next morning. It's funny how camping can make me a morning person. Then, after a big breakfast of 2 lbs of bacon, 2 lbs of sausage, eggs, fruit, coffee, juice, & croissants, we started a busy day of swimming, fishing, jumping, running, riding, and general playing.
Various family members & their dogs came and went through the day. We played hard and the evening brought several family members together for a Family Camping Birthday Dinner. We ate, had a Rainbow/Hippy Birthday cake, then settled in for some guitar music and conversation, when Ben (the dog) got sick. He started coughing and hacking and was terribly sick....all....night....long. I still don't know what was wrong, and he has improved significantly since he has rested at home for two days, nonetheless, it was a long & exhausting night.
Early Sunday morning meant time to load up & head home in time to shower & go to church. A Sunday afternoon nap did wonders for us, and we then unloaded & began what will be at least of week of clean up for the two night trip. At this writing, I begin to hyperventilate when I near the laundry room, and a trip through the sleeping bed/camping-supply-laden living room brings tears to my eyes.
Just when one would think the weekend is winding down, Thing 1 has a church event, and The Big Boy is assigned the task of retrieving the Thing after the event. However TBB didn't make it. He met up with a sign on the highway & after the fight, I think the sign won. Thus, Mom became dispatcher, sending Dad to the scene and The Big Girl to retrieve the Thing.
After everyone returned home & we rehashed the events of the day while eating some rather scrumptious sandwiches (made from the 10.7 lbs of lunchmeat left from the trip), we settled down for a movie. I'm told I didn't last through the opening credits....since I don't remember a solitary thing about the movie, I'm sure they are right.
About 1 am, hubby woke me to....oh, YOU thought I was going to say to go to bed. WRONG! No, it was time to watch the rest of "24"...the rest of the season.
Yes, we watched Jack fight the good fight until about 4:30 am. (Much better ending than Lost, in my opinion) So, today is a day of laundry, paperwork, cleaning, and general zoning out. In four days we have managed to knock three vehicles out of capacity with dead batteries, flat tires, and a battle with a sign. The poor dog is still staggering around in a daze. I'm not sure how long it will take to recuperate from this weekend, but I'm fairly sure there is potential for another "National Lampoon's Vacation" movie in the mix.
Ah, now I believe I have had enough writing therapy to face the monsters in the laundry room once again. Tomorrow is a new day. The diet/exercise starts anew. Normal sleep patterns shall emerge. And this weekend shall be a fond memory...
Please don't let this weekend pass without remembering the men & women who serve our country in armed services. They & their families deserve our support and prayers. Especially lift up in prayer & support the families of those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. We are eternally grateful for their sacrifice.
Thursday night was a tipping point, when the minions known as our children begged & begged until we did the unthinkable. We gave in. We decided to go camping.
Friday we were on the run as soon as our feet hit the ground. Because we hadn't camped in many (MANY) years, we were less than prepared. We popped up the little ol' pop up camper & cleaned it out. We made a list of all the items that needed to be replenished or replaced. After a four-hour trip to Walmart & Sam's, we loaded said camper with....stuff. Lots of it. We loaded 4-wheelers on a trailer, threw a bunch of....stuff....in the back of the Expedition and Pickup, baked a cake for Aunt D's birthday, packed, iced cake, loaded up our crew plus The Big Boy's Friend That is a Girl, K, and ..... wait. What about the little dog that lives in our house? Can't stay out, can't stay in, too late to board....so Benny loaded up, too, and we headed out.
We arrived at dusk. After setting up camp in the dark & digging around to find some hot dogs & marshmallows to roast for a fine & nutritious supper, we settled down to some campfire talk. It was lovely.
Picture the setting: The river flows just a few yards away....my brother's camper is a toy hauler that is larger than our first house. It has several large beds, several tv's, hot water, microwave, and....satellite. Fox News 24/7. Deluxe. Next to that is my sister's airstream with running water, generator, beds, kitchen, etc. Verry nice. They have awnings, carpet, space, organization. Then, next to that is our popup. No electricity. Water in large bottles & coolers only. Very little space for the stuff of 7 people. A luxury compared to our previous camping abode, a small tent, but still the runt of the litter. However, we did keep up with the Jones's. We, too, had an awning.
We had a relatively short night, waking at the first hint of light the next morning. It's funny how camping can make me a morning person. Then, after a big breakfast of 2 lbs of bacon, 2 lbs of sausage, eggs, fruit, coffee, juice, & croissants, we started a busy day of swimming, fishing, jumping, running, riding, and general playing.
Various family members & their dogs came and went through the day. We played hard and the evening brought several family members together for a Family Camping Birthday Dinner. We ate, had a Rainbow/Hippy Birthday cake, then settled in for some guitar music and conversation, when Ben (the dog) got sick. He started coughing and hacking and was terribly sick....all....night....long. I still don't know what was wrong, and he has improved significantly since he has rested at home for two days, nonetheless, it was a long & exhausting night.
Early Sunday morning meant time to load up & head home in time to shower & go to church. A Sunday afternoon nap did wonders for us, and we then unloaded & began what will be at least of week of clean up for the two night trip. At this writing, I begin to hyperventilate when I near the laundry room, and a trip through the sleeping bed/camping-supply-laden living room brings tears to my eyes.
Just when one would think the weekend is winding down, Thing 1 has a church event, and The Big Boy is assigned the task of retrieving the Thing after the event. However TBB didn't make it. He met up with a sign on the highway & after the fight, I think the sign won. Thus, Mom became dispatcher, sending Dad to the scene and The Big Girl to retrieve the Thing.
After everyone returned home & we rehashed the events of the day while eating some rather scrumptious sandwiches (made from the 10.7 lbs of lunchmeat left from the trip), we settled down for a movie. I'm told I didn't last through the opening credits....since I don't remember a solitary thing about the movie, I'm sure they are right.
About 1 am, hubby woke me to....oh, YOU thought I was going to say to go to bed. WRONG! No, it was time to watch the rest of "24"...the rest of the season.
Yes, we watched Jack fight the good fight until about 4:30 am. (Much better ending than Lost, in my opinion) So, today is a day of laundry, paperwork, cleaning, and general zoning out. In four days we have managed to knock three vehicles out of capacity with dead batteries, flat tires, and a battle with a sign. The poor dog is still staggering around in a daze. I'm not sure how long it will take to recuperate from this weekend, but I'm fairly sure there is potential for another "National Lampoon's Vacation" movie in the mix.
Ah, now I believe I have had enough writing therapy to face the monsters in the laundry room once again. Tomorrow is a new day. The diet/exercise starts anew. Normal sleep patterns shall emerge. And this weekend shall be a fond memory...
Please don't let this weekend pass without remembering the men & women who serve our country in armed services. They & their families deserve our support and prayers. Especially lift up in prayer & support the families of those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. We are eternally grateful for their sacrifice.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Hope
Today in church a lady sang one of my favorite songs. By the time it was over, I was a puddle in the pew. Then, our pastor gave a fabulous message from 2 Corinthians 4:7-11:
7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.
The bottom line? God wants us to be cracked pots. Scarred, broken beyond mending; and don't try to hide the cracks or cover them up. It is so we can be full of Jesus and He can shine through the cracks. I am broken, cracked beyond mending. I find myself thinking it's for naught. Today reminded me why it is; so He can be manifested through me.
Our pastor's sermons are some of the best teaching I have ever heard. You can find links to them at CapeBibleChapel.org
Oh, the song?
Our Hope Endures
Sung by Natalie Grant
You would think only so much can go wrong
Calamity only strikes once
And you assume that this one has suffered her share
Life will be kinder from here
Sometimes the sun stays hidden for years
Sometimes the sky rains night after night
When will it clear
But our hope endures the worst of conditions
It's more than our optimism
Let the earth quake
Our hope is unchanged
How do we comprehend peace within pain
Our joy at a good man's wake
Walk a mile with a woman whose body is torn
With illness but she marches on
Sometimes the sun stays hidden for years
Sometimes the sky rains night after night
When will it clear
But our hope endures the worst of conditions
It's more than our optimism
Let the earth quake
Our hope is unchanged
Emanuel, God is with us
El Shaddai, all sufficient
Emanuel, God is with us
El Shaddai, all sufficient
Emanuel, God is with us
El Shaddai, all sufficient
We never walk alone
This is our hope
Our hope endures, the worst of conditions
It's more than our optimism
let the earth quake
let the earth quake
let the earth quake
Our hope is unchanged
I never walk alone. My hope, because it is in Christ, remains unchanged.
7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.
The bottom line? God wants us to be cracked pots. Scarred, broken beyond mending; and don't try to hide the cracks or cover them up. It is so we can be full of Jesus and He can shine through the cracks. I am broken, cracked beyond mending. I find myself thinking it's for naught. Today reminded me why it is; so He can be manifested through me.
Our pastor's sermons are some of the best teaching I have ever heard. You can find links to them at CapeBibleChapel.org
Oh, the song?
Our Hope Endures
Sung by Natalie Grant
You would think only so much can go wrong
Calamity only strikes once
And you assume that this one has suffered her share
Life will be kinder from here
Sometimes the sun stays hidden for years
Sometimes the sky rains night after night
When will it clear
But our hope endures the worst of conditions
It's more than our optimism
Let the earth quake
Our hope is unchanged
How do we comprehend peace within pain
Our joy at a good man's wake
Walk a mile with a woman whose body is torn
With illness but she marches on
Sometimes the sun stays hidden for years
Sometimes the sky rains night after night
When will it clear
But our hope endures the worst of conditions
It's more than our optimism
Let the earth quake
Our hope is unchanged
Emanuel, God is with us
El Shaddai, all sufficient
Emanuel, God is with us
El Shaddai, all sufficient
Emanuel, God is with us
El Shaddai, all sufficient
We never walk alone
This is our hope
Our hope endures, the worst of conditions
It's more than our optimism
let the earth quake
let the earth quake
let the earth quake
Our hope is unchanged
I never walk alone. My hope, because it is in Christ, remains unchanged.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Soup & Sandwiches
The best thing about cool weather is the cooking. I love soups and warm, cozy comfort food. Of course, I like warm weather better, but every cloud has it's silver lining.....
Spring is coming soon; I know it is true because the sun was still shinin' tonight at almost six. The days are getting longer and I'm reveling in each extra minute of sunshine.
Regardless, it is still cold out and I can still cook some cold weather food. So, I did. I'm making Shelly's Wild Rice Soup and Hawaiian Sandwiches. The soup recipe will follow, and the sandwich recipe may be found here.
Shelly's Wild Rice Soup
My sister sent this recipe from a friend of hers. It is easy and wonderfully good.
Prepare 1 box Zatarans Long Gran & Wild Rice as directed
Saute: 1 stick butter, 1 sweet onion, chopped, 3 carrots, 1/2 C celery. Add 1/2 lb mushrooms sliced thinly & 1 1/2 C Canadian bacon, chopped.
*I have used chicken and ham, as I don't keep Canadian Bacon on hand. They are great substitutes
Cook until soft & add 3/4 C flour to vegetables. Stir well. Wisk in 2 (26 oz) containers chicken stock. Add the cooked rice. Just before serving add 1 C half & half. Optional: chopped chives on top. It makes a large batch.
This soup is very filling and flavorful. Enjoy!
Spring is coming soon; I know it is true because the sun was still shinin' tonight at almost six. The days are getting longer and I'm reveling in each extra minute of sunshine.
Regardless, it is still cold out and I can still cook some cold weather food. So, I did. I'm making Shelly's Wild Rice Soup and Hawaiian Sandwiches. The soup recipe will follow, and the sandwich recipe may be found here.
Shelly's Wild Rice Soup
My sister sent this recipe from a friend of hers. It is easy and wonderfully good.
Prepare 1 box Zatarans Long Gran & Wild Rice as directed
Saute: 1 stick butter, 1 sweet onion, chopped, 3 carrots, 1/2 C celery. Add 1/2 lb mushrooms sliced thinly & 1 1/2 C Canadian bacon, chopped.
*I have used chicken and ham, as I don't keep Canadian Bacon on hand. They are great substitutes
Cook until soft & add 3/4 C flour to vegetables. Stir well. Wisk in 2 (26 oz) containers chicken stock. Add the cooked rice. Just before serving add 1 C half & half. Optional: chopped chives on top. It makes a large batch.
This soup is very filling and flavorful. Enjoy!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Parent-Teacher Conferences
The good thing about homeschooling is that you can talk to yourself and claim you are having a parent-teacher conference. Or, you can schedule a date night with your husband in the name of needing a "conference". A parent-teacher conference is a flexible thing in the homeschool world.
Not so in the public school world.
I still have one child in the public school systems. Last night was conference night. I anticipated a night of bad news, given The Big Girl's level of stress the last few weeks. Overall, it was much more pleasant than that.
The music teachers love her, and think she is hard-working and sweet. The history teacher thinks she is doing great and is hard-working. The LA teacher thinks she is polite and hard-working. The Chemistry teacher thinks she is doing great and is hard-working. The math teacher has high hopes because she is so very hard-working. Though the class is very difficult, she'll do fine. Are we seeing a pattern here? Oh, then there are the Spanish teachers who love her, and think she is, yes, hard-working, and has a natural ability in Spanish and should major or minor in it in college. Wow. Then we go to ACT Prep. ACT Prep has two teachers. The first thinks she is doing great. Why the poor grade in that class from a student that primarily gets A's? Hmmm....well....she has almost all A's in my part of the class. Better talk to the other teacher.
And the fun began.
Getting on a merry-go-round and singing at the top of my lungs would have been more productive. The teacher never figured out who my daughter was, and spent the entire conversation lamenting the poor grammar skills of the high school students. Apparently seven out of eight students in her class, after weeks of instruction, still cannot identify the subject and verb in a sentence. So, she is attempting to teach juniors the grammar they should have grasped by third or fourth grade. Eight years of grammar in one semester. For ACT Prep.
Oh, and my daughter? She was the one out of eight who got the questions right. She had no idea she had a poor grade in the class because she has never seen her tests since they were graded. She doesn't know what to work on because she doesn't know what she missed.
I was left scratching my head in wonder and amazement. I'm so thankful for all the other teachers because their reports were consistent and positive. I'm choosing to dwell on them, but I'm left questioning how in the world to help The Big Girl keep from sabatoging her GPA with this class. And I'm looking forward to tonight, when I can have a homeschool-style parent-teacher conference, snuggled up to my husband.
Not so in the public school world.
I still have one child in the public school systems. Last night was conference night. I anticipated a night of bad news, given The Big Girl's level of stress the last few weeks. Overall, it was much more pleasant than that.
The music teachers love her, and think she is hard-working and sweet. The history teacher thinks she is doing great and is hard-working. The LA teacher thinks she is polite and hard-working. The Chemistry teacher thinks she is doing great and is hard-working. The math teacher has high hopes because she is so very hard-working. Though the class is very difficult, she'll do fine. Are we seeing a pattern here? Oh, then there are the Spanish teachers who love her, and think she is, yes, hard-working, and has a natural ability in Spanish and should major or minor in it in college. Wow. Then we go to ACT Prep. ACT Prep has two teachers. The first thinks she is doing great. Why the poor grade in that class from a student that primarily gets A's? Hmmm....well....she has almost all A's in my part of the class. Better talk to the other teacher.
And the fun began.
Getting on a merry-go-round and singing at the top of my lungs would have been more productive. The teacher never figured out who my daughter was, and spent the entire conversation lamenting the poor grammar skills of the high school students. Apparently seven out of eight students in her class, after weeks of instruction, still cannot identify the subject and verb in a sentence. So, she is attempting to teach juniors the grammar they should have grasped by third or fourth grade. Eight years of grammar in one semester. For ACT Prep.
Oh, and my daughter? She was the one out of eight who got the questions right. She had no idea she had a poor grade in the class because she has never seen her tests since they were graded. She doesn't know what to work on because she doesn't know what she missed.
I was left scratching my head in wonder and amazement. I'm so thankful for all the other teachers because their reports were consistent and positive. I'm choosing to dwell on them, but I'm left questioning how in the world to help The Big Girl keep from sabatoging her GPA with this class. And I'm looking forward to tonight, when I can have a homeschool-style parent-teacher conference, snuggled up to my husband.
Monday, February 22, 2010
I'm Not Too Sure About This.....
My sweet children have discovered Skype . The Big Boy was home this weekend, visiting with his friend-that-is-a-girl via Skype.
"You mean we can talk to YOU that way?" they asked their big brother with hopeful excitement.
"Yes, if you get an account."
Thanks, Big Bro.
Really, it isn't so bad as long as I never go near the computer when it is on.
Why?
Well, if you have used Skype, you know the first thing that happens is a flash of "what YOU look like".
Having just crawled out of bed this morning, sipping on my first cup of coffee after a very long night being up with Thing 2, I wasn't prepared. In fact I was truly scared. I thought, "Who the heck is THAT?" Then I realized. Then I started researching surgeons.
Oh, dear. Twitter, texting, calling...all that is great. Because you can't see me! Skype? I don't know if all the makeup in the world will make that tolerable.
"You mean we can talk to YOU that way?" they asked their big brother with hopeful excitement.
"Yes, if you get an account."
Thanks, Big Bro.
Really, it isn't so bad as long as I never go near the computer when it is on.
Why?
Well, if you have used Skype, you know the first thing that happens is a flash of "what YOU look like".
Having just crawled out of bed this morning, sipping on my first cup of coffee after a very long night being up with Thing 2, I wasn't prepared. In fact I was truly scared. I thought, "Who the heck is THAT?" Then I realized. Then I started researching surgeons.
Oh, dear. Twitter, texting, calling...all that is great. Because you can't see me! Skype? I don't know if all the makeup in the world will make that tolerable.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Four-Day Sour Cream Cake
At Thanksgiving, the "hit" of the dinner was a cake that my dad's wife brought. She left some for my family and my husband allllmost refused to share. I thought it may come to blows until I offered to get the recipe. Thus, hope sprang eternal that this may not be the last of this fabulous cake.
So, I called Dad's wife, S, and discovered that she got the recipe from an old church cookbook, and it was originally from my brother's mother-in-law. Aren't small towns grand?
So, in hopes I have sufficiently given credit where it is due, I am sharing this unbelievable recipe with you. It is a cross between a coconut-cream-pie shake and cake. Trust me. Delicious.
I'm planning to have it at the one meal I get to cook for The Big Boy this weekend. Given how the week is gone, it will have to be a Two-Day cake instead of Four, but I'm sure we will survive.
Four-Day Sour Cream Cake
1 butter flavored yellow cake mix
2 C sugar
16 oz sour cream
12 oz frozen coconut (I used regular non-frozen coconut)
1 1/2 C Cool Whip
Combine sugar, sour cream, and coconut. Blend well. Chill 4 hours. Reserve 1 C for frosting. Remaining is to be spread between layers.
Mix cake as directed on package. Bake in 2 (9 in) layer pans. When cool, split to make four layers.
Mix the 1 C sour cream mixture with Cool Whip. Spread first mixture between layers then ice the cake with remaining Cool Whip mixture. Store in airtight container for four days. Can be eaten before, but gets more moist with time.
So, I called Dad's wife, S, and discovered that she got the recipe from an old church cookbook, and it was originally from my brother's mother-in-law. Aren't small towns grand?
So, in hopes I have sufficiently given credit where it is due, I am sharing this unbelievable recipe with you. It is a cross between a coconut-cream-pie shake and cake. Trust me. Delicious.
I'm planning to have it at the one meal I get to cook for The Big Boy this weekend. Given how the week is gone, it will have to be a Two-Day cake instead of Four, but I'm sure we will survive.
Four-Day Sour Cream Cake
1 butter flavored yellow cake mix
2 C sugar
16 oz sour cream
12 oz frozen coconut (I used regular non-frozen coconut)
1 1/2 C Cool Whip
Combine sugar, sour cream, and coconut. Blend well. Chill 4 hours. Reserve 1 C for frosting. Remaining is to be spread between layers.
Mix cake as directed on package. Bake in 2 (9 in) layer pans. When cool, split to make four layers.
Mix the 1 C sour cream mixture with Cool Whip. Spread first mixture between layers then ice the cake with remaining Cool Whip mixture. Store in airtight container for four days. Can be eaten before, but gets more moist with time.
The Longest Month of the Year
Don't let the calendar fool you. Anyone who lives anywhere north of Miami can tell you that contrary to the long-held belief that February, because it has only 28 days (excepting leap years, of course), is the shortest month of the year, for all practical purposes, it is the longest.
The poor football fans are left with nothing to do. Baseball fans are in eager anticipation of the beginning of their season. March madness is not quite here. The sun doesn't shine for weeks on end. The kids are climbing the walls wanting to play outside, but it is so cold they can't last long. The stores and shops are full of bikinis and shorty-shorts while we look at our own pasty white skin and fluffy winter bodies and cringe. Some cling to Valentine's Day as a special holiday, when in reality, most barely tolerate it or even scorn it because we have figured out it is a floral/greeting card induced holiday that just isn't all "that".
If February was any longer, I don't think we could take it.
In our little corner of the world, it hasn't been much better. In the beginning of the month, Thing 1 closed the car door on his thumb. It was ugly. Thankfully, xrays revealed nothing broken, but he couldn't play guitar or piano for two full weeks. Well, we all think he may have been able to, and he may have just milked it for all it was worth. No one knows for sure. Then I got a kidney infection. No one had seen Mom stay in bed for that long, let alone take a nap eight times each day. The bright spot in it all was Disciple Now weekend, where we had a house full of tenth grade boys and college dudes as leaders. They ate a lot. God moved. It was our February time to get out of our schedules and comfort zones and watch God work, which is always fascinating and enlightening. Oh, and sometimes exhausting. Thing 1 and The Big Girl participated in other homes, and we missed them. In the week following when I was to clean and catch up laundry before The Big Boy comes home from school, every spare minute has been at the hospital where Hubby's father has been for nine days now. He went in last week because the eye doctor noticed some abnormalities that led him to check BP. After spending a couple of days in ICU trying to get his BP under control, he was given some shocking diagnoses that led to surgery this week. We are praising God that he is doing well and we are amazed at how God orchestrated the whole thing to discover what was wrong before something really bad happened.
This weekend The Big Boy is coming home. The Things are participating in the Music Festival which has them such bundles of nerves that emotions are raw. The laundry in the laundry room is roughly the height of The Big Boy, and I doubt it gets much better upon his return tonight, but I don't care because I need a hug. Because, you see, as I sit typing this, the message light on the phone is blinking next to me and I know what it is. The soccer coach is letting me know when we first get to sit out in sub-zero temps watching kids kick around a little white ball.
And there is still a week left in this never-ending month.
The poor football fans are left with nothing to do. Baseball fans are in eager anticipation of the beginning of their season. March madness is not quite here. The sun doesn't shine for weeks on end. The kids are climbing the walls wanting to play outside, but it is so cold they can't last long. The stores and shops are full of bikinis and shorty-shorts while we look at our own pasty white skin and fluffy winter bodies and cringe. Some cling to Valentine's Day as a special holiday, when in reality, most barely tolerate it or even scorn it because we have figured out it is a floral/greeting card induced holiday that just isn't all "that".
If February was any longer, I don't think we could take it.
In our little corner of the world, it hasn't been much better. In the beginning of the month, Thing 1 closed the car door on his thumb. It was ugly. Thankfully, xrays revealed nothing broken, but he couldn't play guitar or piano for two full weeks. Well, we all think he may have been able to, and he may have just milked it for all it was worth. No one knows for sure. Then I got a kidney infection. No one had seen Mom stay in bed for that long, let alone take a nap eight times each day. The bright spot in it all was Disciple Now weekend, where we had a house full of tenth grade boys and college dudes as leaders. They ate a lot. God moved. It was our February time to get out of our schedules and comfort zones and watch God work, which is always fascinating and enlightening. Oh, and sometimes exhausting. Thing 1 and The Big Girl participated in other homes, and we missed them. In the week following when I was to clean and catch up laundry before The Big Boy comes home from school, every spare minute has been at the hospital where Hubby's father has been for nine days now. He went in last week because the eye doctor noticed some abnormalities that led him to check BP. After spending a couple of days in ICU trying to get his BP under control, he was given some shocking diagnoses that led to surgery this week. We are praising God that he is doing well and we are amazed at how God orchestrated the whole thing to discover what was wrong before something really bad happened.
This weekend The Big Boy is coming home. The Things are participating in the Music Festival which has them such bundles of nerves that emotions are raw. The laundry in the laundry room is roughly the height of The Big Boy, and I doubt it gets much better upon his return tonight, but I don't care because I need a hug. Because, you see, as I sit typing this, the message light on the phone is blinking next to me and I know what it is. The soccer coach is letting me know when we first get to sit out in sub-zero temps watching kids kick around a little white ball.
And there is still a week left in this never-ending month.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Four Days....and "24"
Four days. I'm on the fourth day of not leaving my home. I'm definitely not the type to stay home two days in a row. Four? I didn't even do that when I had a baby. Nope. There was baseball, work, groceries...any excuse. Snow days? That is simply an invitation to GET OUT. I DEFY the weather to dish up anything that will keep me in. (Maybe that will get us some snow...?) I can't imagine anything that would keep me in for four days. Until now. What has kept me in? Why, it is simple. There has been no reason to leave. That and a mild tummy condition that kept me in the one time I had a reason to get out.....
Anyway. It has been delightful. The laundry is as caught up as it gets. There is ALWAYS laundry because, of course, we aren't exactly going to not have clothes on just so I can get completely caught up. But, I digress. I have cleaned linens this week that actually were soiled during Thanksgiving dinner. That is ridiculous, I know. Believe me, I'm glad it is done.
I've blogged. Twice.
The house is relatively picked up...sort of.....well, I'll vacuum after this. I promise.
My kids have so much school work ready for them they will have NO excuse to waste time on any given day.
And.....drumroll......we still have milk. Normally when NOTHING else works, the milk thing gets me out. I thought ahead. Six gallons may have seemed like a lot at the time, but hey. I'm still here.
On an aside....."24" started last night. I haven't decided how I feel about this season just yet. I found it to be a bit....predictable...when one of its primary strengths is that "24" isn't predictable. I'm forever frustrated by silly things...the first two years it was that Jack couldn't figure out how to turn the ringer off on his phone. He would sneak down the hall, mere feet from a bad guy with a big gun and...riiiiiiiiinnnnngg! How that guy never heard it I will never know. Last night it was the bad guy. Typically when the street is full of people looking at the aftermath of an exploding helicopter on a roof, one won't stroll slong through the crowd talking on the cell about how the guy is dead and now we need to focus on the assassination and move the time up, etc....because...hello? THEY WILL HEAR!!!! The other scene that had me yelling at my tv was when Kim is telling Jack he must stay and help because if he didn't and something happened, well, he just wouldn't forgive himself. This from the person who NEVER wanted him to stay and help. Not to mention that after all he had been through, I'm thinking, yep, I'd be able to live with it just fine. I suppose season 8 wouldn't be so appealing if it was all about Jack taking his grandchild to the zoo and reading Dr. Seuss to her. So, he had to stay.
So, tonight, this last night before I finally venture from my home, I will give it another shot and presumably become thoroughly hooked. In the meantime, supper and vacuuming await me. Enjoy your night!
Anyway. It has been delightful. The laundry is as caught up as it gets. There is ALWAYS laundry because, of course, we aren't exactly going to not have clothes on just so I can get completely caught up. But, I digress. I have cleaned linens this week that actually were soiled during Thanksgiving dinner. That is ridiculous, I know. Believe me, I'm glad it is done.
I've blogged. Twice.
The house is relatively picked up...sort of.....well, I'll vacuum after this. I promise.
My kids have so much school work ready for them they will have NO excuse to waste time on any given day.
And.....drumroll......we still have milk. Normally when NOTHING else works, the milk thing gets me out. I thought ahead. Six gallons may have seemed like a lot at the time, but hey. I'm still here.
On an aside....."24" started last night. I haven't decided how I feel about this season just yet. I found it to be a bit....predictable...when one of its primary strengths is that "24" isn't predictable. I'm forever frustrated by silly things...the first two years it was that Jack couldn't figure out how to turn the ringer off on his phone. He would sneak down the hall, mere feet from a bad guy with a big gun and...riiiiiiiiinnnnngg! How that guy never heard it I will never know. Last night it was the bad guy. Typically when the street is full of people looking at the aftermath of an exploding helicopter on a roof, one won't stroll slong through the crowd talking on the cell about how the guy is dead and now we need to focus on the assassination and move the time up, etc....because...hello? THEY WILL HEAR!!!! The other scene that had me yelling at my tv was when Kim is telling Jack he must stay and help because if he didn't and something happened, well, he just wouldn't forgive himself. This from the person who NEVER wanted him to stay and help. Not to mention that after all he had been through, I'm thinking, yep, I'd be able to live with it just fine. I suppose season 8 wouldn't be so appealing if it was all about Jack taking his grandchild to the zoo and reading Dr. Seuss to her. So, he had to stay.
So, tonight, this last night before I finally venture from my home, I will give it another shot and presumably become thoroughly hooked. In the meantime, supper and vacuuming await me. Enjoy your night!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Help Haiti
If you have a heart for the people in Haiti, please consider giving to Compassion. The statement from Compassion's website:
"All funds raised in response to the Haiti earthquake will be used immediately to reequip Compassion's local support structure and to provide for the immediate needs of Compassion-assisted children and families. Any funds raised in excess will be stewarded by Compassion for additional and future disaster relief efforts."
Please pray about contributing to this worthy organization.
And Then There Were Three....Again
The last few days have been a mess in my little world. Despite an obnoxious amount of sleep and a day off exercise yesterday, I awoke to a queasiness that did not need to be exposed to the masses. As my family happily skipped off to Sunday School and church, I am pondering what one does with quiet time and a tummy that is a bit "off"?
After eating some yogurt (probiotics, you know), Bible Study, and cleaning up the kitchen, I pondered exercise. It would be lovely to get it done, get a shower and, for the first time in days, put on makeup. But then....that probably isn't the best use of time considering the pathetic effort it would be. It would be better to feel well first, I am sure.
So, I got online and printed off The Big Boy's schedule for this semester. It is a nasty one. Calculus 3. Chemistry 3. Calculus based Physics. Verbal Communication. Honors Logic. Then I investigated campus religious organizations. I sent him links for Campus Crusade and The Rock. I even offered to fill out an information card and send it in for him. Wasn't that nice of me?? tee hee. For some reason, I'm not sure he would agree with that.
Did I mention this is his first week back? Ah, there may be a bit of the funk of the last few days. Typically, I'm a fairly tough cookie. None of the tears and crying nonsense. Nope. I didn't even cry watching "Old Yeller" and usually if anything gets me, its the dog. People? Never. But you know, the movies just don't capture the tug on your heart when your baby heads out to the real world. I tackled his room yesterday and cleaned it top to bottom. I cleaned off each trophy remembering the hundreds of baseball games. I remembered a lot of mistakes I made as a Mom and wished I had another chance. I prayed for my nieces with their young families and for my children as they grow. I thanked God for my wonderful friends along the way who have encouraged and supported me as a mom. I prayed for The Big Boy and his friend-that-is-a-girl. I laughed at his drawings and quotes throughout a notebook from grade school. And I hugged and loved on the three that are still here. And I was glad he was gone. This is how it is supposed to be. He is learning and maturing and becoming the man God would have him be. He is becoming independent in actions and thinking. Despite the tears and tugs on my heart, he is exactly where he should be and I'm thankful.
Not much quiet time left. Excuse me, while I make the most of it.
After eating some yogurt (probiotics, you know), Bible Study, and cleaning up the kitchen, I pondered exercise. It would be lovely to get it done, get a shower and, for the first time in days, put on makeup. But then....that probably isn't the best use of time considering the pathetic effort it would be. It would be better to feel well first, I am sure.
So, I got online and printed off The Big Boy's schedule for this semester. It is a nasty one. Calculus 3. Chemistry 3. Calculus based Physics. Verbal Communication. Honors Logic. Then I investigated campus religious organizations. I sent him links for Campus Crusade and The Rock. I even offered to fill out an information card and send it in for him. Wasn't that nice of me?? tee hee. For some reason, I'm not sure he would agree with that.
Did I mention this is his first week back? Ah, there may be a bit of the funk of the last few days. Typically, I'm a fairly tough cookie. None of the tears and crying nonsense. Nope. I didn't even cry watching "Old Yeller" and usually if anything gets me, its the dog. People? Never. But you know, the movies just don't capture the tug on your heart when your baby heads out to the real world. I tackled his room yesterday and cleaned it top to bottom. I cleaned off each trophy remembering the hundreds of baseball games. I remembered a lot of mistakes I made as a Mom and wished I had another chance. I prayed for my nieces with their young families and for my children as they grow. I thanked God for my wonderful friends along the way who have encouraged and supported me as a mom. I prayed for The Big Boy and his friend-that-is-a-girl. I laughed at his drawings and quotes throughout a notebook from grade school. And I hugged and loved on the three that are still here. And I was glad he was gone. This is how it is supposed to be. He is learning and maturing and becoming the man God would have him be. He is becoming independent in actions and thinking. Despite the tears and tugs on my heart, he is exactly where he should be and I'm thankful.
Not much quiet time left. Excuse me, while I make the most of it.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Christmas Letter 2009
Merry Christmas!!!
Merry Christmas from us to you,
This year it’s a poem, Shoo bee doo be doo.
(How is it so far?)
We usually begin with the eldest child
The year for Trav has been pretty wild.
He played his last baseball game; Mom almost cried.
Playing for 14 years was quite a ride.
After graduation from *****, (yes it is true!)
He moved to Columbia & goes to Mizzou.
Once an ****, now a Tiger he’ll be
This is the first step in his quest to M.D.
His family misses him, it makes us sad
But when he comes home we are very glad.
Our big girl, Holly, is a junior this year.
Just about everyone thinks she’s a dear.
She works at Wib’s serving BBQ,
Stop by & see her, she’d love a visit from you!
This year finds her busy with work & with school,
Driving in her car she looks really cool.
Holly enjoys providing child care,
It’s a skill of which more people are becoming aware.
A member of choir, our Holly can sing,
One thing hasn’t changed; sleeping’s still her favorite thing.
Now we come to The Things, 1 & 2
They round out this peculiar crew.
Their teacher is still their good ol’ Mother,
Fifth grade the sister, sixth for the brother.
Nathan is growing, soon he’ll be a teen.
He’s getting tall, outgrowing his new jeans.
Thing 1 or Scooter is his name,
Anything electronic is his game.
Music is another love,
Gifts like that come from Above.
2009 has been his hunting year
He bagged his first squirrel, then his first deer.
He likes to play ball, mostly baseball & golf,
As you can imagine, his summers are rough.
Next on our list is child number four,
She answers to Annie, Lizzie, Nini & more.
Still getting taller, she’s about to pass Mom,
She giggles ‘cause looking down at us will be so much fun.
Like her sister, she’s a lovely young lady,
But she’ll always be her momma’s baby.
She plays piano, soccer, & volleyball,
And the girl has fun doing them all.
But like her mom, her real love is a book.
It seems this year she really got hooked.
We still have the pets; Tiger, Benny & Charlie,
And Dad still loves to ride on his Harley.
Dad’s still working for Farmers, it’s just his thing.
When he is at church, he gets to sing.
He doesn’t have much time free,
But when he does, at our new land he will be.
The pond is full, the levy has grass.
I think he enjoys every little task.
As you can see, we have blessings galore.
There is ever so much to be thankful for.
The thanks and the glory go to God on High.
To take any credit would be a lie.
He sent his Son, the Christ, Jesus,
Who is Emmanuel, God with us.
When we turn our lives over to Him,
He cleanses us and takes away our sin.
We can walk by His side every day
His Holy Sacrifice provided the way.
Christmas is fun, full of gifts, food, & mirth
But it all began with that sweet baby’s birth.
So remember the really important part
And let Jesus come live in your heart.
Merry Christmas!
With love,
******
“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,
which means ‘God is with us.’” Matthew 18:23 NLT
Book Review: "Going Rogue"
I was thrilled to receive
Going Rogue by Sarah Palin for Christmas. I had picked it up multiple times and each time decided to wait. It sat in my Amazon cart for weeks and I always bypassed it. All the waiting was in hopes of receiving it as a Christmas gift.
It was exactly what I expected. Perhaps more in some spots, a little less in others. I found myself relating to Palin on several levels. First of all, she is very close to my age. Her upbringing, although more rugged than mine, was similar. We both are blessed with a spirit of independence, not relying on others too much. I wonder if her mother ever called her "an independent little cuss?" I think the first half was my favorite part of the book, reading about her formative years, then raising a family, and the steps she has followed in the political process. One thing she has that I envy a little is an incredible self confidence.
The book was entertaining as a recap of her life, all the way through the election of 2008. In the post-election section the book became a bit wordy. It included a lot of her political positions, opinions on policy, and several defensive shots at both her political opponents and some of the McCain staffers. It seemed a tedious part of the book, but then, it reflected what was a tedious part of her life, in defending an endless array of ethics charges and slams from the press. Despite those facts, I found myself thinking the same points could have been made in a much more concise fashion.
I'm not sure my hubby loved me reading the book because of my continued insistence that we move to Alaska. Palin's love for her home comes through vividly. Of course, I would want to wait until spring to make such a move. It would be silly to go any sooner!
"Going Rogue" isn't for everyone. If you are simply looking for her take on political issues, go immediately to the back third of the book. But if you want a look inside the mind of this brilliant lady, pick it up and enjoy.
Going Rogue by Sarah Palin for Christmas. I had picked it up multiple times and each time decided to wait. It sat in my Amazon cart for weeks and I always bypassed it. All the waiting was in hopes of receiving it as a Christmas gift.It was exactly what I expected. Perhaps more in some spots, a little less in others. I found myself relating to Palin on several levels. First of all, she is very close to my age. Her upbringing, although more rugged than mine, was similar. We both are blessed with a spirit of independence, not relying on others too much. I wonder if her mother ever called her "an independent little cuss?" I think the first half was my favorite part of the book, reading about her formative years, then raising a family, and the steps she has followed in the political process. One thing she has that I envy a little is an incredible self confidence.
The book was entertaining as a recap of her life, all the way through the election of 2008. In the post-election section the book became a bit wordy. It included a lot of her political positions, opinions on policy, and several defensive shots at both her political opponents and some of the McCain staffers. It seemed a tedious part of the book, but then, it reflected what was a tedious part of her life, in defending an endless array of ethics charges and slams from the press. Despite those facts, I found myself thinking the same points could have been made in a much more concise fashion.
I'm not sure my hubby loved me reading the book because of my continued insistence that we move to Alaska. Palin's love for her home comes through vividly. Of course, I would want to wait until spring to make such a move. It would be silly to go any sooner!
"Going Rogue" isn't for everyone. If you are simply looking for her take on political issues, go immediately to the back third of the book. But if you want a look inside the mind of this brilliant lady, pick it up and enjoy.
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