It has been so long since I have been on here. Time is just flying by soooooo fast.
The last few weeks have been a whirlwind around here. We went to the coast for a weekend to get away for a little rest and relaxation. It was very windy down there, so we didn't even unload the kayak from the top of the truck. The girls just love to play in the water and in the sand, then go to the pool and "bathe". Yes, down at the coast that is their bath. Not mine, I MUST have a shower.
BSF is coming to a conclusion. Moses has been a part of our lives all year. We are not all that different from the Israelites in our day and age. God has really put up with some stuff from every generation since time began. I thank God for His redeeming, merciful and abundant love that He shows to us everyday. Next year in BSF we are going to study John. I am very excited about that study.
Is anybody doing a Bible study over the summer?
Tomorrow I leave for the STARS retreat. I am very excited and a little nervous. I will be a table leader assistant. I will listen and not offer anybody any kleenex!! I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us there.
There has been alot of spiritual warfare going on. Really bad headaches followed by REALLY bad headaches, another plumbing leak, job changes for both Mike and me (I don't get to find out about mine until Monday at 1pm). But I am not going to let that distract me this weekend.
I am leaving it in God's hands where He wants me and trust that He will work all things out.
I am trusting God. I am believing God. I am not going to be anxious about all of the changes.
Lisa and Katie have a baby bird they are feeding and taking care of. Mike found it over at Aunt Cindy's house and surprisingly it has lived. 5 days of feeding it wet cat food, not on a schedule, and "Feathers" seems to be hanging in there.
The other day Katie came in after feeding it and said "I am so annoyed. That bird is annoying me. All it wants to do is eat!" I wonder if I muttered those same words when they were babies-ha ha.
Sometimes I wish I could go back to those days, to hold, cuddle and sing to my babies. Sometimes I want time to slow down so I can really take in my girls, to cherish the time we have right now. To make sure that we are teaching them and parenting them the way God wants us to.
It is so hard to know if the way we are parenting is the right way. It is sometimes so hard to not be a selfish parent, to be patient in teaching and answer the million and one questions about everything (sometimes twice). To listen to the LONG version of a story instead of telling them to shorten it. To not have to have the house picked up ALL of the time. To let them have natural consequences to their decisions (like not doing homework and getting a mark).
We just give it to God and take one day at a time, one moment at time.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
What's up with the tooth fairy?
Lisa lost another tooth on Easter.
The tooth fairy didn't show up the last 2 nights. I thought the first night was because it was Easter. You know, there was a lot going on.
Last night, well-I don't know what happened to her, maybe the tooth traffic was heavy.
She knows our address. She has been here weekly for the past 2 months it seems.
Lisa's tooth was sparkly clean. She even brushed it after it was out, causing it to split in half.
So tonight, I am sure the tooth fairy will be here. I am sure her alarm will be set for this house-again.
When I start losing my teeth when I am older, will she remember our address?
The tooth fairy didn't show up the last 2 nights. I thought the first night was because it was Easter. You know, there was a lot going on.
Last night, well-I don't know what happened to her, maybe the tooth traffic was heavy.
She knows our address. She has been here weekly for the past 2 months it seems.
Lisa's tooth was sparkly clean. She even brushed it after it was out, causing it to split in half.
So tonight, I am sure the tooth fairy will be here. I am sure her alarm will be set for this house-again.
When I start losing my teeth when I am older, will she remember our address?
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Holy Week
Tonight is Maundy Thursday. The night Jesus had the last Passover dinner with His disciples. The night He went to the garden of Gethsemane and was sorrowful and troubled.
Tonight I let it soak in that Jesus was sorrowful and troubled. He told His disciples "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death." Matt 26:38
This Lenten season I wanted to give up something. Giving up complaining seemed like a good plan. It was very hard and I failed a few times, Mike would probably say I failed more than a few times. I don't know if I really gave it up. It seemed like the more I tried, the harder it was to not do.
Now tonight I reflect on how the disciples must have felt when Jesus asked them to "stay here and keep watch with me." Then He went to pray to His Father to take this cup away. He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter if could he not keep watch with Him for one hour? Then He said "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
How often is my spirit willing "Yes Lord, I am not going to complain, I am not going to act selfish, I am not going to ...", but then I catch myself in the midst of complaining about something that just doesn't really matter. I calculate if I am doing more work than my co-workers, why?
Was Jesus disappointed in His disciples? Is Jesus disappointed in me?
In John 13 Peter tells Jesus that he would lay down his life for him. Jesus tells Peter that before the rooster crows, he will disown him 3 times. And that is exactly what happens. How Peter must have felt when it came to be. Overwhelmed with sorrow, troubled, unworthy, disappointed in himself?
I have experienced these things. How could I have followed Jesus, know His promises, feel His love, and then fallen from the path?
Restoration.
Because of the resurrection, Peter was restored. I am restored.
John 21 is one my favorite chapters of scripture.
This is when the disciples were fishing and they caught nothing. Early in the morning Jesus was on the shore, but the disciples did not realize it was Him.
He called out "Friends [children], haven't you any fish?"
"No" they answered.
He told them to throw their net on the right side of the boat and they would find some. They caught so many fish they were unable to haul their net in. Then John realized it was Jesus. Peter jumped into the water and swam to shore. (That makes my heart swell with joy-I think I would do the same thing)
Jesus already had a fire going and fish on the fire when they got to shore (How did He get His fish?)
When they finished eating Jesus asked Peter "Simon son of John, do you truly love [agape-self sacrificial] me more that these?
Peter answered "Yes Lord, you know that I love [phileo-fond] you."
Jesus said "Feed my lambs."
Again Jesus said "Simon son of John, do you truly love [agape] me?"
Peter said "Yes, Lord, you know that I love [phileo] you."
Jesus said "Take care of my sheep."
The third time Jesus said "Simon son of John, do you love [phileo] me?
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time. He said "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
Jesus said "Feed my sheep..."
Jesus restores Peter. He changed him from the inside out. I love that. He changed me from the inside and continues to change me. Daily.
Thank you God for this Holy Week to reflect on the sacrifice Your Son paid for my sins. May I live a life reflecting Your love and restoration.
Tonight I let it soak in that Jesus was sorrowful and troubled. He told His disciples "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death." Matt 26:38
This Lenten season I wanted to give up something. Giving up complaining seemed like a good plan. It was very hard and I failed a few times, Mike would probably say I failed more than a few times. I don't know if I really gave it up. It seemed like the more I tried, the harder it was to not do.
Now tonight I reflect on how the disciples must have felt when Jesus asked them to "stay here and keep watch with me." Then He went to pray to His Father to take this cup away. He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter if could he not keep watch with Him for one hour? Then He said "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
How often is my spirit willing "Yes Lord, I am not going to complain, I am not going to act selfish, I am not going to ...", but then I catch myself in the midst of complaining about something that just doesn't really matter. I calculate if I am doing more work than my co-workers, why?
Was Jesus disappointed in His disciples? Is Jesus disappointed in me?
In John 13 Peter tells Jesus that he would lay down his life for him. Jesus tells Peter that before the rooster crows, he will disown him 3 times. And that is exactly what happens. How Peter must have felt when it came to be. Overwhelmed with sorrow, troubled, unworthy, disappointed in himself?
I have experienced these things. How could I have followed Jesus, know His promises, feel His love, and then fallen from the path?
Restoration.
Because of the resurrection, Peter was restored. I am restored.
John 21 is one my favorite chapters of scripture.
This is when the disciples were fishing and they caught nothing. Early in the morning Jesus was on the shore, but the disciples did not realize it was Him.
He called out "Friends [children], haven't you any fish?"
"No" they answered.
He told them to throw their net on the right side of the boat and they would find some. They caught so many fish they were unable to haul their net in. Then John realized it was Jesus. Peter jumped into the water and swam to shore. (That makes my heart swell with joy-I think I would do the same thing)
Jesus already had a fire going and fish on the fire when they got to shore (How did He get His fish?)
When they finished eating Jesus asked Peter "Simon son of John, do you truly love [agape-self sacrificial] me more that these?
Peter answered "Yes Lord, you know that I love [phileo-fond] you."
Jesus said "Feed my lambs."
Again Jesus said "Simon son of John, do you truly love [agape] me?"
Peter said "Yes, Lord, you know that I love [phileo] you."
Jesus said "Take care of my sheep."
The third time Jesus said "Simon son of John, do you love [phileo] me?
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time. He said "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
Jesus said "Feed my sheep..."
Jesus restores Peter. He changed him from the inside out. I love that. He changed me from the inside and continues to change me. Daily.
Thank you God for this Holy Week to reflect on the sacrifice Your Son paid for my sins. May I live a life reflecting Your love and restoration.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Hummingbirds
Frankie living the life.
One of our 3 Hummingbirds who frequents the feeder.
"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Matthew 6:26-27
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Tooth Fairy Question
Katie's main source of income the last few months has been from the "Tooth Fairy." She even lost another tooth today at school.
If you lose a tooth at school you get to put it in a tooth-shaped container and wear it around your neck.
Never mind that she went to the nurse for a head injury and ended up with her tooth around her neck. Her head injury was a rock (probably a pebble) that was thrown and hit her in the head. No worries!
Lisa lost a tooth last week at school. She, however, didn't want to put it out for the tooth fairy. I thought she was "testing" to see if there really was a tooth fairy. She told me today that she was saving it for when she needs money. I wonder if we are acruing interest at the tooth fairy bank?
Our conversation on the way home from school today:
Lisa: "Mom, is there really a tooth fairy"
Long pause
Me: "Uhm, hmm, well, what's the question again?"
Katie: "Probably, it's Santa."
Me: "Probably"
If you lose a tooth at school you get to put it in a tooth-shaped container and wear it around your neck.
Never mind that she went to the nurse for a head injury and ended up with her tooth around her neck. Her head injury was a rock (probably a pebble) that was thrown and hit her in the head. No worries!
Lisa lost a tooth last week at school. She, however, didn't want to put it out for the tooth fairy. I thought she was "testing" to see if there really was a tooth fairy. She told me today that she was saving it for when she needs money. I wonder if we are acruing interest at the tooth fairy bank?
Our conversation on the way home from school today:
Lisa: "Mom, is there really a tooth fairy"
Long pause
Me: "Uhm, hmm, well, what's the question again?"
Katie: "Probably, it's Santa."
Me: "Probably"
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Spring Break '09
How do we start spring break? Let's annoy the cat.
Actually, "Katy Kitty" was being treated like a queen cat.
I let the girls make chocolate chip cookies. It was a great review on measuring, breaking eggs, taking turns and following instructions.
It was also a great review on where not to put a bowl. At least the flour wasn't in the bowl yet.
Yummy!! The best part of making cookies.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Marriage Part 2
Continuing on from the Focus on Marriage Simulcast by Focus on the Family:
Beth Moore spoke on submission. Ephesians 5:21-33.
Submission is not about inequality. It is about order. Something with 2 heads is a monster. She said Tony Evans gave a great definition of submission: learning to duck so that God can hit your husband.
She also talked about getting our identity from our husbands. What if we got our identity from Christ instead? What if everyday I got filled up with Christ, knowing I am loved, valued and cherished by Christ, instead of draining my husband dry trying to get all my needs met by him?
Something else that Mike and I have done is to hang out with couples who also want to make it. It is encouraging and uplifting to know we are not the only ones who have been through the valley, but also to know that we learned so much and can encourage and KNOW what others are going through. To know we have really messed up, but today is a new day. We are not just well, we are healed. We are miracles. That is what gives people hope.
Del Tacket spoke. He is the spokesperson for the Truth Project. I highly recommend doing the Truth Project. It teaches about living a Christian worldview in today's world.
Anyway, he talked about creation and how God would create something and say "It is good." Then their was a divine pause after man was created. "It is not good for man to be alone."
Why not?
Because what God has made reveals Him. Aloneness is contrary to God's nature.
Psalm 19. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge...
Job 12:7-9 "But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?
Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-His eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
What do we see? Immense diversity and astounding unity. It is an ordered diversity, there are systems in place (like the solar system, water cycles, our bodies with all of their systems-skeletal, muscular, cellular, circulatory, nervous...) We also see relationship. Everything is in relationship. Protons, neutrons, electrons, blood clotting, weather... But nothing is more grand than the human relationship. It is all about relationship. God sets the example of relationship in the Trinity. The Triune God has the perfect relationship. In the Triune we have the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Father and Son are One. Father and Son sends the Holy Spirit. Son submits to the Father, Father loves the Son. Husband and wife are one. Children come from husband and wife. Wife submits to the husband. Husband loves the wife. It is a beautiful picture and I wish that I could draw it out.
One last thing Dr Tacket mentioned that I found very interesting: If prayers feel like they are bouncing off of the ceiling, men, check your relationship with your wife. 1Peter 3:7 says "Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wife, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."
God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16) It destroys the image of God that He stamped on the family. Divorce is a serious issue with God, and the consequences are deep.
My prayer is for God to show us afresh the relationship we have with our spouses. To comfort and provide guidance in our marriages and for us to be a light for those around us.
Beth Moore spoke on submission. Ephesians 5:21-33.
Submission is not about inequality. It is about order. Something with 2 heads is a monster. She said Tony Evans gave a great definition of submission: learning to duck so that God can hit your husband.
She also talked about getting our identity from our husbands. What if we got our identity from Christ instead? What if everyday I got filled up with Christ, knowing I am loved, valued and cherished by Christ, instead of draining my husband dry trying to get all my needs met by him?
Something else that Mike and I have done is to hang out with couples who also want to make it. It is encouraging and uplifting to know we are not the only ones who have been through the valley, but also to know that we learned so much and can encourage and KNOW what others are going through. To know we have really messed up, but today is a new day. We are not just well, we are healed. We are miracles. That is what gives people hope.
Del Tacket spoke. He is the spokesperson for the Truth Project. I highly recommend doing the Truth Project. It teaches about living a Christian worldview in today's world.
Anyway, he talked about creation and how God would create something and say "It is good." Then their was a divine pause after man was created. "It is not good for man to be alone."
Why not?
Because what God has made reveals Him. Aloneness is contrary to God's nature.
Psalm 19. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge...
Job 12:7-9 "But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?
Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-His eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
What do we see? Immense diversity and astounding unity. It is an ordered diversity, there are systems in place (like the solar system, water cycles, our bodies with all of their systems-skeletal, muscular, cellular, circulatory, nervous...) We also see relationship. Everything is in relationship. Protons, neutrons, electrons, blood clotting, weather... But nothing is more grand than the human relationship. It is all about relationship. God sets the example of relationship in the Trinity. The Triune God has the perfect relationship. In the Triune we have the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Father and Son are One. Father and Son sends the Holy Spirit. Son submits to the Father, Father loves the Son. Husband and wife are one. Children come from husband and wife. Wife submits to the husband. Husband loves the wife. It is a beautiful picture and I wish that I could draw it out.
One last thing Dr Tacket mentioned that I found very interesting: If prayers feel like they are bouncing off of the ceiling, men, check your relationship with your wife. 1Peter 3:7 says "Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wife, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."
God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16) It destroys the image of God that He stamped on the family. Divorce is a serious issue with God, and the consequences are deep.
My prayer is for God to show us afresh the relationship we have with our spouses. To comfort and provide guidance in our marriages and for us to be a light for those around us.
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