In the last few days, I've thrown my diet out the window. Well, the word "diet" actually just means "a way of eating", so maybe I've just adopted a new diet instead.
Here goes....coke, lifesaver gummies, chips, bugles, and no portion control at all. I'm drinking a couple glasses of water a day, but mostly I go without. I have plenty of fruits to choose from, but I'd rather have a rice krispies treat. I have fresh veggies, but instead, I choose to eat pepperoni. Am I proud of that? No, but I am loving it all! Who cares anyway????
What happened, you ask? Well, reality happened. This is exactly what happens when self-control loses the battle with flesh control. I may know exactly what was behind the reasons I wanted all that junk, but it didn't stop me at all! I was unstoppable, people! There was food flying everywhere and all I could do was threaten anyone who came near me to "GET BACK!"
In a few words, I fell off the wagon. I'm a junkie. I'm an addict. I went on a bender. I was like an alcoholic who just walked into the bar to "use the phone". Yeah, I lost it. I didn't even care.
This happens! It's not even that I was denying myself too much. It was just stress and comfort mixed in with a little "i-give-up-ness". I am perfectly happy to sit on the couch and watch Jon & Kate plus Eight instead of getting on my elliptical. Yes, the flesh likes what the flesh likes.
So, today, as I was eating my bag of Hot Fries (not even tasty), I decided it was time to slap myself on the wrist, get some encouragement and get back into the game. I can do this! I can say "no" to the junk. To be honest, it doesn't even taste good to me. Well, the first few bites of something always taste the best, but after that, it's just not worth it. I feel sick after I eat that stuff. Call it a junk food hangover, I guess. Oh, how I need a remedy fast.
Welcome to the roller coaster of healthy eating and living. Obviously there is some more mind work to be done, ya think? I get easily discouraged with myself, so that's a hurdle I need to overcome. Who do I think I am anyway?? Not perfect, that's for sure!
Stay tuned as I wade through the cupcakes and make my climb back to the side of the mountain. Notice I didn't say the "top" of the mountain? I can't see it just yet, but it's there and I'll keep on climbing!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Sunshine and Rainbows
When my girls were little and acting up around people, I'd just smile and say as I walked by, "it's all sunshine and rainbows today". Life is not always great, but the way I look at it, it could be a whole lot worse! Kids are stinkers sometimes. Husbands forget to take out the trash, the dog pees on the floor after waking you up at 12:30 am by bumping into the bed, sometimes the parts are missing and you can't play the game. It's just life at it's rosiest, isn't it?
Well, I would rather go through those petty things, than the "real" issues people face. I'm grateful to have kids messing up my house and sometimes not doing as they are told. It sure beats having a sick child or worse, a child who has left this world, doesn't it? Worse yet, not being able to have a child, and in cases I've known personally, a child who was carried in the womb, only to not have a chance at life at all outside of it. (anyone familiar with anencephaly would know this one well) Yes, I'm glad for eye rolling, sibling arguments, complaining, and laziness. I love them all. I wouldn't trade it for anything on any given day.
So, the dishes are still there from last night. At least we had a good meal and no one complained. The dog pee is never fun to clean, but we've had her companionship and love for so much longer than some dogs give. I ran out of laundry soap, but maybe I needed a break from the laundry today anyway. At least I have a few bucks to go get detergent and a car to get there with. Some people don't even have nice clothes to wash and have to pay to wash them. Who am I to complain? Steve's gone a lot, but he has a job! And so far, that remains constant. In this day, it's a blessing just to have a job! To have a working vehicle! Money for gas! Simple basic needs we have that others struggle to attain. It's sad.
I'm at a standstill with my weight, and I'm mad about it, but guess what? I'm healthy and unless you count my craziness, I'm mentally well too. (debatable, I know) I'm fat because we have food in the cupboards. Good food. Not that stuff people donate to the food pantry, where in some cases it's stuff they would never eat themselves. No, it's good stuff, and we could even share it with others because there is plenty. I even have a machine to work out on in a room that is huge and cool with a tv. I have no excuses. Some people wish they had a room like that. I take mine for granted. It's chilly in our house (63-yikes), but we're not cold, and we have warmth and lights and hot water.
When you can see things from the other side of the glass, your life probably looks pretty good compared to some. It probably is sunshine and rainbows to someone else, and that life is something they can only dream about. We don't live in a war zone, unless, I guess you don't like your neighbors, but we can go outside without the fear of being killed. Most of us have parents who are still with us and love us. And if they're not with us, we had them at some point. Most of us have not been abandoned. None of us were aborted. Maybe your childhood wasn't great and maybe you have scars, but you're here now, and look around you. Wow. Rainbows. Imagine the kid today who goes home to dark clouds. My kids are princesses in a castle compared to that. I'm blessed in a healthy marriage with a strong partner and best friend. I'm not a single mother, struggling to make ends meet while dealing with emotional baggage. I have not been deserted or widowed. I still have a husband who sometimes bugs me, but I appreciate it. Each day I have to remind myself not to take him for granted either. As I've seen around me, that can change in a heartbeat's time. Yes, I'll take what I have and I'll be thankful.
I don't know why I'm in this melancholy state today. I guess I've been spending a lot of time talking to people who are very dear to me who are all going through something. I've listened, and done a little talking, but mostly it's a heart thing. When you care about what others are going through, your heart grows and swells, and suddenly there is room for much more than you thought. Your litte petty life complaints become stupid and useless after awhile. Watching the news makes me realize that while life is challenging at times, it's nowhere near newsworthy, and for that I am grateful. It makes me say prayers for people I don't know, which is probably why I watch that stuff in the first place. I have to feel like something good has to come out of everything bad. A little idealistic, I know. I've been told I wear my heart on my sleeve. I was offended at first, but now I know it just means that's something you see when you look at me. It's not a weakness at all, but a strength and a sensitivity. Wearing it there can also get it bruised from time to time. I'm becoming okay with that.
There is more to this life than ourselves. There is a God who watches over us. He brings the sun, he brings the rain, and he most definitely brings the rainbows. My friend Patty sent me a picture of a huge double rainbow she saw. On the back, she wrote, "You could see both ends. I would have needed a much bigger lens to capture it all". Yes, we all could use a bigger lens when it comes to trying to see the bigger picture. We don't always get to see around corners, but if we know God, we don't have to see around anything. He knows the bigger picture, and no matter how grim it seems to us, we can have peace as long as we keep our eyes on him, and not our circumstances.
By the way, this post was supposed to be a confession of what I ate this morning. I don't know what happened. There must have been some weird stuff in those barbecue potato chips! :) Oh, come on, you know I can't be ALL serious ALL the time, don't you??
Well, I would rather go through those petty things, than the "real" issues people face. I'm grateful to have kids messing up my house and sometimes not doing as they are told. It sure beats having a sick child or worse, a child who has left this world, doesn't it? Worse yet, not being able to have a child, and in cases I've known personally, a child who was carried in the womb, only to not have a chance at life at all outside of it. (anyone familiar with anencephaly would know this one well) Yes, I'm glad for eye rolling, sibling arguments, complaining, and laziness. I love them all. I wouldn't trade it for anything on any given day.
So, the dishes are still there from last night. At least we had a good meal and no one complained. The dog pee is never fun to clean, but we've had her companionship and love for so much longer than some dogs give. I ran out of laundry soap, but maybe I needed a break from the laundry today anyway. At least I have a few bucks to go get detergent and a car to get there with. Some people don't even have nice clothes to wash and have to pay to wash them. Who am I to complain? Steve's gone a lot, but he has a job! And so far, that remains constant. In this day, it's a blessing just to have a job! To have a working vehicle! Money for gas! Simple basic needs we have that others struggle to attain. It's sad.
I'm at a standstill with my weight, and I'm mad about it, but guess what? I'm healthy and unless you count my craziness, I'm mentally well too. (debatable, I know) I'm fat because we have food in the cupboards. Good food. Not that stuff people donate to the food pantry, where in some cases it's stuff they would never eat themselves. No, it's good stuff, and we could even share it with others because there is plenty. I even have a machine to work out on in a room that is huge and cool with a tv. I have no excuses. Some people wish they had a room like that. I take mine for granted. It's chilly in our house (63-yikes), but we're not cold, and we have warmth and lights and hot water.
When you can see things from the other side of the glass, your life probably looks pretty good compared to some. It probably is sunshine and rainbows to someone else, and that life is something they can only dream about. We don't live in a war zone, unless, I guess you don't like your neighbors, but we can go outside without the fear of being killed. Most of us have parents who are still with us and love us. And if they're not with us, we had them at some point. Most of us have not been abandoned. None of us were aborted. Maybe your childhood wasn't great and maybe you have scars, but you're here now, and look around you. Wow. Rainbows. Imagine the kid today who goes home to dark clouds. My kids are princesses in a castle compared to that. I'm blessed in a healthy marriage with a strong partner and best friend. I'm not a single mother, struggling to make ends meet while dealing with emotional baggage. I have not been deserted or widowed. I still have a husband who sometimes bugs me, but I appreciate it. Each day I have to remind myself not to take him for granted either. As I've seen around me, that can change in a heartbeat's time. Yes, I'll take what I have and I'll be thankful.
I don't know why I'm in this melancholy state today. I guess I've been spending a lot of time talking to people who are very dear to me who are all going through something. I've listened, and done a little talking, but mostly it's a heart thing. When you care about what others are going through, your heart grows and swells, and suddenly there is room for much more than you thought. Your litte petty life complaints become stupid and useless after awhile. Watching the news makes me realize that while life is challenging at times, it's nowhere near newsworthy, and for that I am grateful. It makes me say prayers for people I don't know, which is probably why I watch that stuff in the first place. I have to feel like something good has to come out of everything bad. A little idealistic, I know. I've been told I wear my heart on my sleeve. I was offended at first, but now I know it just means that's something you see when you look at me. It's not a weakness at all, but a strength and a sensitivity. Wearing it there can also get it bruised from time to time. I'm becoming okay with that.
There is more to this life than ourselves. There is a God who watches over us. He brings the sun, he brings the rain, and he most definitely brings the rainbows. My friend Patty sent me a picture of a huge double rainbow she saw. On the back, she wrote, "You could see both ends. I would have needed a much bigger lens to capture it all". Yes, we all could use a bigger lens when it comes to trying to see the bigger picture. We don't always get to see around corners, but if we know God, we don't have to see around anything. He knows the bigger picture, and no matter how grim it seems to us, we can have peace as long as we keep our eyes on him, and not our circumstances.
By the way, this post was supposed to be a confession of what I ate this morning. I don't know what happened. There must have been some weird stuff in those barbecue potato chips! :) Oh, come on, you know I can't be ALL serious ALL the time, don't you??
Monday, February 23, 2009
Showers of kindness....and hot water!
Hey, remember when I told you about our shower head leaking buckets and Steve had to run up and down the basement stairs to turn the water on and off? Could that be any more of a run-on sentence or what? You don't have to really answer that. I keep forgetting to tell you of this answered prayer, which is truly a shower of blessings.
Well, when we called the Danze company to ask where our part was, they told us it would be there in 7-10 days. That was back on January 19th! When Steve called on the 29th, he was told it was on the way. Another call several days after that revealed that the part had never been shipped in the first place, was on backorder and was still in China. Grrr....
We never did receive the part, which was supposed to be free of charge due to our warranty. We never even received a customer courtesy call. That's D-A-N-Z-E....you might want to note that somewhere.
Well, little Sanford Hardware just happens to carry Danze products, so in our desperation, we decided to just buy it if they had one. Oh, how I love mom and pop shops!
The lady at the counter looked at the part in Steve's hand and said, "Ya know, I think we used to have that part in the window up front as part of a display. Let me see if I can dig it up." She went to the back and brought out this dusty ragged cardboard box, dug through it and finally pulled out the exact part we needed! Did you hear the angel choir? Did you see the beam of light? It was there!!
Not only was the part exactly the one we needed, but she wouldn't even charge for it since it was loose in a dusty old box. Take that, Danze company!
I don't think I ever appreciated our shower more than when the part was finally fixed. I know Steve is so glad to not be running up and down the stairs, cranking the water supply on and off.
See, it's rarely the big things that get me. It's those little annoying day to day things that wear at me, threatening to chew and swallow me up!
There are still a few of those "little things" around here, like that 6 inch piece of baseboard that isn't nailed to the wall. Every time someone comes in the front door, the dog's tail either knocks it down, or someone bumps it and makes it fall. It's so obvious too, that sound when it hits the hardwood. Then everyone's looking to see where the noise came from, and I'm stylishly draping myself over it, saying, "what noise?" Really, why do I have to go through that?? Duct tape and a glue gun, that's all I'm going to say about those kinds of issues around here.
If left to my own devices, things could get really interesting around here. Just ask poor Steve, who sometimes walks into a room, and says, "WHAT did you do???"
What did I do?? I FIXED it, that's what!!
Just another day around the Rogers resort. What can I say......
Well, when we called the Danze company to ask where our part was, they told us it would be there in 7-10 days. That was back on January 19th! When Steve called on the 29th, he was told it was on the way. Another call several days after that revealed that the part had never been shipped in the first place, was on backorder and was still in China. Grrr....
We never did receive the part, which was supposed to be free of charge due to our warranty. We never even received a customer courtesy call. That's D-A-N-Z-E....you might want to note that somewhere.
Well, little Sanford Hardware just happens to carry Danze products, so in our desperation, we decided to just buy it if they had one. Oh, how I love mom and pop shops!
The lady at the counter looked at the part in Steve's hand and said, "Ya know, I think we used to have that part in the window up front as part of a display. Let me see if I can dig it up." She went to the back and brought out this dusty ragged cardboard box, dug through it and finally pulled out the exact part we needed! Did you hear the angel choir? Did you see the beam of light? It was there!!
Not only was the part exactly the one we needed, but she wouldn't even charge for it since it was loose in a dusty old box. Take that, Danze company!
I don't think I ever appreciated our shower more than when the part was finally fixed. I know Steve is so glad to not be running up and down the stairs, cranking the water supply on and off.
See, it's rarely the big things that get me. It's those little annoying day to day things that wear at me, threatening to chew and swallow me up!
There are still a few of those "little things" around here, like that 6 inch piece of baseboard that isn't nailed to the wall. Every time someone comes in the front door, the dog's tail either knocks it down, or someone bumps it and makes it fall. It's so obvious too, that sound when it hits the hardwood. Then everyone's looking to see where the noise came from, and I'm stylishly draping myself over it, saying, "what noise?" Really, why do I have to go through that?? Duct tape and a glue gun, that's all I'm going to say about those kinds of issues around here.
If left to my own devices, things could get really interesting around here. Just ask poor Steve, who sometimes walks into a room, and says, "WHAT did you do???"
What did I do?? I FIXED it, that's what!!
Just another day around the Rogers resort. What can I say......
Friday, February 20, 2009
The Patience of Patty
My longtime childhood friend, Patty, has sure been through the wringer lately! As some may remember, her husband, Steve has taken a job here in Michigan. He moved up here shortly after Christmas, and has been living in a hotel. Meanwhile, Patty's back in Missouri, still holding down a job, taking care of 4 kids (ages 10-17), and is managing the contractor who has torn apart her bathroom upstairs. She's never sure when he's going to show up, so she's always on the alert. One morning he showed up unexpectedly while she was in the downstairs shower and was depending on just her towel to get her back upstairs to her room. Sorry Patty, but some details make the story better! She doesn't have time to read my blog, as you can imagine.
This past Tuesday she was rear-ended by a big truck with a bar on the front. She and her son were running somewhere as usual. She ended up with whiplash and is out of work this week because of it. She is trying to share a vehicle with her oldest son. Not easy at all. These are just a few challenges of living miles away, trying to do it all on your own. No husband or parents to depend on.
What I have always admired about her is her ability to stay fairly cool headed about life. I can be all flustered about something and start talking about it with her, and while I'm talking, I realize it's not that big of a deal! She deals with life as it comes, doesn't look back and doesn't look too far ahead. She's smart, resilient, and not afraid to tackle problems. The world can be falling down around her, but she won't break a sweat. She is not a whiner or a "Poor Me-er". She really doesn't have time for all of that! Yet, her gentleness comes through and her heart is as big as the dent in the back of her van. Probably bigger.
We always joke about being little old ladies in rocking chairs together. She'll be the one without the gray hair and wrinkles even though she's a few years older. I'll be the one all messed up because I worried about stuff too much!
Soon she will be back on Michigan soil, and we'll at least be sitting in lawn chairs side by side this summer. Me, complaining, and her with her patient smile, talking sense into me!
This past Tuesday she was rear-ended by a big truck with a bar on the front. She and her son were running somewhere as usual. She ended up with whiplash and is out of work this week because of it. She is trying to share a vehicle with her oldest son. Not easy at all. These are just a few challenges of living miles away, trying to do it all on your own. No husband or parents to depend on.
What I have always admired about her is her ability to stay fairly cool headed about life. I can be all flustered about something and start talking about it with her, and while I'm talking, I realize it's not that big of a deal! She deals with life as it comes, doesn't look back and doesn't look too far ahead. She's smart, resilient, and not afraid to tackle problems. The world can be falling down around her, but she won't break a sweat. She is not a whiner or a "Poor Me-er". She really doesn't have time for all of that! Yet, her gentleness comes through and her heart is as big as the dent in the back of her van. Probably bigger.
We always joke about being little old ladies in rocking chairs together. She'll be the one without the gray hair and wrinkles even though she's a few years older. I'll be the one all messed up because I worried about stuff too much!
Soon she will be back on Michigan soil, and we'll at least be sitting in lawn chairs side by side this summer. Me, complaining, and her with her patient smile, talking sense into me!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Answered Prayers
A friend loves at all times... Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)
Everyone (well, most everyone) says that the Lord works in mysterious ways. I think he is actually pretty obvious sometimes!
A few posts ago, I wrote about Natalie's struggle at school with friends kind of picking at her. It's all good now, but back then, it was a little sting. Well, what it did was remind her of how much she misses her "BFF" Emily Whittum! She and "The Divine Miss Em", were like 2 peas in a pod since 2nd grade, if not a little before. They both love exploring in the woods, getting dirty, swimming, video games, the same books, a lot of the same music, you get the idea. Em moved a couple summers ago, and while we've had the chance to see her a couple times, it's never enough for Nattie! We all have come to love Emily and consider her to be part of our family when we're together. We understand and accept her quietness, and were quite surprised when one day we actually heard her laugh out loud! She's a girl of few words, but she's always thinking!
So, Nat was really missing Em. A few days later, a card came in the mail from Emily. She remembered Nat's birthday! What a smile on Nat's face and a big smile in my heart too. A couple days after that, a package arrived from Emily for Valentine's Day. She sent Natalie her favorite animal, a stuffed Monkey, which Nat named "Phil" , short for Philippians. (see a connection there?)
Coincidence? No. It's God, letting Natalie know he's still there, ready to bring her joy at any given moment.
Without divulging the details of the next answered prayer, I can just tell you that my friend Sara, knowing a certain situation, came by with a solution that was no longer needed by someone else. A solution that we could not manage on our own, and a solution that is not normally donated to someone else. Coincidence? Nope. God again, providing our needs by way of a friend, again. God kept Sara alert to our need, so she was at the ready when the opportunity arose. I can't tell you more than that! Sorry! What a joy it is to have a friend who listens, cares, and prays for you.
I was humbled by these answered prayers. I know these aren't the only 2. There are answered prayers in my life each and every day. The timing of these is what made me more aware of them, and there was such a special joy about them. When God uses other people to help us, it makes us realize we really are here to help each other out. Although I'd like to give all the credit to Emily and Sara, I do know that God simply used them. However, they were available to BE used, and that is pretty special in itself. Sometimes we don't even know we're being used, since not every answered prayer is a big grandiose thing. Sometimes just letting someone pull out of a parking lot onto the road is a big deal if that person was running late and praying for a break!
Here's the kicker: You don't get the glory (the credit), God does! It's tempting to want to be all excited and tell everyone you prayed and it all turned out. I think that's okay as long as you acknowledge it was ALL God and you were just being a vessel to carry out his plan. Sometimes after a long season of prayer about something with "no results", we're almost surprised when we "think" God answers.(although he probably already did, and we just didn't like the answer!) Another reminder that we have no control and we just need to TRUST him to work it all out.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 (NIV)
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Spring Fling
Oh why do I put myself through this? Yesterday I ripped my living room apart, hauling in a bookcase, and moving a chair. I then moved all the books from our room to the living room, and learned they don't actually all fit in there anymore. What, did they multiply on the way over? Now, where to put all those excess books....hmm....yup, pile 'em back on the bed. Add to that a quilt, a comforter, empty laundry basket, unfiled papers, photographs upon photographs, boxes of who knows what and the kids school papers. What a mess! And I started it all. I also emptied out the hope chest in the bedroom and moved it to a new spot, then decided to put something entirely different inside it. Oh boy.
Okay, so I can stash some of it in the basement, but that means I have to move some stuff in the basement so it will fit first. Hmmm...where to stash it? I know, I'll just fling it.
Steve often asks me, "hey, where did you put my....." I say simply, "Flung." "Well, what about the...."
" Well", I say smartly, "I flung that too". Old papers. Flung. Anything outdated, dusty, ugly, missing pieces. Flung. Flung. Flung. Flung. He's lucky his 89 million football cards are still here somewhere.
Well, as I sit here, my bed is still somewhere under the mountain of stuff. If I could pick up the whole thing, it would be, you guessed it, flung.
I got a little sidetracked while sorting through things and found pictures of myself at various ages. Wow. 18 year old Me in a bikini (not bad). Me with my arm around my uncle at Thanksgiving ( a bit sad). Me with an old boyfriend. Oops. Thought I flung that. Me with blonde hair! Me with short hair. Me with really curly foofy hair. Me as a bride. Me on my honeymoon wearing goofy jeans. Me 9 months pregnant with a toddler hugging my belly. Wow. Have I ever changed! I barely recognized some of those girls. It was me, but not the me I know anymore. I think I like the new "me" much better, chubba wubba and all.
That's why I avoid spring cleaning in the first place. It can turn into a sentimental journey depending on how deeply you clean. I guess I should have started in the garage. Big time flinging there, I imagine. I could have a field day out there. Fling flang flung....woo hooo! That is, until Steve gets home....
My ideal house is everything in its place all the time. However, I live in reality and I also live in my house. Kids live here too, and for that reason, something will always be out of place. I really pity them when they leave something out and later ask me where it is. I place a hand on their soft little cheeks, look into their innocent little eyes, and say sweetly, "Flung." They might as well learn young, eh?
Okay, so I can stash some of it in the basement, but that means I have to move some stuff in the basement so it will fit first. Hmmm...where to stash it? I know, I'll just fling it.
Steve often asks me, "hey, where did you put my....." I say simply, "Flung." "Well, what about the...."
" Well", I say smartly, "I flung that too". Old papers. Flung. Anything outdated, dusty, ugly, missing pieces. Flung. Flung. Flung. Flung. He's lucky his 89 million football cards are still here somewhere.
Well, as I sit here, my bed is still somewhere under the mountain of stuff. If I could pick up the whole thing, it would be, you guessed it, flung.
I got a little sidetracked while sorting through things and found pictures of myself at various ages. Wow. 18 year old Me in a bikini (not bad). Me with my arm around my uncle at Thanksgiving ( a bit sad). Me with an old boyfriend. Oops. Thought I flung that. Me with blonde hair! Me with short hair. Me with really curly foofy hair. Me as a bride. Me on my honeymoon wearing goofy jeans. Me 9 months pregnant with a toddler hugging my belly. Wow. Have I ever changed! I barely recognized some of those girls. It was me, but not the me I know anymore. I think I like the new "me" much better, chubba wubba and all.
That's why I avoid spring cleaning in the first place. It can turn into a sentimental journey depending on how deeply you clean. I guess I should have started in the garage. Big time flinging there, I imagine. I could have a field day out there. Fling flang flung....woo hooo! That is, until Steve gets home....
My ideal house is everything in its place all the time. However, I live in reality and I also live in my house. Kids live here too, and for that reason, something will always be out of place. I really pity them when they leave something out and later ask me where it is. I place a hand on their soft little cheeks, look into their innocent little eyes, and say sweetly, "Flung." They might as well learn young, eh?
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
2 Timothy 1:7
When I first started attending CWC, it finally made sense why God moved us from FUMC. Sorry for the abbreviations. It doesn't really matter, though. I had felt nudgings for months before we finally left, even though we were standing on the ledge, readying to jump into the youth ministry. We were teaching Sunday school to a great group of 4th-6th graders, who we had become pretty fond of. It just didn't make sense why God was moving us, but it felt right and we felt at peace after deliberating for hours. After the goodbyes and a few tears, we took some time to pray about where we'd go now! After all, we were on our second church in a few years and just hadn't found home yet. We prayed that God would lead us to a church where we felt loved and could give love in return. Oh, how he answered. And fast too!
This verse followed me around in those early days at CWC....
For God did not give us (me) a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7.
Where did THAT come from? I'd never heard that one....
Loosely translated: When we allow people to intimidate us, we neutralize our effectiveness for God. The power of the Holy Spirit can help us overcome our fear of what some might say or do to us so that we can continue to do God's work.
Oh, how some tried to intimidate me into staying where I didn't belong because it was inconvenient for them for me to leave!
Oh, how some couldn't have cared less that we left at all because they'd never taken the time to say hello!
Oh, how we just never seemed to "click"!
Oh, how I let that bother me WAY too much back then!!
Yes, God knew my thoughts were turned the wrong ways and he knew how much I was hurting. He brought me to a place where maybe not everything is perfect, but so so much clearer now. He gave me new friends, new family, and an ability to finally let go of the hurts from before that were holding me back. He showed me how to grow in Him, and to let others show me what walking with Christ really means! He taught me to let go of my expectations and just let things simply be.
It's been a few years since we left, but I still feel that old familiar tension sometimes. Nattie's old friends are there, and since we left, she's not part of the group so much anymore. They're nice girls and still include her from time to time, but the disconnection is hard and I won't deny that.
I think that's why God keeps that verse right in my ear at all times. I also learned something very important about churches in our quest to find our home church. It's not always the church's fault, the pastor's fault, the board's fault, the congregation's fault that we have issues. Sometimes it's our own insecurity and our own spiritual immaturity that keep us from having a full life with Christ.
Because the Holy Spirit resides in me, I have the power to let things go, and I have love and self-discipline to keep me growing in Christ. I have not "arrived" and probably won't until I die, but I will keep my eyes up and not look back on those old days of uncertainty. I won't let old feelings fester and take root in me because there is no room in me for that! There is only room for growth and forgiveness and an ability to start over from wherever I happen to land when I fall.
I love ya, CWC! You and God made a difference in me!!
This verse followed me around in those early days at CWC....
For God did not give us (me) a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7.
Where did THAT come from? I'd never heard that one....
Loosely translated: When we allow people to intimidate us, we neutralize our effectiveness for God. The power of the Holy Spirit can help us overcome our fear of what some might say or do to us so that we can continue to do God's work.
Oh, how some tried to intimidate me into staying where I didn't belong because it was inconvenient for them for me to leave!
Oh, how some couldn't have cared less that we left at all because they'd never taken the time to say hello!
Oh, how we just never seemed to "click"!
Oh, how I let that bother me WAY too much back then!!
Yes, God knew my thoughts were turned the wrong ways and he knew how much I was hurting. He brought me to a place where maybe not everything is perfect, but so so much clearer now. He gave me new friends, new family, and an ability to finally let go of the hurts from before that were holding me back. He showed me how to grow in Him, and to let others show me what walking with Christ really means! He taught me to let go of my expectations and just let things simply be.
It's been a few years since we left, but I still feel that old familiar tension sometimes. Nattie's old friends are there, and since we left, she's not part of the group so much anymore. They're nice girls and still include her from time to time, but the disconnection is hard and I won't deny that.
I think that's why God keeps that verse right in my ear at all times. I also learned something very important about churches in our quest to find our home church. It's not always the church's fault, the pastor's fault, the board's fault, the congregation's fault that we have issues. Sometimes it's our own insecurity and our own spiritual immaturity that keep us from having a full life with Christ.
Because the Holy Spirit resides in me, I have the power to let things go, and I have love and self-discipline to keep me growing in Christ. I have not "arrived" and probably won't until I die, but I will keep my eyes up and not look back on those old days of uncertainty. I won't let old feelings fester and take root in me because there is no room in me for that! There is only room for growth and forgiveness and an ability to start over from wherever I happen to land when I fall.
I love ya, CWC! You and God made a difference in me!!
Wednesday's Prayer
Steve Chapman, author and recording artist, wrote the following song (prayer) for his kids, who he prays for regularly. This is not Steven Curtis Chapman, but the Steve Chapman who writes the hunting books, With God on a Deer Hunt, and What a Hunter Brings Home, to name a couple.
Here is a prayer/lyric he wrote while hunting, and his stomach was growling! He believes (as do I) that regular prayer is a must for our children. It will bless both the child and the parent!
Here is a prayer/lyric he wrote while hunting, and his stomach was growling! He believes (as do I) that regular prayer is a must for our children. It will bless both the child and the parent!
Wednesday's Prayer
Father God, to You I come
In the name of Your Son
I bring my children to Your throne
Father, hear my cry
Above all else, Lord, save their souls
Draw them near You, keep them close
Be the shield against their foes
Make them Yours, not mine
Give them peace in Christ alone
In their sorrow be their song
No other joy would last as long
Father, calm their fears
Guide their feet, Lord, light their paths
May their eyes on You be cast
Give their hands a Kingdom task,
A purpose for their years
And as my flesh cries out for bread
May I hunger, Lord, instead
That my children would be fed
On Your words of life
So, Father God, to You I come
In the name of Your Son
I bring my children to Your throne
Father, hear my cry
Steve Chapman
AMEN!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Calling all Kid Fans....they need your cheers!
I've been thinking alot about kids these past few days. The birth of those octuplets and all the media stirrings about it have triggered some new thinking in me. Do I agree with what this mom decided? Of course not. She was definitely thinking of her own needs and not her kids. However, like many have come out and said, the mistake has been made. Save your judgments. It's time to put all that energy on a solution. How true. It's so easy to look around at messed up kids and blame their parents or whoever's in charge. It's easy to judge and criticize parents who make blatant mistakes and even stay angry at them and want to punish them. Why? Easy. We love kids and don't want to see them hurting and going without the things they want and need. We can get a little self-righteous at times without even thinking.
Our own little town of Coleman is full of poverty. When a review was done way back when I was on the CCN board, they were showing over 50% poverty rates. With poverty, there are lots of other issues as you know. We now have the community clothing center, the food pantries and food drives, backpack buddies in the schools, caring churches and community groups, and a school social worker who is amazing! But what else can we do as individuals to reach out to some of the kids who aren't receiving that help? What can we do to help the family as a whole?
Good question, and I don't want to waste much time figuring it out. With people losing jobs and taking pay cuts, kids who already have less will go without even more. Parents will be more stressed and pressured. That's just not a good situation. Some people get angry and ask why should their taxpayer dollars go for people like that. Well, what if they didn't? Would those same people reach out and help on their own? Probably not. Then where would those innocent kids be? It's not their fault or choice to be born into a family that can't care for them, much like the octuplets. I guess I'm seeing our own Coleman kids as the octuplets in a way. They're here. They need help. We can help. Why split hairs about it? We're the adults. We're the responsible ones. We are called by God to take care of them. It's not always about money. I know a lot of us don't have extra money to hand out right now. Boy, if we're having trouble, can you imagine theirs?
Coleman, Michigan could very well be a perfect site for a missions trip, but not necessarily a church mission trip. Maybe a personal mission to do something different. Looking at our community as a place of need. Just hang out at the school for a day if you're looking for someone to help. Instead of saying, "look at that kid with the unbrushed hair and dirty clothes, say instead, look at the help that family must need". I haven't done it this year, but last year I paid special attention to a kid just like that. He still very much likes my attention and praise when I see him. He makes sure to find me and tell me how well he's doing on his spelling now. I used to bribe him with candy bars on Fridays if he passed his test. A simple thing for me, but a huge thing for him. I see all of you tutors, volunteers, Sunday School and CLC teachers, youth leaders, and community helpers doing all of that and more. That's awesome.
I'm a little serious today, but I spent time in Serena's class for Valentine's day yesterday, and it just pains me to see what I see sometimes. There was one boy who is usually so nasty around me that I can't be around him or I'll blow. Yesterday, he proudly brought in some cookies his mom made for the party. I made a big deal about how nice it was that his mom made those beautiful cookies and how he should make sure to tell her thank you from me. He was all puffed up and was a very nice kid yesterday. Before he left, he said, hey, what's your name? I told him and asked why he wanted to know. He said, I want to be sure to tell my mom. Aww.... the last time I was in there, I think I may have threatened his life he was so awful! :)
Anyway, it's so easy to win a kid over, and believe me, I remember every kind adult from my childhood who ever lifted me up! I also remember the mean ones and their words stuck too. I make sure I say many many good things so that those kids will remember mine more. Whether it's a kind word to the parent, a supportive hand for the kid, a donation of some kind, and of course, prayers, there is so much we can do to help kids right here in our own community. Compassion International and all those other groups are wonderful, but we could use a compassion small town group too! Every town could use that, don't you think?
Many of you, if not all of you who read my blog are kid lovers too. Share your ideas of how you're helping other kids so it will inspire the rest of us to do it too!
Be blessed today and don't forget to hug your kids extra hard today!!
Our own little town of Coleman is full of poverty. When a review was done way back when I was on the CCN board, they were showing over 50% poverty rates. With poverty, there are lots of other issues as you know. We now have the community clothing center, the food pantries and food drives, backpack buddies in the schools, caring churches and community groups, and a school social worker who is amazing! But what else can we do as individuals to reach out to some of the kids who aren't receiving that help? What can we do to help the family as a whole?
Good question, and I don't want to waste much time figuring it out. With people losing jobs and taking pay cuts, kids who already have less will go without even more. Parents will be more stressed and pressured. That's just not a good situation. Some people get angry and ask why should their taxpayer dollars go for people like that. Well, what if they didn't? Would those same people reach out and help on their own? Probably not. Then where would those innocent kids be? It's not their fault or choice to be born into a family that can't care for them, much like the octuplets. I guess I'm seeing our own Coleman kids as the octuplets in a way. They're here. They need help. We can help. Why split hairs about it? We're the adults. We're the responsible ones. We are called by God to take care of them. It's not always about money. I know a lot of us don't have extra money to hand out right now. Boy, if we're having trouble, can you imagine theirs?
Coleman, Michigan could very well be a perfect site for a missions trip, but not necessarily a church mission trip. Maybe a personal mission to do something different. Looking at our community as a place of need. Just hang out at the school for a day if you're looking for someone to help. Instead of saying, "look at that kid with the unbrushed hair and dirty clothes, say instead, look at the help that family must need". I haven't done it this year, but last year I paid special attention to a kid just like that. He still very much likes my attention and praise when I see him. He makes sure to find me and tell me how well he's doing on his spelling now. I used to bribe him with candy bars on Fridays if he passed his test. A simple thing for me, but a huge thing for him. I see all of you tutors, volunteers, Sunday School and CLC teachers, youth leaders, and community helpers doing all of that and more. That's awesome.
I'm a little serious today, but I spent time in Serena's class for Valentine's day yesterday, and it just pains me to see what I see sometimes. There was one boy who is usually so nasty around me that I can't be around him or I'll blow. Yesterday, he proudly brought in some cookies his mom made for the party. I made a big deal about how nice it was that his mom made those beautiful cookies and how he should make sure to tell her thank you from me. He was all puffed up and was a very nice kid yesterday. Before he left, he said, hey, what's your name? I told him and asked why he wanted to know. He said, I want to be sure to tell my mom. Aww.... the last time I was in there, I think I may have threatened his life he was so awful! :)
Anyway, it's so easy to win a kid over, and believe me, I remember every kind adult from my childhood who ever lifted me up! I also remember the mean ones and their words stuck too. I make sure I say many many good things so that those kids will remember mine more. Whether it's a kind word to the parent, a supportive hand for the kid, a donation of some kind, and of course, prayers, there is so much we can do to help kids right here in our own community. Compassion International and all those other groups are wonderful, but we could use a compassion small town group too! Every town could use that, don't you think?
Many of you, if not all of you who read my blog are kid lovers too. Share your ideas of how you're helping other kids so it will inspire the rest of us to do it too!
Be blessed today and don't forget to hug your kids extra hard today!!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Licensed to Drive me Crazy!
I will try to make this short, but I have so much to say on this subject, there are no guarantees with me at all.
Why is it that whenever I drive, I am followed by some guy who got his license out of a cereal box? Not just that, but his brother must be the guy ahead of me, sitting so low in his seat, I think it must be Frodo driving. The car's seen better days, but the stereo works just fine. There's more money in those speakers than in the U.S. economy right now!
Okay, so here's what went down. I was on my way home from dropping the girls off. Generally, I like to have no one behind me because frankly, it bugs me to have you back there. Anyway, I'm being tailgated by someone who is obviously more impatient than me. He's weaving back and forth, slipping back in behind me so close I can see his hairy white knuckles on the wheel. Not pleasant at all, but who's judging, right? So, I'm doing the polite thing, driving to the far right so he can pass me unhindered. I'm going about 5 over the speed limit, because at this point, I can't even see his headlights in my rearview mirror, so that's a little too friendly for me. So, finally, I began talking out loud. "Okay, buddy, I'm going over the limit, there are no cars coming. Pull it together and pass me already. You're driving like a granny! No offense, grannies. Okay, buddy. Now you've gone and ticked off a woman driving a mom van. You must have a death wish. I haven't had my coffee yet. PASS ME NOW OR I'M GOING FOR THE BRAKES!! "
At this point, I'm pretty sure it's Satan back there, since my prayer time in the morning is in my car on the way back from the school. So much for that, I'm speeling insults to a total stranger, really giving my morning the Wheaties start. I will definitely have to pray when I get home.
So, I decided maybe it was time to drive the speed limit, so I slowed down a bit. Frodo's brother back there was not a happy camper, I don't think. I've slowed down, I've turned up my music, and have begun singing along, trying to ignore that unwanted rear-hugging wart. Oh, if only I was Inspector Gadget, I thought, and had this cool car with all these cool things on it. A rear oil slick would come in handy right now. I used to joke with the girls about that very thing. They suggested a cotton candy thrower would be a good weapon. I'd push a button and they'd yell, "OH NO....GOT THAT ONE! Good one, Mommy! That car is all pink and fuzzy now!"
Finally, he gets up the courage and passes me going so fast I think his rear tires might come off. They don't look too secure back there. I was afraid to look over to see if he was waving at me. Sometimes they do that. So polite. Classy too. I don't wave back, but I usually give them my sweetest smile. Maybe we'll be friends one day, I say aloud. Then again, maybe not. Horn works, try the brakes, Einstein! What? I'm number one? Gee, thanks!
Do you enjoy the idiot that passes on the right as much as I do? Here's a good one. Do you know when you push that little lever on your winshield wiper thingy that the fluid sprays WAY over your windshield and onto the cars beside you? I sometimes do the kind favor of washing those right passing cars for them as they illegally drive by. Smokers are especially entertaining, as they often crack their windows! Again, do not mess with the mom van.
Construction zones. Do not even get me going. Do not pass me on the right, only to expect someone to let you in 2 seconds later when the lane closes!! You get what you deserve on that one. I don't let them in. They can just sit there and think about what they've done.
The school parking lot! A tragedy waiting to happen. Okay, why are you sitting there in the drop off zone, talking to your kids about war and peace? Just tell them to have a good day, then boot them out and drive off with the doors open. What's the hold up? I'm actually fairly patient with this one, because I am more concerned about the kids safety than getting through the line. The person driving the white SUV was not. What was OJ doing at the school anyway? Okay, so my kids were out of the van and I was watching this tiny little guy ahead of me trying to shut the car door and tell his mom goodbye. I didn't trust him to stay out of the roadway, so I waited. OJ behind me sped on by , not even noticing little tiny guy standing there! What could possibly be so important that you have to fly through a school parking lot? Hair appointment? Coffee date? Bad sushi? Come on, people!
I'm actually not all that aggressive when I drive, but bad drivers, impatient drivers, and rude drivers really get my knickers in a knot. Who do they think they are? More important than everyone else, that's who! Oh no, you are not, I say.
I can't just complain about all this. I should probably teach you something too. Hmmm.....let's see. When going through a car wash, shut your windows. Yeah, that's good. Um, do not drive off while the gas pump is still attached! Do not leave your purse on the car roof....did that. Do not let your kids drink milk products in the car....oh boy. Do not flash your brights at people! Do not leave your blinker on for miles. When making a left and no one is coming, feel free to weave into the left lane so the guy behind you can keep on going! Don't drive on the sidewalk. That's a doozy. And please, please, please, do not tailgate, pass on the right, or throw trash out the windows! If you smoke (and I pray you don't), keep your butts to yourself! Do not apply makeup while driving, and you'll all hate me for this one. Stay off your cell phone while you are driving!! I can't stand that. Try not to eat while you drive, and if I see anyone not get over for an emergency vehicle, I will hunt you down and throttle you myself.
Beware of the Frodos and their brothers and you should probably avoid me on the roads too!
I've gotta go now, my tongue is stuck in my cheek.
Why is it that whenever I drive, I am followed by some guy who got his license out of a cereal box? Not just that, but his brother must be the guy ahead of me, sitting so low in his seat, I think it must be Frodo driving. The car's seen better days, but the stereo works just fine. There's more money in those speakers than in the U.S. economy right now!
Okay, so here's what went down. I was on my way home from dropping the girls off. Generally, I like to have no one behind me because frankly, it bugs me to have you back there. Anyway, I'm being tailgated by someone who is obviously more impatient than me. He's weaving back and forth, slipping back in behind me so close I can see his hairy white knuckles on the wheel. Not pleasant at all, but who's judging, right? So, I'm doing the polite thing, driving to the far right so he can pass me unhindered. I'm going about 5 over the speed limit, because at this point, I can't even see his headlights in my rearview mirror, so that's a little too friendly for me. So, finally, I began talking out loud. "Okay, buddy, I'm going over the limit, there are no cars coming. Pull it together and pass me already. You're driving like a granny! No offense, grannies. Okay, buddy. Now you've gone and ticked off a woman driving a mom van. You must have a death wish. I haven't had my coffee yet. PASS ME NOW OR I'M GOING FOR THE BRAKES!! "
At this point, I'm pretty sure it's Satan back there, since my prayer time in the morning is in my car on the way back from the school. So much for that, I'm speeling insults to a total stranger, really giving my morning the Wheaties start. I will definitely have to pray when I get home.
So, I decided maybe it was time to drive the speed limit, so I slowed down a bit. Frodo's brother back there was not a happy camper, I don't think. I've slowed down, I've turned up my music, and have begun singing along, trying to ignore that unwanted rear-hugging wart. Oh, if only I was Inspector Gadget, I thought, and had this cool car with all these cool things on it. A rear oil slick would come in handy right now. I used to joke with the girls about that very thing. They suggested a cotton candy thrower would be a good weapon. I'd push a button and they'd yell, "OH NO....GOT THAT ONE! Good one, Mommy! That car is all pink and fuzzy now!"
Finally, he gets up the courage and passes me going so fast I think his rear tires might come off. They don't look too secure back there. I was afraid to look over to see if he was waving at me. Sometimes they do that. So polite. Classy too. I don't wave back, but I usually give them my sweetest smile. Maybe we'll be friends one day, I say aloud. Then again, maybe not. Horn works, try the brakes, Einstein! What? I'm number one? Gee, thanks!
Do you enjoy the idiot that passes on the right as much as I do? Here's a good one. Do you know when you push that little lever on your winshield wiper thingy that the fluid sprays WAY over your windshield and onto the cars beside you? I sometimes do the kind favor of washing those right passing cars for them as they illegally drive by. Smokers are especially entertaining, as they often crack their windows! Again, do not mess with the mom van.
Construction zones. Do not even get me going. Do not pass me on the right, only to expect someone to let you in 2 seconds later when the lane closes!! You get what you deserve on that one. I don't let them in. They can just sit there and think about what they've done.
The school parking lot! A tragedy waiting to happen. Okay, why are you sitting there in the drop off zone, talking to your kids about war and peace? Just tell them to have a good day, then boot them out and drive off with the doors open. What's the hold up? I'm actually fairly patient with this one, because I am more concerned about the kids safety than getting through the line. The person driving the white SUV was not. What was OJ doing at the school anyway? Okay, so my kids were out of the van and I was watching this tiny little guy ahead of me trying to shut the car door and tell his mom goodbye. I didn't trust him to stay out of the roadway, so I waited. OJ behind me sped on by , not even noticing little tiny guy standing there! What could possibly be so important that you have to fly through a school parking lot? Hair appointment? Coffee date? Bad sushi? Come on, people!
I'm actually not all that aggressive when I drive, but bad drivers, impatient drivers, and rude drivers really get my knickers in a knot. Who do they think they are? More important than everyone else, that's who! Oh no, you are not, I say.
I can't just complain about all this. I should probably teach you something too. Hmmm.....let's see. When going through a car wash, shut your windows. Yeah, that's good. Um, do not drive off while the gas pump is still attached! Do not leave your purse on the car roof....did that. Do not let your kids drink milk products in the car....oh boy. Do not flash your brights at people! Do not leave your blinker on for miles. When making a left and no one is coming, feel free to weave into the left lane so the guy behind you can keep on going! Don't drive on the sidewalk. That's a doozy. And please, please, please, do not tailgate, pass on the right, or throw trash out the windows! If you smoke (and I pray you don't), keep your butts to yourself! Do not apply makeup while driving, and you'll all hate me for this one. Stay off your cell phone while you are driving!! I can't stand that. Try not to eat while you drive, and if I see anyone not get over for an emergency vehicle, I will hunt you down and throttle you myself.
Beware of the Frodos and their brothers and you should probably avoid me on the roads too!
I've gotta go now, my tongue is stuck in my cheek.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
The Present
Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery, but today is a gift. That's why it's called the "present". Someone wise first said that, but it was repeated by a cute cartoon character in the movie, Kung Fu Panda. Funny how messages come from many different sources.
Today is a balmy almost 60 degrees, the snow is melting, and the window in my kitchen is open! We could drift into yesterday and remember how chilly it was. We could think about June and how much better that is, but we only have today! Appreciate today. What a concept.
Things may not be going well in our economy, which means things are a little challenging in our homes and jobs. We could look at yesterday and remember how much better things were this time last year. We could imagine the future and picture it rosier. However, we only have today. Enjoy it, whatever it is.
God knows exactly what He is doing here. He wants us looking at what we have today and experiencing contentment, no matter what is going on. Think about Paul in the Bible. That guy knew how to persevere under major challenges! He could only live from day to day, and in doing that, he developed character and strength. How many people do you know who could truly keep thanking God while tied up in chains? Isn't our economy a little tied up in chains? Kind of hard to be thankful for that, isn't it? Well, if you appreciate today, you know to be thankful for what you have today, and chances are, you have a lot of thanking to do. Speaking to myself here as well.
I have a choice each day to either see the world as bleak and scary, or simply deal with today and give God the future and the past. Joyce Meyer made a point based on Biblical principles, that it's a bit arrogant to plan even for tomorrow, as no one knows what tomorrow brings anyway. Whatever you have, whatever you do belongs to God anyway. Borrowing too much confidence from the future only brings disappointment to your present when it doesn't happen the way you wanted it to.
It's easy to get caught up and move forward without thinking. We're a "feel-good" society at times. We sometimes think that we'll be "happier if...", only to find that it just takes something bigger and better to buy happiness next time. Chances are, if you can't (or I can't) afford something right now, it's not our time to have it yet. God wants to make sure we really appreciate the blessings he has given us.
Today is sunny. Today is warm and beautiful, and we appreciate the sunshine. This weekend it will be yucky again, but don't forget how you felt today! This is an instance where it's okay to live for today. It's a gift. Open it up and enjoy. Don't forget to send up your thank you note!
Today is a balmy almost 60 degrees, the snow is melting, and the window in my kitchen is open! We could drift into yesterday and remember how chilly it was. We could think about June and how much better that is, but we only have today! Appreciate today. What a concept.
Things may not be going well in our economy, which means things are a little challenging in our homes and jobs. We could look at yesterday and remember how much better things were this time last year. We could imagine the future and picture it rosier. However, we only have today. Enjoy it, whatever it is.
God knows exactly what He is doing here. He wants us looking at what we have today and experiencing contentment, no matter what is going on. Think about Paul in the Bible. That guy knew how to persevere under major challenges! He could only live from day to day, and in doing that, he developed character and strength. How many people do you know who could truly keep thanking God while tied up in chains? Isn't our economy a little tied up in chains? Kind of hard to be thankful for that, isn't it? Well, if you appreciate today, you know to be thankful for what you have today, and chances are, you have a lot of thanking to do. Speaking to myself here as well.
I have a choice each day to either see the world as bleak and scary, or simply deal with today and give God the future and the past. Joyce Meyer made a point based on Biblical principles, that it's a bit arrogant to plan even for tomorrow, as no one knows what tomorrow brings anyway. Whatever you have, whatever you do belongs to God anyway. Borrowing too much confidence from the future only brings disappointment to your present when it doesn't happen the way you wanted it to.
It's easy to get caught up and move forward without thinking. We're a "feel-good" society at times. We sometimes think that we'll be "happier if...", only to find that it just takes something bigger and better to buy happiness next time. Chances are, if you can't (or I can't) afford something right now, it's not our time to have it yet. God wants to make sure we really appreciate the blessings he has given us.
Today is sunny. Today is warm and beautiful, and we appreciate the sunshine. This weekend it will be yucky again, but don't forget how you felt today! This is an instance where it's okay to live for today. It's a gift. Open it up and enjoy. Don't forget to send up your thank you note!
Monday, February 9, 2009
My Funny Valentines
Ever since I started my diet and exercise, Natalie has started a habit of her own. She has started telling me every chance she gets, "Mom, you're pretty", "mom, you're beautiful". I laugh and look at her funny, to which she says, "I'm going to keep saying it until you believe it". I look at Steve, and he says, "She has a point there, mom." Wow. I didn't realize I was putting myself down so much. I had really been working on that too! Of course, she's a bit of an eavesdropper. We don't call her "big ears" for nothing! She can hear us talking a mile away, I tell you. It's no secret that I don't enjoy my pudginess, but I think it will have to be a secret from now on. I feel pretty firmly that my girls need to see a good role model in me, so even where I struggle will have to appear to be strong. Oh, this parenting stuff is going to kill me one day! I hate being duplicitous!
Serena always has to have the last word, but in this case, it's a good thing. Every night we tuck her in, then the last thing we say before we shut the door is, of course, "I love you!". She keeps yelling it out, even after the door is closed, and we have to yell back until she's done! Too funny. She explained it to me one night. "Mom, I just want that to be the last thing you hear before I go to sleep!" Funny, it's the last thing I want HER to hear too! Hence, the yelling back and forth non-stop.
Sophie, our 13 year old lovebug dog, gets to ride in the van with me twice a day. She used to sit upright in the passenger seat, head out the window, tongue hanging out. She'd whine at every stop and turn. She is now too old to do all of that, and is happy to just lay there with her head on my arm while I drive. Every now and then I pat her and she does that little mouth thing dogs do when they're insanely happy. Hers is definitely an unconditional love. My heart will surely break when she leaves this world.
Steve is my all time Valentine. The first time he declared his love for me was in a Valentine because he was too nervous to say the words! I cherish that Valentine because it's the first time someone said that to me and really meant it. I really don't expect all the Valentine fluff from him, because he shows his love every day. On Sunday after church, I came home and went right to bed with a headache. He cleaned up and made a nice dinner for us, and spent time with the kids. On Saturday, he helped me get through the chores so we could all go outside. He often surprises me with my coffee......1 splash of coffee, 25 splashes of french vanilla.....or a bag of my favorite candy. Like I said, he's my all-time Valentine. His gift is that I never have to wonder where I stand or how much he loves me. I do the same for him, in case you were wondering.
It should be no surprise to you that I often pray for those who are without that kind of love, have lost it, or are looking for it. I remember a couple who used to come into the office I worked in, and I really liked them both. One day the wife came in and said they were going through a divorce. My heart sank. I told her how sorry I was. She looked at me funny and said, I'm not! Wow. Okey dokey.
So, no romantic dinner for two this year. Our Valentine's custom is to spend it with those we love. Yes, that means our kids too! We always make heart shaped food, including pancakes and pizza. The kids look forward to a surprise on their dinner plates, just like my mom used to do for us growing up. Love is a tradition. It should be the one we spend the most time building!!
Happy Valentine's Day....may you keep your love, find your love, renew your love, or simply share it. And most of all, remember God's never-ending love for you! He's the reason we can love at all.
Serena always has to have the last word, but in this case, it's a good thing. Every night we tuck her in, then the last thing we say before we shut the door is, of course, "I love you!". She keeps yelling it out, even after the door is closed, and we have to yell back until she's done! Too funny. She explained it to me one night. "Mom, I just want that to be the last thing you hear before I go to sleep!" Funny, it's the last thing I want HER to hear too! Hence, the yelling back and forth non-stop.
Sophie, our 13 year old lovebug dog, gets to ride in the van with me twice a day. She used to sit upright in the passenger seat, head out the window, tongue hanging out. She'd whine at every stop and turn. She is now too old to do all of that, and is happy to just lay there with her head on my arm while I drive. Every now and then I pat her and she does that little mouth thing dogs do when they're insanely happy. Hers is definitely an unconditional love. My heart will surely break when she leaves this world.
Steve is my all time Valentine. The first time he declared his love for me was in a Valentine because he was too nervous to say the words! I cherish that Valentine because it's the first time someone said that to me and really meant it. I really don't expect all the Valentine fluff from him, because he shows his love every day. On Sunday after church, I came home and went right to bed with a headache. He cleaned up and made a nice dinner for us, and spent time with the kids. On Saturday, he helped me get through the chores so we could all go outside. He often surprises me with my coffee......1 splash of coffee, 25 splashes of french vanilla.....or a bag of my favorite candy. Like I said, he's my all-time Valentine. His gift is that I never have to wonder where I stand or how much he loves me. I do the same for him, in case you were wondering.
It should be no surprise to you that I often pray for those who are without that kind of love, have lost it, or are looking for it. I remember a couple who used to come into the office I worked in, and I really liked them both. One day the wife came in and said they were going through a divorce. My heart sank. I told her how sorry I was. She looked at me funny and said, I'm not! Wow. Okey dokey.
So, no romantic dinner for two this year. Our Valentine's custom is to spend it with those we love. Yes, that means our kids too! We always make heart shaped food, including pancakes and pizza. The kids look forward to a surprise on their dinner plates, just like my mom used to do for us growing up. Love is a tradition. It should be the one we spend the most time building!!
Happy Valentine's Day....may you keep your love, find your love, renew your love, or simply share it. And most of all, remember God's never-ending love for you! He's the reason we can love at all.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Little Problems,,,,Big Feelings
Wow....what a week it was. Steve struggled at work with some challenging things....Serena's best friend got mad at her and told her she didn't want to be her friend anymore....which led to a phone call from the friend's mom, who was mortified at her daughter's behavior....an apology and forgiveness later, they were best friends again. I'm glad it was resolved quickly, but it is so hard to watch my kids go through this stuff!
Natalie forgot her homework in her locker and the math teacher wouldn't let her go get it. Her classmates snickered at her, pointed, and just made a bunch of cracks at her. Then she realized she left her social studies review sheet on the counter at home and got a "pink slip" from her teacher. Even one of her closest friends made cracks and laughed at her. That stings. Yes, rules are rules, and if you forget a paper, you get a pink slip that has to be signed by a parent or they get detention. I'm sorry, I cringe at that. My daughters are straight "A" students, they excel, have great citizenship, and never get in trouble. There are kids who are so obnoxious and disruptive, and get 7 warnings before a consequence. A pink slip on the first time? Are you kidding me?? I was more than livid on Friday about that one. Mad that her friend keeps pinching her because she says "you're embarrasing me while I'm trying to be popular." My girl has my genes. She says to her, "Fine. Go be popular. Have fun!" Then complains that she's getting marks on her arms. AAAHHH!! Are my kids without fault and are they perfect? Of course not! But when they hurt, I hurt too.
Yes, they need to go through these experiences in order to grow and mature. Yes, they will certainly face worse, and will get more of the same as adults. It doesn't make it any easier to be their parent. Watching your kids go through painful experiences is frustrating. You can't go through it for them, you can't take it away, you can't protect them all the time, and you can't expect rules to be bent for them. However, a mother's love is a mother's love and a part of my heart breaks when theirs breaks. That's just being a mom. I can't imagine I will ever feel any differently toward them.
My mom's heart broke time and time again while I was growing up. All of us took a piece of it at one time or another. Mom sat on the front porch with me while I sobbed. Typical 15 year old tears. Oh, how I dread the days ahead at times.
I know it sounds cliche, but I tell moms all the time to enjoy their babies and preschoolers while they're little. It really does go fast and it really doesn't get any easier when they get older.
I'm trying to raise strong capable girls, and it takes a lot of bullet biting. I really wanted to rip into everybody on Friday, but I remained calm and talked my girls through. Made it through that one, but who knows when the next crisis will come?
These are small troubles compared to some, but when you go through them, they are important to you. It's all part of the test of parenting. They're watching to see how I react and if I do what I preach. Sometimes it's hard to be the grown up in this great big world.
Natalie forgot her homework in her locker and the math teacher wouldn't let her go get it. Her classmates snickered at her, pointed, and just made a bunch of cracks at her. Then she realized she left her social studies review sheet on the counter at home and got a "pink slip" from her teacher. Even one of her closest friends made cracks and laughed at her. That stings. Yes, rules are rules, and if you forget a paper, you get a pink slip that has to be signed by a parent or they get detention. I'm sorry, I cringe at that. My daughters are straight "A" students, they excel, have great citizenship, and never get in trouble. There are kids who are so obnoxious and disruptive, and get 7 warnings before a consequence. A pink slip on the first time? Are you kidding me?? I was more than livid on Friday about that one. Mad that her friend keeps pinching her because she says "you're embarrasing me while I'm trying to be popular." My girl has my genes. She says to her, "Fine. Go be popular. Have fun!" Then complains that she's getting marks on her arms. AAAHHH!! Are my kids without fault and are they perfect? Of course not! But when they hurt, I hurt too.
Yes, they need to go through these experiences in order to grow and mature. Yes, they will certainly face worse, and will get more of the same as adults. It doesn't make it any easier to be their parent. Watching your kids go through painful experiences is frustrating. You can't go through it for them, you can't take it away, you can't protect them all the time, and you can't expect rules to be bent for them. However, a mother's love is a mother's love and a part of my heart breaks when theirs breaks. That's just being a mom. I can't imagine I will ever feel any differently toward them.
My mom's heart broke time and time again while I was growing up. All of us took a piece of it at one time or another. Mom sat on the front porch with me while I sobbed. Typical 15 year old tears. Oh, how I dread the days ahead at times.
I know it sounds cliche, but I tell moms all the time to enjoy their babies and preschoolers while they're little. It really does go fast and it really doesn't get any easier when they get older.
I'm trying to raise strong capable girls, and it takes a lot of bullet biting. I really wanted to rip into everybody on Friday, but I remained calm and talked my girls through. Made it through that one, but who knows when the next crisis will come?
These are small troubles compared to some, but when you go through them, they are important to you. It's all part of the test of parenting. They're watching to see how I react and if I do what I preach. Sometimes it's hard to be the grown up in this great big world.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Golden Buffet
We are so excited! Tonight we are going out to dinner! We received a gift certificate to our favorite Chinese buffet restaurant, Golden Buffet.....mongolian chicken, crab cheese, rice noodles, shrimp....oh my! We have celebrated many report cards and other accomplishments there. It's a nice, laid back atmosphere with great food. The price is right too. We don't care for Pi's, but love Chinese food just about everywhere else, including China Palace.
We were supposed to go on Tuesday night, but the kids didn't get their chores done, so we all stayed home. I was pretty disappointed, but the wait was worth it in the end.
This is such a treat, as we had decided back in November to give up eating out altogether. The girls were not happy with this decision, of course. However, it has been a good lesson about saving money for more important things and we appreciate it much more now.
The girls have eaten with chopsticks since they were very little, and are pretty good at it. I prefer my fork....it is much faster! After a pile of crab legs has gathered and all the butter is running down their arms, it will be time for ice cream. So healthy, I know. Steve and I will skip the butter and the ice cream for sure!
Are you hungry now?? Sorry! Thank you, kind benefactor, for your most generous gift. I won't rat you out because you don't like to take credit. You didn't have to do it, but we appreciate that you did!! Love ya!!
We were supposed to go on Tuesday night, but the kids didn't get their chores done, so we all stayed home. I was pretty disappointed, but the wait was worth it in the end.
This is such a treat, as we had decided back in November to give up eating out altogether. The girls were not happy with this decision, of course. However, it has been a good lesson about saving money for more important things and we appreciate it much more now.
The girls have eaten with chopsticks since they were very little, and are pretty good at it. I prefer my fork....it is much faster! After a pile of crab legs has gathered and all the butter is running down their arms, it will be time for ice cream. So healthy, I know. Steve and I will skip the butter and the ice cream for sure!
Are you hungry now?? Sorry! Thank you, kind benefactor, for your most generous gift. I won't rat you out because you don't like to take credit. You didn't have to do it, but we appreciate that you did!! Love ya!!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Weighty Updates
My elliptical and I have grown rather close. We spend just about every day together! It's a bit of a love/hate relationship, I have to admit.
I've been faithful to my healthy lifestyle, except for the oreos on Superbowl Sunday, but that was planned. The oreos on Monday were not. Let's just say, the oreos are now "swimming with the fishes". Anything that hinders me or heckles me gets "taken care of ". Serena's birthday cake myteriously disappeared as well.
I just can't have temptation around, I have learned. If I don't buy it, it's not there. Plain and simple. However, when there are celebrations, that stuff shows up. Instead of entertaining it, I kick it to the curb. The kids don't even notice!!
Anyway, the exercise thing....it's been working out pretty well. I have increased in speed, but not much in time. A typical workout goes something like this: I turn on some Joyce Meyer or Jon & Kate Plus Eight from the DVR in the basement. I pat Mr. Elliptical on the electronic readout thing, coaxing it to let me on gently. My goal is always the same: 30 minutes. Good speed. Go backwards a few minutes. Go a bit longer if you can. Okay, here we go. I'm at 1 minute. Boy are my legs tired from yesterday. I try to ignore the time readout and concentrate on Joyce. She's talking about joy and perseverance. "Preach it, Joyce!" I call out to no one in particular. 5 minutes: wow, only 5. Keep going, Rogers!! A diet commercial comes on. I hate those. I yell out, "I will not pay you $1 per pound of my weight loss, you crooks!" I look around. Of course no one heard that. 10 minutes and the hoodie gets tossed and the fan goes on. I watch the shadow of my ponytail on the wall beside me awhile. That hair gets a better workout than my body, I think to myself. I'm at 14 minutes 30 seconds. Oh, only 15 minutes and 30 seconds to go, I say. Then it starts. The negotiation. Well, I could stop at 15 and do 15 later. I had a really light breakfast. I should get off anyway, I have clothes in the dryer. Oh, was that the phone? I should probably get that. Joyce is almost done talking anyway.....I talk myself out of quitting at 15 minutes and decide to maybe quit at 20. Meanwhile, I try to keep my mind off the machine by talking to the TV. Wouldn't you like to be a fly on my wall? People actually say that to me a lot....
So, I finally get to 25 minutes, so I may as well keep going. I'm actually going much faster than when I started, and I'm fearing I could flip this thing right over. I'd go faster, but it makes me laugh just thinking about how ridiculous I must look. I'm breathing like a cow in labor, I'm sweating, I'm pushing myself, using words no trainer would utter.
I get to 30....finally! I've burned 265 calories! I hit 52 RPM! I can't get off, my legs are shaking! I keep going!! Yes, you heard me...I get to 33 minutes....a record! I'm so proud of me, I give myself a high five. Okay, now that did not happen.
I follow up my cardio with some free weights and stretching, and I am good to go for the whole day. One thing exercise does is keep you from doing harm to your body. Who wants to eat a ding dong after all that drama? Not me.
The water intake has been going well. I actually enjoy my water now and can't go without it. I still like candy at night for some weird reason, so I now get a handful of the kids fruit snacks to cut the edge off the craving. My ovaltine helps with the chocolate cravings, and I always have gum or a handful of nuts with me when I go somewhere.
I actually have lost some weight, and it's a healthy amount, considering I've been doing this for a month now. My pants were drooping, and my curiosity got the best of me. However, I am not a slave to my scales, so it won't happen often.
I feel better. I have more energy, and I haven't had any bouts of the blues this winter. My hip is improving, and my overall health seems better.
I'm still going and I'm not going to quit anytime soon. I will get discouraged, and oh, the things Steve could tell you, but I am no quitter!
Next on my goals: work on my abs....this could be interesting....
I've been faithful to my healthy lifestyle, except for the oreos on Superbowl Sunday, but that was planned. The oreos on Monday were not. Let's just say, the oreos are now "swimming with the fishes". Anything that hinders me or heckles me gets "taken care of ". Serena's birthday cake myteriously disappeared as well.
I just can't have temptation around, I have learned. If I don't buy it, it's not there. Plain and simple. However, when there are celebrations, that stuff shows up. Instead of entertaining it, I kick it to the curb. The kids don't even notice!!
Anyway, the exercise thing....it's been working out pretty well. I have increased in speed, but not much in time. A typical workout goes something like this: I turn on some Joyce Meyer or Jon & Kate Plus Eight from the DVR in the basement. I pat Mr. Elliptical on the electronic readout thing, coaxing it to let me on gently. My goal is always the same: 30 minutes. Good speed. Go backwards a few minutes. Go a bit longer if you can. Okay, here we go. I'm at 1 minute. Boy are my legs tired from yesterday. I try to ignore the time readout and concentrate on Joyce. She's talking about joy and perseverance. "Preach it, Joyce!" I call out to no one in particular. 5 minutes: wow, only 5. Keep going, Rogers!! A diet commercial comes on. I hate those. I yell out, "I will not pay you $1 per pound of my weight loss, you crooks!" I look around. Of course no one heard that. 10 minutes and the hoodie gets tossed and the fan goes on. I watch the shadow of my ponytail on the wall beside me awhile. That hair gets a better workout than my body, I think to myself. I'm at 14 minutes 30 seconds. Oh, only 15 minutes and 30 seconds to go, I say. Then it starts. The negotiation. Well, I could stop at 15 and do 15 later. I had a really light breakfast. I should get off anyway, I have clothes in the dryer. Oh, was that the phone? I should probably get that. Joyce is almost done talking anyway.....I talk myself out of quitting at 15 minutes and decide to maybe quit at 20. Meanwhile, I try to keep my mind off the machine by talking to the TV. Wouldn't you like to be a fly on my wall? People actually say that to me a lot....
So, I finally get to 25 minutes, so I may as well keep going. I'm actually going much faster than when I started, and I'm fearing I could flip this thing right over. I'd go faster, but it makes me laugh just thinking about how ridiculous I must look. I'm breathing like a cow in labor, I'm sweating, I'm pushing myself, using words no trainer would utter.
I get to 30....finally! I've burned 265 calories! I hit 52 RPM! I can't get off, my legs are shaking! I keep going!! Yes, you heard me...I get to 33 minutes....a record! I'm so proud of me, I give myself a high five. Okay, now that did not happen.
I follow up my cardio with some free weights and stretching, and I am good to go for the whole day. One thing exercise does is keep you from doing harm to your body. Who wants to eat a ding dong after all that drama? Not me.
The water intake has been going well. I actually enjoy my water now and can't go without it. I still like candy at night for some weird reason, so I now get a handful of the kids fruit snacks to cut the edge off the craving. My ovaltine helps with the chocolate cravings, and I always have gum or a handful of nuts with me when I go somewhere.
I actually have lost some weight, and it's a healthy amount, considering I've been doing this for a month now. My pants were drooping, and my curiosity got the best of me. However, I am not a slave to my scales, so it won't happen often.
I feel better. I have more energy, and I haven't had any bouts of the blues this winter. My hip is improving, and my overall health seems better.
I'm still going and I'm not going to quit anytime soon. I will get discouraged, and oh, the things Steve could tell you, but I am no quitter!
Next on my goals: work on my abs....this could be interesting....
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Part-Time Driver, Full-Time Mom
Many of you don't know this, but I am a part time bus driver. Okay, I'm a part time van driver, but there isn't much difference sometimes. My kids are often running late, and I'm out in the garage beeping the horn!
I drive my kids to and from school, which can be inconvenient and expensive, but I don't begrudge it at all. We tried the bus thing, and it didn't go well.. For one thing, they were picked up first, and dropped off last. That added about an hour and a half to their school day, which is long enough. Then there was the problem of the trash talking kids, the kids who raided their backpacks, and the dreaded, "I left my boots on the bus" thing. Yes, I know, you survived the bus. So did I (when they had one) so did my husband, blah blah blah. But if I can do my part, I do my part. Period.
Anyway, part of my at home mom job means getting my kids to school and back safely, and I really don't mind it at all. I like being the last one to talk to them, and the first one they see when they get out of school. Serena comes running down the sidewalk with a smile on her face, and a big, "HI MOM!" Then she begins to tell me everything that happened with her day. Natalie doesn't run to me, but she does smile when she sees me, and begins chatting immediately. It's no surprise to me that the first things out of their mouths are sometimes the things that bothered them most. I know they need to unload and get some good mom love right then and there.
At that age, my mom worked, and I walked home from school every day (6 blocks, in the snow or rain, by the way), coming home to an empty house. By the time my mom got home from work, made dinner, and talked to dad about whatever, there wasn't time to slip in there and get what I needed from her. Not to mention, I wasn't the only kid in the house, just the youngest one. In my later years, I began walking home with a friend, and would stay at her house as long as I could. Her parents were home and it drove her nuts, but I liked having them around. Weird, I know. It's not that my mom didn't care about my day, it's just that by then, I was over it and didn't talk about it. That was one of the reasons that I was motivated to be a stay at home mom. I knew that they would need me in junior high and high school, not just when they were little. Maybe your experience was better, but I think it depends on what is going on around you, and a lot was going on around me. Being home on one income is tough but I hope to be able to continue being home. It has been a blessing to me and to my family.
Growing up is hard, and in some ways I think it's harder for my kids than it was for me. I find myself reliving some of those tough things....friends treating you bad, boys calling you "ugly" or whatever came out of their mouths, teachers who were insensitive, and face it, school is no picnic! Gym teachers haven't changed a bit, I'm telling you.
I am willing to do whatever I can to support them and help them to deal with some of the issues they face as pre-teens. Today on the way to school, we talked about the power of self-control, which led to a discussion about the Holy Spirit, which led to why God sent his Son to die for us, which led to....and on and on. What a great opportunity I have twice a day to reach them, and they listen because those are the times they are either just about to leave me, or just about to see me after a long day.
Like I depend on God for my daily strength, my kids depend on me and Steve for theirs. So until they have a car of their own, they will be listening to my daily sermons and encouragement. It's the least I can give them when they're gone all day.
Please don't think you're harming your kids if they ride the bus. Sometimes it can't be avoided and it's the only option. That's why we have bus service in the schools. If I was a working mom, my kids would be on the bus, but I would make sure they had my time when I got home so we could talk about the day they had. That's really what's important. Making yourself available to listen to them, not lecture or give your opinion, but to just look right at them and let them talk.
Each day, when Serena gets in the van, I say to her, "Is there anyone I need to beat up today?" She laughs, knowing I'm just asking," who hurt your feelings and what can I do to help?"
Enjoy your kids and all they have to say, whether you're meeting them at the door with a treat after school, or picking them up in the parking lot. Enjoy every moment, and be blessed that God made you their mom!! I know I am.
I drive my kids to and from school, which can be inconvenient and expensive, but I don't begrudge it at all. We tried the bus thing, and it didn't go well.. For one thing, they were picked up first, and dropped off last. That added about an hour and a half to their school day, which is long enough. Then there was the problem of the trash talking kids, the kids who raided their backpacks, and the dreaded, "I left my boots on the bus" thing. Yes, I know, you survived the bus. So did I (when they had one) so did my husband, blah blah blah. But if I can do my part, I do my part. Period.
Anyway, part of my at home mom job means getting my kids to school and back safely, and I really don't mind it at all. I like being the last one to talk to them, and the first one they see when they get out of school. Serena comes running down the sidewalk with a smile on her face, and a big, "HI MOM!" Then she begins to tell me everything that happened with her day. Natalie doesn't run to me, but she does smile when she sees me, and begins chatting immediately. It's no surprise to me that the first things out of their mouths are sometimes the things that bothered them most. I know they need to unload and get some good mom love right then and there.
At that age, my mom worked, and I walked home from school every day (6 blocks, in the snow or rain, by the way), coming home to an empty house. By the time my mom got home from work, made dinner, and talked to dad about whatever, there wasn't time to slip in there and get what I needed from her. Not to mention, I wasn't the only kid in the house, just the youngest one. In my later years, I began walking home with a friend, and would stay at her house as long as I could. Her parents were home and it drove her nuts, but I liked having them around. Weird, I know. It's not that my mom didn't care about my day, it's just that by then, I was over it and didn't talk about it. That was one of the reasons that I was motivated to be a stay at home mom. I knew that they would need me in junior high and high school, not just when they were little. Maybe your experience was better, but I think it depends on what is going on around you, and a lot was going on around me. Being home on one income is tough but I hope to be able to continue being home. It has been a blessing to me and to my family.
Growing up is hard, and in some ways I think it's harder for my kids than it was for me. I find myself reliving some of those tough things....friends treating you bad, boys calling you "ugly" or whatever came out of their mouths, teachers who were insensitive, and face it, school is no picnic! Gym teachers haven't changed a bit, I'm telling you.
I am willing to do whatever I can to support them and help them to deal with some of the issues they face as pre-teens. Today on the way to school, we talked about the power of self-control, which led to a discussion about the Holy Spirit, which led to why God sent his Son to die for us, which led to....and on and on. What a great opportunity I have twice a day to reach them, and they listen because those are the times they are either just about to leave me, or just about to see me after a long day.
Like I depend on God for my daily strength, my kids depend on me and Steve for theirs. So until they have a car of their own, they will be listening to my daily sermons and encouragement. It's the least I can give them when they're gone all day.
Please don't think you're harming your kids if they ride the bus. Sometimes it can't be avoided and it's the only option. That's why we have bus service in the schools. If I was a working mom, my kids would be on the bus, but I would make sure they had my time when I got home so we could talk about the day they had. That's really what's important. Making yourself available to listen to them, not lecture or give your opinion, but to just look right at them and let them talk.
Each day, when Serena gets in the van, I say to her, "Is there anyone I need to beat up today?" She laughs, knowing I'm just asking," who hurt your feelings and what can I do to help?"
Enjoy your kids and all they have to say, whether you're meeting them at the door with a treat after school, or picking them up in the parking lot. Enjoy every moment, and be blessed that God made you their mom!! I know I am.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Signs of Personality
A church in Sanford has this on their marquee: "If you see someone without a smile, give them yours!"
I like driving around and reading the different messages on church signs. Free Methodist in Midland always has good ones too.
This brings me to wonder why we don't have one at our church. Okay, I know, it's probably a money thing. Anyway.....
I really think our church has a lot to say and lots of great messages for those who haven't come inside the doors.....yet!
Those church signs, when done cleverly, have a way of reaching people in a unique way. I like to know that church goers have a sense of humor and can be lighthearted. A marquee is a great way to show off a church's personality.
What would our church sign say if we had one?? I'd like to know what you'd put on that sign. Please comment your ideas!!
I like driving around and reading the different messages on church signs. Free Methodist in Midland always has good ones too.
This brings me to wonder why we don't have one at our church. Okay, I know, it's probably a money thing. Anyway.....
I really think our church has a lot to say and lots of great messages for those who haven't come inside the doors.....yet!
Those church signs, when done cleverly, have a way of reaching people in a unique way. I like to know that church goers have a sense of humor and can be lighthearted. A marquee is a great way to show off a church's personality.
What would our church sign say if we had one?? I'd like to know what you'd put on that sign. Please comment your ideas!!
Monday, February 2, 2009
One Crazy Mom Learned a Lesson
Let me just say first that I really like Serena's friends....really, I do. They all come from great moms and dads. With that out of the way, I can safely say that we will not be having a sleepover for a few years. I warned them....do not run in my house. They ran. I warned them...please use indoor voices...they hollered like banchees while running. Individually, these girls would not do that. As a group, it was a war mentality, I think. Like one mom said, "It's a girl thing." Right on.
Am I a fan of sleepovers? Nope. It's really not their fault. I'm just not that patient and I'm not that young anymore. Serena enjoys her friends, but they are all a year younger. It makes a big difference, we found. While they want to spend 30 seconds on each activity before moving on, Serena would actually like to spend 30 minutes on it. She found she was turning into a mother, as she told them, "my dad said not to walk up the hill, go around it." They didn't listen to me or to her, and lost their boots in a hole while trying to climb up. Serena said to me, "Mom, I'm tired of this." She's always been an old soul. More wisdom comes out of that kid than I can even believe sometimes. Again, she loves her friends. She's just too much like me. :)
So, I survived Sleepover #1 and surprisingly, the kids survived me. I'm not sure they really like me anymore, but at least my house is quiet now.
Steve, my dear patient husband, helped us make the lip balm, which really was too difficult an activity for 8 and 9 year olds, we realized a bit too late. What? you thought he was hiding somewhere watching TV? He's a smart man who knows better. He was very helpful in keeping things under control. Now and then, I'd say, "Steve, go up there and give 'em some dad, would ya, I'm tired of it." I was always afraid of my friend's dads. Kids today don't seem to be afraid of adults anymore. We don't want to be harsh and mean. We want the kids to have fun, but it can get so easily out of control, then it's not fun anymore. I am more concerned about someone getting hurt than breaking something. Really.
Again, I really like those kids and some things went really well. I heard please and thank you and they all went to bed like angels. No noise, no protests. No giggling after midnight. Believe it or not, there was no mess! They didn't get anything out! Amazing. Some things went exceptionally well. They are nice little girls who will always be welcome at our home. One at a time.
Am I a fan of sleepovers? Nope. It's really not their fault. I'm just not that patient and I'm not that young anymore. Serena enjoys her friends, but they are all a year younger. It makes a big difference, we found. While they want to spend 30 seconds on each activity before moving on, Serena would actually like to spend 30 minutes on it. She found she was turning into a mother, as she told them, "my dad said not to walk up the hill, go around it." They didn't listen to me or to her, and lost their boots in a hole while trying to climb up. Serena said to me, "Mom, I'm tired of this." She's always been an old soul. More wisdom comes out of that kid than I can even believe sometimes. Again, she loves her friends. She's just too much like me. :)
So, I survived Sleepover #1 and surprisingly, the kids survived me. I'm not sure they really like me anymore, but at least my house is quiet now.
Steve, my dear patient husband, helped us make the lip balm, which really was too difficult an activity for 8 and 9 year olds, we realized a bit too late. What? you thought he was hiding somewhere watching TV? He's a smart man who knows better. He was very helpful in keeping things under control. Now and then, I'd say, "Steve, go up there and give 'em some dad, would ya, I'm tired of it." I was always afraid of my friend's dads. Kids today don't seem to be afraid of adults anymore. We don't want to be harsh and mean. We want the kids to have fun, but it can get so easily out of control, then it's not fun anymore. I am more concerned about someone getting hurt than breaking something. Really.
Again, I really like those kids and some things went really well. I heard please and thank you and they all went to bed like angels. No noise, no protests. No giggling after midnight. Believe it or not, there was no mess! They didn't get anything out! Amazing. Some things went exceptionally well. They are nice little girls who will always be welcome at our home. One at a time.