I just returned from a weekend retreat with 2,400 other leaders from Bible Study Fellowship. Oh my gosh - that is a lot of people! It was so wonderful to sing beautiful, timeless hymns to our Lord in a choir of 2,400 people. I don't think I've ever had an experience like that, and I can only pray that I will again this side of heaven. And not any 2,400 people. I got to worship our Lord with 2,400 people that I KNOW are all committed Christians with a desire to serve Him and spread His word across our land. That was an amazing experience.
This weekend just made me fall in love with God even more, and BSF for being a wonderful tool in His hand. God is so good, and the only way we can know Him is through His word.
If you are looking for a God-centered Bible study, GO. Try it. Just do it. Don't wait. I'm serious. Really. You can find classes on the website. There are a jillion of them, so you have no excuse. If you have a hard time making God's word a daily part of your life, or a hard time understanding scripture, or a hard time figuring out how to apply it to your life, you will love BSF.
God is good - ALL the time! (You know, since He created time and He exists aside from time and is timeless, He would have to be good ALL the time, wouldn't He?)
Now, to get my lesson done for tomorrow... =)
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Confession
Never got around to posting this last week, so here are two at once:
Questions 3 & 4 from the Westminster Shorter Catechism:
These are such great attributes of God. What a great way to begin our prayers - telling God that we know who He is by the attributes He has shown us. I think we often act like God is so mysterious, very distant, and like we don't know Him at all. And of course, many Christians really don't know Him. However, God has revealed Himself to us generally and specifically. There is no reason we shouldn't know Him. As Question 3 tells us, all we need to know and believe about God are in the Bible. All that God expects of us is there too. He has fully revealed Himself and His requirements to us. We are truly left without excuse.
I have known many (including myself at times) who struggle and struggle to know what to think about a situation or theological issue. Yet, have they searched for the answer in God's word? No. Should the confusion be a surprise? No.
Should we expect to find the right answer in our own wisdom? No.
Should we be surprised to find ourselves lost when we refuse to walk on the marked (and maintained!) trail? No.
I wish I could add to #4: God is worthy of our glory and praise...because He is infinite, eternal, unchangeable, wise, powerful, holy, just, good, and true.
Questions 3 & 4 from the Westminster Shorter Catechism:
Q. 3. What do the Scriptures principally teach?
A. The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God,[5] and what duty God requires of man.[6]
Q. 4. What is God?
A. God is a Spirit,[7] infinite,[8] eternal,[9] and unchangeable,[10] in his being,[11] wisdom,[12] power,[13] holiness,[14] justice,[15] goodness,[16] and truth.[17]
These are such great attributes of God. What a great way to begin our prayers - telling God that we know who He is by the attributes He has shown us. I think we often act like God is so mysterious, very distant, and like we don't know Him at all. And of course, many Christians really don't know Him. However, God has revealed Himself to us generally and specifically. There is no reason we shouldn't know Him. As Question 3 tells us, all we need to know and believe about God are in the Bible. All that God expects of us is there too. He has fully revealed Himself and His requirements to us. We are truly left without excuse.
I have known many (including myself at times) who struggle and struggle to know what to think about a situation or theological issue. Yet, have they searched for the answer in God's word? No. Should the confusion be a surprise? No.
Should we expect to find the right answer in our own wisdom? No.
Should we be surprised to find ourselves lost when we refuse to walk on the marked (and maintained!) trail? No.
I wish I could add to #4: God is worthy of our glory and praise...because He is infinite, eternal, unchangeable, wise, powerful, holy, just, good, and true.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Lemon Cake Update
"I really don't feel good." -- Jazzy, the bad dog
It turns out that when a very bad dog eats a full 6" round lemon-filled wedding cake top she gets very, very sick.
Here are two dog-vomiting facts for you (because I KNOW that's why you read this blog):
Next time you think of overeating on something sweet, just imagine throwing-up lemon cake for 6 hours (or more?) continuously. Oh yes, it's that good.
It turns out that when a very bad dog eats a full 6" round lemon-filled wedding cake top she gets very, very sick.
Here are two dog-vomiting facts for you (because I KNOW that's why you read this blog):
- There is so much cream, sugar, and lemony goodness in lemon cake, that her vomit does not smell like typical acidic vomit at all. It smells completely...lemony.
- A dog will wait outside a very long time without vomiting just so that the moment they are back in their safe, warm house, they can vomit at your feet. Trust me.
Next time you think of overeating on something sweet, just imagine throwing-up lemon cake for 6 hours (or more?) continuously. Oh yes, it's that good.
Big trouble
The other day day a friend of mine came over, and brought me a cake. She has been taking cake decorating classes. She doesn't like to bring home her artwork...too many continual calories! So, we got two "wedding cakes" - one lemon and one chocolate. They are beautiful - she does great work! Really, very talented.
We had eaten a bit of the chocolate one and then tossed what was left, it was much too much. Very good though. We hadn't even cut into the lemon one. I was debating if there was a neighbor I could bless with it.
And then something bad happened today while I was at the dentist (which, I think is ironic). My oh my.
This:
Turned into this:
By this:
Vomit yet to be found.
Big, big trouble - definitely found.
The benefit of putting the dog outside after she is thoroughly ready to die from her scolding is (aside from a better vomiting place than my wood floor) that one is able to laugh hysterically and call the husband and continue laughing hysterically. Many of the orange flowers were stuck on with toothpicks, which I envisioned poking the roof of her mouth. She left me a pile of bent toothpicks. Ha ha ha. I also envision her struggling to lick all the frosting off the saranwrap that was covering the cake...and getting it all stuck on her nose. Ha ha ha. Any illness she gets, she FULLY deserves. I hope all that lemon filling wreaks havoc on her tummy. Harumph!
We had eaten a bit of the chocolate one and then tossed what was left, it was much too much. Very good though. We hadn't even cut into the lemon one. I was debating if there was a neighbor I could bless with it.
And then something bad happened today while I was at the dentist (which, I think is ironic). My oh my.
This:
Turned into this:
By this:
Vomit yet to be found.
Big, big trouble - definitely found.
The benefit of putting the dog outside after she is thoroughly ready to die from her scolding is (aside from a better vomiting place than my wood floor) that one is able to laugh hysterically and call the husband and continue laughing hysterically. Many of the orange flowers were stuck on with toothpicks, which I envisioned poking the roof of her mouth. She left me a pile of bent toothpicks. Ha ha ha. I also envision her struggling to lick all the frosting off the saranwrap that was covering the cake...and getting it all stuck on her nose. Ha ha ha. Any illness she gets, she FULLY deserves. I hope all that lemon filling wreaks havoc on her tummy. Harumph!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Goodbye little house!
We are in the process of selling our little house. We've staged it to sell (although it's almost all our stuff - the staging lady brought had to bring in very little). It looks great! I am so proud of hubs for all his hard work. Each project seemed to make a lovely, but somewhat small difference. However, looking at the before/after pictures of moving in and out show that we made a BIG difference. It also shows that it's important to stage a house to sell - don't sell it empty!
I wanted to post pictures of the before/after. Also, I've posted before about a few of the projects: replacing the front door, building the fireplace, etc., and have promised after pictures each time!
Goodbye little house. We'll miss you!
(Note: I cannot get the pictures and captions to line up correctly and I'm tired of fighting it. You get the point. The dark/uncolorful ones are the before shots, the sunny/colorful ones are the after shots. )
Little house upon move-in - the BEFORE (sorry it's so dark - it gets dark at about 4pm in the winter here):
And the after (after the snow melted):
Please be in prayer with us for the new family that God has planned to enjoy our colorful little house. There is one offer on it now and we're just doing the typical back and forth. I'm not getting too excited until after the inspection.
I wanted to post pictures of the before/after. Also, I've posted before about a few of the projects: replacing the front door, building the fireplace, etc., and have promised after pictures each time!
Goodbye little house. We'll miss you!
(Note: I cannot get the pictures and captions to line up correctly and I'm tired of fighting it. You get the point. The dark/uncolorful ones are the before shots, the sunny/colorful ones are the after shots. )
Little house upon move-in - the BEFORE (sorry it's so dark - it gets dark at about 4pm in the winter here):
And the after (after the snow melted):
Please be in prayer with us for the new family that God has planned to enjoy our colorful little house. There is one offer on it now and we're just doing the typical back and forth. I'm not getting too excited until after the inspection.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
To be known
My church is having a women's gathering this Friday night, with the specific purpose of getting to know each other on a deeper level. I think a few of the gals who have been at the church forever have recently realized that we now have many more women who have started coming (myself included), and we don't all know each other very well. The "old group" knows each other really well, and maybe haven't been very purposeful about getting to know the newer ones. I'm glad they've realized it and am glad they are reaching out.
I feed off social gatherings, so I'm very excited. I love to know others and long to be known. I love getting to know a woman, but hate that initial phase of just saying "hi, how are you...oh, good..." to one another and talking through the pleasantries. I long to get past that and am sad when I realize that I won't be able to move beyond it with a particular friend. I only have a couple female friends right now who really know me - one whom I've been able to "move beyond" with, and I love it. I cherish them. I'm actually not a very private person (that probably isn't a shock to you, given that I write about everything on here. I tend to lay it all out there in hopes that a gal will see something in me that clicks with her and we'll become friends. I don't know what to do with people that are overly private.
At the women's gathering on Friday, we're going to interview a few women to get to know them more. There will be a woman who has been at the church for a long time, one for a medium amount of time, and one for a pretty short amount of time. Guess what? They asked me to be the "shorter time" person. I instantly said yes because I'm comfortable talking in groups, I'm not that private, and I really long to be known and develop deeper friendships.
They sent me some sample interview questions. This is just supposed to be an interactive way for me to tell my testimony and share about myself, so I'm supposed to let them know which questions apply to my "story" and which don't.
I've read over the questions and decided that this is really intimidating! I've scheduled this evening to be set aside just for reflecting. I'm not sure what I'm going to say for most of these questions. I think it really would be easier to just tell my story, but I'd probably leave out some things that the questions will bring out.
Here are a sampling:
I'm very thankful that God is merciful and kind, and He is constant - regardless of my mood. God is who He is, and that my moods don't define Him.
I feed off social gatherings, so I'm very excited. I love to know others and long to be known. I love getting to know a woman, but hate that initial phase of just saying "hi, how are you...oh, good..." to one another and talking through the pleasantries. I long to get past that and am sad when I realize that I won't be able to move beyond it with a particular friend. I only have a couple female friends right now who really know me - one whom I've been able to "move beyond" with, and I love it. I cherish them. I'm actually not a very private person (that probably isn't a shock to you, given that I write about everything on here. I tend to lay it all out there in hopes that a gal will see something in me that clicks with her and we'll become friends. I don't know what to do with people that are overly private.
At the women's gathering on Friday, we're going to interview a few women to get to know them more. There will be a woman who has been at the church for a long time, one for a medium amount of time, and one for a pretty short amount of time. Guess what? They asked me to be the "shorter time" person. I instantly said yes because I'm comfortable talking in groups, I'm not that private, and I really long to be known and develop deeper friendships.
They sent me some sample interview questions. This is just supposed to be an interactive way for me to tell my testimony and share about myself, so I'm supposed to let them know which questions apply to my "story" and which don't.
I've read over the questions and decided that this is really intimidating! I've scheduled this evening to be set aside just for reflecting. I'm not sure what I'm going to say for most of these questions. I think it really would be easier to just tell my story, but I'd probably leave out some things that the questions will bring out.
Here are a sampling:
- Was there a significant event in your life that brought you to salvation or drew you closer to the Lord? Tell us about the context and how it affected you.
- If your salvation brought any dramatic changes to your life, paint a before and after picture for us.
- Tell us about a miracle you've witnessed and the impact it had on your life.
- What sacrifices has God led you to make? What have you learned?
- What were your dreams before you met Christ and how have they changed?
I'm very thankful that God is merciful and kind, and He is constant - regardless of my mood. God is who He is, and that my moods don't define Him.
Friday, January 19, 2007
New favorite music
I have a new musical discovery: Rodrigo Y Gabriela. I LOVE this group. It's just some amazing guitar work, sans vocals. I usually prefer vocal music, since my voice is my instrument, but this duo doesn't need it. It's music that has so much energy. It makes me get up and dance, or get to work, or do SOMETHING because you can't just sit still while it's on. It's now included in my "get going" genre of music.
They are awesome. (Well, the music is; I don't care for the album cover... just ignore it and listen to the sample tracks.) They have an interesting history - from Mexico, but made the charts in Ireland while living there.
Click here to check out the CD and sample tracks. (No, I don't get anything for this...I'm just an excited fan.)
They are awesome. (Well, the music is; I don't care for the album cover... just ignore it and listen to the sample tracks.) They have an interesting history - from Mexico, but made the charts in Ireland while living there.
Click here to check out the CD and sample tracks. (No, I don't get anything for this...I'm just an excited fan.)
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Life update
A few random things...
Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question 3:
Q. What do the Scriptures principally teach?
A. The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God,[5] and what duty God requires of man.[6]
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
Today is my "off" day from work. I have a lot to do, but am lacking alertness and motivation. Really, I'm feeling a bit stuck because I feel like I SHOULD go workout, and I don't want to, so I'm having trouble getting up to do anything else because I know I should workout first. Grrr.
Our old house was put on the market on Monday. It is so weird to see it online. I hope others like it. It's pretty colorful inside, so I know some people will really dislike it. I made a big apple crisp, but instead of putting it in a big 9x13 pan, I put it into 7 or 8 little mini loaf pans and froze them. I defrost one each night, and I go bake one at the little house each day. The house smells cinnamony, and I get to eat a bit of apple crisp each day. =) You know, for the sake of selling the house.
So, I must go. I think I'm going to just skip my workout and get over the guilt, put away the ton of clean dishes in the kitchen and wash the dirty ones, then go dust and do my BSF and bake at the old house. Hopefully, I'll get to spend some time organizing my office later today. Oh, and I can NOT forget to make dinner today, which I've been doing lately. =) Duh.
That's it - my day!
-kel
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
101 Things about Me
One hundred things about me for the 100th post, as it goes in the traditions of bloggy-ville. Alas, I missed it, and shall post one hundred, plus one.
1. I am 28 years old, for a few weeks now.
2. I'm a Christian, and can't remember a time when I wasn't, although it becomes more real and significant every year.
3. I have been married for 7 years.
4. I was 20 when I got married - we laughed about how I could not buy any wine or champagne to have at our wedding.
5. We had our honeymoon on Salt Spring Island in BC, Canada, where you can drink wine at 19.
6. That wasn't the actual reason we went there - it's really just a beautiful place.
7. And not too far away from school, since we only had a week off between spring and summer quarter.
8. We don't have any children yet, although I'd like some.
9. I am the same age my mom was when she had me.
10. I was a military kid and went to 4 different elementary schools, but then stayed in one town after that.
11. I was in colorguard in high school.
12. I still play with my flag, saber, and riffle.
13. I was also in the choir and jazz choir, and it's the one part of high school I really miss. Well, I miss colorguard too, but I sort of long to be in a performing choir.
14. I have a three year old nephew and a two month old niece.
15. My nephew and I have started emailing each other, with the help of my sister.
16. My sister and I never talk, so this might be a way for us to start.
17. I have lots and lots of aunts and uncles and a ton of cousins.
18. I have six grandparents and they are all still alive.
19. Of all my great-grandparents, I only knew my maternal great-grandma, Grammy, and she died when I was 18.
20. We had to fly to So Cal for the funeral, and my parents wouldn't let my boyfriend come because it was meant for our close family only (you know, in case he was temporary).
21. We got engaged the next year and I with he had been there.
22. I am one of the rare people that LOVE my extended family. I love, love, love family gatherings.
23. My sister and I are the oldest cousins on both sides of the family.
24. Of all my cousins, I only have two that are girls.
25. I'm close with my girl cousin that is 16 years old. We like to have her come stay the weekend with us every couple months. She was here this weekend.
26. I hope she will listen to my advice at an age when she won't listen to her parents.
27. I love sailing.
28. My parents had a sailboat when I was born and had to get rid of when when I was 6 and we moved away. All of our free time and vacation time was spent on the boat
29. We chartered a sailboat twice when I was a teenager.
30. When I was in college, my parents bought another boat.
31. It makes for a fantastic FREE vacation for me and hubs.
32. You have to be really close with your parents to go on 10 day vacations with them, when you are sharing a 36' hotel room with them, and you can't really leave the hotel room.
33. Last year they sold their boat and bought a powerboat. It's nicer for them, but changes the social dynamic on the boat.
34. We had a great FREE vacation with them, but we really missed the sailboat.
35. Hubs and I would really like to get our own sailboat, but then it's not free. At all.
36. And we know we won't use it enough.
37. When I was 2 or 3, I fell in the water at the marina and almost drowned.
38. By God's mercy, I was totally fine.
39. Later I told my sister that I saw purple and pink polka-doted sharks under the water.
40. I got lost at the zoo once when I was 3 or 4.
41. I was totally focused watching some animal. The church group all left, and I didn't.
42. The zoo security people found me. I was crying a lot and wouldn't tell them my name. You aren't supposed to tell your name to strangers.
43. I had a postcard with me that someone sent me, and it had my name on it.
44. I got to play with their cat in their office until my mom found me.
45. I still remember this - not just the story.
46. I've noticed that I tend to be really observant about lost kids. At a theme park or fair, I will happen to notice kids at the moment they realize they can't find their adult. The joy on their face instantly changes to dread and panic.
47. I stop and watch them for a few seconds to see if they spot their adult. They always do, and I go about my day.
48. I try to not talk to them too soon - I don't want their parent to turn around and be freaked out that a strange woman is talking to their kid, but I want to be there in case they really are lost.
49. I've realized that I see these situations a lot, when my friends don't notice at all.
50. I think it's because I got lost at the zoo when I was little.
51. I usually feel like something tragic in my life is going to happen soon.
52. I was convinced I was going to die driving to or from Bible study last night (our roads are super icy at the moment).
53. I put lipstick on while waiting at a red light, so that when the medics found me, I would at least have lipstick on.
54. I do things like that a lot. I'm not trying to be funny - I'm totally serious and calm when it happens. I just seems like the logical thing to do.
55. I got a sewing machine for my birthday and celebrated when I threaded the needle by myself.
56. I haven't made anything yet, although I have stuff to make a baby wrap thing for a friend.
57. But I don't know how to use bias tape, and that's my hold up.
58. I was in 4-H when I was young and made lots of things.
59. I joined 4-H when because I wanted to make a roll-top desk.
60. I never did, but I made a custom-crafted bird house, and a lovely step stool that I still use.
61. I made $120 at the fair one summer when I was 10.
62. I got a blue ribbon on my 4-H record book each year for three years.
63. One year at the fair, I earned the title of "Junior girl with the most points" for gardening.
64. We used to just pick everything that was ripe and take it to the fair.
65. I feel useless in my home-making abilities compared to when I was 10.
66. I got a pressure cooker last year for Christmas because I'd like to can soup.
67. We haven't used it yet, but I'd still like to.
68. I have no idea where to start.
69. I'd like to sew clothes for my kids when I have kids.
70. I feel like I should learn to sew before I have kids.
71. I require 8-9 hours of sleep, so I'm not sure how I'll survive when I do have kids.
72. I hope I have kids like that to do crafts.
73. My nephew hates to color or draw. He won't do it.
74. When I was little, I loved to color. I absolutely loved crayons.
75. I had a crayon apron that had little slots to hold a bunch of crayons in it.
76. I have an old school paper from kindergarten somewhere that says my favorite thing to do when I arrived at school was to color.
77. When I was in kindergarten, I like a boy named Peter.
78. That same year, I got in trouble once for walking home backwards - it took me a very, very long time.
79. I love lotion and candles.
80. My dad is very sensitive to scents, so this was problematic growing up.
81. My husband hates lotion stores because they smell so strongly.
82. He got me a bottle of lotion I wanted for Christmas.
83. I appreciate this gift very much because I know he suffered to go in that store.
84. I have curly hair, but I usually straighten it because I recently got my hair cut short than I wanted and it looks weird curly at the moment.
85. It was straight when I was little, but turned curly with puberty.
86. When I was in high school, it was too curly to straighten - it would just turn frizzy.
87. I'm losing my curl, and it's very easy to straighten now.
88. We took a vacation to St. Thomas a few years ago and my hair demanded that it be curly while we were there. Way too humid.
89. That was a pain, but I liked knowing that my hair really was still curly.
90. I'm afraid that when I have children, the curl will go away entirely.
91. I still think of myself a a curly-haired person, even though I'm sure there are some people who have only seen me with straight hair.
92. My dad always wished I had straight hair - he likes straight hair better.
93. My grandma and aunt too.
94. I think it's insulting when people tell you they don't like something about you that you can't change...especially when these people gave you the genes that made you that way.
95. I'm always surprised when comments like this are made. It would be like if my parents told me they wished I had brown eyes instead of blue because brown eyes are prettier.
96. I have blue eyes, and they've never made that comment.
97. I love chocolate.
98. I really like milk chocolate more than dark chocolate, although I know it's so trendy to like dark chocolate better.
99. There's nothing better than milk chocolate and ice cold diet coke.
100. I anticipate that heaven will be filled with yummy things like milk chocolate and diet coke, only they won't cause disease or fatness, and we will have the self-control to stop when we've enjoyed the flavor just a bit.
101. I do wonder about what God chooses to eat, if He does eat, and what true sinless self-control really looks like.
The end.
1. I am 28 years old, for a few weeks now.
2. I'm a Christian, and can't remember a time when I wasn't, although it becomes more real and significant every year.
3. I have been married for 7 years.
4. I was 20 when I got married - we laughed about how I could not buy any wine or champagne to have at our wedding.
5. We had our honeymoon on Salt Spring Island in BC, Canada, where you can drink wine at 19.
6. That wasn't the actual reason we went there - it's really just a beautiful place.
7. And not too far away from school, since we only had a week off between spring and summer quarter.
8. We don't have any children yet, although I'd like some.
9. I am the same age my mom was when she had me.
10. I was a military kid and went to 4 different elementary schools, but then stayed in one town after that.
11. I was in colorguard in high school.
12. I still play with my flag, saber, and riffle.
13. I was also in the choir and jazz choir, and it's the one part of high school I really miss. Well, I miss colorguard too, but I sort of long to be in a performing choir.
14. I have a three year old nephew and a two month old niece.
15. My nephew and I have started emailing each other, with the help of my sister.
16. My sister and I never talk, so this might be a way for us to start.
17. I have lots and lots of aunts and uncles and a ton of cousins.
18. I have six grandparents and they are all still alive.
19. Of all my great-grandparents, I only knew my maternal great-grandma, Grammy, and she died when I was 18.
20. We had to fly to So Cal for the funeral, and my parents wouldn't let my boyfriend come because it was meant for our close family only (you know, in case he was temporary).
21. We got engaged the next year and I with he had been there.
22. I am one of the rare people that LOVE my extended family. I love, love, love family gatherings.
23. My sister and I are the oldest cousins on both sides of the family.
24. Of all my cousins, I only have two that are girls.
25. I'm close with my girl cousin that is 16 years old. We like to have her come stay the weekend with us every couple months. She was here this weekend.
26. I hope she will listen to my advice at an age when she won't listen to her parents.
27. I love sailing.
28. My parents had a sailboat when I was born and had to get rid of when when I was 6 and we moved away. All of our free time and vacation time was spent on the boat
29. We chartered a sailboat twice when I was a teenager.
30. When I was in college, my parents bought another boat.
31. It makes for a fantastic FREE vacation for me and hubs.
32. You have to be really close with your parents to go on 10 day vacations with them, when you are sharing a 36' hotel room with them, and you can't really leave the hotel room.
33. Last year they sold their boat and bought a powerboat. It's nicer for them, but changes the social dynamic on the boat.
34. We had a great FREE vacation with them, but we really missed the sailboat.
35. Hubs and I would really like to get our own sailboat, but then it's not free. At all.
36. And we know we won't use it enough.
37. When I was 2 or 3, I fell in the water at the marina and almost drowned.
38. By God's mercy, I was totally fine.
39. Later I told my sister that I saw purple and pink polka-doted sharks under the water.
40. I got lost at the zoo once when I was 3 or 4.
41. I was totally focused watching some animal. The church group all left, and I didn't.
42. The zoo security people found me. I was crying a lot and wouldn't tell them my name. You aren't supposed to tell your name to strangers.
43. I had a postcard with me that someone sent me, and it had my name on it.
44. I got to play with their cat in their office until my mom found me.
45. I still remember this - not just the story.
46. I've noticed that I tend to be really observant about lost kids. At a theme park or fair, I will happen to notice kids at the moment they realize they can't find their adult. The joy on their face instantly changes to dread and panic.
47. I stop and watch them for a few seconds to see if they spot their adult. They always do, and I go about my day.
48. I try to not talk to them too soon - I don't want their parent to turn around and be freaked out that a strange woman is talking to their kid, but I want to be there in case they really are lost.
49. I've realized that I see these situations a lot, when my friends don't notice at all.
50. I think it's because I got lost at the zoo when I was little.
51. I usually feel like something tragic in my life is going to happen soon.
52. I was convinced I was going to die driving to or from Bible study last night (our roads are super icy at the moment).
53. I put lipstick on while waiting at a red light, so that when the medics found me, I would at least have lipstick on.
54. I do things like that a lot. I'm not trying to be funny - I'm totally serious and calm when it happens. I just seems like the logical thing to do.
55. I got a sewing machine for my birthday and celebrated when I threaded the needle by myself.
56. I haven't made anything yet, although I have stuff to make a baby wrap thing for a friend.
57. But I don't know how to use bias tape, and that's my hold up.
58. I was in 4-H when I was young and made lots of things.
59. I joined 4-H when because I wanted to make a roll-top desk.
60. I never did, but I made a custom-crafted bird house, and a lovely step stool that I still use.
61. I made $120 at the fair one summer when I was 10.
62. I got a blue ribbon on my 4-H record book each year for three years.
63. One year at the fair, I earned the title of "Junior girl with the most points" for gardening.
64. We used to just pick everything that was ripe and take it to the fair.
65. I feel useless in my home-making abilities compared to when I was 10.
66. I got a pressure cooker last year for Christmas because I'd like to can soup.
67. We haven't used it yet, but I'd still like to.
68. I have no idea where to start.
69. I'd like to sew clothes for my kids when I have kids.
70. I feel like I should learn to sew before I have kids.
71. I require 8-9 hours of sleep, so I'm not sure how I'll survive when I do have kids.
72. I hope I have kids like that to do crafts.
73. My nephew hates to color or draw. He won't do it.
74. When I was little, I loved to color. I absolutely loved crayons.
75. I had a crayon apron that had little slots to hold a bunch of crayons in it.
76. I have an old school paper from kindergarten somewhere that says my favorite thing to do when I arrived at school was to color.
77. When I was in kindergarten, I like a boy named Peter.
78. That same year, I got in trouble once for walking home backwards - it took me a very, very long time.
79. I love lotion and candles.
80. My dad is very sensitive to scents, so this was problematic growing up.
81. My husband hates lotion stores because they smell so strongly.
82. He got me a bottle of lotion I wanted for Christmas.
83. I appreciate this gift very much because I know he suffered to go in that store.
84. I have curly hair, but I usually straighten it because I recently got my hair cut short than I wanted and it looks weird curly at the moment.
85. It was straight when I was little, but turned curly with puberty.
86. When I was in high school, it was too curly to straighten - it would just turn frizzy.
87. I'm losing my curl, and it's very easy to straighten now.
88. We took a vacation to St. Thomas a few years ago and my hair demanded that it be curly while we were there. Way too humid.
89. That was a pain, but I liked knowing that my hair really was still curly.
90. I'm afraid that when I have children, the curl will go away entirely.
91. I still think of myself a a curly-haired person, even though I'm sure there are some people who have only seen me with straight hair.
92. My dad always wished I had straight hair - he likes straight hair better.
93. My grandma and aunt too.
94. I think it's insulting when people tell you they don't like something about you that you can't change...especially when these people gave you the genes that made you that way.
95. I'm always surprised when comments like this are made. It would be like if my parents told me they wished I had brown eyes instead of blue because brown eyes are prettier.
96. I have blue eyes, and they've never made that comment.
97. I love chocolate.
98. I really like milk chocolate more than dark chocolate, although I know it's so trendy to like dark chocolate better.
99. There's nothing better than milk chocolate and ice cold diet coke.
100. I anticipate that heaven will be filled with yummy things like milk chocolate and diet coke, only they won't cause disease or fatness, and we will have the self-control to stop when we've enjoyed the flavor just a bit.
101. I do wonder about what God chooses to eat, if He does eat, and what true sinless self-control really looks like.
The end.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Where are the babies?
If you've been reading my blog for long, you know that I want children very much, and hubs and I are waiting for God to let "us" know when it's time for us to be parents. God is teaching me patience! I've given my desire to God and am trusting Him and His perfect timing, and I am happy to report that it has been going pretty well. Life's worries are much easier when you are trusting God with them!
Yet, with the desire for children, it is a bit hard. First, there's the whole hormonal thing. If God wants me to wait, it would be much easier if He could please miraculously change my hormones so that they are on the same page as Him.
Then, there are the social issues. The last few days, I've been bombarded (well, it has felt like bombardment) with family and church comments. Oh, you know the comments (unless you had babies at 22, in which case, you probably got other comments). Let me just say: I am 28 years old. I didn't think that was ancient. I'm not even 28 and almost a whole year - nope, I JUST turned 28. So, you know, I'm barely there. Still pretty mid-twenties....almost. The world has now categorized me and hubs as a couple who is choosing to have children late in life, if at all. Apparently, we're "focusing on our careers" instead of a family (ugh...I've heard that so many times). I don't think we look as young as we used to and we've crossed some sort of social barrier. Apparently, I'm now old when it comes to having babies.
We had family Christmas last weekend. My sister has an almost two-month old, so there was a lot of baby talk. One aunt, who did choose to have babies later (started around 35), was talking with me as if I were making the same choice...talking about how great it is to have babies later. She thought we could bond on this issue, compared to my sister who had children younger (younger being 27!) like my mom (pregnant at 25). In another discussion, we were talking about how many children I might want and the benefits or struggles of different choices on this issue. One aunt teasingly pointed out that in order to have any of these amounts, one must first start having babies. Ahhh.... so THAT's the problem!
Now, I'm going to interrupt myself to comment here. If YOU are one who ever makes comments to people about having children, you need to be really, really careful. I've had so many comments made. Often this is a little painful just because I desperately want children very badly. The commenters usually assume that I don't want children and that's why we don't have children. Ouch. However, I have thought about how painful the comments would be if we actually were trying to have kids, but were having fertility problems (which we aren't, praise God). You just never know.
Ok...back to my story. In church yesterday, we met a young couple (without kids) who were visiting. Another church member knew the visitors and made sure that we had met them. Specifically us. Why? Well, let me tell you. Hubs and I (realized this yesterday) that we are the only youngish, married couple in church that doesn't have kids. WE needed to meet this visiting couple because we were the only ones they would meet that were married but didn't have kids. Really - there are single people, there are young couples with young kids, there are older couples, old people, etc., but only one couple who is married and doesn't have kids. Me.
So, I've gotten frustrated. This is not how I want to be defined.
I'm not sure why it hit me today, but I realized today that I'm the age now that my mom was when she had me. She was 28. Except... I was the youngest and last child (of two), and I was born two weeks after she turned 28. So, if I were my mom, I'd have a little one running around and be extremely pregnant with an amazing little girl at the moment. Actually, I was a bit late, so if I were pregnant on my mom's time line, I'd be due right about...now. To me there is something a bit special and meaningful about doing something at the same time as one who has gone before you, and I'm missing this one.
So, today, I was a bit down. Enough that I wanted to come home, sit hubs down, and really try to explain very logically why really truly NOW is the time and we really should start trying to have kids now. Really.
Thankfully, God is in control and not me. Thankfully, I had a 20 minute drive home and was listening to some good hymns. The song Blessed Assurance came on:
Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
I need to submit to the Lord's timing, and my husband's plans. My joy is to come from the Lord, and nothing else.
I think back to how much I've changed over the seven years I've been married. I've changed a lot. My theology has changed a LOT. My thoughts about God, doctrine, how to be a good wife, how to be a homemaker, the importance of these things, how to teach children, what to teach children... all of these things have changed drastically.
I think God is preparing me, His child, to raise children that will glorify Him. If I were to take this timing into my own hands, I will only mess it all up because I won't be ready (in His standards) to be a mother for the children He is going to give me. Maybe He's got some really difficult kids in store for me and so I need more pre-training. If He does, that's ok. All I know, is that the only one who does know is God. I trust Him.
And finally, for something totally unrelated, this is my 100th post! But, I only just realized that and I'm posting this anyway. I'll do 100+1 things about me for my 101st post. =)
Yet, with the desire for children, it is a bit hard. First, there's the whole hormonal thing. If God wants me to wait, it would be much easier if He could please miraculously change my hormones so that they are on the same page as Him.
Then, there are the social issues. The last few days, I've been bombarded (well, it has felt like bombardment) with family and church comments. Oh, you know the comments (unless you had babies at 22, in which case, you probably got other comments). Let me just say: I am 28 years old. I didn't think that was ancient. I'm not even 28 and almost a whole year - nope, I JUST turned 28. So, you know, I'm barely there. Still pretty mid-twenties....almost. The world has now categorized me and hubs as a couple who is choosing to have children late in life, if at all. Apparently, we're "focusing on our careers" instead of a family (ugh...I've heard that so many times). I don't think we look as young as we used to and we've crossed some sort of social barrier. Apparently, I'm now old when it comes to having babies.
We had family Christmas last weekend. My sister has an almost two-month old, so there was a lot of baby talk. One aunt, who did choose to have babies later (started around 35), was talking with me as if I were making the same choice...talking about how great it is to have babies later. She thought we could bond on this issue, compared to my sister who had children younger (younger being 27!) like my mom (pregnant at 25). In another discussion, we were talking about how many children I might want and the benefits or struggles of different choices on this issue. One aunt teasingly pointed out that in order to have any of these amounts, one must first start having babies. Ahhh.... so THAT's the problem!
Now, I'm going to interrupt myself to comment here. If YOU are one who ever makes comments to people about having children, you need to be really, really careful. I've had so many comments made. Often this is a little painful just because I desperately want children very badly. The commenters usually assume that I don't want children and that's why we don't have children. Ouch. However, I have thought about how painful the comments would be if we actually were trying to have kids, but were having fertility problems (which we aren't, praise God). You just never know.
Ok...back to my story. In church yesterday, we met a young couple (without kids) who were visiting. Another church member knew the visitors and made sure that we had met them. Specifically us. Why? Well, let me tell you. Hubs and I (realized this yesterday) that we are the only youngish, married couple in church that doesn't have kids. WE needed to meet this visiting couple because we were the only ones they would meet that were married but didn't have kids. Really - there are single people, there are young couples with young kids, there are older couples, old people, etc., but only one couple who is married and doesn't have kids. Me.
So, I've gotten frustrated. This is not how I want to be defined.
I'm not sure why it hit me today, but I realized today that I'm the age now that my mom was when she had me. She was 28. Except... I was the youngest and last child (of two), and I was born two weeks after she turned 28. So, if I were my mom, I'd have a little one running around and be extremely pregnant with an amazing little girl at the moment. Actually, I was a bit late, so if I were pregnant on my mom's time line, I'd be due right about...now. To me there is something a bit special and meaningful about doing something at the same time as one who has gone before you, and I'm missing this one.
So, today, I was a bit down. Enough that I wanted to come home, sit hubs down, and really try to explain very logically why really truly NOW is the time and we really should start trying to have kids now. Really.
Thankfully, God is in control and not me. Thankfully, I had a 20 minute drive home and was listening to some good hymns. The song Blessed Assurance came on:
Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
I need to submit to the Lord's timing, and my husband's plans. My joy is to come from the Lord, and nothing else.
I think back to how much I've changed over the seven years I've been married. I've changed a lot. My theology has changed a LOT. My thoughts about God, doctrine, how to be a good wife, how to be a homemaker, the importance of these things, how to teach children, what to teach children... all of these things have changed drastically.
I think God is preparing me, His child, to raise children that will glorify Him. If I were to take this timing into my own hands, I will only mess it all up because I won't be ready (in His standards) to be a mother for the children He is going to give me. Maybe He's got some really difficult kids in store for me and so I need more pre-training. If He does, that's ok. All I know, is that the only one who does know is God. I trust Him.
And finally, for something totally unrelated, this is my 100th post! But, I only just realized that and I'm posting this anyway. I'll do 100+1 things about me for my 101st post. =)
Read your Bible
With all the talk of new year's resolutions, there seems to be a lot around about two topics: losing weight and reading the Bible more. I'll save the weight loss for another post.
My pastor spoke yesterday about reading the Bible. He thought it was a fitting sermon to start the year with: Read your Bible!!! His sermon was great - informative, applicable, motivating, convicting, and even pretty funny. If you want to hear it, you can download it here (1/7).
I woke up this morning and looked up my next Catechism question. This week begins Question 2 from the Westminster Shorter Catechism:
Q. 2. What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?
A. The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments,[3] is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.[4]
Basically, how can we know God? By His Word. How can you know how to glorify Him? Find out in His Word. It all comes back to His Word.
I can also talk about this another way... Why am I feeling lost and alone? I'm not in the Word enough. Why don't I feel like God is a little distant? I'm not in the Word enough. Why am I so distracted in life? I'm not in the word enough. It all comes back to His Word.
Hubs and I started thinking about our Bibles and Bible Study tools. We have a small amount of money set aside for "continuing education" per year. Enough if one of us wants to take a course at a local community college, or take a community class or something like that. We're thinking we might get a good set of Bible Study reference books and use our continuing education money for it.
I also have a tendency to have too many Bibles. Yet, here I am again. There are two Bible features I've just discovered. First: do you know they sell wide-margin Bibles or Journaling Bibles for taking notes in the margins? I've dreamed of something like this, but didn't know they actually sell them. Also, our pastor mentioned something I've never heard of: an interleaved Bible. In an interleaved Bible every other page is blank on both sides. You can buy them in some places, although it seems hard to find, or you can have a book binder re-bind your Bible this way.
I don't know where this is all going except to say that I need to read my Bible more. I am convicted and compelled, and now I just need to do it.
My pastor spoke yesterday about reading the Bible. He thought it was a fitting sermon to start the year with: Read your Bible!!! His sermon was great - informative, applicable, motivating, convicting, and even pretty funny. If you want to hear it, you can download it here (1/7).
I woke up this morning and looked up my next Catechism question. This week begins Question 2 from the Westminster Shorter Catechism:
Q. 2. What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?
A. The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments,[3] is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.[4]
Basically, how can we know God? By His Word. How can you know how to glorify Him? Find out in His Word. It all comes back to His Word.
I can also talk about this another way... Why am I feeling lost and alone? I'm not in the Word enough. Why don't I feel like God is a little distant? I'm not in the Word enough. Why am I so distracted in life? I'm not in the word enough. It all comes back to His Word.
Hubs and I started thinking about our Bibles and Bible Study tools. We have a small amount of money set aside for "continuing education" per year. Enough if one of us wants to take a course at a local community college, or take a community class or something like that. We're thinking we might get a good set of Bible Study reference books and use our continuing education money for it.
I also have a tendency to have too many Bibles. Yet, here I am again. There are two Bible features I've just discovered. First: do you know they sell wide-margin Bibles or Journaling Bibles for taking notes in the margins? I've dreamed of something like this, but didn't know they actually sell them. Also, our pastor mentioned something I've never heard of: an interleaved Bible. In an interleaved Bible every other page is blank on both sides. You can buy them in some places, although it seems hard to find, or you can have a book binder re-bind your Bible this way.
I don't know where this is all going except to say that I need to read my Bible more. I am convicted and compelled, and now I just need to do it.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Cool Christmas Gift
As a Christmas gift for hub's, I got him an unframed (we'll get it framed ourselves) leaf from a 400 year old Geneva Bible. (I clicked thru Shannon's site, to support this new business to get it.)I really didn't know the history of the Geneva Bible, but it's really cool - all goes back to my rebellious Puritan ancestors. The Geneva Bible was written and used before the King James version; it was what Calvin and Knox would have used, John Bunyan, Shakespeare, and what would have been brought to America on the Mayflower. An unframed leaf was only $25, which I thought was a great price for something so cool.
I checked with the site owners to see if there was a way to select (even from a list of options) which passage we would be getting. I really didn't want to end up with a 400 year old page of the begots. It would still be cool, for just being a leaf from a Geneva Bible, but not nearly so cool as Jesus' birth, Jesus' death, the resurrection, any one of my favorite stories in Genesis or Exodus, a section of very cool writing by Paul - preferably one with a sarcastic comment included. As I was informed that there was no way to pick my selection, I ordered it anyway, trusting that the Lord was in charge of this too, and He would send the Word that was meant for Hub's and I.
When my leaf came, I couldn't figure out at first which section of the Bible it was from - there was nothing in the packaging that clarified. At first I thought it was Genesis (and I was very excited!) because it kept talking about Lot. Hubs loved the gift - thought it was as cool as I did. After all our breakfast was eaten and presents had been opened, we hoped on an Internet Bible search tool to figure out what Bible passage we had received.
It turned out that "lot" was referring to land, not the person. Oops. We got a section from Joshua, talking about the distribution of land. I don't even think I'd read this section before. As I read it online, I was disappointed. Who gets which piece of land is pretty close on the boredom-scale with who begot who. But then I kept reading and realized that this passage was meant for us and a big smile spread across my face.
On our leaf contains Joshua 21:43-45:
So the LORD gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. The LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the LORD handed all their enemies over to them. Not one of all the LORD's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.
I especially love verse 45: Not one of the Lord's promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.
What a beautiful promise from our Lord. He is trustworthy.
Merry Christmas to us!
Keeping accountable on a Friday
For January 5
Proverbs 5
1 My son, pay attention to mywisdom, listen well to my words of insight, 2 that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. 3 For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; 4 but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. 6 She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths are crooked, but she knows it not. 7 Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say. 8 Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house, 9 lest you give your best strength to others and your years to one who is cruel, 10 lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich another man's house. 11 At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent. 12 You will say, How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! 13 I would not obey my teachers or listen to my instructors. 14 I have come to the brink of utter ruin in the midst of the whole assembly. 15 Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. 16 Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? 17 Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. 18 May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. 19 A loving doe, a graceful deer- may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love. 20 Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another man's wife? 21 For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths. 22 The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. 23 He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.
Westminster Shorter Catechism: (from the CRTA)
Question 1
Q. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God,[1] and to enjoy him forever.[2]
Proverbs 5
1 My son, pay attention to mywisdom, listen well to my words of insight, 2 that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. 3 For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; 4 but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. 6 She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths are crooked, but she knows it not. 7 Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say. 8 Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house, 9 lest you give your best strength to others and your years to one who is cruel, 10 lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich another man's house. 11 At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent. 12 You will say, How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! 13 I would not obey my teachers or listen to my instructors. 14 I have come to the brink of utter ruin in the midst of the whole assembly. 15 Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. 16 Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? 17 Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. 18 May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. 19 A loving doe, a graceful deer- may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love. 20 Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another man's wife? 21 For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths. 22 The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. 23 He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.
Westminster Shorter Catechism: (from the CRTA)
Question 1
Q. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God,[1] and to enjoy him forever.[2]
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Keeping accountable
For today:
Proverbs 4: (from BibleServer.com)
1 Listen, my sons, to a father'sinstruction; pay attention and gain understanding. 2 I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. 3 When I was a boy in my father's house, still tender, and an only child of my mother, 4 he taught me and said, Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live. 5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. 6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honour you. 9 She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendour. 10 Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. 11 I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. 12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. 13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. 14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. 16 For they cannot sleep till they do evil; they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall. 17 They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. 18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. 19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. 20 My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. 21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; 22 for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body. 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. 24 Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. 26 Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. 27 Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
Westminster Shorter Catechism: (from the CRTA)
Question 1
Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God,[1] and to enjoy him forever.[2]
[1] Psalm 86. Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me. Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them. But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid. Show me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me. Isaiah 60:21. Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. Romans 11:36. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. 1 Corinthians 6:20, 31. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.... Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Revelation 4:11. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
[2] Psalm 16:5-11. The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 144:15. Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. Isaiah 12:2. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Luke 2:10. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Philippians 4:4. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Revelation 21:3-4. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Proverbs 4: (from BibleServer.com)
1 Listen, my sons, to a father'sinstruction; pay attention and gain understanding. 2 I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. 3 When I was a boy in my father's house, still tender, and an only child of my mother, 4 he taught me and said, Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live. 5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. 6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honour you. 9 She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendour. 10 Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. 11 I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. 12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. 13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. 14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. 16 For they cannot sleep till they do evil; they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall. 17 They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. 18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. 19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. 20 My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. 21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; 22 for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body. 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. 24 Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. 26 Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. 27 Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
Westminster Shorter Catechism: (from the CRTA)
Question 1
Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God,[1] and to enjoy him forever.[2]
[1] Psalm 86. Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me. Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them. But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid. Show me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me. Isaiah 60:21. Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. Romans 11:36. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. 1 Corinthians 6:20, 31. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.... Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Revelation 4:11. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
[2] Psalm 16:5-11. The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 144:15. Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. Isaiah 12:2. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Luke 2:10. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Philippians 4:4. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Revelation 21:3-4. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Insto Diet Success
I hadn't weighed myself since I moved houses...several weeks ago. I knew it had gone up - we ate out a lot while moving, and then came Christmas...and the fudge and the cookies and the pie. The mirror told me I had gained weight - there was some scary stuff going on there. Really. I didn't want to weigh myself again until a bit after Christmas and I could start eating healthfully again. The crazy eating ends the night of my birthday. My 2007 goal is to lose 13 pounds. Several of which, I think are gifts from December, but definitely not all of it. About 10 of it is the last 10 from from my long weightloss journey. I lost 25 pounds several years ago, still needed to lose 5-10 more, then gained a few back. Anyway...
I've been eating much better this week, and jumping on my little trampoline. I still thought the mirror was a bit of a fright, although, I still see myself as 20 pounds heavier...from many years ago. My eyes aren't trustworthy in that respect.
I signed up yesterday at SparkPeople, a free online service that creates meal plans, workout plans, and weight trackers, etc. for you for FREE. I haven't used it before, so I can't tell you if it's good or not, but since it's free, I thought I'd give it a try. (Ok...just using the site now - their food thing isn't going to work for me, but it does look like a good place to put in daily goals and track progress.) I needed to enter my beginning weight. This morning I found the box that had the scale in it and hopped on. I was 3-4 pounds lighter than I expected!!! Yahoo!
That means that I'm already 3 pounds down for my 2007 goal! Only 10 to go. =) This is the fastest weight-loss ever!
I've been eating much better this week, and jumping on my little trampoline. I still thought the mirror was a bit of a fright, although, I still see myself as 20 pounds heavier...from many years ago. My eyes aren't trustworthy in that respect.
I signed up yesterday at SparkPeople, a free online service that creates meal plans, workout plans, and weight trackers, etc. for you for FREE. I haven't used it before, so I can't tell you if it's good or not, but since it's free, I thought I'd give it a try. (Ok...just using the site now - their food thing isn't going to work for me, but it does look like a good place to put in daily goals and track progress.) I needed to enter my beginning weight. This morning I found the box that had the scale in it and hopped on. I was 3-4 pounds lighter than I expected!!! Yahoo!
That means that I'm already 3 pounds down for my 2007 goal! Only 10 to go. =) This is the fastest weight-loss ever!
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Eat a snickers bar!
Function over fashion ladies. Now, I want to lose...13 pounds, like so many of us, BUT comfort and tastebuds shall win every time. Seriously - eat a snickers bar or something! Or at least a carrot!
Maybe I'm a horrible person, but I find this to be really funny...rather disturbing, but really funny.
From Diet-Blog: Dieting Girls Cause Subway Delays
The number 3 cause of train delays (between October 2005 and October 2006) in New York is a "sick customer". It turns out that most "sick customers" are girls who are on starvation diets and end up fainting on the train. "You have women trying to get their bodies tight for the summer and they won't eat," said Asim Nelson, a Transit emergency medical technician based in Grand Central Station. (src)An average of 395 delays per month are caused by sick customers. This, of course, includes any kind of event resulting from sickness (such as flu). However, anecdotal evidence from the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) suggests that fainting girls are the most common occurrence.
Maybe I'm a horrible person, but I find this to be really funny...rather disturbing, but really funny.
From Diet-Blog: Dieting Girls Cause Subway Delays
The number 3 cause of train delays (between October 2005 and October 2006) in New York is a "sick customer". It turns out that most "sick customers" are girls who are on starvation diets and end up fainting on the train. "You have women trying to get their bodies tight for the summer and they won't eat," said Asim Nelson, a Transit emergency medical technician based in Grand Central Station. (src)An average of 395 delays per month are caused by sick customers. This, of course, includes any kind of event resulting from sickness (such as flu). However, anecdotal evidence from the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) suggests that fainting girls are the most common occurrence.
2007 - New Year Prayers
Laurel Wreath is asking about our new years meditations - our prayers, with an encouragement to dream big and lay it all out on the table before God.I typically don't really make new years resolutions that are set in stone. I do think it should be more of our prayers for the year. Who am I to make resolutions for what my year shall entail? But like Laurel, I'm also hesitant to declare in prayer what I'd like to see happen this year. Of course, in the end, I want God's will more than anything, and if I never verbalize what I wanted to begin with, then I can't really have it taken away from me if it isn't His plan. I recognize that that seems a bit silly and childish now (since God knows my heart anyway), so I guess I will go ahead and memorialize my prayers for 2007.
Faith
I want to continue in BSF leadership, but with better preparation. If this is a task God has called me to, then I should do it to the fullest, with a joyful and grateful heart.
I want to mediate on one chapter in proverbs every day, repeating them every month. I'm sadly unfamiliar with most of the proverbs and would like to get them dug deep into my heart.
Similar to Keziah, I want to learn one question from the Westminster Shorter Catechism each week.
I want to find the best way to bless the Lord with the home He has blessed us with. We are going to start hosting our church small group here, but feel like maybe we should also get involved in Young Life, or our church's youth group. Or something else...I don't know. I want this to be a place of refuge, a haven where God is glorified, and all are welcome. (and one that serves good chocolate chip cookies!)
Family
Scary to write it down, in case it doesn't happen, but I really want to get pregnant this year with our first child.
I want my husband to be offered a new job, that pays well, is intellectually exciting for him, where he will be respected, and at a company where he can have a great future.
I want hubs and I to be more active together.
I'll go ahead and put it in this category, since it affects my family very much, I want to lose 13 pounds. Almost forgot to put that one down! Really, I just want to be more comfortable in my skin. I realize that this sort of conflicts with the first family goal... God will just have to figure that one out. I just want to be more appropriately sized. =)
Friends
I want to find ways to regularly contact he friends God has blessed me with and learn to develop each of these friendships further, knowing that each woman is unique.
Home
I want to learn to provide a better home for my family, being aware of what needs to be done, and doing it. No delay, no excuses. I want to provide order to the chaos. I do not want my job of providing healthy food and an orderly house to be a burden, but a privilege.
I want to be able to paint the exterior of our house this spring and remove the tree in the front.
I want our little house to sell quickly later this month for a good price.
(Edit: I keep forgetting things) - I want to learn to play the piano, even just a little bit of chords.
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So there they are. Laid out before the blogging world, and before the Lord. What I want for 2007... IF they are what God wants too.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Starting off the new year differently
I'm going to just link back to this for my Works For Me Wednesday Post, because it is definitely working for me!It is a privilege for a woman to manage her household. Since this often includes tasks that women enjoy (cooking a bit, making our homes a place of beauty, bringing a spirit of creativity into the home, teaching children, etc.), I think we tend to think it should be easy, and are shocked when we're overwhelmed doing something we want to be doing.
A little while ago, I decided to start making a schedule for my day. I would tend to wake up in the morning and forget what I really should be doing and when, and get a very slow start. I would be reactionary all day long and just felt frustrated all day - and some important tasks would be neglected. I need something that tells me what I am to do. I hope someday I will be less list-dependent, but for now, I need something that tells me to vacuum. Really, the thought won't just pop into my head, and if it faintly does, it won't be strong enough to motivate action. But, if it's written on a piece of paper, no question.
I've recently read similar thoughts on other blogs. Moms who feel too reactionary in their day. I'm guessing this isn't JUST me or doesn't JUST go away.
I really wanted an official daytimer calendar to make my list in, but the stores no longer carried 2006 ones. My habit fell away. With the new year, comes a new set of office supplies in the stores. I got myself a daily/monthly calendar where I can write out my schedule the night before. As I did this last night, I was so glad I did. I have a lot of errands I want to get done this afternoon, and had I not written it out, I surely would have forgotten some, or just gotten too late of a start and had a frustrating dinnertime.
For today, I have a lot to do. I slept in too late this morning and am already behind schedule. However, today I know what my schedule is, and I know that I'm behind schedule, which is a great improvement from last year. Happy 2007!
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to me (yesterday)!
I am now 28. Please no comments about how that is SO young because I've definitely met people that think it is SO old, and either way, it just is what it is, without apology or boast. I am what I am: 28.
I'm 28. I'm very happily married - in love with my husband more than I can express, and loved even more in return. I am being prepared by the Lord to be a mother someday. I have a family who loves me and calls to sing happy birthday. I have been blessed materially, and even own one too many houses at the moment. Over the last year or two, the Lord has been answering my prayer for dear girlfriends, and now have an abundance of woman who I care about deeply.
My birthday comes right in between Christmas and new years, a time when I get overly reflective and sometimes a bit glum as the Christmas glow has left the masses and they fully swarm the local merchants to consume more than can be consumed of clearance finds and somehow fulfill vacation day boredom. It was a good day though, although busy. I cleaned a bit, got a great gift from hubs (more in a sec), had a long visit to the fabric store, and had our traditional kel's birthday dinner. What I really long for on my birthday is either a party with my friends, which is hard to do (and has been since the day I was born; my party was always in January) since so many people are still out of town from the holidays, OR go away for a couple days to Leavenworth or Whistler to go skiing with hubs. This year that wasn't possible due to all the house projects still being done (at both houses, thanks to the windstorm). It was lovely though and, aside from going on a mini-holiday, I wouldn't have changed a thing.
One of the gifts I longed for this year was a mini trampoline. There is a great infomercial out (FYI - I'm an infomercial junky) for "urban rebounding" which is basically workout DVDs for jumping on a little trampoline. I think it looks like fun! (Note: they charge WAY too much for the trampoline and DVDs - I'm not endorsing their products at all!) Anyway, for Christmas/birthday, I really wanted a trampoline and workout DVD. When we arrived at my parent's house for Christmas dinner, there was a huge roundish box next to the tree. I was so excited: I was actually going to go get the trampoline! I looked at the label on the huge gift to confirm my suspicions...and hope was dashed! My dear trampoline was for my three year old nephew. (Does it mean anything bad that me and the nephew wanted the same thing?) He loved it!
On birthday morning, after I pestered to the limit, hubs sent me on a treasure hunt for my present (unwrapped and behind two closed doors), which I found on the first try - HA! I was SO excited to find a huge, roundish box; this time, all for me! I am so excited.
Then, I spent the afternoon at the fabric store, since my mom gave me a sewing machine for my birthday (which I got a few days ago). A friend of mine had a baby girl two days ago, and I'm going to make her a baby wrap-thing. I'm hoping I can figure it out. The fabric is all a soft flannel - nice and cozy. Here's what it looks like so far: (the red in the bias tape really does match the fabric. By the way, I'm not sure yet how to use bias tape.)
And the pattern:
Then we went to the restaurant we go to for my birthday dinner every year: Jak's Steakhouse. Yummy! They are super good, less money than other local high-end steak houses, but don't take reservations. We put our name on the list, with a 2.5 hour wait, then went to some local stores. The food is superb. Truly.
I really need to go do some jumping on that trampoline now.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Sew Easy
As an early birthday present (I was a late Christmas baby, so after the family Christmas presents are all done, I usually get handed 2-3 birthday presents to open from family who won't see me for a while), my mom got me a sewing machine. I'm SO excited (or sew excited...ha ha ha)! Actually, she has had it for about 9 months, and I've known about it. That has hampered the excitement a bit. I was all set to go buy myself an on-sale sewing machine last year, because there were things I wanted to sew. She let me know that she had already bought this one (a good Pfaff model on sale), so I wasn't to go buy myself a sewing machine, but that she wouldn't give it to me until my birthday. So, I've spent the last 9 months not being able to sew the things I've wanted to sew. Aside from the 9 month sewing machine drama, I am very glad to finally have a sewing machine.
After all of the discussion of aprons lately, especially at Mommy Life (whose site I can't get to work right now - anyone else?), I went to the store right after Christmas and bought a pattern for retro aprons. I cannot wait to make one. However, just looking online, and I like this McCalls pattern even more:
After all of the discussion of aprons lately, especially at Mommy Life (whose site I can't get to work right now - anyone else?), I went to the store right after Christmas and bought a pattern for retro aprons. I cannot wait to make one. However, just looking online, and I like this McCalls pattern even more:
I'm totally going to buy it in store or online tomorrow or Saturday. When I came home with the first apron pattern, I very excitedly showed hubs my find. I think he generally was under-whelmed (just can't grasp the excitement of an apron), and his response (shared w/ permission) was something like:
Me (yes, kind of yelling and talking really fast): Look! Isn't this so cool!? I'm so excited!!!
Hubs: Well... yeah, if there was nothing on under it.
Yep, that's my hub. I'll have to tuck that one away in the back of my mind for a rainy day. Anyway...back to the sewing. I do still need to go find fabric for my apron...let the hunt commence! I'm excited to learn to sew on my own. I was in 4H as a child and sewed several outfits, then we moved, I stopped, and forgot it all. However, my varied childhood experiences did leave me with one thing: great confidence (probably more than I should have) that I can figure anything out. Especially sewing things, because I know I used to know how. I've sewed a few things as an adult, although always with the help of my mom... which means my mom has sewed them and I've helped. :-)
Pictures are definitely to come. Feel free to pass on the tips or favorite beginner projects!
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Christmas 2006
The Verdict
This was a good Christmas, although I think it still could have been better. I wish we had been able to relax more this past month, focus on advent (for our advent wreath never made it out of the box), do more for others, and make more homemade gifts. I have vowed that next year, my Christmas cards and shopping will be done by 12/10. I'm aiming for November, but hubs thinks my deadline should be 12/10 to get some of those post-Thanksgiving sales. We'll see. Really... as Christmas nears, I want to be making goodies, making gifts, visiting with family and friends, going to concerts and holiday events... making memories, not "scheduling" a shopping trip to finish up, and not "scheduling" evenings to wrap presents.
However, once Christmas eve and Christmas day came, our celebrations were joyful and peaceful. Our Christmas morning devotional time was very nice. Hubs and I had a great time Christmas morning together. Our family events were just...really nice. Often I leave with one thing to complain about or another, and this year... not really. It was just a lovely, peaceful time. (Or maybe...just maybe...those things were all there and I am changing enough that I just didn't bother complaining about them. Hmmm.)
Reflection
God has been asking me to wait for children, and while I've struggled to appreciate or enjoy the wait, I do appreciate that I have time to learn from others and form opinions about child-rearing before I get there.
I spent a bit of time this weekend thinking about teaching theology to kids. My nephew (age 3), kept saying it was God's birthday. This disturbed my soul - I couldn't laugh about it like the others. He sat on my lap and I told him it was Jesus' birthday, not God's, for God has no beginning or no end. I thought about this further, I decided that I don't like it when the focus is on Christmas as Jesus' birthday either. I think this cheapens it. It is SO much more than a birthday. The BIG deal isn't that it's Jesus' birthday. The BIG deal is that it's the anniversary of when God became man in order to fulfill His plan for our salvation. Emmanuel - God with us, God Incarnate - God became man.... these should be our celebration. It's so much more than a birthday party.
Hubs and I discussed this on Christmas eve, and we spent our Christmas morning devotion time talking about how we were so grateful, not just for the birth of Christ, but for God as man, for God with us, for God's plan of salvation fulfilled in this infant child. (Aside... I tried to teach the nephew to say "God Incarnate" and got a bit roll of the eyes from everyone because apparently a three year old is too young to say in-car-nut.)
I grew up in a church that did not teach theology. It was emotions-based, as are so many other churches in the evangelical Church in the US today. We didn't learn what we believed and why. It is just about how worship makes you feel, how your faith makes you feel, what God does for you. I've spent the last 5 years trying to un-do some of that teaching and am learning for the first time what I believe and why. I've learned that kernels of un-truth can be very destructive. When I have children, I want to be intentional that the kernels planted in them are truth, so they are given every advantage for truth to grow on truth.
Is it really too much to teach a three year old to say in-car-nut, and teach him what it means? Why do we not attempt it?
This was a good Christmas, although I think it still could have been better. I wish we had been able to relax more this past month, focus on advent (for our advent wreath never made it out of the box), do more for others, and make more homemade gifts. I have vowed that next year, my Christmas cards and shopping will be done by 12/10. I'm aiming for November, but hubs thinks my deadline should be 12/10 to get some of those post-Thanksgiving sales. We'll see. Really... as Christmas nears, I want to be making goodies, making gifts, visiting with family and friends, going to concerts and holiday events... making memories, not "scheduling" a shopping trip to finish up, and not "scheduling" evenings to wrap presents.
However, once Christmas eve and Christmas day came, our celebrations were joyful and peaceful. Our Christmas morning devotional time was very nice. Hubs and I had a great time Christmas morning together. Our family events were just...really nice. Often I leave with one thing to complain about or another, and this year... not really. It was just a lovely, peaceful time. (Or maybe...just maybe...those things were all there and I am changing enough that I just didn't bother complaining about them. Hmmm.)
Reflection
God has been asking me to wait for children, and while I've struggled to appreciate or enjoy the wait, I do appreciate that I have time to learn from others and form opinions about child-rearing before I get there.
I spent a bit of time this weekend thinking about teaching theology to kids. My nephew (age 3), kept saying it was God's birthday. This disturbed my soul - I couldn't laugh about it like the others. He sat on my lap and I told him it was Jesus' birthday, not God's, for God has no beginning or no end. I thought about this further, I decided that I don't like it when the focus is on Christmas as Jesus' birthday either. I think this cheapens it. It is SO much more than a birthday. The BIG deal isn't that it's Jesus' birthday. The BIG deal is that it's the anniversary of when God became man in order to fulfill His plan for our salvation. Emmanuel - God with us, God Incarnate - God became man.... these should be our celebration. It's so much more than a birthday party.
Hubs and I discussed this on Christmas eve, and we spent our Christmas morning devotion time talking about how we were so grateful, not just for the birth of Christ, but for God as man, for God with us, for God's plan of salvation fulfilled in this infant child. (Aside... I tried to teach the nephew to say "God Incarnate" and got a bit roll of the eyes from everyone because apparently a three year old is too young to say in-car-nut.)
I grew up in a church that did not teach theology. It was emotions-based, as are so many other churches in the evangelical Church in the US today. We didn't learn what we believed and why. It is just about how worship makes you feel, how your faith makes you feel, what God does for you. I've spent the last 5 years trying to un-do some of that teaching and am learning for the first time what I believe and why. I've learned that kernels of un-truth can be very destructive. When I have children, I want to be intentional that the kernels planted in them are truth, so they are given every advantage for truth to grow on truth.
Is it really too much to teach a three year old to say in-car-nut, and teach him what it means? Why do we not attempt it?
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Christmas Tour
I was so sad that I had to miss BooMama's Christmas Tour of Homes because of our power outage. But now, our power is back, I have finally been able to vacuum (it's amazing how dirty we are when we're unable to see the dirt!), the Christmas lights are back on, and I finally finished my Christmas cards. It's time for my Christmas tour!
Another early Christmas present...
I will preface this by reminding everyone that we just moved a couple weeks ago. All standard house decorations (and furniture) are still at the little house for staging. So...there is no picture or mirror on the wall above the mantle, my nativity set is still in the box because there is no where to set it, and same with my advent wreath... still in its box. Oh well...more to come next year!
And so, we shall commence the tour...
And so, we shall commence the tour...
My Christmas wreath...
brought to the house in the first carload (with the dog),
and put directly on the door.
Snowmen in the kitchen window. An early Christmas present this year.
Another early Christmas present...
a pretty Santa table runner. I don't have a table yet (part of the furniture at the little house), but I really enjoy it hanging over the door.
A porcelain nativity also in the kitchen window.
This is a little nativity scene that is usually under the tree.
We still need to trim the bottom tree branches,
so it's currently sitting on the TV. I bought it on Novica.com.
This year's ornament is from Hub's location of education (that rhymes!),
which we visited this year.
And now for the tree and mantle. Hub's stocking is a bit sad. Until now, he has refused to let me make him a prettier one, but this year he has agreed that it is time. So... this year I hope to make matching stockings and a tree skirt. Presents have yet to be wrapped, although I'm working on it.
Last but not least... a look at our outdoor decoration. I still haven't had a chance to post a picture of our storm damage, so here you go.
Seattle windstorm 2006.
We were so blessed that our house and health were protected.
Also, we have really gotten to know our neighbors - they have blessed us greatly in helping us clean up this mess!
May God be glorified in your home this Christmas.
~~~
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
Christmas card prayer
Lord,
Help me to finish these Christmas cards quickly and get them in the mail TODAY, and for my friends to forgive me for getting their cards after Christmas.
- kel
Help me to finish these Christmas cards quickly and get them in the mail TODAY, and for my friends to forgive me for getting their cards after Christmas.
- kel
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