Weeds

Spring is coming. The signs are everywhere. Daffodils are blooming, buds are emerging on trees, life is springing forth out of the cold hard ground. I love this season because it brings us out of our home into the yard where I have the opportunity to kneel in the dirt at the throne of God for hours. I’ve often said my garden time is my best “God time.” Life becomes clear as I work the dirt and ask God to answer my many questions. And answer them he does. It’s amazing!
I’ve had a number of opportunities to hire young workers looking to make a couple dollars helping pull weeds. Working alongside them, one common question inevitably comes up “Why did God make so many weeds?”
The Bible tells us after the fall of Adam and Eve, God said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat of it,’ Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you and you will eat the plants of the field. Gen 3:17-18
I’ve concluded, because of the fall, we were cursed with weeds (along with other consequences). Weeds are now part of our everyday life and they come in a multitude of shapes and sizes. Strange as it may seem, I actually like weeding, not because I like weeds, but the act of weeding forces me to get on my knees before my Creator and do a self-inventory. Where are the weeds in my life? What are they? What do I need to do to pull them out?
As with weeds, we cannot haphazardly rip at our sin quickly. If we don’t get the root, it can grow again often bigger and deeper than this first weed. Our sin can oftentimes have deep roots that may be painful to work at and dig out, but the result is a clean heart. Our gentle, gracious God will often point out my weeds and then help me get to the root of them so as not to leave a portion that will grow.
The Bible gives us many verses to reflect on while we’re seeking God to weed our hearts. Psalm 139 and Psalm 51 are some of my favorites. Ask the Lord to search your heart and examine your mind. Psalm 139 tells us the Lord has searched us, knows us, He knows when we sit and when we rise, he knows our thoughts from afar. He knows everything about us. In Psalm 51, David humbly comes to God in prayer for forgiveness and cleansing. He confesses his sin and he is renewed and restored by hi s Heavenly Father.
In Christ we have a beautiful life garden that reflects the Glory of God, but we still live in a fallen world. We need Him to consistently weed our hearts of pride, selfish ambition, greed, coveting, fear, worry, etcetera so that we might draw closer to Him and grow in our likeness of Christ filled with humility, generosity, service, compassion, kindness, patience, peace and the like.
Blessings to you while you weed!

Man, It's Been a LONG time

I didn't realize how long it had been since I posted...that's what happens when Facebook takes your time and you think you're journaling, but you're not really.

A lot has happened since March and I'll try to add some events here and there, but for this morning I read a great quote from Beth Moore's Believing God Bible study, "Cain's offering represents every time a believer knows what God wants and refuses to give it. We often quickly give Him other things, as if He won't notice. Sometimes we give more in many other areas but doggedly withhold the one thing we know He wants. And sin crouches at our door."

What am I holding on to?

Is it the comfort of what is familiar? Is it the busyness that keeps my mind from being quiet and listening? Is it memories of the past? Or possibly dreams of how I think life should be? Hmmmmm....

This upcoming move has caused many insecurites to surface, but I have to rest in the assurance that God has a plan and purpose for my life. He has a perfect plan!

Venturing Out of My Comfort Zone

Every year our family makes an annual trip up to Mt. Baker to spend the week snowboarding, sledding, and enjoying the beautiful out-of-doors. Well, to be quite honest everyone in the family enjoys the snow sports, except for me. I go up to the mountain for fun family time, but I do not excell at snowsports. I've taken snowboard and ski lessons, but after days of slamming my face in the snow or falling I give up. Two years ago I declared to my family, “I’m done! It’s not my thing!” There are no new tricks for this old dog. I'm too old!

Each year since I declared "I quit", I have felt a sense of regret.

This year I intended to have a great get-away with the family, but skiing was not in my plans. I did ask God how he wanted to “grow” me during the week, but I thought it would be about relationships or through studying His word in a quiet surrounding. Deep down I had a real sense he wanted me to get out of my comfort zone.

The day we arrived I don’t think it was any coincidence that the lodge, was filled with gray-haired skiers. Everywhere I turned I ran into an older person geared up and ready to hit the slopes. I started to think, “If they can do it…” But still the conditions weren’t perfect yet.

The next day in the lodge an OLD man came up to me and asked why I didn’t ski. I didn’t even know him, nor did I look to him to start up a conversation. I told him I don’t ski. He proceeded to show me how to ski, “Hands on your knees, head up, and smile.” I was embarrassed by this display, but it stuck with me.

That night I wondered if there was something to these things happening, but still the conditions weren’t perfect.

The third day of our trip we woke up to beautiful sunny blue skies. This was a perfect day. I was ready to try…or at least rent skis. I rented skis and then my 5 year old gave me a lesson on the handle tow. This lasted about 40 minutes until she fell asleep in the snow. That was the end of my ski day. I was disappointed, but I had tried. I was out of my comfort zone and had rented skis.

Was that the growing God wanted to do. Did he just want me to gain courage to try or was there something more?

During the week up at the mountain, my bible study dealt with a lesson about perfectionism. I admit I struggle with that, but was that affecting my experiences with my kids and husband? I sensed that bigger than the risk of falling was the feeling of failing. If I couldn’t be Pikaboo Street or Shawn White, why try? Was that what my actions of not trying were really about?? If I couldn’t be really good at it the first time, I wouldn’t even try?

I went for a walk the next morning. We were planning on heading down the mountain after lunch. I talked to God along the walk and looked at the beautiful blue skies and listened. I felt a really strong sense to try again. This time more than renting…I was going to take a lesson. I went back to the lodge and told my family of this. They were SO excited for me!

I took the lesson and was blessed with a very patient instructor. I had a great time and really stepped out of my comfort zone. My husband said I look like a turtle coming down the hill, but I WAS COMING DOWN THE HILL! I got out of my comfort zone and allowed God to grow me and trust Him in the process.

Turtles Rock!

Love a Great Quote

I love a great quote especially when it arrives at the perfect time. Today I was greeted by a series of great quotes that have blessed me and have ministered to me just where I'm at.
In Praying the Names of Jesus, Ann Spangler writes, "Belonging to Jesus does not make us immune to tragedy. But basing our lives on him through faith will enable us to stand rather than collapse in the face of unbearable pressure. Our standing will have nothing to do with luck but everything to do with where we are standing--on the cornerstone (Akrogoniaios Lithos), tested and true.
The other great quote of the morning was from an article in Homeschooling Today. The article was titled, "The Timothy Mandate" by Rachel Starr Thomson. She writes, "We all have expectations placed on our lives- by others and ourselves. In many ways, they control what we do. The Timothy Mandate calls us to live for God first, without reference to what others expect of us. God's call is for each of us to step up and be counted, to live the Christian life to its limits no matter what everyone else is doing."
"God's mightiest servants throughout history have been those who learned to live for God alone. People's expectations may have burdened them, challenged them, or hurt them, but they did not dictate them."

In Memory of Precious Baby Chandler Grace

This has been a tough week for some close, precious friends.

Chandler Grace was born and died at 4:19 March 8, 2009.

We continue to support and pray for this dear mommy and her family.

At the memorial for Chandler Grace I was asked to speak and read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 11. These verses are taken from both the NIV translation and The Message.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
A time to be born and a time to die,
A time to plant and a time to uproot,
A time to kill and a time to heal,
A time to tear down and a time to build,
A time to weep and a time to laugh,
A time to mourn and a time to dance,
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
A time to embrace and a time to refrain,
A time to search and a time to give up,
A time to hold on and another to let go,
A time to keep and a time to throw away,
A time to tear and a time to mend,
A time to be silent and a time to speak,
A time to love and a time to hate,
A time for war and a time for peace,
He has made everything beautiful in its time.

I’d like to repeat…He has made everything beautiful in its time. Our Sovereign God has a perfect plan. He had a perfect life plan for Precious Baby Chandler Grace and she has forever changed Elissa and many others who have been affected by her short life.
Psalm 139:13-14, & vs. 16 tell us that God created Chandler’s inmost being; He knit her together in Elissa’s womb. We praise Him because she was fearfully and wonderfully made; His works are wonderful, we know that full well. All her days were ordained for her in His book before one of them came to be.
We can hold on to the Truth that God knew ALL of Chandler’s days. Her days were full of love by a mommy who adores her.
I think back to the day Elissa shared with me that she was going to have a baby. She had recently returned from YWAM and life happened. We met in the commons and I knew something was in her eyes. They sparkled with joy and excitement, but the tears of uncertainty welled up and spilled onto her cheeks. She had been given a great gift, but knew not what the future would hold. One thing is certain Elissa loved this little girl from the moment she knew she had conceived.
God is the amazing creator of life and He has a perfect plan for Elissa and Chandler. I’m crazy about Elissa and have loved her since she was a vivacious young AWANA girl experiencing life to the fullest! She remains the strong, vibrant person God designed her to be, but she has grown into a woman of character throughout these past months with Chandler.
Throughout her pregnancy God poured His grace into her life and she received it with open arms. Her strength and determination to provide a good life for her daughter has inspired many. She sought wise council, she pressed into Jesus and she sought Him in the Word, through prayer and while gathering with other believers. Among words people have recently used to describe her are:
Strong, inspiring, amazing, mature, brave, faithful, a passion for Christ, excellent, beautiful, precious, encouraging, amazing faith, one who leans on God and I would like to add worthy, valued, loved and adored. Lives have been touched by Elissa as she carried Chandler Grace.
I have seen Elissa grow her relationship with Jesus since her return and have seen her focus especially on building her foundation on the Rock! Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV) reads:
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
I know Elissa has a firm foundation on the ROCK and this storm has come, but she will not fall, she will stand strong and God will bring forth beauty from the ashes.
Isaiah 61 tells us that God will comfort all who mourn, and bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
Lastly I’d like to close with a prayer of Psalm 34:18 from Beth Moore’s Praying God’s Word, “You, Lord, are close to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit. You are surely close to Elissa, Lord. Help her sense your presence in her life. She needs you more than she needs her next breath. Amen.”

Freckles...Seeing the World

Since our move is quickly approaching I've decided there are many places in our county and state that we've overlooked or ignored because we've taken them for granted. The kids and I have decided to begin taking in some of the sites of our area before we leave and regret not enjoying it more.

Today was day one in our journey. We've hired "Freckles" to lead the charge and today he showed us some amazing things.

Freckles getting a drink

First we went to the little town post office. We frequent this post office, but it was a first for Freckles so we had to record it.

We then went to a little cafe that has been open for 7 months along a quiet highway. We had a good time getting to know Richard, the owner, who is originally from Cleveland.

Freckles with Bakery Guy- Richard

Freckles enjoying a soda and a pastry with the kids

We then went to a quiet, small, county library. So cute and quaint.

Then off to a hidden, frozen lake.

At an unfrequented park

Ice sliding

Freckles at the State Park

Mt. Baker

Love these old barns

And then home to the familiar.

It was an extraordinary afternoon.

We're looking forward to our next adventure!

This Week-Book Club

Our oldest son's book club is currently reading In The Year Of The Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Bao Lord. We will finish the book at our next meeting. It's been a great read and we've learned quite a bit along the way.

This past week we focused on milestones in the history of black Americans. We created a timeline beginning in 1619 when the first slave ships arrived in America and ended in 2009, when the first black American was elected president. There were quite a few interesting facts along the way that I hope the kids internalized. So many advancements have been made just in my lifetime, which is amazing.

So far my favorite speech from the book came from the main character's teacher. She shared with the kids how anything is possible in America.

"Baseball is not just another sport. America is not just another country..."
"Mrs. Rappaport's speech thrilled Shirley like sunlight and trumpets.
'In our national pastime, each player is a member of a team, but when he comes to bat, he stands alone. One man. Many opportunities. For no matter how far behind, how late in the game, he, by himself, can make a difference. He can change what has been. He can make it a new ball game.
'In the life of our nation, each man is a citizen of the United States, but he has the right to pursue his won happiness. For no matter what his race, religion or creed, be he pauper or president, he has the right to speak his mind, to live as he wishes within the law, to elect our officials and stand for office, to excel. To make a difference. To change what has been. To make a better America.
'And so can you! And so must you!
'This year, Jackie Robinson is at bat. He stands for himself, for Americans of every hue, for an America that honors fair play.
'Jackie Robinson is the grandson of a slave, the son of a sharecropper, raised in poverty by a lone mother who took in ironing and washing. But a woman determined to achieve a better life for her son. And she did. For despite hostility and injustice, Jackie Robinson went to college, excelled in all sports, served his country in war. And now, Jackie Robinson is at bat in the big leagues. Jackie Robinson is making a difference. Jackie Robinson has changed what has been. And Jackie Robinson is making a better America.
'And so can you! And so must you!'" (my empasis)

This Week- Hold Them

This week was an emotional one. On Tuesday we prepared a meal for a family struggling with a sick little one. Their 7-year old son has a brain tumor. He has done remarkably well for the type of cancer he has, but began failing in December.
The little guy and our middle son are in the same Sunday school class. We don't know the family, but have been following their blog and praying for them.
It breaks my heart to know of any child suffering, but I've been so impressed with the way this family is handling the painful life situation. They are living each day to the fullest and embracing the wonders that surround them. They are so optimistic, loving and encouraging.
As I dropped the food off, I introduced myself, told them of the food and then the Mom gave me a hug, kissed me on the cheek and thanked us. I was blessed by her sweetness and strength. Amazing!
When I got home I checked my email and found that an acquaintance had been in a car wreck while taking her girls to school in the morning and her 7-year old daughter had tragically been killed in the wreck. This stopped me in my tracks. The road she was on was one we travel often. And she was doing what so many of us do every day..taking our children to school and activities.
How does this happen? She woke up one morning and was just doing life and then in a flash it has all changed.
That Tuesday night I climbed into bed with my sweetheart, paused, and then told him I'd be back later. He asked where I was going. I responded I was going to cuddle with my 7-year old and hold him. I want to cherish each moment with the precious children we've been blessed with.
This has given me much to think about this week. I've looked my children in the eye more and intently listened to their many stories. I hope to live each day to the fullest and enjoy the moments together!

Milestones

Today the boys in our family headed to the mountain and my girl and I stayed home. To make our day more eventful and not just a sit-around-the-house kind of day, we decided to take in a movie and wander around the mall.
We're now at the place where we can walk together. Gone are the days of strollers and diaper bags packed in the back of the car. We now shop together and my little princess loves to take a trip to the "fitting room" to try on clothes. She loves that she is growing up, but I'm trying to put on the breaks and slow this train down.

After this week of making it to the learning how to ride a bike milestone, I've reflected on the other milestones our youngest is achieving. It feels as if I'm soaking her in more because I don't want to miss anything or more importantly not remember every detail of our kid's lives.

I've loved having the opportunity to teach her how to read this year. Teaching a child how to read is usually not my favorite thing to do. It's very slow and can be frustrating, but for some reason I'm really enjoying it. I love watching her little mouth as she's trying to produce the "th" or the "f" sounds. With the "th" her tongue comes out sometimes spittle flies...it makes me laugh. Or the way she tries to sound out the word "old" but always says "load" when she tries to prounounce it. We get a chuckle out of it now. Her brain must mix the letters up in the process from sounding to saying.

Oh, and I love looking at her little arms. Her skin is so soft and I can still see the faint dimples in her elbows...so precious!

Yesterday when we were driving in the car she realized she has a tooth that is beginning to wiggle quite a bit. She still has all her baby teeth. I asked her if I'd still recognize her if she lost some of her teeth. She reassured me that I'd still know it was her because she can still recognize her friends who have lost their teeth. But what she didn't realize is I'm thinking of the "little girl" face I'm so familiar with. Will she lose that with the teeth and start looking like a "big girl?"

I wonder if every mom who realizes her time with her kids is quickly slipping by thinks on these things? I know I do. I'm grateful for the opportunity to spend every day with these precious gifts and really KNOW them. What a blessing!!

This Week-Craft Club

Our daughter had her girlie friends over yesterday for craft club. We actually squeezed in three activities.

They did some beading and all made bracelets. We made a Valentine hanging heart. And they each decorated a mini-cupcake to finish off craft day.

It was all great fun and a great opportunity for moms to sit around with a cup of coffee and visit.

This Week-Book Club Magician's Nephew

Each of our kids has their own club, our youngest has her Craft Club and the boys each have a book club (different book, different group of boys).
The boys meet 2 weeks out of each month. This week was our middle son's book club meeting.
His group is reading The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis. They are responsible for reading about 3 chapters prior to club and answering the worksheets I give them. When we meet we go over their answers and then do an activity related to the homework/reading.
This week we read the chapters where Digory, Polly, the cabby, the witch, Uncle Andrew and a horse all travel to the Wood Between the Worlds. To comfort those involved the cabby begins to sing a hymn. I loved that and decided the kids would learn about the history of a couple of hymns.
This past Christmas my mom gave the kids 2 books Hymns for a Kid's Heart Volumes 1 & 2 by Bobbie Wolgemuth and Joni Eareckson Tada. We read about Redinald Heber who wrote Holy, Holy, Holy and Fanny Crosby who wrote To God Be the Glory.
Many churches sing worship songs, but hymns seem to be a thing of the past in our church. But the words and background of the hymns are both heartwarming and inspiring.
I hope to continue learning and teaching our kids about the authors of these hymns. They are great stories of how God touched regular people for an eternal purpose.

This Week-Baby Girl Learns to Ride a Bike

Okay, I know she's not a baby, but she's my baby and this week she learned how to ride a two-wheel bike without training wheels.

My kids are blessed with a big brother (10 years old) who really helps them out! He taught our second born son how to ride a bike and now he's taught his sister how to ride. He tirelessly runs behind or beside them holding on until just the right moment when he lets them go and they ride on their own. There were a couple minor crashes trying to master the steering, but all is well and our little princess is so proud now that she can ride around the neighborhood.

Isn't life exciting!

This Week-Beautiful Morning!

I know I take a lot of pictures of the mountain, but I just can't help it. No matter how many times I look at it, its beauty still stops me in my tracks. Although it's always there it's new every morning. I know something or someone else like that.

God is like that. This week as we read Praying the Names of Jesus we learned that the angels never tire of singing, "Holy, Holy, Holy". When they see God and his majesty they are awestruck and can't help but sing. If I look at the mountain and try to take in its beauty and magnificence, can I even fathom how I will feel when I stand in the presence of The Lamb? I can't even imagine!

Quote for the Day

"Opa taught us, 'When Jesus takes your hand, He keeps you tight. When Jesus keeps you tight, He leads you through your whole life. When Jesus leads you through your life, He brings you safely home.'"
-From In My Father's House by Corrie Ten Boom

Cooking up a Storm

This past Christmas grandparents came through and bought our girlie a great bounty of cooking supplies. She now has at least 3 different aprons to choose from, oven mitts, cupcake pan, whisks, serving dishes, and Easy Bake Oven and much more. There is so much cooking going on- It's Awesome!

I remember my days with an Easy Bake Oven. It looked quite a bit different than the microwave style of 2008, but never-the-less it was equally amazing. A budding chef could mix a cake, but it in an oven heated with a light bulb and Voila! a cake would bake.

I'm so happy our kids love to cook and bake! The passion continues.

Coyote Wanderer

This must be animal week at our house. First the rodent and now...The Coyote!
I woke up this morning, went to do the morning routine of filling the coffee pot (Yes, the NEW coffee pot) with ultra-filtered water (which is located in the laundry room off the kitchen). I stood looking at the frost covered lawn and took in the beauty of the clear, yet crisp morning.
Then, much to my surprise, across the back yard wandered a BIG dog...wait a minute...I refocused my eyes and realized that is no dog- It's a Coyote!
The coyote was limping across the yard while holding one back leg up. I quickly shouted to the kids to look out the window.
We wondered a couple things. Why was he wandering around in broad daylight? We hear them at night occaisionally, but never during the day. And...Why was he limping? Did he get hit by a car? Was he dazed? Who knows?
He limped though our yard and then went to the adjacent pasture and paused. He stood for a couple seconds and then suddenly dipped his nose to the ground and came up with a rodent in his mouth. He stood there enjoying his breakfast and took off to the north.
Crazy mornings in Rodentsville!

Fresh Spring Rolls

Our children love to cook and help out in the kitchen. And we love fresh spring rolls. They are so easy and a healthy choice for a dinner appetizer or lunch meal.

This particular night I had a lot of help from our middle son. I cut up the vegetables and cooked the shrimp and he rolled his little heart out.
The trick to rolling these is not in the process, but in the soaking of the rice paper. I had a Vietnamese friend who gave us an inside scoop. He said just soak the rice paper in luke warm water for a few seconds until pliable and then lay them out and roll. If you soak them too long they'll just rip and fall apart.

We dip our rolls in a peanut sauce. You can make one from scratch, but I've found an easy and tasty method. I just put some hoison sauce in a bowl, add the juice from one lime and add a couple tablespoons of sugar. Stir and top with chopped peanuts.

Yum! Yum!

Playing Around

The other day our little girlie wanted to play one of her favorite games we like to call "Beauty Station." When playing beauty station we speak with different accents, we have funny made up names and we speak of things only imaginary and extravagent. We charge BIG bucks for crazy hair do's and laugh A LOT. This particular time "Foot Bull" had his hair done and took on a completely different personality far from his usual subdued, Lego building self. It was great fun!

Beware! Graphic Photo! Mission Accomplished!

I came home from a meeting tonight and the house was quiet. Everyone was asleep. Sitting on the kitchen counter was the camera and a piece of paper that read, "Look at the Pictures!"

I checked out the photos. I know they look so terrible and cruel, but the little bugger should have stayed OUT of the house! From the looks of the photo, I think it's obvious the bother was eating well.

Enough of gross photos. I think I'll post something cute just to counter balance this awful thing. But thanks for all of your well wishes. Mission Accomplished...unless he has a brother.

Between the Tapeworm and the Hanta Virus

I love life in the country! The night skies void of light pollution and a clear view (except on cloudy nights) of the stars. The quiet calmness. The space for kids to run, yell and laugh with no one to complain of the "noise." The extra space to "stretch out" without the feeling of cramping the neighbors. The benefits are NUMEROUS!
But there are also the drawbacks.
Rodents. Rodents! Rodents!!
I've posted about these little bothers before, but I thought our days of the invaders were done.
We now have a fabulous mousing cat. He adopted us about a year ago and he is a master at his craft. He's such a great mouser we should buy stock in worm pills. Each time he catches (and eats) a mouse he's probably exposed and injesting a tapeworm. I must say, being the germ-phobe-cleanie that I am, I'm completely disgusted when I find a remnant of the tapeworm on a chair. Ugh! Just thinking about it makes me feel like cleaning!
Back to Master Luke, the Jedi Mouser. He's so awesome, I think he can catch even the most cunning from the darkside. But I guess I was wrong. Or maybe he takes care of the out-of-doors and is "off duty" inside. Whatever the case, we have a mysterious prowler who makes his way up into some built-in cabinetry under our stairs. It's in these cabinets I store candles, childhood paperwork and linens.
I got a candle out about 2 days ago and there was no sign. Today I opened the drawer and, Oh My Word! It was littered with mouse evidence! Yuck!
Years ago I read a book called The Coming Plague and it was at that time that I learned about Hantavirus. Now everytime I see rodent droppings, I'm reminded of this potentially fatal virus. My first response is a desire to suit our kids up in Hazmat clothing and disinfect the surroundings. I may be going overboard a bit, but my distaste for the pests is apparent.
So, needless to say, I've cleaned out, vacuumed out and set traps for that/those little buggers. Let's hope we catch it (them) soon, before sweet husband has to go back to work.
Wish us success!