Happy Saturday! I can't decide what to write about, so I'll just write a little about everything. Try not to get too excited...it's Random Time!
1. Joey's birthday was a success! Despite his lack of enthusiasm for his birthday beforehand, he had a really good day once he figured out that it was a day where he got to pick the activities HE wanted to do and he got things like brownies and a balloon and a even a couple presents. 3 year olds are easy. We played the "Guess Who" game that he got from Aunt Deena and had fun with glue sticks and construction paper. We all watched Peter Pan and he loved that. (I forgot how fun that movie is!) He still claims he's two and tells me "wanna be your wittow(little) boy" every day, but I can understand that. It's hard to grow up sometimes!
2. I visited the Prayer Service for the Wabash Valley International House of Prayer last night at the encouragement of our pastor. The venue is kind of interesting, as it is a prayer chapel in a very old and historic church in Terre Haute, but it has been eclectically decorated with a big modern mural of Jesus on one wall. I dug the old with the new thing. I'm glad Marvin and Sally have come to our neck of the woods to start this ministry. The whole thing gave me a lot of stuff to think about...I think I have a lot to learn about prayer. And the worship was very authentic, not really a style I had ever seen before, but something that was easy to jump into and sing along. I'll probably talk more about this later. Marvin's supposed to speak at our church tonight...
3. Speaking of church, I think we're going to have a media fast for the next week. What's a media fast, you ask? Well...I'm still learning and we'll probably learn more tonight at church...but I think we're all going to stay away from secular media for a week...TV, videos, radio, internet...no hard a fast rules or anything. Many people from church work with computers for a living, so you can't really go all hermit or anything. Just a way to spend more time with God and family for a week and look for some guidance for the year. Sounds good to me! Even though I wouldn't consider my blog or others I read "secular media" really, I think I am going to stay away from blogging for the most part since I DO tend to spend quite a bit of time on it.... I might drop in on the SCL Crazy Love conversation if I actually GET the book before Wednesday (procrastinator!) and check my email to make sure there's nothing I need to add to the stuff I pray for. So all that to say- don't worry about me, because I know you would if I suddenly just didn't respond to anything for a week. I'll be back! And our church is not a cult! (Sorry, inside joke.)
4. I went to the BMV this morning and renewed my license. It came to my attention that my license had expired in August and I didn't even realize it. Oops. I believe I made fun of Frank for this very same thing before, so it was time to eat a big plate of crow. Yummers. Then I put off going for awhile because I am NOT dragging three kids in there on a week day...that's a catastrophe of such epic proportions I can't even go there in my mind. But today was THE day. I prepared myself with a book, some chocolate, and everything else I could think of that they might want or need to prove that I was road worthy. I was pleasantly surprised to find no lines and I walked right up to the counter. We've moved since my last license was issued, so I had to prove my legal address. I had a recent bill to do this, but alas, it only had my husband's name on it and not my own. So I had to come back home and find something with MY name on it. Sigh. It's never that easy. I went back to a short wait, had to do the eye test again, and the lady asked me some lovely questions involving my current weight vs. the weight listed on my license. Then it was picture time. I always forget about the stupid picture. I took the worst picture ever. Even worse than the one when I was pregnant. The lady (approximately 118 years old) made me take off my glasses for the picture...that along with having no make-up on, my hair back, and a gray t-shirt on resulted in a picture that makes me look like a slightly hostile 12 year old elfin boy. Maybe I can get Frank to scan it and I'll post it sometime...good times.
5. This is getting long, so I'd better wrap up, but Baby Jay has been teething and sickly, so pray for him and pray for our patience because it's hard to explain to a 5 month old that his universe has not fallen apart and will get better soon.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Of Skittles, Dragons, and Chicken Wings...Yes, These Are a Few of My Weirdest Things
I have been tagged by Helen at Random Musings to share 7 weird things about myself. Hold on tight. It might be a scary ride.
1. I categorize my food and systematically eat the categories. For example, if I have vegetable soup, I will eat all the carrots, all the peas, all the corn, etc. and leave my favorite parts for last(usually the beef). Or if I'm eating Skittles, I separate the colors and eat whatever I have the most of first, so that I have a nice balance at the end.
2. I used to play Dungeons and Dragons among other role playing games. Crown me the Queen of the Nerds. But hey, it was a lot more interesting to me than partying on the weekends...
3. I forget to drink anything with meals on a consistent basis. My kids have to remind me that they need something to drink with their meal.
4. I studied in Spain, and I have been in Central America on a missions trip, but I have never been to Mexico or Canada.
5. My little toe on my right foot is useless. It's there, but it kind of turns inward and doesn't move at all. You know how you can spread your toes out? Yeah...I can't do that.
6. I always get really upset and stressed out before going on trips or to a big event. Always. But once I'm on my way, everything is peachy. Just learn to ride out the storm, baby.
7. Just tonight I had a revelation about chicken wings. There's always two kinds. One with two bones that seemed like a wing to me, and the other looks like a little drumstick. The drumstick one always confused me...I thought it was just a miniature chicken leg or something; I never understood why it was included in wings...and then tonight...A HA!! Light bulb! There's TWO parts to a chicken wing! So they're BOTH the wing!! I'm gonna sleep better tonight. It's all about the little things...
1. I categorize my food and systematically eat the categories. For example, if I have vegetable soup, I will eat all the carrots, all the peas, all the corn, etc. and leave my favorite parts for last(usually the beef). Or if I'm eating Skittles, I separate the colors and eat whatever I have the most of first, so that I have a nice balance at the end.
2. I used to play Dungeons and Dragons among other role playing games. Crown me the Queen of the Nerds. But hey, it was a lot more interesting to me than partying on the weekends...
3. I forget to drink anything with meals on a consistent basis. My kids have to remind me that they need something to drink with their meal.
4. I studied in Spain, and I have been in Central America on a missions trip, but I have never been to Mexico or Canada.
5. My little toe on my right foot is useless. It's there, but it kind of turns inward and doesn't move at all. You know how you can spread your toes out? Yeah...I can't do that.
6. I always get really upset and stressed out before going on trips or to a big event. Always. But once I'm on my way, everything is peachy. Just learn to ride out the storm, baby.
7. Just tonight I had a revelation about chicken wings. There's always two kinds. One with two bones that seemed like a wing to me, and the other looks like a little drumstick. The drumstick one always confused me...I thought it was just a miniature chicken leg or something; I never understood why it was included in wings...and then tonight...A HA!! Light bulb! There's TWO parts to a chicken wing! So they're BOTH the wing!! I'm gonna sleep better tonight. It's all about the little things...
Time Warp
I know time will just go faster and faster as my kids get older...but I really can't believe Joey is 3 today! So I'm going to spend some time in Imagination Land with him and I'll report back later. Because at some point he's going to think playing pretend with his mommy isn't so fun anymore...until maybe someday he has his own kids and it becomes fun again.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Fast = Slow
Our church is entering a time of fasting and prayer. I am not an expert faster. I did a 40 Hour Famine with my youth group in high school and it was more fun than hardship. I probably concentrated more on the youth group guys than God during those 40 hours...
I've learned more about fasting as an adult, but it seems every time a corporate fasting opportunity arises, I am pregnant or nursing a baby. So I have always opted out with a rock solid excuse. Very convenient for one who is way too dependent on food. Ask Frank. I am one angry girl if I'm hungry. I have a hard time waiting to eat. So this time, I am nursing once again, and it would be really easy to not participate. But when I think of the sacrifice Jesus was for me, surely I can give up something that would cause me to lean on God a little bit more in daily life. But what?
So I prayed one of those scary prayers saying...God...I want to please you...I want to depend more on you and think about you more each day...if you want me to give something up instead of fasting...let me know...(and then I secretly hoped God would tell me that I didn't have to give anything up.)
For a couple of days nothing really came to mind. And then today...I got this thought...what about giving up...coffee.
I tried to argue. God are you sure??? Coffee? Does it have to be the coffee? I love coffee. Why does it have to be the coffee?? It was a short argument.
Abstaining from coffee it is. Probably until February. I almost laughed as I went to read my Bible today. I've been going through Romans and here's the passage for today:
Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
In the great scope of God's mercy, giving up coffee for less than a month is such a stupid and ridiculously small thing to do...but yet it will be difficult for me AND my body to stick to! Thus the point of a fast, right? But I have to think that obeying in the small stuff will lead to obeying when it comes to big stuff. I want to experience God's good, pleasing and perfect will. I want to worship through sacrifice. So bubbye to beautiful brewing beans for now.
(I share this not to brag or try to make you give up stuff...it's just so that if I am short with you or a little slow...well...I might need your grace a little more than usual. Plus it can't hurt the accountability factor if my friends and family are in on this....)
Monday, January 5, 2009
Prodigal
Music tends to run rampant in my head on my "thinking" days. Here's another good one. It's by OneRepublic. They're not a "Christian" band, but judging by their album notes, they are a band made of Christians. That's cool with me. (Like they care what I think...ahem...but the entire album is extremely good) Anyway, I'm sure many people see this as a human relationship song...but to me...it is a good picture of me and God. And the sweet thing is that I don't have to do any running to God. The moment I catch myself running away and turn around, God is running toward ME. Click on the little play button to hear the song.
Luke 15:20-24 NIV
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.[b]'
22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate."
Prodigal
We say good-bye
I turn my back
Run away, run away
So predictable
Not far from here
You see me crack
Like a bone, like a bone
I'm so breakable
And I take everything from you
But you'll take anything
Won't you
Run away, run away
Like a prodigal
Don't you wait for me
Don't you wait for me
So ashamed, so ashamed
But I need you so
And you wait for me
And you wait for me
I'm on the road
To who knows where
Look ahead, not behind
I keep saying
There's no place to go
Where you're not there
On your rope, I hold tight
But it's freeing
And I take everything from you
But you'll take anything
Won't you?
Run away, run away
Like a prodigal
Don't you wait for me
Don't you wait for me
So ashamed, so ashamed
But I need you so
And you wait for me
And you wait for me
Everybody wants to be right
But only if it's not at daylight
I keep trying to find my way back
My way back
Run away, run away
Like a prodigal
Don't you wait for me
Don't you wait for me
So ashamed, so ashamed
But I need you so
And you wait for me
And you wait for me
Runaway
From you
Luke 15:20-24 NIV
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.[b]'
22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate."
ProdigalWe say good-bye
I turn my back
Run away, run away
So predictable
Not far from here
You see me crack
Like a bone, like a bone
I'm so breakable
And I take everything from you
But you'll take anything
Won't you
Run away, run away
Like a prodigal
Don't you wait for me
Don't you wait for me
So ashamed, so ashamed
But I need you so
And you wait for me
And you wait for me
I'm on the road
To who knows where
Look ahead, not behind
I keep saying
There's no place to go
Where you're not there
On your rope, I hold tight
But it's freeing
And I take everything from you
But you'll take anything
Won't you?
Run away, run away
Like a prodigal
Don't you wait for me
Don't you wait for me
So ashamed, so ashamed
But I need you so
And you wait for me
And you wait for me
Everybody wants to be right
But only if it's not at daylight
I keep trying to find my way back
My way back
Run away, run away
Like a prodigal
Don't you wait for me
Don't you wait for me
So ashamed, so ashamed
But I need you so
And you wait for me
And you wait for me
Runaway
From you
Thoughts and a Song
I'm having one of those days when my mind is full. Lot of random thoughts all mixed up and wanting more attention and clamoring for me to write about them....but again...already lunch time. How does that happen? So I'd better take care of the things God has given me to take care of today. That would be the kids, of course, plus I should probably buy some food and pay some bills. Man can't live on bread alone, and that's about all we have right now...
In the meantime, here's an awesome video and song by Brandon Heath called "Give Me Your Eyes." I'd embed it, but it won't let me. Even the link isn't working. No instant gratification today. You must copy and paste. I promise it's worth the effort.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTsYAZvHsEQ
(The Guy in a Band Hair Brigade tried to get to him...but I think he put up a fight. He has almost normal hair. Almost.)
In the meantime, here's an awesome video and song by Brandon Heath called "Give Me Your Eyes." I'd embed it, but it won't let me. Even the link isn't working. No instant gratification today. You must copy and paste. I promise it's worth the effort.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTsYAZvHsEQ
(The Guy in a Band Hair Brigade tried to get to him...but I think he put up a fight. He has almost normal hair. Almost.)
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Post Holiday Recovery Program
We. Are. Home. As of midnight-thirty last night.
Our family had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. I loved seeing everyone and the random fun we had...especially when that includes beating my spouse at ping pong. More about our holiday adventures later, perhaps. However, I think that a couple extra days should be built into every holiday or vacation to help everyone recover. Let me describe the scene this morning at my house....
1. Anna and Joey are still wearing their clothes from yesterday because they slept during the travels home last night and I wasn't about to wake them up to change them into pajamas. I'm too lazy to change them into "today" clothes until we get ready for church this evening. Anna is being surprisingly helpful this morning. Joey is alternating between running around aimlessly and being clingy.
2. Baby Jay got a change of clothes but only because he pukes a lot. He is resentful about being stowed in his bouncy car after a solid week of being held by doting friends and relatives. And he's teething.
3. Frank is playing video games. Work will come far too quickly on Monday...and we're guest leading worship for a church tomorrow. Seize the day! Or at least the morning, right?
4. I am curled up on the couch in a cocoon of blankets (Snuggie where ARE you???), feeling sickly due to gluttony and not enough sleep. Note to self: when offered a choice of three desserts, never choose all three.
5. The dog seems to have weathered the holidays better than the rest of us. She is napping beside me as usual. Proof that ignorance really IS bliss.
P.S. I have now noticed it's past time for lunch. Frank has volunteered to try to patch something together....sure to be delectable...but not before serenading us with a touching song about fish skin. Yum.
Our family had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. I loved seeing everyone and the random fun we had...especially when that includes beating my spouse at ping pong. More about our holiday adventures later, perhaps. However, I think that a couple extra days should be built into every holiday or vacation to help everyone recover. Let me describe the scene this morning at my house....
1. Anna and Joey are still wearing their clothes from yesterday because they slept during the travels home last night and I wasn't about to wake them up to change them into pajamas. I'm too lazy to change them into "today" clothes until we get ready for church this evening. Anna is being surprisingly helpful this morning. Joey is alternating between running around aimlessly and being clingy.
2. Baby Jay got a change of clothes but only because he pukes a lot. He is resentful about being stowed in his bouncy car after a solid week of being held by doting friends and relatives. And he's teething.
3. Frank is playing video games. Work will come far too quickly on Monday...and we're guest leading worship for a church tomorrow. Seize the day! Or at least the morning, right?
4. I am curled up on the couch in a cocoon of blankets (Snuggie where ARE you???), feeling sickly due to gluttony and not enough sleep. Note to self: when offered a choice of three desserts, never choose all three.
5. The dog seems to have weathered the holidays better than the rest of us. She is napping beside me as usual. Proof that ignorance really IS bliss.
P.S. I have now noticed it's past time for lunch. Frank has volunteered to try to patch something together....sure to be delectable...but not before serenading us with a touching song about fish skin. Yum.
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