Day 7

Day #7—Show a picture of your most treasured item

My wedding ring/engagement ring is definitely my most treasured item. When David proposed to me, he studied different shapes of diamonds and what they meant. He picked out a pear-shaped diamond, which has 47 sides. The reason I know that is because he wrote 47 things he loved about me and read it to me when he proposed. (insert big sigh and pause for nostalgia and romance. . .)

This was what we were doing while my ring was being stolen

And then about a year after we got married my engagement ring was stolen. It’s a long story, but the short version is that we were on a youth group CIY trip and went hiking in the Smoky Mountains. I didn’t want to hike with my ring on, so I left it in my wallet, and while we were gone someone broke into our van and stole my wallet (and some other stuff). I can’t even explain how upset David and I both were about it. It wasn’t the money; it was the importance of that ring. I was just heartbroken.

But then something happened that changed that. The people at CIY told everyone else about what had happened to our group, and (without us knowing) they took up a collection to help us. Well, my ring was insured, so we didn’t need the money. Instead, we took the money people donated and sponsored a little boy through Compassion for almost three years!

So, when I look at my ring, I think about a lot of things. I think about my marriage and how thankful I am for that, But I also think about how God takes a mess and turns it into beauty. He used some redneck’s thieving ways to help a little boy learn about Jesus. And he does this kind of stuff every day.

Day 6

Day #6—Who would you love to trade places with for the day?

Jimmy Fallon. I would have listed him in day #3’s post (favorite shows), but I wanted to save him for this. I would love to be a part of Jimmy’s crew for a day of taping. It would be fascinating to see how a show like that is put together and what the inner workings look like. They all look like such creative, funny people.  If you aren't watching Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, you are missing out.

Thursday Thank-yous

I am thankful for. . .

101.  blogs that inspire me and entertain me.
102.  the fact that spring is right around the corner.
103.  hot water and electricity.
104.  getting to see what Zumba is all about.
105.  healthy bodies.
106.  perfect weather for running, especially while listening to a mix of David Crowder, Def Leppard, and Guns 'N Roses.
107.  prayer.
108.  seeing how much Noel loved his field trip to do gymnastics.
109.  boxed brownie mix.
110.  March Madness, baby!!!!


What are you thankful for?

Day 5

Day #5 - A picture of your favorite memory.

My wedding day.

David and I have been married for almost 7 years. Our story is a funny one, one that I’m not always very proud to share because I did some very embarrassing things during that time. Fortunately, all ended well, and David managed to see past my craziness and fell in love with me. Marriage is hard work, it is not always a cake walk, especially with young children, but I am so thankful that David and I get to go on the journey of our lives together.

Day 4

Day #4 - A picture of your night.

Hanging out together

My little helper.  She is mashing potatoes for me.

Scrubby Time

Getting ready to watch a show before bed

Our nights are pretty exciting, let me tell you! David gets home around 5:30, and we usually take turns running. We eat dinner around 6:00, which means the kids are done eating around, oh, 6:03. Then after we clean up we just hang out until bath time. Then the kids watch a show, read some stories, and head off to bed. That leaves about an hour for David and me to spend together alone. I know that our schedule is kind of boring right now, but we have seen through our friends that as the kids get older they will be in activities that will keep us from having as much down time as we do now. So, we are just trying to enjoy every minute we have as a family.

Day 3

Day #3 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show.


If you know me, then you know I love several tv shows. I’m not sure I can put just one picture, so I’ll give you a few:

Parks and Recreation. Love the cast on this show. Love all of the funny characters and the fact that they are in Pawnee, Indiana. Amy Poehler is hilarious.

Top Chef. This is my hands-down favorite thing to watch. I have watched it since the first season, and I always enjoy it. My favorite chefs have been Fabio, Dale, Sam, Kevin, and Harold. I hope to someday eat in one of their restaurants.

The Amazing Race. I love this show because it is the one show David and I sit down and watch together. Not only is it interesting to see how people work together, but they show parts of the world that we’ve never seen, so it’s cool.

The Mentalist. I enjoy watching this show because a) Simon Baker is great and b) it’s one mystery show that leaves you guessing right until the end.

Day 2

Day #2 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest.


I met Jenni when we were freshmen at Lincoln Christian College (now Lincoln Christian University). We were both having issues with our roommates (oh my, the stories we coudl tell), and found ourselves hiding out in the laundry room. A lot. We soon discovered that we got along really well and ended up rooming together second semester. The rest is history. We’ve been through graduations, jobs, weddings, funerals, children, moving, and about a thousand other things. She lives in Ft. Worth, Texas, so it’s not as easy for us to spend time together, but when we are together we cherish every minute. The older I get the more I realize that it’s not the quantity of friends you have, but the quality that matters. In Jenni I have a quality friend.

30 pictures

I've been seeing a lot of people of facebook take this 30 day picture challenge, where they post a picture based on a topic every day for 30 days.  I want to do this, but I don't want to post it on facebook every day.  So, instead I'm turning it into the "30 Pictures" project on my blog.

Picture #1:  A picture of me and 10 facts about me.

1. I live in the same town I was born in. I left at 18 swearing I’d never come back. God laughed, and I ended up back here at 29.


2. I love getting handwritten letters in the mail.

3. I’m kind of obsessed with cleaning wax out of my ears.

4. I’m starting to enjoy running. I never thought I would ever say that.

5. If I could eat chocolate for every meal, I would. Case closed.

6. I work with jr. High and high school students, and it inspires me, challenges me, entertains me, and frustrates me all at the same time.

7. I really love watching tv.

8. I just bought my first ipod shuffle. Before that the last thing I listened to was a walkman. I think it’s time.

9. I love to travel, even with my kids.

10. It’s really hard for me to be around negative people.

5-ingredient cookies

We tried these out a few days ago, and they were really good!

1 can sweetened condensed milk
3/4 c. peanut butter
1 3/4 c. baking mix (Bisquick)
1 t. vanilla
1/2 bag chocolate chips (mini chocolate chips would work best)

Mix the sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter together.  Add baking mix, vanilla, and chocolate chips.  Roll dough into small balls or use small cookie scoop.  Put on cookie sheet.  Ues a fork to flatten them a bit and give them that distinctive peanut butter cookie pattern.  Bake at 375 degrees for 6-8 minutes.  Don't overbake them and they will stay soft.

Enjoy!

Thursday Thank-yous hits the big 1-0-0!

I am thankful for. . .

91.  My online class is over!!
92. sunshine!  sunshine!  sunshine!
93.  the chance to read my old favorite children's stories to my children.
94.  a new month full of possibilities.
95.  A new peanut-butter chocolate-chip cookie recipe that has 5 ingredients.  I will share the recipe soon.
96.  getting to teach High School Insight (aka Sunday School) at our church for the next 4 weeks.  We are going to look at 1 Samuel--good stuff!
97.  alone time with each of my kids. 
98.  90's music.  I'm working on a post about the amazing things we learned through music in the 90's (Here's your teaser:  Who let the dogs out???)
99.  potatoes.  They are so versatile, and yet so yummy in all of their forms!
100.  the calm at the end of every day.

What are you thankful for?  If you have a blog, post it!

Save Money! Save Money! Save Money! But, why?

I love a good deal.  I love the idea that I just saved a bunch of money or that I got something on clearance.  I'm not too good at coupons, but I find such a feeling of accomplishment when I actually use one.

But, what am I saving all of this money for?

I've been thinking about this recently.  I know that God wants us to use our money wisely.  There are lots of verses in the Bible about being wise, but what do other verses say? 

We are to set aside money for the work of the church (1 Cor. 16:2)

People who want to be rich are likely to become tempted & loving money is the root of all kinds of evil. (1 Tim. 6 9-10)

We need to be content with what we have (Heb. 13:5)

I think saving money is a great idea if our motivation is right.

Think about it:  what if when we got a good deal we took that extra money and did something good for others with it instead of putting it into our vacation fund?

What if every time we got a "Buy 1 Get 1 Free", we took one of those to a food pantry?

Isn't that why God gives to us?  So we can give to others?

Something to think about.

Five Years Ago

I saw this post over the weekend and thought it was a creative idea.  So, I know it's not Friday, but I will attempt the challenge:  write for 5 minutes (no more, no less) about what you were doing 5 years ago.

Feb. 28, 2006

It's funny, because I actully know EXACTLY what I was doing on this day 5 years ago.  I gave my 8th grade students a quiz over O. Henry and went to the dentist.  Now, before you think I am one of those crazy people who can remember every date in detail, I have my school planner out from that year.  I'm taking an online class, and I have to use plans from when I was teaching.  2005-2006 was my last year in the classroom.  I can't believe it's been that long.  I miss it a lot.  But I wouldn't trade this time with my children.  I don't want to miss this, even the frustrating, mundane days that take me to the brink of insanity.  Staying home has changed me, but in a good way.  I was not one of those people who had the "motherly" gene.  It has not come easy for me.  But through the last 5 years I feel like God has really shown me who He is and who I am in Him.  He has taught me to rely on Him and not on my own accomplishments.  He has shown me what it means to put others ahead of yourself.

So, here's your challenge:  For 5 minutes write about what you were doing 5 years ago.   

Thursday Thank-yous

I'm thankful for. . .

81.  the fact that spring has GOT to be around the corner!
82.  scarves.
83.  chapstick.
84.  the opportunity to help women and their babies in Kenya.
85.  the amazing family who raised me with faith, discipline, and love.
86.  watching my kids dance to my old music, especially Arrested Development. (Who doesn't love a little "Tennessee"?)
87.  no car payments.
88.  chocolate chip bagels.
89.  pre-school soccer.  The best Saturday morning entertainment ever.
90.  forgiveness.  every day.  forgiveness.

What are you thankful for?

Although we've come, to the end of the road. . .

Okay, if you read the title to my post and immediately started singing the Boys to Men song, then please know you are in the right place.

10 days.

10 days left of my online class.

I have enjoyed learning and getting to meet other teachers from all over the world.  I truly think I will take a lot of this information and use it in my future classrooms.

But I'm ready to be done. 

I'm ready to have some extra time in my life, and I'm ready for my house to not look like an episode of some sort of tv show that they broadcast on TLC or A&E.

On a side note, if you have not checked out themercyhousekenya.org you need to do so right now.  Right now!  Pray for them, support them, learn about them.

The end.

Thursday Thank-yous

I am thankful for. . .

71.  getting to run outside in the beautiful weather.
72.  caffiene free diet anything!
73.  date night Saturday night (thanks, Santana for babysitting!)
74.  gaining a little more daylight every day.
75.  getting to celebrate my nephew Jonathan's 18th birthday!
76.  homemade chocolate chip cookies.
77.  seeing teenagers make great decisions and grow up before my eyes.
78.  great conversations that challenge me and encourage me.
79.  roasted red pepper hummus.  Darn you, Meijer, for making it half price!
80.  my son learning to read.  It makes my heart all warm and fuzzy :)

What are you thankful for?

Dear Valentine's Day,

You are a tricky little thing, aren't you?  First, I hated you for years because you reminded me that I didn't have a "special someone" to spend Valentine's Day with.  In fact, I remember watching Bill Murray in Groundhog's Day thinking that my personal hell would be to relive Valentine's Day over and over and over and over.  Seeing everyone's flowers and chocolates.  And that was way before the digital age where people post all of the details.  Yikes!

But now, as a married woman, Valentine's Day, you are still a little stinker.  I end up with expectations that can't possibly be fulfilled, even by a husband as wonderful as mine.  So, instead of enjoying a day and being thankful for the relationships I have in my life, I am disappointed, AND FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER!

And so, Valentine's Day, I refuse to let you win.  Today I will celebrate love by looking for it everywhere.

In watching my children play together
In reading about God's love for me
In the friendships I have
In the time I spend with my wonderful gift that is my husband

And I will show love to those around me.  Not just in a card or a gift, but in my words and actions.  In thinking of others more than myself.

So you're not ALL bad. 

Thursday Thank-yous

I am thankful for. . .

61.  Getting to listen to Noel and David pray before Noel goes to bed.
62.  Chicken Fajitas w/lime and cilantro.  Yes, please!
63.  Ski trip on Saturday.
64.  Legos, toy tractors, markers, and all other inside toys that have made this winter fun.
65.  college basketball on tv (except our teams aren't doing very well this year).
66.  Every day is a new day, a fresh start, a clean slate.
67.  the funny faces my daughter is learning to make.
68.  friends I visit with at the nursing home.
69.  dilly bars.
70.  encouraging words from those around me.

What are you thankful for?

Random Thoughts

I've been overwhelmed lately with life.  Nothing too crazy going on, just every day life is kind of getting to me.  David was gone for 5 days, my house is a wreck, I have an online class I'm trying to finish, and I'm trying to put together what I need to drive the kids and myself to David's parents' house on Friday.  I feel frazzled, pulled in too many directions.  I look around and instead of focusing on the good, I always notice what is lacking.  Isn't that our human nature?

So, what better way to get perspective than some random, unimportant thoughts from me?  That's what I give you today:

*Yesterday morning, as David was driving to work, he noticed our neighbor taking trash out to the curb in shorts and boots. . .AND NOTHING ELSE!  It was about 10 degrees out yesterday!  And David said this guy was in no hurry to get back in. He was kicking snow, walking slowly, looking around.  I'll say it again, only in Kokomo. . .

*Tonight might be the best night of television I've ever seen (hope I'm not disappointed after a build-up like that!).  My 2 favorite shows:  Top Chef and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon are on together!  The Chefs are cooking for the cast and crew of Jimmy Fallon's show.  Oh, I cannot wait!!!  Fabio and Richard Blaze along with Jimmy, Steve Higgens, and the Roots?!  Bring it!

*Check out this video for a good laugh.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm7yAWpX1Mc

*We went to the nursing home last night to hang out with the residents, and our friend Levi was cracking us up.  He's 97 years old and has had quite a life.  Anyway, we walk in and David says, "Hey, Levi!  How are you?"  His answer, "Well, I'm still kickin'. . .not very high, but I'm kickin'."

*I'm so glad that I missed Christina Aguilara singing the Star Spangled Banner at the Super Bowl.  I cannot stand to see someone embarass themselves, especially when millions are watching.  It gives me a stomach ache.  That's why I hate school talent shows as well.

*Tomorrow is the Valentine Party at Noel's pre-school.  Parents are invited.  The only catch is we are supposed to wear our pajamas.  Yikes!  Do they know what I sleep in?  I wear David's old t-shirts from high school and raggedy pants that have holes in them!  Is that really what they want me to wear?  I'm half tempted to go to Goodwill and get one of those long fleece nightgowns to wear, just to see if they think it's for real. (or Fa' realz, as I officially say it now)  Maybe I'll take some pictures.  Maybe I'll just wear sweats.

Happy Wednesday, Everyone!

Conflicted

It's been a hard week to blog for me. I try to write things that are encouraging, funny, insightful, something.  But last week a dear woman from our church passed away from cancer at the age of 44.  A dear lady who has two daughters (one of whom was in my lifegroup as a high school student) and a husband who are now left wondering "Why?" And I have to admit, I don't have an answer for them. 

But I've been reading a book, and it has, in a small way, helped.  I don't believe it is a coincidence that I happened to buy this book right when all of this was about to happen.  The book is called "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp, and in it she writes about how important giving thanks is.  And not just giving a big ol' "Thanks, God!" at the end of the night.  We need to be thanking God for all of the gifts, big and small, so that we see all of the things He has done for us and continues to do for us.  Yes, life is hard.  Yes, things come that will rock our world and leave us broken.  But God is still here. 

Here are some quotes from the book so far that have really spoken to me:

*As long as thanks is possible, then joy is always possible.

*(We need) to learn how to be grateful and happy, whether hands full or hands empty.

*God is in the details; God is in the moment. God is in all that blurs by in a life--even hurts in a life.  God!

*Some days, ones with laundry and kids and dishes in sink, it is hard to think that the insulting ordinariness of this truly teaches the full mystery of the all most important, eucharisteo (giving thanks). . . But if I miss the infinitesimals, I miss the whole.

*Life change comes when we receive life with thanks and ask for nothing to change.

*God gives us time.  But who has time for God?

*I cannot think of a single advantage I've ever gained from being in a hurry.  Hurry always empties the soul.

*Live fully in the moment.

*I want to slow down and taste life, give thanks, and see God.

*Joy and pain, they are but two arteries of the one heart.

*Only the Word is the answer to rightly reading the world, because the Word has nail-scarred hands that cup our face close, wipe away the tears running down, has eyes to look deep into our brimming ache, and whisper, "I know.  I know."


I hope today you take some time to talk to God.  Share your thoughts, your fears, and most importantly, your thanks.  Tell Him thank you and recognize that, no matter what, He loves you and has a plan for you.

Sorry if this is random.  This is how my mind has been running this week.

Thursday Thank-yous

I am thankful for. . .

51.  laughter after tears.
52.  electricity.
53.  Rooibos tea with a little cream on a snowy night.
54.  free Edwin McCain song downloads.
55.  upcoming ski trip.
56.  the halfway mark of my online class!  4 weeks down, 4 to go!
57.  my husband's opportunity to go see an old friend for a long weekend.
58.  hearing new words come out of my daughter's mouth every day.
59. date nights.
60.  eternity.

What are you thankful for?

Africa

As a new year starts (okay, it's almost 1/12 over, but I'm slow) I started thinking about ways I have changed over the last 12 months.  I would say that one of the biggest things that changed about me in 2010 was that my focus became more global instead of just local.  Part of it was all of my experience with Haiti in 2010.  Part of it was reading Radical by David Platt ( You MUST read it!!!).  And part of it is committing to pray for every country in the world in a year's time.  As I am walking my way through this, I have been reading about Africa.

A country with a long history of extremes, from beauty to terror, from wealth to poverty, from peace to war, Christian evangelicals and devout Muslims.

And as I read I can't help but be convicted about how comfortable my life is.  Not just the money, but the freedom.  The peace.  The education available.  All at my fingertips.  And yet I find it so easy to forget all of that.

So, this year, I have found a mission in Africa who I am collecting goods for.  It is The Mercy House (http://www.themercyhousekenya.org/) and you can read all about it on their website, but they are opening a maternity house for women to live in while they are pregnant.  While there they will be taken care of physically, but will also learn parenting skills, spiritual lessons, and a trade to take with them. 

Each month the Mercy House is collecting different types of donations to be taken to Africa.  The month of February is going to be medical supplies (gauze, bandages, tylenol, etc.).  If you are interested, you can send donations directly to the Mercy House U.S. office:
The Mercy House
8000 Research Forest Drive. Ste. 115-110
Spring, TX 77382

Or if you live near me, just drop them off at my house and I'll ship them at the end of the month.

And if this mission isn't your thing, please find something to do that reaches to people outside of the U.S.  We have so much excess here, in every capacity.  It's time we look around and see what we can do.

Thursday Thank-yous

I'm thankful for. . .
41. Several blogs, but mainly this one today especially.  I'm getting her book in the mail any day and I can't wait to read it.
42. Diet caffeine Free Dr. Pepper.  How many names can a drink have?
43. Noel's wonderful pre-school
44. 80's music to rock out to when I'm exercising
45. answered prayers
46. seeing my kiddos play Candyland TOGETHER for the first time tonight
47. religious freedom.  I've been reading about Africa, and some of it makes me very sad.
48. chapstick, lotion, and all other things that help this girl out in the middle of winter
49. good health.  I take it for granted way too much
50. the person who returned my wallet that I left in the Meijer parking lot.  I don't care that you took the 8 bucks.  I'm just glad you left the cards.

What are you thankful for?

Slow Down and Be Thankful

I'm not sure if it's just an American thing or not, but our society is in a hurry.  We pride ourselves on how much we can accomplish each day.  We rush from one event to the next.  We speed through every meal, every activity, every conversation, with more on the way.

And I wonder if we are truly experiencing all of the joy from each of those experiences if we're always in a hurry.

Do I take time to enjoy the moments of my day?  Even the trivial, mundane ones?  Can I stop and give thanks today, as I'm doing dishes, for hot running water that comes to me so easily?  Can I sit and enjoy my children without dwelling on all of the things on my to-do list that will go undone?  Can I live each day embracing it instead of wishing for something else?

We have been given so much, and yet our first instinct is to want for more.

Let my life be full of gratitude instead of longing.  May I stop and relish every waking moment that I've been given today and be filled with joy. Will you join me?

Thursday Thank-yous

31. coffee creamer. . .mmmm...
32. college basketball
33. pixar movies
34. a warm house when it's cold outside
35. a cool house when it's hot outside
36. frozen waffles
37. getting to help at Bridges Outreach
38. my adult small group
39. my student small group
40. being able to take an online class instead of trying to figure out how I can get childcare to take a class

In a nutshell

I have several ideas that I would like to share in different blog posts.  Lots of things I'd like to share.  But the truth is, life has gotten a little crazy.  I am taking an online class to keep my teacher certification up, and it requires about 8 hours of work each week (fortunately, it's only 8 weeks long).  Anyway, I haven't had much extra time to come up with witty, interesting ways to tell some good stories, but I will give you the highlights:

*I got called to jury duty. Again.  Seriously, this is getting a little weird.  I served on a jury in 2004, and when I did that the judge said, "For most of you, this is a once in a lifetime experience."  Since then, I have been summoned 3 times.  The last 2 times I've made it up to the day before the trial and then it is cancelled for some reason or other.  Oh, well.  Most people really complain about it, but I kind of find it fascinating.  In fact, I think I should ask to excuse myself because I watch way too many courtroom dramas and investigation shows (Homicide, Without a Trace, 20/20, Primetime, 48 Hours Mystery), so I feel like I have an unfair advantage over the other jurors. 
I'm just sayin'.

*I got to see one of my old roomies, Miss Sarah Szoke, now Mrs. Sarah Lowery.  It was so fun to see her, her hubby, and her sweet little biscuit, Eden.  And for some reason all of the stars aligned and the kids were wonderful at the restaurant.  Poor David was hardly a part of the conversation because he played with Noel all night.  It was really sweet of him, because he knew I really wanted to talk to Sarah.  They live much closer now, so I'm hoping we can see more of each other.

*Friday night I did it again.  What is it, you ask? Oh, I just dropped my wallet in the parking lot of Meijer and didn't realize it until Saturday morning.  Who does this??  Only me!!  So, David called and nobody had turned in anything.  I ran a few errands, even drove through the parking lot to check, and then I realized we hadn't prayed about this.  So I promptly pulled the car over and prayed.  When I got home I called again, and lo and behold someone had turned it in.  The cash was gone, but everything else was there.  Who knows?  Maybe my prayer convicted someone to turn in a wallet!  Whatever the case, I'm just glad I don't have to get a new license and cancel my credit cards.  Again. (By the way, I've done this 3 times before, including losing my husband's wallet at Lucas Oil Stadium.  Yes, I am that ridiculous.)

*Lastly, our little angel Elise finally did what we knew she would do sooner or later.  She hurt herself.  She's kind of a monkey, and after Sunday dinner she thought she would try to push herself away from the table, which ended up flipping her chair back and landing flat on her back on the hardwood floor.  She banged her head pretty bad and there was blood everywhere.  Poor David.  I wasn't even there, so he had to clean up the mess, figure out where she was bleeding from, and try and calm her down.  We thought she might need stiches, but I think she's okay.   She has a half-dollar size red spot on the back of her head that got his pretty hard and busted the skin.  But I'm sure her luxurious hair will grow right over it and nobody will ever notice (If you've never seen my husband and me, you won't understand that last statement as total sarcasm.  Between the 2 of us there is no hope of our children having any kind of thick, curly, long, great hair.  Sorry kids!)  We are all breathing a sigh of relief that it wasn't worse, and hope she has learned her lesson.  Except that tonight she already jumped off the couch and hit her head on the coffee table.  Again.  This girl is destined to make us crazy!

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, everyone!  May we all live with the passion and conviction he had.  Hope you have a wonderful week.

Thursday Thank-yous

21. mousetraps!
22. a good book that sucks you in and you can't finish quickly enough.
23. a 20 month-old little girl's toes painted bright blue.  Melt. My. Heart.
24.  the sound of my kids laughing together.
25.  days getting longer after December 21.
26.  that we have 2 vehicles that run and 0 car payments.
27.  hand-me-down clothes.  I don't remember the last time I bought an item of clothing for my children.
28.  pay at the pump
29.  apple cider that has been frozen and is now thawing, all slushy and full of goodness
30.  fleece sheets

A year ago

A year ago today I was . . .
dealing with a 9 month old
probably complaining about the cold/snow
planning a youth ski trip

And then January 12 came along.

I vividly remember being at a high school swim meet and getting a text: 

Have you heard?  There was an earthquake in Haiti.

And a new story began.

A story that involved praying for days for a missing friend.
A story that brought boxes of food, water, and medicine through our garage on its way to Haiti.
A story that added a whole new dimension to our upcoming trip to Jacmel.
A story that changed my worldview forever.

I can honestly say that a year after the earthquake I am not the same person.  I have learned so much this year through my trip to Haiti, through working with HCO, through becoming friends with a missionary, through reading Radical and Operation World. 

This world is big.  There are some 6 billion people in it.  Millions will go to bed tonight without food in their bellies or a warm place to sleep.  And every single one of them need Jesus.

I don't think I would have admitted it a year ago, but I am so convicted now about how comfortable we are in the U.S.  We have everything we ever need and most of the things we want.  And it's so easy to forget about the poor.  The lost.  The lonely.   The wars raging.  The oppression.

And so I choose not to forget. 

Please pray for the people of Haiti, and the many other countries who are not only in dire poverty, but in need of salvation.  If we don't help them, who will?  As David Platt says, "There is no Plan B."

**Sidenote:  If you are interested, I am collecting vitamins and pregnancy tests (both of which can be purchased really cheaply at Dollar General) to ship to a maternity house in Kenya http://themercyhousekenya.org/ I will be shipping these goods out at the end of the month.  If you are interested in helping, please let me know.

I can't believe I forgot to blog about this!

I finally got around to putting some pictures in my album (yes, I'm old school like that), and I was looking at some pictures from our Thanksgiving trip to Florida.  As soon as I looked at the picture above, I realized that I had completely forgotten (or had I mentally blocked out?) one of the most exciting events of our trip.

Now, I tend to share on this blog about how sweet and wonderful my children are, but never you fear, they can cause some major trouble.  Case in point:  YOLO.

YOLO is a store that in on Captiva Island that sells all kinds of rental vehicles:  bikes, trailers, scooters, golf carts, etc.  (By the way, YOLO stands for You Only Live Once, which I thought was genius).  We went there on Monday of our trip to get some bikes and a trailer for transportation for the week.  And while YOLO had lots of rental equipment, their store was quite small, and full of things that little ones can break.  This picture was taken as David was waiting in line for rentals. 

I quickly realized that my kids were like little magnets to all things breakable in that tiny store, so I shuffled them outside, thinking, "What could go wrong there?"

We went to the back to check out the bikes we were renting.  While we are wandering around, Noel gets in one of the golf carts, which I thought nothing of (now, as I type this, I realize that was a ridiculous idea!) So, Elise starts motoring a different way, and just as I grab her, I see Noel press a button on the golf cart. 

Lo and behold, the cart starts rolling. . .right into the side of a parked car!!!!

So, there I am with a 20-month old in my arms and a 4 year-old who has just had his first car accident (and you all thought I was bad!!) 

I tried to push the golf cart back in its place, but of course it was too heavy.  So we just left and ran back in the store, trying to act as if nothing happened.  I kept whispering to David, "We HAVE to talk," to which he kept whispering back, "Just a minute!" I'm sure he was thinking I was just being overdramatic.  And then I finally took him out back to see what had happened!

Of course, David took the high road and went and got the manager and talked to him.  After they moved the golf cart back there wasn't any damage done to the car, thankfully, and we were on our way, a little wiser, a little traumatized, and with yet another crazy story to add to our lives.

Little is much when God is in it.

I've been wanting to share a story from Christmas Eve on my blog, and I keep forgetting to.  I know it's past the holiday season, but one of the most moving parts of Christmas for me was a reminder that God is always working, even when we don't realize it.

On Christmas Eve we went to our church for the 5:30 service.  We intended to sit with some friends, but they ended up moving because some more of their family showed up.  Instead, I sat next to a lady I had never met before.  I was a little nervous about having both kids in the service, what with their being young and, well, LOUD!  And then someone came up and asked David if he could help with the offering, which meant standing in the back for about half of the service. (Sidenote:  please don't get me started about how inappropriate I thought an offering was at a Christmas Eve service.  I'm choosing not to think about it!)

Needless to say, my nervousness about the kiddos acting up heightened greatly.  There I was with both of my kids, no husband, a "quiet" Christmas Eve service planned, and strangers next to us.

Gulp.

Overall, the kids were pretty good.  Noel drew, wrote his name, and kept himself busy for the most part.  But Elise got antsy.  She was talking, waving, clapping, you name it.  And for some reason, she kept leaning over to the lady next to me, talking to her and trying to take her candle.  The lady was really kind and played with her numerous times throughout the service.  After David came back he ended up having to take Elise to the back for a little bit, but it was nothing too traumatic.

After the service, I introduced myself to the lady sitting next to us and apologized for Elise being such a distraction.  And then she told me that it was the best thing that could have ever happened to her.  She had just lost her father a few weeks prior and was having a really hard time with the season.  She said entertaining Elise was such a joy for her.  And I realized how God moves in ways we never even know about.  He knew before we even walked into church that night that there was a woman struggling, hurting, mourning, who needed to be given a gift.  He knew that my daughter, who is crazy and funny and loud and stubborn could be that gift for an hour.

Thank you, God, for using all of us, your little children, to be Your light, Your love, Your joy to a weary world.

Thursday Thank-yous

This week I'd like to share some of my thanksgivings.  I'm thankful for:

11.  cell phones and texting.
12.  that the Bible is true.  It is alive, relevant, convicting, confusing, scary, and God's love letter to me.
13.  the fact that every day is a new day, a fresh start.
14.  my guitar.
15.  my husband's Saturday morning breakfast ritual that he makes for us:  fried potatoes, onion, bacon, and an egg on top.
16.  a healthy body with legs that can run, even though they don't run fast.
17.  50% off Christmas candy, bows, and wrapping paper. 
18.  parents who live in the same town as I do.
19.  the opportunity to teach others in so many ways outside of the classroom.
20.  my son's love of games.  Board games, UNO, dominoes, Kerplunk.  I love playing games, and David doesn't, so I'm glad to finally have someone to play with (even if that someone is 4 years old.)

What are you thankful for this week!!  Don't let the day go by without being thankful!

Why didn't I think of that?

So, for a couple of weeks Noel asks where the middle of his bed is every night before we tell him good night.  He wants to make sure he is smack in the middle of the bed.  I thought it just had to do with him falling out of bed and/or not wanting to hit the wall next to his bed. 

Turns out, I'm wrong.

Tonight we found out the reason why. 

Noel asked David where the middle was, David tells him, and then he asks, "Noel, why do you want to be in the middle?"

Noel's answer:  "So I don't wake up on the wrong side of the bed anymore."

Classic.

Love him.

I'm not as brave as I thought I was

I would like to consider myself a fairly brave person.  I don't get too freaked out about very many things.  And I always thought people who screamed and ran away from a teeny tiny mouse in their house were overreacting.

I'm currently eating my words.

Last night as I was trying to set the table, I opened the silverware drawer and found, in addition to the knives and spoons, a little grey tail wiggling away.  It took a couple of seconds for it to register that attached to said tail was a mouse. And then. . .well, I officially freaked out.  I jumped up on my tip-toes and ran to the garage to tell David, except that I couldn't even make coherent sentences.  All I could whisper was, "Mouse. . .kitchen. . .help."

It was pathetic.

We ended up catching the mouse at 3:40 am.  And when I say "we" I mean that I found the mousetrap at Meijer and David set it up, caught the mouse, and took the trapped mouse to the garden.  I still consider it a team effort.

But I have learned my lesson. Not the lesson that mice aren't scary. Oh, no, they are definitely scary.  And I'm fully conviced I would react the exact same way if Mr. Mouse has a friend who is visiting our kitchen as well.  No, the lesson I've learned is not to speak too soon and judge when I see someone freaking out about something.  The mouse is always scarier when he's in your kitchen, right?

Oh, Lord it's hard to be humble, when you beat yourself up every day.

Yesterday, my pastor talked about being a servant like John the Baptist, and one of the things he said that really hit me was that you have to be humble to be a servant. 

What is humility?

For years I have struggled with humility, not because I think I am so much better than everyone else, but because I can spend countless hours feeling sorry for myself. 

For the things I want to do but can't.
For the way I look.
For the talents I don't have.
For the mistakes I've made and continue to make.
For being rejected and cast aside.

But feeling sorry for yourself isn't being humble.  It's just a different kind of pride.  Humility is when you think less of yourself than you do of others.  Whether it's thinking about how great you are or how awful you are, it's all taking the focus away from being a servant to others.

So when you (like me) are tempted to feel sorry for yourself for whatever reason you deem important, remember that it is a sin, just like pride.  Remember that God doesn't make mistakes.  He made each of us and loves each of us with an indescribable love.  A love that sent His son to a terrible death.  Remember.

Thursday Thank-yous

During the month of November, I tried to post something every day that I was thankful for.  I received a lot of really nice comments about how those posts were neat to read.  So I decided that for the year 2011 I am going to make a conscious effort to be more thankful all year, not just during the Thanksgiving season.  I realized that if I just came up with 10 things every week that I'm thankful for I would have over 500 "thanks" by the end of the year (Yeah, my math skills are THAT good!).

So, I will take an early jump and start the thanks.

1.  Beautiful snow on the ground every day for the month of December.
2.  A good friend who never gives up on me.
3.  Clementines.  Can I just say how much I love them?!
4.  New books for Christmas from my husband.
5. Noel asking really good questions about God.
6.  Hearing Elise's new words every day.
7.  Insurance
8.  God hears my prayers, even when I don't know what to say.
9.  Bedtime for the kids, especially when I'm home alone with them for the week.
10. Free coffee samples in the mail. 

It's not the holidays without traditions

I'd like to share some of the holiday traditions we have started over the past few years.  Feel free to steal at random:

*We always buy a real Christmas tree, even having to chop it down.  (See previous post)

*Every year since we have been married, we have bought a Christmas tree ornament that is a picture frame.  We make sure to write the year on the back.  And then every year when we get out the decorations we get to walk through the years by looking at the pictures (insert, "Awww. . .")

*If we are in Kokomo on Christmas Eve, we always visit We Care Park, which is a crazy, redneck lit up wonderland that you can ride through and even get out and walk around. 

*Baking.  My three specialties are chocolate fudge, caramel corn, and chex mix.  These are also the three reasons I run on a regular basis but do not lose weight!

*Lots and lots of Christmas music.  If you haven't tried it, I highly suggest typing in "Barenaked Ladies (Holiday Mix)" on Pandora.  You can thank me later.

*This year we are starting 2 new traditions:  eating cake for breakfast (birthday cake for Baby Jesus) and spending a little time volunteering at Kokomo Urban Outreach.  Very excited for both of those.

*Instead of making New Year's Resolutions, we make New Year's Predictions.  We write down our guesses about sports, celebrities, politics, people we know, and just about anything else we can think of.  I'd love to share them with you, but, like a birthday wish, if you say it out loud, it won't come true :)

*Reading the Christmas Story from the Bible on Christmas morning.  What an amazing gift we have been given!  May you find your own traditions as you celebrate the season.

You want a what??!

My husband is a wonderful man.  He works hard at his job and at home.  He rarely complains about anything.  He is thoughtful and considerate.  He even makes my coffee up for me the night before so that it is ready to go in the morning.

But sometimes the listening skills are a little off.

The other day I told him about how I had just tried the Dunkin' Donuts Dunkiccino and how much I loved it.  It's just like gas station cappuccino, almost syruppy with a hint of coffee.  Not something for every day, but a nice treat.

Anyway, when we were headed to the airport for our big trip to Florida, I thought it called for said dunkiccino.  So the next few minutes while we are driving there, David is making comments about what a funny name it is, why they would call it that, whatever.  He drives up and orders a small "Donkey--chino".  And just like that drives up to the window. 

This is when it hit me that this whole time he thought the drink was called a donkeychino. (insert light bulb)

Needless to say, we were laughing so hard we were crying by the time the server brought the donkeychino to our window.  Also needless to say, a)there were puns and jokes about that word for the next several miles of our trip (example:  "You wouldn't believe it, I had him by the donkeychinos. . ." ) b)that drink will forever be referred to in our house as a donkeychino.

I love him.

My husband.

Well, and the donkeychino.

December Fun

Here are some things we've either already enjoyed or are looking forward to this month.  Happy December!

*Christmas concerts.  Although they are a little exhausting with little ones on my lap, I really enjoy going to see my neice and nephew in Christmas programs.  I like to see kids shine, proud of what they have worked so hard to do.  I like to see parents supporting their kids.  I like to be reminiscent of when I was a student and sang in Christmas programs.  Good times.

*Snow.  We have had snow on the ground every day so far this month, and it's been beautiful!  I kind of wish it was just a little bit warmer so we can actually go outside and play in it.  But I'd much rather see snow than rain in December.

*Baking.  I love to cook and bake and make treats, and December is a wonderful time for that.  My fudge hasn't turned out quite as well as I'd hoped, but the caramel corn, chex mix, and lemon poppy seed bread have been really good.  It's a good thing I'm giving some of it away!

*Jingle Bell Run.  Speaking of eating too much, it's a good thing David and I have been running.  We ran in a 5K in downtown Indy with my friend, Laura on Saturday, and I had my personal best time.  It feels good to work towards a goal and achieve it.  Now if I could just stop eating the leftover fudge I might get rid of this 2 year-old baby weight.  Ha!

Other highlights include building fires in the fireplace, watching Christmas shows on tv, attending the Christmas Eve service at church, and getting Christmas cards in the mail.

In the midst of this busy time of year, remember to take time and enjoy every minute of it! 

Don't Forget the Lyrics

Every year for about a month we all listen to Christmas music.  And with a few exceptions, it's usually the same songs we hear every year.

But do I really pay attention to the lyrics?

Yesterday, as I was on the elliptical machine, my kids were jumping on the bed next to me dancing to Christmas music.  And then "O Holy Night" came on.  Since I was trying really hard to forget about how un-fun my elliptical machine experience is, I tried to focus on the music. 

And that's when I heard it.

"A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices"

And I think it hit me for the very first time how weary this world is without Jesus.  Can you imagine all of those generations waiting for a savior?  They were living in a very corrupt time, longing for the One they had heard about for so long.  They were weary, to say the least.

And then a star appears.  And not only do they rejoice, but they fall on their needs in worship to the new King.

So, what does this mean for me?  How is my Christmas season an act of worship to the King of Kings?  Or am I too busy shopping, decorating, going to activities, and eating?

I've been very convicted this year to make Christmas about Christ.  I know that sounds corny, but I'm serious.  I don't want my kids to think of presents when they think of Christmas.  I don't even want them to think about family and fun.  I want them to think of how awesome it is that Jesus came to earth for us.  And not only did He come to earth, but He came as a baby, wrinkly, soft, vulnerable, and beautifully perfect.  I want this season to honor Him.

Here are some ideas that I've found to help with that:

*Jesse Tree Reading for the month of December
*Giving to those in need
*Celebrating Jesus' birth on Christmas morning instead of Santa's arrival

What are you doing to remember the birth of the Savior?

Favorite moments from Thanksgiving Vacation

So we went to Captiva Island for Thanksgiving last week.

Now before you get mad at me, this was a very rare occurance for us.  We usually head to sunny Belding, Michigan for events such as Thanksgiving, so when David's family invited us to spend the week with them in Florida, we decided to make that our family vacation for the year.

And it was wonderful.

There were definitely some stressful points, since, you know, we had a 4 year-old and an 18 month-old (who, by the way, has learned the word "no" with flair and gusto.  So much so that she has to say it at least 7,000 times a day).  But overall, we had such a good time.  Here are some highlights.*

1.  Seeing Noel ride a plane.  He LOVED it.  It was so much fun to watch him look out the window and see us take off.  I love seeing the world through a new set of eyes.

2.  The pool.  We had a pool at the house we stayed in, and it was so nice.  Noel absolutely loved swimming.  At one point, he laid back on a floatie and said, "Ahhh, I could do this all day."

3.  The Island Cow.  The night before we left, David and I got to go on a date out to eat.  The restaurant (The Island Cow) was a fun little fish-fry-style restaurant, where we ate way too much, but had such a sweet time just talking and being together. 

4.  The beach.  Of course, we loved spending time on the beach.  The weather was beautiful, and I've never seen so many shells.  One day the waves were especially high and we all (except the little ones) went way out and played in the water.  Such fun!

5.  Exploring.  We rented bikes for the week and rode around every day.  We would always find a way to make a pit stop for some sort of treat for the kids (usually something in the ice cream family), so they enjoyed it to.

6.  Being with family.  There were 14 of us in the house.  We don't really get together too often, so it was such a joy to see my kids fall in love with their family.  To see Elise blow kisses to Jacob and get her toes painted by Becca.  To watch Noel dance for Abby and play ball with Grandpa Ed.  I will cherish these memories for years to come.

*I wish I had pictures to go with all of these, but we either forgot to take a camera anywhere we went, or didn't want to take the camera for fear of sand getting into it

The Waiting Game

I'm getting so antsy to decorate for Christmas.  Everyone I talk to has their tree up, the lights strung, and all of the festive decor up.  But we have to wait. 

Why?

Because we are old school and get a real Christmas tree.

Now, I'm not complaining, because getting a real Christmas tree is one of my favorite thing to do in December.  We drive out in the country to this patch of woods where a guy sits in a little shed (no phone, no hours of operation posted, just him and his fireplace).  We pay him $30 and he gives us a saw.  We stomp out through the trees to find the one that will stand in our living room.  Then David hacks her down and we drag her home.

It's so much fun, and it really is so beautiful.

But we can't do it yet, or come December 25 the tree will have approximately 9 needles left on the tree.

(Oh, and I need to mention that David, being the engineer he is, has created a self-watering system for the tree.  I can't even explain it except to say that it is worth coming to our house to see, and should be on an episode of  "Modern Marvels".)

And so I wait.

But in the meantime, enjoy your imposter of a tree!  (Just kidding. . .)

Torn

We had a wonderful vacation (which I will post about soon, I promise), but in the midst of the fun, I got an email that left me feeling, well, torn.

Bob Pemberton, a missionary in Zimbabwe who was only 52, died of a heart attack.  I have known Bob since I was little.  He is one of the first missionaries I ever knew.  I have memories of him eating dinner at our house and telling stories, teaching us songs and dances, and telling us about the amazing ways God works through us if we just let him.

I had several opportunities to spend time with Bob and his amazing wife Nancy.  And every time it was so good to catch up with them.  It was so inspiring to see that there is so much more God has planned than this "American Dream" we all try to chase after.

So, on the one hand my heart is a litle broken.  I think about how Nancy, and their children, and their grandchildren.  I think about how much the church in Cheredzi will miss Bob. I think about how 52 is way too young to die.  And then I think about where Bob is now.  He is celebrating in Heaven.  He is walking with God.  And I can't be sad about that, can I?

If you're reading this today, please take time to realize how short life is, how wonderful God is, and how others need to know that too.

And we're off. . .hopefully

On Saturday we will embark on our first Wittenbach family of four vacation via an airplane.  We're headed to Sanibel Island to be with some of David's family for the week of Thanksgiving. 

These are the things I'm excited about:
*warm weather
*flip flops
*getting away from household duties (aka cleaning)
*spending time with family
*the beach
*relaxing
*good food

These are the things I'm nervous about:
*both of my kids are congested and coughing.  I really don't want sick kids on vacation!
*sleeping arrangements
*flying with 2 little ones on an airplane
*spending time with family
*what to pack/how to pack

I'm trying not to let the "nervous" list get the best of me and just enjoy this trip.  I get so worked up about little stuff, especially when it comes to my kids.  It's so strange because when it was just me I hardly ever let the small stuff get to me.  I guess that's what happens when you're in charge of more than just yourself.  Another thing I never realized before becoming a parent.

Bon Voyage!

If you're reading this. . .

If you're reading this,
*Thank you for not giving up on my blog even thought I've been very negligent.
*Please know that I have all kinds of intentions to blog regularly again soon.
*Life has been crazy the past couple of days.
*Noel has been sick with 3 different illnesses in 3 weeks, and 3 trips to different doctors.
*I've been sick, run my first 5-mile race, played single mom for three days, and worked on an upcoming retreat for high school students.

Please forgive and don't forget me.  I'll be back as soon as I get caught up with all kinds of thoughts that you could probably live without. Ha!

Eternity

If you didn't read my last post, I'm sharing the devotions I'm working on for our upcoming fall retreat for high school students.  I'm hoping you can get something out of them as well as let me know what can be changed to improve it.

In our last “God Time” we focused on the fact that Jesus is our one, true hope. Without Him we have nothing. But with Him we have an eternity in Heaven. And that’s what we are going to look at today: Heaven.



When you think of Heaven, what are some thoughts, words, or pictures that come to your mind?






Instead of coming up with our own ideas of Heaven, let’s see what the Bible says about it.


Read Hebrews 11:11-16.


Think about all of the amazing creation God has made here on earth. What is the most beautiful place in nature you have ever been to? Describe it.














Think about this: If God made something here on earth that beautiful, can you imagine how awesome the city is that God is preparing in Heaven for us?


Read Philippians 3:12-4:1.


Who will be in heaven with us?






What will our bodies look like?










Read 2 Corinthians 5:1-10. In this passage Paul is comparing his body to that of a tent.


Do you like camping? Why or why not?










Most of us like camping for a short time, but we wouldn’t want to live in a tent for a long period of time. Why?










Think about how our bodies are like tents. They sustain us through this life, but they don’t last forever. They are fragile. They get torn and damaged. And that’s just another reason why we long for heaven. This tent of a body will be replaced with one that will never be destroyed!


The book of Revelation is full of descriptions of Heaven.


Read Revelation 21:1-4 and 21:22-27. What are some things about Heaven in these verses that make you excited?














Revelation 20:10 gives us one of the best parts of Heaven.


“And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”


We will never have to deal with Satan, his lies, his schemes, the pain he causes, any of it!






So, Heaven is going to be amazing. Awesome. Beyond our wildest dreams. And the best part is that we get to spend eternity praising Jesus, who is the reason we get to be there at all.


But what does this mean for me right now?


Read Revelation 22:12-13 and 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.


Don’t give up! Life is hard. It is full of struggles, temptations, frustrations, and disappointments. But we must live with eternity in mind! This life is not the end, it’s just the beginning.


Think about all of the day-to-day problems that you encounter. Do they matter, in light of the fact that we have eternity with God waiting for us?














Think about the hard situations you are going through right now. Please be comforted in knowing that it is not going to last forever! Think eternally!

You're the Inspiration

I've been a little overloaded in the writing area as of late, so I've lost some of my creative "juices" (if you will).  Right now I'm working on some devotions about hope for an upcoming high school retreat.  Instead of writing twice, I'd like to share my first devotion.  Let me know what you think, cause I still have a few weeks before it will be given to the students.

What kinds of things do you hope for?


What is the difference between hoping and wishing?


The only reason why we have any hope at all in this life is because of Jesus.


Who is Jesus?


Who is He to you?


How is Jesus our hope? Read the following verses and come up with a 3-4 word summary of each verse/passage.


Romans 4:25 ________________________________________________________________________


Romans 5:7-8 _______________________________________________________________________


Romans 6:23 ________________________________________________________________________


Romans 8:1 _________________________________________________________________________


Acts 2:21 ___________________________________________________________________________


Acts 4:12 ___________________________________________________________________________


Ephesians 2:13-18 ____________________________________________________________________


Colossians 1:12-13 ____________________________________________________________________


Look back at all of the things you just read. That is how Jesus is our hope!


Think about all of the things that you hope for. What if they were gone? Think for a moment.


What if the car you hoped for was gone?


What if the spouse you are hoping for doesn’t happen?


What is the career you are hoping to have doesn’t work out?


What if your future plans change and aren’t what you were hoping for?


We might be discouraged, upset, or frustrated if these things we hope for are gone, but stop for another moment and think about this:


Where would you be if all of those hopes came true, but you didn’t have Jesus?


You see, nothing in this world matters if we don’t have the one, true hope of Jesus. Take a few minutes and write a thank you prayer to Jesus for being our Hope.

Our Father, who art in Heaven

Those are the first words of the Lord's prayer.  Words Jesus used to teach us how to pray.  Yesterday, my small group of girls talked about prayer:  struggles with prayer, why we pray, what to pray about, etc. And I think I learned more than the girls did.

I learned that while some parents are great, some parents are very immature and make their children have to grow up way too soon.

I learned that in a room of just 10 girls, one of them might have cancer, one hears voices telling her to hurt herself, and one has fallen away from God and desparately wants to come back.

I hurt for these girls.  I wish I could make their problems go away.  But more than that, I give these girls to God in prayer.  If I truly believe that God answers prayer, then now is the time to show it.

Everyone is going through something, but we just don't take the time to sit and talk to them about it.  We pass through so many days with shallow conversation and miss out on opportunities around us.  While our Father in Heaven is whispering to us, "Talk to them, ask them how they really are.  They need you."

I pray that I make time to have more of those conversations.  That I don't get so caught up in what I'm doing that I miss those around me who are hurting, who need my prayers, who need to know there is more out there than what we see in front of us.

It's kind of like a hat. . .

Okay, sorry for all of the focus on Noel, but he really does some funny stuff. Plus, I spend almost every waking hour of my life with him.  Think of all the stories I could be telling.  Ha!

So, tonight we had coupons for free Frostys and the kids had eaten a good dinner, so we headed out to Wendy's.  As you can imagine, Wendy's in Kokomo on a weeknight at around 7:30 was hopping.  Besides our family there was one employee eating a meal and an elderly lady dining alone.

For some reason, we have this tradition that when we are at Wendy's we play "I Spy".  And we had played for about 10 minutes, when Noel comes up with "I spy something white."  David and I are looking all over and guessing, and Noel keeps saying no.  Then we see him looking at the lady out of the corner of his eye.  We both start realizing that it's probably her he's "spying" (how many things can you point out in an empty Wendy's?  Plus, who am I kidding?  He is my boy, of course he is a people watcher!)

Then Noel says, "I'll give you a hint:  it's on your head. . ."

(At this point we are both trying not to laugh)

" . . .and it's kind of like a hat."

He was, of course, innocently spying her white hair. 
Just when Noel takes me to the brink of frustration, he reminds me that you can't buy 4-year-old entertainment like that.  Thanks, Noel Man.

The CD dilemna

I've really been convicted about having too much "stuff" over the last year.  And we have done a pretty successful job of keeping our things to a reasonable amount.  If we buy something new, something old has to go.  We consider purchases instead of making kneejerk decisions.  David just recently cleaned out Noel's closet and got rid of some old/broken toys.  And although we still have much more than we really need, I am feeling better all of the time about the materials we have.

But I have an dilemna.

And I'm reminded of it every time I sit down to the computer.  Right to the left of the computer desk is a cd tower with probably 150 CDs.  CDs we never listen to.  Most of these CDs have been burned onto the computer.  Almost all of them are old.  Let me give you a few examples (not joking):
Audio Adrenaline "Don't Censor Me"
Dixie Chicks "Fly"
Steven Curtis Chapman "For the Sake of the Call"
Dave Matthews Band "Under the Table and Dreaming"
Mr. Holland's Opus Soundtrack

I cannot tell you the last time I've listened to any of these, let alone the rest of them, minus the 6 Christmas CDs we bust out in December.

So what do I do with them?

Try to sell them?  Who wants to buy our terrible CD collection (no offense, Mr. Holland, you had your time in the sun, trust me).

Give them away?  Who wants this collection, even if it were free???

I'm at a crossroads, and don't know what to do.  Any suggestions?

Listen up, sonny

I teach Sunday School (we call it Insight) on Sunday mornings to high school students.  I really enjoy it.  The kids make me laugh.  They make me think.  But most importantly, it encourages me to look at the Bible in different ways to keep things interesting and relevant for teens who are diligent enough to show up at 9 am on a Sunday morning to learn about God. 

So the past few weeks we've been looking at the 10 Commandments, and I am always so surprised (why am I still surprised) that God shows me something new every time I let Him lead my lesson planning.  This week we're looking at the 5th command:  Honor your father and mother. 

Here are just a few things that I've come to realize through the course of this study:

*although I am still someone's child (and should still honor them) I am now on the other side of this command.  Am I being a parent who is teaching my child to follow God?
*The command doesn't say to "obey" your parents, but to honor them, which encompasses a lot more than just obedience.  To honor someone is to prize them highly, to respect them, to care for them, and (yes) to obey them.  Once again, God's plan is so much more than just rules.
*This command was sooooo important back then because the only way a child really learned about God's law was from his parents.  And even though we have Bibles and internet and programming and more resources than I can name, we are all just one generation away from being a people who do not call on God.  Read the book of Judges.  Even the godliest of leaders had kids who turned away, and the Israelites were back at Rock Bottom before they knew it.

So, if your parents are with you, please tell them how much you appreciate and respect them.  Don't take for granted all they have done (and continue to do) because you are their gift from God.

My Cup Runneth Over

Noel went and got a step so Elise can see outside with him. 
Here he is explaining the porch lights.

Playing house with a dishwasher box.

There is a fine balance between motherhood and insanity.  I'm sure of it.  Some days I just want to bury my head back in my pillow and not have to be in charge.  In charge of meals, cleaning, diapers, discipline, entertainment, clothing, schedules, the list goes on and on. 

And then I take a breath and look at these two amazing people.  And my heart is overwhelmed.  With love.  With responsibility.  With thankfulness.

Please take time to look around and let your heart be overflowed today.

Farmer Up

Okay, so I have had all kinds of intentions of writing more on my blog this week.  But the combo of writing small group questions and Sunday School questions for our high school students at church has kind of zapped all of my creative writing energy.

Excuses, excuses, right?

Anyway, not to make every post about Noel, but we did celebrate his birthday this weekend.  I now have a four-year-old.  Wow.  We had a little get together with a few of Noel's friends on Friday night.  A month or so ago we read a book from the library (it was a Franklin book, in case you're interested) that told the story of a birthday party that had games in the back yard.  Ever since then, Noel has wanted that for his birthday.  So we had cornhole, parachute games, a sandbox, a hammock, and the highlight:  a fishing pond.  We filled the kiddie pool with water and about 50 goldfish.  The kids used nets (and eventually their hands) to catch as many goldfish as they could.  They loved it!  It was so much fun to see them play and scream and run and enjoy being together.  There was also a Cookie Monster pinata, which was obliterated by the end of the night.  Noel ended up sleeping with Cookie's head that night.  I hope he doesn't need counseling later for that.

His actual birthday was Monday, and for his big day David took him out to a friend's farm to ride in a combine.

Do you know how exciting that is for my son??  He has not stopped talking about it since.

Not only did he ride in the combine, but he got to ride in "Mr. Anthony's" semi, help move the corn to the silo, and sweep the leftover corn into the grate. 

He's still smiling 24 hours later.

I asked him if he thinks he'll be a farmer when he grows up, and he says, "yeah, or a semi driver."  And then he thinks for a while and says, "or maybe I'll just be Mr. Anthony's helper and ride in the semi with him."  Not sure if that's a career option, but we'll leave it on the table for now.

Farm on, big man, farm on.

A beautiful view of the combine right before sunset

sweeping up the corn

John Deere boy

so excited to be in the semi

watching the corn drain out