Hello, my Friends and Family!
It is the day after Christmas. We had a great time with our family and some of our good friends. Regretfully, time does not allow for us to spend time with everyone, but my thoughts and prayers were with many.
Regretfully I have been sick for the last couple weeks. We thought it was Strep Throat at first, but the anti-biotic didn't do any good. Christmas Time is not a good time to be ill. We have had to delay our trip up to International Falls in order to allow me time to heal. The boys are very disappointed, but we will be going in just 10 days. Hopefully they will survive that long.
Christmas Eve we went to church for the service with my parents and my friend Carolyn. Then she and her daughter Rachel came to my parent's for food and gifts. We had a wonderful evening. Then on Christmas morning, Grandma and Grandpa came over to watch the kids open their presents and then spent the day here playing games. (I bowed out to nap through the middle of the day. It is so good to have your Mom when you're sick!)
Today we all slept in and now the boys are getting ready to go tubing with Grandma and Grandpa. I just wish I were healthy enough to go too!
I hope that your Christmas has been wonderful as well. God bless you richly all through this new year!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Christian Community
I am currently in a small group through church doing a book called 40 Days of Community. We are supposed to read a section each day, which as of yet I have not done. I read the first 6 sections before our first group, and tonight is our second and I still have to do the reading. But, on Sunday we were discussing what we get out of being a part of a community rather than just following God on our own. There were the "happy things" like support, help and encouragement. But there was also the part of being held accountable for your actions and choices, which conflicts with our Western, independent thinking.
It occurred to me, that often in life, being the self-centered humans that we are, we desire the encouragement, help and support, yet we don't want to be held accountable for our choices. But that isn't really possible, at least, not in a healthy relationship. They come together. If I accept the support of a friend, I also have to be able and willing to hear them when they have something to say about my life.
This is why we should choose our friends wisely. This is why we need Christian community. It is vital that I have friendships with people who hold the same moral and religious beliefs that I hold so that if I make a "wrong turn" and start heading down a path which is not good for me, and does not hold up to the beliefs that I profess to believe, they can hold me accountable.
I think that there are times in my life when I don't see clearly. There are times that I need someone outside of myself to reflect back to me what I am doing and how that will effect, not only my life, but the life of my family as well.
There are two things that I see must happen in order for this to work the way God intended.
1) I have to be honest with the people with whom I am in close relationship. I must be able to answer about my whole life, not with everyone, but with a few people who I trust. These people, in order to reflect back truthfully on my life, have to know all of the pieces.
2) I need to learn how to hear what my friends have to say and not become defensive. Does this mean that I will always agree with what they have to say, or do what they think I should do. No. But I must give it serious consideration. I must be honest with myself about my own motivations, choices and the possible consequences.
Now this definitely brings up the question of boundaries. I am also reading a book about boundaries. We will see how the two studies combine.
How do I have functioning boundaries and be a member in a community?
Where do I identify myself with the whole and where do I identify myself as an individual?
I'm sure there will be more to come on this topic. I would welcome your thoughts.
It occurred to me, that often in life, being the self-centered humans that we are, we desire the encouragement, help and support, yet we don't want to be held accountable for our choices. But that isn't really possible, at least, not in a healthy relationship. They come together. If I accept the support of a friend, I also have to be able and willing to hear them when they have something to say about my life.
This is why we should choose our friends wisely. This is why we need Christian community. It is vital that I have friendships with people who hold the same moral and religious beliefs that I hold so that if I make a "wrong turn" and start heading down a path which is not good for me, and does not hold up to the beliefs that I profess to believe, they can hold me accountable.
I think that there are times in my life when I don't see clearly. There are times that I need someone outside of myself to reflect back to me what I am doing and how that will effect, not only my life, but the life of my family as well.
There are two things that I see must happen in order for this to work the way God intended.
1) I have to be honest with the people with whom I am in close relationship. I must be able to answer about my whole life, not with everyone, but with a few people who I trust. These people, in order to reflect back truthfully on my life, have to know all of the pieces.
2) I need to learn how to hear what my friends have to say and not become defensive. Does this mean that I will always agree with what they have to say, or do what they think I should do. No. But I must give it serious consideration. I must be honest with myself about my own motivations, choices and the possible consequences.
Now this definitely brings up the question of boundaries. I am also reading a book about boundaries. We will see how the two studies combine.
How do I have functioning boundaries and be a member in a community?
Where do I identify myself with the whole and where do I identify myself as an individual?
I'm sure there will be more to come on this topic. I would welcome your thoughts.
Resume the blogging...
So many things that I would like to blog about, and yet so little time in my life. I can't believe it has been over two months since I last took the time to sit down and write a post. Part of the reason that I stopped posting was the fact that most of the people who I enjoyed sharing blogs with quit their blog or blocked me from it. I then had no reason to sit and read any blogs and stopped posting on my own. However, I have decided that I would like to keep a record for posterity, of what was happening in my life and my thoughts. So... Resume the blogging.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Ahhh... Football Season!
Well, the NFL football season has begun. Not only that, but the Vikings won their season/home opener, and I'm winning my fantasy football game too! What could be better?
I'm excited about this season. Tavaris will Need some time to become the great quarterback he will be, but he "managed" the game pretty well, and did pass for a touchdown late in the game. The running game was successful and our defense rocked! At this point we (Chris and I) are thinking that the defense will out-score the offense this year. I hope that the offense proves us wrong.
I hope that many more Sundays are as good as this one was. May yours be as well!
I'm excited about this season. Tavaris will Need some time to become the great quarterback he will be, but he "managed" the game pretty well, and did pass for a touchdown late in the game. The running game was successful and our defense rocked! At this point we (Chris and I) are thinking that the defense will out-score the offense this year. I hope that the offense proves us wrong.
I hope that many more Sundays are as good as this one was. May yours be as well!
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Last week before school starts
So this last week started with Chris and my parents and I taking Rand and his friends to the Ren Fest for Rand's birthday. Regretfully, as we were arriving, I was called away to take Charlie, who was potentially having an appendicitis, to the hospital for the afternoon. As it turned out, Charlie did not need to have his appendix removed; but he did have a high fever for 4 days which impeded his ability to really enjoy his last week before school starts. Then, yesterday afternoon, Mat came down with a fever too. I'm hoping that it will be gone by Tuesday morning!
We have met all of the new teachers and are all excited about different things this year. Rand is starting football this year! I'm very excited to see what position he will play and if he enjoys the physical challenge.
Matrim will be heading over to the middle school for 7th grade math. He will also be continuing to work with specialists to learn more about Aspergers Syndrome and how to function with it. I'm very hopeful that this will be a good year for him.
Charlie is now going to go by "Christian" I will see if I can remember that. the nice thing about having a new teacher is that she will only know him as Christian. She seems very nice. Also very young. One nice thing about a new teacher is their enthusiasm. I know that Christian will have a great year.
I am working with Stephen Marq at the airport now and am glad that I will be able to get them off to school in the morning and have a job during the school day. I am really enjoying working again. I still want to go back to school though.
Chris and I have several things that we are going to be involved in at church. We are excited to be starting Alpha next week on Tuesday nights. We will be involved as Table Leaders, I guess. This Saturday we'll find out exactly what that will mean. I also co-ordinate the Culver's Community Day fundraisers for our school each month, which also happen on a Tuesday night. And then PTO is ALSO on Tuesday nights. Tuesday is going to be a very busy day for me for the next 3 months. We were also going to start with a Small Group this Sept., but it looks like we are all just going to be involved in the Alpha thing to start with. That will help. But then we are both involved in Worship and might be starting to help out in the children's area too. We'll see if we are still functioning come Christmas!
I might do a separate post re: diabetes and such. This one is getting pretty long.
We have met all of the new teachers and are all excited about different things this year. Rand is starting football this year! I'm very excited to see what position he will play and if he enjoys the physical challenge.
Matrim will be heading over to the middle school for 7th grade math. He will also be continuing to work with specialists to learn more about Aspergers Syndrome and how to function with it. I'm very hopeful that this will be a good year for him.
Charlie is now going to go by "Christian" I will see if I can remember that. the nice thing about having a new teacher is that she will only know him as Christian. She seems very nice. Also very young. One nice thing about a new teacher is their enthusiasm. I know that Christian will have a great year.
I am working with Stephen Marq at the airport now and am glad that I will be able to get them off to school in the morning and have a job during the school day. I am really enjoying working again. I still want to go back to school though.
Chris and I have several things that we are going to be involved in at church. We are excited to be starting Alpha next week on Tuesday nights. We will be involved as Table Leaders, I guess. This Saturday we'll find out exactly what that will mean. I also co-ordinate the Culver's Community Day fundraisers for our school each month, which also happen on a Tuesday night. And then PTO is ALSO on Tuesday nights. Tuesday is going to be a very busy day for me for the next 3 months. We were also going to start with a Small Group this Sept., but it looks like we are all just going to be involved in the Alpha thing to start with. That will help. But then we are both involved in Worship and might be starting to help out in the children's area too. We'll see if we are still functioning come Christmas!
I might do a separate post re: diabetes and such. This one is getting pretty long.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
hello, world!
So, it has been quite a while since I last posted. So much has been happening in our lives.
Our friend David has been living with us this summer and is getting ready to move in the next week and a half. Rand, who has given up his room, is excited to be getting back into his own space before school starts. He is going to be in 7th grade this year! I can't believe it! He will be joining the football team this fall which I'm really looking forward to. He is also going to be co-owning a fantasy football team with me. Hopefully we'll do better as a team than I did by myself last year.
I went in for surgery just over 3 weeks ago and had a Cone Biopsy, removing about half of my cervics. I was diagnosed with CIN3, which is very abnormal tissue growth. It is one step away from cancer, which is a little scary, but God is good and has been protecting me and blessing my family through this hard time. I go in for my final post-op appointment this week and am looking for a good report.
I am also starting a job! What a huge change that will be for us. I worked one day a week ago and will be staring tomorrow on a regular schedule. Four days a week, four hours a day. Rand is watching Charlie between now and the start of school and looking forward to making some money. I'm working a the airport for Stephen Marq, a musician that I worked for a few years ago, selling his CDs while he is playing his piano. He is an excellant composer and a great guy to work for.
In another area of our lives, our senior pastor's family is moving back to Iowa. We are sad to say good-bye to them, but also excited about what God is going to do in our church as we face a new challenge. Chris (my husband) and I have become more and more involved in our church since the Reeves' arrival about two and a half years ago. We have both learned a lot from Chris and Nicki. We will miss them dearly.
As I'm looking back over this post it seems very disconnected and rambling. But, at least I'm getting things down.
Until next time... hopefully not 2 months this time!
Our friend David has been living with us this summer and is getting ready to move in the next week and a half. Rand, who has given up his room, is excited to be getting back into his own space before school starts. He is going to be in 7th grade this year! I can't believe it! He will be joining the football team this fall which I'm really looking forward to. He is also going to be co-owning a fantasy football team with me. Hopefully we'll do better as a team than I did by myself last year.
I went in for surgery just over 3 weeks ago and had a Cone Biopsy, removing about half of my cervics. I was diagnosed with CIN3, which is very abnormal tissue growth. It is one step away from cancer, which is a little scary, but God is good and has been protecting me and blessing my family through this hard time. I go in for my final post-op appointment this week and am looking for a good report.
I am also starting a job! What a huge change that will be for us. I worked one day a week ago and will be staring tomorrow on a regular schedule. Four days a week, four hours a day. Rand is watching Charlie between now and the start of school and looking forward to making some money. I'm working a the airport for Stephen Marq, a musician that I worked for a few years ago, selling his CDs while he is playing his piano. He is an excellant composer and a great guy to work for.
In another area of our lives, our senior pastor's family is moving back to Iowa. We are sad to say good-bye to them, but also excited about what God is going to do in our church as we face a new challenge. Chris (my husband) and I have become more and more involved in our church since the Reeves' arrival about two and a half years ago. We have both learned a lot from Chris and Nicki. We will miss them dearly.
As I'm looking back over this post it seems very disconnected and rambling. But, at least I'm getting things down.
Until next time... hopefully not 2 months this time!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
I'm how old?
So we have recently changed health clubs from the YMCA to Lifetime Fitness, and one of the perks of starting at a new club is that they give you all of the free assessments to see just how badly you need to work out!
Yesterday and today I did an assessment that calculates your "Body Age". Now, I knew that I wasn't going to be coming in at my real age, not to mention under my age. I know that I haven't been doing anything since my ankle injury last November. I know that I'm heavier than I used to be and generally just not in good shape. All of that to say, I didn't have high hopes for the "Body Age" assessment. But, alas, it was still sad to see the calculations tell me that my body is 39. 39. that's one away from 40. 39.
Wow. That is a motivator, which is the point of course. Get me to sign up with a personal trainer, stay at the gym, keep giving them money. So, now I have a goal. I want to lose 20 pounds by Christmas. Do I think this will actually happen? I'm not going to hold my breath, Christmas is a long ways away! But I'm hoping that a goal will help me stay on track for losing the weight that I want to lose. And maybe by the time I turn 33, my "Body Age" will be too. :)
Yesterday and today I did an assessment that calculates your "Body Age". Now, I knew that I wasn't going to be coming in at my real age, not to mention under my age. I know that I haven't been doing anything since my ankle injury last November. I know that I'm heavier than I used to be and generally just not in good shape. All of that to say, I didn't have high hopes for the "Body Age" assessment. But, alas, it was still sad to see the calculations tell me that my body is 39. 39. that's one away from 40. 39.
Wow. That is a motivator, which is the point of course. Get me to sign up with a personal trainer, stay at the gym, keep giving them money. So, now I have a goal. I want to lose 20 pounds by Christmas. Do I think this will actually happen? I'm not going to hold my breath, Christmas is a long ways away! But I'm hoping that a goal will help me stay on track for losing the weight that I want to lose. And maybe by the time I turn 33, my "Body Age" will be too. :)
Monday, June 18, 2007
So far this summer
I think the kids and I are enjoying the summer so far. We've gone to Valleyfair a few times now. They have a new Roller Coaster this year called Renegade. It is one of the best roller coasters I've ever been on. What a blast! Charlie went on his first big coasters this year. He went on Renegade with me and then he went on the Wild Thing with Rand. He loved them!
We have also been swimming several times so far. The Health Club that we are members of now has a nice outside pool with slides that the kids are really enjoying. Give me a book, the sun and lots of happy kids? That is heaven to me!
We will be seeing family this upcoming weekend. Hopefully we are going to Iowa to my family reunion and then on Sunday we'll stop in Lanesboro to see Chris' Dad and brother/girlfriend, and Uncle too. Then this next week is going to be a hectic one! Nathan and Lydia will be at the house and so we'll have to figure out how to keep everyone sane. :) I'm sure it will go smoothly and we'll all come out of this loving each other even more! :)
I know... nothing philosophically thought provocing... And nothing even humorous. Sorry, TS. But, at least you know what's happening in this crazy world of mine. :)
We have also been swimming several times so far. The Health Club that we are members of now has a nice outside pool with slides that the kids are really enjoying. Give me a book, the sun and lots of happy kids? That is heaven to me!
We will be seeing family this upcoming weekend. Hopefully we are going to Iowa to my family reunion and then on Sunday we'll stop in Lanesboro to see Chris' Dad and brother/girlfriend, and Uncle too. Then this next week is going to be a hectic one! Nathan and Lydia will be at the house and so we'll have to figure out how to keep everyone sane. :) I'm sure it will go smoothly and we'll all come out of this loving each other even more! :)
I know... nothing philosophically thought provocing... And nothing even humorous. Sorry, TS. But, at least you know what's happening in this crazy world of mine. :)
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Good Quote
So I liked the Emily Dickenson that was on my blog today when I logged in. "Behavior is what a man does, not what he thinks, feels or believes." IT is so easy to say you believe something, but to live it is another matter all together.
Soon, very soon!
We are on the verge of school being out! I can't wait to have the kids home from school. We have seasonal passes to Valleyfair and have a membership at the new Lifetime Fitness in Lakeville which has an outside pool with a slide and a rock climbing area for use! I'm hoping to have some kind of flexible schedule each week including a day to go to the library, VF and Lifetime Fitness.
Trips planned this year? In two weeks we're heading to Iowa for our annual family reunion. We get to go to my Uncle's cabin which is on a pond loaded with fish. It is the only time that I get to see my grandparents and cousins. The boys love goinjg fishing, and it is a general blast! We are also planning a trip to Mount Rushmore with the kids this summer. It will be the first vacation that we have taken with only the kids. We are all excited about that. And then we have our annual camping trip with my parents and my brother's family up at Temperence River in August. We will actually be there on Chris' and my 11th anniversary! What a fun summer we'll have.
So, I am counting down the last two days. Tomorrow I get to go on a field trip with Matrim and then on Thursday night we're taking the kids to the drive-in to see Shrek the 3rd and celebrate the beginning of summer.
So, there's the little update on where I am at and on what's going on in my little corner of the world. Hope you are all enjoying your week!
Trips planned this year? In two weeks we're heading to Iowa for our annual family reunion. We get to go to my Uncle's cabin which is on a pond loaded with fish. It is the only time that I get to see my grandparents and cousins. The boys love goinjg fishing, and it is a general blast! We are also planning a trip to Mount Rushmore with the kids this summer. It will be the first vacation that we have taken with only the kids. We are all excited about that. And then we have our annual camping trip with my parents and my brother's family up at Temperence River in August. We will actually be there on Chris' and my 11th anniversary! What a fun summer we'll have.
So, I am counting down the last two days. Tomorrow I get to go on a field trip with Matrim and then on Thursday night we're taking the kids to the drive-in to see Shrek the 3rd and celebrate the beginning of summer.
So, there's the little update on where I am at and on what's going on in my little corner of the world. Hope you are all enjoying your week!
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Recent news
My husband posted yesterday about feeling stretched thin. There have been several things pulling on us lately. In our attempts to meet our family's needs, our personal needs, our marrital needs and help our friends' (our chosen family) it has become a bit overwhelming. But! Last night my husband and I sat in bed and watched TV together. We had a good conversation about what happened yesterday and I found myself content and peaceful. I am thankful for the relationship that I have with Chris. I can not imagine not having him to lean on, and be leaned on by him.
It is interesting how God works. In the midst of this time of giving, God has brought something from my past into my mind. An event that I had forgotten about, but was still effecting the way I think and react. God has started healing me of a violation that is now 14 years old. The fear, self-hatred, and shame connected with this violation was clinging to me. I thought that I had delt with all of that stuff a while ago, but there was more hiding in the crevises of my emotional being. And while it has been a painful and uncomfortable process, God knew that there was still some junk that needed to be cleaned out. Chris and I went and prayed with N from church yesterday and it was really good. I am grateful to have a God that will push me into the uncomfortable in order to heal me. This will probably take a couple weeks or processing, but I am well on my way.
It is interesting how God works. In the midst of this time of giving, God has brought something from my past into my mind. An event that I had forgotten about, but was still effecting the way I think and react. God has started healing me of a violation that is now 14 years old. The fear, self-hatred, and shame connected with this violation was clinging to me. I thought that I had delt with all of that stuff a while ago, but there was more hiding in the crevises of my emotional being. And while it has been a painful and uncomfortable process, God knew that there was still some junk that needed to be cleaned out. Chris and I went and prayed with N from church yesterday and it was really good. I am grateful to have a God that will push me into the uncomfortable in order to heal me. This will probably take a couple weeks or processing, but I am well on my way.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Brag Time
So as you all know, my eldest son Rand is in 6th grade this year. In Apple Valley, 6th grade is part of the middle school, so many changes have come our way. First I just have to say that Rand has done exceedingly well! I am very happy for him and very proud of him.
One of his accomplishments was just awarded him this week. All of the 6th graders in our school district (6 middle schools) had to write an essay about a grandparent or adult friend. Rand wrote an essay about my father titled "My Wacky Grandpa Silvers". 50 essays were chosen from each school and sent into the Senior Citizens something or other, and then they read and chose two from each school, one boy and one girl, to receive the "grand prize". Well, I bet you can guess where this is going, Rand won!! We had a nice ceremony on Tuesday and each of the kids got to read their essay to the group. Rand did a great job, of course, and I was very proud. I'll see if I can figure out how to upload a picture... I've never done that before. If there's no picture, you'll know that I haven't figured it out! Thanks for reading about my little boy!
One of his accomplishments was just awarded him this week. All of the 6th graders in our school district (6 middle schools) had to write an essay about a grandparent or adult friend. Rand wrote an essay about my father titled "My Wacky Grandpa Silvers". 50 essays were chosen from each school and sent into the Senior Citizens something or other, and then they read and chose two from each school, one boy and one girl, to receive the "grand prize". Well, I bet you can guess where this is going, Rand won!! We had a nice ceremony on Tuesday and each of the kids got to read their essay to the group. Rand did a great job, of course, and I was very proud. I'll see if I can figure out how to upload a picture... I've never done that before. If there's no picture, you'll know that I haven't figured it out! Thanks for reading about my little boy!
Where have I been?
So about 2 weeks ago I got sick. Started with an upset tummy and runny nose. The tummy got better but was replaces by an increasingly bad cough. Now the whole thing has become a full blown sinus infection and this morning when I worke up my eye lids were swollen! My goodness. I hate to ask whats next. But all of this to say, I've been busy resting a lot lately and haven't been online at all. Sorry.
I have started dealing with an event from my past. The stuffed emotions and fears are bubbling to the surface. God has interesting timing. I really thought I was doin' pretty well there! But Last night, when I'm sick as a dog, it all boiled over. God is good. So is my husband. So is my Mom who came over at 12:30am to pray for me. Maybe someday soon I'll be ready to write about it more. Until then... Ciao!
I have started dealing with an event from my past. The stuffed emotions and fears are bubbling to the surface. God has interesting timing. I really thought I was doin' pretty well there! But Last night, when I'm sick as a dog, it all boiled over. God is good. So is my husband. So is my Mom who came over at 12:30am to pray for me. Maybe someday soon I'll be ready to write about it more. Until then... Ciao!
Monday, May 14, 2007
Wow! It has been weeks since I last posted! Life has been FULL of things and people needing my attention and love. I am continuing to learn what it means to wholly rely upon God. I comprehend what God's protection in our lives looks like. I am also learning how to care for others and be there to give someone else support, and do it through God's love and power rather than trying to give out of my own shallow well. It is amazing to me how God is able to give to us without ceasing! He has more than we, the entire human race, will ever need! He does not grow weary! The hard part is letting Him supply all that I need and not turn back to myself to make things work, or to comfort someone out of my own heart rather than out of God's amazing love.
When I find my self weary, or having nothing left to give, I realize that I was working out of my own power again. God, please renew me, and let me dip into your well of life rather than trying to do it on my own.
I lift my eyes up,
To the mountain.
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from You,
Maker of Heaven,
Creator of the earth!
Oh how I need you, Lord!
You are my only hope.
You are my only prayer.
So I will wait for you,
To come and rescue me.
Come and Give me Life!
This is my prayer. This is my desire. That I may walk in the house of the Lord, forever.
When I find my self weary, or having nothing left to give, I realize that I was working out of my own power again. God, please renew me, and let me dip into your well of life rather than trying to do it on my own.
I lift my eyes up,
To the mountain.
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from You,
Maker of Heaven,
Creator of the earth!
Oh how I need you, Lord!
You are my only hope.
You are my only prayer.
So I will wait for you,
To come and rescue me.
Come and Give me Life!
This is my prayer. This is my desire. That I may walk in the house of the Lord, forever.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Ella
So, my family has been cat sitting since October. She is a wonderful cat! But this morning I discovered that she got out of the house and she has not returned yet. I am sad and worried about her. I'm really hoping htat she finds her way back to the house or someone picks her up and takes her to the shelter. Not only is she a great cat, but how will Matthew feel if I have lost his cat! God, please bring her back to us!!
Friday, April 20, 2007
Heading out
So... I meant to get back on the other day and post... now I can't remember what it was I was going to tell you about!!
In regards to D.'s post on friends: (I couldn't comment on your blog for some reason) Friendships are a treasure in life. There are few things that I deem as important as a true friend. God is one, and family is the other. Without those three, life would be impossible.
To my dear friends, Thank you for your friendship over the years, through my ups and downs, through my insanities, for loving my children and my husband, and for being there to talk to or cry on when needed.
In regards to D.'s post on friends: (I couldn't comment on your blog for some reason) Friendships are a treasure in life. There are few things that I deem as important as a true friend. God is one, and family is the other. Without those three, life would be impossible.
To my dear friends, Thank you for your friendship over the years, through my ups and downs, through my insanities, for loving my children and my husband, and for being there to talk to or cry on when needed.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
To copy my friend: The un-blog
I have spent this morning reading comments, replying to those, reading my other friends' blogs and commenting there. I think I'm ready to post something fun and light-hearted... I'll do that later today. Love you all!
Friday, April 13, 2007
Personal rights
A friend of mine mentioned to me today that we have no "rights" with God. Everything that we have is given to us by God out of His grace.
Wow... What a thought. I think this one deserves some consideration.
Our culture and society is all about our freedoms and rights. Yet I see over and over in the Bible men and women of God laying down their lives to do what God tells them to do. And yet, I also believe that God wouldn't want us to be wimps, and be controlled or manipulated by other people.
What does this mean in our lives? What does giving God full control of my life look like? What does obedience to His word look like? At what point do I stop turning the other cheek?
And, yes... I know this is another potential hornet's nest. But I value your opinions.
Wow... What a thought. I think this one deserves some consideration.
Our culture and society is all about our freedoms and rights. Yet I see over and over in the Bible men and women of God laying down their lives to do what God tells them to do. And yet, I also believe that God wouldn't want us to be wimps, and be controlled or manipulated by other people.
What does this mean in our lives? What does giving God full control of my life look like? What does obedience to His word look like? At what point do I stop turning the other cheek?
And, yes... I know this is another potential hornet's nest. But I value your opinions.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Why?
I don't know exactly what I'm going to write about today. It has been a hard week. I wish that I understood God better. I heard someone say once, "If God can do anything, why doesn't he stop suffering?" I have come to realize that suffering brings us closer to God and that through our trials we learn our most important lessons. But there are some things that really don't seem necessary to my human mind. I know Isiah says that our thoughts are not God's thoughts and neither are God's ways our ways. As the Heavens are high above the earth so are God's ways higher that ours.
But if God has the power and ability to change events and people's hearts... It is hard for me to understand some of the current events in my friends' lives. I guess I feel like what I have always thought was reality is being proven wrong to me. God gives and takes away. And there doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason for either.
I always thought that if you were in "right standing" with God, and you were praying and following his commandments to the best of your ability that you would be protected. Someone said if Jesus suffered, how can I expect better? How can I expect not to suffer? Because God says He loves us! Because He is a Good God! He also says that he will provide for our needs and watch over us. That we can hide in the safety of his wing! So why is there so much hurt? Why don't His angles stand guard and keep evil men away from us? Why doesn't God make more direct changes to our world? Free choice isn't all its cracked up to be.
But if God has the power and ability to change events and people's hearts... It is hard for me to understand some of the current events in my friends' lives. I guess I feel like what I have always thought was reality is being proven wrong to me. God gives and takes away. And there doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason for either.
I always thought that if you were in "right standing" with God, and you were praying and following his commandments to the best of your ability that you would be protected. Someone said if Jesus suffered, how can I expect better? How can I expect not to suffer? Because God says He loves us! Because He is a Good God! He also says that he will provide for our needs and watch over us. That we can hide in the safety of his wing! So why is there so much hurt? Why don't His angles stand guard and keep evil men away from us? Why doesn't God make more direct changes to our world? Free choice isn't all its cracked up to be.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Men's jobs vs. Women's jobs
So I was talking with a friend of mine today. We touched briefly on the topic of some things being considered a man's job, and others women's. She being single has a different view than I do having been married since I was 21. I went from my father and brother doing the "men's jobs" to my husband and now my own sons doing the "men's jobs". I recognize that I ahve a pretty old fashioned view of this and that the femenist movement has happened and all. But I think that there is also something to be said for certain roles.
I rely on my husband and boys to take out the garbage, mow the lawn, shovel the snow... but I also do the job if none of them are around or available. There is also a feeling in my marriage of my husband being the protector and provider for the family. I am a stay at home Mom and do not contribute to the financial side of life. But we (my husband and I) feel that the things that I DO with the kids and around the house is important. I do look to my husband to protect me and be my go-to guy.
What are your thoughts on this topic? I know that I kind of combined two things that are related to each other... but they are tumbled together in my mind right now. I am very interested in your opinions.
I rely on my husband and boys to take out the garbage, mow the lawn, shovel the snow... but I also do the job if none of them are around or available. There is also a feeling in my marriage of my husband being the protector and provider for the family. I am a stay at home Mom and do not contribute to the financial side of life. But we (my husband and I) feel that the things that I DO with the kids and around the house is important. I do look to my husband to protect me and be my go-to guy.
What are your thoughts on this topic? I know that I kind of combined two things that are related to each other... but they are tumbled together in my mind right now. I am very interested in your opinions.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Diabetes is Kicking my Behind
So I went into my Internal Medicine Doctor yesterday to check up on how I'm doing. She comes into the room and asks me how I think I'm doing... Never a good sign...
Well, I think I'm doing okay. I haven't been keeping up with my Lantus (long acting insulin), but I've been tryihng pretty hard on the Humalog (fast acting insulin). "Well, it's not good. Your last A1c was at a 9. This one is over 13."
I am shocked! I thought for sure it hadn't gotten worse! I was hoping for something better! So we go through all of the regular stuff. I know what I have to do I just don't be able to do it. But my good friend D. had a great suggestion for me. I take Ambien at night to sleep. If I don't take it, I don't sleep. So I don't forget to take my Ambien. If I take my Ambien and tape it to my Lantus, that will remind me every night when I need to take my insulin. Why haven't I done this before? Well... I have my meds by my bed now so that I take them as I'm going to bed and my morning ones are right there ready to go in the morning. Once I'm up and going about the business of the day, I forget to stop and take my meds. So I wanted to put my Lantus by my Ambien. But Latnus HAS to stay refrigerated! DUH! Take the Ambien to the Lantus! It isn't like I can say, "Aww, I don't want to get up and go out there to take my meds. I'm too tired, cuz I can't sleep without them! I don't know what I didn't switch that around years ago.
So... A big thank you to D. You have made my life easier, and healthier, and probably added life to my body.
Going back... "13!" I can't believe it. I'm in shock. I didn't even know what to say. So I'm going back the end of June and we'll see if I have been able to change my numbers. The hard thing is that this isn't a change for three months... This is a new way to live my life. This is a new decision every hour of every day. Do I test now or later? Do I have a cookie that was set out for a light snack? And if I do, do I take the 2 units of insulin to cover it? It would be easier to forego the cookie. Do I go on the walk with my neighbor? What's my blood sugar right now? Will I drop during the walk? Should I eat a quick granola bar? Then how much insulin do I take for that bar? I'll be burning off some of the carbs with the exercize... And we won't even mention what a woman's cycle does to my blood sugars!
Well... You get my point. I haven't been living the life I am supposed to. I need to be more meticulous about my diabetes care. I guess I still struggle with denial at times. Does that ever go away? I hope so. I think I go in phases now. Hopefully this will be a good phase that will stretch out a LONG time. :) So look for my new A1c level in June. We'll see if I go up or down. (BTW, A1c is your longterm bloodsugar levels. They want my A1c to be under 7. Chris has told me that if that happens I get to have another baby!!! as in thats how likely it is that i'll get my A1c that low. :()
Okay, I'm not sure if I can still put coherant thoughts together as my Ambien is really kicking in now. So, night-night!
Well, I think I'm doing okay. I haven't been keeping up with my Lantus (long acting insulin), but I've been tryihng pretty hard on the Humalog (fast acting insulin). "Well, it's not good. Your last A1c was at a 9. This one is over 13."
I am shocked! I thought for sure it hadn't gotten worse! I was hoping for something better! So we go through all of the regular stuff. I know what I have to do I just don't be able to do it. But my good friend D. had a great suggestion for me. I take Ambien at night to sleep. If I don't take it, I don't sleep. So I don't forget to take my Ambien. If I take my Ambien and tape it to my Lantus, that will remind me every night when I need to take my insulin. Why haven't I done this before? Well... I have my meds by my bed now so that I take them as I'm going to bed and my morning ones are right there ready to go in the morning. Once I'm up and going about the business of the day, I forget to stop and take my meds. So I wanted to put my Lantus by my Ambien. But Latnus HAS to stay refrigerated! DUH! Take the Ambien to the Lantus! It isn't like I can say, "Aww, I don't want to get up and go out there to take my meds. I'm too tired, cuz I can't sleep without them! I don't know what I didn't switch that around years ago.
So... A big thank you to D. You have made my life easier, and healthier, and probably added life to my body.
Going back... "13!" I can't believe it. I'm in shock. I didn't even know what to say. So I'm going back the end of June and we'll see if I have been able to change my numbers. The hard thing is that this isn't a change for three months... This is a new way to live my life. This is a new decision every hour of every day. Do I test now or later? Do I have a cookie that was set out for a light snack? And if I do, do I take the 2 units of insulin to cover it? It would be easier to forego the cookie. Do I go on the walk with my neighbor? What's my blood sugar right now? Will I drop during the walk? Should I eat a quick granola bar? Then how much insulin do I take for that bar? I'll be burning off some of the carbs with the exercize... And we won't even mention what a woman's cycle does to my blood sugars!
Well... You get my point. I haven't been living the life I am supposed to. I need to be more meticulous about my diabetes care. I guess I still struggle with denial at times. Does that ever go away? I hope so. I think I go in phases now. Hopefully this will be a good phase that will stretch out a LONG time. :) So look for my new A1c level in June. We'll see if I go up or down. (BTW, A1c is your longterm bloodsugar levels. They want my A1c to be under 7. Chris has told me that if that happens I get to have another baby!!! as in thats how likely it is that i'll get my A1c that low. :()
Okay, I'm not sure if I can still put coherant thoughts together as my Ambien is really kicking in now. So, night-night!
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
300
Chris and I went to see 300 again last night. But this time we went with Paula and David to the IMAX to see it. WOW! What a great movie to have on a HUGE screen! And the sound was so much better... It was a very fun date night!
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Eating Disorders
I was reading on Paula's Blog (listed on the right) about how to encourage healthy eating in society and as I was commenting I felt inspired to share my story here.
I have already shared with you that I have Type I Diabetes. What I have not shared is that I have struggled with Diabetic Bolemia for years. What is Diabetic Bolemia? Well, I will try to explain it simply and briefly. Your pancreas creates insulin. A Type I Diabetic's does not. Your body needs insulin to transfer glucose (food) from your blood to your cells. Without insulin, you can eat all the "right" food, and have all of the energy that you need in your blood, but your body can't get it out of your blood. So, your body thinks that it is starving if you don't take insulin. When you are starving, your body starts using your muscle and fat tissue to feed itself. This is VERY bad for your body, and can kill you, but you also loose weight quickly. So, a recently recognized eating disorder is what is called Diabetic Bolemia. A Type I Diabetic can binge all they want, not take insulin, and still loose weight.
I don't really know why this started in my life. Somehow I lost the ability to see myself honestly in the mirror. I always look fat to myself. I have gone from a size 12 to a size 4 being too big on me, and not seen a difference in the mirror. I have only in the last 2 years come to realize my distorted view. For years I starved myself by not taking my insulin, binging and eating copeous amounts of food all the while. It was so easy to loose weight that way. But it was never enough.
I was admitted into the hospital just over 2 years ago for severe depression. While there, I was also diagnosed with an eating disorder. After about one week in-patient I started a 5 week program for ED and Mood disorders. I would arrive at 8 in the morning and leave at 4. We were made to eat healthy breakfasts, snacks and lunches there. We were weighed in each morning, but not allowed to know what our weight was. It was very difficult. Between meals we had different groups and classes. One thing that they taught us was that we could not trust our hunger. We had to follow a Meal Plan, and trust that. The program was very helpful and kept me from killing myself with my ED.
What this program did not do was help me discover where this had come from. Only through God's help have I been able to stay healthy. But a week ago or so, my Mom asked me if I had been loosing weight. "No!" I said, "if anything I've been gaining." Then a day later my husband asked me the same question. "No," I said, "You're just in the mood."
A couple days later I was shopping with TS when I realized that perhaps I couldn't trust my own perception. So I asked her what she saw. She shared with me that the jeans I was wearing were definately looser on me now than they had been two weeks earlier. She was right. I had been at a size 12, I wore a size 8 today. But I don't see any difference. I don't feel the same overwhelming NEED to loose weight. I DO see that through God I am accepted. I DO know that my husband is attracted to me the way I am. So why do I still not see the truth in the mirror?
I think that our current society has so ingrained us with the importance of being skinny (to the point of being unhealthy) that some people can't even see what reality is! How awful is this?!
P asked on her blog, "What if it were harder to get stylish clothes for large sizes? Would this encourage people to live a healthier lifestyle?"
I feel the opposite. What if we didn't see size 0 clothing when we went shopping? Would we not think that we have to find some way to fit into those clothes in order to be pretty and desirable? What if the models that we see in magazines and on TV were a size 10? How would that change the mental and physical health of our population?
I will continue on this journey of seeking health for a long time to come, I think. I wish that it were easier, faster. Going back a few posts, I don't understand why God doesn't just reach down and make everything all better. But then how would I learn...
If you have issues with eating, self perception, weight... I would love to have an on-going support system to discuss triumphs and hard times.
I have already shared with you that I have Type I Diabetes. What I have not shared is that I have struggled with Diabetic Bolemia for years. What is Diabetic Bolemia? Well, I will try to explain it simply and briefly. Your pancreas creates insulin. A Type I Diabetic's does not. Your body needs insulin to transfer glucose (food) from your blood to your cells. Without insulin, you can eat all the "right" food, and have all of the energy that you need in your blood, but your body can't get it out of your blood. So, your body thinks that it is starving if you don't take insulin. When you are starving, your body starts using your muscle and fat tissue to feed itself. This is VERY bad for your body, and can kill you, but you also loose weight quickly. So, a recently recognized eating disorder is what is called Diabetic Bolemia. A Type I Diabetic can binge all they want, not take insulin, and still loose weight.
I don't really know why this started in my life. Somehow I lost the ability to see myself honestly in the mirror. I always look fat to myself. I have gone from a size 12 to a size 4 being too big on me, and not seen a difference in the mirror. I have only in the last 2 years come to realize my distorted view. For years I starved myself by not taking my insulin, binging and eating copeous amounts of food all the while. It was so easy to loose weight that way. But it was never enough.
I was admitted into the hospital just over 2 years ago for severe depression. While there, I was also diagnosed with an eating disorder. After about one week in-patient I started a 5 week program for ED and Mood disorders. I would arrive at 8 in the morning and leave at 4. We were made to eat healthy breakfasts, snacks and lunches there. We were weighed in each morning, but not allowed to know what our weight was. It was very difficult. Between meals we had different groups and classes. One thing that they taught us was that we could not trust our hunger. We had to follow a Meal Plan, and trust that. The program was very helpful and kept me from killing myself with my ED.
What this program did not do was help me discover where this had come from. Only through God's help have I been able to stay healthy. But a week ago or so, my Mom asked me if I had been loosing weight. "No!" I said, "if anything I've been gaining." Then a day later my husband asked me the same question. "No," I said, "You're just in the mood."
A couple days later I was shopping with TS when I realized that perhaps I couldn't trust my own perception. So I asked her what she saw. She shared with me that the jeans I was wearing were definately looser on me now than they had been two weeks earlier. She was right. I had been at a size 12, I wore a size 8 today. But I don't see any difference. I don't feel the same overwhelming NEED to loose weight. I DO see that through God I am accepted. I DO know that my husband is attracted to me the way I am. So why do I still not see the truth in the mirror?
I think that our current society has so ingrained us with the importance of being skinny (to the point of being unhealthy) that some people can't even see what reality is! How awful is this?!
P asked on her blog, "What if it were harder to get stylish clothes for large sizes? Would this encourage people to live a healthier lifestyle?"
I feel the opposite. What if we didn't see size 0 clothing when we went shopping? Would we not think that we have to find some way to fit into those clothes in order to be pretty and desirable? What if the models that we see in magazines and on TV were a size 10? How would that change the mental and physical health of our population?
I will continue on this journey of seeking health for a long time to come, I think. I wish that it were easier, faster. Going back a few posts, I don't understand why God doesn't just reach down and make everything all better. But then how would I learn...
If you have issues with eating, self perception, weight... I would love to have an on-going support system to discuss triumphs and hard times.
Finding more Weekend
So for the past 10 weeks Chris and I have been "organizing" the meals for a marriage course taught at our church on Sunday nights. There have been 21 couples in the course which is really cool... but cooking for 42 people has been a learning experience for me. The hardest thing though is that we thought that we would be finding people to volunteer each week and we'd just be organizing. But, I'm not very good at finding volunteers, as it turns out. So we have been very busy on our weekends. Saturday has typically been spent shopping and prepping food. Chris or I are always working the services on Sunday mornings, and then we're back all afternoon and evening cooking, serving and cleaning up. While this has given us a great sense of accomplishment and fullfillment in serving others, we are very ready for a break and very happy to find ourselves at the end of this session.
What on earth will we do with all of our rediscovered time?! I'm sure it will quickly get filled up with something else. But for now, it is SO nice to think of sleeping in on Saturday morning.
What on earth will we do with all of our rediscovered time?! I'm sure it will quickly get filled up with something else. But for now, it is SO nice to think of sleeping in on Saturday morning.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Whew... its the weekdays!
How many times have you heard TGIF? Today I'm thanking God that it is Monday! Our weekends recently have been so busy! And there is still a long list of things to get done. I suppose that is just going to be the way of it for the next few years. So today was supposed to be my recovery day. And although I am still feeling tired I did have a refreshing day. I am currently about to pass out and I'm realizing my post may not continue in any legible form. Unless, of course you enjoy having things with which to mock me mercilessly at some later date. Just know that I have been thinking of you all, and missing you all dearly and will try to post tomorrow.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Brag Time
So I just had to let everyone know that Rand won an Eagle Pride Award for Second Trimester at school! This is an award given to students for "outstanding achievement in the areas of academics, attitude, behavior, and performance". The teachers have to unanimously agree that he deserves the award. I am so proud! :)
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Diabetes wake-up call
So I just finished reading a post on my best friend's blog about the frustration of diabetes and it reminds me again of a lesson that I learned this last weekend. It took someone else to point it out to me too. It is a good thing that God is persistant in trying to get our attention. Here's the story.
I was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes in the fall of 1996. I had previously had Gestational Diabetes with my first child and was pregnant with my second. I thought for sure the Dr.s were wrong and when I gave birth to my child the diabetes would go away, just like it did the first time. Regretfully, I was wrong. I didn't understand why it hadn't gone away or why God hadn't healed me.
I had learned growing up, that if you had enough faith, God could heal you. I now realize that there is nothing I can do, or not do that "makes" things happen with God. He is the one in control. Sometimes He heals, sometimes He doesn't. The whole theory of God's Kingdom being in the now, and the not-yet is a fairly new concept for me. But that is a completely different post!
So, here I am, 10 years later still dealing with Diabetes. I have gone through times of really good control of my blood sugars, and REALLY BAD control of my sugars. In fact I purposefully stopped taking my insulin for a period of time when I was really depressed. And through it all, I have not suffered any serious consequences. When I went back to my Dr. after refusing my body the insulin it needed she was amazed that I was alive. This never really hit home for me until this weekend.
I have been working on controling my blood sugars for a couple years now. But sometimes life just gets crazy and I forget something. On Saturday we had one of the kids' friends over and had gone swimming and out to lunch. It was, by anyone's standards, chaotic, and I forgot to take my insulin with lunch. After getting home I laid down for a nap. When I got up I wasn't feeling well, but I ignored it. We then went out for some errands with the family. I realized while we were out that I had high blood sugar and needed to take some insulin but waited until we got home. We were gone for about an hour and a half.
By the time I got home, I was very short of breath, felt like I was going to faint, thought I was going to vomit, every muscle in my body ached... It was bad. I knew that my body was going into DKA. (Diabetic Ketoacidosis) Now, this is what happens when a diabetis doesn't take their insulin: Your body thinks that it is starving because it can't access the sugars in your blood, it starts using stored fat for energy, the by product of this is Ketones which make your blood acidic, the Ketones then send your body into shut-down mode. As long as you catch it, you can stop the process, if you don't catch it soon enough, it will kill you.
I test my blood and my Ketones. My blood sugar is at 597. (Testers only go to 600.) Normal is less that 100, higher than 80. And I was spilling Large amounts of Ketones. (Not good.) I had gone for months in years past with my blood sugar staying between 300 and 600, I hadn't gone into DKA. I can't tell you how many times I've tested my blood sugar and had the tester just say "HI" because it was over 600. Only once have I started to go into DKA. So for me to start getting that sick after just missing one dose of insulin was really weird!
I was able to get on top of it without going into ER which was good. The next morning I'm at church and I have a brownie. Literally 15 minutes later I am getting short of breath and feeling faint...
"What is going on?"
I had been convicted a couple of weeks ago that I had stopped asking God to heal me. I had been disappointed that He had not healed me and had given up asking. I felt let down. But I was realizing that God didn't want me to stop asking. I'm not sure why.
So I'm talking to my Pastor's wife on Monday and she points out to me that maybe God was showing me what would ahve happened all of these years if He wasn't protecting me and keeping my body healthy and functioning. Even though I didn't see it, He was working on my behalf! And now that I have the mental health to be responsible and do the things that I am supposed to do, He is giving me the sight to see what He has been doing for me.
Wow. I hate this disease, and I do hope that God will one day take this from me. But I am so thankful that He got me through the last 10 years. Thank you God!
I was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes in the fall of 1996. I had previously had Gestational Diabetes with my first child and was pregnant with my second. I thought for sure the Dr.s were wrong and when I gave birth to my child the diabetes would go away, just like it did the first time. Regretfully, I was wrong. I didn't understand why it hadn't gone away or why God hadn't healed me.
I had learned growing up, that if you had enough faith, God could heal you. I now realize that there is nothing I can do, or not do that "makes" things happen with God. He is the one in control. Sometimes He heals, sometimes He doesn't. The whole theory of God's Kingdom being in the now, and the not-yet is a fairly new concept for me. But that is a completely different post!
So, here I am, 10 years later still dealing with Diabetes. I have gone through times of really good control of my blood sugars, and REALLY BAD control of my sugars. In fact I purposefully stopped taking my insulin for a period of time when I was really depressed. And through it all, I have not suffered any serious consequences. When I went back to my Dr. after refusing my body the insulin it needed she was amazed that I was alive. This never really hit home for me until this weekend.
I have been working on controling my blood sugars for a couple years now. But sometimes life just gets crazy and I forget something. On Saturday we had one of the kids' friends over and had gone swimming and out to lunch. It was, by anyone's standards, chaotic, and I forgot to take my insulin with lunch. After getting home I laid down for a nap. When I got up I wasn't feeling well, but I ignored it. We then went out for some errands with the family. I realized while we were out that I had high blood sugar and needed to take some insulin but waited until we got home. We were gone for about an hour and a half.
By the time I got home, I was very short of breath, felt like I was going to faint, thought I was going to vomit, every muscle in my body ached... It was bad. I knew that my body was going into DKA. (Diabetic Ketoacidosis) Now, this is what happens when a diabetis doesn't take their insulin: Your body thinks that it is starving because it can't access the sugars in your blood, it starts using stored fat for energy, the by product of this is Ketones which make your blood acidic, the Ketones then send your body into shut-down mode. As long as you catch it, you can stop the process, if you don't catch it soon enough, it will kill you.
I test my blood and my Ketones. My blood sugar is at 597. (Testers only go to 600.) Normal is less that 100, higher than 80. And I was spilling Large amounts of Ketones. (Not good.) I had gone for months in years past with my blood sugar staying between 300 and 600, I hadn't gone into DKA. I can't tell you how many times I've tested my blood sugar and had the tester just say "HI" because it was over 600. Only once have I started to go into DKA. So for me to start getting that sick after just missing one dose of insulin was really weird!
I was able to get on top of it without going into ER which was good. The next morning I'm at church and I have a brownie. Literally 15 minutes later I am getting short of breath and feeling faint...
"What is going on?"
I had been convicted a couple of weeks ago that I had stopped asking God to heal me. I had been disappointed that He had not healed me and had given up asking. I felt let down. But I was realizing that God didn't want me to stop asking. I'm not sure why.
So I'm talking to my Pastor's wife on Monday and she points out to me that maybe God was showing me what would ahve happened all of these years if He wasn't protecting me and keeping my body healthy and functioning. Even though I didn't see it, He was working on my behalf! And now that I have the mental health to be responsible and do the things that I am supposed to do, He is giving me the sight to see what He has been doing for me.
Wow. I hate this disease, and I do hope that God will one day take this from me. But I am so thankful that He got me through the last 10 years. Thank you God!
Sunday, March 4, 2007
A Whole Week?!
YES! It has been a whole week since I've posted. Worse than that, I don't think I even checked my e-mail all week! Needless to say it has been a crazy one.
First, let me say that I have really enjoyed having a piano to play! I am thrilled with how quickly the basics have some back to me. I have spent some time each day standing in front of my big picture window playing worship songs and singing. I over-did-it on Tuesday and hurt my left elbow and wrist. (I was diagnosed with Tennis Elbow about a year ago. It usually doesn't hurt me, but I also try to limit my time at the computer, and now at the piano, I guess.) So Tuesday night I was in a lot of pain. But it was worth it! I haven't gotten the chance to sit down with my guitar yet. I think I need to get my Dad to sit down with me to remind me of things. I played the piano longer as a child than I did the guitar as a teen. And so, even though the guitar was in more recent history, I don't remember it well.
Second let me say that I really enjoyed having the kids home on Friday! Snow days rock! I am bummed though that we couldn't make our trip to Iowa this weekend. We had planned to make the trip to Iowa as a family for a Friday night/Saturday conference through our church. The kids were really looking forward to staying at the hotel and swimming. Regretfully, the snow storm hit and I didn't want to risk their lives. Silly me. So, to make up for it, I took Mat and Charlie and one of his friends to see Bridge to Terabithia on Friday night. Oh, My... I cried my eyes out! And then on Saturday we went to the YMCA and swam for an hour or so. Then after going out to lunch we watched movies together. It really was a great weekend.
There is more to share, but I have to go get Charlie convinced that he really can sleep at night. :)
First, let me say that I have really enjoyed having a piano to play! I am thrilled with how quickly the basics have some back to me. I have spent some time each day standing in front of my big picture window playing worship songs and singing. I over-did-it on Tuesday and hurt my left elbow and wrist. (I was diagnosed with Tennis Elbow about a year ago. It usually doesn't hurt me, but I also try to limit my time at the computer, and now at the piano, I guess.) So Tuesday night I was in a lot of pain. But it was worth it! I haven't gotten the chance to sit down with my guitar yet. I think I need to get my Dad to sit down with me to remind me of things. I played the piano longer as a child than I did the guitar as a teen. And so, even though the guitar was in more recent history, I don't remember it well.
Second let me say that I really enjoyed having the kids home on Friday! Snow days rock! I am bummed though that we couldn't make our trip to Iowa this weekend. We had planned to make the trip to Iowa as a family for a Friday night/Saturday conference through our church. The kids were really looking forward to staying at the hotel and swimming. Regretfully, the snow storm hit and I didn't want to risk their lives. Silly me. So, to make up for it, I took Mat and Charlie and one of his friends to see Bridge to Terabithia on Friday night. Oh, My... I cried my eyes out! And then on Saturday we went to the YMCA and swam for an hour or so. Then after going out to lunch we watched movies together. It really was a great weekend.
There is more to share, but I have to go get Charlie convinced that he really can sleep at night. :)
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Something Old, Something New
I grew up in a musical family and as such played several instruments when I was younger. First was the piano, then the flute then the bass guitar. I have been wanting to get back to the piano for about a year and a half now, and have always wanted to get back to the guitar.
So... Something Old: A while back I sold my bass guitar to my Dad because I needed some extra cash and he was willing to play "Pawn Shop" for me. At the time I didn't know if I would ever be able to buy it back. It was hard to get rid of, but I hadn't played it in over 8 years! But, today my husband took me to get an amp and I bought the bass guitar back! I'm so excited. Now I just have to remember how to play!
And Something New: Chris mentioned last night that he wanted to get a piano keyboard. I had NO idea he had even been thinking about it! But he apparently is interested in learning how to play. Who would have thought? And my oldest son in also interested in learning a little bit. So, he went out and bought one today!
I'm so excited! We suddenly have music instruments in the house! I was able to stand in my dining room tonight and play worship songs! What a great day.
Thank you God! Oh... and Chris too. ;)
So... Something Old: A while back I sold my bass guitar to my Dad because I needed some extra cash and he was willing to play "Pawn Shop" for me. At the time I didn't know if I would ever be able to buy it back. It was hard to get rid of, but I hadn't played it in over 8 years! But, today my husband took me to get an amp and I bought the bass guitar back! I'm so excited. Now I just have to remember how to play!
And Something New: Chris mentioned last night that he wanted to get a piano keyboard. I had NO idea he had even been thinking about it! But he apparently is interested in learning how to play. Who would have thought? And my oldest son in also interested in learning a little bit. So, he went out and bought one today!
I'm so excited! We suddenly have music instruments in the house! I was able to stand in my dining room tonight and play worship songs! What a great day.
Thank you God! Oh... and Chris too. ;)
Monday, February 19, 2007
Parable of the Prodical Son
Hello, my friends! I had a very interesting experience on Friday night. I got the opportunity to join our church's youth group in attending Aquire the Fire, a conference designed to reach out to our teenagers. So Friday night the speaker was teaching on the parable of the Prodical Son. The speaker went through the story step by step. The son decides that he wants his inheritance before his father dies; the father gives him his inheritance. The son leaves the country and foolishly wastes all of his money on partying. Finding himself out of money and with no friends to help him, he gets a job feeding pigs. He is so hungry he wants to eat what is left over from the pigs. (ewww...)
NOW, this is where it gets interesting! I'm assuming that you all know what happens next. He realizes that even his father's servants are better off than he is; he is not worthy to be his father's son, but maybe his father will take him back as a servant. When his father sees him coming down the road, the father runs to greet his son, and throws a celebration to honor his son coming back.
This parable is typically told as an analogy to God's forgiveness and love for us. But the speaker Friday night shared a completely different point. The son, after realizing that he was starving and would be better off as his father's servant had to DO SOMETHING! He couldn't just stand there in the pig sty and cry out, "Help me, Father! I'm cold and hungry. Help me! Come and save me!" He had to STEP OUT of the pig sty, and GO TO his Father.
How often to we as people stand in our sin and misery and ask God to help us, then wonder why things don't get better? How often do we ask God to help us with something and then get frustrated when we keep having to deal with the same issues? We have to step away from our behaviors and choices! We have to stop following what "the world" tells us and start following what God has told us to do!
Jesus didn't say to his disciples, "Come on, let me take you by the hand and drag you out of your life." He said "Follow me." And they FOLLOWED Him. It takes action! You have to choose to walk away from your current life, the things that you are comfortable with and all of the habits that you have. We have to be ready to make a commitment to doing what God wants you to do. And then God is faithful to forgive us our sin and to provide for us.
Also, something else that he said that I found really interesting was that no where in the Bible does it say "accept Jesus." In America we have a very passive Christianity. In fact only once does it use the phrase "receive Jesus" in the Bible, and there the Greek word that is used means "to grab a hold of". We seem to have come to the conclusion that God is standing in front of us, holding out his hand saying, "Please accept this gift that I have for you." When Biblically, God says "Follow me." It isn't a question, "Please, will you?"
Wow... How does that effect my current relationship with God? There are so many things to contemplate.
NOW, this is where it gets interesting! I'm assuming that you all know what happens next. He realizes that even his father's servants are better off than he is; he is not worthy to be his father's son, but maybe his father will take him back as a servant. When his father sees him coming down the road, the father runs to greet his son, and throws a celebration to honor his son coming back.
This parable is typically told as an analogy to God's forgiveness and love for us. But the speaker Friday night shared a completely different point. The son, after realizing that he was starving and would be better off as his father's servant had to DO SOMETHING! He couldn't just stand there in the pig sty and cry out, "Help me, Father! I'm cold and hungry. Help me! Come and save me!" He had to STEP OUT of the pig sty, and GO TO his Father.
How often to we as people stand in our sin and misery and ask God to help us, then wonder why things don't get better? How often do we ask God to help us with something and then get frustrated when we keep having to deal with the same issues? We have to step away from our behaviors and choices! We have to stop following what "the world" tells us and start following what God has told us to do!
Jesus didn't say to his disciples, "Come on, let me take you by the hand and drag you out of your life." He said "Follow me." And they FOLLOWED Him. It takes action! You have to choose to walk away from your current life, the things that you are comfortable with and all of the habits that you have. We have to be ready to make a commitment to doing what God wants you to do. And then God is faithful to forgive us our sin and to provide for us.
Also, something else that he said that I found really interesting was that no where in the Bible does it say "accept Jesus." In America we have a very passive Christianity. In fact only once does it use the phrase "receive Jesus" in the Bible, and there the Greek word that is used means "to grab a hold of". We seem to have come to the conclusion that God is standing in front of us, holding out his hand saying, "Please accept this gift that I have for you." When Biblically, God says "Follow me." It isn't a question, "Please, will you?"
Wow... How does that effect my current relationship with God? There are so many things to contemplate.
MyHeritage.com
So I thought this was kinda cool. I think most of my friendfs have already done this. You upload a picture of yourself and myheritage shows you which celebrities you look kike. This is my SECOND attempt. My first picture I have my glasses on and my hair was pulled back and it told me that I looked like two Asian women. I think take two worked better. :)
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Here we go!
So I have been fighting against the whole blogging thing. But I am now giving in! I don't know how well I'll do at keeping this updated... And I'm not even sure what I'll be putting on here.
Why have I come to this decision? I spent the last couple hours reading my husband's and friends' blogs and have enjoyed getting little tid bits of things not included in our conversations. Or in some cases extentions of our conversations. So, thank you for stopping by, and hopefully we'll have some fun!
Why have I come to this decision? I spent the last couple hours reading my husband's and friends' blogs and have enjoyed getting little tid bits of things not included in our conversations. Or in some cases extentions of our conversations. So, thank you for stopping by, and hopefully we'll have some fun!
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