Amazing Grace

A Boost!

2010-12-21T11:06:00.000-08:00

It's exciting sometimes when new ideas whose time have come arrive at a place of fruition. We've 3 churches of our denomination in the area none of which have large youth groups, and it is exciting because we've agreed to come together and create a joint youth group.

It was impressive to see that there is a recognition of the ability to provide more than mere monetary support-- and on the part of our small struggling congregation that means the world. It will be interesting to see this all play out.

I am excited, and thrilled to see the youth ministry invigorated in this way. I think it will be tremendously beneficial to us all. Huzzah! and Praise God, for those willing to listen even when He calls us to doing things in ways that it hasn't been done before.

Priceless

2010-12-09T07:48:00.000-08:00

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the BVM

2010-12-07T13:53:00.000-08:00

Blessed Virgin Mary... ah, yes... a true source of discord in the Christian world this particular feast day. It is also, a time for us to maybe grow in understanding of the difference in world view that encompasses Christianity. To that end, I include here a link to a wonderful article that explains the traditional Catholic and Anglo-Catholic viewpoint. We do not say that Mary was without sin on her own, but through God's grace.

Without Stain

Welcome to Advent!

2010-12-01T05:44:00.000-08:00

My personal faith tradition is rich in liturgical seasons, colors, meanings and symbols. Many of my friends and family though don't follow the church year in the same way and can feel a bit lost when hearing about it. So this first blog in December is an attempt on my part to explain the season of Advent... what it means to those of us in faith traditions that observe the season, and how it helps us to connect with Christ.

Advent... many may be familiar with Advent Calendars, typically little pasteboard/cardstock type creations which contain candies and are designed to help children negotiate the days leading up to Christmas. The idea is that it helps them to manage the anticipation of the big day. And while, certainly, anticipation is part of the season of Advent... it goes further or should.

Like Lent, the season of Advent is typically observed as a time of fasting and prayer. The color of the season is purple. This has symbolic meaning. Purple is the color of royalty and during Advent we remember the world awaiting it's King and Savior. Purple is also the color used during Lent to mark the suffering Christ underwent for us, and so the use of the color here acts as a foreshadowing of Lent and Easter to come. We cannot, however much we might like to, separate Christ's birth from His sacrifice for us. The two are inextricably intertwined.

During Advent, a liturgical church will incorporate times of confession and a recognition of our unworthiness of Christ's sacrifice for us which is why it is also a time of penitence and prayer. We both celebrate Christ's first Advent and we focus on the fact that He is here with us now, and will come again with power. We anticipate the season of that second coming during Advent as well as the lead up to Christmas.

We use an Advent wreath to mark the four Sundays which lead up to Christmas. Each Sunday is marked by a candle. The first three in my tradition are purple. The fourth is pink to mark that the season of Joy is approaching. There is a candle in the center of white, which will be lit on Christmas Day.

We look toward Advent as a time to turn our hearts toward God. To stop focusing on our circumstances which as we define them are either good or bad, and our hope if it is in them will always be dashed. Instead, we look toward God. Knowing that He can and does through Christ offer us newness, redemption, recovery and transformation through and out of our circumstances. In short, Advent is about hope and Him who brings it.

Have a blessed Advent!

Righteousness

2010-11-23T05:08:00.000-08:00

In my reading, I've discovered something interesting about the ancient Hebraic concept of righteousness. Often, we get hung up on the idea that to be righteous was to dot i's and cross t's in Judaism. However, that may not be the way the ancients saw it.

Tsadiq which is the Hebrew word used for righteousness in the first 11 chapters of Genesis (my current focus of study) is the same word used for making an animal sacrifice to God. The idea here is that the animal must be physically perfect, without blemish. We've taken that to mean moral perfection in humanity.

However, it doesn't mean that at all. It means someone who is in right relationship with God, with others. Someone who doesn't interfere in the relationship their neighbor has with God, and doesn't interfere in his neighbor's relationship with others either.

Since Westboro Baptist was in town this weekend, I started to wonder... how much "righteousness" do these people have really? What damage have they done to the relationship of gay persons with God? What damage have they done to the relationship of Christians with others as we allow this hatefulness to become representative of us by not speaking out, showing up and in short, allowing them to define us? In the Book of Common Prayer, our common confession includes the phrase, "for what we have done and left undone". We CAN sin by omission.

I come back to one of the first things: If ministry is defined as any act a Christian (or one who identifies as such) does to another... then what exactly does this ministry look like? Personally, I think it looks a lot like sin.

Today...

2010-11-19T12:16:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for clean, potable running water.

I grew up in northern Minnesota. We had pipes that would freeze every winter in our bathroom, and once a week, my father would thaw the pipes in the tub so that we could bathe. Once a week! Now, you must understand... Dad was born in 1907 so weekly bathing was not an uncommon or odd occurence for him as it was for those of us growing up in the 1970's.

When we moved in... we didn't have running water. We had a hand pump. All of which makes me a throwback to another time in many ways. But it does make me appreciate some conveniences that many of us take for granted. Running water is one of them.

If you're looking for a worthwhile cause, and trying to find a way to put more Christ in your Christmas... you could do worse than the Advent Conspiracy. And, you'd be blessing more people in the world with the gift of clean, drinking water.

Thankful Thursday!

2010-11-18T06:18:00.000-08:00

Aldous Huxley once wrote: Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted.

In an effort to alter that about myself... I'm focusing on gratitude for the next few days as we lead up to Thanksgiving.

Today I'm thankful that:

I have legs in my stockings so that I can run, and walk. (Thanks, G.K. Chesterton!)

I have hot coffee.

The sunrise was beautiful this a.m.

There's a new choral evensong available on the BBC 3 Radio iPlayer.

Oatmeal exists. Hot, filling and delicious with just a lil butter and salt.

How about you? What are you thankful for today?

Gratitude

2010-11-17T06:07:00.000-08:00

Real thankfulness... it's never been in high supply. Shakespeare's King Lear says: "How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child." In the Bible, we see 9 of 10 lepers healed who do not turn back to thank Christ but instead carry on their way... the one who is doubly outcast by leprosy and by heritage (being Samaritan) is the only one who thanks Jesus.

Why am I thinking about this? Well, you might surmise that as a parent of teenagers I've encountered my fair share of ingratitude. That's true! However, I recognize fully how blessed I am by my children and I want to express/and will in another post on another day how grateful I am to have had the privilege of raising of them thus far.

No, the reason for this blog... is to call myself out. I am very blessed and thankful to live in a place and time where I and others have the luxury of debating what are very small doctrinal issues (in the scope of things) in our faith. Should women be pastors? Should we ordain gay/lesbian/bi/transexuals? Enmeshing ourselves in such dialogue indicates that we are not concerned with: a) persecution, or b) simple survival.

So... thanks God. Thank you for allowing me to live out my faith in a place and time where I am safe, protected, and have what I need to live. Thank you for others of faith who have the same and for our disagreements. They enable us to grow as iron sharpens iron.

Menu Planning Monday on Tuesday!

2010-11-16T10:11:00.000-08:00

Tonight... oh good heavens, what shall I make??? I think since I need to do a live lecture at 7 p.m. that a good choice is one that is EASY. So, I'm actually planning on rice/Kashi pilaf, trout, and frozen veggies.

Wednesday... basic potato chowder with crusty bread and a green salad

Thursday... Spaghetti

Friday... date night so???

Saturday... leftover spaghetti

Sunday... Feast of Thanksgiving-- I'm making a turkey, and there will be sides a plenty. Mass at 12:00 noon, dinner at conclusion... please come!! All are truly welcome!

Monday... tomato soup and grilled cheese. I'll have the soup in the crockpot and the grilled cheese can be made to suit.

Tuesday... Shrimp Scampi

Wednesday... Catfish gumbo over hot rice

Thursday... THANKSGIVING...

And that should get us through for a bit.

A Line from the BCP of the Church of Ireland

2010-11-16T05:15:00.001-08:00

Let us pray for those who hate us as we pray for those who love us. (Taken from a Late Evening Office BCP Church of Ireland 2004 edition)

Wow. This line is stuck in my head today after using it in worship at EFM last night. There is something so... aware in it. First, it acknowledges that we need God's help in order to pray for those who hate us.

We cannot do that on our own power. The only way it happens is if we give up ourselves and let Jesus shine through. As St. John of the Cross indicates and I paraphrase here: it is about becoming less of us, so that He might be greater.

Second, it acknowledges that even if we do pray for those who hate us it is most certainly not as we pray for those who love us. It is easy to pray for those who think like us, and agree with us, and who love us. Often, because we love them too.

Prayer for those we hate... is hard with a capital H. We do not understand them, and do not know how to pray for them. We do not believe that they think like us, and often they do not agree with us.

I suspect that part of the reason I'm turning this over and over again in my poor brain is that... when called out by another for the undeniable consequences of his words, a man I respect has responded by justifying them due to church politics and his own feelings of rejection. Maybe because we've just finished looking at Cain and Abel, I feel a sense in which there was an opportunity to build community/communion. And instead, the response is... am I my brother's keeper? Or more accurately, I don't need to worry about/have empathy for my brother because I am also hurting.

If we focus on the hurt... we turn away from each other and the lack of empathy very quickly becomes hate for opposing viewpoints.

So I come back to that line again...

Let us pray for those who hate us as we pray for those who love us.
Lord, have mercy.

2010-11-12T07:49:00.000-08:00

So... today... I'm busy.

I'm baking. The bake/book/craft sale to benefit our United Pangyang school in South Sudan is coming up tomorrow and as usual, I find myself busy.

I'm baking: banana breads with chocolate chips, but without nuts!, irish soda bread (my fil's request), a pumpkin and apple pie, a cherry tart, and my dd is making rainbow cupcakes. Yeah.

So... I'm afraid... I've got next to no time!

2010-11-09T11:12:00.000-08:00

This is too good not to share...

Anglican Bishops are turning to Rome

*whistles a little tune*

No Place for Moderates

2010-11-03T06:25:00.000-07:00

On the one hand, I'm really glad that there has been a check on some of the crazy liberal actions and figures as a result of yesterday's election. However, I am disappointed at the number of middle of the road candidates who lost. I am confident that extremism on both sides is not the answer.

Unfortunately, that appears to be what our political system does best. We get rid of the people who can cross aisles. We get rid of the people who are level-headed, able to see both sides, and therefore able to create intelligent compromise.

I know, I know... many are not in favor of compromise. Winner take all, right? We do need to remember, though, that power shifts in politics are inevitable. And cramming down dissent does backfire.

I am mourning the loss of Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin. She was a good representative for South Dakota. She voted against most of the left's agenda. It wasn't enough, though.

So now we get Kristi Noem. A woman who's had issues with honesty throughout the campaign, who doesn't feel the need to follow traffic laws if she's in a hurry, without a college degree, and who doesn't appear to grasp the need for compromise. Nice.

I'm sure SD's voice will be heard now. NOT.

All Soul's Day today!

2010-11-02T05:48:00.000-07:00

In The Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion we recognize that all our Lord's faithful servants are worthy of and need remembrance. Not just those who have been canonized as saints!

On All Soul's Day we remember all the faithful Christians who have gone before us. This All Soul's Day, I'm remembering especially:

Walta Gill
Wava Ness
Otto Lotz
Marie McNally
Penny Gullette
Maxwell Gullette Sr.
Ed Haggar
Christopher Claude

Menu Plan:

Sunday- Tacos
Monday- Bratwurst and all the fixin's
Tuesday- Steak, mashed potatoes and greenbeans
Wednesday- Catfish gumbo, cornbread
Thursday- Leek and Cheese tart
Friday- Datenight
Saturday- Spaghetti

Thankful Thursday!

2010-10-28T10:56:00.000-07:00

1. The ability to run...

2. Warm fuzzy striped purple socks from a friend...

3. For the church!

4. For good friends who offer different perspectives

5. For craisins... my God, thank you! So delicious.

The Daily Office...

2010-10-27T06:25:00.000-07:00

A tutorial is being compiled at this website to help walk a newcomer through the Daily prayers. Morning, Noon, Evening, Compline. It helps to make time for the sacred in the busyness of our daily lives. It's a form of worship practiced for ages, and ages, and ages...

This helps to make it comprehensible.

Daily Office Tutorial

A Call to Prayer!

2010-10-27T05:33:00.000-07:00

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/sudan/

Please join me in praying over this referendum and the consequences likely. The Anglican Bishop of Sudan has issued a call to prayer and I, for one, will respond.

Menu Planning Monday on Tuesday + ramblings

2010-10-26T04:55:00.000-07:00

Sunday: Dh forgot I had chili in the crockpot so when he and ds left the coffee hour, they picked up a rotisserie chicken. Ah well... we had the chili for supper that night instead, and he took leftovers for lunch.

Monday: Pasta bake: It's my favorite way to use extra spaghetti sauce. Boil a lb of whatever pasta you have on hand, add spinach, lowfat or fat free cottage cheese, and mix together. Top with cheese if you wish, or skip it. We've now got half a pan of leftovers for later in the week. WOOT!

Tuesday: Beef crockpot stew

Wednesday: Steelhead trout, Kashi pilaf, broccoli

Thursday: Catfish gumbo over rice

Friday: Date night-- children can eat leftovers, dh and I will prolly pick up a sub.

Saturday: leftovers or if it's nice, I may try to talk dh into grilling some chicken drumsticks which we'll serve with mixed veggies and roasted potatoes.

------------------------------------------
Ramblings:

I've sort of alluded here to the fact that I'm embarking on a new educational project for myself. It's called Education for Ministry. It is a four year long course on the Bible, Old and New Testaments, the history of the church, and finishes with theology. I'm in year 1. The Old Testament.

It is absolutely eye-opening to me. There is much about the make-up of the Bible that laypeople are not taught. I wonder if this is why we have so much anguish in the church over literalism, and inerrancy.

The course is offered through Sewanee. I've just received my New Oxford Annotated Study Bible in the New Revised Standard Version 4th edition. Whew! Say that 5 times fast!! I dare ya. No, seriously, try it!

The other part of what I'm learning comes from my fellow students. I'm seeing how hurtful the "church's" stance on certain issues is. The lack of acceptance, the lack of showing real Christian love, is keeping people from the love of Christ... causing them to reject Him. We, after all, are His body here on earth. We act in His name.

If ministry can be viewed as anything that a Christian does to another person (a line from the EfM materials) ... well, what does my ministry look like? Am I bringing the love Christ has for all to them? Or am I standing in His way as He tries to reach them?

These are just a few of the things I've been pondering and wrestling with lately. I'm sure there will be more.

The Friday 5 10/22/10

2010-10-22T05:22:00.000-07:00

Holy Moly!

1. What gives you the heebie-jeebies?

2. When were you most recently in double trouble?

3. What puts you in the mood for hanky panky?

4. What easy breezy task is still a pain in the neck to accomplish?

5. What area in your life seems especially rife with mumbo-jumbo?

http://www.friday5.org/

When Did You Choose to Be Straight?

2010-10-21T05:40:00.000-07:00

Purple!

2010-10-21T05:27:00.001-07:00

As a redhead, I always thought that purple was an unfriendly color for me and my complexion. Turns out it's fine. My half-sister Penny showed me that. RIP+

Yesterday was a day many united to wear purple to show support and love to teens/persons bullied because of either real or perceived LGBT issues. I had many friends who did because they wanted to take a stand against bullying for any reason. Not just because of LGBT issues, but because hatred and intolerance are simply wrong.

It would be wrong to bully an overweight person to the point that suicide was preferable. It would be wrong to bully a black person to the point that suicide was preferable. Bullying is quite simply wrong. I applaud my friends who chose to take that stand.

At the same time, though, they still argue that there is something "wrong" with being LGBT. All the other differences are viewed through another lens. Racial differences, well, we can't help being born. Overweight, well, we all know persons who are and we love them.

LGBT, however, occupies a unique space in our minds. It is the last bastion. In the refusal of the religious right to allow candid discussion of sexuality; implicit permission for bullying is given. We humans fear difference.

We've been taught to accept racial differences, religous differences, cultural differences, but this is the last hold out. How can we expect our children to respect a different sexuality while we tell them it is immoral and wrong? How can we expect them not to fear that difference if we never tell them that it is okay?

We do that with race. We tell our children that God made us all differently and wonderfully. We do it with size. We do it with religion (well, some of us do... but I digress). We don't do this with issues of sexuality.

So while I applaud the outward display of purple, let's not forget that unless we start to accept our LGBT youth for who they are-- bullying for this will still be seen as acceptable. Because, after all, they chose this.

Wasteland Wednesday

2010-10-20T05:27:00.000-07:00

April is the cruellest month (T.S. Eliot, The Wasteland) not so much because lilacs begin to bud, nor because Easter signals our rebirth (yes, sometimes that happens in March, it's poetic license) and we fall back to the same sins we seek redemption for; but rather because we find it a time of new beginnings. A time to cast off the old and move to the new.

Some of our members now contemplate leaving if "progress" however they define it has not happened by Easter. That raises a question for me. Do we trust God? Do we think that He has a plan for us? Do we think that we can with brute force and threats single-handedly move His church forward?

The really heartbreaking part is that several of us do seem to hold the opinion that we can do so. I am not at all certain that those who have left will return if we make "progress". In fact, I'm fairly certain that they will not as they recognize that TEC as a whole is the issue for them. It isn't the local congregation. It's the governing body that has departed their understanding and makes it increasingly clear that there is no place for them-- unless they are willing to simply pray, pay and obey. A criticism leveled often enough against the Catholic church with respect to it's members can also been to apply to TEC today.

So... how long til we make progress happen? And will progress mean regressing, that is to say... giving the building back to the diocese and looking for a place to hold an Anglo-Catholic rite once in a while? It might.

Menu and Musings Monday on Tuesday! Woo-hoo!

2010-10-19T04:54:00.000-07:00

Procrastinators of the world, unite... but maybe tomorrow!

I realized yesterday that Mondays have become chock a block full. Between the need to provide timely feedback to students in my classes, and attending Education for Ministry, and restoring the house from the inevitable chaos that visits each weekend... blogging just isn't a priority.

So... first the Menu, then the musings.

Monday: Ravioli, tomato sauce, green salads.

Tuesday: chicken and rice/ Arroz con pollo style with extra veggies

Wednesday: Stirfry veggies, noodles, beef/pork

Thursday: Spaghetti

Friday: Date night

Saturday: leftover spaghetti

Sunday: breakfast for supper-- eggs, sausage, salsa burritos

Musings--

The budget situation is truly just as dire as I feared. We can sustain ourselves as a church until 2015 at which point we will fade out of existence. My heart is broken about that. Still, I need to remember it isn't my church, or anyone else's for that matter... we are God's church.

What is His will for us? Are we asking? Are we instead trying to force our own way? I think some of us are. No, let's be frank here... I know some of us are. If we are to survive, though, we need His direction. So friends... please pray for the Church of the Holy Apostles. Ask that God would make His will for us clear and unmistakeable. Ask that we would have the wisdom to see which paths should be followed.

The second part of my musings revolves around, EfM course I'm taking. I truly benefit from this experience. First, it is exciting to be in a room of people with faith. Second, since so much of my work is done from home and on a keyboard, actual physical content with others is a blessing to me.

It's also eyeopening as I learn more about the Old Testament. I've never been very comfortable with the rules/law. I'm looking forward to gaining more perspective, and to being able to articulate what is taking place in greater detail. In other words, getting a better sense of who I am as a person of God.

The only way to understand that is to first consider who the people of God were when they were chosen. The people chosen to be the path through which Jesus would save people of all types and historical traditions.

My nervousness stems a bit from the fact that next week, I have the privilege/challenge of presenting my spiritual biography. I could use prayers over that. I tend to want to do and say the right things... and worry that my biography might not be "right" if you will. So I do desire your prayers for me over this.

Tasha with psychedelic rainbow cake

2010-10-18T06:12:00.001-07:00

Tasha with psychedelic rainbow cake
Originally uploaded by bgill_78

So... what does a feast day at the Church of the Holy Apostles look like? Well... it's pretty special. Our Easter Vigil culminates in a feast to end all feasts. There's lamb, there's salads, there's wine and cheese, beer, sherry... we are breaking a fast, and we do it with style!!

Last year was my darling daughter's first foray into contributing... and she made the world's most amazing four layer psychedelic rainbow cake. It almost matched her shoes.

Truth be told... this is what I'll miss if the church goes under. And it's looking mighty grim, friends. Mighty grim. I

I'll miss the people, but we'll still connect. I'll miss the ritual, but we can get close. I'll miss the building. What I'll truly miss though is the complete joy present in these celebrations.

Pray for us please, we desperately need it!

Christian Education-- the rubber meets the road!

2010-10-16T20:34:00.000-07:00

In a small church, people of necessity wear many hats. For example, I teach the primary school children and sit on the Bishop's committee. A colleague sits on the Bishop's commitee and acts as our catechist. This leaves my daughter, age 16, in charge of Sunday School for one Sunday a month. Fortunately, since we are a small church there are only about 6 children... still, with the differences in ages... it's a challenge.

We've decided to begin working on an Epiphany play on those Sundays. We're performing a tale of 3 Camels... focusing on the Magi. Well, actually focusing on their camels, but the idea is centered on their travel to worship Jesus! I'm digressing a bit from my point, though, which is this...

So many people talk about how important it is to have a Sunday school, and Christian education program. So many people look for good programs when choosing churches. So many people write curriculums, have outlines, etc. However, so few say yes when asked. I marvel at this, because any time we want to do something in our Sunday school... we are blessed to have volunteers who will help, who will take classes, etc.

I've been in much larger churches where people almost hit their knees to plead for teachers/helpers/and aides. I am a friend with others in other areas who are also struggling with this... especially in big churches.

Truly, I say unto you. the fields are white for the harvest and the laborers are few very few. Luke 10:2

Thankful Thursday and the to do list!

2010-10-14T05:11:00.000-07:00

For the example of the Chilean miners... brought from darkness, and the cold of the tomb into the light and life. May it inspire us all to go into dark places to bring the light of the world to the lost.

For my husband...

For my children...

For the cool of a fall morning run followed by a hot cup of coffee, and the luxury of a hot shower. Never underestimate the wonder and beauty of modern plumbing.

For the Church of the Holy Apostles...

For the items on my to do list which remind me I am employed, have friends, and people who depend on me. I am not alone in this world.

______________________________

To do:
2 hours live lecture
grade assignments
trip to post office

Tidy living room
deep clean dining room and bath

Laundry
Reread the EfM assignment

Errand Running Wednesday!

2010-10-13T05:35:00.000-07:00

Don't get me wrong... I love being at home and the freedom my job provides to do that while earning a decent income is a huge blessing in my life. However, some days it's nice to get out!

I'm running errands today and the list is longer than usual:

1. Mail church newsletters and directories to those who have not yet picked theirs up at church.
2. Update intercession prayer card at church.
3. Mail my sock swap buddies package!
4. Grocery store/Walmart/liquor store-- I'm making wine braised italian sausages with whole wheat bowtie pasta (recipe courtesy my good friend, Ann) later on in the week and I need the wine to braise the sausages.
5. Coffee with a good friend.
6. Breadsmith

The to do list is also fairly long. Sadly I do not get visits from the laundry fairy. I get visits from the dirty socks laying on my living room floor fairy and enjoy the constant companionship of the shedding dog fairy.

Tuesday Museday and Menu Planning Monday procrastination!

2010-10-12T08:19:00.000-07:00

Menu Planning Monday a day late:

Monday: I had leftovers, kids and hubby headed to the in-laws for spaghetti and a look at pictures, which the kids forgot to bring with them. GRRRR!

Tuesday: Crockpot pork carnitas, tortillas, tomatos, onions, peppers.

Wednesday: Roasted eggplant, and garlic pasta ala Norma with cherry tomato sauce.

Thursday: Blackbean/left over pork/ and rice enchiladas with spinach salad.

Friday: Date NIGHT!

Saturday: chili dogs/ nachos (USF homecoming game!)

Sunday: Fend for yourselves (unless I can convince dh to grill something amazing!)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And now for the museday...

Embarking on new adventures is always a bit of a strain. I'm headed into a world I know very little about, but will undoubtedly find interesting. I've started EfM. Education for Ministry from the School of the South at Sewanee seminary. It's a distance learning project. I'm both excited about the possibilities and terrified.

I'm not at all sure that God has a call on my life for ministry beyond what I already do, but learning more cannot and will not do me any harm. I am hearing from others that He does, like Gideon though... I'd like to see a bit of fire from heaven before I commit myself. This is a four year course and I'm starting to study the Old Testament. I'll likely blog a bit here about my experiences in the course. However, what is said in the class stays in the class... so this will be my online journal if you will about my thoughts and reflections on the biblical material I'm reading.

Since I'm also working on my spiritual biography for the course... I may from time to time post a bit about that. I've got time, but I'm also a crazy overachieving wackjob so... we'll see what we get.

The Friday 5!

2010-10-08T05:26:00.000-07:00

1. Have you ever dressed up as a Disney character?

2. Which was your favorite Disney movie growing up?

3. Which Disney character can you most relate to?

4. Have you ever been to a Disney theme park?

5. When does someone become too old for Disney?

My answers:

1. No.

2. Peter Pan

3. Mrs. Potts

4. Yes-- Disney World!

5. Never.

Thankful Thursday!

2010-10-07T05:46:00.000-07:00

Today I am thankful for:

the great goodness of God

new adventures

my children and husband

my parish family

the blessing of hot coffee, and warm socks on a chilly morning.

For all these things, make us truly grateful O, Lord.

People Amaze Me.

2010-10-05T12:54:00.000-07:00

Recently, in our quiet little neighborhood we've discovered that someone is going into unlocked cars and taking items that he/she (but probably he) deems valuable. Why do I presume he? Well, because most of those who go to work at Labor Ready are male. Especially those who seem to be walking by at around 6:00ish-ly in the a.m. Our alley is a convenient cut through for the walk.

Items that have gone missing from my hubby's rag-top (and therefore unlockable vehicle as we'd hate to find it cut into shreds) are: change, a stainless steel coffee mug or two, some razors kept there for emergencies when a) the alarm fails because of either power outage, or inefficient setting, b) snooze is just too attractive or c) the tired wife kills it.

It amazes me that someone feels it necessary to do this. It shocks the conscience. Yet as I was out replacing those items, I thought... maybe desperate people do desperate things. No one was hurt. Inconvenienced, yes, you bet your bippy. But truly harmed, no...

And that brought me to a pondering place. I'm pondering. How desperate are we few Anglo-Catholics? Are we desperate enough to ask leave to sell the church building or turn it over to the diocese? Desperate enough to leave the stranglehold of TEC and move to a different rented location? If we were to sell the building and rent, we could afford a priest-- albeit not one that needed pension or health insurance but a full-time priest. What would or might that mean?

There'd be a lot of pain. The Sudanese would definitely be inconvenienced, as would we... but is that what we may need to do given how thoroughly unattractive TEC is to conservatives who love ritual and Anglo-Catholic rite? I don't know.

Are we desperate enough to take this leap? Is it what God is calling us to do? I dunno... but I think we need to think about it... and it may mean that like my hubby we wind up changing our parking spot in order to avoid the slow attrition of members, funds, and in hubby's case coffee mugs and razors. TEC can keep the change... we can't afford to lose anymore of the other items or we simply won't make it.

There, I said it. We won't make it unless we do something desperate.

Menu Monday and other Musings on 10/4/2010

2010-10-04T06:25:00.001-07:00

Well... at least the menu is easy to do...

Monday: Salmon, butter, garlic and parmesan noodles, with mixed frozen veggies.
Tuesday: Pizza Margherita with fresh basil (Thanks Mike and Kim!) and mozzarella
Wednesday: Chicken drumsticks oriental, with rice, and broccoli
Thursday: Beef brisket, swiss chard, and potatoes.
Friday: Date night--
Saturday: Crockpot pork roast so leftovers are available after church on Sunday. Cornbread, and green beans.

Musings--

So, we're getting smaller not larger. Or maybe we're just replacing attrition. In a small church, every member is so badly needed. We simply can't afford to have folks move to the sidelines. All of us are necessary. So... when someone does move to the sidelines... it hurts. A lot.

It hurts because it puts more pressure on already pressured people. One more thing to do, right? It hurts because we miss those people. It hurts because it reminds us of the urgency we face in finding a priest and a focus, etc.

Listen, Pray, Love

2010-10-01T05:06:00.000-07:00

When Fr. Shoberg stepped down from his position as priest of our little Anglo-Catholic bunch... that's what he asked us to do. It sounds simple, doesn't it? Listen, Pray, Love. Just three things to do... I'll talk about pray and love in another blog post later.

This is advice given as we embarked on our search for a new priest. We are at the end of our interim priest, and are dealing with division over the ordination of female clergy. We class ourselves as Anglo-Catholic and it seems that we've different definitions of that term in our midst. Some are Angl0-Catholic with regard to liturgy and ritual, and some would say that Anglo-Catholic means we hold all the catholic principles of a Roman Catholic except the tie to Rome.

It's a division... and with division comes some strife. I think this is why that wise man told us to Listen-- and that certainly seems easy enough. But listening is not as easy as it may seem. Listening, if it is to be done well, involves active listening. Making certain that we aren't just hearing, but are participating. If listening is done well than there is an understanding of others positions that comes forward.

Listening today is a much prized skill to those seeking to be heard. The world, on the other hand, encourages us to hear what we want to hear and ignore the rest. Just get the soundbite, ignore the substance. While that may work (albeit dysfunctionally) in politics, in a family such poor listening skills are death.

Perhaps this is why Jesus so often says, "Let him who has ears hear" a recognition that true listening requires more than just hearing. We all have ears but not everyone hears. We must listen.

We also need to listen by being quiet... and sometimes this is the most onerous task of them all. I know I struggle with it. I want to debate, to interject my viewpoint and demonstrate the error in the views of others, but that is not listening. I think if we really listen, we'll find more commonality than difference.

It's also important to note that just because we listen, and develop a better understanding of differing viewpoints; doesn't mean that we'll come to automatic agreement. In fact, all listening does is help to ensure that we're not misrepresenting one another and that we truly do understand the viewpoints of others. Those of us who are speaking must get over the idea that if we could just get the other side to listen or understand, they'd come around to our viewpoint... because it just doesn't work that way. To think it does is hubris. Lord knows there's plenty of that in government, in the upper level echelons of TEC, and elsewhere...

Heaven's Gain is Our Loss

2010-09-29T06:20:00.000-07:00

I lost a friend yesterday. I wasn't especially close by physical standards. I never met her in real life, although, I'd argue we knew more about each other's real lives than many who see each other daily. Her name was JoAnn.

I didn't lose this friendship to petty jealousies, or "Real Houswives of Wherever" garbage. I lost this friend to melanoma stage 4 and metastized by the time a correct diagnosis was made. I could rail about the injustice of our health care system, about how she'd known something was wrong for months earlier, blame the doctors and vent up a storm. But MoJo as I teasingly called her--never did that, and so I won't either.

We knew each other through a group of women online... Prairiehomemaker. www.prairiehomemaker.com We bonded over the need to keep Christ our primary focus while recognizing that we often had to leave God at the altar in order to meet Him as we did our daily housework. We worked outside the home, had wonderful kids and great husbands. We chatted while doing laundry, making dinner, etc.

Some would say that Jo wasn't a "real" friend. I'll say that she was there more often than my IRL friends. She helped to moderate a room for Mom's of kids with disabilities. She offered insights into the working of IEP's and other challenges. She helped where she could.

I remember rejoicing with her when her son, daughter and husband were baptized into the faith. I know how she'd longed for that day and worried that due to special needs it might not happen. I know she worried over how they would cope at her death-- would it be more than their faith could handle?

I know that Jo is with God, and she's pain free... but I selfishly wish she'd had more time to chat. One more time to set the timer's and get housework done, and then come back together for a 15 minute conversation... so it isn't for Jo I grieve... but for myself and all of us here who are a little poorer because she's off enriching heaven.

Morning Run

2010-09-24T06:29:00.000-07:00

My dad used to say, "What's good about a morning that begins with getting up?" Well, aside from the fact that being able to get up is generally an indication that God has gifted you with one more day that is...

I'm a neophyte, painfully slow but inordinately determined runner. My longest distance so far has been a 10k. I've tried to run in the evening, or in the afternoon, but I can convince myself that there's this that or the other 15 things that need to be done. It's easy.

However, when I go for a morning run... I can't do that. It's the first (well, okay, getting the daughter to band, the husband on the road to work, and the son to school are the first thing) thing I do. I also find when running in the a.m. that my thoughts turn to God...

I find myself singing the Nicene Creed in my head, or Holy, Holy, Holy... or Mary's Magnificat.... I pray for those on the church intercession list, for my own family, for the neighbor's in the homes I run past... for the kids on their way to school. It's not the only time I pray... but there's something about running that on a purely unconscious level does that.

The rest of the time, I have to consciously pull my mind toward Him. It's an effort because the world, and culture has so much that isn't of Him. Running frees me from that. It's purely informal and sometimes as I gasp, wheeze and huff up a hill my prayers become very selfish... Lord, please, help me get up the hill. Still... this is my first prayer time with God, before the morning prayer, or devotion... before anything else... I meet Him while running. Maybe C. S. Lewis had it right when he said... "If one could run without getting tired, I can't imagine wanting to do much else."

Menu Monday and other Musings!

2010-09-20T06:47:00.001-07:00

Menu for 9/20-9/26

Monday: chicken stirfry with peppers, onion, carrots, and broccoli served over rice

Tuesday: Blackbean and beef burritos/mexican coleslaw

Wednesday: Catfish sandwiches/coleslaw

Thursday: Spaghetti

Friday: Bratwurst, sauerkraut, grilled onions, and apple pie to celebrate the official start of Fall!

Saturday: Leftover spaghetti/or a lasagna.

So that's the plan... it's a gray and drizzly day here in normally Sunny South Dakota. Still... not all bad.

We had a good kick off to our Sunday School program on Sunday. We've begun the onerous task of casting parts in the Epiphany play that we'll be working to put on at Epiphany. :) Followed by Lent and the Stations of the Cross, followed by Pentecost... you get the idea!!

Sunday school teachers are part of our Search Committee of the Whole for a new priest and don't want to be left out. As I am one... I know this to be true, so we came up with a creative plan for those Sundays when we are discussing and deciding on characteristics we'd like to see in a priest. I think it will work... and if not, well, it's only ONE year.

Don't get me wrong... traditional Sunday School activity will still take place, we just need to have something to fall back to on those Sundays when we teachers are tugged in more than one direction. Our Sudanese congregation has also kicked off their Sunday school and they are looking to recruit another teacher... in the meantime, there's a VHS player and some good bible movies and VeggieTales movies so that one half the group can be entertained while the other half learns and vice versa.

Bad Blogger, Bad!

2010-09-14T11:11:00.000-07:00

Has it really been that long? Yes, it has. Why has it been that long? Life.

Teenagers are at the odd age where they don't depend on parents as they do when young children for every small need. However, they do need parents. They need us to check grades on the ParentView, to advocate to the school for changes in classes, to support their decisions to debate or not to debate. In short, they need but in a different way.

The different way teens need, though, should NOT be viewed as any different in time consumption. Trying to work my way through what will be the next lesson in pre-calculus so as to assist my daughter... is as time consuming as potty training (and often less rewarding!).

That said... I love life, and my church. I'm a wee bit concerned for us right now. We're a small congregation holding fast to some pretty steep ideals about the priesthood, and for a church that's still part of TE...well, it's hard to attract members with those similar ideals forsaken by TEC. Yet we sure can't afford a lawsuit to leave, and have a responsibility to our brothers and sisters in the Sudanese congregation.

Where does that leave us? Trusting in God. Listening, Loving and Praying as a great priest said. It's not an easy place... but Psalm 91 tells me we'll be okay. How??? It's a mystery... but His greatest works always are!

Mixed Emotions

2009-10-06T05:30:00.000-07:00

My half-sister passed away a little over a week ago. I didn't even know she was doing poorly. On the other hand, it's to be expected. She and I were not close. Geography (NY and sunny SD) and a nearly 40 year age difference can do that to people.

Here's what I remember about Penny the few times I saw her. She was vibrant, and vivid. She truly embraced life and was not afraid to embark on adventures. She taught me that redheads could and perhaps should wear purple.

She made me feel special when she visited and took my sister and I to the amusement park, and bought us sunglasses and sunhats to protect us from the sun. She listened. She had style that to this day, I still try to emulate.

So... I sorrow for my half-brother because he truly knew her, and for myself for the opportunity lost. Rest in peace, Penny.

Minor Wrist Surgery

2009-09-17T06:50:00.001-07:00

IMG00076-20090916-2118.jpg
Originally uploaded by bgill_78

Ouch! Here's a picture of my cast, and me... sans shower, makeup etc. But you can see that my kids love me cuz they wrote helpful messages on the bandage/cast thingie.

The pain meds make me nauseous so my drug of choice is ibuprofen and at night, if it's bad... I take benadryl. LOL. Funny, huh??

Flickr

2009-09-17T06:46:00.001-07:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Day 1 London/Dublin Vacay- Agony!

2009-09-10T04:51:00.000-07:00

We traveled this summer. We went from Sioux Falls to Chicago and then to Dublin, Ireland via Aer Lingus. Our flight left Chicago at about 6:00 p.m. After six hours on board, we arrived at Dublin Airport. It was 7:00 a.m.

We didn't sleep much on the flight, although we tried!! We were seated near the bathrooms and every time we'd begin to drift off to sleep... someone would come by and we'd hear the door creak. So... we were a little bit tired to say the least.

We went through Irish Immigration which was pretty easy to navigate and got our passports stamped. Then we headed for the hotel, thinking that as we were so early our room would not be ready and we'd be in agony. The Carleton, however, had our room ready for us so we took a brief nap of about 3 hours, and then headed out.

We had lunch in the Temple Bar district, and picked up a few groceries for supper that night. The boy and the girl are badly jetlagged in this photo. The girl is sipping complimentary tea, and the boy is standing there after showering. Dh and I were on the balcony.

It was romantic, and wonderful. Yet at that moment, we'd have given just about anything for a bit more sleep. However, we knew we had to acclimate to the new time zone so we stayed up til it was about 8 p.m. Impressive, huh??

A book I'm reading...

2009-09-08T07:50:00.000-07:00

This is quite possibly one of the most inspirational and heartwarming books I've begun in a while. Three Cups of Tea challenges all of us to do more and be more. The story, if you're not familiar, involves Greg Mortenson's failed attempt to climb Kilimanjaro. He is helped by the people of the region and in turn promises to come back and build a school.

I'm inspired by it, and so is my entire church. You see, we have a large congregation of Sudanese immigrants. Many of them are Lost Boys... one in particular, Moses, wants to give back to his village. And so, the project began... one school at a time.

This is part of what we're called to do. To give to those who have little. To build grain mills so that the girls can have time from the back breaking work of preparing food to go to school. To provide wells for water... and, of course, to pray without ceasing for those building now and those who will be learning later.

If you're inclined to join your prayers with mine... please do so!

Frugal Friday!

2009-09-04T09:01:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder to those of you with Saver's in your neighborhoods... Labor Day 50% off storewide sale is right around the corner. You definitely don't want to miss that! It's a tradition for my daughter and I. We hit the sale early, and then... Red Lobster for lunch.

Sometimes being frugal, though, means spending some money up front. For example, dental care! It is much cheaper to buy good toothbrushes, floss, and mouthwash with antigingivitis properties than it is to care for periodontal disease. Another recent example from my home... running shoes.

It is cheaper to buy an expensive pair of running shoes than it is to find yourself at the orthopod getting told that you should probably bike instead of run. And now an unsolicited plug... Asics.

Yes...they are spendy. I eeped at the price. But... since I can now run without horrible ankle pain -- obviously worth it. Asics Gel Nimbus 11 for the win. And I mean it. My feet do not hurt and that makes them a bargain. Cuz, I'll let you in on a secret... I don't intend to stop running anytime soon. :)

Wordless Wednesday!

2009-09-02T04:31:00.000-07:00

The Imperial War Museum... an actual chunk of the Berlin Wall...

We CAN change our lives and the world... with God's help!

Bad Blogger, Bad!

2009-08-31T08:58:00.000-07:00

I've been a bad blogger lately. I'm not sure why it is so hard to keep up with a blog for me, but it is.

So... here's the plan! I'm going to make it a goal to post Monday Wednesday and Friday. Those are the days I run, so it should trigger the need to do that. In the meantime... check out this vacation picture!

It's part of the Elgin marbles on display at the British Museum. I'll post more pictures of the trip over the next few days...

Have a great day friends!

Dual Faith? Episceran? Luthalian?

2009-02-05T10:30:00.000-08:00

I love Christ, but I hate religion... why do you think that is??

Seriously, right now we are going through some tough stuff with our church. I really love so much about it. It's hard because it is as though we've fallen out of relationship there.

There's a capital campaign going on, and much of the information that is coming from that is so one-sided, and in my opinion just plain wrong that it is downright offensive. Urging people to consider a home equity loan in order to support the capital campaign?!?! And, yes, we have Financial Peace at this church. UGH!

Add to that bad feelings about the entire confirmation process which can only be described as pharisiatical (sp?) at best, and we are in a quandry. Issues that our son has with some of the other boys, and well, ick. It would be easy if that were all that was present, but...

On the other hand, dd has GRACE liturgical dance, she has friends, and I like the doctrine of the church. I am also tied there. I pointed out to dh that, well, frankly in order to fall out of relationship that means there's some failing on all part to work it out.

Upshot: We're now dual faith. Daughter will be confirmed at our current church, and we'll attend half time at our current church. Ds will not be confirmed... it's likely that he'll join another church as an adult, or go through their confirmation process... and we'll attend half time there.

It is rotten. It is miserable. And no one is completely happy... which prolly means it is the right decision. At least for now...

Sometimes the right answer is No.

2009-01-19T08:53:00.000-08:00

It's odd really. I have little problem saying no to so many things. I can say no to my daughter's request to go to the mall, no to my son's wish for a new video game, no to a second helping (although that is a recent development) sometimes no is easy.

I have noticed, though, that sometimes no is harder to say. When a friend asks if I can do a favor, when my son wants to stay later to work on debate, when my daughter asks if I can bake some cookies or cupcakes for school... it is so easy to say yes. Sometimes, though, yes is not the right answer. The right answer is no.

I've done it so many times. I've overloaded my schedule creating stress for myself, my family and damaging those things that are really important. Honestly. It's been a real problem for me.

Now, I know, especially in the wake of our new President's call to service my focus on faith and family, etc., and unwillingness to bite off more than I can chew may seem downright selfish. Perhaps it is. On the other hand, though, Jesus tells us that our highest commitment is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind and soul. (Matthew 22:37) He also reminds us that we must remain in Him. He tells us, basically, I am the vine and you are the branches, cut off from me, you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

I have to keep first things first. In keeping the main thing the main thing, there are many temptations. It's also important to remember our passions. We all have things that energize us and make us feel alive. God made us this way! For me, it's running and fitness. I need to have time to pursue that on a regular basis.

I am fortunate, and also a bit politically incorrect, because I've learned the Lord has given me an ally. My husband. I've found that he, more than I, is better able to combat the feelings of condemnation and guilt I feel when I say no to what appears to be a worthy cause. He helps make me sure that I choose what is best... and avoid Martha's mistake.

After all, if I spend 40 hours at work, and 20 hours volunteering for good causes, but my family doesn't have dinner, and my teens need the support of outside mentors... I've not accomplished anything. If I don't have connection with Him, all my work will come to nothing. If I've not allowed time to do the things I am passionate about... I'll lose my passion.

So... I'm not saying not to answer the new President's call... I'm saying to prayerfully consider how you can best serve, and to remember that keeping the first commandment is still the most important. :)

Feelings

2009-01-14T06:40:00.000-08:00

I've been pondering this for quite some time. Obviously, we were created with emotions and these are gifts from God. However, I also know that these emotions can cause us problems in our walk with Him.

There are times when we may feel exceptionally close to Him. We have the sense that He is with us, and surrounds us with his loving presence. Those are wonderful times in a Christian's walk. The fact is there is no feeling that is better.

At other times, though, we may feel abandoned. We have the sense that He is gone and has withdrawn from us. These are painful and hard times in a Christian's walk. The fact is that there is no feeling that is more hurtful.

However, the reality is that we cannot trust our feelings about our closeness to Him. Paul says, for we walk by faith and not by sight. He might just as well have said, we walk by faith and not by feelings. Our feelings can be wrong, and inaccurate.

Our sight can be off. We've had blizzards here in sunny but freezing SoDakota, and I must tell you those blizzards...are really something. You can be driving along and think you know where the road is, but a sudden gust of howling wind, and blowing snow, whites out the road right in front of you. Sight... is not such a good guide in times like these. :)

Ever taken offense at a comment that was meant innocently? Ever assumed something about someone that was incorrect because of a feeling that you had? These are just examples of how we can be misled.

The good news, though, is that the Lord knows how He made us. He's given us His word to follow. If we trust in that and walk by faith in the word when those doubts and feelings of abandonment set in, we'll know that He is always with us... He promised He would be.

So today, I'm going to work on walking more by faith and less by sight. More by faith, and less by feelings.

Be Blessed!

Time

2009-01-07T05:17:00.001-08:00

Sometimes there are not enough hours in the day. So much that I want to get done and accomplished.

It's times like these that I have to be watchful and wary. It's so easy to say, oh well, I'll do my devotion later in the day... and then that particular time never arrives. I'm learning a bit about my spiritual muscles as I learned last year about my physical self. I am the sort of person who really shouldn't put these most important things off.

I used to put off exercise until later in the day and would make the excuse that there just isn't time. There was time, though. I just hadn't made using it for exercise a priority. Now, I'm not saying that to beat up on anyone... I'm saying it because I now recognize it as a truth for myself.

I realize that what I did with exercise I've done with my time with Him. I've said that I have no time. When, in reality, I haven't used the time for and with Him. A simple change of focus, and suddenly... it's easier.

I'd rather spend time exercising, and sitting at His feet instead of watching another mindless show, or something else. It really reminds me of the story where a professor is discussing time management with students. He takes a jar and fills it with sand then tries to put larger rocks in and everything doesn't fit. However, when he puts the rocks in first, the sand fills in around the rocks and everything fits.

So... what are your rocks? What things are so important that you'll fill your jar of time with? For me, those rocks are God, exercise, work, family, church. Although, not necessarily in exactly that order. The sand... is important too. But if the rocks are first... the sand will fit.

Year End Wrap Up and Resolutions for 2009.

2008-12-31T04:35:00.000-08:00

Well... these were the resolutions:

1. To be more pleasant and less plump! - Definitely less plump. 47 lbs less so, in fact. More pleasant... well, dh says I'm happier so that must mean yes.

2. To spend time in the morning working out- Yes! Running is my friend.

3. To spend time with the Lord each morning. Need to work on this one. Maybe I need to move quiet time to evenings. That used to work really well.

4. To drink at least 8 glasses of water a day: *whistles*
5. To eat 6 small meals a day balanced with carbs and protein. Definitely better! Not perfect, but I've stuck to it mostly.

6. To motivate myself by encouraging others!! That's been good! At least I hope the others have felt encouraged. It does keep me plugging away too.

-------------------------------

Resolutions for 2009.

1. To continue the quest to be less plump...

2. To add in a consistent program of strength training to the running.

3. Making time to sit at His feet, whether morning, noon or night. The entire day goes better when I do. So, that is a focus.

4. Drink more water.

5. Keep a good protein/carb balance going.

6. Continue to encourage others... thereby motivating myself.

Have a Great end to this Year, and a wonderful start to the next!
Be Blessed!

Taking Stock...

2008-12-29T12:45:00.000-08:00

On the 31st, I'll be posting a wrap up of the year. One of the great things about this blog is that I am able to keep track of what I'm doing, and how that measures up to my intentions. One of the painful things about this blog is that I am able to keep track of what I'm doing and how that measures up to my intentions.

I suspect that I'll be pleased, and disappointed. However, every change is a victory. And every set back is just that. A setback. It doesn't mean you'll never succeed. It means you've slipped up. That's all.

So... what are you taking stock of this year? Make some time to do that, and cut yourself some slack too!

Ah... Christmas is over...

2008-12-28T20:39:00.000-08:00

and CHRISTmas will never end. All the joy and anticipation we have in remembering God's great gift on this one day for those of us who know, accept and rejoice in it... it shouldn't be over. It doesn't end with the unwrapping, and tossing away of garbage. It doesn't end with the redecorating.

We should continue to Keep CHRISTmas in our hearts, as Dickens exhorted us to do in A Christmas Carol. This is not the only time of year to give of ourselves, to give to charity, to help strangers with packages.

If you don't know this joy, if you are seeking truth, know that He is looking for you too. He is not willing that any should perish...

Remember... all you need to do is reach out and take His gift. Freely given, and completely unearned. Once you've done that... He'll do the rest!

Merry CHRISTmas!

2008-12-23T04:37:00.000-08:00

Let the Stable Still Astonish!

Let the stable still astonish:
Straw-dirt floor, dull eyes,
Dusty flanks of donkeys, oxen;
Crumbling, crooked walls;
No bed to carry that pain,
And then, the child
Rag-wrapped laid to cry
In a trough.
Who would have chosen this?
Who would have said: "Yes,Let the God of Heaven and Earth
Be born in this place.
"Who but the same God
Who stands in the darker, fouler rooms of our hearts
And says "Yes, let the God of Heaven and Earth be born in THIS place!"

-Leslie Leyland Fields

Menu Monday!

2008-12-08T11:37:00.000-08:00

Monday 12/8 - roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole

Tuesday 12/9 - pork stirfry (leftover pork roast, and stir fry veggies)

Wednesday 12/10 - beef stroganoff, green salad

Thursday 12/11 - chili, cornbread, green salad

Friday ??

Saturday - Shepherd's pie with leftover chicken potatoes etc.

Sunday-- sandwiches and soup.

Tough Days... and Thanksgiving!

2008-11-30T18:36:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, in the midst of great joy and happiness-- there is a bit of sadness. As Joy Davidson Lewis said to her soon to be bereaved husband C.S. Lewis, "The happiness now is part of the sadness then. The sadness then is part of the happiness now." - Shadowlands.

I say that because in the middle of our Thanksgiving festivities we received a call letting us all know that my husband's grandmother, and my dear mother in love's mother had passed away. I grieve, not because I knew her so well, but because of the pain my hubby and mother in love are experiencing right now. I grieve also because, unlike his other grandmother, this one was not (to my knowledge) a believer.

I find this troubling on many different levels. At any rate... there is still much to be thankful for... and I hope you will understand if it is difficult for me to be online much in this next week.

Thank you!

Menu Planning Monday!

2008-11-24T13:45:00.000-08:00

Monday 11/24/08- Lemon Pepper Flounder, Oven broiled zucchini with ww pasta in italian tomatoes.

Tuesday 11/25/08- Chicken adobo, rice, oriental veggies

Wednesday 11/26/08- Steak, baked sweet potatoes, oven roasted broccoli

Thursday 11/27/08- Eating at Mil's for lunch, movie popcorn later

Friday, Saturday-- celebrating dh's birthday!

Thankful Thursday!

2008-11-20T06:44:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful:

For nearly 16 years of wedded bliss with the man I adore, it'll be 16 tomorrow!

For my daughter, and her tender heart.

For my son, and his drive, ambition and conscientiousness

For the knowledge that "today is not that day". If you've read the blog... you know what I mean!

For the crisp cold air this a.m., for the warmth of the coffee as I wrap my hands around my mug.

For the work that I and dh have.

----------------------------------------

Menu Planning Monday!

2008-11-17T14:50:00.000-08:00

Well, last week's plan was a complete bust! Let's see if I can do better this week...

Monday: Chicken stir fry, ww noodles

Tuesday: Crockpot beef soup, green salad

Wednesday: Eggplant pasta, green salad

Thursday: Lasagna from freezer as dd has orchestra concert and green salad

Friday: ?? It's dh and I's anniversary... we might be going out, or staying in... It's up in the air!!

Saturday: french bread pizzas, green salad

Sunday: hot pastrami on rye.

Menu Plan Monday!

2008-11-10T14:03:00.000-08:00

This week:

Monday: Pork chops, portobello mushroom pizzas, and baked potato/sweet potato.

Tuesday: Chicken adobo, rice, oriental veggies

Wednesday: Beef stroganoff, ww egg noodles, green beans

Thursday: Beef and barley soup, fresh cut veggies, hm bread

Friday: Eggplant pasta, italian sausage.

Saturday: ??

Sunday: ??

Election Day Ramblings!

2008-11-04T04:46:00.001-08:00

Top 10 Predictions No Matter Who Wins the Election
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. The gospel will still be spread.
6. God will still be worshipped.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

And God approves this message

Finally 4k Finish Line Photos!!

2008-11-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

Remember when I ran the 4k in June??? And I promised finish line photos and then got busy and didn't post them???

(Hangs head in shame)

This is my son and I, at the finish...
below is my dd and I. He is much more willing to be photographed after running than his sister.

She is not happy about having her picture taken in running wear. Her hair is a mess, and she is hot and sweaty... but because I insisted... she agreed.

I think she looks just fine, don't you???

Bravery!

2008-10-29T20:50:00.000-07:00

Men are brave. Most of the time. Unless, of course, a 14 yr old girl takes the rudder of a boat on a large lake in northern Minnesota and announces, "I'm so ready for this."

Then, instead, there is a reaction that some might call fear. Personally, I think it's terror... but what do you think?

The Idiot Dog!

2008-10-23T13:38:00.000-07:00

For everyone who's wondered... what exactly does an idiot dog look like? This is him!! Pure idiocy... and love, and kindness, and furry fun.

Working Out Wednesday!

2008-10-15T06:50:00.001-07:00

It's been a good week. I weighed in this morning at 196.6 Yay!! Down a couple of pounds from where I was last week, and feeling great. I really have more energy than I did a few pounds ago.

Dh has noticed the changes, too, and in a very positive way. My workouts for the week are:

Monday: upperbody circuit, and walk.
Tuesday: 2 mile run
Wednesday: NYC Ballet workout 1, and lowerbody circuit.
Thursday: 2 mile run
Friday: upperbody circuit, and NYC Ballet workout 2, possibly a stroll with dh later
Saturday: active rest
Sunday: 2 mile run

Of course, the thing is, you can't outrun or outwork a bad diet. In otherwords, all this exercise does me no good if I'm not filling and fueling my system properly with good, healthy, natural foods. I've embraced spinach, and greens of all sorts, hummus and veggies. Lean proteins, and tossed away the processed foods. Giving my body the fuel it needs gives me the energy to workout, and the ability to keep the exercise going.

It occurs to me that in some ways, this fitness journey of mine is a metaphor for our lives in faith. I can't eat junk, exercise and lose weight. I can't fill my mind full of junk, go to church, and really have faith. I cannot, in otherwords, outchurch a bad spiritual diet any more than I can outrun a bad physical diet.

I need to feed myself on His word about situations. Not what the news says, or what a televangelist says, or what a talkshow host says... I need to get my mind full of Him, and what He says. Now, I'm not saying not to read what others have thought of His word, heavens, no!! But we need to be discerning when we do that. For some reason, even though it's harder to read, C.S. Lewis' "Reflections on the Psalms", strikes me as more nutrition for the journey than Victoria Osteen's upcoming book.

It's the difference between sitting down to a meal of spinach salad, chicken breast, and assorted veggies, or a chili-cheese dog with fries. At least that's how I see it. I know that the world is out there, and that the Prince of this World, makes the other food seem so much more tasty... but, if I'm going to be consistent... I have to care about what I'm feeding my mind at least as much as I do about what I put into my body.

Lord,

Give me your wisdom and discernment. Help me see what offerings give me proper food to strengthen my faith, and encourage me. Let me see false doctrine when it appears, and help me to be vigilant about the things I feed my mind as I am about what I feed my body.

Amen!

Be Blessed!!

Tough Topic Tuesday!

2008-10-14T11:21:00.000-07:00

Robert Burns, one of my dh's favorite poets (because he's a Scot) once wrote in his poem, To a Louse, "Oh would some power gie us the giftie to see ourselves as others see us." In the poem, a girl is sitting in church with a new hat. She is positive that all the looks and pointing is because of how envious everyone is of her new finery. Sadly, nothing could be further from the truth. The fact is that there is a louse on her hat, and everyone can see it.

The girl is feeling pride and joy. Precisely because she is wrongly interpreting the actions of those around her. The disconnect between her perceptions and reality prompts the poet to write the piece. Perhaps, because he has been in the same position before, and he wishes that God would give us this great gift. How many of our embarassing moments could we be spared if we but had that ability?

It isn't ours though. We don't know how others see us. So often, we are convinced of our position... and we don't look at reality. I'm seeing a lot of that in the election campaigns today. Not in the candidates themselves so much, but in those who follow the candidates.

Anywhere you look online you can find evidence of pure hatred, and nasty meanspiritedness towards those who support a different candidate, and towards the candidates themselves. In many ways these well-meaning supporters are like the girl with the hat. They think they are getting attention that is favorable to their candidate. They have an honest belief that they are right and that all the finger pointing is because others agree with them-- on both sides.

Tragically, though, the attention is really that horrified fascination the other churchgoers had in watching the louse on the brim of the girl's hat. The reality is that the negativity and anger have an opposite effect. I don't signal out one campaign or the other-- the fact is that this disgusting behavior spans both parties and both groups of campaign supporters.

I really hope that at some point the Lord does give us the "giftie to see ourselves as others see us." That gift is more desperately needed now, than at any time before.

Menu Planning Monday!

2008-10-13T12:14:00.000-07:00

This week's menu is :

Monday: Steak, garlic bread, and green beans.

Tuesday: Blackbean, polish sausage chili with cornbread.

Wednesday: Pesto Chicken Pizza -- recipe courtesy Gourmet Nutrition. I'll serve this with a healthy green salad.

Thursday: BBQ pork chops, greens, and mashed potatoes

Friday: Dh and I date night... dk's frozen burritos

Saturday: Spaghetti, zucchini, and italian sausage

Thankful Thursday and Recipe Review!

2008-10-09T05:41:00.001-07:00

Today I am thankful:

1. That my hubby has a good job, and good benefits.

2. That my son and I had a good early a.m. run together talking over his LD debate case.

3. That Jesus loves me!

4. That I get to do all the things on my agenda-- because today is NOT that day! :)

5. For hot coffee...

Okay... last night, I tried a new recipe as challenged by Ann at Life on the Sound. The recipe was for Easy Moussaka, and it came from my More with Less cookbook.

Easy Moussaka:

1 large eggplant, unpared
1 lb ground lamb/beef/turkey
1 onion chopped
1 clove garlic minced (we like garlic so I used 2)
salt, pepper and a dash of nutmeg
2 c. tomato sauce
1/3 c. tomato paste
1/2 t. oregano
1 T chopped parsley
1/2 to 1 c. grated parmesan

Place slices of eggplant on a cookie sheet, brush with olive oil sprinkle with salt and pepper and broil 5 minutes or until golden. Turn slices brush with olive oil and season and brown second side. Set oven to 350 after browning.

Fry together the meat, garlic and onion and seasonings. When browned, add the tomato sauce, paste and remaining ingredients except the cheese.

Layer half the eggplant slices into a 9 x9 baking dish, then top with half the meat mixture, repeat. Sprinkle with grated cheese, bake 40 minutes. Makes 6 servings.

----------------------------------

Family verdict: All eggplants must die!! Seriously, no leftovers, none. Dh, dd, and ds all went back for seconds. What a great sneaky way to get more veggies into the family, and have them like it. This is a definite make again... very easy, quick and affordable. Not to mention delicious!

Now to decide what to make for next week's challenge!

Working Out Wednesday!

2008-10-08T12:04:00.000-07:00

I ordered it today. The NYC Ballet Workout... I'm wanting something different than the exercise bike to add in for my non-running days. This comes highly recommended, and I'm told that it does look pretty but also kicks you in the booty. So... I can hardly wait...

Thus far... I'm doing great. 198.4 today on the old scale. Trending downward... a little more every day. :) It's a good week. I'm on track even though I went back to work this week... no missed workouts, no unscheduled food binges... so I'm feeling good.

Today's workout: 15 minutes of HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) on my stationary bike. That is getting easier. I may move that to 20 minutes on a regular basis. It feels good... and 5 more minutes can only help.

Afterward... upperbody circuit style workout. I started with:

10 knee pushups
10 bent over rows (5 lb dumbbells)
10 shoulder presses (10 lb dumbbells)
10 bicep curls (5 lb)
10 tricep extensions (10 lb)
15 ab/knee raises
10 shoulder side lifts (5 lb)

Repeated the cycle 3x. and then napped for 10 minutes... I was just wiped out.

As important as it is for me to workout physically... remember we also need to be giving our faith a workout too. Faith is hard to workout. There is such a climate of fear right now about the economy, about the $ stockmarket, etc. In all honesty. the verse that slammed itself into my awareness this a.m. was...

Matthew 6:19-21 19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

How sad. My treasure is in heaven, and I've let myself get distracted from that with the things going on on Wall Street.

Lord... forgive me my fear. Help me to remember, Father, that my treasure is not here on earth but with You in Heaven. Help me to make investments in the lives of others and to be more concerned with that than the fate of my 401k. Thank you.

Be blessed!

Tough Topic Tuesday!

2008-10-07T08:57:00.000-07:00

A while back, if you'll remember... I ranted a wee bit about our current economic situation. It was a good rant. A justified rant. And, you know what, it still is!

So... painful as it may be for some out there to read... We are NOT in a recession. We aren't. The criteria still have not been met.

Remember... in order for a recession to exist we need NEGATIVE growth for two (2) quarters. We haven't even had one quarter of negative growth yet. Our economy is STILL growing... not receding... hence... NO RECESSION.

Now... are we experiencing a slowdown in growth? You bet your bippy we are... but slow growth is not a recession. Are people losing their jobs? Yes... we are having some higher unemployment recently than we have had in the past. Are there issues with the stock market... oooh... don't get me started!!

What does that mean? Well, it means that Sen. McCain is right. Our fundamentals economically are still strong. We still have the best workforce in the world. We still have a growing economy and once the issues with commercial paper are resolved, we'll see expansion continuing.

Obviously, it may be more fun to play Chicken Little and yell that the sky is falling... but even Chicken Little could point to an acorn that hit him on the head. The gloom and doomers here can't... we don't have one indicator for a recession yet. There is no justifiable way we can say that we are in a recession. None.

By definition we are not... and we won't be... unless, that is, we allow ourselves to be deceived and to listen to the pundits, and the comics, and the news folk... but that is our choice, isn't it?

Monday's Menu!

2008-10-06T12:34:00.000-07:00

Since today was my first day back at my outside the home job... : ) I've made a menu for the week that is easy and relatively stress free.

Monday: Chili, crudites, and cornbread.

Tuesday: left over chili, sandwiches as I have a live chat to do in the evening.

Wednesday: I'm accepting a challenge from Ann over at the Life On the Sound. The challenge is to use new and interesting recipes for the month of October. Mine for the week is Moussaka. I'll post the recipe and the reviews (whether raves or rants) from my family on Thursday. I plan on serving it with some sliced zucchini.

Thursday: Beef in peanut sauce with oriental vegetables and whole wheat noodles

Friday: BBQ ribs, mashed potatoes, green beans.

Saturday: Bratwurst, ww buns, and crudite after church!

Sunday: Fend for themselves-- I've got a week's worth of work to prepare for!! :)

Sunday's Score!

2008-10-05T13:29:00.001-07:00

Well, actually... it isn't about a score that I made... although I did do very well on a recent thrift shopping excursion. :) Actually, I wanted to post about a disturbing trend that I find both irl and also among some folks I know on the interwebs. That trend is... keeping score.

Keeping score is a dangerous practice. It leads to discontent, and to developing the resentment flu. It is hard to avoid though. It is a part of our human nature, and it seems to have particular resonance for women.

When Martha chastised Mary for not helping... she was keeping score. She, in effect, said, "I've done more than you. I deserve a higher score." Jesus didn't think so, though. Why? Because He wasn't keeping score. If He did keep score, we'd all have lost the game a long time ago.

It can be easy especially in our intimate relationships to focus on what we do, and not on what is done for us. I know women upset (and I used to be one) because their husbands don't wash dishes, or put babies to bed, or what have you... but they (and I) forget... this is the same man who works 40+ hours a week, takes care of oil changes, mows the lawn etc. We don't give points for the hours in the work week.

Part of the issue is that men and women score things differently. For example, dh could wash the dishes and I'd count that a point. So would he. However, if he takes me out to dinner and a night of jazz... he figures that's a hundred points and he waits for me to catch up in my scoring. :) That's not how I score it though... I'm still only giving that 1 point. So, if we're going to keep score...we need to get on the same page with the values, or we aren't playing by the same rules and everyone gets hurt.

If we are to forgive a brother or sister 70 x7, don't we owe it to our spouses to stop keeping score? Or at least to let them know our ranking system? We are different, men and women, and thank God for that! It does mean that our scores will never be identical.

We need to move past this mindset of "I've done everything for you and you've done nothing for me" to quote Rick Springfield from back in the day. We need to stop adding up what we've done and start looking at what others have done for us. Or better yet... throw away the scorebook... give up tit for tat.

If we do toss the scorebook away and just do for others, including our spouses, because it springs out of our hearts filled with love... I can promise that we will see and reap the rewards. As individuals, we still may not win, but as a family... we're assured the gold medal.

Thankful Thursday!

2008-10-02T06:36:00.000-07:00

Today... I am thankful...

1. There will come a day when I can't do what I do, but today is NOT that day. This thought empowers me on a daily basis. Don't feel like doing dishes or laundry... thank God, I can still do that for myself today. Didn't want to run this a.m., but guess what, today is not the day that I can't. So, thank you, Lord, that today is NOT that day!

2. Godly advice and counsel from true Titus 2 women who understand that teaching means building up. Criticism is never heard when offered from an unkind and uncaring perspective. We need constructive criticism in our lives... criticism that builds us up... as well as showing us where our weak points are. I am so glad to have that in my life from www.prairiehomemaker.com, and the blogs I frequent.

3. That my husband is happy in what he does. There was a time about 2 years ago when that wasn't the case. It was agony for him, and for us all. Thank you, Lord, for leading him to the position he has today, and for his happiness.

4. For hot cereal! It was cold out this morning and making a bowl of Red River cereal just hit the spot. Perfect!

5. For the time this morning running with ds. He thinks such deep thoughts, and only really shares them during this time. I truly treasure these moments with him.

and of course, I am forever grateful for the gift of salvation--freely given-- all we need to do is accept it.

Be Blessed!

Work Out Wednesday!

2008-10-01T06:13:00.000-07:00

Alright-y then! So far this week, I've got two miles in on Tuesday. Monday, I did upperbody.

I did 3 sets of 10 reps bench press, tricep extensions, bent over rows, pushups, bicep curls, and 3 sets of 15 reps seated ab-kneeups. My abs STILL hurt. And I did 15 minutes on the exercise bike.

I'm going to go to Walmart and buy a fitness ball, a set of 8lb dumbells, and see if they have the NYC ballet workout video. I've heard good things about it from Caustic Musings and www.pinkdumbbells.com so... time to go check it out.

Today: lower-body. I'm planning 3 sets of 15 squats, plie squats, side leg lifts, calf raises, dead lifts. I'll also do 3 sets of 15 crunches and adductors.

Hope everyone has a great day! Be blessed!

If It's Monday... It Must Be Menu and Musings!

2008-09-29T05:19:00.001-07:00

First, the exciting menu:

Monday: Porkchops, zucchini, mashed potatoes

Tuesday: Spaghetti, salad.

Wednesday: Chicken, green beans, garlic bread

Thursday: Steak, grilled green beans, and garlic bread

Friday: Pizza made with left over spaghetti sauce, and salad.

Saturday: Bratwurst

And there you have it... the meals for the week. Subject of course to change as needed due to circumstances or food cravings beyond my control. :)

Musings:

Dd spent most of the day at church yesterday for dance practice, and performances at the three services. She had a good time. The girls devotion was on Grace. Not like me... but like SolaGrace.

The focus was on how it is so freely given. The instructor told them about visiting MS when she was a young girl, and ordering breakfast. She was worried because the breakfast came with grits and she hadn't ordered them. Her family was poor and only had a certain amount allotted for meals on this vacation. The waitress looked at her, and said, "Why honey, you don't order grits, grits just come." She went on to liken this to grace. We can't order grace, it just comes.

Now... the story is lovely. And it is an illustration of how freely grace is given to us. It does, however, gloss over the necessity of accepting the free gift of grace. If she'd insisted, the grits would have gone back to the kitchen. If we insist... the free gift of grace can pass us by. We still have to choose to accept it.

We might think we don't need grits. We might think we don't need grace. We do, though. And thankfully, He continues to offer it more than once. Thanks Lord!

Thankful Thursday!

2008-09-25T05:34:00.000-07:00

Today I am thankful for:

Good friends who offer support advice, and encouragement when dealing with teens and life in general.

Prairie Homemaker ... change is challenging, but stagnation is death. We cannot, as C.S. Lewis says, go on indefinitely just being good eggs, we must hatch... and that means growth and change. Never easy... but always worth it.

My current favorite motivational quote says: There will come a day when I will wake up and I will not be able to do this, but TODAY is not that day. Thank God!! I can get up run, type, work, do the laundry, etc. Today is not that day.

My darling husband, who provides for our family, both in spiritual and physical ways.

My kiddos... challenging and growing in belief. Sure, it is hard to deal with at times, but... it means that they are working out their own salvation with fear and trembling.

Have a blessed day!

Wistful Wednesday!

2008-09-24T07:56:00.000-07:00

Ah... today I am somewhat wistful. A bit nostalgic if you will for the good ole days when my children accepted what they were told and were satisfied. Those days are gone.

Today's bit of wistfulness stems from my ds, Alex's, age 15, struggles and attempts to reconcile the concept of the Trinity, a doctrine that our church holds dear, with what appears to him to be clear cut biblical instances of Jesus in subordination to the Father. He would argue that means that the 3 in 1 concept therefore does not work. And, at 15, "it's a mystery." no longer satisfies his questions.

It's not as though he questions the reality of his Savior, or that Jesus came to do the will of God. He just doesn't get this doctrine right now. And, frankly, I don't have any issues with that. However, confirmation is coming up... and he's not sure if he can be confirmed in a church that disagrees with his biblical understanding. I'm not, either, quite honestly...

and that my friends, poses issues with dh, and his parents, and all sorts of others. *sigh*

Lord... I need wisdom. Wisdom on addressing this with dh, wisdom to explain the trinity... and most of all discernment to see my son's heart in this. Any who'd like to come in agreement with me on this... I'd surely appreciate it.

Terrific Tuesday!!

2008-09-23T05:15:00.000-07:00

Morning...

I am just in the best mood today. I've been down and out with a cold bug for the last week... and it really sapped my energy and left me exhausted. It was awful. I found it hard to breathe, and would get winded going up and down a flight of stairs!

So today... when I was able to get out and RUN... it felt glorious. It felt amazing, and it hurt-- a lot. I'm thrilled that I haven't lost any off my time for a 2 mile, and thrilled to run with dd. It's such a joy to do that in the early a.m. hours. George Sheehan said... the hardest thing to remember in the beginning is that the race isn't about beating the other runners. The race is about beating the little voice inside you that wants to quit. Wow!

Talk about a bit of inspiration. So... that got me thinking... Paul calls our Christian life a race. He says that he has run the race. I wonder how often we get caught up thinking and wondering about beating the others in our Christian race... and we forget the race is about beating the little voice inside us. It doesn't matter if a sister can run the race faster or is slower than us, wears a running skirt or shorts... the race is really only about one thing. Beating the voice inside us that wants us to quit.

Not running or religion related: This week's menu plan a day late... eh, it happens!

Monday- mexican coleslaw, black bean and burger burritos.

Tuesday- crockpot beef stew, and hm biscuits.

Wednesday- bratwurst, sauerkraut

Thursday- Steak, grilled mushrooms and zucchini, garlic toast

Friday- Porkchops, green beans, and garlic toast

Saturday- beef brisket, greens, and garlic toast

Why Not Wednesday!

2008-09-17T04:50:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I looked at the way many of us, myself included, get in the habit of saying "No" to our dh's. That creates a problem... and saying yes, not just to sex, but to other things builds an environment where he feels respected and admired. How about with our kids?

Indeed, it is all too easy to say no. It's quick and fast, but also leaves them hitting their heads against a brick wall. Especially in the teenage years, NO seems like a dare, or a challenge for some of them to try to get around.

Picture this scenario: "Mom, can I go to the mall? " "NO. You haven't cleaned your room." Does this seem likely to encourage the teen to clean their room?

On the reverse: "Mom, can I go to the mall?" "Yes, as soon as your room is clean."

Which of the two seems more likely to engage the child on our side? So... I'm making an effort to find ways to say Yes, even to my kiddos. Yes is a much better word than No. I'm not saying there aren't times to say No, what I am saying is... Why not say Yes as much as possible. We don't want to provoke our kids to wrath and using Yes more often will help us with that.

Okay... that's today's ramble. Now I'm off to take dd to orchestra, and then to take ds to the dentist. Hope everyone has a blessed day!

Tackling it Tuesday!

2008-09-16T04:25:00.000-07:00

Today's Tackling it Topics... first my omnipresent to-do list, followed by the tough topic o' the day!

To do: Laundry, dishes, put up window treatments upstairs after washing them this weekend. Make my list for Christmas giving, and put together budget for the Holidays! :)

Tough topic o' the day: I read a great blog (thanks, Leah!) on the importance of not rebuffing but rather encouraging our husband's romantic advances. Essentially the author discusses the impact of a healthy sex life on marriage. She does this much better and with more dignity than I could ever hope to have... I'm including the link here: http://www.makinghome.blogspot.com/

It made me wonder though.... how many other times do we say "no" to our husbands when we could really say "yes"? Isn't an attitude of "Yes" something we should cultivate in all areas of our marriage? Say for example, you've been planning a weekend at home to work on the house, and garden, etc., and your husband comes home Friday night and announces he wants to go camping with the family for the weekend. Do you say yes? Or do you say no?

Saying yes means you trust him to make good decisions. Saying no indicates a lack of trust, and of fear about his leadership and decision making. Now, obviously, there are times to say no... when we have a good reason to due to a check in our spirits about something, or because we feel extremely strongly about it.

However... I'm issuing a challenge... let's say yes more often. Saying yes is a beautiful way to express love, confidence and admiration for this wonderful man God has given us. I have been working on being a "yes, let's" girl for the last 12 years of my 16 years of marriage. I so wish I had been clued in sooner!!

So... when he asks... say, Yes!

Monday Menus and Musings!

2008-09-15T10:12:00.000-07:00

Menus first:

Monday: beef stirfry, oriental veggies, and buckwheat soba noodles.

Tuesday: Blackbean, rice, and groundbeef burritos/enchiladas, salad.

Wednesday: Bratwursts, ww buns, and salad.

Thursday: Spaghetti, salad.

Friday: Porkchops, grilled squash, and ww bread

Saturday: Bbq chicken, grilled greenbeans, and ww bread.

Sunday: Leftover spaghetti sauce morphs into pizza!!

Musings:

Oh... how easy it is to be so certain of our "rightness" that we fail to see the pain we cause others. How hard it is to put ourselves in others shoes and walk without judging. Why do we always assume that there is more they "should" be doing in order to keep things the same? Why can't we accept change?

Lord, help me to be focused less on my "rights" and more on those of others. Help me seek, in the words of St. Francis of Assissi -- less to be understood and more to understand.

What's your Bag?

2008-09-03T19:05:00.000-07:00

LOL...

Mine right now is a hand-beaded patterned bag that has some fringe. I love it... and it looks great for summer. I'm hunting down a new bag...

http://www.ourfamilyjournal.com/2008/08/welcome-to-uptown.html This in fact might well be the one I'm looking for... oh, and don't forget to enter the contest! This is beautiful craftmanship... and even if I don't win... I might still need one.

Or not...

Thankful Thursday!

2008-08-28T07:35:00.000-07:00

I am so thankful... overwhelmingly thankful for what God has given me. This morning I started thinking about how Jesus said we need to become like children again in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. I know there are many things we need to train our children to do, many ways in which the heart of a child is foolish... but the fact is, that Jesus said that the kingdom of Heaven is made of such as these.

I remember when my ds and dd were younger. We wore out 2 copies of "Goodnight, Moon". I'd finish it and they'd cry, "Again"! We'd go to the park, they'd swing and cry, "Again"! Any activity or thing that they saw... was immediately, "Again". They couldn't get enough of it.

Perhaps part of that enthusiasm is what we're exhorted to recapture by Jesus. I can almost picture God causing the sun to rise and set... and thinking "Again". His mercies are new every morning... and we need to appreciate that. We should be waking up and thinking, "Again!"

So... today, I'm thankful because:

1. His mercies ARE new today... Again!
2. I have the best husband in the world... Again!
3. I can run! Again!
4. I saw the sunrise. Again!
5. My children are growing as they should... Again!

For all those blessings... Lord, give me the heart of a child to appreciate and remember them even as they are repeated time and again.

Be Blessed!

Menu Monday!

2008-08-25T06:01:00.000-07:00

With the start of school last week, and dh's new job (Praise God!) now is the perfect time for me to get back in the habit of planning our weekly menus instead of flying by the seat of my pants at dinner time. The luxury of summer leisure is over... and organization must be restored. LOL!

So... the plan this week:

Monday: hand cut steaks, fresh asparagus, hm garlic parmesan bread
Tuesday: bratwurst, ww buns, sauerkraut
Wednesday: spaghetti
Thursday: pork chops, apple sauce, and grilled zucchini
Friday: beef brisket, greens, and ww bread
Saturday: brats again...
Sunday... sandwiches and fend for yourself!

What's cooking at your house?

Tragedy and Our Attempts to Keep it From Us!

2008-08-22T10:58:00.000-07:00

Tragedy. The word strikes us. It is not comfortable to hear, or see or live through. We all want to keep it far from us. We want to be able to say, "Well, it's sad that family lost a child in a school shooting-- but that can't happen to us... we homeschool," or "How sad that the Unitarian Church was shot up... but that can't happen to us... we go to a real church," or "What a sad thing that this child has cancer...but that can't happen to us... we__________."

We want to be able it make it the fault of those who suffer. If we can make it their fault... then we think... it cannot happen to us. We can breathe a sigh of relief because we are safe. Are we though?

Have you read the Book of Job? Job was a good man. Job had God's favor. Job, in fact, did nothing wrong. Yet... can we read that book and not see tragedy? I can't. I'm struck by the pain that Job must have gone through-- his children, his home, his living-- gone.

What of Job's friends? What did they want to do-- what did they seek him out for? To offer help...? No. To offer a job? No. To offer a shoulder to cry on? Nope. They came to find out what Job had done wrong.

If they could learn that... they could prevent a similar disaster happening to themselves. They were not pleased that Job had no answer for them. In fact, they couldn't even accept it.

I understand the desire to find a way to make it the sufferer's fault because then we are safe ... but New Life Church in Colorado Springs was the scene of a shooting, an Amish school was the scene of a shooting. What had these done to deserve this? It wasn't a "godless" public school or church...

I guess I simply do not want to be Job's friend anymore. I am guilty of having been so in the past. I'm not sure why I feel so convinced of my error. I'm also not sure that anyone else will understand. What I do know though... is that... as always... my faith and trust must be in the Lord. I must not think that I am safe from tragedy, or that I can keep myself safe from tragedy.
That is in His capable hands.

Be Blessed!

Grace

Morning has Broken--

2008-08-19T06:23:00.000-07:00

Wow... what a wonderful song that is!! I have it on my phone/MP3 player that I take with me on my runs in the morning. So after leaving the house in the pitch dark... just as the sun started to rise this a.m... it began to play.

What a joy that was! I really do treasure it. It reminded me of God's promise to us...that weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5 The question, of course, is how long is a night?

A night, it seems to me, is not necessarily a literal night. It means that long dark slog for the soul. Something we all, I think, go through... at different times and for different reasons, and likely to create different results. What a promise that we cling to though-- that joy cometh in the morning!

I ran this a.m. with my dd and we had a good chat about school, lunch, the clothes her friends were wearing etc. We laughed, and huffed and puffed. And before the run was over... we were both rejoicing... because the sun was up, because we were alive and running.

Yes... getting up is not fun... but... joy does come in the morning.

Thank you, Lord!

Be Blessed!!

An Update (Of Sorts)

2008-08-18T04:12:00.000-07:00

Lately there are two passages of scripture that I am being drawn to, again and again. The first is Paul's letter to the Colossians. I am slowly studying it very extensively. I'm also being drawn to Psalm 91.

Those of you who are aware and praying for my nephew Josiah, the latest news is this. The doctors in Omaha agree that the colon polyp condition he has right now is not cancer. However, he is bleeding so much from the colon that he is anemic, and this will become cancer if allowed to go untreated. He is on two iron pills a day and that is giving his body the ability to keep up with the blood loss. Praise God!!

There are additional tests to be run, however, those can't be run until September because the specialist is on vacation. Josiah's and his family's faith is strong. They will need to either remove each individual polyp, or go in and remove a part of his colon at this point. So...again, if you'd continue to pray for Josiah... that would be most kind.

In other news, my Mom has moved to a new facility... it is in the town she lived in for so many years so in a lot of ways I am confident that she is quite content and comfortable. She is, of course, not happy to not be back at her home... but she is not capable of being alone for 10-12 hours a day. This is the best solution.

We're working on getting her some things that we think she might enjoy, a t.v., a plug and play Ms. Pacman, low salt roasted cashews, diet Coke, and of course, my father's flag. My siblings are a bit difficult. Then again, they always have been. Prayers for wisdom etc., are definitely needed. Mom's not dead yet... now isn't the time to divide up the spoils. *sigh* In fairness, only two of my siblings are all about that!!

Otherwise... the kids head back to school today... and my life frees up!! So... look for me on chat!! I'll prolly be there later on this afternoon.

Grace

Running!

2008-08-11T06:04:00.000-07:00

I am in love with this. I don't know why, or how, but it is a real joy to me. I feel both horrible and wonderful simultaneously. I am taking my body over, and making it mine.

I was able to run a full 5k on Friday. Can you believe it? Me, who couldn't even run a full city block in January... ran 3.24 miles on Friday. No breaks, no stopping for water, or to tie my shoe. Now, I'm not saying it was fast. I'm saying it was run. Took about an hour actually.

Game on people. Next year, I'm doing the Muddy Buddy somewhere... 7-8 miles of alternate biking/running and *ahem* slithering. Yep, an army crawl through the mud. LOL!! This is gonna be a blast. I'll have either Alex or Tasha as my partner.

Now we just have to decide where... personally, I'm for DisneyWorld!!

On another note... today is the day that Josiah (my nephew) will get his second opinion on the colon polyps, and possible actions to be taken. We'll be praying throughout the day that God blesses the doctors with wisdom and discernment, strengthens Tim and Sharon, his parents, and his sister Megan as well. If you feel moved to do so, please pray for Josiah as well.

Thanks and be blessed!

Rummage Sales Are...

2008-07-13T11:33:00.000-07:00

a bargain hunter's delight... and when it's for a good cause, even more so! We went to the Tip Of the Tail rummage yesterday. Proceeds benefit the Humane Society, and go to the care and upkeep of sheltered pets there.

We got our idiot dog, Bandit, there 6 years ago. At the time, he was 6 mos. old, and had some jumping issues. The family who had had him couldn't keep him because he was jumping on their very young kids. Fortunately, our children were older.

He wasn't fully potty trained when we got him, but now is... he also can sit, lay down, roll over, shake, play fetch, and will stop and sit at each street corner when we walk him. He's a member of the family, and we do spoil him a bit.

Anyway... here's the score... two oversize coffee mugs with saucers -- soon to become herb planters and thus a Christmas gift for my family. A book ds wanted, a beautiful linen embroidered piece of artwork framed, a cd, some antique Christmas ornaments (my weakness-- I collect them!) and homemade dog biscuits... all for only $20.00. Plus... it goes to a great cause!

So... that was yesterdays bargains...

How do you tell...

2008-07-08T21:02:00.000-07:00

the person who raised you that they cannot live in the old homestead anymore?

It appears that my Mom continues to be confused post stroke, and is still seeing and hearing things that aren't there. This, coupled with impulse control issues, makes it a no brainer for an assisted living facility. Better still, all family members are in agreement. Praise God!

Unfortunately, the question is... who will bell the cat? Who tells Mom? She's working very hard in therapy with the understanding that she'll be home in two weeks. Honestly, are we lying to her by omission? I think so. I'm very afraid that she will be heartbroken to learn that isn't the case.

So... if you're inclined to pray... keep it going!

Be Blessed!

Thank God for Endorphins!

2008-07-04T07:54:00.000-07:00

You know... those happy little hormone thingies you get after working out...? Well, I am coming to depend on them. Things with my Mom, and my family (not immediate, mind you) are becoming highly rocky.

I think that if I didn't have my running or exercise, I'd be very sad, and pretty dysfunctional right now. Fortunately, I do have that! And, again, Thank God for it! What a blessing that He created us in such a way that if we work out, and take care of ourselves we manufacture our own anti-depressants. Now, I'm not looking down on people who need modern medical help... just praising Him for His design of us in general.

Plans for today... celebrate the 4th. Call Mom at the rehabilitation center (she had a stroke, near as they can tell without doing an MRI which they can't because of the aneurism clips).

Be Blessed!

What's so special about June 28th???

2008-06-28T20:33:00.001-07:00

Yep... that's it! 14 years ago this delightful, dancing daughter came into my life... well, okay, I'm about 6 hours off but still!

How do you describe a force of nature that at the same time is so gentle and loving? It really defies words. It's been amazing to see her grow from a little girl interested in Barbies, and baby dolls to a confident young woman. She has tremendous patience with her younger cousins, and already shows good judgment.

Happy Birthday, Tasha!

Did It!

2008-06-21T08:39:00.000-07:00

And, hey, that means I have a PR I can do 4k in 42 minutes! So... I'm feeling pretty pleased.

Pics to follow, if and when I get time here to download and post... but, I'm not sure that will happen before we leave for Itasca!

Anyway... have a great day, and Be Blessed!

Nervous!

2008-06-20T19:21:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is it... the big day of the R-A-C-E. Maybe if I spell it, I won't freak out as much. Nah... I still will.

I anticipate it taking about 45 minutes to run the 4k. I'm just short of a full of two miles now, and adding in another .14... eh... that's what I'm looking at realistically I think. It's a fun run so no real finish line... just a park... and a bunch of people.

My plan, having read up on race strategies for noobs... is to start in the back of the pack. I know I'm slow... so there is no sense in starting up front with the experienced, and local elite runners. I'm going to try to take it slow.

I'll eat -- nothing before the race-- and probably re-fuel afterwards like usual... some eggs, spinach and tomato... I've got shades, got a visor, ready to sun screen up... and butterflies in the tummy.

Since we are heading north to Itasca shortly thereafter... posting a pic at the close of the run... might take a day or two... but... so be it...

Iffen you think about... say a prayer for me... and

Be Blessed!

Driver's Edge!

2008-06-15T21:59:00.000-07:00

This is another huge rave. In driver's education our children learn how to drive to pass the test. This, however, does not teach them how to really drive.

This past weekend, my son, Alex was privileged to take advantage of a wonderful program put on as a charitable event. The instructors are professional drivers-- some from Nascar, and Indy, others who teach professional driving. Needless to say... they know their stuff.

Alex was taught how to steer through a skid, how to do a high speed lane change, how to use panic braking... etc.

If you have the opportunity... I cannot recommend this course highly enough. Yes, the men use some salty language... but the knowledge is unbeatable.

www.driversedge.org

Oh... and Alex won a trophy for most improved in steering through a skid! I am so proud of him... and as a Mom, pleased that he's learned how before the roads are icy and without winding up in the ditch.

Thanks to Driver's Edge, who puts the program on for FREE!!

Be Blessed!

Rave!

2008-06-08T10:28:00.000-07:00

Just got my new sports bra... I have to tell you. What a difference! I'd bought the el cheapo stuffmart versions before. This has wicking fabric to keep the sweat away, and real honest to goodness motion control.

I'm ordering another one in black while they are at this price. It's amazing! I had a much more comfortable run this morning. These are normally 33.00 a piece at my local sports store, so... it's a score. They are however down to black and white in most sizes. Doesn't bother me any though.

I'm about function, not fashion and ummm would not be seen in public running with just a jogging bra for a top anyway. *shudders*

Be Blessed!

An Amazing Day!

2008-06-07T21:46:00.000-07:00

This has been an amazing day! We had a company picnic of sorts... the company was Sanford Health. My FIL works for the company... and so we were all invited.

It was so much fun! There was a whole carnival with rides, free pop, free water, free food... and good food, as well as fair fare. Rides were free, everything was free.

And... there were 3 concerts... A.J. and Ally (I'm not familiar with them really, seem to be a sort of Hannah Montana-esque group) Sheryl Crow -- She brought her A game, and Rascal Flatts.
Again, all free! So, yes... we had a blast. Loved every minute.

They had a great show. My personal fave, Rascal Flatts.

Hope your day was good too.

Be Blessed!

The Company One Keeps...

2008-06-03T20:29:00.000-07:00

Lately, I've been giving a lot of thought to this topic. Earlier in the year, I was asked to step back from some of my associations so as to devote more time to family life, and less time to online issues. Online friendships are real, though, and when you stop being there... you miss a lot.

I again apologize to everyone who worried, and prayed for me during that time. I certainly should have had the good sense to just explain I needed a sabbatical, and why. I have received the okay to re-join the company, both from those who requested I step back, and from the company itself.

I am posting this because I know that there are those who have bad feelings toward the company, and who may want to change their association with me based on that knowledge. I'm going to be honest and upfront here with everyone.

I truly love the company. It is one that has blessed much of my life. I've learned tremendously from the women there. Is it perfect? No. It's on a fallen earth... but it is a company that I intend to keep.

Be Blessed!

Fitness Bargains!

2008-06-02T14:23:00.000-07:00

One blog I love to read, is Caustic Musings . First, the nutritional recipes are incredible. But even better is the way she spotlights frugal fitness stuff!!

One Hanes Place currently has an awesome sports bra on sale for 9.99. If like me good motion control is a must, I highly recommend visiting their clearance section. Even better... shipping is only 3.00 for the day! That makes this is a complete bargain.

Just some thoughts there...

Grace

Hearing vs. Listening.

2008-05-31T11:09:00.000-07:00

So often I read in the Bible, Jesus said, let him who has ears to hear, hear... Matthew 13:39 (Just an example!) What a simple phrase! Yet how much meaning it has. At least to me...

As a child sitting in church with my parents when the pastor would recite those words, I always thought, "Why would Jesus say that?" I mean, it was perfectly obvious to me that everyone has ears... Later on, I began to think that what that meant was that we are free to see what commands specifically apply to us and which ones do not. If you didn't have to ears to hear a particular thing... well, then, that particular thing did not apply to you.

Ah... again, I was wrong. I think that Jesus was telling us to listen. Really listen to His words, and those of His father. How many times I've gotten uptight with my son or daughter, because they "hear" me but don't "listen"!! Listening implies going beyond mere auditory reception.

Listening to me is hearing, yes, but hearing with understanding. Hearing with comprehension, if you will. I recently was given C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity on tape. I've read the book countless times... but hearing... no, listening to it was far different. It was so cool to listen to Lewis speak and his inflection in different places changed or deepened my comprehension.

How wonderful that we worship a God who speaks to us! Who asks us to listen... I think sometimes because we so readily have access to the Word in whatever form we choose we sometimes forget the power of the Word. This, I think is the real tragedy.

After all, Paul tells us in Romans 10:16-18 that... So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes, verily, their sound went into all the earth and their words unto the end of the world. We have ears... we have heard. Let us endeavor to make sure that all have heard, too.

We may not be able to compel listening... but we can afford everyone a chance to hear the word. Whether they choose to listen or not... that is their choice.

Be Blessed!

Am I crazy enough?

2008-05-28T08:41:00.000-07:00

I think I am.

http://www.sfhumanesociety.com/custEvents.asp?secId=&ParentId=&eventId=35&page=viewEvent

This race is coming up on the 21st of June. Right now doing a combination of walking and running I'm finishing 2 miles in about 40 minutes. Now, that's not going to win me the thing, mind you! But... it will let me finish 2.49 miles.

I think I am just crazy enough to enter. I don't have to worry about my time because I know I'll be slow. I fully expect to finish last. LOL. I don't have to do anything except have fun and get a run in.

So... what do you think? Am I crazy enough... and should I drag my kiddos with me??

Grace