There was once a woman who went by the name Jen, or Honey or Mama or Moooooom! and other various things that her family and acquaintances concocted. She got the idea in January of 2009 to start a blog as a way to channel her unusual and varied thoughts onto the screen in the hopes that someone may benefit from them if only to get a good chuckle for their day.
She later realized the irony of writing about putting one's family first while said family languished in front of a screen or some other mindless entertainment (to borrow the style of Lemony Snicket: Languish is a word which here means to suffer the neglect of a mother with tunnel vision for her computer screen when she should be otherwise employed such as feeding them or keeping them from killing one another.). Therefore, she took breaks...frequent ones. Like summer-long ones.
After getting back into a reasonable schedule of blogging again with her children getting by reasonably as well, she began nesting. This was due to the fact that she was, well, due soon with a new little one and the thought occurred to her that it may be nice for the child to have clothes and a bed ready when he arrived. Understandably this thought should have occurred to her much earlier, but in the fog of the last weeks of pregnancy, it hit her brain with urgency (or at least the ability to do something about it).
So, she prepared the baby's room and sat down at the computer screen in order to prepare her posts ahead so her readers wouldn't miss out while she was occupied with essential things like making a mad dash for the hospital, suffering great pain (I like stories with a hint of tragedy to them) and begging hospital employees to please let her take her child and go home already. Of course, the anticipated arrival home also brought with it the anticipation of about 3 months of 4 hours of sleep in each 24 hour period, not necessarily in consecutive order.
Being one to plan ahead (even if no action is done, planning feels like one is being productive), Jen decided to dispense with blogging until after the birth of the baby so as to concentrate on the preparation for this great event which has only occurred three other times in her lifetime. Her last meaningful thought for you very patient readers is that she is glad they didn't decide to remodel any rooms this time. Oh wait, that's not it! Um, it is that she hopes you all will keep checking your e-mail/readers/the website because you never know when pictures of the new little one will be posted.
Epilogue
No, the Unpredictable Blogger is not in labor but she is officially full term today.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
7 Quick Takes Friday
~1~
Saturday was our family reunion on my husband's side. There were about 80 there which is supposedly about half of us. While we were there, we got our family picture taken. My kids have an aversion to showing their teeth in a picture. Not sure why. At least you know which ones are mine! The rest are my husband and me, mother and father-in-law, my two sisters-in-law, and two brothers-in-law and our four nephews.
~2~
I had my first weekly appointment with my midwife this week. Hopefully I made the last contributions of my blood to the friendly lab technicians for this pregnancy. Nothing is happening yet, so I'm hoping for another few weeks before our littlest one arrives.
~3~
Jessica had her first art class of the year. This class was for anyone, not just homeschoolers. I was the only parent to stay in the class--at my daughter's request. She may be more attached to me than the schooled children were, but she was one of few who didn't talk over the teacher and did pay attention. I guess she's not totally spoiled for a classroom setting.
~4~
After shying away from commercial microwave popcorn for cost and health reasons for awhile, I came across this super-easy way to do it. New Nostalgia has a great pictorial for it here, so I won't go into all the steps again, but it involves only some popcorn (I got a big bag for $1.39) and some brown bags (a pack of 44 for under $1.50). I did add some melted butter and salt, and we couldn't tell the difference between the bags from the store and ours!
~5~
Speaking of food, we are enjoying the bounty of harvest around here. We still have some of our garden tomatoes, but we were also given some homegrown butternut squash and apples. My husband also came home with a gargantuan bag of green peppers. I will chop most and freeze, but he wants some stuffed peppers. Anyone have a really awesome recipe that doesn't require a lot of boxes and cans?
~6~
I had a one hour trip by myself one evening this week. I got some last-minute baby essentials and a decaf pumpkin spice latte. (Mmm...one of the joys of fall!) It's a little pathetic that since my mom was busy I had no one to go with me. However, my spontaneous moments usually do not coincide with those of my other mom friends, who are the only demographic among my friends who would enjoy baby shopping. (Or at least be comfortable with it!)
~7~
My mind is drawing a blank for #7. I've already been interrupted several times to make lunch, put Jerrod down for his nap and to marinate some ribs for supper. My brain is a bit fried and ready for it's own break which I'm thinking may just include some chocolate....
Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
The Wife Behind the Dream
A wife, upset because her husband doesn't help out around the house more, burns her husband's life's work.
Another ministry leader's wife sends letters to her husband's enemies to help them publicly slander him.
Yet another wife practices open contempt for her husband, even locking him in the bathroom as punishment.
Sound extreme? Maybe. Yet, each of these are actual women from history.
The first was the wife of Sequoya, a Cherokee Indian trying to help his people by writing a new form of the alphabet so they would be accepted in the settlements of frontier Americans. Although, he persevered and rewrote his alphabet, his people ultimately suffered the Trail of Tears.
The second was the wife of John Wesley, known as the Father of Methodism. Although he did much for the work of the Lord, his life was plagued for many years by a jealous wife trying to defeat his ministry.
The third, as told about in James Dobson's Hide or Seek, was wife to Lee Harvey Oswald, the man who allegedly assassinated President John F. Kennedy.
We as wives have a God-given privilege and duty to support our husbands' dreams. Who knows what a man can accomplish if he has a wife fully supporting him and encouraging him in all he endeavors to undertake?
Sadly, I've been in groups of women where they complained about their husbands' choice of work or ministry. They refused to step up next to him and make it possible for him to accomplish his goals, often to their own detriment and that of their children.
May I challenge you to fully support your husband's dreams today? I know, it's a bit risky. You may have to watch him fail a few times before he finds and achieves his God-given calling and purpose. His dreams may take a different turn than you had hoped. Are we willing to really be the help meet (or suitable) for our husbands? To encourage him and stand by him even when our own feelings try to get in the way? To realize that we just might not have all the answers like we think we do?
I hope that each of desire to be the woman whose husband's heart trusts in her and knows she will do him only good and not evil. You are the wife behind his dream--will you make it succeed or will you make it fail?
Another ministry leader's wife sends letters to her husband's enemies to help them publicly slander him.
Yet another wife practices open contempt for her husband, even locking him in the bathroom as punishment.
Sound extreme? Maybe. Yet, each of these are actual women from history.
The first was the wife of Sequoya, a Cherokee Indian trying to help his people by writing a new form of the alphabet so they would be accepted in the settlements of frontier Americans. Although, he persevered and rewrote his alphabet, his people ultimately suffered the Trail of Tears.
The second was the wife of John Wesley, known as the Father of Methodism. Although he did much for the work of the Lord, his life was plagued for many years by a jealous wife trying to defeat his ministry.
The third, as told about in James Dobson's Hide or Seek, was wife to Lee Harvey Oswald, the man who allegedly assassinated President John F. Kennedy.
We as wives have a God-given privilege and duty to support our husbands' dreams. Who knows what a man can accomplish if he has a wife fully supporting him and encouraging him in all he endeavors to undertake?
Sadly, I've been in groups of women where they complained about their husbands' choice of work or ministry. They refused to step up next to him and make it possible for him to accomplish his goals, often to their own detriment and that of their children.
May I challenge you to fully support your husband's dreams today? I know, it's a bit risky. You may have to watch him fail a few times before he finds and achieves his God-given calling and purpose. His dreams may take a different turn than you had hoped. Are we willing to really be the help meet (or suitable) for our husbands? To encourage him and stand by him even when our own feelings try to get in the way? To realize that we just might not have all the answers like we think we do?
I hope that each of desire to be the woman whose husband's heart trusts in her and knows she will do him only good and not evil. You are the wife behind his dream--will you make it succeed or will you make it fail?
Monday, September 20, 2010
What is Your View of God?
She cringes in the back of the closet, hoping that the long coats hide her bare feet and ragged dress. She can't remember doing anything wrong today, but it seems Daddy always finds something for which to beat her. Especially when he's been drinking. Now he's home again and talking to Mommy in the other room. His voice escalates and she shrinks further inside the fuzzy wool coat wishing it could hide her forever.
He holds out the baseball expectantly, miniature bat slung over his shoulder.
"Can you pitch me a few balls, Daddy? I've been practicing."
"Hmmm?"
"Can you come play with me?"
"Too busy," comes the short reply.
"Maybe later?"
But, Daddy misses the disappointment in his eyes because he never looks up from his work. He walks away slowly, hoping to find someone else to just look at him and verify that he does, indeed, exist.
"Daddy! Look what I made!"
The small artist beams proudly, holding up her latest masterpiece. He looks. Her smile widens. He reaches for it. She holds it out eagerly. He frowns. Her smile slips just a bit.
"Do...do you like it, Daddy?"
"What's this?" He points to a portion of the picture so painstakingly painted moments before.
"Why, that's a rainbow! Aren't the colors pretty?"
He laughs. She smiles again.
"I thought you spilled some of your paint. Maybe I can show you how to do a better one?"
"O.K. Daddy."
But the exuberance to try is gone. So is the smallest hint of a smile.Nothing she does measures up to his scrutiny. Maybe she should give up painting altogether.
The teacher stands at the front of the class.
"I have an exciting announcement, Class! Tomorrow, we will be celebrating Father's Day a few days early. You may bring your fathers with you to class. There will be some special treats. In preparation for our fun day, we will all make cards for our fathers to present to them tomorrow."
The conversation buzzes noisily around him, but he stays hunched in his chair. No one seems to notice him as he looks down at his desk. The teacher walks around the room, distributing paper, crayons, paints. The little girl seated next to him chatters at him as she receives hers.
"Mine will be the very best because I have the very best Daddy! I'm going to decorate it with lots of blue. That's Daddy's favorite color. How are you going to make yours?"
He shrugs. So does she and turns to continue her chatter to the girl on the other side of her. He angrily brushes away the tear that persists in forming on his lashes. How does one make a card for someone who doesn't exist? Of course, Mom tells him his daddy lives out west somewhere, but he's never seen him. When no one is looking, he stuffs the paper into his desk and busies himself with studying his fingernails. At least that is something he can see.
She rushes to the window as she hears the familiar crunch of tires in the gravel of the driveway.
"Daddy's home!" she yells.
She greets him with a big bear hug around his knees. He laughs and swings her into the air.
"How's my little rosebud today?"
She squeals with delight, then looks sober.
"What's wrong, honey?"
He drops to one knee and looks deep into her eyes.
"I almost forgot. I did something bad today."
He gathers her into his lap.
"Tell me about it."
"Well, Mommy told me to clean my room and I didn't do it. I pretended like I did, but I really stuffed all of my toys into the closet."
She drops her eyes to the floor.
"I wish I had done what she told me to."
"Well, you'll have to tell Mommy what you did and that you're sorry you disobeyed her, then how about if we go and work on it together? I have a surprise for you, and I can't wait to tell you about it!"
She brightens and runs off to find Mommy, reveling in the freedom of sins forgiven and the promise of fellowship with the Daddy she adores.
What is your view of God? No matter what kind of earthly father you have, God is the perfect Father. He's never Abusive, Absorbed, Accusatory, Absent. He adores you simply because you are His!
*****
He holds out the baseball expectantly, miniature bat slung over his shoulder.
"Can you pitch me a few balls, Daddy? I've been practicing."
"Hmmm?"
"Can you come play with me?"
"Too busy," comes the short reply.
"Maybe later?"
But, Daddy misses the disappointment in his eyes because he never looks up from his work. He walks away slowly, hoping to find someone else to just look at him and verify that he does, indeed, exist.
*****
"Daddy! Look what I made!"
The small artist beams proudly, holding up her latest masterpiece. He looks. Her smile widens. He reaches for it. She holds it out eagerly. He frowns. Her smile slips just a bit.
"Do...do you like it, Daddy?"
"What's this?" He points to a portion of the picture so painstakingly painted moments before.
"Why, that's a rainbow! Aren't the colors pretty?"
He laughs. She smiles again.
"I thought you spilled some of your paint. Maybe I can show you how to do a better one?"
"O.K. Daddy."
But the exuberance to try is gone. So is the smallest hint of a smile.Nothing she does measures up to his scrutiny. Maybe she should give up painting altogether.
*****
The teacher stands at the front of the class.
"I have an exciting announcement, Class! Tomorrow, we will be celebrating Father's Day a few days early. You may bring your fathers with you to class. There will be some special treats. In preparation for our fun day, we will all make cards for our fathers to present to them tomorrow."
The conversation buzzes noisily around him, but he stays hunched in his chair. No one seems to notice him as he looks down at his desk. The teacher walks around the room, distributing paper, crayons, paints. The little girl seated next to him chatters at him as she receives hers.
"Mine will be the very best because I have the very best Daddy! I'm going to decorate it with lots of blue. That's Daddy's favorite color. How are you going to make yours?"
He shrugs. So does she and turns to continue her chatter to the girl on the other side of her. He angrily brushes away the tear that persists in forming on his lashes. How does one make a card for someone who doesn't exist? Of course, Mom tells him his daddy lives out west somewhere, but he's never seen him. When no one is looking, he stuffs the paper into his desk and busies himself with studying his fingernails. At least that is something he can see.
*****
She rushes to the window as she hears the familiar crunch of tires in the gravel of the driveway.
"Daddy's home!" she yells.
She greets him with a big bear hug around his knees. He laughs and swings her into the air.
"How's my little rosebud today?"
She squeals with delight, then looks sober.
"What's wrong, honey?"
He drops to one knee and looks deep into her eyes.
"I almost forgot. I did something bad today."
He gathers her into his lap.
"Tell me about it."
"Well, Mommy told me to clean my room and I didn't do it. I pretended like I did, but I really stuffed all of my toys into the closet."
She drops her eyes to the floor.
"I wish I had done what she told me to."
"Well, you'll have to tell Mommy what you did and that you're sorry you disobeyed her, then how about if we go and work on it together? I have a surprise for you, and I can't wait to tell you about it!"
She brightens and runs off to find Mommy, reveling in the freedom of sins forgiven and the promise of fellowship with the Daddy she adores.
What is your view of God? No matter what kind of earthly father you have, God is the perfect Father. He's never Abusive, Absorbed, Accusatory, Absent. He adores you simply because you are His!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Revival Week Links
Since I have written this week's posts ahead of time and am taking time off from the computer this week, I decided to leave you with some links to past blog posts about nurturing our spiritual life. Feel free to re-read some older posts, and I will be back to regular posting on Monday.
Practicing His Presence: Devotional Life
Establishing a Devotional Life: The Baby and Toddler Edition
Tips for Mommy Devotions
I Need Thee Ev'ry Hour
The Morning Search
Putting God First This Year
Hearing His Heartbeat: Love
Glimpses of Love
Become As Little Children
Addiction-Free Life
Entertaining Thoughts
My Personal Journey
Feed My Lambs
No Apologies!
Are You An Approval Junkie?
Practicing His Presence: Devotional Life
Establishing a Devotional Life: The Baby and Toddler Edition
Tips for Mommy Devotions
I Need Thee Ev'ry Hour
The Morning Search
Putting God First This Year
Hearing His Heartbeat: Love
Glimpses of Love
Become As Little Children
Addiction-Free Life
Entertaining Thoughts
My Personal Journey
Feed My Lambs
No Apologies!
Are You An Approval Junkie?
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Questions for Revival
Volumes have been written on how to experience revival. I am not qualified or even knowledgeable enough to answer the question of how. I do know that somehow prayer and fasting are involved. I know that they have to be more than token prayers, but desperate out-cries of the heart to God. He has to see how serious we are through the fasting of things that would keep our thoughts from dwelling upon Him.
Here are some questions I'm asking myself:
Here are some questions I'm asking myself:
- How can I spend more time this week in fervent prayer to my Father in Heaven?
- How can I spend less time this week in pursuit of the temporal and nonessential?
- What can I give up for this week to show God the earnestness of my desire for Him?
- Are there things in my life that diminish my hunger for God that I should eliminate?
- Are there things from which my relationship with God would benefit if I added them to my life?
Monday, September 13, 2010
What is Revival?
Revival. What is it exactly? I've been pondering this question for months, maybe even years. My thoughts turn to it when we have at our church what dictionary.com defines as:
an evangelistic service or a series of services for the purpose of effecting a religious awakening: to hold a revivalOur particular church holds two of these a year. However, I think that perhaps the services in themselves are not quite enough to "effect a religious awakening". Dictionary.com gives another definition:
an awakening, in a church or community, of interest in and care for matters relating to personal religion
Historically, I've heard of this happening. I've seen it for brief periods of time in my church and community. If religion is all we care about, it is evident that our world is even interested in revival. We see evidences of religion about us everywhere we look. However, the religion we see in our country today is based primarily on the worship and pursuit of things far removed from the Creator God Almighty.
The dictionary goes on to define the word with this:
Nancy Leigh DeMoss has a ministry devoted to the purpose of revival called Revive Our Hearts. She defines her goal as calling women to freedom, fullness, and fruitfulness in Christ. When I think of personal revival, I believe these goals, even if they may not cover the full scope of what revival means, are worthy of my pursuit.The dictionary goes on to define the word with this:
restoration to life, consciousness, vigor, strength, etc.If we acknowledge that life and strength come from the Lord Jesus Christ alone, then this definition may get a bit closer to what we desire through revival.
Freedom. Freedom from sin. Freedom from being pressed into the mold of the world. Freedom from anyone's opinion of me but God's. Freedom from unrealistic, perfectionistic expectations. Freedom to become the one God has created me to be.
Fullness. We women hear a lot about being "fulfilled" as in reaching our full potential. God definitely has a plan for our lives and He wants us to reach the heights of it. I want to revel in His purpose for me. I want to experience the fullness of His love, His blessings, His correction and His plan for me.
Fruitfulness. Any changes in my personal life mean nothing if they do not spill out to others. What good is it to experience the love of God if my life does not reach out to others in love? What good is joy or peace if no one sees evidence of it in my life? What good is salvation from sin if it doesn't work to keep me free from sin? What good is the fullness of the Spirit if my life is filled with everything but Him?
In Christ. Any of these things could be pursued by anyone in this world, but if they are pursued outside of Christ, we will never reach a true life-restoring revival. Our full dependence must be on Him!
Do you desire revival in your heart and life? Join me this week in learning about and praying for this essential cause in our lives as Christians.
Friday, September 10, 2010
7 Quick Takes Friday
I have two different blog post ideas floating around in my head for today, however, it is almost 9:00 and neither one is committed to the screen. So, I decided to participate in this instead:
#1
My two oldest guys went on their first "guy trip" Saturday. There was an air show near us, so they eagerly prepared for it all week. Jeffery, age 5, told his daddy that he couldn't wait to go on a "date" with him. Daddy told him that guys don't go on dates, so they called it an "adventure".
#2
Due to the change of the guys' plans, our Labor Day cookout was postponed until about 7 P.M. We grilled hamburgers and bratwurst and our favorite baked potatoes. My mom brought buffalo wings, a veggie plate and a fruit plate. We made 2 kinds of homemade ice cream for dessert. Ah! What's a holiday without good food? Speaking of good food, you must try out a new recipe recommended by my sister just in time for fall: Gooey S'mores Bars
#3
My youngest baby (for another month) turned 2 this week. I was almost tempted to believe in the terrible twos because for 2 days after his birthday, we had more discipline issues with him than I've had in the last 2 months. I'm not one to make excuses, but he did have a bad cold and as his cold went away so did the attitude (for the most part!). He's growing up so fast!
#4
I was a few minutes late to pick up my daughter from piano lesson due to a few minor "emergencies". She told her teacher I was there, thinking she saw my car, and when I pulled up she was standing on the street corner, looking rather forlorn. I felt horrible for being late and also horrified that she was standing outside by herself with no adult knowing she was there. One of those guilt-producing lessons for Mom!
#5
We picked up Jeffery's glasses this week. The optician told him he looked handsome in them and asked him how old he was. He told her he was 5, then she made his day by telling him he looked at least 7 in his glasses!
#6
This was a good week to put my recent post to the test. All 5 of us came down with colds. Ironically, the two that were able to take the vitamin C, had it the worst. The baby that has never been on antibiotics had it the longest. I had the lightest case although I was exposed to more of the germs with nose-wiping, administering medicine and could not take Vitamin C because of pregnancy which is supposed to make one more susceptible to illness anyway. Hmmmm....I don't think I'll ever completely understand sickness and how one gets it.
#7
I'm at 34 weeks of pregnancy, so the biggest threat of premature birth is over. However, my midwife wants me to make sure the baby stays put for 2-3 more weeks. That is fine with me as I still have some last-minute purchases to make and the bassinet to bring up from the basement and clean. Since I generally deliver early (never made it to a due date yet), I guess I know what next week's work should be!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Homekeeper's Journal: Nesting
This week’s Homekeeper’s Journal is all about Nesting …….
Let’s define our terms ….
Nest - a snug retreat or refuge; resting place; home.
Nesting - to build or have a nest
In my neck of the woods its getting cooler and Autumn isn’t far away. Its time to start nesting and get my home cozy and comfortable for the cooler days ahead. I want to create a retreat from the world, a resting place, home.
Get your thinking caps on and lets talk about how we can arrange, order, decorate and change our homes so that they are a warm wonderful retreat for our families this Autumn and Winter.
My kitchen would be more inviting if …………. I had room for at least a small kitchen table or island so that someone would come in and talk to me while I was cooking. Sometimes I get lonely with no one to talk to. Other times I get nervous because the kids--having nowhere else to be--are underfoot while I'm trying to get a meal on the table.
My best tip for making a home seem more welcoming….cut the clutter! I know, easier said than done. I feel much more relaxed and welcome in my own home when everything has a place and everything is in its place.
To give the feeling of warmth in my home I often….use throws and lower the lights. It seems like warm, soft light helps everyone feel warmer whether it actually varies the temperature or not.
In the cooler months, it is essential for me to ….. have plenty of the afore-mentioned throws in the living room. Our older home is quite drafty and not well insulated so we just wrap up when we sit around the living room.
Some favorite Autumn/Winter recipes are …..all kinds of soups, apple pie and warm comfort foods. Around Thanksgiving and Christmas, pumpkin cheesecake and cranberry salad are essential to a good holiday.
A Quick Tip for making your house more inviting ……candles, soft light and everything put away. I know I already mentioned those things, but those are the things that come to mind first. I think a nice fresh tablecloth and centerpiece on the table spruce things up quite a bit. Quiet, in-the-background music. Good conversation.
This post is linked to christianhomekeeper.org and Raising Homemakers.
Let’s define our terms ….
Nest - a snug retreat or refuge; resting place; home.
Nesting - to build or have a nest
In my neck of the woods its getting cooler and Autumn isn’t far away. Its time to start nesting and get my home cozy and comfortable for the cooler days ahead. I want to create a retreat from the world, a resting place, home.
Get your thinking caps on and lets talk about how we can arrange, order, decorate and change our homes so that they are a warm wonderful retreat for our families this Autumn and Winter.
My kitchen would be more inviting if …………. I had room for at least a small kitchen table or island so that someone would come in and talk to me while I was cooking. Sometimes I get lonely
My best tip for making a home seem more welcoming….cut the clutter! I know, easier said than done. I feel much more relaxed and welcome in my own home when everything has a place and everything is in its place.
To give the feeling of warmth in my home I often….use throws and lower the lights. It seems like warm, soft light helps everyone feel warmer whether it actually varies the temperature or not.
In the cooler months, it is essential for me to ….. have plenty of the afore-mentioned throws in the living room. Our older home is quite drafty and not well insulated so we just wrap up when we sit around the living room.
Some favorite Autumn/Winter recipes are …..all kinds of soups, apple pie and warm comfort foods. Around Thanksgiving and Christmas, pumpkin cheesecake and cranberry salad are essential to a good holiday.
A Quick Tip for making your house more inviting ……candles, soft light and everything put away. I know I already mentioned those things, but those are the things that come to mind first. I think a nice fresh tablecloth and centerpiece on the table spruce things up quite a bit. Quiet, in-the-background music. Good conversation.
This post is linked to christianhomekeeper.org and Raising Homemakers.
Monday, September 6, 2010
If Your Life Were A Book...
In case you didn't know by now, I love to read. It has been one of my favorite things to do since I was 4 years old. I am even weird enough to read the acknowledgments in the front of the book. I look at the date it was published. I notice the endorsements, and I never skip the preface or epilogue.
Each of us is writing a story with our lives. Most of us are getting a pretty good idea what the plot is by now although there is no way to skip to the back of the book and see the ending. We can all anticipate a few unexpected twists and turns in the action (or inaction) before our book is closed.
Photo Credit
However, maybe we should tear ourselves away from the story for a moment, and consider these things about the book of our life:
What does the book cover say about you? No, one cannot always judge a book by its cover, but many people do pass over books after viewing the outside only. This is a sad but true fact of our lives. Our outward appearance and demeanor will greatly affect the influence we have on potential readers.
What is the title of your book? It seems like this would be too important of a detail to overlook, but so many do. They plunge into the story without figuring out the overall purpose of the book. Each life must have purpose if it is going to make an impact for God.
To whom is your book dedicated? Yes, I love to see to whom an author dedicates his book after the many grueling hours of work. Often it is a spouse or close family member. Other times it is someone who influences the subject matter to a great extent. I trust all of us dedicate our life books to our Creator, God.
Who are listed in the acknowledgments of your book? For those of you who don't read these, the acknowledgments simply list all the people that made the book possible and helped the author in the writing, editing and publishing process. I will forever be thankful for the careful editing from my Godly parents, the encouragement from Godly friends and mentors at key points in my life, and those who most influence my subject matter: my husband and children.
Remember, the important thing isn't the length of the book, the cover design or making the best seller list. It is simply this: Do readers walk away from my book with a deeper desire for God and the pursuit of Him? Oh, that my answer--and yours--would be a resounding yes!
Each of us is writing a story with our lives. Most of us are getting a pretty good idea what the plot is by now although there is no way to skip to the back of the book and see the ending. We can all anticipate a few unexpected twists and turns in the action (or inaction) before our book is closed.
However, maybe we should tear ourselves away from the story for a moment, and consider these things about the book of our life:
What does the book cover say about you? No, one cannot always judge a book by its cover, but many people do pass over books after viewing the outside only. This is a sad but true fact of our lives. Our outward appearance and demeanor will greatly affect the influence we have on potential readers.
What is the title of your book? It seems like this would be too important of a detail to overlook, but so many do. They plunge into the story without figuring out the overall purpose of the book. Each life must have purpose if it is going to make an impact for God.
To whom is your book dedicated? Yes, I love to see to whom an author dedicates his book after the many grueling hours of work. Often it is a spouse or close family member. Other times it is someone who influences the subject matter to a great extent. I trust all of us dedicate our life books to our Creator, God.
Who are listed in the acknowledgments of your book? For those of you who don't read these, the acknowledgments simply list all the people that made the book possible and helped the author in the writing, editing and publishing process. I will forever be thankful for the careful editing from my Godly parents, the encouragement from Godly friends and mentors at key points in my life, and those who most influence my subject matter: my husband and children.
Remember, the important thing isn't the length of the book, the cover design or making the best seller list. It is simply this: Do readers walk away from my book with a deeper desire for God and the pursuit of Him? Oh, that my answer--and yours--would be a resounding yes!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Keeping Kids Well in Cooler Months
With the coming of cooler weather just around the corner, many of us are looking forward to falling leaves, fireplaces and apple pie. Maybe it's just me, but since I became a mother I always look to the winter season with a feeling of dread. This is when colds, flus and all manner of sickness seem to hit.
I cannot be a germophobe without it seriously affecting my sanity. Young children seem to invent new ways daily to get germs into their tiny bodies. So, I've figured the best way to combat illness is to improve the function of our immune systems, limit unnecessary germs as much as possible and hope for the best.
Here are some things that seem to help around our house (maybe it's an illusion, but again, it helps my sanity!) when I actually do them:
1. Keep fingernails short. I just assumed you'd heard somewhere that frequent handwashing is the best way to combat illness so I skipped that one. However, even if you have kids that wash their hands perfectly every time, a lot of germs can hide under fingernails. I like to keep the nail clippers handy in the bathroom and take care of this little job while they are still in the tub. (Long fingernails are also a pet peeve of my piano teacher self, but that's another post on another blog.)
2. Stock up on vitamin C. I am a firm believer in large doses of vitamin C when someone is starting to get sick or already sick. I've seen it stop a cold in its tracks or greatly reduce the severity of it. Experts will tell you different, but if it's a placebo, let me stay deceived.
3. Eat real food as much as possible. If we are supposed to let our food be our medicine and vice versa, then I'd rather trust God's real food than man's chemical concoctions. I've noticed my kids are more likely to get sick after a weekend of binging on candy and other junk.
4. Get a full night's sleep. If you're a mother, you may be laughing at this one, but losing sleep for a long period of time DOES run one down and seems to make us more susceptible to illness. This is especially true for children. So, when you send them to bed an hour early, go ahead and ease your guilt by telling yourself you're doing it for their own good! :-)
5. Take antibiotics only if absolutely necessary. If your doctor prescribes one, ask if it would be o.k. to let the illness heal on its own or to "watch and see" for a few days before filling the script. Antibiotics really mess up immune and digestive systems, and if they're not necessary for healing, why take them?
6. Don't be afraid of fevers. Of course there are exceptions to this like when fevers get very high and can cause seizures. However, God gives us fever for a reason. A fever fights off the infection or illness. If we artificially bring it down just for the illusion that we are healing, our bodies cannot do their job. Of course, if a child is in discomfort due to pain or fever, something can be given him for that, but the fever itself could be an aid to healing.
7. Stay away from other kids. Relax, I'm only joking! (And you were going to make some comment about my homeschooling isolation syndrome, weren't you?) With the "socializing" of our children, however, automatically comes the sharing of germs. This is part of life. Sorry, I don't have any answers for you on this problem.
8. Make the doctor a last resort. If you really need to take 'em, go ahead, but remember all the other sick people are going there, too. If I make that comment at my doctor's office the staff act a bit offended, but even my doctor tells me to keep my kids away from hospitals during flu season.
So, there you have it: my unofficial, in early stages of research, not fool-proof plan. What tips do you have for keeping your kids well? I'd love to hear them!
I cannot be a germophobe without it seriously affecting my sanity. Young children seem to invent new ways daily to get germs into their tiny bodies. So, I've figured the best way to combat illness is to improve the function of our immune systems, limit unnecessary germs as much as possible and hope for the best.
Here are some things that seem to help around our house (maybe it's an illusion, but again, it helps my sanity!) when I actually do them:
1. Keep fingernails short. I just assumed you'd heard somewhere that frequent handwashing is the best way to combat illness so I skipped that one. However, even if you have kids that wash their hands perfectly every time, a lot of germs can hide under fingernails. I like to keep the nail clippers handy in the bathroom and take care of this little job while they are still in the tub. (Long fingernails are also a pet peeve of my piano teacher self, but that's another post on another blog.)
2. Stock up on vitamin C. I am a firm believer in large doses of vitamin C when someone is starting to get sick or already sick. I've seen it stop a cold in its tracks or greatly reduce the severity of it. Experts will tell you different, but if it's a placebo, let me stay deceived.
3. Eat real food as much as possible. If we are supposed to let our food be our medicine and vice versa, then I'd rather trust God's real food than man's chemical concoctions. I've noticed my kids are more likely to get sick after a weekend of binging on candy and other junk.
4. Get a full night's sleep. If you're a mother, you may be laughing at this one, but losing sleep for a long period of time DOES run one down and seems to make us more susceptible to illness. This is especially true for children. So, when you send them to bed an hour early, go ahead and ease your guilt by telling yourself you're doing it for their own good! :-)
5. Take antibiotics only if absolutely necessary. If your doctor prescribes one, ask if it would be o.k. to let the illness heal on its own or to "watch and see" for a few days before filling the script. Antibiotics really mess up immune and digestive systems, and if they're not necessary for healing, why take them?
6. Don't be afraid of fevers. Of course there are exceptions to this like when fevers get very high and can cause seizures. However, God gives us fever for a reason. A fever fights off the infection or illness. If we artificially bring it down just for the illusion that we are healing, our bodies cannot do their job. Of course, if a child is in discomfort due to pain or fever, something can be given him for that, but the fever itself could be an aid to healing.
7. Stay away from other kids. Relax, I'm only joking! (And you were going to make some comment about my homeschooling isolation syndrome, weren't you?) With the "socializing" of our children, however, automatically comes the sharing of germs. This is part of life. Sorry, I don't have any answers for you on this problem.
8. Make the doctor a last resort. If you really need to take 'em, go ahead, but remember all the other sick people are going there, too. If I make that comment at my doctor's office the staff act a bit offended, but even my doctor tells me to keep my kids away from hospitals during flu season.
So, there you have it: my unofficial, in early stages of research, not fool-proof plan. What tips do you have for keeping your kids well? I'd love to hear them!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Homekeeper's Journal: Children
In light of the recent comments on my last post, I thought this was perfect timing for this journal entry from christianhomekeeper.org and this week's homekeeper's journal post. Let it be known that I LOVE my children and there is NOTHING I would rather be doing than caring for and loving them every single day. Any moments of pain that come from rearing my children are only borne out of my love for them and deep involvement in their lives.
Pics from vacation last fall
Now, on to the journal:
I can directly influence these children …..my four blessings from God: Jessica, Jeffery, Jerrod and Joey.
Some specific ways that I see my influence in my children are …their love for learning and books and hopefully, an awareness and desire for God.
The biggest area needing improvement in how I see my children is ...always realizing they are on loan from God with me as His agent to care for them.
My greatest joy in my children is ... seeing them grow towards and in a relationship with the Lord and His will for their lives.
The best thing I ever did for my children was … heed my husband's desire to be a full-time, stay-at-home mom which has since become my calling in life along with schooling them at home.
One thing I want to be sure to impart to my children is ….to follow God's will for their lives even when it doesn't seem to make sense or when it hurts because it will give them the greatest fulfillment and joy. Everything they do on earth is only practice and preparation for the reality of eternity.
This needs great prayer and thought regarding my children …..oh my! This changes often, but right now, when they are little, my prayers and thoughts are directed towards introducing them to and encouraging them to pursue a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Now, on to the journal:
I can directly influence these children …..my four blessings from God: Jessica, Jeffery, Jerrod and Joey.
Some specific ways that I see my influence in my children are …their love for learning and books and hopefully, an awareness and desire for God.
The biggest area needing improvement in how I see my children is ...always realizing they are on loan from God with me as His agent to care for them.
My greatest joy in my children is ... seeing them grow towards and in a relationship with the Lord and His will for their lives.
The best thing I ever did for my children was … heed my husband's desire to be a full-time, stay-at-home mom which has since become my calling in life along with schooling them at home.
One thing I want to be sure to impart to my children is ….to follow God's will for their lives even when it doesn't seem to make sense or when it hurts because it will give them the greatest fulfillment and joy. Everything they do on earth is only practice and preparation for the reality of eternity.
This needs great prayer and thought regarding my children …..oh my! This changes often, but right now, when they are little, my prayers and thoughts are directed towards introducing them to and encouraging them to pursue a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
The Pain of Motherhood
It has been nine years since I discovered I was a mother. It seems that would be long enough to understand a lot about mothering, however I feel like I am just beginning to comprehend some basic things.
One thing that starry-eyed, newly pregnant women don't realize is how much it hurts. No, I'm not talking about the pain of childbirth. That is a walk in the park compared to the pain of which I speak.
We all chuckle about the parent who administers discipline prefaced by the words, "This hurts me worse than it hurts you." Yet, in so many ways, motherhood hurts more than anything I experienced in childhood.
Two different times, while being wheeled away to surgery, I've seen my mother's face crumple as the sliding glass doors closed; bewildered as to why she was crying. I think I'm beginning to understand...
There was the time I asked her the meaning of a word I heard on the playground and another time I told her the comment from a boy making fun of my weight. I wondered why she cried. Now, I think I know...
Then there were the times she wanted to cry, but couldn't.
The time she sent me into the doors of the "rich and popular" kids' high school, alone.
The time I had my first car accident and had to talk to the police myself.
Then there was graduation day and my wedding day. The doctors calling some kind of code to my room during the birth of my first child while she sat helplessly in the waiting room.
There were the many times I wanted my own way, to do my own thing and I ignored her instruction.
And that was just the pain she experienced along with me. There were also the tears, fears and sorrows of my brother and sister.
Photo Credit
Yes, mothering hurts--no doubt about that. So why do we do it?
Maybe for the same reason, God said, "Let us make man in our image." The angels could have argued, "But God, it will cost you! They'll turn on You, they'll ignore Your correction, they will mistreat and murder Your only Son and they will follow after Your enemy, trampling Your love under their feet."
It is the same reason He picks us up time and again, sometimes wiping away our tears, sometimes dusting off the debris of our sin and the effects of others' sin from us, sometimes patching a broken heart and sometimes letting us "do our own thing" because we insist upon it.
I have a feeling if we took our eyes off of our own pain and looked up....way up....into His eyes, we would see tears. If we removed our focus from the crushing weight on our heart, we would feel His heart breaking with us. If we took a step back and looked at our sin as it is....the thorn piercing His brow; the nail shredding through the muscles of His precious hand; the mocking laughter of soldiers, onlookers and criminals...we would see the love that He has for us through His own pain.
If we mothers never let ourselves feel pain, we will never know the depths of love we can have for our child. God knows this, too. Just like my mother, except in a much deeper way, every time I hurt, it hurts Him worse. One day, as He wipes away our tears, perhaps He'll wipe away His own.
One thing that starry-eyed, newly pregnant women don't realize is how much it hurts. No, I'm not talking about the pain of childbirth. That is a walk in the park compared to the pain of which I speak.
We all chuckle about the parent who administers discipline prefaced by the words, "This hurts me worse than it hurts you." Yet, in so many ways, motherhood hurts more than anything I experienced in childhood.
Two different times, while being wheeled away to surgery, I've seen my mother's face crumple as the sliding glass doors closed; bewildered as to why she was crying. I think I'm beginning to understand...
There was the time I asked her the meaning of a word I heard on the playground and another time I told her the comment from a boy making fun of my weight. I wondered why she cried. Now, I think I know...
Then there were the times she wanted to cry, but couldn't.
The time she sent me into the doors of the "rich and popular" kids' high school, alone.
The time I had my first car accident and had to talk to the police myself.
Then there was graduation day and my wedding day. The doctors calling some kind of code to my room during the birth of my first child while she sat helplessly in the waiting room.
There were the many times I wanted my own way, to do my own thing and I ignored her instruction.
And that was just the pain she experienced along with me. There were also the tears, fears and sorrows of my brother and sister.
Yes, mothering hurts--no doubt about that. So why do we do it?
Maybe for the same reason, God said, "Let us make man in our image." The angels could have argued, "But God, it will cost you! They'll turn on You, they'll ignore Your correction, they will mistreat and murder Your only Son and they will follow after Your enemy, trampling Your love under their feet."
It is the same reason He picks us up time and again, sometimes wiping away our tears, sometimes dusting off the debris of our sin and the effects of others' sin from us, sometimes patching a broken heart and sometimes letting us "do our own thing" because we insist upon it.
I have a feeling if we took our eyes off of our own pain and looked up....way up....into His eyes, we would see tears. If we removed our focus from the crushing weight on our heart, we would feel His heart breaking with us. If we took a step back and looked at our sin as it is....the thorn piercing His brow; the nail shredding through the muscles of His precious hand; the mocking laughter of soldiers, onlookers and criminals...we would see the love that He has for us through His own pain.
If we mothers never let ourselves feel pain, we will never know the depths of love we can have for our child. God knows this, too. Just like my mother, except in a much deeper way, every time I hurt, it hurts Him worse. One day, as He wipes away our tears, perhaps He'll wipe away His own.
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