I found this under my computer this morning after Grace left for school.
Blessed.
Thursday, December 06, 2012
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Legacy
The other day I came upon a letter.
It is a handwritten letter to my Pop from his mom, presumably for his 28th birthday, as the postmark reads February 1948. (I never knew Pop lived on PCH!)
There is treasure inside. I can't tell you how much it delighted me to read these words.
My great grandmother's writing is a little hard to read, and scanning would be a challenge anyway, so I'll transpose the letter for you here. I hope one day I leave such a legacy to my children.
...
Feb. 11 1920
On this day after long days of misery a large little boy came to live with me. How much this baby meant to us, and how hard I tried to do what was necessary for him.
And as he grew older what a good baby,
And as you grew older how I grieved every time you needed something I couldn't give you.
But you will never know the comfort I took when I felt I could trust you and when you stood out against the forces of evil and would come and ask if you were right.
Now you have your small son and until he is grown and you realize just what temptations he will come up against can you know the sleepless nights and the days of prayer through wihch I went.
You won't be as much alone and I trust finance won't figure so much with you as it did with me, when I was so helpless in that line.
You gave to me a great deal of pleasure and I was so very proud of you.
I still am. But remember always as a man soweth so shall he reap and also God is a very present help in the times of trouble, and there are so many good promises for his people.
If I never ask another thing of you, please don't forget to pray and be humble before your God. We have to face many things that we often don't know what to do, but if we can have faith to lay this before our God and trust him, then we will come out all right.
And remember as a parent your way of living, of talking will get better results than all the preaching, Sunday schools or anything else. So again live the life that you think is best and please God we will meet in the great beyond, when we have gone home to God. And I love you more than life.
Mother
Thursday, November 15, 2012
The continuing adventures of Team Wiggy
Today while geocaching we found:
~ evidence of BigFoot
(really a disturbingly large fresh cougar track)
~ new construction: a teepee
~ an unexpected bridge
with a strange, yet compelling, instruction
{um, ok}
... yes, we followed
to find two more, and then...
many!
so weird!
and then, sort of, an explanation.
{yes, it comes naturally to us to do things backward}
Team Wiggy over and out.
Friday, November 09, 2012
On Halloween
So.
A couple of weeks ago we were knee-deep in Halloween season.
I am not a fan.
Although I grew up trick-or-treating and going to haunted houses and such, as an adult I've felt a personal conviction that it's not something that's beneficial for my family. This is difficult, challenging. Halloween has become a BIG holiday, if you haven't noticed. And it's easier for adults to ignore than kids.
(Repeat - this is my personal conviction and I have no opinion or judgment of others who choose to celebrate it.)
Over the years we began to do some things on Halloween. Often we would let the kids dress up in non-scary costumes and attend harvest festivals and alternative-type events at local churches. I have some great memories of those - Joshua won best costume once for a homemade Thomas the Train costume. Another time I dressed Joshua up as a frog and Christianne was a princess. And, a few years back, when I was trying to get my unspecified business endeavor off the ground, I had Christianne dress up in my apron and hand out mini catalogs and business cards to anyone who would take them.
Two years ago while I was studying BSF in Isaiah, I was again convicted that this isn't what God wants for my family, that I am not to compromise myself with the world for the sake of not letting my kids miss out on fun.
Well. This conviction of mine is easier on me than it is on my kids. The older kids understand and don't seem to be bothered by it too much, but this year it was really a challenge for Grace to not participate in a lot of the activities, including the Halloween Party and haunted house put on by her taekwondo studio. She understands the why behind it, but of course wants to participate in the fun. Shortly before the upcoming party that she would be missing, it came down to this: I have to obey what Jesus asks of me, even if it means that I miss out on certain things. Disobeying Jesus would not make Him happy. And sometimes, believers simply must not do everything the world does.
So, most of the time now on Halloween, we take the kids out so they're not here while people are knocking on our door asking for candy. Sometimes we go out to eat; last year and this year we headed to the movie theater.
Since we had time to kill and since I am also pretty poor, we decided to hit WalMart to purchase candy for the movie. Mind you, I usually respect the theater's rule to not bring outside food into the theater, but as I had just updated the checkbook, I knew the money was tight and a trip to WalMart to satisfy my brood's hunger only made sense.
We arrived and headed down the candy aisle. As the older kids chose their candy and I had a box of Red Vines in my hand, I noticed Grace was standing back with a frown on her face.
"I don't think we should bring candy into the movies, Mommy."
"I know, Grace. Usually we don't, but today we're going to just sneak it in because I don't have enough money to buy a ton of candy at the theater."
"I don't think we should," she said, and wandered down to the end of the aisle to where Memaw was standing. I glanced around to find the kids and headed over to Grace as she said, "I don't think this would make Jesus happy."
She was right. Breaking the rules for my own convenience is disrespectful and selfish. And to stand up to your mother, two older siblings, and grandmother to express your conviction is simply... wow.
She gets it. At six years old she gets it. She gets what it means to stand up for what Jesus wants even when it's unpopular. She gets that it's more important to please Jesus than yourself. Oh, my amazing child!
That would be enough if it were the end of the story, but there's a little bit more. When we got to the theater the kids took off and I paid for our tickets. I have a rewards card... and I had to grin when I found that I had earned $10 off our concession purchase. Just a little bit of icing on top of the proverbial cake.
A couple of weeks ago we were knee-deep in Halloween season.
I am not a fan.
Although I grew up trick-or-treating and going to haunted houses and such, as an adult I've felt a personal conviction that it's not something that's beneficial for my family. This is difficult, challenging. Halloween has become a BIG holiday, if you haven't noticed. And it's easier for adults to ignore than kids.
(Repeat - this is my personal conviction and I have no opinion or judgment of others who choose to celebrate it.)
Over the years we began to do some things on Halloween. Often we would let the kids dress up in non-scary costumes and attend harvest festivals and alternative-type events at local churches. I have some great memories of those - Joshua won best costume once for a homemade Thomas the Train costume. Another time I dressed Joshua up as a frog and Christianne was a princess. And, a few years back, when I was trying to get my unspecified business endeavor off the ground, I had Christianne dress up in my apron and hand out mini catalogs and business cards to anyone who would take them.
Two years ago while I was studying BSF in Isaiah, I was again convicted that this isn't what God wants for my family, that I am not to compromise myself with the world for the sake of not letting my kids miss out on fun.
Well. This conviction of mine is easier on me than it is on my kids. The older kids understand and don't seem to be bothered by it too much, but this year it was really a challenge for Grace to not participate in a lot of the activities, including the Halloween Party and haunted house put on by her taekwondo studio. She understands the why behind it, but of course wants to participate in the fun. Shortly before the upcoming party that she would be missing, it came down to this: I have to obey what Jesus asks of me, even if it means that I miss out on certain things. Disobeying Jesus would not make Him happy. And sometimes, believers simply must not do everything the world does.
So, most of the time now on Halloween, we take the kids out so they're not here while people are knocking on our door asking for candy. Sometimes we go out to eat; last year and this year we headed to the movie theater.
Since we had time to kill and since I am also pretty poor, we decided to hit WalMart to purchase candy for the movie. Mind you, I usually respect the theater's rule to not bring outside food into the theater, but as I had just updated the checkbook, I knew the money was tight and a trip to WalMart to satisfy my brood's hunger only made sense.
We arrived and headed down the candy aisle. As the older kids chose their candy and I had a box of Red Vines in my hand, I noticed Grace was standing back with a frown on her face.
"I don't think we should bring candy into the movies, Mommy."
"I know, Grace. Usually we don't, but today we're going to just sneak it in because I don't have enough money to buy a ton of candy at the theater."
"I don't think we should," she said, and wandered down to the end of the aisle to where Memaw was standing. I glanced around to find the kids and headed over to Grace as she said, "I don't think this would make Jesus happy."
She was right. Breaking the rules for my own convenience is disrespectful and selfish. And to stand up to your mother, two older siblings, and grandmother to express your conviction is simply... wow.
She gets it. At six years old she gets it. She gets what it means to stand up for what Jesus wants even when it's unpopular. She gets that it's more important to please Jesus than yourself. Oh, my amazing child!
That would be enough if it were the end of the story, but there's a little bit more. When we got to the theater the kids took off and I paid for our tickets. I have a rewards card... and I had to grin when I found that I had earned $10 off our concession purchase. Just a little bit of icing on top of the proverbial cake.
Thursday, November 08, 2012
Adventures in geocaching
A few weeks ago I had one of those moments where I couldn't go back to sleep once I'd woken up in the middle of the night. Normally that happens when I've got something obsessing my mind - something that needs to be done, written down, prayed about... whatever. But this time, it was about geocaching. I got a hair up my derriere to go caching.
We haven't gone geocaching in almost a year and a half! We have made some great family memories caching the desert where we're from and lots of other places besides. We haven't done a whole lot since we've moved to Colorado, and nothing at all in the last 17 months.
Finally the planets aligned - the weather was right, none of the kids were home sick, and I had time - so Memaw and I set out last week to find some caches. We've found about 15 in the last several days. Today we took advantage of the last promised day of beautiful weather and found a new spot for us - the Big Thompson River trail.
Caching this trail might have been the highlight of my week. A beautiful, sunny day; gorgeous views; a hidden mural we didn't expect to find; exercise; time with my mom; scoring 3 cache finds: It all melded together to lift my mood, ease my tensions, and simply make my heart happy and light.
This beautiful relief mural was hidden under a bridge I've driven over thousands of times in the last 5 years. It's got some awesome effects and I'm looking forward to taking Ro and the kids back there soon.
A view from the trail. Are we really downtown?
Loved seeing this beauty! Wouldn't this make a beautiful jigsaw puzzle?
A neat spot for a potential future hide - Terabithia theme?
WHAT are these?
Team Wiggy over and out.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Let's party
It never happens all at once for me. I may have that aha! moment, but usually it is after the culmination of several moments, or the realization that all of these previous moments have added up to this single moment of enlightenment. Such it is with this.
Robert and I are studying through a...a... something... called Porterbrook. Describing Porterbrook to you would take too long and tarry me from getting to what's on my heart, so I'll save that (maybe) for another day. But recently in Porterbrook we came across a theme that struck me and that I have attempted to take to heart: celebration.
As Christians, we truly have a lot to celebrate. Celebrate! I'm not even talking about smiling about something or thanking the Lord for it, although that is part of it. I am talking about true celebration! With laughter. Singing. Dancing. With others, or alone. Having a PAR-TAY. I could talk here about great theological truths from salvation to sanctification to predestination to all kinds of other -tions and that would be plenty to celebrate. But there's more.
God is at work here. He is transforming lives - my own included. He is doing many, many, many marvelous things. And we should celebrate.
I was recalling to someone (or several someones) recently that we often gather as a group of believers and share our lives together... just as often this includes a time of sharing our struggles and prayer requests. That's awesome! However, what I think frequently happens is that all our struggles and challenges and needs overshadow the AMAZING things God has done. Where is the time of testimony and praise? Sure, sometimes someone will contribute a "praise report" - but look how uncelebratory even that phrase sounds! God is doing wonderful things all around us, every day. And it's time to celebrate!
Two years ago I studied through Isaiah with BSF. A popular theme - a key word - was REMEMBER. How often were the Israelites (and we today) called to remember what the Lord has done?
Before we can remember it, I think we need to do a few things first:
We need to acknowledge it. We need to recognize God at work.
We need to tell others about it - testify.
We need to praise God and celebrate!
And later... we need to remember!
How many miracles have I seen in my life that I forget about? I struggle, as many of you do, with depression... spiritual depression at times and emotional depression as well. What a positive "treatment" for my depression to remember how God has worked time and time again in my life!
Yeah, I've got problems. A lot of them. And so do you, I know. We are in a broken and hurting world, I know. But do you know what I saw this past week?
Sometimes, He just about knocks my socks off. We serve a pretty awesome God.
And now I'm gonna go celebrate.
Robert and I are studying through a...a... something... called Porterbrook. Describing Porterbrook to you would take too long and tarry me from getting to what's on my heart, so I'll save that (maybe) for another day. But recently in Porterbrook we came across a theme that struck me and that I have attempted to take to heart: celebration.
As Christians, we truly have a lot to celebrate. Celebrate! I'm not even talking about smiling about something or thanking the Lord for it, although that is part of it. I am talking about true celebration! With laughter. Singing. Dancing. With others, or alone. Having a PAR-TAY. I could talk here about great theological truths from salvation to sanctification to predestination to all kinds of other -tions and that would be plenty to celebrate. But there's more.
God is at work here. He is transforming lives - my own included. He is doing many, many, many marvelous things. And we should celebrate.
I was recalling to someone (or several someones) recently that we often gather as a group of believers and share our lives together... just as often this includes a time of sharing our struggles and prayer requests. That's awesome! However, what I think frequently happens is that all our struggles and challenges and needs overshadow the AMAZING things God has done. Where is the time of testimony and praise? Sure, sometimes someone will contribute a "praise report" - but look how uncelebratory even that phrase sounds! God is doing wonderful things all around us, every day. And it's time to celebrate!
Two years ago I studied through Isaiah with BSF. A popular theme - a key word - was REMEMBER. How often were the Israelites (and we today) called to remember what the Lord has done?
Before we can remember it, I think we need to do a few things first:
We need to acknowledge it. We need to recognize God at work.
We need to tell others about it - testify.
We need to praise God and celebrate!
And later... we need to remember!
How many miracles have I seen in my life that I forget about? I struggle, as many of you do, with depression... spiritual depression at times and emotional depression as well. What a positive "treatment" for my depression to remember how God has worked time and time again in my life!
Yeah, I've got problems. A lot of them. And so do you, I know. We are in a broken and hurting world, I know. But do you know what I saw this past week?
- I saw God answer a prayer request before we even had a chance to pray for it... a HUGE prayer request.
- I saw someone close to me have a heart-change after engaging with the Word of God for a period of time.
- I saw God answer a prayer for my daughter quickly and miraculously.
- I saw God create beauty around me.
- I saw God give - and take away. His purposes are higher than mine, however, and it's all for His glory.
Sometimes, He just about knocks my socks off. We serve a pretty awesome God.
And now I'm gonna go celebrate.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Really?
It began many, many moons ago. Years ago. It began when I was pregnant with Christianne, and I found out I was pregnant with Christianne 17 years ago this month. (Sheesh! No wonder I feel so darn old.)
The Advertising Powers That Be - those people who know all about you and target their marketing specifically for you - began to send me all kinds of fun stuff in the mail: coupons, ads for life insurance, formula samples, diaper samples, and the like.
Every couple of months from the time I was pregnant with Christianne until Josh was about 6 years old, it seemed I would get a diaper sample in the mail. I got them long after Josh was needing diapers, and I would take them to the church nursery and such. (Funny thing is I don't remember getting them for Grace!) Pampers, Luvs, Huggies - I got all kinds, in all sizes, for years.
But now that my youngest is indeed 6 (and Joshua 13), I haven't received diaper samples in years.
Until yesterday.
And it was for Depends.
The Advertising Powers That Be - those people who know all about you and target their marketing specifically for you - began to send me all kinds of fun stuff in the mail: coupons, ads for life insurance, formula samples, diaper samples, and the like.
Every couple of months from the time I was pregnant with Christianne until Josh was about 6 years old, it seemed I would get a diaper sample in the mail. I got them long after Josh was needing diapers, and I would take them to the church nursery and such. (Funny thing is I don't remember getting them for Grace!) Pampers, Luvs, Huggies - I got all kinds, in all sizes, for years.
But now that my youngest is indeed 6 (and Joshua 13), I haven't received diaper samples in years.
Until yesterday.
And it was for Depends.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Even if...
Grace is in a special place in her life, one that I treasured with both Joshua and Christianne, the place where she is getting confident in her reading skills and moving up in her ability, the time in her life where she reads everything in sight, from cereal boxes to traffic signs to my BSF lesson - and hungers for more. She gets a book bag from school every week of "Just Right" books, but to be honest, these are read quickly and without challenge. It doesn't seem to bother her, but she does enjoy the challenge of beginning chapter books and other things (MY things, ha).
One of the highlights of the past couple of weeks for me was last Friday. For once we were prepared for LifeGroup early, rather than mopping at the last minute or rushing to finish the food... everything was ready and I had nothing to do. Grace was nipping at my toes for attention. I wanted to just rest. My Bible was nearby and I remembered that the couple of times I had tried to read a particular Psalm recently, I had been interrupted and distracted, and I had an idea.
So stretched out on the living room floor in front of the fire with my eyes closed, I listened as Grace read to me the entire 33rd Psalm, stumbling over only a word here and there.
How beautiful is that?
I sat in wonder, listening to her read God's Word... thinking... what *if* I *had* been a naive woman when I went to that early pregnancy appointment and was advised to terminate her? What would I be missing right now? What would the world be missing right now?
Even if... even if you believe that babies with disabilites should be aborted as I mentioned in my previous post... even if you believe that... if I had believed that and had taken the advice of my medical professional... I would have taken the life of a perfectly healthy child. A beautiful, loving, God-worshipping little girl.
That scares the heck out of me.
So 90% of purported Down syndrome fetuses are aborted - which to me is nauseating... but even if you are okay with that... how many of those chidlren never really had Downs in the first place? Have we terminated the lives of children who may have discovered the cure for cancer? Who may have led the world in a movement of revival? Who may have... what?
Of course God is sovereign and if He wants us to find the cure for cancer, the cure for cancer will be found (and I hope and pray that He does and it is), regardless of the abortion epidemic we face. Yet still, wouldn't it be an interesting (for lack of a better word) judgment upon us for killing the innocent that we don't have these advances or people in our culture, because of the blood that is on our hands?
I don't know. I just know that right now, a mere couple of weeks before the next Presidential election, I am tired of the speeches, I am tired of the commercials, and I am tired of the debates. Yes, the economy is important. Foreign policy is important. Health care is important. But to me, nothing is as important as life, so I vote based on that one issue - life.
I've been pro-life as long as I can remember, but since my pregnancy with Grace, I think my stance has strengthened. When I look at her and think of the pride of science telling me she doesn't have the right to live - when their arrogance in my case was clearly wrong. Even if their science was correct and Grace did have Downs, would she be any less special to us, to God, to the world? She may not be reading chapters of Scripture to me, she may not be breaking boards in taekwondo, she may not live a long and healthy life - but I know she would have the same sweet soul who loves the Lord and loves people.
And what has more value than that?
One of the highlights of the past couple of weeks for me was last Friday. For once we were prepared for LifeGroup early, rather than mopping at the last minute or rushing to finish the food... everything was ready and I had nothing to do. Grace was nipping at my toes for attention. I wanted to just rest. My Bible was nearby and I remembered that the couple of times I had tried to read a particular Psalm recently, I had been interrupted and distracted, and I had an idea.
So stretched out on the living room floor in front of the fire with my eyes closed, I listened as Grace read to me the entire 33rd Psalm, stumbling over only a word here and there.
How beautiful is that?
I sat in wonder, listening to her read God's Word... thinking... what *if* I *had* been a naive woman when I went to that early pregnancy appointment and was advised to terminate her? What would I be missing right now? What would the world be missing right now?
Even if... even if you believe that babies with disabilites should be aborted as I mentioned in my previous post... even if you believe that... if I had believed that and had taken the advice of my medical professional... I would have taken the life of a perfectly healthy child. A beautiful, loving, God-worshipping little girl.
That scares the heck out of me.
So 90% of purported Down syndrome fetuses are aborted - which to me is nauseating... but even if you are okay with that... how many of those chidlren never really had Downs in the first place? Have we terminated the lives of children who may have discovered the cure for cancer? Who may have led the world in a movement of revival? Who may have... what?
Of course God is sovereign and if He wants us to find the cure for cancer, the cure for cancer will be found (and I hope and pray that He does and it is), regardless of the abortion epidemic we face. Yet still, wouldn't it be an interesting (for lack of a better word) judgment upon us for killing the innocent that we don't have these advances or people in our culture, because of the blood that is on our hands?
I don't know. I just know that right now, a mere couple of weeks before the next Presidential election, I am tired of the speeches, I am tired of the commercials, and I am tired of the debates. Yes, the economy is important. Foreign policy is important. Health care is important. But to me, nothing is as important as life, so I vote based on that one issue - life.
I've been pro-life as long as I can remember, but since my pregnancy with Grace, I think my stance has strengthened. When I look at her and think of the pride of science telling me she doesn't have the right to live - when their arrogance in my case was clearly wrong. Even if their science was correct and Grace did have Downs, would she be any less special to us, to God, to the world? She may not be reading chapters of Scripture to me, she may not be breaking boards in taekwondo, she may not live a long and healthy life - but I know she would have the same sweet soul who loves the Lord and loves people.
And what has more value than that?
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Eliot Mooney
I came across an article today that was written some time ago. It discusses the goal of many in our society to have a culture that is disability-free. This end is a beautiful thought, of course, and a hope that we hold to with our futures in eternity with Jesus. How we all long for the time where there is no more pain or suffering or challenges in day-to-day living. The goal of these people, however, is not to wait until God recreates our world in eternity, or even to pursue that goal by uncovering (ethical) medical advances that might bring healing to people born with challenges today. The goal of these people is to simply erase them, to terminate them before they are even born.
Many of you know my story with Grace so I won't go into it here (and if you don't, I'll have another topic to write about for another day). I have much to say about it!
But in the comments section of this article, someone shared this video. It's beautiful and I hope you'll give it 6 minutes of your time to learn about a special little boy named Eliot.
Many of you know my story with Grace so I won't go into it here (and if you don't, I'll have another topic to write about for another day). I have much to say about it!
But in the comments section of this article, someone shared this video. It's beautiful and I hope you'll give it 6 minutes of your time to learn about a special little boy named Eliot.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Kick-off: Bible Bee
Not long ago I was drawn to an ad in Bible Study Magazine. Truth be told, what attracted me to the ad was the juicy, perfectly pink-centered bite of steak stabbed by a fork. The ad was for "real meat" - and led me to discover the Bible Bee.
In a nutshell, the Bible Bee is a 10-week family Bible study culminating (if students choose) in a national competition that delivers a $100,000 (yes, that is correct) first prize in Christianne's age group and a $50,000 first prize in Joshua's. I'm not sure that we will compete; our objective is more about the Bible study as a family, but I am hoping we will be able to attend at least a local competition to get our feet wet. The 2012 study is on the book of 2 Timothy.
The kids each (except Grace this year) work individually on a daily study that requires about 20 minutes a day, and then we will have weekly family "bonfires" to reinforce, have fun, etc. Last night we did our Kick-off Bonfire and the kids began their lessons a couple of days ago.
So far I'm loving this. The kids have said the studies are "good" - which is better than "boring" or "lame," right? We are all memorizing Scripture together as well - we will be doing about 25 passages over the course of the summer.
The Bible Bee is a fairly new endeavor - I think this is its fourth year. I'm impressed with the quality of materials and such... and a little disappointed there aren't any "host churches" out here in the NorCo area. If this gig turns out to be half as wonderful an experience as it promises to be, I may get on the bandwagon and get our church involved next year. Right now our host church is about an hour away in Cheyenne.
Want to learn along with us? We are 4 passages in:
In a nutshell, the Bible Bee is a 10-week family Bible study culminating (if students choose) in a national competition that delivers a $100,000 (yes, that is correct) first prize in Christianne's age group and a $50,000 first prize in Joshua's. I'm not sure that we will compete; our objective is more about the Bible study as a family, but I am hoping we will be able to attend at least a local competition to get our feet wet. The 2012 study is on the book of 2 Timothy.
The kids each (except Grace this year) work individually on a daily study that requires about 20 minutes a day, and then we will have weekly family "bonfires" to reinforce, have fun, etc. Last night we did our Kick-off Bonfire and the kids began their lessons a couple of days ago.
So far I'm loving this. The kids have said the studies are "good" - which is better than "boring" or "lame," right? We are all memorizing Scripture together as well - we will be doing about 25 passages over the course of the summer.
The Bible Bee is a fairly new endeavor - I think this is its fourth year. I'm impressed with the quality of materials and such... and a little disappointed there aren't any "host churches" out here in the NorCo area. If this gig turns out to be half as wonderful an experience as it promises to be, I may get on the bandwagon and get our church involved next year. Right now our host church is about an hour away in Cheyenne.
Want to learn along with us? We are 4 passages in:
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
- Titus 1:1-3
- Philippians 3:7-8
Wednesday, May 09, 2012
If I were to die tomorrow...
There are a handful of things I would want my children to know.
Dear Christianne, Joshua, and Grace:
1. You - each of you - were loved with every atom of my being, were wanted, were treasured, and blessed my life in ways that I don't think you can even understand until you become a parent yourself one day.
2. As much as I loved you, there is One Who loves you infinitely more than I could begin to. As much as I loved, wanted, and treasured you, your Abba Father loves, wants, and treasures you even more. If you know nothing else in life, I pray that you will know that you are loved beyond comprehension.
3. I want you to be successful, but the one thing that matters most to me is not your education or career, not your future spouse or my future grandchildren, not your popularity or even your happiness. The one thing in life I desire for you is to know your Abba Father intimately, to grow in knowledge of Him throughout your life, and to be secure in His love for you.
4. God amazes me by creating each of you so differently. You each have your own talents and gifts, as well as your own differences and challenges. Each of you makes me laugh and smile. All of you make me worry, scratch my head, and pray!
5. I know this one will surprise you, but your dad and I... we've made a LOT of mistakes in the past couple of decades. We've made financial mistakes, communication mistakes, parenting mistakes, and more. But the one thing we've done right, that I'm proud of most of all perhaps, is that we are committed to remaining together, to give you two parents, united, for the rest of our lives. Divorce has never been an option in our first 20 years, nor will it be in the next. Your father is the most committed, upright, and selfless man I have ever met, and I have been crazily blessed to be chosen to be his wife.
I'm glad I had a chance to tell you these things. I love you.
Mom
Dear Christianne, Joshua, and Grace:
1. You - each of you - were loved with every atom of my being, were wanted, were treasured, and blessed my life in ways that I don't think you can even understand until you become a parent yourself one day.
2. As much as I loved you, there is One Who loves you infinitely more than I could begin to. As much as I loved, wanted, and treasured you, your Abba Father loves, wants, and treasures you even more. If you know nothing else in life, I pray that you will know that you are loved beyond comprehension.
3. I want you to be successful, but the one thing that matters most to me is not your education or career, not your future spouse or my future grandchildren, not your popularity or even your happiness. The one thing in life I desire for you is to know your Abba Father intimately, to grow in knowledge of Him throughout your life, and to be secure in His love for you.
4. God amazes me by creating each of you so differently. You each have your own talents and gifts, as well as your own differences and challenges. Each of you makes me laugh and smile. All of you make me worry, scratch my head, and pray!
5. I know this one will surprise you, but your dad and I... we've made a LOT of mistakes in the past couple of decades. We've made financial mistakes, communication mistakes, parenting mistakes, and more. But the one thing we've done right, that I'm proud of most of all perhaps, is that we are committed to remaining together, to give you two parents, united, for the rest of our lives. Divorce has never been an option in our first 20 years, nor will it be in the next. Your father is the most committed, upright, and selfless man I have ever met, and I have been crazily blessed to be chosen to be his wife.
I'm glad I had a chance to tell you these things. I love you.
Mom
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Show, don't tell
As you may or may not know, I had a dream once. Just once, and I learned my lesson. No, just kidding. What happened to that dream is another story for another day. Perhaps. Oh, the dream? I don't even know if it was a dream, per se - I am not much of a dreamer, now that I think about it. But I had a passion, and a plan, to become a writer.
So, as such, I do love most things about writing, from the act itself to the mechanics of it. Grammar is important, spelling even moreso, and a well-written piece, whether fiction or non or regardless of genre, is a pleasure to read.
Behold these experiments in writing analogies from budding writers in high school: http://writingenglish.wordpress.com/2006/09/12/the-25-funniest-analogies-collected-by-high-school-english-teachers/ This article is one that I've read several times and love it each time. I would LOVE to have the privilege of reading any of these writers' full works. Which is your favorite?
Reminds me of a way Robert started a short story when we were in college together: Thyme was running out...
So, as such, I do love most things about writing, from the act itself to the mechanics of it. Grammar is important, spelling even moreso, and a well-written piece, whether fiction or non or regardless of genre, is a pleasure to read.
Behold these experiments in writing analogies from budding writers in high school: http://writingenglish.wordpress.com/2006/09/12/the-25-funniest-analogies-collected-by-high-school-english-teachers/ This article is one that I've read several times and love it each time. I would LOVE to have the privilege of reading any of these writers' full works. Which is your favorite?
Reminds me of a way Robert started a short story when we were in college together: Thyme was running out...
Saturday, January 07, 2012
Sandlot lessons
My Pop was an imperfect man. He was also an imperfect coach, although I don't find too many flaws in his philosophies and styles (in fact, none spring to mind at the moment). But he was, despite his imperfections, truly great. Granted I haven't had as many coaches in life as many others, but he was far and away the best I had. Much of what he drilled into us, even after years of not having picked up my glove, still runs through my head.
If you're going to slide, slide! He who changes his mind trades a good leg for a broken one.
Use two hands!
Keep your eye on the ball.
Hustle.
Always run it out - and don't watch the all after it hits the bat!
We have been going through Philippians in the sermon series in our church recently, and that last piece of Pop's teachings came to mind as we reflected on the verse I shared on the blog the other day: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead...
The passage talks about life, especially the Christian life, as a race. Perhaps not a sprint, but definitely a marathon. As a former athlete (at least I like to think so) and one who still really loves sports (though admittedly with my butt in a chair rather than on a field), I love this word picture and find it easy to relate to. In fact, I'm also learning a chunk of Scripture from Hebrews 12 which talks about stripping off the encumbrances we have so that we can run with endurance the race set before us. It talks about training, discipline, strength... there are several other NT passages that follow the same images.
But reflecting on forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead brought a picture to mind, as I said, of what Pop taught us: hit the ball, run it out, and don't watch the ball or the play. Do you know you can actually run faster if you're facing forward than you can if your head is turned or focused on something other than the prize?
As many who know me can testify, I was a slow enough runner as it was; I needed every advantage I could get to make it to base safely!
Perhaps it's logical to you, to face forward as you run. To me, though, it wasn't intuitive. As a kid, I wanted to see how far I'd hit it, if they caught it, if they were going to get me or not, if I was a game progressor or if I'd made another out. My coach, however, wanted my eyes on two things (good thing my eyes are so far apart on my head so I could see both) - two things that were ahead of me, in front of me - my base coach, and the base itself.
How true this principle is in life, isn't it? We are prone to take our eyes off the goal (Philippians 3 calls it the upward call of God in Christ Jesus). We are prone to focus on our accomplishments, our failures, our circumstances, our enemies and opposition, our experiences, our past, ourselves. Remember Peter, who Jesus enabled to walk on water in a storm? What happened when he took his eyes off Jesus?
I suppose you can take Pop's other lessons from the ball field and apply them to life: Use two hands! (I probably say that to Grace a hundred times a day.) Really, though, why not take a little extra effort to do things well?
Hustle! Why sit on your butt and let others (and life) pass you by?
If you're going to slide, slide! Don't second-guess yourself.
But for me, starting this new year (one week down, 51 to go)... for me, the one that I need to get better at is to run it out, with my eyes forward.
Fixed on the Prize.
Focused on my Coach.
If you're going to slide, slide! He who changes his mind trades a good leg for a broken one.
Use two hands!
Keep your eye on the ball.
Hustle.
Always run it out - and don't watch the all after it hits the bat!
We have been going through Philippians in the sermon series in our church recently, and that last piece of Pop's teachings came to mind as we reflected on the verse I shared on the blog the other day: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead...
The passage talks about life, especially the Christian life, as a race. Perhaps not a sprint, but definitely a marathon. As a former athlete (at least I like to think so) and one who still really loves sports (though admittedly with my butt in a chair rather than on a field), I love this word picture and find it easy to relate to. In fact, I'm also learning a chunk of Scripture from Hebrews 12 which talks about stripping off the encumbrances we have so that we can run with endurance the race set before us. It talks about training, discipline, strength... there are several other NT passages that follow the same images.
But reflecting on forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead brought a picture to mind, as I said, of what Pop taught us: hit the ball, run it out, and don't watch the ball or the play. Do you know you can actually run faster if you're facing forward than you can if your head is turned or focused on something other than the prize?
As many who know me can testify, I was a slow enough runner as it was; I needed every advantage I could get to make it to base safely!
Perhaps it's logical to you, to face forward as you run. To me, though, it wasn't intuitive. As a kid, I wanted to see how far I'd hit it, if they caught it, if they were going to get me or not, if I was a game progressor or if I'd made another out. My coach, however, wanted my eyes on two things (good thing my eyes are so far apart on my head so I could see both) - two things that were ahead of me, in front of me - my base coach, and the base itself.
How true this principle is in life, isn't it? We are prone to take our eyes off the goal (Philippians 3 calls it the upward call of God in Christ Jesus). We are prone to focus on our accomplishments, our failures, our circumstances, our enemies and opposition, our experiences, our past, ourselves. Remember Peter, who Jesus enabled to walk on water in a storm? What happened when he took his eyes off Jesus?
I suppose you can take Pop's other lessons from the ball field and apply them to life: Use two hands! (I probably say that to Grace a hundred times a day.) Really, though, why not take a little extra effort to do things well?
Hustle! Why sit on your butt and let others (and life) pass you by?
If you're going to slide, slide! Don't second-guess yourself.
But for me, starting this new year (one week down, 51 to go)... for me, the one that I need to get better at is to run it out, with my eyes forward.
Fixed on the Prize.
Focused on my Coach.
Thursday, January 05, 2012
Here we go, 2012...
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
-- Philippians 3:13, 14
It may be January 5th where you live, but to me, it's still somewhere around December 30th. I know we are nearly a week into the New Year, but I simply haven't made the time yet for introspection and reflection on the New Year. So for me, except for the part that my mom and sister are no longer here, and except for the part that I'd be expected to be awake until at least 12:01 a.m. tomorrow night, the New Year hasn't quite taken effect yet.
But it will. I am definitely a New Year's Resolution kind of girl, although I prefer, actually, to call it a time of reflection and goal-setting, rather than resolution-making. I am looking forward to, in the next couple of days, a time of self-evaluation, a time to seek the Lord on His direction for me for this coming year (and I have a few promptings already that have been swirling around in my heart), a time of planning, a time of re-grouping, and a time of re-prioritizing.
It's well needed.
I don't think that most people I know make resolutions. But I do. I look forward to taking a look at the year behind us, celebrating successes and joys, and objectively looking at some things that didn't work so well or need improvement.
How about you? Do you make list or a plan? Do you reflect on it at all, or do you do that throughout the year or perhaps even on a daily basis?
No matter what else ends up on the list, I do know this. The most important thing to do in 2012 is to do as Paul did: Press on, strain forward toward our Beloved, for the prize of that upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
-- Philippians 3:13, 14
It may be January 5th where you live, but to me, it's still somewhere around December 30th. I know we are nearly a week into the New Year, but I simply haven't made the time yet for introspection and reflection on the New Year. So for me, except for the part that my mom and sister are no longer here, and except for the part that I'd be expected to be awake until at least 12:01 a.m. tomorrow night, the New Year hasn't quite taken effect yet.
But it will. I am definitely a New Year's Resolution kind of girl, although I prefer, actually, to call it a time of reflection and goal-setting, rather than resolution-making. I am looking forward to, in the next couple of days, a time of self-evaluation, a time to seek the Lord on His direction for me for this coming year (and I have a few promptings already that have been swirling around in my heart), a time of planning, a time of re-grouping, and a time of re-prioritizing.
It's well needed.
I don't think that most people I know make resolutions. But I do. I look forward to taking a look at the year behind us, celebrating successes and joys, and objectively looking at some things that didn't work so well or need improvement.
How about you? Do you make list or a plan? Do you reflect on it at all, or do you do that throughout the year or perhaps even on a daily basis?
No matter what else ends up on the list, I do know this. The most important thing to do in 2012 is to do as Paul did: Press on, strain forward toward our Beloved, for the prize of that upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
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