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And into the line for security. Adios Emily! Dios te bendiga!!
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1.13.2009
And she's off!
A last Starbucks with mom...
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And into the line for security. Adios Emily! Dios te bendiga!!
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And into the line for security. Adios Emily! Dios te bendiga!!
Mixed Emotions
Our 19 year old daughter Emily is flying to Spain today. She'll fly into Madrid, and catch a connecting flight to Seville.
I am full of mixed emotions. I am so excited for her to have this opportunity. What an incredible experience - the chance of a lifetime. And yet... Tears are just under the surface. I'm a bit apprehensive about her flights and safety, and am beginning to realize that four months is a pretty long time. When she was going to her college campus, three hours away, that was one thing. She and I are both independent, so we touched base now and then but we made the separation pretty well. But this separation - I can't go for an overnight if something comes up. And if she's sick...well...she's on her own!
Thankfully I know that her Heavenly Father speaks Spanish fluently, and is as fully cognizant of her every move there as He is here. She is in His very capable hands, and that comforts this mother's heart.
1.11.2009
A Moment in the Nursing Home
This video is...bumbling. My sister in law is filming for the first time (ever) on her little digital camera, and we are at my dad's nursing home, in the atrium. The first song doesn't work, and I can't find the chords to the second one...and yet...there is something sweet about this few minutes. (hang tight through that first minute!!)
My brother is 17 years older than I am, and we've become quite close, especially in the past 7 years as my parents have deteriorated and have needed to be moved into progressively more care. My mom is in heaven now, and my dad lives about 5 minutes from our home. There is NOTHING on earth he enjoys more than his children and grandchildren.
Although amateur, this video is precious to me, and will be even more so someday. My brother nuzzling me, our instant harmony, and the smile my dad gives the camera right in the middle.
Sweet, everyday moments.
My brother is 17 years older than I am, and we've become quite close, especially in the past 7 years as my parents have deteriorated and have needed to be moved into progressively more care. My mom is in heaven now, and my dad lives about 5 minutes from our home. There is NOTHING on earth he enjoys more than his children and grandchildren.
Although amateur, this video is precious to me, and will be even more so someday. My brother nuzzling me, our instant harmony, and the smile my dad gives the camera right in the middle.
Sweet, everyday moments.
1.10.2009
Taking Down Christmas Decor...
Boxing Up Christmas
The wrappings are opened,
the cookies are gone,
the celebration has come to an end.
I'm here with my coffee,
my Bible, my pen
here to meet with my Friend.
He is not over
the Reason remains
He is born, He is risen, He's here.
We'll walk hand in hand
as we watch and we pray
and enter this sparkling New Year.
Friendship
Two of my SAMBS (Saturday a.m. Bible Study) gals just left. At 12:15 pm. We begin at 7:30 each Saturday, and usually end about 9 am. But today these two lingered, so I made some bacon, toast and eggs, and we sat eating, laughing, sharing, crying, griping, and laughing some more.
Part of me is thinking I HAVE SO STINKING MUCH TO DO TODAY...THERE IS NOT TIME FOR THIS. And part of me is feeling like they blessed my socks off.
These 6 gals are my sisters. We truly love each other warts and all. In fact I have not brushed my hair or changed out of my jammies yet...I do brush my teeth for study...
What a gift. To heck with the schedule. We need each other.
Part of me is thinking I HAVE SO STINKING MUCH TO DO TODAY...THERE IS NOT TIME FOR THIS. And part of me is feeling like they blessed my socks off.
These 6 gals are my sisters. We truly love each other warts and all. In fact I have not brushed my hair or changed out of my jammies yet...I do brush my teeth for study...
What a gift. To heck with the schedule. We need each other.
1.08.2009
First Class!
Yeah. I loved it.
We discussed Revelation 3, and then our professor pointed out how we had been spoon fed some of our interpretations. He took us into a Bible Dictionary to study on the history and geography of the city of Laodicea and then went over how to analyze Scripture with the who, what, how, when, kind of questions. (Kay Arthur would have been proud!)
We discussed the importance of context, and he stressed again and again to read the text and study the text and only then, much later, to read the notes in those study Bibles we all have. He wants us to think it through for ourselves. (This is also a mantra of Precepts...the way I've been trained...I think I'm way ahead in that respect!)
Biblical Theology v. Historical Theology v. Systematic Theology v. Practical Theology. Yet another discussion of definitions.
And we ended with the beginning of a two week discussion on the religious backdrop of the New Testament in the first century. He talked a lot about gnosticism.
Homework? Only 3 chapters of one of the books. Plus questions. We have to email him the answers to 5 questions before the next class. That doesn't sound so bad, does it?
Well, here's the first (just the first of five) question:
1. How would you counteract or support the idea that God is transcendent from the Scriptures? How would you counteract or support the idea that God is impassible from the Scriptures? Where do you see either of these two concepts expressed inappropriately in church? Are there any appropriate expressions of these?
WHEW. He said our Question Assignments will be wrestling, thinking kind of assignments...he wants to see that we are thinking, not just reading and memorizing.
Sigh...no flash cards?
Oh...we're also supposed to read Mark. I have the feeling the discussion of the historical context of Mark will require some flashcards.
About 45 students. Most of them are "auditing" the class. I knew two people which amazed me.
I love being back in school! Especially since I'm studying a topic that excites me in a way that no college class ever excited me in my undergrad. I'm ready to do my reading right now...but...I best sleep since I have to work tomorrow...
Friday night will be spent researching Alexander the Great, the Roman Empire, Gnosticism and Koine Greek. Woo hoo.
Good night!
We discussed Revelation 3, and then our professor pointed out how we had been spoon fed some of our interpretations. He took us into a Bible Dictionary to study on the history and geography of the city of Laodicea and then went over how to analyze Scripture with the who, what, how, when, kind of questions. (Kay Arthur would have been proud!)
We discussed the importance of context, and he stressed again and again to read the text and study the text and only then, much later, to read the notes in those study Bibles we all have. He wants us to think it through for ourselves. (This is also a mantra of Precepts...the way I've been trained...I think I'm way ahead in that respect!)
Biblical Theology v. Historical Theology v. Systematic Theology v. Practical Theology. Yet another discussion of definitions.
And we ended with the beginning of a two week discussion on the religious backdrop of the New Testament in the first century. He talked a lot about gnosticism.
Homework? Only 3 chapters of one of the books. Plus questions. We have to email him the answers to 5 questions before the next class. That doesn't sound so bad, does it?
Well, here's the first (just the first of five) question:
1. How would you counteract or support the idea that God is transcendent from the Scriptures? How would you counteract or support the idea that God is impassible from the Scriptures? Where do you see either of these two concepts expressed inappropriately in church? Are there any appropriate expressions of these?
WHEW. He said our Question Assignments will be wrestling, thinking kind of assignments...he wants to see that we are thinking, not just reading and memorizing.
Sigh...no flash cards?
Oh...we're also supposed to read Mark. I have the feeling the discussion of the historical context of Mark will require some flashcards.
About 45 students. Most of them are "auditing" the class. I knew two people which amazed me.
I love being back in school! Especially since I'm studying a topic that excites me in a way that no college class ever excited me in my undergrad. I'm ready to do my reading right now...but...I best sleep since I have to work tomorrow...
Friday night will be spent researching Alexander the Great, the Roman Empire, Gnosticism and Koine Greek. Woo hoo.
Good night!
1.07.2009
Words words words
Still working on the master bedroom. Since getting the door on the wall, we've added some pillows to match the comforter, and now some words.
Peel-off/stick-on stickers. So simple. So lovely.
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Peel-off/stick-on stickers. So simple. So lovely.
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Back to School
Class starts tomorrow. Introduction to the New Testament. It's my FIRST class towards my Master's degree. I am so excited.
The three required texts are stacked, with a notebook, (a fun one, of course) and a brand new pack of Pilot Easy Touch pens in five fabulous colors. The Precepts logo you see is on my Precepts Inductive Bible Study book bag which I'll pack up for class. (this isn't Precepts, but I love the bag!)
I'm ready!
1.06.2009
Practicing...
The new song I blogged about a few posts ago has stuck with me. I found the chords for it, and am practicing to sing it at church on Sunday. I just videoed myself...well...all you get to see is a bit of guitar...but you can hear the song, grace-style.
Still needs some tweaking, and my Sony Cyber shot is not a video camera...but with all those caveats...here I am...
Still needs some tweaking, and my Sony Cyber shot is not a video camera...but with all those caveats...here I am...
I really LOVE this song.
If you listen carefully you'll hear Boomer - especially at one point when he came right up to me and shook - adding percussion with his jingling collar. Ha.
1.04.2009
Miracles
Those of you who don't know me IRL are going to think I'm bragging. Those of you who know me IRL, especially for more than a couple years, are going to know that I simply stand amazed.
Our 19 year old, Emily, the writer of the infamous list, went to TCX last week. There she decided that she really wants to work at a Christian camp for summer 2009 so that she can grow in her faith. (!!!) So she is busy filling out detailed applications.
She just told me, "One of them asked who I considered to be my role model. I wrote a page about how I admire and want to be like my mom."
Do I hear gasps? Oh...maybe those are mine. I am speechless. (I can still type) I asked her for a copy, and she laughed as she said no, but it touches me that she even told me about it. Pocket of Joy. Huge huge pocket of joy. Thank you Lord!
Miracles really do happen. Watch expectantly.
Our 19 year old, Emily, the writer of the infamous list, went to TCX last week. There she decided that she really wants to work at a Christian camp for summer 2009 so that she can grow in her faith. (!!!) So she is busy filling out detailed applications.
She just told me, "One of them asked who I considered to be my role model. I wrote a page about how I admire and want to be like my mom."
Do I hear gasps? Oh...maybe those are mine. I am speechless. (I can still type) I asked her for a copy, and she laughed as she said no, but it touches me that she even told me about it. Pocket of Joy. Huge huge pocket of joy. Thank you Lord!
Miracles really do happen. Watch expectantly.
There's a wave that's crashing over me...
A friend came over on the 2nd, needing a warm hug and a listening ear. She called from work and asked if I had time. What an honor.
During our discussion, she brought up the song "Whatever You're Doing" by Sanctus Real and explained how it had ministered to her. We downloaded it on Itunes right then and there, and listened to it together.
It sort of turned me upside down.
It depicts the human condition...needing to come clean before God. And it depicts hope...when God asks me to make changes, I trust that He is up to something heavenly.
But the line that I most relate to is the line in my title. In the last few days, a wave of God is truly crashing over me...and all I can do is surrender.
It's time for healing
time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long
Time to make right
what has been wrong
It's time to find my way to where I belong
There's a wave that's crashing over me
And all I can do is surrender
(Chorus)
Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something Heavenly
Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Reevaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow Your will
Or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is You want from me
I give everything
I surrender...To...(Chorus)
Time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out
That I've wanted to say for so many years
Time to release all my held back tears
Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but I believe
You're up to something bigger than me
Larger than life
something Heavenly
Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but now I can see
This is something bigger than me
Larger than life
something Heavenly Something Heavenly
It's time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out
During our discussion, she brought up the song "Whatever You're Doing" by Sanctus Real and explained how it had ministered to her. We downloaded it on Itunes right then and there, and listened to it together.
It sort of turned me upside down.
It depicts the human condition...needing to come clean before God. And it depicts hope...when God asks me to make changes, I trust that He is up to something heavenly.
But the line that I most relate to is the line in my title. In the last few days, a wave of God is truly crashing over me...and all I can do is surrender.
It's time for healing
time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long
Time to make right
what has been wrong
It's time to find my way to where I belong
There's a wave that's crashing over me
And all I can do is surrender
(Chorus)
Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something Heavenly
Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Reevaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow Your will
Or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is You want from me
I give everything
I surrender...To...(Chorus)
Time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out
That I've wanted to say for so many years
Time to release all my held back tears
Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but I believe
You're up to something bigger than me
Larger than life
something Heavenly
Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but now I can see
This is something bigger than me
Larger than life
something Heavenly Something Heavenly
It's time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out
Brownie Report
Well, the wedding was lovely. And the desserts were divine. Pictured is just one of three tables covered with home baked treats. Even after 260 guests had their fill, there was plenty of dessert left.
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I'm exhausted. And I still smell brownies in the air.
1.03.2009
The Will of God
Romans 12:1-2 (NASB95)
1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
I've read those verses dozens of times. I memorized them in grade school and again in high school. And yet God just pointed out something new to me.
The definition of God's will is right there. I had never noticed it defined so succinctly.
"...the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
I knew that "perfect" likely meant "complete" in the Greek. Here's what I found:
Téleios can be used in a relative or absolute sense (Matt. 5:48; 19:21). God’s perfection is absolute; man’s is relative. The téleios is one who has attained moral maturity, the goal for which he was intended, namely, to be a man obedient in Christ.
Synonym: ártios (739), fitted, complete, perfect; plé̄rēs (4134), complete, full; mestós (3324), full; ámemptos (273), irreproachable, blameless; áptaistos (679), not stumbling, without transgression; holóklēros (3648), entire, whole. Téleios is not to be confused with anamártētos (361), without sin or sinless.
Zodhiates, Spiros: The Complete Word Study Dictionary : New Testament. electronic ed. Chattanooga, TN : AMG Publishers, 2000, c1992, c1993, S. G5046
And so...I'm using the logical part of my self now (fighting emotion):
Who would not want to be exactly in line with God's will, no matter how seemingly attractive the alternatives ...?
God's will: good, acceptable, complete.
1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
I've read those verses dozens of times. I memorized them in grade school and again in high school. And yet God just pointed out something new to me.
The definition of God's will is right there. I had never noticed it defined so succinctly.
"...the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
I knew that "perfect" likely meant "complete" in the Greek. Here's what I found:
Téleios can be used in a relative or absolute sense (Matt. 5:48; 19:21). God’s perfection is absolute; man’s is relative. The téleios is one who has attained moral maturity, the goal for which he was intended, namely, to be a man obedient in Christ.
Synonym: ártios (739), fitted, complete, perfect; plé̄rēs (4134), complete, full; mestós (3324), full; ámemptos (273), irreproachable, blameless; áptaistos (679), not stumbling, without transgression; holóklēros (3648), entire, whole. Téleios is not to be confused with anamártētos (361), without sin or sinless.
Zodhiates, Spiros: The Complete Word Study Dictionary : New Testament. electronic ed. Chattanooga, TN : AMG Publishers, 2000, c1992, c1993, S. G5046
And so...I'm using the logical part of my self now (fighting emotion):
Who would not want to be exactly in line with God's will, no matter how seemingly attractive the alternatives ...?
God's will: good, acceptable, complete.
It's Time
Joshua 3:5 (NASB95)
Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”
Do you ever struggle with not wanting to do what God is telling you to do? I find the grey areas to be the toughest. Often times the "big" "clear" boundary lines don't trip me up as much as the little ones. (I'm not at all sure that God differentiates big and little, but I have the feeling we humans can all relate...)
I am ready to see God work in awesome ways, and yet I'm feeling stuck. I am spiritually lethargic. And the only way to move out and move on is to further consecrate myself. And it's going to be painful.
Zechariah 13:9 (NASB95)
“And I will bring the third part through the fire, Refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are My people,’ And they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ ”
I'm already in the fire, and there's no choice but to submit. What I value most is the crystal clear connection to God which can only be the result of complete obedience. I've been pleading my case long enough. Now it's time to yield. To submit. To obey.
Sigh.
Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”
Do you ever struggle with not wanting to do what God is telling you to do? I find the grey areas to be the toughest. Often times the "big" "clear" boundary lines don't trip me up as much as the little ones. (I'm not at all sure that God differentiates big and little, but I have the feeling we humans can all relate...)
I am ready to see God work in awesome ways, and yet I'm feeling stuck. I am spiritually lethargic. And the only way to move out and move on is to further consecrate myself. And it's going to be painful.
Zechariah 13:9 (NASB95)
“And I will bring the third part through the fire, Refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are My people,’ And they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ ”
I'm already in the fire, and there's no choice but to submit. What I value most is the crystal clear connection to God which can only be the result of complete obedience. I've been pleading my case long enough. Now it's time to yield. To submit. To obey.
Sigh.
1.02.2009
Today's color is chocolate.
The first batch of brownies is in the oven, and the house smells of chocolate.
Tomorrow is the wedding of a dear friends' daughter. The mother of the bride is one of the 7 gals in my Saturday a.m. Bible study (SamBs). Four of us, including the bride's mom, have met together for a good ten years to study the Word weekly. Maybe 15 years. Who knows. The first of our offspring (the seven of us have 19 kids!) is getting married tomorrow. (One other is married and has even provided us with two grandchildren to admire, but she was married before her mom was in SamBs)
ANYHOW...SamBs is baking for the wedding. Evidently it is trendy to have a variety of tea party sized desserts from which the guests choose. This wedding party will have a small layered Tiramisu at the head table, for traditional photos, and the 260 guests will have platters of small desserts.
I'm queen of the glazed brownies. 250 of them. I'll be dreaming in chocolate tonight.
Tomorrow is the wedding of a dear friends' daughter. The mother of the bride is one of the 7 gals in my Saturday a.m. Bible study (SamBs). Four of us, including the bride's mom, have met together for a good ten years to study the Word weekly. Maybe 15 years. Who knows. The first of our offspring (the seven of us have 19 kids!) is getting married tomorrow. (One other is married and has even provided us with two grandchildren to admire, but she was married before her mom was in SamBs)
ANYHOW...SamBs is baking for the wedding. Evidently it is trendy to have a variety of tea party sized desserts from which the guests choose. This wedding party will have a small layered Tiramisu at the head table, for traditional photos, and the 260 guests will have platters of small desserts.
I'm queen of the glazed brownies. 250 of them. I'll be dreaming in chocolate tonight.
1.01.2009
Let's Start Memorizing
Beth Moore is heading up a Bible Memory challenge here.
Even if you don't want to sign up (why wouldn't you?) you can read the comments and thousands of verses chosen for memory. What a treasure trove.
On the 1st and 15th we'll each sign in on her blog with a verse. So, if all goes by plan, I'll have at least 24 verses or passsages committed to memory by 12/31/09. That's a good and attainable goal.
The first verse I've chosen is Zephaniah 3:17 in the New International Version:
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."
Do you have written goals or resolutions this year?
Even if you don't want to sign up (why wouldn't you?) you can read the comments and thousands of verses chosen for memory. What a treasure trove.
On the 1st and 15th we'll each sign in on her blog with a verse. So, if all goes by plan, I'll have at least 24 verses or passsages committed to memory by 12/31/09. That's a good and attainable goal.
The first verse I've chosen is Zephaniah 3:17 in the New International Version:
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."
Do you have written goals or resolutions this year?
12.31.2008
Words
I'm finishing out my 2008 journal this morning. The sun is drenching the living room. Boomer is snoring. Hub is at the health club. Kids are sleeping. Laptop is warm on my lap. Books and pens and markers and stickers are splayed all around me.
A delicious start to the day and end to the year.
It will be short lived, as soon I need to step into gear to get ready to welcome in 2009 with about 20 friends. Games and laughter planned for this evening. Cleaning and a bit of de-Christmasing planned for today.
I dug out some stickers to put on the inside cover of the 2009 journal. A simple word in inch high thick stickers: HOPE. My very favorite word.
In the process I came across a package of stickers of words. Such LOVELY words. The package, still sealed, is entitled "Life's Journey Words."
The package holds:
There's my gift of words to you this morning. May God grant you the opportunity to use them all as you describe 2009.
A delicious start to the day and end to the year.
It will be short lived, as soon I need to step into gear to get ready to welcome in 2009 with about 20 friends. Games and laughter planned for this evening. Cleaning and a bit of de-Christmasing planned for today.
I dug out some stickers to put on the inside cover of the 2009 journal. A simple word in inch high thick stickers: HOPE. My very favorite word.
In the process I came across a package of stickers of words. Such LOVELY words. The package, still sealed, is entitled "Life's Journey Words."
The package holds:
always
journey
inspire
memories
friend
remember
happy
hope
cherish
dream
love
believe
grow
moments
joy
thoughts
celebrate
future
sweetness
delight
There's my gift of words to you this morning. May God grant you the opportunity to use them all as you describe 2009.
12.29.2008
Memorization
I've spent hours on the blogroll today/tonight. I'm thinking I should actually do a bit of picking up around here soon...
Should I feel guilty? No more than if I had been in a great book.
I've looked at some amazing photos, read some amazing stories, journaled a bit, read some more...it's been an absolute delight. My hub is out running the young two around since the old two have two of our three cars out of town, and the third child is not allowed to drive the remaining car - a company car. Thus an evening A*L*O*N*E which is so rare it's automatically exquisite.
I've read an amazing quote about Bible memorization here. That quote by John Piper is so convicting! I need to memorize!
And so I'm going to participate in her MMM in January. I'll have to think on what passage I'll choose... but I'm going to commit to it.
Why is it that I find Scripture memory so difficult and yet songs stick in my head like glue?
Should I feel guilty? No more than if I had been in a great book.
I've looked at some amazing photos, read some amazing stories, journaled a bit, read some more...it's been an absolute delight. My hub is out running the young two around since the old two have two of our three cars out of town, and the third child is not allowed to drive the remaining car - a company car. Thus an evening A*L*O*N*E which is so rare it's automatically exquisite.
I've read an amazing quote about Bible memorization here. That quote by John Piper is so convicting! I need to memorize!
And so I'm going to participate in her MMM in January. I'll have to think on what passage I'll choose... but I'm going to commit to it.
Why is it that I find Scripture memory so difficult and yet songs stick in my head like glue?
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