My brain is really, really tired. And probably not of the blogging capacity at this very moment. But last night, after such a refreshing chat with my LeAnna, when I was actually inspired, all the computers were off...and the clacking would have aroused the slumbering household. :( Oh well. I'm doomed to be outletlessly inspired, and otherwise writer's blocked.
So, instead of trying to post about all I've been meaning to post about, I'll save it yet again for an evening that I can communicate it sufficiently. :-)
Thank you for our chat, Banana--I read James afterwards, and was blessed my confirmation of our conversation. About worldly wisdom, and the peace, compassionate, right-hearted wisdom that comes from Jesus Christ!
I miss my Anna. She should be back home now--can't wait to hear from you dear!
Jen dear, I'm so sorry I didn't have a blog post for you today. LOL--I'm gonna hear it on Monday, ay? Hope you had a lovely weekend and can smile BECAUSE it's Monday today. :hug:
I miss my HSA traveling ladies and prayer partners--still praying for you all, thinking about you, and hope you're having a wonderfully refreshing weekend! Carm and I kept each other company this past Tuesday. :hug:
RanchWife and Family--praying for you all as you make your way back home with your Sara!
I've had such a looong past two weeks--it's been so blurry, but good even still. The Lord is still on the Throne, no matter the hectic schedule we try to manage, the personalities we come up against, and the things we're called to be good stewards over. :-) This week, we had 20 people at youth group, I went to see the Mummy III with friends, and got the cheapest tan I know: the lawn mower. Only, I'm toast. Like, Mexican-bull-fighting-flag toast. Day 3, and I can still barely stand garments. But there's no getting around things like that--just big aloe vera and little movement. :-)
Hugs and prayers to all--I'll definitely devote everything to a post at the beginning of next week.
--Jen
Showing posts with label Just Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Just Life. Show all posts
Friday, August 1, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Soccer Mom for a Day
I usually don't complain about have an UNinteresting life. I think my subconscious may be cured due to having a Mom that always fixed complaints like that. I think maybe Mondays like today are humorous reminders from my God that things could always be worse...even when I hadn't thought they were bad in the first place. :-)
Today was the kids' first day of VBS at a friend's church in town. Note: I take them about everywhere I go--alot of the time I spoil them for lunch or treat them, so this was not the first time.
I packed up all four little ones in the car and left this morning at 8:30. They were all really nervous, since it was a strange church and they didn't know a soul. I'd volunteered to help in anyway I could (Phelisha and I previously worked there, so we knew the leaders), since I knew Jaelyn (3) and Caleb (6) wouldn't let me leave their side. It was a little chaotic to begin with since we were trying to find proper age groups, and I felt bad just sending Jacklyn (10) and Josh (9) off alone with a bunch of strangers in a 6th grade class since no one could find their 4/5th grade group. Jaelyn refused to go with the preschoolers, so she came with Caleb and I in the 1/2nd grade group. Surprisingly, she had a good time and listened, and did the projects well. Caleb, however, was not engaging and had an upset stomach throughout the morning. It ended up I had to leave Jaelyn to take him to the bathroom, and turned out he'd had an accident.
The worst kind.
I got him cleaned up, we get back to the group, and thankfully his clothes were rescued sufficiently and he was good for the rest of the day (what I didn't know was that on the other side of the church, Josh's stomach was doing the same thing).
After three hours of projects, games, movie, snacks, etc, I load up my four little ones and head into town to get water and dishwashing soap, and fill up a gas tank for the mower. In the middle of town, Josh says nervously from the back, "Jen, I feel like I need to throw up." I told him to hold on so I could stop at the coming gas station, but it was for naught. I didn't get the window rolled down soon enough to save the inside of the door, but good enough that I didn't have a too-terrible mess to clean up--amazingly, I've still got a good attitude about it all at this point! I bought Josh a 7up at the gas station, cleaned up the inside of the car door best I could with limited resources: 7up is sticky, but it sure kills the smell that would encourage three other kids to follow in the throwing up.
Off we go again. We went to Walmart, I bought the kids some Cheetos and Gatorade for on the way home since it was past lunch, but it wouldn't spoil supper. We were uneventul...until the next gas station where I was to fill up the mower tank. I filled both tank and car, left Jacklyn in charge, locked the doors and told her to unlock them for me when I came back. Uhem. Upon my return, I look into the back windows to see Jaelyn and Caleb fighting over a full 7up bottle, and envision it everywhere. About to react, I went for the door to find it's locked. I bang on the window and signal Jacklyn to unlock, but she's buckled in and trying to get them to stop fighting (from the front seat, mind you). She unbuckles herself, and this is when it went slow motion for me...she reaches back to get Jaelyn to stop and knocks the full Gatorade out of Josh's hands (who is also buckled in). So I'm standing outside a locked Chrysler at the pump of Shell, watching 7up at the point of combustion in the hands of a 6 and 3 year old, and a Gatorade bottle glug-glugging it's every drop onto the floor of the car.
The bystanders probably thought I was a nut. I cracked up laughing. Laughing, laughing, laughing! At the hilarious audacity of what just happened, as I stood to merely watch, helpless to stop any further catastrophe.
When I thought nothing else could happen, they actually did end up spilling half the bag of Cheetos. I hardly said anything. Considering I survived the day as if it was perfectly natural for all such things to happen, and we'd be home soon to clean it up, there wasn't anything more to say.
We're going again in the morning. The stomach bug is gone. I promised them cheeseburgers tomorrow...thankfully this hardly ever happens, and never so many things at once. I suppose we'll survive anything now, even without the football helmets. :-)
Today was the kids' first day of VBS at a friend's church in town. Note: I take them about everywhere I go--alot of the time I spoil them for lunch or treat them, so this was not the first time.
I packed up all four little ones in the car and left this morning at 8:30. They were all really nervous, since it was a strange church and they didn't know a soul. I'd volunteered to help in anyway I could (Phelisha and I previously worked there, so we knew the leaders), since I knew Jaelyn (3) and Caleb (6) wouldn't let me leave their side. It was a little chaotic to begin with since we were trying to find proper age groups, and I felt bad just sending Jacklyn (10) and Josh (9) off alone with a bunch of strangers in a 6th grade class since no one could find their 4/5th grade group. Jaelyn refused to go with the preschoolers, so she came with Caleb and I in the 1/2nd grade group. Surprisingly, she had a good time and listened, and did the projects well. Caleb, however, was not engaging and had an upset stomach throughout the morning. It ended up I had to leave Jaelyn to take him to the bathroom, and turned out he'd had an accident.
The worst kind.
I got him cleaned up, we get back to the group, and thankfully his clothes were rescued sufficiently and he was good for the rest of the day (what I didn't know was that on the other side of the church, Josh's stomach was doing the same thing).
After three hours of projects, games, movie, snacks, etc, I load up my four little ones and head into town to get water and dishwashing soap, and fill up a gas tank for the mower. In the middle of town, Josh says nervously from the back, "Jen, I feel like I need to throw up." I told him to hold on so I could stop at the coming gas station, but it was for naught. I didn't get the window rolled down soon enough to save the inside of the door, but good enough that I didn't have a too-terrible mess to clean up--amazingly, I've still got a good attitude about it all at this point! I bought Josh a 7up at the gas station, cleaned up the inside of the car door best I could with limited resources: 7up is sticky, but it sure kills the smell that would encourage three other kids to follow in the throwing up.
Off we go again. We went to Walmart, I bought the kids some Cheetos and Gatorade for on the way home since it was past lunch, but it wouldn't spoil supper. We were uneventul...until the next gas station where I was to fill up the mower tank. I filled both tank and car, left Jacklyn in charge, locked the doors and told her to unlock them for me when I came back. Uhem. Upon my return, I look into the back windows to see Jaelyn and Caleb fighting over a full 7up bottle, and envision it everywhere. About to react, I went for the door to find it's locked. I bang on the window and signal Jacklyn to unlock, but she's buckled in and trying to get them to stop fighting (from the front seat, mind you). She unbuckles herself, and this is when it went slow motion for me...she reaches back to get Jaelyn to stop and knocks the full Gatorade out of Josh's hands (who is also buckled in). So I'm standing outside a locked Chrysler at the pump of Shell, watching 7up at the point of combustion in the hands of a 6 and 3 year old, and a Gatorade bottle glug-glugging it's every drop onto the floor of the car.
The bystanders probably thought I was a nut. I cracked up laughing. Laughing, laughing, laughing! At the hilarious audacity of what just happened, as I stood to merely watch, helpless to stop any further catastrophe.
When I thought nothing else could happen, they actually did end up spilling half the bag of Cheetos. I hardly said anything. Considering I survived the day as if it was perfectly natural for all such things to happen, and we'd be home soon to clean it up, there wasn't anything more to say.
We're going again in the morning. The stomach bug is gone. I promised them cheeseburgers tomorrow...thankfully this hardly ever happens, and never so many things at once. I suppose we'll survive anything now, even without the football helmets. :-)
Friday, July 11, 2008
Why vacations are never long enough...
(Praise the Lord for surge protectors and draft autosave, since lightning struck and the computer refused to power on...but it's all good! :-)
Friday at Jen's (while John was already at the rodeo), we spent nearly all day in the kitchen making assorted nacho dips, raspberry lemonade, and two types of cookies for our evening fare. Hint: LeAnna and Jen are expecting. *And the world sighs with understanding as to why such a fare would cross our nutritiously conscious minds* That night, we watched fireworks from afar (haha, joke from Jen's brother Nathan to follow post), chatted about spiritual things/aliens/and random people coming upon a little ranch house occupied by three unsuspecting ladies. Note: Any man of consequence to us is at this aforesaid rodeo. To be perfectly honest, I hadn't been nervous. But I told a creepy story before bedtime that night, and my dear friends were officially "nervous".
Once upon a 12-year-old time, I re
sponded to a pen pal request, and a couple years later, entered into a friend's chat conference. Vwwwolla, and praise the Lord, I was blessed with two of the few ladies that have stuck amidst the many pen pals I've had. It was worked out with Grace, Frequent Flyer Miles, and lotsa gasoline that I got to spend 8 days with LeAnna and 4 days with Jen! :-)
sponded to a pen pal request, and a couple years later, entered into a friend's chat conference. Vwwwolla, and praise the Lord, I was blessed with two of the few ladies that have stuck amidst the many pen pals I've had. It was worked out with Grace, Frequent Flyer Miles, and lotsa gasoline that I got to spend 8 days with LeAnna and 4 days with Jen! :-)Tuesday before last, I flew to LeAnna's adorable little Flower's house. We stuck with tradition and went to the thrift store with her Mom, brother and sister--it was moi fun! I got 3 pairs of capris, a Pasta Express, 2 boxes of blank notecards, and a computer game (I think that was all?) without spending over $15. Yay for bargains! Then we were just resting and hanging out with her husband Brandon (who nearly sent me to Jen's alone for fear of not being able to survive four days without his darling wife) until we left for Jen's on Thursday morning. :-) Brandon is a hoot! And don't you dare tell him he can't watch Nashville Star because it's suppertime, he'll throw one hilarious 30-year-old (did I mention that?) fit. I STILL laugh when I remember that!
We got on the road at about 8:30 Thursday morning, with our many belongings, gifts, Laffy 
Taffy, and a couple Audio books to pass the next eight hours. We did amazingly well chatting the whole way for the first four hours without a dull moment in between topics. Once we hit humdrum West Texas/New Mexico territory, we think it would be a good time to pop in Beverly Lewis' The Preacher's Daughter to get the landscape to pass quicker. However, we didn't get through the first disc, cracked up that the lady did the man's voice unconvincingly, and the presumed thirty minutes (?) we listened for felt like two hours. Since that simply would not do, we turned it off and talked the rest of the way (save for about an hour LeAnna slept and I blared Josh Groban).
Taffy, and a couple Audio books to pass the next eight hours. We did amazingly well chatting the whole way for the first four hours without a dull moment in between topics. Once we hit humdrum West Texas/New Mexico territory, we think it would be a good time to pop in Beverly Lewis' The Preacher's Daughter to get the landscape to pass quicker. However, we didn't get through the first disc, cracked up that the lady did the man's voice unconvincingly, and the presumed thirty minutes (?) we listened for felt like two hours. Since that simply would not do, we turned it off and talked the rest of the way (save for about an hour LeAnna slept and I blared Josh Groban).Once we arrived at Jen's, we jumped right out to hug each other's necks, meet Jen's husband John, and tour their adorable little ranch house. Do we think to kill two birds with one stone and go ahead taking our things in with us? Oh no. Even though later, all three of us were kicking ourselves since we thought about it but went forward touring the aforementioned adorable ranch house. Poor LeAnna locks the keys in the Volvo, along with everything but the clothes on our back. *gasp* I think I had my cellphone--but money? Tooth paste? CAMERA?! *bigger gasp* The Good Lord provideth not an open Volvo dealership, but he provideth a heroic Hispanic locksmith to come to the rescue at 7:30 in the evening. We probably would have offered him supper for our joy, but LeAnna hugged him, tipped him, and we proceeded with vacation. :-)
Friday at Jen's (while John was already at the rodeo), we spent nearly all day in the kitchen making assorted nacho dips, raspberry lemonade, and two types of cookies for our evening fare. Hint: LeAnna and Jen are expecting. *And the world sighs with understanding as to why such a fare would cross our nutritiously conscious minds* That night, we watched fireworks from afar (haha, joke from Jen's brother Nathan to follow post), chatted about spiritual things/aliens/and random people coming upon a little ranch house occupied by three unsuspecting ladies. Note: Any man of consequence to us is at this aforesaid rodeo. To be perfectly honest, I hadn't been nervous. But I told a creepy story before bedtime that night, and my dear friends were officially "nervous".Saturday (we made it through the night), we arose early for a 2-hour drive to the Ranch Rodeo. It was an all-day ordeal, and poor LeAnna was exhausted, but it was loads of fun. We went shopping in Ruidoso, and ate at this nifty wrap cafe. At the rodeo, we visited with Jen's family and friends, RanchWife and Cottonpicker included, and watched her husband/brother/cousin participate in the rodeo. However it made me feel old, and sorry so much time had passed, it was so good to see everyone. :-)
Sunday was spent relaxing with Jen's family where RanchWife made wonderful dinner of hearty-nutritious-stick-to-your-ribs-unpregnant kinda things. :-) LeAnna's tummy was quite thankful, and Jen's was happy to second the thankfulness. It was rather sad without Taylor and Sara, they were sorely missed. We got Nathan's Sea Monkey aquarium set up (Mama, did you feed them today?), went swimming, and returned home. That night, Jen and I threw LeAnna a surprise mini-baby shower, which was lotsa fun.
Monday morning, we grabbed some coffee with Jen, took some pictures, said goodbyes (which I, Jen, did fairly well not to cry...no really I DID...do well), and hit the road again. The next eight hours of talking, a Bible study, and sleeping found us back at Brandon and Banana's. We spent my last night at her Mom and Dad's for her birthday supper, and had another wonderful time. It was good to hangout with Rachel and Zach (with whom we planted another growing Sea Monkey Home), feed Brandon's friendly cows, see her grandparents, and visit with her sweet Mom.
This post is long already, I could go on about how we three ladies (and Brandon on cellphone) fixed a water pump, how I was mistaken by a 16-year-old as schoolage and possibly eligable (then I interrogated him as to how to pursue a young lady), I left my cellphone at LeAnna's after we manuevered through construction, and how we zoomed back to get it. Then how my bags were checked in late, and there was a possiblility they wouldn't make it home with me. AND how they were so confusing, I could have either boarded the wrong flight, or missed mine altogether. But I'm home, that's what is important. It was really good for me, and I'm sooo thankful it worked out. I'm not going to wait 2-4 years to see these gals again. :-)
I have news to share about our Youth Group and the Mexico mission trip--but I will save them for next time. Thank you for all the prayers and messages I came home to! May the Lord bless your weekend...
Glad to be home, and thankful for dear friends (and adopted family!),
Jen
A joke from Nathan--
Why did the wise men have ashes on their feet?
'Cause they came from afar.
(say it with a Texan accent, then you'll get it) *hi-five to Nathan!*
Monday, May 19, 2008
For everything, there is a season...
There's a time for guests...And a time to clean the house anyway!
There's a time for sleeping in...
And a time for getting up at the crack of 7:00 EVEN IF we are homeschooled.
There's a time for doing chores...
And a time for doing chores.
There's a time for juvenilely letting our emotions loose...
And always time for loving thine older sister as thyself.
I think Solomon would've been proud. Can ya tell I've been big sister for the 
morning/afternoon? :-) That was completely sarcastic, in light of the things we've undertaken as a crew of eight this past week. From guests, emotions, and work; to play, fellowship, and the hilarity of living with so much personality and drama...Maybe it's part of getting older, but lately I've appreciated things about my siblings I hadn't appreciated before--that disappoints me, as much as it encourages me. :-) Lately they've come up with the most randomly funny--and even the most enlighteningly wise things. I'll have to start writing them down for post material, cause only they can come up 
with this stuff!They are comedians and philosophers. Artists and preachers. Critics and copycats. Hair-grayers and mess-makers. Adorable and Imperishable. And such is the kingdom of heaven. There is such a broad spectrum of blessed and cursed circumstances a person could be raised in. I wander if the Lord offers "treasures" to every person--even those living in broken h
omes, and broken lifestyles. Maybe it's all a matter of perspective--and a matter of what we do, or do not take the time to appreciate (it doesn't mean the appreciatable isn't there!).Because no, I do not wake up every morning remember ALL the rich "treasures" I've been blessed with either. Truthfully I hardly take the time to think of them at all, and I tend to make time to remember the things I have not been bl
essed with. So today, after the past few weeks of the Lord checking the reality box of Jen's existence...I'm gonna post about a revelation of seven things I should be soooo thankful for. THESE are my treasures...as onery, irritating and deaf as they are, I really, really, truly love them. Wouldn't and couldn't replace them, and pray that everyday, I'm worthy of the calling my Father HAS written on the wall for me: to be their sister. And not only are they gonna...how's Josh say it?...pound me for posting pictures of them, but serve a hard time for saying such mushy stuff in a blog post all about them. :-) But I'm a sibling...it's what I do.
essed with. So today, after the past few weeks of the Lord checking the reality box of Jen's existence...I'm gonna post about a revelation of seven things I should be soooo thankful for. THESE are my treasures...as onery, irritating and deaf as they are, I really, really, truly love them. Wouldn't and couldn't replace them, and pray that everyday, I'm worthy of the calling my Father HAS written on the wall for me: to be their sister. And not only are they gonna...how's Josh say it?...pound me for posting pictures of them, but serve a hard time for saying such mushy stuff in a blog post all about them. :-) But I'm a sibling...it's what I do.And how many 20-year-old sisters do stuff like this? :-)
May your week be blessed with similar brick walls of thankfulness, cause the embrace of them is worth the plunge into them.
Friday, April 18, 2008
After the earthquake, she dons her painting palette...
Paint this picture with me:
NAHUM 1:3-8
"His way is in the whirlwind and the storm,
And clouds are the dust of his feet.
He rebukes the sea and dries it up;
He makes all the rivers run dry.
Bashan and Carmel wither
And the blossoms of Lebannon fade.
The mountains quake before him and the hills melt away.
The earth trembles at his presence,
The world and all who live in it.
Who can withstand his indignation?
Who can endure his fierce anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire; the rocks are shattered before him..."
Then it goes on to say...
"...the Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those tho trust in Him..."
At 4:00 this morning, I painted this picture:
A Prince of power--in his hand is a silver sword, and in his hands it is strong and capable of terrors. Any ememy is dashed to the ground, and anything could be smitten by the snap of his fingers. In his shadow, I am weak and uncapable. I have no control over my own life, or death.
But this Prince loves me...and because of that love, I am safe in the presence of his sword. Because of love, I am not threatened, but protected by that sword. And the terrors of it never even cross my mind.
We were waken up by a 5.2 earthquake somewhere between 3:00-4:00 last night. I've never felt one before, and for my first one it was quite an experience. The house just quaked, the earth roared, and I was just waiting for things to fall off the shelves and walls. I have to say in my sleepy stupor, my very first thought was to look out the window for the sky splitting and the sound of trumpets! But they never came...but neither did quaking fear. I was surprised! We got the kids back to bed and laid down for a couple more hours of sleep, and small aftermath tremors. Though sleep didn't come easy for any of us! :-) I laid there and was thinking about that above "picture", and what Nahum shared (I read this just last week!). The earth trembles, melts, moves, simply in it's Creator's presence. Believe me, when you're laying in bed and the very earth beneath your feet begins to quake...you have NO CONTROL. You're cast upon the mercy of the Creator.
But you know, the earthquake is one of many elements that make up His sword, His footstool. And if a worldly Prince of power (meaning combat ability!) can love his lady with a love that uses what could crush her to protect her...isn't God Almighty, the epitome of LOVE, not greater than he? And even should I be slain by an earthquake, can I cast myself into the trust of that love? A thrilling description of pure, undefiled faith!
I'm enthralled, my friend. Just entralled by the display of His power. I just experienced another tremor, amazingly---I wish I could box this feeling and give it to you!
Just thought I'd take a moment and share the news of So. IL! And the things the Lord has brought to mind, and heart, through it. :-) May you feel the power of the God you serve, beloved, and the love that loves you with that power.
NAHUM 1:3-8
"His way is in the whirlwind and the storm,
And clouds are the dust of his feet.
He rebukes the sea and dries it up;
He makes all the rivers run dry.
Bashan and Carmel wither
And the blossoms of Lebannon fade.
The mountains quake before him and the hills melt away.
The earth trembles at his presence,
The world and all who live in it.
Who can withstand his indignation?
Who can endure his fierce anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire; the rocks are shattered before him..."
Then it goes on to say...
"...the Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those tho trust in Him..."
At 4:00 this morning, I painted this picture:
A Prince of power--in his hand is a silver sword, and in his hands it is strong and capable of terrors. Any ememy is dashed to the ground, and anything could be smitten by the snap of his fingers. In his shadow, I am weak and uncapable. I have no control over my own life, or death.
But this Prince loves me...and because of that love, I am safe in the presence of his sword. Because of love, I am not threatened, but protected by that sword. And the terrors of it never even cross my mind.
We were waken up by a 5.2 earthquake somewhere between 3:00-4:00 last night. I've never felt one before, and for my first one it was quite an experience. The house just quaked, the earth roared, and I was just waiting for things to fall off the shelves and walls. I have to say in my sleepy stupor, my very first thought was to look out the window for the sky splitting and the sound of trumpets! But they never came...but neither did quaking fear. I was surprised! We got the kids back to bed and laid down for a couple more hours of sleep, and small aftermath tremors. Though sleep didn't come easy for any of us! :-) I laid there and was thinking about that above "picture", and what Nahum shared (I read this just last week!). The earth trembles, melts, moves, simply in it's Creator's presence. Believe me, when you're laying in bed and the very earth beneath your feet begins to quake...you have NO CONTROL. You're cast upon the mercy of the Creator.
But you know, the earthquake is one of many elements that make up His sword, His footstool. And if a worldly Prince of power (meaning combat ability!) can love his lady with a love that uses what could crush her to protect her...isn't God Almighty, the epitome of LOVE, not greater than he? And even should I be slain by an earthquake, can I cast myself into the trust of that love? A thrilling description of pure, undefiled faith!
I'm enthralled, my friend. Just entralled by the display of His power. I just experienced another tremor, amazingly---I wish I could box this feeling and give it to you!
Just thought I'd take a moment and share the news of So. IL! And the things the Lord has brought to mind, and heart, through it. :-) May you feel the power of the God you serve, beloved, and the love that loves you with that power.
Monday, March 24, 2008
A list of sorts...
Okay, here is my completed list that I would like to stick to for seven days. :-)
*Thank you LeAnna & Anna for the ideas!*
*Thank you LeAnna & Anna for the ideas!*
- Post a blog entry.
- Embroider one color on an entire quilt block.
- Read one whole book of the Bible.
- Take a picture & post it with a caption.
- Write down one thought everyday, and post them at the end of the week.
- Spend one moment in solitude.
- Do something particular for someone else.
My list grew, but there were so many I wanted to do. :-) If you'd like to do this with me, post your list in a comment or on your blog so I know what you're up to! :-) As of now, I've only completed item one...but it's only 10:30 am.
I pray everyone had a wonderful weekend, and pray in your reflection of what your Savior bore for you, feel so incredibly loved today. I do, in a very bittersweetly broken way...but so loved.
I may post more later...with the picture I have yet to take.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Will. And not the kind producing pawn material. Though I'd love to pawn off mine...
Whatta Wednesday.
I have to say it didn't start out as a desirable Wednesday, but I smile.
I can smell the chicken & rice soup boilin' in the kitchen.
1 Kings was rather monotonous, but amusing in such a way the sun began to shine.
The snow melted and made everything soppy...but there's gobs and gobs of it falling, falling, falling as we Speak. Type. Read. Whatnot.
The kitchen floor is mopped.
And I'm chatting with LeAnna about the cruel humor she finds in her crazy cat...and bazookaing helicopters scoping out land for a gas plant on my house. :-)
And Jen is happy...about to burst out laughing for no reason. I will inform you, friend, I didn't feel this way just five minutes ago. In fact, I felt so emotionally unstable that I was gonna breakdown over something miniscule. Not miniscule to me. Miniscule to my capable God.
Notice a key something right there: not miniscule to me, miniscule to Him.
Why is it such a mountain to me, if it isn't to Him...especially when I'm loved by Him, seen by Him, carried by Him? Shouldn't my fear be overridden by His fearlessness? Praise God, it's not even fearlessness, it's superiority!
The word override means 1) to set aside by superior authority; cancel. Or 2) to prevail over. Like the law of gravity overrides my desire to fly.
A superior amount of water overrides the existence of fire.
So my God's capability, faithfulness, fearlessness, love, etc..."should" cancel out any of the opposite I produce in myself; my will per say. To set it aside, because my Superior Authority loves me and overrides any mountain I have to climb, simply because it's a spec of dust to Him.
Notice I worded it "should", meaning thanks to my will, it doesn't always happen that way. But He's teaching, hence the mountain/reason to trust.
This is where joy in the suffering comes to mind. A friend put it so perfectly about our will...it kicks against our circumstances. To trust Him in such a way, that I stop kicking against my circumstances and embrace them. To see the sunshine without the pain being watered down, is just another act of laying down my will. When we joy in right where we are, knowing He's put me here, is here with me (not left me here!), all simply because He's God and I am not. Stopping the kicking, and clinging to the joy to be found makes a contrast of difference. :-)
Whew. So I'm ready to have some chicken and rice soup...wanna have some with me? I just realized LeAnna may be rubbing off on me for outta nowhere, I mentioned food...though I don't think any recipe requesters are going to be satisfied with our unfancy chicken soup. :-)
Nothing a little cheyenne pepper wouldn't do for.
Have a blessed Wednesday, my friend--I pray we can climb to find this joy together. The reason our mountains are here are to teach us so. So even if we only find a measure of it in this fact, praise God; He is God, and I am not.
--hug--
I have to say it didn't start out as a desirable Wednesday, but I smile.
I can smell the chicken & rice soup boilin' in the kitchen.
1 Kings was rather monotonous, but amusing in such a way the sun began to shine.
The snow melted and made everything soppy...but there's gobs and gobs of it falling, falling, falling as we Speak. Type. Read. Whatnot.
The kitchen floor is mopped.
And I'm chatting with LeAnna about the cruel humor she finds in her crazy cat...and bazookaing helicopters scoping out land for a gas plant on my house. :-)
And Jen is happy...about to burst out laughing for no reason. I will inform you, friend, I didn't feel this way just five minutes ago. In fact, I felt so emotionally unstable that I was gonna breakdown over something miniscule. Not miniscule to me. Miniscule to my capable God.
Notice a key something right there: not miniscule to me, miniscule to Him.
Why is it such a mountain to me, if it isn't to Him...especially when I'm loved by Him, seen by Him, carried by Him? Shouldn't my fear be overridden by His fearlessness? Praise God, it's not even fearlessness, it's superiority!
The word override means 1) to set aside by superior authority; cancel. Or 2) to prevail over. Like the law of gravity overrides my desire to fly.
A superior amount of water overrides the existence of fire.
So my God's capability, faithfulness, fearlessness, love, etc..."should" cancel out any of the opposite I produce in myself; my will per say. To set it aside, because my Superior Authority loves me and overrides any mountain I have to climb, simply because it's a spec of dust to Him.
Notice I worded it "should", meaning thanks to my will, it doesn't always happen that way. But He's teaching, hence the mountain/reason to trust.
This is where joy in the suffering comes to mind. A friend put it so perfectly about our will...it kicks against our circumstances. To trust Him in such a way, that I stop kicking against my circumstances and embrace them. To see the sunshine without the pain being watered down, is just another act of laying down my will. When we joy in right where we are, knowing He's put me here, is here with me (not left me here!), all simply because He's God and I am not. Stopping the kicking, and clinging to the joy to be found makes a contrast of difference. :-)
Whew. So I'm ready to have some chicken and rice soup...wanna have some with me? I just realized LeAnna may be rubbing off on me for outta nowhere, I mentioned food...though I don't think any recipe requesters are going to be satisfied with our unfancy chicken soup. :-)
Nothing a little cheyenne pepper wouldn't do for.
Have a blessed Wednesday, my friend--I pray we can climb to find this joy together. The reason our mountains are here are to teach us so. So even if we only find a measure of it in this fact, praise God; He is God, and I am not.
--hug--
Monday, December 17, 2007
Two decades makes for interesting things...
Thank you everyone who has so sweetly wished me blessings today. :-)
Oh, happy birthday to me. *tosses confetti*
I love to cook, and I should've been Italian. :-) That's just what I've gathered with five senses and I'm stickin' to it. Usually if I make crab manicotti just fast and easy, it has merely a vegetable and butter bread to go along with it. But today, December 17, Jen was moody for a feast. So I packed stir-crazy Jaelyn up to go shopping for food! When I got home I baked a birthday cheesecake, and at about 4:45 embarked on suppa. We had the crab manicotti with a butter asparagus vegetable medley, a loaded salad, and artesian bread knots.
Then, of course, the *hallelujah chorus rings* caramel pecan cheesecake.
I won't eat for a couple days. :-) This brought me joy I've not known in a very long time.
20 years...and a few hours. Looking at all the tiniest molecular aspects that have woven my life to this very moment: milestones, people, places, burdens, seasons, blessings, and sufferings. From childhood, to girlhood, to whatever you'd call me now. These monstrous little things that have each been a thread in the tapestry of who I am now, or an aspect of the climax in this story. I look to the heavens and wonder...did the Lord God look down upon this curly-headed little blonde 20 years ago, and "interesting" be my destiny? Interesting, for lack of a better word.
Of your life, He's planning something. Do you grasp that? (I ask because I only just did) Do you, precious of God, look over your life and laugh...wondering what in the world He has in mind? I do. With how confused and blind I've become, I wonder, wonder, wonder. Like a child of dreams: this child knows what shape and form their deepest desires are. And then God gift-wraps their destiny...and it's in a different shape, with a big ol' bow nonetheless. As a child of carnal nature, you can't help but be heartbroken at first. Dear one, cling to the promise that it will be greater than you could ever have dreamed...no matter the outcome of your life. No matter the paths you'll take, the wildernesses you'll cross, the destinies you'll fullfill.
When I'm in my last breaths, how will I see my life as I look over it?
Blessed.
Not because Jen had good things, but because I had terrible things too. Because my Abba was in it with me, and nothing He's placed before me I cannot bear. He will bear it with me.
Paul challenged to take joy in your suffering--it's easy to joy in joyful things. It's faith to joy in things that are less than what we'd desired.
Even still, I don't deserve the seasons He's asked of me. So many have suffered more than I, and still come out singing praises to God. Can't I, whose been carried by Him in the little things I suffer, praise Him with every breath within me? I may never understand what exactly He's doing in the depths of me, but there's no living without Him. Love is worth any fall upon the invisable, as unlogical as it seems.
"...I may never understand the depth of what You've done inside, but I know I won't find any worth apart from You..." --Jeremy Camp
This has been a soapbox/heartbearing session for myself more than anything. :-) But thanks for bearing with me. Praise Him...He Who is in me and with me, and greater than anything in this world. :-)
Oh, happy birthday to me. *tosses confetti*
I love to cook, and I should've been Italian. :-) That's just what I've gathered with five senses and I'm stickin' to it. Usually if I make crab manicotti just fast and easy, it has merely a vegetable and butter bread to go along with it. But today, December 17, Jen was moody for a feast. So I packed stir-crazy Jaelyn up to go shopping for food! When I got home I baked a birthday cheesecake, and at about 4:45 embarked on suppa. We had the crab manicotti with a butter asparagus vegetable medley, a loaded salad, and artesian bread knots.
Then, of course, the *hallelujah chorus rings* caramel pecan cheesecake.
I won't eat for a couple days. :-) This brought me joy I've not known in a very long time.
20 years...and a few hours. Looking at all the tiniest molecular aspects that have woven my life to this very moment: milestones, people, places, burdens, seasons, blessings, and sufferings. From childhood, to girlhood, to whatever you'd call me now. These monstrous little things that have each been a thread in the tapestry of who I am now, or an aspect of the climax in this story. I look to the heavens and wonder...did the Lord God look down upon this curly-headed little blonde 20 years ago, and "interesting" be my destiny? Interesting, for lack of a better word.
Of your life, He's planning something. Do you grasp that? (I ask because I only just did) Do you, precious of God, look over your life and laugh...wondering what in the world He has in mind? I do. With how confused and blind I've become, I wonder, wonder, wonder. Like a child of dreams: this child knows what shape and form their deepest desires are. And then God gift-wraps their destiny...and it's in a different shape, with a big ol' bow nonetheless. As a child of carnal nature, you can't help but be heartbroken at first. Dear one, cling to the promise that it will be greater than you could ever have dreamed...no matter the outcome of your life. No matter the paths you'll take, the wildernesses you'll cross, the destinies you'll fullfill.
When I'm in my last breaths, how will I see my life as I look over it?
Blessed.
Not because Jen had good things, but because I had terrible things too. Because my Abba was in it with me, and nothing He's placed before me I cannot bear. He will bear it with me.
Paul challenged to take joy in your suffering--it's easy to joy in joyful things. It's faith to joy in things that are less than what we'd desired.
Even still, I don't deserve the seasons He's asked of me. So many have suffered more than I, and still come out singing praises to God. Can't I, whose been carried by Him in the little things I suffer, praise Him with every breath within me? I may never understand what exactly He's doing in the depths of me, but there's no living without Him. Love is worth any fall upon the invisable, as unlogical as it seems.
"...I may never understand the depth of what You've done inside, but I know I won't find any worth apart from You..." --Jeremy Camp
This has been a soapbox/heartbearing session for myself more than anything. :-) But thanks for bearing with me. Praise Him...He Who is in me and with me, and greater than anything in this world. :-)
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