The Journey

ALMOST anywhere

2012-01-26T23:51:00.001-06:00

Dear Sweet Husband of Mine,

You know how I've always told you I'd follow you anywhere?

Well today as I was walking around the lake,

it occurred to me that maybe

I should clarify one thing.

If you should happen to get a wild hair someday

and invite me to join you out on a lake

with ice this thin looking,

you're probably gonna be

on your own.

I'll be glad to cook the fish for dinner though.

Love,

Tracy P.

P.S. It occurs to me that this is perhaps why ice fishing got started in the first place.
In case "all" the men who read my blog are laughing at me rather than with me.
Note that my husband hasn't begun this ridiculous ritual. Yet.

When the trees look like jewels...

2012-01-23T22:17:00.001-06:00

...it's really good if you can stay home and take photos of them,
and leave your car in the garage.

Without ever leaving home

2012-01-21T23:08:00.000-06:00

You don't have to go out on a chilly Saturday night

to take your sports car for a spin

or even to take your dog for a walk.

It must be noted, however,

that you may be Mr. Moneybags

or a land baron,

but if someone else has Boardwalk and Park Place,

your chances of winning are not so good.

How I got hooked

2012-01-20T21:46:00.000-06:00

As I hear Bethany's bus go by,

I hurry to the window.

It's my favorite moment of the day

to watch her

being her.

This time, instead of coming in

she grabs a shovel

and goes to work.

Unaware that I grab a camera

and go to work.

Blissful work.

My friend Kate asked me the other day

how I got hooked on taking pictures.

I thought of the years lived overseas.

Of the scrapbooking kick begun before I was even married.

But today I realized

THIS is how I got hooked.

It's the series that tells the whole story.

Love.

Family field trips

2012-01-16T20:59:00.001-06:00

Although we love our kids' schools and wouldn't want them anywhere else,

I have to admit that I envy the fact that homeschool families

can go on field trips almost anytime.

We still go on a lot of family field trips,

but unfortunately they sort of need to coincide with the school calendar.

We missed a few days of school for our Christmas trip,

but I think we did a decent job of providing educational experiences.

Like this trip to the Holy Land Experience.

And this roadside stop at a cotton field.

Nothing like seeing for yourself why Eli Whitney was a hero.

We were passing by this college town,

so we stopped by for a taste of the college experience.

And by taste, I mean we visited the football stadium.

We learned all about westward expansion and the Louisiana Purchase

at the Gateway Arch.

And last but not least,
I taught Ben how to use Photoshop.

Because racecars need numbers.

Once a teacher, always a teacher.

Fun with Grandma and Grandpa

2012-01-13T23:42:00.000-06:00

Dad and Jeannie live 3 1/2 hours from Lee's parents.

How lucky are we!!

It's so fun to see Christmas decorations in Florida

with the poinsettias adorning the front porches.

Grandma made a lot of fun plans for us...

A movie...

a trip downtown to see the lights

even a beautiful carriage ride

and go-carts.

There is mini-golf at the motel we stayed at that we always enjoy.

But really?

The kids want to drive the golf cart more than anything.

The time I got pushy

2012-01-09T23:52:00.003-06:00

I married into this family thirteen years ago. And a half. They're quite southern. I'm quite midwestern. (Or maybe midnorthern???) It's mainly just entertaining, our differences. We've always gotten along quite happily. If you know Lee, you know that he's from...somewhere that isn't here...but you really would never put your finger on south Georgia. But give him some boiled peanuts and he will start talking southern.

(Well don't just go boiling ANY old peanuts.)

Even though I have been around for quite awhile, I didn't presume that I could get away with

making everyone be in a family photo while we were there for Christmas.

Well, I didn't MEAN to presume, anyway.

It's just that I knew it would be the perfect gift for Lee's parents.

After all, there's soon to be a wedding, to add another family member.

And there's been a new baby in the last year.

And good heavens, when we last had our picture taken...well, it was lifetimes ago.

So after the presents, I herded everyone outside. Pushy.

And unapologetic.

That's me.

Move over, Martha...

2012-01-08T19:54:00.001-06:00

...there's a new kid in the kitchen!

Baking with Mona (as the grandkids call her)

is one of Bethany's favorite Christmas traditions.

I even got to help.

These candies are named after Martha.

Not Martha Stewart.

Martha Washington.

Have you ever heard of them?

We make vanilla, coconut, mint, and the favorite...maple! YUM!

AND, there's Mona's famous waffles.

They are legendary.

Bethany's other favorite pastime this year?

This little guy.

Our great nephew.

They were almost inseparable.

He climbed a flight of stairs for the first time ever

when she was at the top of it.

I swear I heard him calling her name.

One more tradition...

Mona and Honey's tree.

All of the cousins have loved it.

Now joined by the first of the next generation.

All fun and games

2012-01-07T21:04:00.004-06:00

This was our third trip in four years to spend Christmas with our parents.
Last year we stayed home to be with my siblings here.
Georgia and Florida are a long way to go, but not TOO far
for grandparents.

It was amazing how quickly the kids came up with their list of
things we MUST do because "It's a tradition!"

For Ben it is playing games.

You know the boy is a game playing machine, right?

Here's what I loved.

Since the day he was born, I have always said Ben has "Honey's hands"
(as the grandchildren call him).

I mean, other than the fact that Honey's have a little more experience.

They had no idea

they were helping me prove my point.

They had so much fun.

Come back tomorrow for Bethany's favorites.

City Museum, St. Louis

2012-01-06T20:44:00.003-06:00

It's nine hours from our house to St. Louis. We know it well.

The kids don't ask us to stop, because they are highly motivated
to get to the first destination on our two day journey.

They were more than willing to get up before dawn

so we could get to City Museum before dark.

The only word I can think of to describe it is ridiculous.

Every time I turn around I just laugh and say, "How in the world?"

Not the kids. They are way too busy playing and exploring.

This is no McDonald's ball pit.

It's a sculpture garden.

Or something like that.

Inside?

A four story maze of artwork.

And human hamster wheels.

Textures of every imaginable kind. And then some.

Slides galore.

Colors that won't quit.

If you're anywhere at all near St. Louis, and have a kid...or a camera...you must go. GO!

Departure before daybreak

2012-01-05T13:38:00.003-06:00

I don't know how it can be
that the same farm country that bored me to tears as a child

fills me with peace and serenity now.

I suppose that maybe it signifies my work is done,
and now the joy of the journey begins at last.

Our kids had new books to read, so I don't think they noticed one way or the other.

Home, Sweet Home!

2012-01-04T23:31:00.001-06:00

We are home, and it's never felt so good. Two weeks away is a long time.

But...

...home is also where the heart is, and we needed

to go have another Christmas with our parents.

You know, "I'll be home for Christmas..."

It is so worth it.

It takes a lot of driving, which allows for some interesting stops along the way.

I am buried under photos, but here are a few teasers.

I'll be back when all the unpacking is done.

Maybe even before.

What a paradox...

2011-12-19T23:59:00.001-06:00

...that a babe in a manger

should be called mighty!

Yet even as a babe, Jesus Christ was the center of power.

His birth affected the heavens

and caused a dazzling star to appear.

Midnight became midday

as the glory of the Lord

appeared to men.

--Warren Wiersbe

What do you do with your kids' old toys?

2011-12-14T23:58:00.000-06:00

At this time of year there's an obvious answer, right?

Gotta make room for the new ones.

But you can't get rid of the favorites!

That's why it's good to have a three year old come and play now and then.

Because when you get the toys out for them

they will be rediscovered by their original owners

who can now do things like physics experiments with them.

Seriously--

what better way to pass a dark winter day?

Getting our craft on

2011-12-13T19:46:00.000-06:00

Bethany has been dying to make some gifts for the relatives.

Today I found her some supplies.

I had picked up a box of clear bulbs on a whim for $1 a couple of years ago,

knowing it would one day serve a purpose.

Voila!

December Moments

2011-12-10T23:42:00.001-06:00

Oh holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray.
Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today.

It's one of those months

where everything runs together

in a blur.

It's almost all good,

especially if we take it as it comes,

determined to enjoy, not to make perfect.

Like this ice for example.

The rink was flooded.

Kind of.

Several layers more will help.

But my kids?

Determined to enjoy.

There is more,

that I lived but did not photograph.

This is some of the best.

You know what?

This is our Jesse Tree. So far.

For a variety of reasons, it is, shall we say, incomplete.

We are behind. Behind with Advent.

I am happy to say, I am not fighting it.

After all, Jesus came to earth once the people could see

that their rituals did not bring him closer.

Not that the rituals were inherently bad.

They just weren't the point.

This year, I've welcomed the gift of letting him find me.

Wherever I am.

To show me how amazing he is

right here in my own little world.

We hear the Christmas angel the great glad tidings tell;
Oh come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.

Kick your feet up!

2011-12-04T23:47:00.002-06:00

A little flashback here to a beautiful October day, when Bethany couldn't bear to go inside to do her homework, so she plopped down on the hood of the Ford and got busy. Now there is a blanket of snow in that spot, but I'm still loving her style!

This week at iheartfaces, they are featuring creative shots including feet. Click the button to check it out!

A word aptly spoken

2011-12-03T10:03:00.000-06:00

Ring the bells that still can ring.

Forget your perfect offering.

There is a crack in everything.

That's how the light gets in.

Leonard Cohen

Moms In Touch Monday: Wonderful Counselor

2011-11-28T13:26:00.000-06:00

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this."

Isaiah 9:6-7

At the time this prophecy was delivered by Isaiah, there would still be several hundred years of waiting for its fulfillment on the part of the people of Israel. Don't you suppose many of them thought they had been forgotten? Or that they heard it wrong? I know that my faith is often far too impatient for waiting to see just what God has up his sleeve. And yet, he acts in the fullness of time. The waiting is sometimes precisely the tool he uses to accomplish his purposes. During this Advent season, the season of waiting, our Moms in Touch group is focusing on each aspect of the character of the prophesy of the Messiah.

Adoration: Today we focused on God as our Wonderful Counselor. We marveled at the mystery of the Trinity, as God pointed the way to Jesus as the Wonderful Counselor, and then when Jesus appeared, he pointed to the Holy Spirit as the Counselor. Psalm 16:7-8 (we also read 9-11) was our springboard for praise:

"I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;

even at night my heart instructs me.

I have set the Lord always before me.

Because he is at my right hand,

I will not be shaken."

We praised God for his wisdom, for his presence with us even when our minds are racing with all of the details we need to address, or the matters facing our families and loved ones. We praised him for the light of his presence and guidance in the dark of the night or the dark moments of our souls. We praised him that his plan is that we would see him taking us by the hand, guiding our way, and therefore not be shaken.

Confession: As we meditated on God as our counselor, we read the very familiar, but very quickly forgotten (well, by me at least!) Proverb 3:5-6:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."

Our confession time at Moms In Touch is always silent, but I don't mind telling you that there is a situation I dealt with in the last week using my own understanding. My desire was to make everyone in the situation feel better and possibly mend some feelings that were hurt unintentionally, and not by me. But, I really needed to leave it alone and trust God to straighten it out. Regretably, I did not wait for his counsel. Thankfully, he forgives, and there is always room yet for him to work.

Today we asked God to show us any areas of our lives where we are leaning on our own understanding, forging ahead to fix things, or check them off our to-do list when waiting is what's needed.

Thanksgiving: We thanked God for the time with family in recent days and weeks, and for the richness that each of our relationships brings. We also thanked him for being our Counselor as we navigate our way through each of those relationships and the challenges they can bring. We thanked him for faithfully answering many of our prayers since we last met.

Supplication (requests): As we prayed for our children, we asked God to help them know his wise counsel, and to instruct them with wisdom through each choice they make, through their assignments, and through each interaction with others. We asked him to make his presence clear to them in times of anxiousness, and to help them lean on him rather than acting on their own limited understanding. We also prayed for teachers as they wrap up a trimester. We prayed that as they look at their students' progress, God would encourage and energize them with the successes they see, and that he would provide them with wise counsel as they seek ways to make connections with students who are not doing as well as they could or should.

"Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!

Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?

Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?

For from him and through him and to him are all things.

To him be the glory forever! Amen."

Romans 11:33-36

I'm not thankful (a reality show in three parts)

2011-11-23T21:50:00.003-06:00

Part 1.

It's the eve of Thanksgiving, 4:37 P.M, and I'm not thankful.

I'm not thankful that my house is a wreck less than 24 hours before it should be a beautiful, delicious smelling hub of grateful festivity.

I AM thankful that the mess consists of a game that we all had fun playing yesterday (when I was more motivated to play than work), but that never got put away. And also a music stand where a flute was practiced by a girl who loves her instrument.

I'm not thankful that there is not one square inch of available counter space to start stuffing a turkey or making a pumpkin roll.

I AM thankful that part of the clutter is a botany experiment of my budding scientist,

and some platters that my Moms in Touch group filled with goodies to let the staffs at our kids' schools know that they are appreciated.

I'm not thankful that I cannot find my dining room table (or floor), much less imagine setting it for a feast on short order.

I AM thankful that much of that stuff came from a friend who needed help preparing for a move, and was stuff we will be able to use. (Yay for free school supplies!)

I am not thankful the friend and her family have moved, at all. I AM thankful that God brought them into our lives as a blessing, and that we can encourage them as they follow his call on their lives.

I'm not thankful that the top of the stairs is littered with everything the kids had with them when they came in the door today.

I AM thankful that they were happy to get here and eager to enjoy four relaxing days of family time. I love having them here.

Part 2.

Honestly? There are some other things in this season of our lives that I am not thankful for. It's been a season of transition, and it has brought some difficulties with it. Difficulties we wouldn't have wished for, but that have helped us and our kids grow and learn things that couldn't have been learned any other way. And for that, I AM thankful.

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I am not thankful FOR these things...but I am thankful IN these things. Life, at its best, is a challenge. To give thanks in ALL circumstances is not an easy thing to do, but it is a life-giving choice.

God is always up to something, after all. Something good for us. Something good IN us. Easy is not his objective.

Part 3.

5:24 P.M. That's more like it. The difference an hour can make!

I guess I better get back to work. It seems a lot more manageable now.

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

And may a grateful heart be at the top of your list of blessings.

A Note to Self

2011-11-17T10:43:00.001-06:00

Dear Me,

It's that time of year again. Time to buy the turkey. And you know what that means.

The expectations are rising.

I want you to remember one thing. They are YOUR expectations. Yours and no one else's.

You might forget the rolls. But probably not.

You might not find the perfect gift for Lee. He wants NOTHING.

You might not get all the baking done that you have committed to, and you may just have to buy some cookies at some point. The bakery makes good ones.

You might not get all the photo gifts made, and you might not even finish Bethany's quilt. No one is expecting them.

You might not finish the DVD project for Bethany's play to get it to the kids before Christmas. No one gave you a deadline. This is a volunteer project.

This year for the holidays? You are fired from being Wonder Woman.

Stay sane and enjoy yourself!

Tracy P.

P.S. If you are reading this and the shoe fits, wear it!

Nifty Gift

2011-11-16T00:22:00.000-06:00

You've seen my plugs for Shutterfly before, right? I blogged about my photo books long before they ever thought of paying me to do that. I love my Shutterfly books. Recently they made them even more like real scrapbooks with complete creative control. I love that.

But this year I'm not sure I'm going to get any books done before Christmas. Since I have been working so much on my photography, I thought I'd take a favorite shot from each season and make some cards to give in sets. It just happened that when I ordered some of these tonight they offered me a nice little discount on my next project if I would blog about them. Maybe you would be that lucky too. So go to Shutterfly and check out their cards. And stay for the books. :-)

Moms in Touch Monday: God, who is rich in mercy

2011-11-14T15:48:00.002-06:00

Moms In Touch MondaysOur group in meets in my living room on Monday mornings, but you can join us here at The Journey anytime as we pray for our kids and their schools.

Learn more here about Moms in Touch

and how to find a group near you.

Most weeks I start thinking of the attribute of God to focus on at our next meeting well in advance. Or at least the day before. This was not one of those weeks. I awoke this morning wondering what it would be today, and immediately I thought of that little snippet of a verse, "But God, who is rich in mercy..."

Thank heaven for concordances! Mine directed me to Ephesians 2:4-5. "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved."

Adoration: We went to a longer passage, Titus 3:1-8, for our focus today. Verses 4-7 say, "But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." So we praised him for

His kindness
His love
For not waiting until we scored enough righteousness points to build a relationship with us
For the washing of rebirth and renewal that we so desparately need
For pouring his Spirit out on us generously through Jesus
For justifying us and giving us the hope of eternal life

Confession: As we reflected on the richness of God's mercy, we asked him to show us where we fail to show mercy. We also asked him to show us if there are ways in which we resist his mercy by trying to be strong and righteous on our own. We asked him to help us receive his mercy, and extend it to others.

Thanksgiving: We thanked God for the fact that through his mercy, he comes alongside us in our weakness, and holds us up through his own power. (2 Corinthians 12:9) We thanked him for his demonstrations of faithfulness to us and our families as well.

Supplication (requests): We prayed that our children would also be receptive to God's mercy and extend it to others. We prayed the verses earlier in the Titus passage for them (Titus 3:1-2): "Remind the people (our children, and us!) to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men." Oh, that we would all see every person as someone in the very same need of mercy as we are ourselves, and that we would treat everyone with that same consideration and humility!

Amen, Lord. Make it so.

A Thrill of Hope

2011-11-12T22:19:00.003-06:00

Thus begins the Christmas season at our house.

Really, it's an exception to the rule*, but for good reason.

Ben got out of bed this morning and wanted to play Wii first thing.

Like any self-respecting mom who would like to sleep in, I said yes.

But then he saw it. And remembered.

Last night we went shopping for our Operation Christmas Child boxes, both kids with money they volunteered to spend. As Ben was going to bed, he said he wanted to write a note to his recipient, telling him what each item was for and how to use it. I had told him there would be time in the morning.

He stopped, on the way to the Wii, to take care of it.

He wrote. (He hates writing. Or so he says.)

He drew pictures. (He's terrible at drawing. Or so he says.)

He packed and decorated.

He smiled.

Bethany couldn't wait to join in when she woke up.

She sharpened a lot of pencils.

And played with the toys, just a little.

Tomorrow she will lead the congregation in prayer

for the children receiving all of our boxes.

Some days I wonder if all of our teaching them

that it isn't all about us

goes right over their heads.

On days like today,

I am thankful that I get to experience

a thrill of hope.

If you haven't heard about Operation Christmas Child,
take a moment to check it out.
What a great way to start helping your family
catch a glimpse of the gift of giving.

Far from stopping there,
Samaritan's Purse has many other ministries as well,
meeting a variety of physical and educational needs all over the world.
We love taking a part in a ministry that opens doors to
life changing relationships.
We pray that those on the receiving end
experience as never before
a thrill of hope.

*The rule: Thanksgiving comes before Christmas.

Where I'm From

2011-11-08T10:14:00.014-06:00

I am from the gray house with the red door that Rae and Jack built at the top of the hill on Morris Road. The house with the best view in the neighborhood, overlooking the creek and the skating pond, the woods and world beyond.

I am from the giant acorn-laden oak tree in the back that they said wouldn't make it, and tart rhubarb turned to sweet desserts that came back year after year. From the garden with fragrant flowers, some that were planted by me.

I am from telephones that actually dialed, from Little Kiddles, Easy Bake Ovens, and giant inflatable chairs with furry footprint stickers. And flower power and peace signs.

I am from golfers and card players, bowlers and cookie bakers, from Deckers and Shores and Nerisons. From a mom whose love smelled like something warm just out of the oven after a busy day at school, and a dad whose witty puns made us groan until we learned to make him groan right back. Groans with smiles.

From many cousins and aunts and uncles with boisterous voices and contagious laughter.

I am from the school of "If you want something done right you've gotta do it yourself", and "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." And also the school of hard knocks from protective older siblings who could harass me if they wanted, but woe unto anyone else who tried. Who eventually would help me find my way like no one else and be my inspiration.

From Lutherans and Jews and people left wondering, and some finding. From confirmation and the alto section, to youth group trips to the Boundary Waters and Young Life camp. From How Great Thou Art, and What A Friend We Have in Jesus. Boy, do we ever.

I'm from big Sunday dinners, with popcorn later for supper--in the metal popper with real oil and hot butter that still smelled amazing the next day--and Wide World of Sports and Wonderful World of Disney, after cheering for Fran Tarkenton and the Vikings on TV.

I'm from Minnesota, from Norwegians with lefse and Russians with matzo ball soup, and "Heinz 57s" because they couldn't quite identify all the varieties (although "slightly eccentric" was surely one). I'm from sliding down snow-covered hills, cold noses and warm cocoa, from summer swimming in the lake and from crisp, cool autumns with the smell of bonfires.

From Grandma Vi, who made turkey for the kids because they might not have acquired a taste for the roast duck, and who had a present for the younger sister because she might not understand why both twins were getting birthday presents, but not her. And from Grandma Shore, who always had a little extra pie crust with cinnamon and sugar, and enough time to come to swim meets that lasted forever, to cheer me on and to play Spite and Malice with Mom while they waited for my next event.

Also from the delicious aroma of the pipe-smoking Grandpa, who drove us through the mountains (literally) in a motor home, and always found a campground with a pool. Not to mention Uncle Don, who played the guitar and sang songs that made everyone laugh and sometimes made the girls cry, who every year threatened to build a fire in the fireplace before Santa came, but in the end, never did.

I am from dreams, some of which shattered with my parents' marriage, and some of which came truer than I could ever have hoped or imagined. Because that great God and friend is also a redeemer.

I am from the boxes of photos in the basement, report cards and newspaper clippings and school projects carefully kept by a mom who cared and took note of our every accomplishment. I am from ribbons and medals and a few trophies...

...that never figured one iota into how much I was loved.

Note: I found the template and some sources and examples at this link on mamakatslosinit.com. I tweaked it a little for my own liking, but I have loved reading the ones others have done. Fun walk down memory lane for me. I bet you would enjoy it too. Be sure to come back and leave me a comment if you do!

Moms in Touch Monday: Our Provider

2011-11-07T14:20:00.001-06:00

Moms In Touch MondaysOur group in meets in my living room on Monday mornings, but you can join us here at The Journey anytime as we pray for our kids and their schools.

Learn more here about Moms in Touch

and how to find a group near you.

Jesus said,

"Look at the birds of the air;

they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them."

"Are you not much more valuable than they?"

"See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.

Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor

was dressed like one of these."

"If that is how God clothes the grass of the field,

which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire,

will he not much more clothe you?"

Matthew 6:26-30

Today at Moms in Touch we gathered in God's presence, focusing on him as our provider. Throughout our time we reflected on 1 Timothy 6:17-19: "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."

Adoration: We praised God for being the provider of everything that we need. We praised him because he provides richly, and not sparingly. We praised him because he has an unlimited supply, and no matter how many come to him, he has an abundance available for all that he desires to share. We praised him because he is never surprised by any need, nor at a loss for how he will manage to meet it.

Confession: During our silent time of confession, we asked God to show us any area in our lives where we are overwhelmed or worried by not having enough of what we need; things like finances, time, wisdom, help, skill, compassion. We asked him to help us recognize our worries right away so that we would turn directly to him as our provider.

Thanksgiving: We spent some sweet time thanking God for his provision for us and our families in recent days, weeks and months. I need to go back and make a list of needs that he has faithfully met!

Supplication (requests): We prayed for our kids to be quick to notice their needs and to turn to God as their provider. We prayed many of the elements of the verses above--that they would have such confidence in his provision that they would feel free to be generous. We prayed that they would seek their satisfaction in things that will last instead of the empty treasures of this world that promise to make them happy, but ultimately disappoint, that they would take hold of the life that is truly life. We also prayed that the staff members at their schools would find joy in God's provision.

How about you? Of what do you find yourself needful today? Take a moment to share that need with the God who richly provides us everything for our enjoyment.

For posterity's sake

2011-10-27T19:19:00.002-06:00

Ben came home the other day and announced that he needed my computer

(which was in use) so he could do his homework.
I asked why he needed it, and he said he needed to use...

...the dictionary.

I told him I had good news.

I told him he wouldn't even have to wait
until I was done with the computer.

We have a dictionary with pages!

Speaking of news, new is a relative term, isn't it?

I mean, it was brand spanking new when I got it.

My mom had one from 1955 or something that I had used all through school.

I'll admit right up front I thought that thing was ANCIENT.

Pretty sure it belonged in the Smithsonian.

So it was nice to have a new dictionary of my own to take to college.

Kind of.

I'm sure I would have been more excited about...well, cash.

But hey. I didn't foresee that my kids would need it. In 2011.

I also didn't foresee that they would not have to know

how to locate a word on an actual page.

So for the sake of my children

and their children

I feel compelled to point out

that when you use the paper kind of dictionary,

looking up words

(like book, for example)

...can turn into a rather fascinating and sometimes hilarious endeavor.

Especially if you have a middle school sense of humor.

But don't worry, guys.

I won't buy you a dictionary

as your graduation present.

Moms in Touch Monday: The God of Hope

2011-10-24T11:58:00.000-06:00

Moms In Touch MondaysJoin our group in prayer for our kids and their schools.

Learn more here.

I couldn't help noticing these colorful paint bottles when my daughter and her friend got them out to work on a project yesterday. Are they not just oozing with potential? I had already known this verse was to be the focus of our Moms in Touch time today, and the brightness of this scene reminded me of it. What's on the inside of us is exactly what flows out.

Today we praised God for being the God of hope.

Adoration: We spent some time in 1Peter 1:3-9 as a springboard for our praise this morning.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

We praised him because

he has victory over death
as our Father he has secured an imperishable and eternal inheritance for us
he has character and faith-building purposes for all kinds of trials that we endure
he fills us with joy even in difficulty
our hope is not only for the future, but also for the here and now

Confession: Before our prayer time we brainstormed antonyms for hope--despair, cynicism, fatalism, sense of lostness. We asked God to show us where we are overflowing with any of these instead of hope, peace and joy. We asked him to show us if we are looking to the world to offer us and our families hope that it can never (without God's intervention) successfully deliver--to government, to our schools, to corporations, material pursuits, other relationships. We quietly confessed these things to him and asked him to help us allow him to fill us to overflowing with his hope.

Thanksgiving: We thanked God for providing us with true hope, and for the power of his Spirit within us, filling us from the inside with hope. We thanked him for answers to prayer and other ways he has cared for our families since we last met.

Supplication (requests): We prayed Romans 12:12 for our kids, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." We prayed that they would have these types of attitudes, and especially that they would learn that they can have hope and joy in the very midst of affliction. We prayed that they would see difficulties as an opportunity to go to God for the help they need, and that they would gain the maturity to recognize the value in character-building moments. We prayed that their teachers, who are preparing for conferences, would overflow with hope for each child, and convey this to parents. We prayed that God would draw teachers who encounter difficult situations with students who aren't succeeding to turn to him for help and wisdom and perspective in order to teach them effectively.

So what are you overflowing with? May the God of hope fill YOU with all joy and peace this week as you trust in him, so that YOU may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jack Frost, 1. Me, .824. Game on.

2011-10-22T21:31:00.008-06:00

I won't lie to you.
For some people photography is a creative pursuit.

For me it is a competitive pursuit.

NOT against other photographers.

Against nature.

One could find it a bit sacrilegious to battle against nature.

It's a little like fighting God, after all.

But the same God who created me competitive
is the one who invited Jacob to wrestle.

Why wouldn't he do the same for me?

Last February when I got my new camera

I immediately set out to photograph the perfect ice or snow crystal.

When I looked at my first set of photos, it occurred to me: it's the lens.
You really need a macro lens for that.

BUT, having much experience with making the most
of what I have, I would not be defeated.

Today Jack Frost returned to start a new round of competition.

I have learned something very important since the last time we dueled.

I've read comments from a lot of photographers about looking for light

and shooting THAT. See where it's playing, and putting my focus there.

This morning I noticed a lot of light exposing the frost.

I did not capture the perfect crystal.

But I captured a lot of beautiful light.

And I have a whole season of pursuit to look forward to.

Not bad, but not all that I'm after. I truly love the contest.

I sense God's delight as I attempt to capture the glory of his creation,

and get a great photo--

only to have to admit, I did not come close to doing it justice.

I will happily spend a lifetime trying.

Bring on the crystals.

I'm ready.

Unless a kernel of wheat falls

2011-10-20T09:48:00.005-06:00

Fall is so beautiful and full of activity...

but it has a way of bringing on a bit of melancholy.

Yesterday it was time to clean out the garden.

The yard waste container needed to be filled before the truck came,

and the weather forecast is pretty certain that Jack Frost is on his way

bringing the inevitable barrenness.

Some of that has already come, anyway.

Most of what we put in the dumpster was looking pretty spent.

Most.

I look at those beautiful flowers in the yard waste, so proud and defiant, complaining that they don't belong there. They make me laugh, because they remind me of me. Me on the inside. Wanting to be strong when God says his power is perfected in my weakness. Trying to figure out what it means to be older and maybe a little more vulnerable than the young and invincible me. Seeking my significance by wanting those around me to notice and tend to my needs. I suppose I could hang onto these beauties for another week and baby them just a little more, but they too would succumb to the frosty touch.

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me." John 12:24-26

Lord, help me follow you in such a way that wherever you are, I'll be there joining you in what you are doing. Rather than living my life with the purpose of pleasing myself, may I find the true satisfaction of trusting you. Only in letting go--abandoning myself to serve--can I find true honor. Help me to let go.

corn+maze=a"maize"ing

2011-10-18T12:45:00.000-06:00

Such a beautiful way to spend a sunny October day. This gigantic corn maze welcomes visitors by the thousands every year. This year's theme was outer space. I love that they have maps for the kids to follow to find fun facts and clues. Plus other fun activities like the corn cannon, pumpkin chucking and pig races. I love even more that Bethany won tickets so that we could go for free.

Quiche!

2011-10-15T10:09:00.003-06:00

This is a yummy recipe. I got it (well, except for several parts I made up)

off of a package of Swiss cheese. I have no choice

but to post it so I can throw the package away.

You need:

400ºF oven

1 pie crust (my favorite recipe here)

2 cups shredded Swiss cheese

2 cups fresh spinach, torn into bite-sized pieces

6 eggs

3/4 cup milk (or half and half or cream)

4 slices cooked bacon broken into pieces

(or 3 oz. chopped Canadian bacon, ham, whatever floats your boat)

2-3 green onions sliced

Sprinkle 1 cup of the cheese into pie crust. Top with spinach.

(Leave an empty spot for any family members who won't eat spinach.

Cleverly mark that piece with a special imprint on the pie crust.)

Beat eggs and milk together and pour into crust.

(Note: The recipe on the package called for four eggs,
but I thought it turned out a little flat,

so I added to the recipe for next time.)

Sprinkle remaining cheese, bacon and onions over the egg mixture.

(I had mine in the bottom layer, but it would be prettier with them on top.

Or, you could do half on the bottom and top. Whatever mood you're in.)

Bake 15 minutes. Cover edge of crust, and reduce heat to 350ºF.

Bake 25-30 minutes or until center is set and top is lightly browned.

Let stand 10 min. before cutting to serve.

Voila! Bon appetit!

Moms In Touch Monday: His Kingdom is Established

2011-10-10T20:36:00.002-06:00

Moms In Touch MondaysJoin our group in prayer for our kids and their schools.

Learn more here.

"The Lord has established his throne in heaven,

and his kingdom rules over all."

Psalm 103:19

This past week I was thinking about my son, who is brand new in middle school, and knows very few kids in his classes. He was so well-established among his friends and teachers after six years at the elementary school. Our whole family is well-established there. And now he is in a place where he is just like any other kid that nobody knows, with a family nobody knows, starting from scratch to carve a niche for himself.

Then I was thinking about my daughter, who loves her friends, and who struggles with how to, well, "Make new friends, but keep the old...". She is trying to establish herself as a friend to many, and sometimes finds herself at odds with the fact that not all of them are eager to be one happy family of friends. She doesn't know how to deal with the dynamics, and sometimes it doesn't go well.

Really, don't we all spend a whole lot of time and mental and emotional energy trying to figure out how to establish ourselves and our family members in one setting or another? I don't know about you, but the feelings of insecurity can leap to the surface for me at the speed of light when I think about it.

So today our group of Moms in Touch praised God for the fact that he is firmly established, and for the implications that has for us as his children. I started by doing a keyword search using "establish" in the concordance at biblegateway.com. The results were staggering to me because of the vast number of references to God's authority being firmly established, and also to so many of the aspects of the relationship he has established with mankind. It was a very rich study, and I highly recommend a look at the link to see for yourself.

Adoration (praising God for who he is): We praised God that...

His throne is established from eternity, and he has firmly established his creation (Psalm 93:1-2)
He has established his faithfulness to all generations (Psalm 89:1-4)
He established the Old Covenant with the Hebrew people, to secure his relationship with them forever (Genesis 17:3-8)
He established the New Covenant for his people, the Church, through Jesus Christ, a superior covenant depending only on HIS faithfulness (Hebrews 8:6, 10)

Confession: We confessed that we are often busy establishing our own little kingdoms for ourselves and our families, whether in our homes, in our schools, our churches, our neighborhoods, our sports, our work places. During our silent time, we each asked him to show us where we might be doing this, and whether there is any area that we need to trust him to establish us and our children as HE sees fit.

Thanksgiving: We thanked God for his answers to prayer, and for the truth that, "if anyone is (established) in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:17-19

Supplication: We asked God to help our children be rooted and established in love (Ephesians 3:16-19), and be firmly established in their faith, finding hope and security through their identity in Christ (Colossians 1:23). We also asked him to guide us wisely, and our kids through our example, to be more concerned with establishing his kingdom than our own, through that ministry of reconciliation.

We prayed that the staff members at our kids' schools would welcome God to establish relationships with them personally. We prayed that they would take the time to establish rapport as well as authority among their students, enabling the students to feel well-established in a safe and caring learning environment.

"May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;

establish the work of our hands for us--

yes, establish the work of our hands."

Psalm 90:17

Moms In Touch Monday: God is eternal

2011-10-03T21:58:00.001-06:00

Moms In Touch MondaysJoin our group in prayer for our kids and their schools.Learn more here.

"The eternal God is your refuge,
and underneath are the everlasting arms."
Deuteronomy 33:27

This week at Moms In Touch we focused on the eternal nature of God, and the difference it makes as we consider life in relationship with him.

Adoration:

"As a father has compassion on his children,

so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

For he knows how we are formed,

he remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass,

he flourishes like a flower of the field;

the wind blows over it and it is gone,

and its place remembers it no more.

But from everlasting to everlasting

the Lord's love is with those who fear him,

and his righteousness with their children's children--

with those who keep his covenant

and remember to obey his precepts.

The Lord has established his throne in heaven,

and his kingdom rules over all."

Psalm 103:13-19

We praised God for the fact that he always has been, and always will be, that nothing happens without his full knowledge and nothing takes him by surprise. We praised him for his constant presence, for his compassion for us in our time-bound nature, his faithfulness to every generation, and his ultimate authority.

Confession:

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting a way, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

We spent some silent time asking God to show us any areas where our focus is off--where we might be making too big a deal of things that don't matter so much. Where we are thinking too much about what bugs us and missing the beauty in life. We asked him to replace our shortsightedness with his eternal perspective.

Thanksgiving:

We thanked God for his daily renewal, and for the fact that our troubles will actually somehow result in eternal glory. We also thanked him for recent answers to prayers and his provision and blessings in our families' lives. We thanked him for the teachers and staff members at their schools who have helped them through the transition into a new school year.

Supplication:

"Teach us to number our days aright, so we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

We prayed that God would give our children his perspective on their lives: that they would know they were created for a purpose, that they were made for eternity. We prayed that when things don't go right God would remind them it's not the end of the world. We prayed that when they feel like they don't fit in that God would remind them of his complete acceptance and love. We prayed that they would seek things that bring lasting satisfaction rather than things that bring only momentary pleasure but leave them only wanting more. We also prayed that God would give their teachers wisdom in helping our kids understand what is truly important in life.

This week, may you sense God's eternal presence with you, going ahead of you to prepare the way, and walking each step with you, providing what you need.

Frederick

2011-10-01T17:24:00.001-06:00

One of my favorite childrens' stories is about a little mouse and his friends getting ready for winter. Of course they were busy gathering food and fluff to make their burrow ready, but not Frederick. He was soaking in the sun, gathering warmth and color and ideas.

They were not too thrilled with him, finding his preparations all too impractical, but once their supplies had run out and they were losing hope, Frederick saved the day.

I love Frederick. Today, for a little while I was Frederick.

Autumn is glorious, but it is bittersweet here.

The days are getting short, and winter, even with its beauty

will test our patience.

So today I gathered warmth

and color,

beauty

and light.

Now these are colors

we will recognize

come winter.

I don't know if anyone else will benefit from my stash,

but I feel sure that I will.

Is there a book character that you identify with?

Send 'em over!

2011-09-30T20:25:00.003-06:00

The kids each had a friend over today.

The boys played with fire.

and the girls

made sugary, salty treats.

Doesn't that just make you want to

send your kids to my house?

P.S. I have no idea what the jump rope was being used for.

Maybe to keep the leaves in one place.

I make it a point not to micromanage.

Strawberry Daiquiri Salad

2011-09-29T19:51:00.002-06:00

Time for another recipe!!

There are certain recipes I make enough times that I need to put them in one easy place. This is one of them. I love to take it to gatherings because it's so tasty and pretty. It's about time I got around to posting it!

Ingredients:

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup lime juice

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 tsp. dijon mustard

1 cup slivered or sliced almonds

1/4 tsp. salt

1 cup sugar

1 (10 oz.) bag baby spinach, rinsed and dried

2 pints sliced, fresh strawberries

1 cup toasted flaked coconut

1/2 red onion, chopped (I use green onion)

1. Whisk the lime juice, honey, oil and mustard together in a bowl.

2. Combine the almonds, salt and sugar in a large skillet. Still constantly over medium-low heat, until almonds are light golden brown and coated. Remove from skillet and set aside to cool.

3. Toss the spinach, strawberries, coconut, onions and cooled almonds in a large bowl. Top with prepared dressing and toss to coat.

Enjoy!!

A hop, skip and a jump

2011-09-28T13:36:00.003-06:00

Teachinfourth (a.k.a. Jason or Mr. Z) over at Adventures and Misadventures of Daily Living is a fabulous photographer and master storyteller. Not to mention, he is a teacher. I smile every time I go over there, and usually laugh pretty hard too. His "Moments With Joey" posts almost make me want to go back to the classroom. Almost. He uses his "Weekly Kodachrome" to encourage people to post pictures from the last week that make them smile. A great excuse for this photo, I thought.

Fridays are family outing nights for us. This is a perfect example of why I love them. Fridays, that is. And my family. Both.

Click the button for more smile makers!

Too close to call

2011-09-26T12:44:00.001-06:00

This week at iheartfaces they are asking participants to post their favorite face photo from summer. That is hilarious! My favorite faces were quite available this summer and gave me way too many options to choose from. But this one jumps out at me because it is my friend Jennifer's beautiful smile, and this particular spot in our adventure with our kids at the sculpture garden provided such a deep and fascinating frame. So to me it spells the fun, exploration, and friendship that characterized our summer.

If you want to hang onto summer for a few more minutes,

go check out these great shots!

Serenade to Autumn

2011-09-24T08:28:00.003-06:00

It was such a beautiful evening in our world yesterday.

Sun shining, nothing on the schedule.

It just doesn't get any better.

I coaxed my family into walking around the lake.

Or, in the case of Ben and Bethany, scooting.

When we got there, this guy got out of his van right in front of ours

and headed down to the pier with his guitar.

I hoped he would still be there after we made our way around.

Which we did.

We even took time for mom to try out a couple of portrait backdrops.

Ben was so helpful.
He just knew I would want a picture
with both of my kids.
He's perceptive that way.

Finally we made it back to where we started
so I could find out if our musician friend
was still there.

And he was.

And sure enough, he was happy to let me snap away

as he waited to usher in the sunset

with his beautiful song.

The log in my own eye

2011-09-21T09:39:00.002-06:00

On more than one occasion I have taken part in conversations with people who I would roughly consider my age group peers, in which there was a collective lament over the "entitlement" mentality of the generations following ours.

A couple of these conversations replayed themselves this morning in my head as I groggily opened Facebook to see what kind of a start the day was off to. (It's my traditional way of deciding whether to go back to bed or not.) If you are on Facebook, you probably know what I discovered. NO, I didn't go back to bed. It was kind of fascinating to see what people were saying--if you could get your screen to hold still long enough to see it. If you are not on Facebook, I'll just summarize by saying there is (another) new "new Facebook".

You know what struck me? It was not the "entitlement" generation that was commenting about the new changes. I suspect they were too busy figuring it out and dealing with it. Some of the others of us were a little offended that Facebook would make unsolicited changes to OUR pages, WITHOUT our permission--you know the pages that they provide free of charge to us, with the obvious understanding that we are making ourselves the object of their sponsors' marketing schemes. The pages that have helped me keep up in real time with loved ones all over the world and reconnect with numerous people that I could NEVER have found with out them.

Oh, I was right there feeling a little frustrated too. But this picture came to my mind as I thought of all the younger people who were not complaining.

You know what they say...if you point one finger at someone else, you've got three more pointing right back atcha.

If my kids adopt an attitude of entitlement, which they very well may, I will not need to look past my own front door or into any screens for the culprit.

Lord, thank you for showing me the log in my own eye this morning. And please remind me that the generations after me are now seeing every single word I write on Facebook, including the ones I post and then take back.

P.S. to the generations after me: You've been inspiring me for a long, long time. Thank you!!

Moms in Touch Monday: He is before all things

2011-09-19T21:05:00.006-06:00

Today is a Moms in Touch Monday. Every week I start thinking ahead of time about an attribute of God to use as the focus of our time of prayer for our kids. Sometimes it is obvious to me well in advance, and other times really not until I sit down to put my plan on paper in the day or so beforehand. I love the fact that many times they sort of "come out of the blue"--because it is then that I realize once again that God is active in my life, speaking to me in many moments and ways if I will just pay attention.

Last week I knew I had the verse for the week when I was trying to help Ben work through the middle school transition of carrying everything--EVERYTHING!--from class to class with him. There is NO time for them to go back to lockers, so they have to have everything for the day in their binders. If you had seen his desk the last few years, you would know he was not the very best candidate for this task. Honestly, I can't quite imagine how I would do it myself. But he is the one who must.

As I looked with concern at his binder, the beast of burden, bulging with its contents, I thought of this verse:

"He (Jesus) is before all things,

and in him all things hold together."

Colossians 1:17

So that is what we praised God for today.

Do you have a lot of things that you are trying to hold together? Maybe this week's ACTS outline will help you take them to the Lord so he can do the job for you.

Adoration (praising God for who he is) Key passage: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Colossians 1:15-17

Today we praised God for the fact that in this new season of life, he went before our kids, knowing who their teachers would be and what their schedules would be. He planned all along to take care of them, determining who the authorities in their lives would be. He holds all of the pieces of our families' lives together--each personality, each relationship, each need. We praised him for these and other things that came to mind as we thought about his pre-existent nature.

Confession In light of those verses, we asked him to show us if there are any aspects of our lives where all things didn't seem to be holding together, so that we could take note of places where we might not be putting him before everything else, our where our priorities might not be "in him". After all, sometimes we are guilty of thinking we can do it all ourselves, of thinking we must be the ones to hold everything together for each of our family members, or of crowding our schedules with things that might be desirable but not necessary or best for us. Or maybe that's just me. ;-) This was a time to quietly admit these things, to ask him to give us wisdom in our choices, and to help us trust him to hold things together for us and those we love.

Thanksgiving We thanked God for the ways he has taken care of our kids in many of the details of their school start, through teachers that are good fits, evidence of their maturation in certain areas, and other things specific to each of us and our families.

Supplication (requests) Key verses: "My (Paul talking here) purpose is that they (a group of Christians) may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is." Colossians 2:2-5

This section came just a handful of verses after the passage above. Really, we could have spent all day praying some of the different specifics of this passage for certain ones of our children. Some of them needed to be encouraged in heart; some needed to learn to be more orderly; all of them need a firm faith in Christ, in order to allow him to be before everything else and trust him to hold their lives together. And so on. So we prayed for them.

This is how we pray at Moms in Touch. Do you see anything in these passages that reminds you of something to be praying in praise, or on behalf of yourself or those you love?

Confession

2011-09-17T21:57:00.015-06:00

Ahh...sweet peace. The kids have gone back to school, and finally there is space to clear out the cobwebs in my mind. To be refreshed for their arrival home each day. I love summer, but oh, fall is good too!

If you have known me long, you know that my back to school routine always includes Moms in Touch. These women have kids that go to the same schools as mine, and we meet each week to pray for them and the staff and other students. It is a privilege beyond words.

There are four components of our prayer time each week (described at the link), known as the ACTS model of prayer:

Adoration (praising God for some attribute of who he is)

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication (asking)

The greatest challenge for me has always been to get my head around the concept of confession. During our meetings we have a time of silent confession, never spoken. Honestly, when I started in Moms in Touch, when we came to confession, all I could really ever think about was the times I yelled at my kids during the previous week. I would pray to do better. Of course I STILL pray to do better. But pretty soon I started thinking, confession has to be more than this.

And then it occurred to me. Go back to the adoration part. Look at God for who He is--his divinity, or "Godness"--and use him as a mirror.

Let's say the attribute of the week is God's wisdom. We would look at a verse or verses describing the nature of his wisdom. It wouldn't take much reflection to realize that God's understanding is far--infinitely far--beyond our own. When we look at the needs we bring with us as prayer concerns for our children, we quickly see that sometimes we are overwhelmed because we think the solution to each of our parenting challenges must come from our own wisdom and resources, and we are left feeling woefully inadequate. When we look at God's wisdom, my confession sounds something like this:

God, my own wisdom falls short when it comes to this issue we have with ________ about ________. You are her Creator, loving her more than I ever could, and you have the perfect wisdom for helping her through this situation. I confess that I am in need, and you have an abundant supply. Forgive me for trusting in my own wisdom, and for worrying when it didn't seem enough. Only you are enough. Help me to see YOUR wisdom guiding us through like a light in the dark. Help me relax and let you lead us.

MAYBE my confession wouldn't have any words at all! Maybe the image of a light would be enough! Maybe visualizing his wisdom guiding our way, is an adequate expression of my weakness and dependence on his strength.

You see, confession typically boils down to this: acknowledging to God that he is God and I am not. No matter what facet of God's nature provides our focus during the adoration time, it also provides illumination about my nature. Confession gives perspective. I am not him, so I need him. His intent isn't to hand out a punishment, or worse, condemnation. (We may actually deserve that, but it's already taken care of.) It's to help me. But I have to let him.

Our group has a number of women whose commitments prevent them from attending every week. I am hoping this year to post our scriptures and a few reflections at least some of the time. If you are a mom, I hope you will join us and use them as a springboard to pray for your own kids. If you are a mom who might be able to join a group of others who pray (you don't have to pray out loud, but you can!), I urge you to check the Moms in Touch website to see if there is a group for you. It is invariably one of the most treasured hours of my week.

Sweets for the Sweet

2011-09-16T20:05:00.100-06:00

I had a baby a few days ago.

At my house.

With her mom.

And obviously, that was a cause for celebration!

So I made a pastry ring. Well. A pastry heart. It's more girly.

And SO easy!! But that can be our little secret.

I knew you would want the recipe.

Scandinavian Pastry

2 cups flour, divided
1 cup margarine, divided
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon water
2 eggs (3 for more of a meringue-like texture)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla or almond extract, divided
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon butter, softened
3-4 tablespoons orange juice

Preheat oven to 425ºF. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.

In a medium bowl using a pastry blender or 2 forks combine 1 cup of the flour and 1/2 cup of the margarine until crumbly. Add 1 tablespoon of water and stir together until dough forms. Roll portions of dough between palms of hands to form ropes, joining ropes together end-to-end to form one long rope about 18 to 20 inches long. Carefully place rope on baking sheet in desired shape. Flatten dough to a uniform width, about 3 inches wide.

NOTE: I am a total rule breaker when it comes to recipes. The recipe is good as is, but depends on that orange juice up there for flavor. I skip the orange juice and use milk in the icing, and then fill the ring with my secret ingredient:

Ginny's Jam (see her picture?)

Ginny is a sweet friend of mine who won the blue ribbon at the state fair many years ago now for her triple berry jam, and Gedney has been selling it ever since. It's YUM. But so are raspberry preserves, pumpkin butter, you get the picture. My no-nonsense Scandihuvian ancestry has been tainted by modern culture. What can I say? Use filling.

But keep it away from the edges because it will want to ooze.

OK. Back to the real recipe.

In a medium saucepan bring to a boil remaining 1/2 cup margarine and remaining 1 cup water. Remove from heat and add remaining 1 cup flour all at once, stirring until well mixed. Add eggs, one at a time, stirring until each is incorporated. Add 1/2 teaspoon of the vanilla. Spoon on top of dough. If you use filling, you can use your fingers to try to seal the edges and prevent most of the oozing.

Bake 30 minutes. In a medium mixing bowl combine confectioners' sugar, butter, remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla, and enough orange juice (or milk) to be of icing consistency. Drizzle over warm ring.

Move to serving platter after loosening with spatula, if desired. Cut and serve!

If you are planning to use the leftovers for tomorrow's breakfast,

I hope you have some cereal in your pantry.

Dear Jack Frost,

2011-09-14T23:25:00.001-06:00

I'm not sure whether you've noticed or not,

but this year my plants

have really sort of outdone themselves.

I heard you were planning on paying us a visit tonight,

and I was wondering,

I mean, if it's not too presumptuous on my part,

or too much trouble on your part,

do you think maybe you could spare

these particular specimens for a little while longer,

and focus on the sneeze producing blossoms?

Thanks!

Tracy

Goodbyes are never easy

2011-09-13T13:50:00.000-06:00

This amazed me. Yesterday it became apparent that our little hamster was in some pretty serious distress. The kids could see that he was acting very oddly, and some online research helped us conclude that his time could be short.

The kids have never had to process news like this before. They asked some ifs and whys, and then moved on to other things. Bethany disappeared into her room. When I inquired later, she said, with a sweet smile, "I'm doing crafts." Not long after that she came to the kitchen with pipe cleaner stems and paper blossoms, and left them on the table.

This morning when we found him still, we put him in a little container for an afternoon burial. I asked her if she would like to finish her craft, and she nodded.

She wanted to be ready. But she didn't want to bring on the finality before it was time.

We'll miss you, Kevin.

They're not so Abercrombie

2011-09-11T13:33:00.000-06:00

They may be getting

oh so grown up

but they are still just a little too whimsical

for serious fashion statements.

Thank goodness for that!

My big middle schooler

and my "top dog" fifth grader

are just my style!

Savoring summer

2011-09-09T13:18:00.000-06:00

Oh my, summer.
Why in such a hurry?

Can't you kick off your flip-flops

and stay awhile longer?

There are more shells to collect

and boulders to unearth

and rocks to skip.

We will miss you.
But autumn awaits with its new adventures.
Don't be gone long, OK?

A tree for all seasons

2011-09-01T00:29:00.004-06:00

This tree's claim to fame is certainly

its spectacular spring display

but lately I have been enjoying

all this fruit

weighing down the limbs.

Once upon a time, a long long time ago,

I had a series of posts called

"Lessons From My Garden".

Today as I enjoyed my crab apple through my lens

two verses kept running through my mind.

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."

Proverbs 31:30

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity,

but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline."

2 Timothy 1:7

Lord, make me
a woman for all seasons.
Amen.

For it's root, root root for the home team...

2011-08-29T18:40:00.002-06:00

...except when it isn't.

We have a tradition

at the end of summer

as close as we can get to Ben's birthday

of going to the Twins game when the Tigers come to town.

Because, as we all know

(all together now)

Ben LOVES tigers!

So he happily cheers AGAINST the home team.

And lately, that has been the position you want to be in

(if anyone follows the Twins, you know what I'm saying)

EXCEPT

wouldn't you know we would pick the one game

where the Twins rookies would let you believe

that this is a TRUE rebuilding year!

(I hope so! ahem)

Sorry Ben!

Better luck next year.

On the way home Ben said he really had a good time.

If you know how competitive my boy is,

you know that is a true sign

he really is growing up.

I love being his mom.

It's fair time!

2011-08-26T23:45:00.000-06:00

And you know what that means...

ferris wheels

and food on a stick!

But as it happens...

...we tried something new this year.

Instead of the state fair, we went to the county fair.

Slightly smaller scale, but very fun!

With all the tractors, animals and creative stuff

but not quite the crowd.

Of course there were a couple of rides

thrown in for good measure.

But my favorite part was the turn of the (20th) century town

that was so interactive for the kids.

They actually did manual labor

without coercion.

This year, there was even a food I had never seen before...

Spaghetti Sundaes...

With truffles instead of meatballs!

Heavenly.

Animal lover

2011-08-23T09:29:00.000-06:00

This girl would love to have a menagerie of pets to choose from

to be entered in the iheartfaces pet week contest.

Alas, her mom is allergic to cats.

But we visit them sometimes. Last week, for example.

There are tons of awesome shots of animals

over at iheartfaces this week.

Smiles guaranteed!

Shine

2011-08-21T23:11:00.002-06:00

One of the attributes of God that brings me joy is the fact that he is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. If we humans can, even for a moment, escape the fact that we are surrounded by darkness, it is probably because we ourselves are walking around with our eyes closed. So I love the fact that we have the choice available to us to live in God's light, and even to shine it to those around us.

That said, these verses have haunted me lately. I love them. We sing them. Well, at least the LAST one. I want so much to shine like a star as I hold out the word of life to those around me.

But I think Paul was making a bigger point here. An inconvenient truth, if you will. Words of life don't exactly ring out loud and clear within a cacophony of complaining and arguing. If I want people to hear, and see, and notice that which gives life through their interaction with me, I need to do everything without complaining or arguing. Plain and simple. But not easy.

This week, may I shine. This week, may you shine. And when we don't, there is grace, and another chance.

On thankless jobs

2011-08-14T12:53:00.024-06:00

It all started when I was setting my camera on the table to be ready for the next hummingbird visit. I really couldn't responsibly do that without wiping the table first. So I did.

And as I did, I went back in my mind to the day we bought this table, and thought, "I wonder if the sales guy noticed we had a toddler in tow and another soon to arrive. Because it really would have been nice if he had pointed out that the groove along the edge was a magnet for peanut butter and all manner of goo, and that the white ledge around the bottom was an invitation to wipe your messy hands off." I mean, Ben was still only making a mess of his high chair. How were we to know?

I also thought, "And it would have been nice if he had mentioned that the white paint was going to chip and reveal the dark underside, and really wouldn't seem so crisp and clean and romantic for more than a few days."

Not to mention that, though it was hard to imagine children who would reach the white pedestal, it was an absolutely perfect place to rest the grubby feet that would inevitably find it on their way to the floor.

These are the roots of thankless thinking. An unobserved moment of work that would go unnoticed and unappreciated, and seemed like, perhaps--well it would have been nice if it had been unnecessary. But wait.

Another thankless job. Only thankless if left that way. After all, it started with a glance at the beautiful flowers that tirelessly color my world, and the promise of frequent visits from our hummingbirds. It led me to notice the remnants of food that grace our table every meal of every day thanks to the God who provides, the farmers who grow, and the husband who works. It gave way to the thoughts of kids who are healthy enough to play and come to the table with dirty feet, and who are too carefree to be bothered by smudges and crumbs and spills.

Honestly, there are days when I think no one could be more appreciative of her life of privilege than I am. Yet my thoughts are never more than a split-second shy of heading down the road of ingratitude.

After the cleaning of the table and the unfolding of the thoughts and the photographing--with camera yet in hand, I looked out the window.

It seems to me
there are no thankless jobs.
Only thankless attitudes.

Heading Home

2011-08-12T22:23:00.006-06:00

On our way back down the shore we still had several places we wanted to explore.

It required a little hiking

and a LOT of stair climbing

but it was worth it to see the highest waterfall in our state
at Tettegouche State Park.

Not to mention what has to be one of the most
spectacular panoramas in our state
at Palisade Head.

I love how the little red kayak puts it all in perspective.
Probably paddling by to gawk at the climbers.
(Who you cannot see and who did not include us.
Because I'm sure you assumed I climbed up there,
adventurous gal that I am.)

Finally a landmark recognized by every true Minnesotan

perched atop this picturesque point...

Split Rock Lighthouse.

I hated to go home.
So thankful I could at least take it all with me
in my camera.

Summer on the Slopes

2011-08-11T22:17:00.001-06:00

The north shore has actual mountains.

You won't find any mountain ranges named on a map,

but we loved the view of Moose Mountain

from our lobby.

It called to us.

From the top you could see where all the skiers go in the winter.

And where we stayed.

The ski trails of winter were hiking trails of summer.

But this one wouldn't have accommodated skis!

Ben and I had to check it out.

Dad?

Not so much. He stayed with Bethany at the chalet.

You know, to make sure she didn't fall over a cliff or anything.

And then back down.

Mmmm! Perfect day!

Just another place called "Home"

2011-08-07T17:07:00.002-06:00

When I was a young adult, I had many occasions to drive up the North Shore. I lived nearby for two summers in college, and then lived right at the gateway to the shore the first two years I taught. Each time I passed by this place:

It looked ridiculously cheesy, and I never had a reason to go in, and yet...

there was always a curious part of me just wishing for an excuse.

I remember that being one of the lonely parts of being single.

Honestly, I can feel that like it was yesterday.

When we arrived up north last week,

I was thankful to have these fellow travelers to come and explore with me.

They were the perfect excuse.

Gooseberry Falls, on the other hand,

is a place I went many times

with friends

or by myself.

It was not a lonely place.

It was a holy place.

God joined me there. Every. Time.

The awesome creator God

who draws near to us when we draw near to him.

How I pray

that my kids will have touch points like that in their lives.

Places where they will always remember

having walked with God

and discovering in times when he is all they have

that he is all they need.

Do you have a place like that ? An emotional or spiritual home of sorts?

I would love to hear about it.

But first...

2011-08-06T22:35:00.000-06:00

On the way up north we headed to a ski area

where they have figured out a way to make money all year round:

Alpine slide!

What a way to go flying down the slope.

But there was more than just an alpine slide:

Ben was in heaven!

Nothing like a little friendly competition.

Thankfully, there were also water slides to cool off.

Whew! I may or may not have mentioned here

that summer showed up here after all. It's hot!

But nothing a tube can't cure!

North Shore Getaway

2011-08-04T11:58:00.001-06:00

We just got home from one of the most beautiful places
on God's green (and blue) earth.

Practically in our own backyard. (Well, in our own state, at least.)

It's the North Shore of Lake Superior.

I had almost forgotten how much I love it there.
I will take you to some favorite stops soon.

And the umpire says...

2011-07-29T16:11:00.001-06:00

Safe!

(see situation here)

Actually, the guy did get the tag on, according to the umpire (and his coaches and the bench and the parents). The umpire cited the third baseman and his teammate for obstructing the baseline without possession of the ball. So there you go.

We weren't entirely sure the whole thing wasn't going to happen again.

But in the end, Ben scored that run!

And with that, we end another season of thrilling athleticism and entertainment.

Baseball. That game we love.

Here they are...number two in the league, number one in our hearts:

Go Blue!

You make the call!

2011-07-28T15:41:00.004-06:00

OK sports fans! It's been two years since my first (and last) edition where you got to be the umpire for the day. It's so much fun when you can photograph an entire play unfolding. We are long overdue. But wait no more! Here is today's edition. Ready?

This time the stakes are higher, running from third to home. Ben got himself hung up in a very dramatic game of hot box and headed back to third. Did he make it???

Kudos to the ump for getting in position to make the right call, which is...

Safe or out? and why?

Tune in tomorrow, when I will come back and tell you the answer!

League championship game tonight...

wish us luck!!

Quinoa. It's what's for dinner.

2011-07-26T16:55:00.001-06:00

Have you heard of quinoa (keen wah)? It's a grain that's sort of like a mixture between rice and couscous. It's crunchy and a little bit nutty tasting. And it's healthy! It has protein. You can get it at the grocery store.

Anyway, my friend and I were downtown one day, and bought quinoa curry burgers off a truck. They were fabulous. Here is a recipe I concocted using this other one as a basis. All you really need to know? My kids will eat them!

Quinoa Curry Burgers

1 cup uncooked quinoa (about 2 rounded cups, cooked)

2 cups water or chicken broth

1/2 teaspoon salt

To cook quinoa:

First rinse quinoa in a strainer until the water comes through clear. In a medium saucepan bring the 2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil over high heat. Add quinoa and reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 18-20 minutes, or until all water is absorbed and the seeds are tender. (My package points out that the germ ring is visible when the quinoa is done--watch for the tiny little circles to appear!) Allow to cool for a few minutes.

Add:

3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or other variety, if you prefer)

1/2 cup cottage cheese

1 medium carrot, finely grated (can also use grated zucchini, yellow squash, anything of similar texture)

3 beaten eggs

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup bread crumbs (I use Progresso Italian)

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon curry powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon sugar

Mix together, and add more bread crumbs if the mixture is too sticky or won't hold together.

Spray a frying pan or griddle with cooking spray, and heat on medium to medium-low. Drop by large spoonfuls onto pan, and gently flatten into patties about 1/2 inch thick. Cook until golden-brown, about 4 minutes on each side. Makes approx. 10 burgers. Serve on buns (if desired) with things like tomato, sprouts, spinach, avocado, pickles, ketchup, mustard, mayo, or other sauce. (Ben likes to eat them like pancakes with syrup.)

YUM!!

Life is short. Eat dessert first.

2011-07-25T22:21:00.004-06:00

I have two new favorite recipes. They are good. They are easy.

I had to decide which one to post first.

The clear answer? Chocolate.

Always chocolate.

But before that, in the also sweet category...

...we stopped at this ginormous candy store.

They had a ridiculous amount of candy.

You name it, they had it.

They also had huge shelves filled with every imaginable kind of pop.

(That's what we call it here. What do you call it?)

All the ones in these two pictures were root beer and cream soda.

Which made for one happy boy!

OK...now for the recipe.

Are you ready for this?

Brownie Cookie Cups

(I just made that name up 4.2 seconds ago. What would you call them?)

1. Make a packaged brownie mix batter according to the directions on the box.

2. Fill cupcake wrappers 1/2 full of batter. (Approx. 20)

3. Stick a piece of chocolate chip cookie dough in the center.

(Store bought or your own.)

4. Bake at 350º for about 20 minutes. Check and bake longer if needed.

Make them.

People will rave.

Water

2011-07-24T22:37:00.001-06:00

Over at iheartfaces this week they are featuring photos around the theme of water. We have sure needed it to keep cool around here--whew! This little friend of Bethany's was eating it up.
Click the button for lots of fabulous water shots!

Inspiration

2011-07-18T15:44:00.001-06:00

If you read my post from earlier today, you know that I've been wishing for some time and inspiration for blogging. And that I was going to play a game of Scrabble with Ben instead. Five minutes later...

Ben (age 11): Oohhh! I have a great play! But I'm not sure you'll allow it.
Me: Really? Why?
Ben: You want me to play it?
Me: Sure.

So yeah, I had to move the "s" a little ways out of the corner where he wanted to put it to maintain my rated G blog status. But you couldn't blame him for trying. I was tempted to just give him the points, but then he found an even better place to use it over on the other side of the board to get a double word by making "cars". Whew.

I may not have time to put two coherent sentences together, but I'm definitely having fun with kids who make me laugh. :-)

Longing

2011-07-18T08:24:00.001-06:00

I am a person who needs time to process things. I don't think well on my feet. If I were a whiz at computer graphics, I would make a graph showing how my thoughts improve in direct proportion to time. But I'm not, so just picture that.

Anyway, it's summer, and there is no processing time. This very moment my son is talking to me about how no one likes to play tic tac toe with him. It's because he is unbeatable. He is trying to talk me into playing a game with him. I suggested Scrabble. He is getting it. Right now. I have 36 seconds to finish this post.

My kids stay up until I am exhausted in the summer. It's definitely a drawback. I do not do my best parenting after 9. It's a proven fact. And I don't have that time to look forward to getting something done. Lee has been kind enough to suggest that I go hide in our room if I want to.

The other thing is all the photos I've taken. I want to get through them and put up some of my favorites. Even write about them. But. There is no time to think. I miss that in the summer.

I am going to play Scrabble. Maybe I will come up with some impressive words and be inspired. To write. Or photograph. At least it's a game I have a chance at winning.

Meanwhile, here are some photos I took that I never blogged about.

Girl time

2011-07-13T23:04:00.001-06:00

Trust me when I say that Bethany and I needed to have a little girl time today.

I had seriously fallen out of contention for Mom of the Year this morning.

She "punished" me by waving the straw in front of her face

so I couldn't get a picture.

She thought she was hilarious.
Good thing I haven't taught her that bright light=fast shutter speed.

I asked her if she wanted to play on the playground.

She took off running.
Just. that. fast.

I think our fences are mended.

For today anyway.

Magic shoes?

2011-07-09T13:36:00.001-06:00

If you think my kids are the only ones playing ball this summer,

let me set the record straight.

Lee has been playing softball every summer for as long as I've known him.

This week he broke out a new pair of cleats.

If I believed in good luck charms, I might have thought he had scored the ultimate.

The other team quickly learned that if they hit the ball to third
they would get thrown out.

Every. Time.

I'm not saying he could leap tall buildings in a single bound with them

but he sure managed to hop over a line drive and hustle into third.

But those new cleats couldn't do a thing to help him out of this pickle.

We've been running too many separate directions
for me to be a good fan for him this year

but when I manage to get there, he always makes it worth my while.

More than meets the eye

2011-06-30T10:40:00.001-06:00

One of the things I tell my kids from time to time

is that you never know what makes people act the way they do.

Last week was one of "those" weeks for me.

We had a lot going on with all those ball games.

And Bethany's birthday and Father's Day.

It was all good.

Well, except for the dead battery and getting stranded at a gas station.

And the misunderstanding with a friend.

And hearing my neighbor's moving truck pull away

only to realize she was already gone and I hadn't said goodbye.

And the car dying again after being "fixed",
and getting a ticket for leaving it overnight in the ball field parking lot--
even though we called the police
and told them we would have it towed the next day.

And the sunny weekend forecast turning rainy and chilly. AGAIN.

You know, every bit of that could have turned out much worse. SO much worse.

But there were a few times when my insides were wound so tight

that I was just praying no one would cross me
and become the unfortunate victim of my stress.

I'm so thankful that people were kind to me.
It helped me to not completely lose sight of the beauty.

You never do know what makes people act the way they do--
unless you take the time to find out.
Kindness is always a good way to go.

So what about you?
What is something you tell your kids
(or yourself)
from time to time?