And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledgs of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. (Luke 1:76-79, NIV)
Do you remember how much fun it was when you were little to stand on someone else's feet while they walked?
It's amazing how difficult it is to successfully stay on the big feet of a grown up when you are a little child. It's easy for your feet to slip off the side since the tops of feet aren't very flat. Often you are going backwards, so you aren't really sure where you are being taken. In addition, if you try to walk yourself instead of relying on the other person to take the steps, you will fall off. The efforts and failures are usually met with giggles and attempts to try again.
The best way is to hold tightly to the person's hands while looking into their eyes. If you relax your legs and trust them to take each step, your tandem walk will be successful!
I want to be like a little child, holding tightly to Jesus' hands and looking into his eyes as I relax my legs and let him do the walking for me. My heart trusts that he has my best interests in mind and that he won't walk me into a wall or a piece of furniture, but my head still doesn't quite get it. I want to see where I'm going, but to do so I have to take my eyes off of him and twist my body in such a way that I can easily fall off his feet. I want to influence the path he travels, so I try to move my legs, hoping that his feet will go in the same direction -- it always ends in failure.
His path is peaceful, mine is full of landmines and stress. Why do I fight so hard to have my own way? But at least it is helpful for me to think that he may be giggling with me as I fail, and that he patiently lets me climb up on his feet again to keep trying until I get it right!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
It's a Nice Donut, but....
Last night I let Sammi and the boys buy a dozen donuts for our 'bedtime snack' and breakfast today. They went on an adventure, and each chose two donuts that were to be set aside for them. To fill the box, Sammi chose a few long johns and rounded out the dozen.
The boys were a bit miffed when I told them to select one of the two donuts they had chosen as their bedtime snack. I guess they wanted to save those for last! Then, this morning, Sammi took her last selected donut and a long john for her friend.
Kevin woke up (early, which may explain a lot), went to the donut box and broke into tears. He was really upset that someone had taken all except for one of the long johns. He was angry that there were so few donuts left. I told him that his specially selected donut was still there, but that wasn't good enough! I allowed him to have the one chocolate long john that was left instead of his special donut, but he still sniffled and whimpered through the whole thing. I'm sure it tasted like cardboard in his mouth.
It occurred to me that his response is unfortunately the same response most of us have in today's society. We have the things we chose, our jobs, homes, spouses, stuff, and yet we want something else. A bigger house, a bigger paycheck, more stuff. Then, even when we have more than we chose or need, we are still dissatisfied that someone else has more! When will we learn to be content with the wonderful blessings that we have?
I know that a lot of people are really hurting right now. They are having a really tough time making ends meet. There are a record number of foreclosures in our town (actually, we have the highest rate of foreclosures in the state), many people are out of work, and prices continue to increase with no end in sight. I don't want to downplay the difficulties that these folks are going through.
But so much of our lives are the results of choices that we make. We choose to live in a place that we really can't afford. We want stuff NOW, so we put it on charge, hoping we can pay it off later. We are dissatisfied with our jobs and want 'more, better, sooner' without being willing to take the effort to get more training, put in more effort, or go the extra mile. Or even to get an additional job to pay off some of our stuff. And even when we know what needs to be done to correct a situation, we don't change our behavior in a way that makes a difference.
Paul said he had learned to be content in any situation:
I want that level of contentment! I want to look around me and acknowledge that God has given me not only what I have selected as a result of my actions, but more indeed! I want to rejoice in that and focus on what really matters -- not the amount of donuts in the box, but the fact that I can hold one in my hand and bite into it's sweet, gooey goodness! Lord, please don't let me lose the joy you have given me because I'm looking at what I don't have. Help me to be content with the wonderful things you give me each day. Help me to make choices that honor you!
The boys were a bit miffed when I told them to select one of the two donuts they had chosen as their bedtime snack. I guess they wanted to save those for last! Then, this morning, Sammi took her last selected donut and a long john for her friend.
Kevin woke up (early, which may explain a lot), went to the donut box and broke into tears. He was really upset that someone had taken all except for one of the long johns. He was angry that there were so few donuts left. I told him that his specially selected donut was still there, but that wasn't good enough! I allowed him to have the one chocolate long john that was left instead of his special donut, but he still sniffled and whimpered through the whole thing. I'm sure it tasted like cardboard in his mouth.
It occurred to me that his response is unfortunately the same response most of us have in today's society. We have the things we chose, our jobs, homes, spouses, stuff, and yet we want something else. A bigger house, a bigger paycheck, more stuff. Then, even when we have more than we chose or need, we are still dissatisfied that someone else has more! When will we learn to be content with the wonderful blessings that we have?
I know that a lot of people are really hurting right now. They are having a really tough time making ends meet. There are a record number of foreclosures in our town (actually, we have the highest rate of foreclosures in the state), many people are out of work, and prices continue to increase with no end in sight. I don't want to downplay the difficulties that these folks are going through.
But so much of our lives are the results of choices that we make. We choose to live in a place that we really can't afford. We want stuff NOW, so we put it on charge, hoping we can pay it off later. We are dissatisfied with our jobs and want 'more, better, sooner' without being willing to take the effort to get more training, put in more effort, or go the extra mile. Or even to get an additional job to pay off some of our stuff. And even when we know what needs to be done to correct a situation, we don't change our behavior in a way that makes a difference.
Paul said he had learned to be content in any situation:
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content
whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it
is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every
situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I
can do everything through him who gives me strength." Phillipians 4:11-13 (NIV)
I want that level of contentment! I want to look around me and acknowledge that God has given me not only what I have selected as a result of my actions, but more indeed! I want to rejoice in that and focus on what really matters -- not the amount of donuts in the box, but the fact that I can hold one in my hand and bite into it's sweet, gooey goodness! Lord, please don't let me lose the joy you have given me because I'm looking at what I don't have. Help me to be content with the wonderful things you give me each day. Help me to make choices that honor you!
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
One Day At A Time
How are you different today than you were one year ago? How about 30 days ago? Other than being just a bit older, that is!
I'm not sure where I got the idea, but I decided on August 1 that I wanted to strengthen my arms. I read that push ups are a really good exercise for this, but I knew I couldn't do many. So I decided to just do one more each day. I started with one, and by the end of the month I could do 30 (ok, they were 'girl' push ups and I have to rest for a couple of minutes after 20)!
Knowing that my form could be improved, I decided to stick with the 30 each day and work on keeping my back straight, doing all thirty without a break, and moving toward full 'toe' push ups. In the meantime I decided to add sit ups to my challenge. I'm up to three, which isn't too hard yet, but I know it will get tougher as time goes on!
This 'one day at a time' thinking has really challenged me. I decided to post one thing each day on freecycle, helping to declutter my house over the course of the month. I know -- I could add one more thing each day, but let's take it slow!
I'm not sure what I'll add in October...maybe running for one minute more each day. Running for thirty minutes straight? I've never done that in my life! But at just one minute more each day it doesn't seem impossible.
What can you do just a bit each day? I'd love to have you join in my challenge!
I'm not sure where I got the idea, but I decided on August 1 that I wanted to strengthen my arms. I read that push ups are a really good exercise for this, but I knew I couldn't do many. So I decided to just do one more each day. I started with one, and by the end of the month I could do 30 (ok, they were 'girl' push ups and I have to rest for a couple of minutes after 20)!
Knowing that my form could be improved, I decided to stick with the 30 each day and work on keeping my back straight, doing all thirty without a break, and moving toward full 'toe' push ups. In the meantime I decided to add sit ups to my challenge. I'm up to three, which isn't too hard yet, but I know it will get tougher as time goes on!
This 'one day at a time' thinking has really challenged me. I decided to post one thing each day on freecycle, helping to declutter my house over the course of the month. I know -- I could add one more thing each day, but let's take it slow!
I'm not sure what I'll add in October...maybe running for one minute more each day. Running for thirty minutes straight? I've never done that in my life! But at just one minute more each day it doesn't seem impossible.
What can you do just a bit each day? I'd love to have you join in my challenge!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Brotherly Love
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. (NIV)
Christopher slept in this morning. That's pretty unusual for him -- especially when Kevin wakes up earlier. However, we have learned not to wake him up or we regret it! He can be a real bear when he hasn't had enough sleep.
So I was presuming that today would be a good day...oops! Well, it still will be, but it sure didn't start off that way!
Chris ate his breakfast and went to play on the computer. The computer went through a maintenance scan of some sort, so he had to wait for it to complete before he could pull up the game he wanted to play. Kevin, in his normal mode, went in to the computer room to see what was going on. Chris tried to hide the computer screen for some reason, and Kevin pushed him out of the way. An argument pursued over whose turn it should be.
So I said that Chris could have the computer uninterrupted for 30 minutes, then it would be Kevin's turn. Oops -- there goes Mount Vesuvius. Chris wasn't at all happy that I limited his time. Crying, screaming, and banging caused Chris to lose his computer time. He ran screaming to his room, kicking and throwing things (he's pretty good at throwing tantrums). I told him calmly (I think...) that if he kicked or threw one more thing he would not be able to use the computer at all today. He ran to his bed, covered up completely and started shouting that he hated me once I left the room. Ugh...
A few minutes later, while crying was still loud, I happened to see Kevin sneak up the stairs. He had the cat in his arms. Knowing that Chris is not a very good bunk mate when he's mad, I braced myself for shouts of 'get out of here' and 'leave me alone'. I watched from behind my bedroom door as Kevin snuck up to his doorway and gently put the cat down, sort of pushing her into the bedroom. She went the other way, and he picked her up and tried again. Kevin then raced back down the stairs.
She was exactly what he needed. Chris saw the cat, stopped crying, and picked her up. They lay on the bed together for about ten minutes. Then Chris let her go, got up and went downstairs like nothing ever happened.
It is fascinating for me to watch the interactions between twins. They have very different personalities, and they know exactly which buttons to push to make the other one crazy. However, when things get tough, they also know exactly what to do to help the other one feel better.
It makes my heart melt to see how much they care for each other, even if they would never admit it. This is one of those moments I want to treasure in my heart!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
A Penny Saved...
Yesterday I finally took the boys to Target so they could buy the Pokemon cards they've been begging for. They carefully counted out their 'spending' money and filled their pockets with one-dollar bills and quarters.
When we got there, Kevin discovered that he was two dollars short of what he needed. They knew before they left the house that the cards would cost them $10 plus tax. Chris brought $11, and Kevin only brought $9.
When Kevin realized that he didn't have enough money to buy a set of cards for himself, his face fell. He gave me that 'expectant' look, hoping that I would bail him out and pay the rest. I asked if he had another two dollars in his spending jar at home with the intent of loaning him the money until we got back home. He didn't because he had made a choice on the last 'payday' to put more of his money into savings that the amount we required him to save. We praised him at the time for his willingness to save for the future. But that meant he didn't have enough for this purchase.
So I told him that he wouldn't be able to buy the cards. He sniffled a little and looked sad, but he handled it pretty well.
I almost told him that he could take two dollars back out of savings to pay for the cards. And it would be so easy for me to just give him two dollars and let him have what he wanted right now. Sammi was with us, and I could see she was biting her lip because she wanted to help, too. But we knew that if we let him have something he couldn't afford this time that it would be one more lesson that could have dangerous repercussions later in life. Even though the money was in his savings jar, he needed to learn that it was important to maintain those savings for the bigger things he wanted to have later.
It's sad to look around America today and see so many people who haven't learned this lesson. We use charge cards or buy big things with 'no payments due until 2010' despite the fact that we don't have the money right now. But what does that matter? I can easily pay it off at $50/month! We spend our money on things we want right now, bigger cars, cable tv, nice clothes because they are 'on sale', or big gifts for others, but in the process we run out of the means to pay for the very basic things we need. And when tragedy comes (and it will) in the form of lost jobs, illness, expensive car repairs, or natural disaster, we don't have any money saved to provide shelter and food for our families because we chose near-term pleasure.
I know that I am prone to buy beyond our means. It is hard for me to go into a Target store and not come home with a cartful of great things -- things that are definitely useful but not necessary. The same thing happens in the grocery store -- as I've reported before, if I don't have a list and a limited amount of cash, I'll buy all kinds of great and interesting foods. Through many sessions of Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University, we're continuing to learn how to manage the money God provides for us, but it's not easy. We have to set aside cash each month for specific things, food, household goods, doctors visits, entertainment, etc., and when the cash is gone (even if it's the third day of the month), our spending in that category has to stop. Even if there is a big sale!
I really hate discipline. I don't like to exercise, I want to eat whatever sounds good, and daily chores are a bore. But I have to admit, there is an amazing peace in knowing that we are prepared for a variety of 'emergencies' like car problems and that we can enjoy a vacation that is paid for because we've saved in advance!
I hope Kevin will be able to have that peace as an adult, too. He may never remember having to wait two weeks for a pack of Pokemon cards, but I hope he gains a sense of pride from being able to pay for it in full all by himself. And someday, when he uses that saved money for a large purchase like a bike or even a car, he will know that he is capable of having what he wants free and clear as long as he plans ahead and works for it!
When we got there, Kevin discovered that he was two dollars short of what he needed. They knew before they left the house that the cards would cost them $10 plus tax. Chris brought $11, and Kevin only brought $9.
When Kevin realized that he didn't have enough money to buy a set of cards for himself, his face fell. He gave me that 'expectant' look, hoping that I would bail him out and pay the rest. I asked if he had another two dollars in his spending jar at home with the intent of loaning him the money until we got back home. He didn't because he had made a choice on the last 'payday' to put more of his money into savings that the amount we required him to save. We praised him at the time for his willingness to save for the future. But that meant he didn't have enough for this purchase.
So I told him that he wouldn't be able to buy the cards. He sniffled a little and looked sad, but he handled it pretty well.
I almost told him that he could take two dollars back out of savings to pay for the cards. And it would be so easy for me to just give him two dollars and let him have what he wanted right now. Sammi was with us, and I could see she was biting her lip because she wanted to help, too. But we knew that if we let him have something he couldn't afford this time that it would be one more lesson that could have dangerous repercussions later in life. Even though the money was in his savings jar, he needed to learn that it was important to maintain those savings for the bigger things he wanted to have later.
It's sad to look around America today and see so many people who haven't learned this lesson. We use charge cards or buy big things with 'no payments due until 2010' despite the fact that we don't have the money right now. But what does that matter? I can easily pay it off at $50/month! We spend our money on things we want right now, bigger cars, cable tv, nice clothes because they are 'on sale', or big gifts for others, but in the process we run out of the means to pay for the very basic things we need. And when tragedy comes (and it will) in the form of lost jobs, illness, expensive car repairs, or natural disaster, we don't have any money saved to provide shelter and food for our families because we chose near-term pleasure.
I know that I am prone to buy beyond our means. It is hard for me to go into a Target store and not come home with a cartful of great things -- things that are definitely useful but not necessary. The same thing happens in the grocery store -- as I've reported before, if I don't have a list and a limited amount of cash, I'll buy all kinds of great and interesting foods. Through many sessions of Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University, we're continuing to learn how to manage the money God provides for us, but it's not easy. We have to set aside cash each month for specific things, food, household goods, doctors visits, entertainment, etc., and when the cash is gone (even if it's the third day of the month), our spending in that category has to stop. Even if there is a big sale!
I really hate discipline. I don't like to exercise, I want to eat whatever sounds good, and daily chores are a bore. But I have to admit, there is an amazing peace in knowing that we are prepared for a variety of 'emergencies' like car problems and that we can enjoy a vacation that is paid for because we've saved in advance!
I hope Kevin will be able to have that peace as an adult, too. He may never remember having to wait two weeks for a pack of Pokemon cards, but I hope he gains a sense of pride from being able to pay for it in full all by himself. And someday, when he uses that saved money for a large purchase like a bike or even a car, he will know that he is capable of having what he wants free and clear as long as he plans ahead and works for it!
Sunday, June 01, 2008
The Lord's Steps versus mine
It's odd, but I feel like I'm in that 'desert place' while at the same time I am "lying down in green pastures and being led beside quiet waters". There is so much that I am learning right now about God and myself, yet I can't really put it into words.
The verse that has been put before me several times lately is Proverbs 16:9, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." I've heard this on the radio, I've seen it in devotions, I read it as part of a Bible study, and it's even been sent to me in a note from a friend. Ok, I am starting to get the message!
For quite a while now I've been frustrated that I can't seem to accomplish the things I set out to do each day. So this week I decided to stop planning out my day -- or maybe it would be better to say that I 'planned' not to have specific things done but just to follow along with the events of the day. As a result, I've been 'in the right place at the right time' to provide support to others in ways that I never expected. I won't go into any details, but I've had such a change of heart about several events. Had I planned out my day, these things would have felt like interruptions and I might have been a bit resentful. But since I'd decided to take things as they came, I was amazingly blessed by being able to accomplish more than I'd dreamed possible -- some things have had tangible results, others intangible.
God has brought to mind the names of people I've not thought of for quite a while, and I tried to pay attention. When this happened I stopped what I was doing and prayed for them, then I called or wrote to a few of them. In almost each case, there was something very timely going on that required prayer, and I was able to see how God's nudges mean 'take action'. He has been amazingly gracious in letting me see some of the results of his requests, which helps me to be more trusting when his requests don't seem to make much sense.
I still don't have any idea what God wants me to do with my life...and I need to just stop trying to figure that out. Right now I'm convinced that he wants me to learn to listen and obey...and to stop setting my own plans. Sometimes that means the house doesn't get clean...and I have to be ok with that (that one's pretty easy!). Other times it means that I may feel bored or unchallenged for a time, but in reality I'm learning to be challenged in new and different ways.
There are a couple of key books/studies I'm doing that are offering amazing insights -- maybe these will help you too if you are in a similar place.
Beth Moore's Stepping Up Bible Study
Lisa TerKeurst's What Happens When Women Walk in Faith
The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning and Charles Brock
Susan Hill's Closer Than Your Skin
and a new one I just started, Donna Partow's Becoming The Woman God Wants Me To Be.
The verse that has been put before me several times lately is Proverbs 16:9, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." I've heard this on the radio, I've seen it in devotions, I read it as part of a Bible study, and it's even been sent to me in a note from a friend. Ok, I am starting to get the message!
For quite a while now I've been frustrated that I can't seem to accomplish the things I set out to do each day. So this week I decided to stop planning out my day -- or maybe it would be better to say that I 'planned' not to have specific things done but just to follow along with the events of the day. As a result, I've been 'in the right place at the right time' to provide support to others in ways that I never expected. I won't go into any details, but I've had such a change of heart about several events. Had I planned out my day, these things would have felt like interruptions and I might have been a bit resentful. But since I'd decided to take things as they came, I was amazingly blessed by being able to accomplish more than I'd dreamed possible -- some things have had tangible results, others intangible.
God has brought to mind the names of people I've not thought of for quite a while, and I tried to pay attention. When this happened I stopped what I was doing and prayed for them, then I called or wrote to a few of them. In almost each case, there was something very timely going on that required prayer, and I was able to see how God's nudges mean 'take action'. He has been amazingly gracious in letting me see some of the results of his requests, which helps me to be more trusting when his requests don't seem to make much sense.
I still don't have any idea what God wants me to do with my life...and I need to just stop trying to figure that out. Right now I'm convinced that he wants me to learn to listen and obey...and to stop setting my own plans. Sometimes that means the house doesn't get clean...and I have to be ok with that (that one's pretty easy!). Other times it means that I may feel bored or unchallenged for a time, but in reality I'm learning to be challenged in new and different ways.
There are a couple of key books/studies I'm doing that are offering amazing insights -- maybe these will help you too if you are in a similar place.
Beth Moore's Stepping Up Bible Study
Lisa TerKeurst's What Happens When Women Walk in Faith
The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning and Charles Brock
Susan Hill's Closer Than Your Skin
and a new one I just started, Donna Partow's Becoming The Woman God Wants Me To Be.
Friday, May 09, 2008
Wait on the Lord
It's been a while since I wrote anything. While life has been at its normal busy pace, I can't blame my schedule. The truth is I just didn't feel like I had anything to write.
As writers we are told to keep on writing even when you don't feel inspired to do so. And so I do, but often the results aren't worthy of sharing.
God has been working in my heart in ways that cannot be explained. I want to step up my commitment, my worship, and my obedience to Him. To do so I have to step back and examine where I really am and why I hold myself back from total devotion.
It's so easy to get caught up in 'feeling'. I want to have emotional, tangible sensations of God in my life -- mountaintop experiences. I do see God at work every day -- in each new plant that springs from the ground (oh...is THAT why they call it spring??), in the joy of a new parent showing off her baby at church, in the way a hummingbird gently tests each flower to see if it holds sweet food. But I don't always feel him at work in my heart.
Nevertheless I know he is there. I know that each day he has a lesson for me to learn. I wish I could say that I pay attention to them all, but some weeks go by and I think I must be sleeping through his class. But he is patient and he continues to repeat each lesson until he knows I 'get it'.
There are many things that I want to be doing for him right now, but he keeps telling me to wait...all things in HIS time. I wish I could get past the perspective that I should be doing something that feels worthwhile (there's that feeling thing again), but he keeps telling me to be worthwhile where I am. My desire to see results is really just an earthly desire. The results he wants may never be seen in my lifetime, and I have to trust that the little things he wants me to do right now are worthwhile from his perspective.
God reminded me today of the verses that are the basis for the name of this blog -- Lamentations 3:22-26.
Waiting quietly is a lesson he's trying to teach. I hope I get it down before he has to bring out the 2x4!
As writers we are told to keep on writing even when you don't feel inspired to do so. And so I do, but often the results aren't worthy of sharing.
God has been working in my heart in ways that cannot be explained. I want to step up my commitment, my worship, and my obedience to Him. To do so I have to step back and examine where I really am and why I hold myself back from total devotion.
It's so easy to get caught up in 'feeling'. I want to have emotional, tangible sensations of God in my life -- mountaintop experiences. I do see God at work every day -- in each new plant that springs from the ground (oh...is THAT why they call it spring??), in the joy of a new parent showing off her baby at church, in the way a hummingbird gently tests each flower to see if it holds sweet food. But I don't always feel him at work in my heart.
Nevertheless I know he is there. I know that each day he has a lesson for me to learn. I wish I could say that I pay attention to them all, but some weeks go by and I think I must be sleeping through his class. But he is patient and he continues to repeat each lesson until he knows I 'get it'.
There are many things that I want to be doing for him right now, but he keeps telling me to wait...all things in HIS time. I wish I could get past the perspective that I should be doing something that feels worthwhile (there's that feeling thing again), but he keeps telling me to be worthwhile where I am. My desire to see results is really just an earthly desire. The results he wants may never be seen in my lifetime, and I have to trust that the little things he wants me to do right now are worthwhile from his perspective.
God reminded me today of the verses that are the basis for the name of this blog -- Lamentations 3:22-26.
22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."
25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.
Waiting quietly is a lesson he's trying to teach. I hope I get it down before he has to bring out the 2x4!
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Favorite Book?
The Dabbling Mum writes several columns that are full of great information and are fun to read. She has newsletters for parents, writers, and those who operate home businesses.
This month she has a great contest (check it out here) to give away several books. However, it involves a challenge that is almost impossible for me to achieve -- choose your all time favorite book!
What is a favorite book? One that I read recently that caused me to set a new goal to read every book ever written by that author? If so I'd have to choose between The Valley of Betrayal by Tricia Goyer and Amber Morn by Brandilyn Collins.
Or, is it a book that has changed the way I look at things? In that case it would be Believing God by Beth Moore or The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormy Omartian.
Tough decisions. But I finally decided to choose a somewhat unconventional book that probably influenced the way I think early in my life -- The Penguin That Hated The Cold. This is a wonderful Disney story about Pablo, a penguin who isn't constrained by what the rest of the penguin world thinks is appropriate. He tries several methods of leaving the South Pole with little success, but he perseveres and finally finds a way to accomplish his dream of a warmer climate. There are problems along the way, but he uses his creativity to solve them and he's rewarded with the a warm, beachy life that he loves.
I, too, dislike the cold and love the beach. I also have been known to go against the grain once in a while and push for something I believed in even though everyone else thought I was crazy. Pablo is one of my role models and heroes (even though he's just a figment of someone's imagination).
Check out the eight books that the Dabbling Mum is giving away. I'm most interested in the one by Bill Myers, The Voice. It involves someone who steps outside of his comfort zone to help others and finds that the world isn't quite as he expected.
So, what is your favorite book?
This month she has a great contest (check it out here) to give away several books. However, it involves a challenge that is almost impossible for me to achieve -- choose your all time favorite book!
What is a favorite book? One that I read recently that caused me to set a new goal to read every book ever written by that author? If so I'd have to choose between The Valley of Betrayal by Tricia Goyer and Amber Morn by Brandilyn Collins.
Or, is it a book that has changed the way I look at things? In that case it would be Believing God by Beth Moore or The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormy Omartian.
Tough decisions. But I finally decided to choose a somewhat unconventional book that probably influenced the way I think early in my life -- The Penguin That Hated The Cold. This is a wonderful Disney story about Pablo, a penguin who isn't constrained by what the rest of the penguin world thinks is appropriate. He tries several methods of leaving the South Pole with little success, but he perseveres and finally finds a way to accomplish his dream of a warmer climate. There are problems along the way, but he uses his creativity to solve them and he's rewarded with the a warm, beachy life that he loves.
I, too, dislike the cold and love the beach. I also have been known to go against the grain once in a while and push for something I believed in even though everyone else thought I was crazy. Pablo is one of my role models and heroes (even though he's just a figment of someone's imagination).
Check out the eight books that the Dabbling Mum is giving away. I'm most interested in the one by Bill Myers, The Voice. It involves someone who steps outside of his comfort zone to help others and finds that the world isn't quite as he expected.
So, what is your favorite book?
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
What a Week!
Well, actually two weeks. Last week I had the privilege of attending the greatest conference for Christian writers at Mt. Hermon, CA. Once I got past my awe of the massive redwood trees and the incredible number of authors who I admire, I learned new things almost every minute of the day! Days started at 7:15 with worship in the woods and could have ended around midnight it I attended the night owl sessions that started at 9:30. My internal clock shuts down around 9:00 central time...I just couldn't make myself stay up that late.
The most amazing thing about the conference was the care that each attendee and faculty member had for others. I've been to a writers conference in the past where I felt that I had to continually prove that I was good enough to be there. At Mt. Hermon everyone just assumed we were all writers and they wanted to encourage others to improve their craft (no matter how many books they had or hadn't published). I was excited the woman who critiqued my Bible study proposal (who is only one of the best writers about Christian writing there is....)liked it and thought it was important to share! Yeah God! He's put this one on my heart for several years and any value in it is definitely his doing. Then, on top of that, a publisher wanted to see it!
While I was gone, Sammi went through a tough time. She was diagnosed with an ovarian cyst the size of an egg -- Doug had to take her to four different doctor appointments! Our good friend Tammy Balu stepped in to take Sammi to her first OB/GYN appointment -- thank you Tammy! It was hard to be so far away and not to be able to be with Sammi. When all was said and done, Sammi is having surgery on Thursday to drain the cyst. The doctor promises she can play full contact soccer within a week (however the doctor who reset her broken nose and her parents disagree)!
She and I have a great opportunity for bonding over the next week, because I'm having surgery on my shoulder tomorrow. We plan to have a chick flick marathon while we are foggy with drugs...sounds fun, huh?
I finished revising the Bible study for the publisher and I hit the 'send' button a little earlier this morning -- YEAH! Now I get to hold my breath until I hear back from them -- in about six months (ugh). I'm not really nervous about this -- I understand that what will be will be, and if they don't want it there are other places to try for publication. I am also excited about a new series of studies that Alicia and I are going to work on together! Maybe if I keep busy I'll forget all about the study I just submitted until I receive that acceptance letter (ok...I'm dreaming about it a little)!
Life is such an adventure and God is so good!
The most amazing thing about the conference was the care that each attendee and faculty member had for others. I've been to a writers conference in the past where I felt that I had to continually prove that I was good enough to be there. At Mt. Hermon everyone just assumed we were all writers and they wanted to encourage others to improve their craft (no matter how many books they had or hadn't published). I was excited the woman who critiqued my Bible study proposal (who is only one of the best writers about Christian writing there is....)liked it and thought it was important to share! Yeah God! He's put this one on my heart for several years and any value in it is definitely his doing. Then, on top of that, a publisher wanted to see it!
While I was gone, Sammi went through a tough time. She was diagnosed with an ovarian cyst the size of an egg -- Doug had to take her to four different doctor appointments! Our good friend Tammy Balu stepped in to take Sammi to her first OB/GYN appointment -- thank you Tammy! It was hard to be so far away and not to be able to be with Sammi. When all was said and done, Sammi is having surgery on Thursday to drain the cyst. The doctor promises she can play full contact soccer within a week (however the doctor who reset her broken nose and her parents disagree)!
She and I have a great opportunity for bonding over the next week, because I'm having surgery on my shoulder tomorrow. We plan to have a chick flick marathon while we are foggy with drugs...sounds fun, huh?
I finished revising the Bible study for the publisher and I hit the 'send' button a little earlier this morning -- YEAH! Now I get to hold my breath until I hear back from them -- in about six months (ugh). I'm not really nervous about this -- I understand that what will be will be, and if they don't want it there are other places to try for publication. I am also excited about a new series of studies that Alicia and I are going to work on together! Maybe if I keep busy I'll forget all about the study I just submitted until I receive that acceptance letter (ok...I'm dreaming about it a little)!
Life is such an adventure and God is so good!
Monday, March 10, 2008
And the Results are In!
Well, after all is said and done, we saved $334 on our food bill in February! That means we spent a total of $66!!!
And our freezer is still at least 1/3rd full...so we may be able to save some of our food money in March, too. But if we do, I think we'll save it for those times when really good sales come along (so I can refill that freezer and do this all over again!).
In the process, we didn't spend all of the eating out money we had allocated for the month, either, so we didn't cheat by eating out.
What did we eat this month? In 29 days we didn't repeat one thing! We had Baked chicken, meat loaf, turkey pot pie, steak, spaghetti, orange roughhy, tilapia, parmesan chicken legs, pot roast, and lots of similar things. We really had good stuff in the freezer!
So, what did we learn with this experiment?
1. I store up way too much stuff. I need to decide a reasonable amount to keep around on a regular basis (maybe 3 cans or boxes of any one thing)and a maximum amount in case there is a really good sale (maybe a two month supply).
2. If you plan your menu in advance based on things you already have or items that are on sale, it's pretty easy to spend less.
3. I MUST have a list and a calculator when I go to the store! And it helps if I'm not hungry. And I have to stay away from things that might be on sale if they aren't on my list!
4. It is really helpful to have a menu for the week...I remember to get things out of the freezer to thaw more naturally in the fridge instead of trying to cook them while still frozen. And I don't have that panic of 'what are we going to eat tonight' every night at 4:00.
5. There are very few meals that every member of our household likes! (Ok, I knew this one, but it was validated). AND at least two people liked any particular meal I made this month...unless we switch to only pizza, tacos, and hamburgers I will not be able to change this one. I learned not to post the daily menu or people would magically disappear (especially on fish night). However, that, too, can reduce our food bill!
6. I can't fill up every night with a menu item...we need down time for leftovers and those nights when everyone wants something light like grilled cheese or soup. And I have to be flexible enough to rearrange the menu items based on what I or others feel like cooking/eating.
7. Things in the freezer really do expire...I had to throw away several bags of frozen veggies (and a cheer went up in our household) because they were freezer burned.
The only things we ran out of during the month were soda (I was REALLY craving a Mountain Dew during that last week), cereal, instant oatmeal (I'm the only one who eats that), bottled water, and canned veggies. And I was able to replace almost all items we had to have for our first week of March within the regular weekly budget.
I declare this experiment a success!
And our freezer is still at least 1/3rd full...so we may be able to save some of our food money in March, too. But if we do, I think we'll save it for those times when really good sales come along (so I can refill that freezer and do this all over again!).
In the process, we didn't spend all of the eating out money we had allocated for the month, either, so we didn't cheat by eating out.
What did we eat this month? In 29 days we didn't repeat one thing! We had Baked chicken, meat loaf, turkey pot pie, steak, spaghetti, orange roughhy, tilapia, parmesan chicken legs, pot roast, and lots of similar things. We really had good stuff in the freezer!
So, what did we learn with this experiment?
1. I store up way too much stuff. I need to decide a reasonable amount to keep around on a regular basis (maybe 3 cans or boxes of any one thing)and a maximum amount in case there is a really good sale (maybe a two month supply).
2. If you plan your menu in advance based on things you already have or items that are on sale, it's pretty easy to spend less.
3. I MUST have a list and a calculator when I go to the store! And it helps if I'm not hungry. And I have to stay away from things that might be on sale if they aren't on my list!
4. It is really helpful to have a menu for the week...I remember to get things out of the freezer to thaw more naturally in the fridge instead of trying to cook them while still frozen. And I don't have that panic of 'what are we going to eat tonight' every night at 4:00.
5. There are very few meals that every member of our household likes! (Ok, I knew this one, but it was validated). AND at least two people liked any particular meal I made this month...unless we switch to only pizza, tacos, and hamburgers I will not be able to change this one. I learned not to post the daily menu or people would magically disappear (especially on fish night). However, that, too, can reduce our food bill!
6. I can't fill up every night with a menu item...we need down time for leftovers and those nights when everyone wants something light like grilled cheese or soup. And I have to be flexible enough to rearrange the menu items based on what I or others feel like cooking/eating.
7. Things in the freezer really do expire...I had to throw away several bags of frozen veggies (and a cheer went up in our household) because they were freezer burned.
The only things we ran out of during the month were soda (I was REALLY craving a Mountain Dew during that last week), cereal, instant oatmeal (I'm the only one who eats that), bottled water, and canned veggies. And I was able to replace almost all items we had to have for our first week of March within the regular weekly budget.
I declare this experiment a success!
Thursday, March 06, 2008
The One That Got Away
Have you ever seen or heard something that caused you to look back at the choices you've made in your life? I saw an article in the Wall Street Journal this morning about Charlene Binder, the new senior vice president and chief people officer of the Hershey company. She will oversee global human resources, corporate communications, and facilities management.
Ms. Binder is 47 years old.
I turned 47 just a few days ago, and my last job was as a human resources executive.
Our lives are very different...but a few subtle changes in the decisions each of us had made could have resulted in a sort of 'Trading Places' scenario.
Please don't misunderstand what I am writing. I'm not saying that I could take her job or that her choices are in any way wrong. Nor are mine. They are just different, and a series of small choices can end up in very different outcomes.
I don't know anything about her personal life...if she's married or has children. I do know that she has changed companies at least three times. She worked for Unilever from 2001 - 2006, and for Group Danone (Dannon Yogurt) recently. Her new job will include the benefit of unlimited chocolate.
So is this typical midlife evaluation and comparison? Maybe, but the result of this particular review is relief and peace. As I got ready this morning I thought about the things she must be going through this morning. She doesn't start her new job for a few weeks, but I imagine she's a bundle of nerves and energy. She faces saying goodbye to friends and collegues at her current company. She may be packing up her life and her family as she heads to a new location, and soon she will have to jump on a steep learning curve to understand a new company, new people, and new challenges in her job.
Today I face a quite different scenario. After we all get ready, I'll drop the boys off at school and Sammi will run some errands with me (her school is closed today due to power outages). We'll hit the bank, the grocery store, Target, and a few other places. This afternoon I'll struggle some more with my book proposal as I prepare to submit it for critique and I'll do some house cleaning. My near future includes a trip to Jackson Tennessee with my folks and Doug's parents to see our oldest, Alicia, perform her senior recital...one of the final requirements for her college graduation. Next week I'll travel to California to attend what has been billed to be an amazing Christian Writer's conference. I expect to be overwhelmed with my lack of ability and to develop a plan for improving my skills so I can do what I believe I'm being called to. My job includes increasingly limited hugs.
I wouldn't trade my life for anything. Not even all the chocolate I can eat!
Charlene, I pray that you, too, are right where you want to be in life. I wish you the best in your new position.
Ms. Binder is 47 years old.
I turned 47 just a few days ago, and my last job was as a human resources executive.
Our lives are very different...but a few subtle changes in the decisions each of us had made could have resulted in a sort of 'Trading Places' scenario.
Please don't misunderstand what I am writing. I'm not saying that I could take her job or that her choices are in any way wrong. Nor are mine. They are just different, and a series of small choices can end up in very different outcomes.
I don't know anything about her personal life...if she's married or has children. I do know that she has changed companies at least three times. She worked for Unilever from 2001 - 2006, and for Group Danone (Dannon Yogurt) recently. Her new job will include the benefit of unlimited chocolate.
So is this typical midlife evaluation and comparison? Maybe, but the result of this particular review is relief and peace. As I got ready this morning I thought about the things she must be going through this morning. She doesn't start her new job for a few weeks, but I imagine she's a bundle of nerves and energy. She faces saying goodbye to friends and collegues at her current company. She may be packing up her life and her family as she heads to a new location, and soon she will have to jump on a steep learning curve to understand a new company, new people, and new challenges in her job.
Today I face a quite different scenario. After we all get ready, I'll drop the boys off at school and Sammi will run some errands with me (her school is closed today due to power outages). We'll hit the bank, the grocery store, Target, and a few other places. This afternoon I'll struggle some more with my book proposal as I prepare to submit it for critique and I'll do some house cleaning. My near future includes a trip to Jackson Tennessee with my folks and Doug's parents to see our oldest, Alicia, perform her senior recital...one of the final requirements for her college graduation. Next week I'll travel to California to attend what has been billed to be an amazing Christian Writer's conference. I expect to be overwhelmed with my lack of ability and to develop a plan for improving my skills so I can do what I believe I'm being called to. My job includes increasingly limited hugs.
I wouldn't trade my life for anything. Not even all the chocolate I can eat!
Charlene, I pray that you, too, are right where you want to be in life. I wish you the best in your new position.
Monday, March 03, 2008
The Shocking Truth
I like to consider myself a good grocery shopper...well, actually I like to think that I'm a better shopper than most. How quickly we fall from the pedestals we build!
Ok, like I said in my last blog, I went to the store for milk, eggs, bananas, and lettuce. It's raining, so I dug around for a dry cart and headed merrily on my way to the produce department. Bananas - $.59/lb. Hmm...they used to be $.50 -- bummer, everything is going up. But today I don't need to weigh my purchase because I'm only buying four things -- I should stay well under my budget of $20. (Key ominous music)
Right across the aisle -- grapes on sale for $1.88. Yum, we haven't had grapes for a long time, and that's a lot cheaper than last time I looked. I picked up a bag and set them in the cart. Off to the lettuce. I picked one out, shook off the extra water (that adds weight), bagged it and moved on without my usual stop at the scale to price it.
I drooled a little at the blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries (are you detecting a trend?). Nope...don't need them and they are expensive this time of year. I slowly walked away...toward the bags of lemons. Oh, yeah, the recipe for tomorrow calls for lemon juice. I know I could make it without, but I have extra money today so why don't I follow the recipe (for once...no comments by those who have to EAT my cooking)? I picked one up and remembered that Wednesday's dinner requires two limes. I got them and wrapped them proudly in the nice green plastic bags that preserve food for longer (just like the expensive ones on tv).
I glanced at the asparagus and corn on the cob (we're basically out of veggies), but they were pretty expensive so I passed them by. As I was leaving the produce department I remembered that we only have two potatoes so I grabbed a 10 pound bag (SO much less expensive per pound that a 5 lb bag).
Walking down the bread aisle I remembered that we have hamburgers that could to be cooked (it was one of the preplanned menu items). I was going to bake them in gravy with mushrooms, but the kids (including Doug) would probably prefer real burgers, so I grabbed a bag of hamburger buns.
Next I rushed past the meat, straining to see if there were any orange "manager's special" tags showing that it's a great deal for someone who wants to freeze it or eat it right away. I talked myself in to moving on...I CAN do this!
I picked up my eggs and a gallon of milk and rushed past all the slow shoppers to the express check out lane. I mentally listed all the things that I wanted to buy but passed up, proud that I could stick to the things that we really needed. I talked with the cashier about the impending weather as she rang up my purchases.
Guess what...$19.77!!!! I couldn't believe it! How in the world did I spend that much money...I thought I'd get out of there for less than $15! Bummer...
On the way home I thought about my trip. I broke FIVE of my most important shopping rules:
1. Don't shop when you are hungry (it was 11:30 -- I planned to eat when I got home).
2. Have a menu (then I would have known that the potatoes and the hamburger buns could wait until Thursday -- or even NEXT week)
3. Check the fridge and pantry before you leave and make a list (I had my mental list of four things)
4. Bring your calculator and USE it! I could have even mentally totalled things up to know that I was getting myself in trouble.
5. Follow the list!!!!!
My shopping gremlin (I call her Greta) beat me again. She knows exactly how much money I have and will fill the cart so that all is spent. Her favorite store is Target, but obviously she likes the grocery store, too.
So, even though I've gotten pretty good at this thrifty shopping gig, I obviously MUST stick to the rules or my years of training go down the drain!
Ok, like I said in my last blog, I went to the store for milk, eggs, bananas, and lettuce. It's raining, so I dug around for a dry cart and headed merrily on my way to the produce department. Bananas - $.59/lb. Hmm...they used to be $.50 -- bummer, everything is going up. But today I don't need to weigh my purchase because I'm only buying four things -- I should stay well under my budget of $20. (Key ominous music)
Right across the aisle -- grapes on sale for $1.88. Yum, we haven't had grapes for a long time, and that's a lot cheaper than last time I looked. I picked up a bag and set them in the cart. Off to the lettuce. I picked one out, shook off the extra water (that adds weight), bagged it and moved on without my usual stop at the scale to price it.
I drooled a little at the blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries (are you detecting a trend?). Nope...don't need them and they are expensive this time of year. I slowly walked away...toward the bags of lemons. Oh, yeah, the recipe for tomorrow calls for lemon juice. I know I could make it without, but I have extra money today so why don't I follow the recipe (for once...no comments by those who have to EAT my cooking)? I picked one up and remembered that Wednesday's dinner requires two limes. I got them and wrapped them proudly in the nice green plastic bags that preserve food for longer (just like the expensive ones on tv).
I glanced at the asparagus and corn on the cob (we're basically out of veggies), but they were pretty expensive so I passed them by. As I was leaving the produce department I remembered that we only have two potatoes so I grabbed a 10 pound bag (SO much less expensive per pound that a 5 lb bag).
Walking down the bread aisle I remembered that we have hamburgers that could to be cooked (it was one of the preplanned menu items). I was going to bake them in gravy with mushrooms, but the kids (including Doug) would probably prefer real burgers, so I grabbed a bag of hamburger buns.
Next I rushed past the meat, straining to see if there were any orange "manager's special" tags showing that it's a great deal for someone who wants to freeze it or eat it right away. I talked myself in to moving on...I CAN do this!
I picked up my eggs and a gallon of milk and rushed past all the slow shoppers to the express check out lane. I mentally listed all the things that I wanted to buy but passed up, proud that I could stick to the things that we really needed. I talked with the cashier about the impending weather as she rang up my purchases.
Guess what...$19.77!!!! I couldn't believe it! How in the world did I spend that much money...I thought I'd get out of there for less than $15! Bummer...
On the way home I thought about my trip. I broke FIVE of my most important shopping rules:
1. Don't shop when you are hungry (it was 11:30 -- I planned to eat when I got home).
2. Have a menu (then I would have known that the potatoes and the hamburger buns could wait until Thursday -- or even NEXT week)
3. Check the fridge and pantry before you leave and make a list (I had my mental list of four things)
4. Bring your calculator and USE it! I could have even mentally totalled things up to know that I was getting myself in trouble.
5. Follow the list!!!!!
My shopping gremlin (I call her Greta) beat me again. She knows exactly how much money I have and will fill the cart so that all is spent. Her favorite store is Target, but obviously she likes the grocery store, too.
So, even though I've gotten pretty good at this thrifty shopping gig, I obviously MUST stick to the rules or my years of training go down the drain!
The Home Stretch
I know it's already March, but we are in the final days of our 'Frugal February' experiment. Since I shop on Thursdays, I can't go back to our 'regularly budgeted shopping' until this Thursday, three days away.
I didn't make it to the store last Thursday due to sick children (don't enter our house these days without a can of Lysol!). I planned on going this morning because we are almost out of milk and we only have two more eggs...not enough to last us until Thursday! I also want to pick up a head of lettuce (we are out of all veggies except frozen brocolli...I can't serve that EVERY night!) and some bananas. I guess I'll do that later when Doug or one of the girls gets home (although I'm dreading it because we are supposed to get an ice storm with 4 - 6 inches of snow accumulation tonight so the place will be a madhouse).
Based on my 'rebellion' nights, I still have several menu options available from my original list. AND the freezer still isn't empty! I think I'll try to spend only half of my allotted budget in March...although that will be harder since the kids will be home for Spring Break and I'll be out of town during a lot of that time.
Later this week I'll post our final results and my lessons learned. This has actually been a fun challenge for me!
I didn't make it to the store last Thursday due to sick children (don't enter our house these days without a can of Lysol!). I planned on going this morning because we are almost out of milk and we only have two more eggs...not enough to last us until Thursday! I also want to pick up a head of lettuce (we are out of all veggies except frozen brocolli...I can't serve that EVERY night!) and some bananas. I guess I'll do that later when Doug or one of the girls gets home (although I'm dreading it because we are supposed to get an ice storm with 4 - 6 inches of snow accumulation tonight so the place will be a madhouse).
Based on my 'rebellion' nights, I still have several menu options available from my original list. AND the freezer still isn't empty! I think I'll try to spend only half of my allotted budget in March...although that will be harder since the kids will be home for Spring Break and I'll be out of town during a lot of that time.
Later this week I'll post our final results and my lessons learned. This has actually been a fun challenge for me!
Sunday, March 02, 2008
They Are Still Little Boys...
One of my favorite things about being a mom is snuggling with my kids. As they grow, the snuggles last about 10 seconds...a quick hug is all I can expect. The boys are growing quickly, and I can see that hugging is not nearly as 'cool' as it was when they were four. But both boys still need their 'mommy time', and it plays out in fun ways!
Kevin will come see me at least two times per day. He'll ask "Whatchya doin, Mom?" and he'll just stand there for a minute. If I turn around and slightly put my arms out, he'll quickly climb on my lap or let me pick him up (which gets more challenging every day as he grows!). He'll let me cuddle him (with little response, of course) for a couple of minutes and he tries hard not to let me see him smile. When his 'cuddle bucket' is full, he climbs down and goes on his way.
Chris, on the other hand, would never want to be seen on my lap or in my arms. Instead, he'll ask me to watch a movie with him. I used to turn down this request because I seldom feel like I have an hour and a half to 'just sit', but I quickly realized this is his request for cuddles. We'll curl up under a blanket and he'll snuggle really close while we watch the show. He's happy to let me stroke his hair or hug him tighter, but of course he pretends not to notice. He doesn't want me to watch tv shows with him...only long movies. I like taking the time to focus on him even if it feels like I'm being lazy. And it doesn't take long before Kevin joins in and sits on my other side...a Mom sandwich!
The girls will still give me hugs, which I love, but as I watch our brood grow I know the days of hugs will reduce significantly when Sammi heads off to college in two years. By that time I expect the boys will deny that they even have a cuddle bucket. Tough...I'll still give them hugs!
Kevin will come see me at least two times per day. He'll ask "Whatchya doin, Mom?" and he'll just stand there for a minute. If I turn around and slightly put my arms out, he'll quickly climb on my lap or let me pick him up (which gets more challenging every day as he grows!). He'll let me cuddle him (with little response, of course) for a couple of minutes and he tries hard not to let me see him smile. When his 'cuddle bucket' is full, he climbs down and goes on his way.
Chris, on the other hand, would never want to be seen on my lap or in my arms. Instead, he'll ask me to watch a movie with him. I used to turn down this request because I seldom feel like I have an hour and a half to 'just sit', but I quickly realized this is his request for cuddles. We'll curl up under a blanket and he'll snuggle really close while we watch the show. He's happy to let me stroke his hair or hug him tighter, but of course he pretends not to notice. He doesn't want me to watch tv shows with him...only long movies. I like taking the time to focus on him even if it feels like I'm being lazy. And it doesn't take long before Kevin joins in and sits on my other side...a Mom sandwich!
The girls will still give me hugs, which I love, but as I watch our brood grow I know the days of hugs will reduce significantly when Sammi heads off to college in two years. By that time I expect the boys will deny that they even have a cuddle bucket. Tough...I'll still give them hugs!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Menu Making Woes...
For those of you who know me well, you know that I have trouble following directions. It's not that I can't, it's just that I don't want to! I like to come up with new ways that seem SO much better...sometimes that works well and other times it doesn't. Even when I created the instructions in the first place!
So, remember I planned a months worth of meals to get us through Frugal February? With the exception of the fish days, our family was happy with the meals I'd planned. Well, somewhere around the third week I got bored with what had been planned. There were too many "big" meals (the kind they would eat on Sundays in the 50's) and not enough easy stuff or left over days. So we 'concocted' and came up with some other meals that still fit into the criteria.
Maybe next time I'll create menus for 6 weeks, with at least one 'figure out what sounds good' day each week.
However, I am learning creative ways to use up left overs so I don't end up throwing them away or trying to figure out what the green fuzzy stuff is in the back of the fridge! Here are a few of my ideas:
Cut left over meatloaf into squares and add chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and pasta for Italian Wedding Soup
Put left over turkey in a pie crust with frozen (or left over) veggies, Southern style hash brown potato squares, leftover turkey gravy, and a can of cream of mushroom soup with garlic. Top with another pie crust for Turkey Pot Pie
That recipe works well with leftover roast or stew, too...just cut the meat, potatoes, and carrots into small pieces, put in a crust with gravy and top off for a Beef Pot Pie
Left over chicken, rice (either rice a roni or rice pilaf) and chicken broth make great soup. You can add veggies or even exchange left over stuffing for the rice for variety.
Leftover pork chops can be cut up and added to rice, fresh cut up veggies (carrots, celery, brocolli, whatever) and/or frozen peas, scrambled eggs, and soy sauce for great fried rice.
I just put the leftovers in the freezer for the future if we are tired of that kind of meat that week and I use them in the future!
What do you do with leftovers?
So, remember I planned a months worth of meals to get us through Frugal February? With the exception of the fish days, our family was happy with the meals I'd planned. Well, somewhere around the third week I got bored with what had been planned. There were too many "big" meals (the kind they would eat on Sundays in the 50's) and not enough easy stuff or left over days. So we 'concocted' and came up with some other meals that still fit into the criteria.
Maybe next time I'll create menus for 6 weeks, with at least one 'figure out what sounds good' day each week.
However, I am learning creative ways to use up left overs so I don't end up throwing them away or trying to figure out what the green fuzzy stuff is in the back of the fridge! Here are a few of my ideas:
Cut left over meatloaf into squares and add chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and pasta for Italian Wedding Soup
Put left over turkey in a pie crust with frozen (or left over) veggies, Southern style hash brown potato squares, leftover turkey gravy, and a can of cream of mushroom soup with garlic. Top with another pie crust for Turkey Pot Pie
That recipe works well with leftover roast or stew, too...just cut the meat, potatoes, and carrots into small pieces, put in a crust with gravy and top off for a Beef Pot Pie
Left over chicken, rice (either rice a roni or rice pilaf) and chicken broth make great soup. You can add veggies or even exchange left over stuffing for the rice for variety.
Leftover pork chops can be cut up and added to rice, fresh cut up veggies (carrots, celery, brocolli, whatever) and/or frozen peas, scrambled eggs, and soy sauce for great fried rice.
I just put the leftovers in the freezer for the future if we are tired of that kind of meat that week and I use them in the future!
What do you do with leftovers?
Monday, February 25, 2008
Free Book!
Check out my book review blog today -- I am giving away two books that help you learn to be close to God in a more tangible way!
Bunch of Stuff
Our ice storm last week made me realize some interesting things!
First, remember last Wednesday when I said I was seeing my children as my area of service and working to not see them as interruptions to my 'real work'? Guess what the first words out of my mouth were when we found out it was going to be a snow day! Oh, no...how am I going to get everything done!!! Guess that lesson hasn't quite sunk in yet. God is laughing!
On the Frugal Front, I had been dreading my typical Thursday grocery shopping trip because it was $10 coupon day! If I spent $50, I'd save $10...but we had only budgeted $20 for the week. Was I going to pass up on 20% savings? I had planned to, but I knew I would be frustrated and would probably pout (who me????). So, enter the ice storm! We had enough to get us through and I didn't have to shop until Sunday when there were less temptations. Even saving $10 isn't a deal if you don't really need anything. Instead of saving $10 this week I actually saved $85...from our regular budget.
I usually avoid the grocery store on Sat and Sun like the plague...too many people! But on Sunday Sammi was making cookies and ran out of eggs so I decided to brave the crowd (it was either that or waste the margarine/sugar she'd already mixed!). However, with my nice short list, I didn't have to enter the main aisles at all. I got my breads (bagels, hot dog buns, sliced French bread), eggs, milk, and margarine then I went quickly through the self check out lanes -- less than $14! It's so fun to do that!
The month is quickly coming to a close, but since Thursday is the shopping day we plan, I have one more week of frugal shopping before I can spend my regularly budgeted amount. I'm starting to get a list of things we need to restock, but with the possible exception of green beans/corn (no more green beans and only one can of corn), it looks like we are going to make it just fine. Guess I'll just have to get fresh produce to make up for that slight...our bodies won't know how to deal with it!
First, remember last Wednesday when I said I was seeing my children as my area of service and working to not see them as interruptions to my 'real work'? Guess what the first words out of my mouth were when we found out it was going to be a snow day! Oh, no...how am I going to get everything done!!! Guess that lesson hasn't quite sunk in yet. God is laughing!
On the Frugal Front, I had been dreading my typical Thursday grocery shopping trip because it was $10 coupon day! If I spent $50, I'd save $10...but we had only budgeted $20 for the week. Was I going to pass up on 20% savings? I had planned to, but I knew I would be frustrated and would probably pout (who me????). So, enter the ice storm! We had enough to get us through and I didn't have to shop until Sunday when there were less temptations. Even saving $10 isn't a deal if you don't really need anything. Instead of saving $10 this week I actually saved $85...from our regular budget.
I usually avoid the grocery store on Sat and Sun like the plague...too many people! But on Sunday Sammi was making cookies and ran out of eggs so I decided to brave the crowd (it was either that or waste the margarine/sugar she'd already mixed!). However, with my nice short list, I didn't have to enter the main aisles at all. I got my breads (bagels, hot dog buns, sliced French bread), eggs, milk, and margarine then I went quickly through the self check out lanes -- less than $14! It's so fun to do that!
The month is quickly coming to a close, but since Thursday is the shopping day we plan, I have one more week of frugal shopping before I can spend my regularly budgeted amount. I'm starting to get a list of things we need to restock, but with the possible exception of green beans/corn (no more green beans and only one can of corn), it looks like we are going to make it just fine. Guess I'll just have to get fresh produce to make up for that slight...our bodies won't know how to deal with it!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
God Is So Smart...
Sometimes I look at what I've accomplished (or haven't accomplished is more like it) since I've been off work (almost three years now!), and I get a little frustrated with myself. Surely I should have more to show for all this 'leisure' time, shouldn't I? If you would have asked me a couple of years ago, I would have expected to have a perfectly organized/clean house, amazing gardens, completed scrapbooks, and a ton of published articles or maybe a book by now. For the most part none of these things happened.
Most days the house is MUCH better than it used to be, we eat real meals, and the grass is actually a little greener. I have a few rejection letters to show that I wrote a little bit, but not nearly as many as I should have if I'd been writing/submitting the way I expected to. And scrapbooks? I've organized some photos, but haven't made any progress on the 8 - 10 scrapbooks I have in various stages of completion! This lack of accomplishment really had me bummed for a while...I didn't feel very successful in this new role.
But God is showing me some very important things. It's not the 'things' that get done that are so important. In this time I have learned a lot about myself, my family, and my God. Some of these things I knew before but didn't really admit, like the fact that I'm not very good at completing the really cool things I start. So much so that I will actually take on more things so I have a good excuse not to finish the old ones!
There are several 'things' I have accomplished, but in reality it's the fact that I'm available to my family that has made the biggest difference. While I love them immensely, in the past I think I saw them as distractions to the work I thought was supposed to get done...the housecleaning, memory preserving, and service opportunities. I know now that my family IS the place I am to serve. I can sit and watch a movie with Christopher when he wants to cuddle (heaven forbid he just sit on my lap without a good reason!), to sit with the girls when they don't really have anything important to do or say...for a while (it always pops up after a period of time, but I never waited long enough before), and to just be available to pick them up, cart them around, or be here when they are sick. I can't imagine how we would have made it through the last six months if I were working 60 hour weeks and travelling every other week!
My perceptions of 'success' are being turned upside down, or maybe rightside up. God is telling me that this year is to be one of decluttering (life and home) and finding peace among the busyness. I'm learning to be still, and I'm starting to like it!
They say that the best way to make God laugh is to tell him your plans! He knows what the future holds for me, and he will get me prepared in advance. I want to just trust Him because I know He knows best -- and that is what real success looks like.
Most days the house is MUCH better than it used to be, we eat real meals, and the grass is actually a little greener. I have a few rejection letters to show that I wrote a little bit, but not nearly as many as I should have if I'd been writing/submitting the way I expected to. And scrapbooks? I've organized some photos, but haven't made any progress on the 8 - 10 scrapbooks I have in various stages of completion! This lack of accomplishment really had me bummed for a while...I didn't feel very successful in this new role.
But God is showing me some very important things. It's not the 'things' that get done that are so important. In this time I have learned a lot about myself, my family, and my God. Some of these things I knew before but didn't really admit, like the fact that I'm not very good at completing the really cool things I start. So much so that I will actually take on more things so I have a good excuse not to finish the old ones!
There are several 'things' I have accomplished, but in reality it's the fact that I'm available to my family that has made the biggest difference. While I love them immensely, in the past I think I saw them as distractions to the work I thought was supposed to get done...the housecleaning, memory preserving, and service opportunities. I know now that my family IS the place I am to serve. I can sit and watch a movie with Christopher when he wants to cuddle (heaven forbid he just sit on my lap without a good reason!), to sit with the girls when they don't really have anything important to do or say...for a while (it always pops up after a period of time, but I never waited long enough before), and to just be available to pick them up, cart them around, or be here when they are sick. I can't imagine how we would have made it through the last six months if I were working 60 hour weeks and travelling every other week!
My perceptions of 'success' are being turned upside down, or maybe rightside up. God is telling me that this year is to be one of decluttering (life and home) and finding peace among the busyness. I'm learning to be still, and I'm starting to like it!
They say that the best way to make God laugh is to tell him your plans! He knows what the future holds for me, and he will get me prepared in advance. I want to just trust Him because I know He knows best -- and that is what real success looks like.
I Love a Great Deal!
I went into Walgreen's today to pick up a prescription. I planned to take a look at the left over Valentine's day candy to see if there might be anything that would work for Easter. I saw a big bin with a sign that said all Valentine's candy was now $1.00, so I figured I'd dig through it. As I was looking, the cashier came by and said that they had just reduced the price to .25 per item!!! I got about $35 worth of candy for only $4.50! And there was some cool stuff...large chocolate bees filled with sweet-tart type bees, crispy chocolate playing cards, and some spongebob things. Almost all of it could apply to any holiday, not just Valentine's Day. And, besides, Easter is all about love, too, right?
Just a note...I paid for these out of our 'Target' envelope, where I usually purchase gifts and things related to holidays, so I didn't dip into our grocery money for this.
Walgreen's also has good deals on makeup on occasion. When one color goes out of style or packaging changes, they sell the 'extinct' stuff for 75% off. Unless you are picky about brands you can get a great deal on cosmetics AS LONG AS you don't buy something just because it's a good price! Just watch for orange tags along the cosmetics wall.
So run, don't walk, to your local drugstore to see if you can get similar deals!
Just a note...I paid for these out of our 'Target' envelope, where I usually purchase gifts and things related to holidays, so I didn't dip into our grocery money for this.
Walgreen's also has good deals on makeup on occasion. When one color goes out of style or packaging changes, they sell the 'extinct' stuff for 75% off. Unless you are picky about brands you can get a great deal on cosmetics AS LONG AS you don't buy something just because it's a good price! Just watch for orange tags along the cosmetics wall.
So run, don't walk, to your local drugstore to see if you can get similar deals!
Monday, February 18, 2008
Frugal Doesn't Mean Stingy
It's been a crazy week because Sammi had her surgery (which went well, by the way), but things have been a little off kilter.
I did go to the grocery store on Thursday last week for $10 coupon day. In retrospect, I'm glad I waited to spend the rest of the stock up money until the middle of the month...I ended up getting much less than I originally thought I really needed to get through the month. After spending the $50 for stocking up, I only needed about $15 of the 'regular' money I'd set aside for this week (milk, oranges, apples, potatoes).
I found that I had a lot of difficulty sticking to my plan...there were so many great things on sale this week. I really wanted to buy 50% off Valentine's candy, and I actually put something yummy in my cart (ha...I can't even remember what it was now!) that I made myself take back out before I checked out.
I had a horrible moment of selfishness the other day. We have always had an 'Open Pantry" policy...for the most part the kids and their friends are welcome to anything they can find to eat. I got home and found that some teens had had pop tarts for a snack and I almost panicked...we wouldn't have enough for the month! Luckily I caught myself before I said anything. I do NOT want to be legalistic or stingy during this...and I hate that I felt that way. When I re-evaluated, I found that I have more than enough for the rest of the month, and I know that the boys won't die if their systems get something healthier for breakfast a few days! So, y'all come on over for some poptarts!
I did go to the grocery store on Thursday last week for $10 coupon day. In retrospect, I'm glad I waited to spend the rest of the stock up money until the middle of the month...I ended up getting much less than I originally thought I really needed to get through the month. After spending the $50 for stocking up, I only needed about $15 of the 'regular' money I'd set aside for this week (milk, oranges, apples, potatoes).
I found that I had a lot of difficulty sticking to my plan...there were so many great things on sale this week. I really wanted to buy 50% off Valentine's candy, and I actually put something yummy in my cart (ha...I can't even remember what it was now!) that I made myself take back out before I checked out.
I had a horrible moment of selfishness the other day. We have always had an 'Open Pantry" policy...for the most part the kids and their friends are welcome to anything they can find to eat. I got home and found that some teens had had pop tarts for a snack and I almost panicked...we wouldn't have enough for the month! Luckily I caught myself before I said anything. I do NOT want to be legalistic or stingy during this...and I hate that I felt that way. When I re-evaluated, I found that I have more than enough for the rest of the month, and I know that the boys won't die if their systems get something healthier for breakfast a few days! So, y'all come on over for some poptarts!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
To the Store
Well, I never made it to ShopNSave on Thursday. Kevin was home sick with the flu, Alicia was trying to find ways to help with the storm damage in Union and I didn't want to be too far away from the phone, and Doug was in California. But really, the only thing we were out of was bananas.
Friday night we had breakfast for supper and I used up the eggs. Sunday we heard that the weather was going to get bad, so I decided to hit the grocery store quickly. It was kind of fun! I went in with just milk, bananas, sour cream, and eggs on my list. I know how tempted I can be in the store, so I just grabbed the little hand-held basket instead of a cart. I was pleased -- I just got what was on the list (although I have to admit that I looked closely at the meat to see if there were any great 'Manager Special' deals...gee, I wonder how our freezer got so full!!). So, for week one I spent about $9.
This Thursday is $10 coupon day, so I'll get the rest of the 'stock up' stuff I didn't get in January with the $50 I have left from then. But honestly, I haven't looked at that list and I can only think of one or two things that are on it. I may be able to get by without spending much of this week's money!
For all practical purposes, the girls are unaware that anything is different. They know what we are doing, but the only thing they are missing at the moment is a case of water (one of those things on my stock up list), which I'll get for them on Thursday. AND it won't hurt them to just refill their plastic bottles...
I am really liking the monthly menu planning process. While we don't necessarily eat what I had planned for that night, I just move things around on a weekly basis. I know what I have to defrost in advance, and meal prep is so much easier when I'm not staring at the pantry trying to figure out what sounds good.
Just an aside...my mom ordered the green plastic bags from TV that are supposed to keep your fruits and vegetables fresh longer...she gave me a few and we tested them out. They work really well -- bananas stay fresh for a week! The other day I noticed that the plastic bags in the produce department at ShopNSave are a green color now. I played scientist and tried one of those bags against the ones Mom bought. Believe it or not they worked JUST AS WELL! I'll have to test it against clear bags next.
Friday night we had breakfast for supper and I used up the eggs. Sunday we heard that the weather was going to get bad, so I decided to hit the grocery store quickly. It was kind of fun! I went in with just milk, bananas, sour cream, and eggs on my list. I know how tempted I can be in the store, so I just grabbed the little hand-held basket instead of a cart. I was pleased -- I just got what was on the list (although I have to admit that I looked closely at the meat to see if there were any great 'Manager Special' deals...gee, I wonder how our freezer got so full!!). So, for week one I spent about $9.
This Thursday is $10 coupon day, so I'll get the rest of the 'stock up' stuff I didn't get in January with the $50 I have left from then. But honestly, I haven't looked at that list and I can only think of one or two things that are on it. I may be able to get by without spending much of this week's money!
For all practical purposes, the girls are unaware that anything is different. They know what we are doing, but the only thing they are missing at the moment is a case of water (one of those things on my stock up list), which I'll get for them on Thursday. AND it won't hurt them to just refill their plastic bottles...
I am really liking the monthly menu planning process. While we don't necessarily eat what I had planned for that night, I just move things around on a weekly basis. I know what I have to defrost in advance, and meal prep is so much easier when I'm not staring at the pantry trying to figure out what sounds good.
Just an aside...my mom ordered the green plastic bags from TV that are supposed to keep your fruits and vegetables fresh longer...she gave me a few and we tested them out. They work really well -- bananas stay fresh for a week! The other day I noticed that the plastic bags in the produce department at ShopNSave are a green color now. I played scientist and tried one of those bags against the ones Mom bought. Believe it or not they worked JUST AS WELL! I'll have to test it against clear bags next.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Week One -- Frugal February Grocery 'Fast'
Isn't it interesting how life intervenes in your best made plans? I had intended to make my final grocery store 'run' on January 31. I typically shop on Thursdays because our local Shop N Save often has coupons for $10 off any $50 purchase. I had $100 of the January grocery money (we spend $100/week for our family of 7, but that excludes Alicia, who is away at college).
On Jan 31 we had an awesome snow storm. In addition to having difficulty actually getting to the grocery store, I tend to avoid shopping on days when the general population gets nervous about running out of bread and milk. Not that they don't have good reason to worry around here. In the past couple of years we've had more than our share of power outages, so folks get a little skittish when there are storms of any kind.
So, anyway, I didn't go to the store that day. There were great sales on pizza (I needed to stock up about 8 for the month) at Dierbergs and some good deals on veggies at Aldi's, so I hit both of those stores on Feb 4 before the sales expired. I spent about $45 of my $100 there. I was hoping ShopNSave would have their coupon day this week, but they didn't AND I have a sick 8 year old at home, Doug was out of town, Alicia was at Union U with all the tornado mess, and Sammi still has her migraine. Needless to say I barely left the house this week. I have this internal desire to run out to the store, but in reality there isn't anything we need at the moment. We still have more than 1/2 gallon of milk and the only thing we are really out of is bananas.
My plan is to hold off on the rest of the 'stocking up' for Feb until next week Thursday, hoping there is another $10 coupon. As far as getting the milk/produce/bread, I'll wait until we need it...maybe Sunday or Monday so the bananas are fresh for lunches.
This week we had tacos, hot dogs, fish sticks, parmesan chicken legs (yum), leftovers one night, and tonight we'll have 'breakfast'. With the exception of the girls on fish night (they found other places to eat...), everyone's been satisfied with what we have.
I divided all of our stored food into four boxes so we don't devour all of it in one week...no one knows where they are or what's in them, so I just hit the boxes as we run out of things. Our week one box is still full!
You'd think I'd lived in the depression they way I've stocked our pantry...I'm going to have to find other things to put in there in the future because it's silly to have this much saved up. I bet if we tried we could continue on well into March with just a few exceptions (like those morning poptarts....).
Wow -- this got long, but I promised I'd keep you up to speed on our little adventure. Is anyone out there joining us?
On Jan 31 we had an awesome snow storm. In addition to having difficulty actually getting to the grocery store, I tend to avoid shopping on days when the general population gets nervous about running out of bread and milk. Not that they don't have good reason to worry around here. In the past couple of years we've had more than our share of power outages, so folks get a little skittish when there are storms of any kind.
So, anyway, I didn't go to the store that day. There were great sales on pizza (I needed to stock up about 8 for the month) at Dierbergs and some good deals on veggies at Aldi's, so I hit both of those stores on Feb 4 before the sales expired. I spent about $45 of my $100 there. I was hoping ShopNSave would have their coupon day this week, but they didn't AND I have a sick 8 year old at home, Doug was out of town, Alicia was at Union U with all the tornado mess, and Sammi still has her migraine. Needless to say I barely left the house this week. I have this internal desire to run out to the store, but in reality there isn't anything we need at the moment. We still have more than 1/2 gallon of milk and the only thing we are really out of is bananas.
My plan is to hold off on the rest of the 'stocking up' for Feb until next week Thursday, hoping there is another $10 coupon. As far as getting the milk/produce/bread, I'll wait until we need it...maybe Sunday or Monday so the bananas are fresh for lunches.
This week we had tacos, hot dogs, fish sticks, parmesan chicken legs (yum), leftovers one night, and tonight we'll have 'breakfast'. With the exception of the girls on fish night (they found other places to eat...), everyone's been satisfied with what we have.
I divided all of our stored food into four boxes so we don't devour all of it in one week...no one knows where they are or what's in them, so I just hit the boxes as we run out of things. Our week one box is still full!
You'd think I'd lived in the depression they way I've stocked our pantry...I'm going to have to find other things to put in there in the future because it's silly to have this much saved up. I bet if we tried we could continue on well into March with just a few exceptions (like those morning poptarts....).
Wow -- this got long, but I promised I'd keep you up to speed on our little adventure. Is anyone out there joining us?
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Union University Update
Several folks have sent e-mails asking how they could help the students of Union University recover from the tornado disaster.
Information has been posted at http://uurecovery.blogspot.com/. They are requesting donations of walmart/target/etc. gift cards so the students can replace their basic possessions. Most students will be heading home for a couple of weeks, but there are a lot who live too far away (or internationally) and who are unable to drive their cars.
If you are interested in helping out, please check out the website. Thanks!
Information has been posted at http://uurecovery.blogspot.com/. They are requesting donations of walmart/target/etc. gift cards so the students can replace their basic possessions. Most students will be heading home for a couple of weeks, but there are a lot who live too far away (or internationally) and who are unable to drive their cars.
If you are interested in helping out, please check out the website. Thanks!
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
In the Midst of the Storm
It's been a long night and an early morning. Alicia (our college age daughter) attends Union University. For those of you who may not have heard the news this morning, Union made headlines nationally because they were hit hard by a tornado. In 35 seconds the world changed for a lot of people.
Alicia and all of her friends are ok. If you see the pictures, it's amazing to know that not one person died...only six kids ended up in the hospital over night (five of them are considered in serious condition -- no one in critical condition). 13 students were trapped in the rubble (some photos at www.jacksonsun.com and at my photo blog) and had to be rescued. The women's dorms are totally destroyed, as are many of the boys dorms. The main classroom building on campus lost it's roof. Cars are stacked up like dominoes. Not a single building on campus was unscathed.
Students spent the night at professors homes and in Red Cross shelters. Alicia lives off campus, and the only damage she had to deal with was a broken windshield. They lost power for several hours, but it's back now. The kids are being let back onto campus right now, 8:00, and I imagine it is a horrifying experience.
The verse that keeps coming to mind is Deuteronomy 31:6,
Union apparently received the brunt of the storm in the town of Jackson...a place filled with students praying desperately through their fear. Some may say that it's interesting that God would hit a Christian college...but I keep thinking about what might have happened if it were a different location where people weren't praying. Despite the damage, God protected each and every one of the students and professors on campus (night classes were in session). I know that he is there now and that he will use this disaster to further his plan.
Please pray for the students, and their families who are far away, that they will be able to deal with the emotional trauma, that they will demonstrate Christ to others through out the clean up, that they will be able to return to classes quickly enough not to cause problems with graduation plans, and that God will be glorified through this disaster.
There are thousands of people who have been impacted by these horrible storms. And apparently they aren't over -- lots of tornado warnings in eastern Tennessee/Kentucky, and Western/Central Georgia. Pray that they will be strong and courageous, and that they will know God will never leave or forsake them.
Alicia and all of her friends are ok. If you see the pictures, it's amazing to know that not one person died...only six kids ended up in the hospital over night (five of them are considered in serious condition -- no one in critical condition). 13 students were trapped in the rubble (some photos at www.jacksonsun.com and at my photo blog) and had to be rescued. The women's dorms are totally destroyed, as are many of the boys dorms. The main classroom building on campus lost it's roof. Cars are stacked up like dominoes. Not a single building on campus was unscathed.
Students spent the night at professors homes and in Red Cross shelters. Alicia lives off campus, and the only damage she had to deal with was a broken windshield. They lost power for several hours, but it's back now. The kids are being let back onto campus right now, 8:00, and I imagine it is a horrifying experience.
The verse that keeps coming to mind is Deuteronomy 31:6,
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Union apparently received the brunt of the storm in the town of Jackson...a place filled with students praying desperately through their fear. Some may say that it's interesting that God would hit a Christian college...but I keep thinking about what might have happened if it were a different location where people weren't praying. Despite the damage, God protected each and every one of the students and professors on campus (night classes were in session). I know that he is there now and that he will use this disaster to further his plan.
Please pray for the students, and their families who are far away, that they will be able to deal with the emotional trauma, that they will demonstrate Christ to others through out the clean up, that they will be able to return to classes quickly enough not to cause problems with graduation plans, and that God will be glorified through this disaster.
There are thousands of people who have been impacted by these horrible storms. And apparently they aren't over -- lots of tornado warnings in eastern Tennessee/Kentucky, and Western/Central Georgia. Pray that they will be strong and courageous, and that they will know God will never leave or forsake them.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
The Beginnings of Modesty
So when does modesty become self-sanctioned? For years we would tell our boys that they needed to close the door when they went to the bathroom, that running around naked using a bathtowel as your cape is not appropriate when we have company, underwear is not to be used as a hat, and clothes are to remain zipped and buttoned until the bathroom or bedroom doors are closed. They seemed to catch on from an obedience perspective, but not from a personal morality view.
But all of a sudden our 'au naturel' 8 year old boys are becoming modest (about time!). They don't want their sisters to be anywhere near when it's bath time (although they still do the superman act on occasion regardless of who is around). On occasion I've even seen them slip under the covers to get dressed for school.
Modesty has hit an all time high this week, though. I have to say that I'm glad, since we have twin 8-year old girls spending the week with us. They both want doors closed before they even consider changing clothes, and this morning Kevin brought his dirty clothes to me...underwear securely wrapped up an hidden inside a shirt and then a pair of pants...just in case! All of a sudden those Sponge Bob briefs don't seem quite so model-worthy!
While I don't miss those days, I will always remember fondly the morning they discovered that their 'private parts' would bounce when they jumped. Hmmm...I'll have to retell that one often when they are older!
But all of a sudden our 'au naturel' 8 year old boys are becoming modest (about time!). They don't want their sisters to be anywhere near when it's bath time (although they still do the superman act on occasion regardless of who is around). On occasion I've even seen them slip under the covers to get dressed for school.
Modesty has hit an all time high this week, though. I have to say that I'm glad, since we have twin 8-year old girls spending the week with us. They both want doors closed before they even consider changing clothes, and this morning Kevin brought his dirty clothes to me...underwear securely wrapped up an hidden inside a shirt and then a pair of pants...just in case! All of a sudden those Sponge Bob briefs don't seem quite so model-worthy!
While I don't miss those days, I will always remember fondly the morning they discovered that their 'private parts' would bounce when they jumped. Hmmm...I'll have to retell that one often when they are older!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Win a Devotional Book!
This week I am giving away a copy of the new devotional, 101 Cups of Water. This is a nice, hardback book that really cuts to the heart of Christianity. If you would like to win a copy, go to my blog at His Reading List and leave a comment on the write up about this book. Be sure to leave information so I can contact you! I will draw a winner on Friday.
Our God Is Into the Details
I'm still trying to finish up my 'Bible in a Year' assignment from last year. I didn't finish on time, but I'm determined to at least finish! At one point in time I was pretty far behind and I decided to skip ahead to the assigned texts for the day and come back later to catch up.
So, that brings me to my reading today in Ezekiel, chapters 40 - 42. This is not one of the most exciting passages to read. The Israelites have been exiled for 25 years, and God gave Ezekial a vision of the new temple of Israel. With a linen cord and a measuring rod, a man measured out the temple in front of Ezekiel, ordering him to pay attention to everything he is being show. He is to tell the house of Israel everything he sees.
Then, for the next 2 1/2 chapters, you get excruciating details of the length and height of each portion of the temple. We learn the direction things are to face, the type of decorations to be carved, even the placement of the windows.
As I struggled to read through all this detail, I wondered why it was so important for us to know these things. I'm sure it was vital for the Israelites 45 years later when they returned to rebuild the temple, but couldn't they have used the blue prints from the original temple?
But it occurred to me that, while this seems to be overly specific, our God is definitely into details. He could tell us to just build a temple, but in our feeble imaginations and abilities we wouldn't do a proper job. He wants us to succeed, so he spells out all the details we need to know in order to get it right.
God does the same thing for us today. He's provided great levels of detail about how we are to live our lives -- to do all things without arguing or complaining, to respect our husbands, to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, all of our strength, and all of our soul. He provides a very detailed blueprint for our lives if we will only follow it.
Unfortunately, some days I'm sure that the temple I'm building for him in my own body is ready to crumble, shored up with duct tape and coat hangers. But block by block he's helping me to repair my weak foundation and to build a strong eternity. I don't want to cut any corners on this one!
So, that brings me to my reading today in Ezekiel, chapters 40 - 42. This is not one of the most exciting passages to read. The Israelites have been exiled for 25 years, and God gave Ezekial a vision of the new temple of Israel. With a linen cord and a measuring rod, a man measured out the temple in front of Ezekiel, ordering him to pay attention to everything he is being show. He is to tell the house of Israel everything he sees.
Then, for the next 2 1/2 chapters, you get excruciating details of the length and height of each portion of the temple. We learn the direction things are to face, the type of decorations to be carved, even the placement of the windows.
As I struggled to read through all this detail, I wondered why it was so important for us to know these things. I'm sure it was vital for the Israelites 45 years later when they returned to rebuild the temple, but couldn't they have used the blue prints from the original temple?
But it occurred to me that, while this seems to be overly specific, our God is definitely into details. He could tell us to just build a temple, but in our feeble imaginations and abilities we wouldn't do a proper job. He wants us to succeed, so he spells out all the details we need to know in order to get it right.
God does the same thing for us today. He's provided great levels of detail about how we are to live our lives -- to do all things without arguing or complaining, to respect our husbands, to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, all of our strength, and all of our soul. He provides a very detailed blueprint for our lives if we will only follow it.
Unfortunately, some days I'm sure that the temple I'm building for him in my own body is ready to crumble, shored up with duct tape and coat hangers. But block by block he's helping me to repair my weak foundation and to build a strong eternity. I don't want to cut any corners on this one!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Making Preparations
Well, I finally faced the monster yesterday and cleaned out our freezer! I was amazed to realize how much stuff we really had down there -- I only buy meat when it is $2.00 or less per pound, and that doesn't come around too often. I made an inventory of everything and posted it on the top (a little anal, I know). I was also pleased that not too much was expired. I hate when that happens -- it's such a waste.
I sat down with my list and made out menus for the month of February. I basically just plugged in a type of meat or fish each day so we didn't have three or four days of chicken in a row, then I went back to figure out what to make with that meat. For the most part I don't have to make any 'concoctions'...however Doug and the kids have already started making plans to be somewhere else on fish nights! I promised that the exact meal we would have was subject to my mood -- I reserve the right to move things around however I want. That scared them!
It's quite possible I could do this for TWO months. I've stocked up recently on chicken and ground beef, so we have lots of opportunities. Before I cleaned out the freezer I was ready to run to Schnucks -- they have a great deal this week on ground beef. But I realized that I have nine pounds of it (already cooked) in the freezer, plus two meat loaves and ten hamburgers! I guess I need to put a top limit on how much I buy regardless of the price.
My next 'final frontiers' are the freezer over the fridge (so full of tater tots and hash browns that it tries to attack you when you open it) and the pantry.
So, anyone have any good fish recipes?
I sat down with my list and made out menus for the month of February. I basically just plugged in a type of meat or fish each day so we didn't have three or four days of chicken in a row, then I went back to figure out what to make with that meat. For the most part I don't have to make any 'concoctions'...however Doug and the kids have already started making plans to be somewhere else on fish nights! I promised that the exact meal we would have was subject to my mood -- I reserve the right to move things around however I want. That scared them!
It's quite possible I could do this for TWO months. I've stocked up recently on chicken and ground beef, so we have lots of opportunities. Before I cleaned out the freezer I was ready to run to Schnucks -- they have a great deal this week on ground beef. But I realized that I have nine pounds of it (already cooked) in the freezer, plus two meat loaves and ten hamburgers! I guess I need to put a top limit on how much I buy regardless of the price.
My next 'final frontiers' are the freezer over the fridge (so full of tater tots and hash browns that it tries to attack you when you open it) and the pantry.
So, anyone have any good fish recipes?
Thursday, January 10, 2008
February Challenge?
Our freezer is full. Although I'm usually the one who puts things away in there, I'm not really sure what we have underneath the top layer. And every week I get more special deals to try to fit in.
So Doug and I decided that we are going to take a big challenge in February. We will spend the month 'eating down' our inventory of food. My goal is to spend $20 or less each week just buying milk, eggs, and fresh fruit/veggies. We want to see how much money we can save by not shopping, and we'll clean out the freezer and pantry in the process! We want to donate the savings to a food bank...seems like a worthy cause!
I'm preparing ahead for this effort or I know we won't make it. I plan to clean the freezer next week to find out exactly what we have, then I'll put together a month's worth of menus so we can use it effectively. I know there will be some areas where we have trouble (like the boys addiction to poptarts...I'm a failure as a mom!), so we decided that it's ok to stock up on some things AS LONG AS I can do it within the regular January food budget.
We've been talking about this for a while. We've even skipped a week of grocery shopping a few times (sometimes because life just intervened). But we've never really tried to see how frugal we can be!
So, anyone want to join us in this challenge?
So Doug and I decided that we are going to take a big challenge in February. We will spend the month 'eating down' our inventory of food. My goal is to spend $20 or less each week just buying milk, eggs, and fresh fruit/veggies. We want to see how much money we can save by not shopping, and we'll clean out the freezer and pantry in the process! We want to donate the savings to a food bank...seems like a worthy cause!
I'm preparing ahead for this effort or I know we won't make it. I plan to clean the freezer next week to find out exactly what we have, then I'll put together a month's worth of menus so we can use it effectively. I know there will be some areas where we have trouble (like the boys addiction to poptarts...I'm a failure as a mom!), so we decided that it's ok to stock up on some things AS LONG AS I can do it within the regular January food budget.
We've been talking about this for a while. We've even skipped a week of grocery shopping a few times (sometimes because life just intervened). But we've never really tried to see how frugal we can be!
So, anyone want to join us in this challenge?
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
The Smorgasbord of Life
There are so many good things to do in this world. Why do I always feel the need to 'do' or 'be' something? My to-do list overflows with good intentions, but somehow most of it never gets done. I have grand and glorious dreams, but often I only take a step or two in one direction before getting distracted by another dream. How do I know which of these desires is planted by God, and which is just the result of a fertile imagination? I know God has a plan for me, but things would be so much easier if he would just let me know what it is!
As I was journaling this morning, I got a different picture of what God's plan might look like. What if God's plan is to lead me to a particular place in life then to let me choose from a myriad of options he has laid out? The analogy of a restaurant came to mind. Perhaps he wants me to follow him past many different eating establishments and walk with him through the door of the one he chooses. Then he allows me to pick and choose among the options...any of which are acceptable in his sight? Some choices might be healtier than others, and some may be more pleasing to my tastebuds, but he allows me to feast on whatever I choose...and still be in his will!
I think my problem (well, one of them...) is that I am awed and somewhat overwhelmed by all the choices. I try to take a piece of everything but end up with my plate overflowing in a big mess. The gravy gets in the corn, the spaghetti spills over into the potatoes, and I'm not able to separate any item from the rest. And, I've chosen so much that I can't finish anything.
Maybe my goal this year should be to address this feast of life one course at a time. To step up to the salad bar, take a reasonably-sized portion, and finish that before moving on to the next course. To really taste and enjoy each part of my life without rushing through to get to the dessert.
Now, if I could only figure out which of these good things I want to do is the 'salad', I'd be on my way!
As I was journaling this morning, I got a different picture of what God's plan might look like. What if God's plan is to lead me to a particular place in life then to let me choose from a myriad of options he has laid out? The analogy of a restaurant came to mind. Perhaps he wants me to follow him past many different eating establishments and walk with him through the door of the one he chooses. Then he allows me to pick and choose among the options...any of which are acceptable in his sight? Some choices might be healtier than others, and some may be more pleasing to my tastebuds, but he allows me to feast on whatever I choose...and still be in his will!
I think my problem (well, one of them...) is that I am awed and somewhat overwhelmed by all the choices. I try to take a piece of everything but end up with my plate overflowing in a big mess. The gravy gets in the corn, the spaghetti spills over into the potatoes, and I'm not able to separate any item from the rest. And, I've chosen so much that I can't finish anything.
Maybe my goal this year should be to address this feast of life one course at a time. To step up to the salad bar, take a reasonably-sized portion, and finish that before moving on to the next course. To really taste and enjoy each part of my life without rushing through to get to the dessert.
Now, if I could only figure out which of these good things I want to do is the 'salad', I'd be on my way!
Monday, January 07, 2008
A New Year
Wow -- it's hard to believe that we are already one week into the new year! The kids went back to school today. I have to be honest -- I was dreading their long 'winter' break. Two eight year-olds cooped up in a house for more than two weeks? I knew it could be enough to make me more crazy than I already am.
Happily, while I was glad to get back to a routine in our home, I really enjoyed the break. Alicia was home for a little more than two weeks (longer than we've seen her in a couple of years!), and her boyfriend Clay visited for four days(yes, we approve). While Sammi was unfortunately still suffering from her migraine (six weeks and counting), it is much less painful and she's back to eating like a teenage boy. Becca was busy, as usual, with friends and work, but we got to see her when she wasn't sleeping in.
Alicia, Clay, Becca, and I went to see Wicked. It is an amazing show that will cause you to question the negative assumptions (and even the positive ones) that we make when we only see one side of the story! The music, the actors, and the scenery were terrific. I'd highly recommend it as one of my favorites (right up there with Aida and Les Miserables...even Fiddler on the Roof!).
The boys got several games for Christmas, and Santa finally relented and got a wii (our first video games ever...at least this one requires some physical movement). We tried to play at least one game per day (Stitch women STILL rule at Monopoly). No one got too bored, and for the most part we all got along happily!
Last year had its ups and downs, but overall it was a wonderful year. This year promises to bring a lot of excitement -- Becca graduates from high school, Alicia gets to visit France (finally!), Germany, Poland, and the Czchec republic (sp?) and she will graduate in December after her student teaching boot camp. Sammi is still planning to play every sport she can get her hands (or feet) on...swimming, soccer, and who knows what else! The boys will play basketball, and they want to learn baseball, and I guess I'll rack up a few more miles as cabbie. I get to go to a writer's conference in California in March, and Doug is looking forward to playing lots of golf.
What are your plans for the year?
Happily, while I was glad to get back to a routine in our home, I really enjoyed the break. Alicia was home for a little more than two weeks (longer than we've seen her in a couple of years!), and her boyfriend Clay visited for four days(yes, we approve). While Sammi was unfortunately still suffering from her migraine (six weeks and counting), it is much less painful and she's back to eating like a teenage boy. Becca was busy, as usual, with friends and work, but we got to see her when she wasn't sleeping in.
Alicia, Clay, Becca, and I went to see Wicked. It is an amazing show that will cause you to question the negative assumptions (and even the positive ones) that we make when we only see one side of the story! The music, the actors, and the scenery were terrific. I'd highly recommend it as one of my favorites (right up there with Aida and Les Miserables...even Fiddler on the Roof!).
The boys got several games for Christmas, and Santa finally relented and got a wii (our first video games ever...at least this one requires some physical movement). We tried to play at least one game per day (Stitch women STILL rule at Monopoly). No one got too bored, and for the most part we all got along happily!
Last year had its ups and downs, but overall it was a wonderful year. This year promises to bring a lot of excitement -- Becca graduates from high school, Alicia gets to visit France (finally!), Germany, Poland, and the Czchec republic (sp?) and she will graduate in December after her student teaching boot camp. Sammi is still planning to play every sport she can get her hands (or feet) on...swimming, soccer, and who knows what else! The boys will play basketball, and they want to learn baseball, and I guess I'll rack up a few more miles as cabbie. I get to go to a writer's conference in California in March, and Doug is looking forward to playing lots of golf.
What are your plans for the year?
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Top Ten
The girls and I were having a discussion around the table on Christmas night, and we started listing our all time very favorite things. I wasn't able to put mine in any priority order, but these are my favorites. What are yours?
Sharpie markers
Post-it note pads
Lindt Truffles (if you haven't tried these you should ...they are awesome!)
my new copy of the Oxford Dictionary & Thesaurus combination
Pay-at-the-pump
Potatoes (fried, chips, french fries, baked, scalloped, mashed...mmmmmm)
Peppermint Ice Cream
Big, old trees
Two-sided tape
hardware stores
Sharpie markers
Post-it note pads
Lindt Truffles (if you haven't tried these you should ...they are awesome!)
my new copy of the Oxford Dictionary & Thesaurus combination
Pay-at-the-pump
Potatoes (fried, chips, french fries, baked, scalloped, mashed...mmmmmm)
Peppermint Ice Cream
Big, old trees
Two-sided tape
hardware stores
Monday, December 17, 2007
Back To Original Programming
I realized that I'm mixing too many things on my blog, so I'm going back to the original intent...writing about ways I see God working in our lives. If you are interested in checking out the latest and greatest Christian fiction (and a few non-fiction) books, please go to http://hisreadinglist.blogspot.com.
I will be posting at least one new book per week there, and often I'll have free books to give away!
I will be posting at least one new book per week there, and often I'll have free books to give away!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
What Lies Within
This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing What Lies Within by Karen Ball (published by Multnomah Fiction ,November 20, 2007)
This book is actually the third in a series, so I was a little hesitant to read it before I'd finished the other two. It really didn't matter! I tried to guess what the first two books might have been about, but there really wasn't anything that wasn't well explained in the book so I didn't feel like I missed anything.
The prelude to this book catches your attention immediately, and I had a hard time putting it down until I finished. The mystery and intrigue in the book keep you wondering who the bad guy really is. It is interesting to see some of the ins and outs of the construction business, especially seen from the perspective of a female owner in a male-dominated world.
The book successfully links Marines, gang leaders, construction workers, and clergy in a way that gives you insight into each of these worlds. I can't wait to read the first two books. I'd definitely put this on in my 'must read' column.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Karen Ball , bestselling novelist, is also the editor behind several of today's bestselling Christian novels. Her love for words was passed down through her father and grandfather - both pastors who shared God's truth through sermons and storytelling. Blending humor, poignancy, and honesty, Karen's writing style is a powerful force for revealing God's truth. She lives in Oregon with her husband, Don, and their "kids," Bodhan, a mischief-making Siberian husky, and Dakota, an Aussie-terrier mix who should have been named "Destructo."
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Nothing’s going to stop Kyla…
until the ground crumbles beneath her feet.
Kyla Justice has arrived. Her company, Justice Construction, is one of the most critically acclaimed, commercially successful companies in the Pacific Northwest. And yet, something is missing. Not until she’s called on to build a center for inner-city kids does she realize what it is: her sense of purpose. Now nothing can stop her, not the low budget, not supply problems, not gang opposition, not her boyfriend’s suggestion that she sell her business and marry him–and most especially not that disagreeable Rafael Murphy.
Rafe Murphy understands battle. Wounded in action, this Force Recon Marine carries the scars–and the nightmares–to prove it. Though he can’t fight overseas any longer, he’s found his place as a warrior in the civilian world. So he soldiers on, trusting that one of these days, God will reveal to him why Rafe survived the ambush in Iraq. That day has arrived.
Kyla and Rafe both discover that determination alone won’t carry them through danger and challenges. When gang violence threatens their very foundations, there’s only one way to survive: rely on each other, be real–and surrender to God. In other words, risk everything…
You can get a copy of the book here!
Check out more of Karen's books or contact her at her website.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
A Shadow of Treason
As I mentioned a couple of days ago, I have a new favorite author, Tricia Goyer. I just finished reading book two of her Chronicles of the Spanish Civil War series, A Shadow of Treason. This book is fabulous! Throughout the series, Tricia has done a ton of research. Maybe one of the reasons I like this series so much is that I have been to Madrid, and her characterization of the city is very real. I even stayed in one of the hotels she talks about in the book, and she has the layout down pat.
I hadn't really remembered anything about a Spanish Civil War from school, so I wasn't sure how this would play out, but it is really a fascinating story of intrigue, action, and romance. Tricia's characters are very life-like, her style keeps you on the edge of your seat, and the story line makes you forget where you are. I highly recommend it! Read on for a synopsis of the book, an interview with Tricia, and more info on Tricia and her books.
If you would like to win a copy of A Shadow of Treason, leave a comment and I'll draw a name early next week. Please be sure to leave a way for me to contact you or I won't be able to let you know that you won.
Book 2 in the Chronicles of the Spanish Civil War series
Q and A with Tricia!
Q:
A Shadow of Treason follows A Valley of Betrayal. This is the first time you've written books as a series instead of stand alone. Which way do you like better?
A: I love writing in series. It was great to continue with the same characters. In my stand-alone books I fell in love with these people and then I had to say good-bye after one book. It was wonderful to be able to continue on.
Q: In A Shadow of Treason Sophie must return to the person who betrayed her in an effort to help the Spanish people. It makes the book hard to put down because the reader has to know how Sophie's heart will deal with it. Why did you decide to make this an element of the book?
A: There are very few of us who go through life without giving away a part of our hearts to someone who didn't deserve it. Even though Sophie had the best intentions, she gave away her heart and she was hurt-not only that she must revisit those emotions.
I wanted to include this element-to delve into the topic that emotions are sometimes as big of a trap as any physical cage. Emotions are real and they guide us -- even when we don't want to admit it. Poor Sophie, not only does she have to deal with a war around her -- she also has to deal with a war within herself. It's something I've battled, and mostly likely others have too.
Q: There is an interesting element that arises in this book and that is Spanish gold. I know you can't tell us what happens in this book, but can you give us a brief history of this gold?
A: Sure. When I was researching I came upon something interesting. The Spaniards, as we know, had taken much Aztec and Inca gold during the time of the conquistadors. Well, at the start of The Spanish Civil War much of this gold was still held in Madrid . In fact Spain had the fourth largest gold reserves in the world at that time. The Republican government was afraid Franco would take the city and the gold. They had to get it out of Madrid and this included transporting priceless artifacts. The element of gold does make its way into my story. It was great to include this little-known (and true!) element into my story.
Q: Another historical fact I learned about was the Nazi involvement during this time. Not only were the Germans active in Spain , but they had spy networks busy around the world. How did you find out about this?
A: I love reading tons of research books. Usually I find one little element that I dig out and turn into a plot line. This is what happened with my plot-line for the Nazi pilot, Ritter. I dug up this bit of research of Nazi involvement in Spain -- and the United States -- because a lot of people aren't aware of the Nazi involvement prior to WWII. The truth is they were busy at work getting the land, information, and resources they needed far before they threatened the nations around them. The Germans knew what they wanted and how to get it. And most of the time they succeeded!
Q: A Shadow of Treason is Book Two. When will Book Three be out? Can you give us a hint of how the story continues?
A: Book Three is A Whisper of Freedom. It will be out February 2008. The characters that we love are all still in the midst of danger at the end of Book Two. Book Three continues their stories as we follow their journeys in -- and (for a few) out -- of Spain . It's an exciting conclusion to the series!
Q: Wow, so we have a least one more fiction book to look forward to in the near future. Are you working on any non-fiction?
A: Yes, I have two non-fiction books that will be out the early part of 2008. Generation NeXt Marriage is a marriage book for today's couples. It talks about our marriage role models, our struggles, and what we're doing right as a generation. It also gives advice for holding it together.
I've also been privileged to work on the teen edition of Max Lucado's book 3:16. It was a great project to work on. What an honor!
Tricia's Bio
Tricia Goyer has published over 300 articles for national publications such as Today's Christian Woman, Guideposts for Kids, and Focus on the Family, and is the co-author of Meal Time Moments (Focus on the Family). She has led numerous Bible Studies, and her study notes appear in the Women of Faith Study Bible (Zondervan).
She has written seven novels for Moody Publishing:
From Dust and Ashes (2003)
Night Song (2004)
Dawn of a Thousand Nights (2005);
Arms of Deliverance (2006)
A Valley of Betrayal (2007)
A Shadow of Treason (Fall 2007)
A Whisper of Freedom (February 2008)
Night Song was awarded American Christian Fiction Writer's 2005 Book of the Year for Best Long Historical. Dawn of a Thousand Nights won the same award in 2006.
Tricia has also written Life Interrupted: The Scoop on Being a Young Mom (Zondervan, 2004), 10 Minutes to Showtime (Thomas Nelson, 2004), and Generation NeXt Parenting (Multnomah, 2006). Life Interrupted was a 2005 Gold Medallion finalist in the Youth Category.
Also, coming out in the next year are: My Life, Unscripted (Thomas Nelson, 2007), Generation NeXt Marriage (Multnomah, Spring 2008), and 3:16-the teen version of the a book by Max Lucado (Thomas Nelson, Spring 2008).
Tricia and her husband John live with their three children in Kalispell , Montana . Tricia's grandmother also lives with them, and Tricia volunteers mentoring teen moms and leading children's church. Although Tricia doesn't live on a farm, she can hit one with a rock by standing on her back porch and giving it a good throw.
Important Links!
First Chapter
Amazon Link
Book 1, A Valley of Betrayal
http://www.amazon.com/Valley-Betrayal-Chronicles-Spanish-Civil/dp/0802467679/
Tricia's Website
Tricia's blogs:
http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com
http://genxparents.blogspot.com
http://mywritingmentor.blogspot.com
http://www.myccm.org/triciagoyer
http://www.shoutlife.com/triciagoyer
I hadn't really remembered anything about a Spanish Civil War from school, so I wasn't sure how this would play out, but it is really a fascinating story of intrigue, action, and romance. Tricia's characters are very life-like, her style keeps you on the edge of your seat, and the story line makes you forget where you are. I highly recommend it! Read on for a synopsis of the book, an interview with Tricia, and more info on Tricia and her books.
If you would like to win a copy of A Shadow of Treason, leave a comment and I'll draw a name early next week. Please be sure to leave a way for me to contact you or I won't be able to let you know that you won.
Book 2 in the Chronicles of the Spanish Civil War series
Sophie discovers that nothing is as she first imagined. When Walt, the reporter who helped her over the border, shows up again after Guernica is bombed, Sophie is given an impossible mission. She must leave behind the man she's fallen in love with and return to the person who betrayed her. Another layer of the war in Spain is revealed as Sophie is drawn into the international espionage schemes that could turn the tide of the war and help protect the soldiers from the International Brigade ... she must find a way to get a critical piece of information to Walt in time.
Q and A with Tricia!
Q:
A Shadow of Treason follows A Valley of Betrayal. This is the first time you've written books as a series instead of stand alone. Which way do you like better?
A: I love writing in series. It was great to continue with the same characters. In my stand-alone books I fell in love with these people and then I had to say good-bye after one book. It was wonderful to be able to continue on.
Q: In A Shadow of Treason Sophie must return to the person who betrayed her in an effort to help the Spanish people. It makes the book hard to put down because the reader has to know how Sophie's heart will deal with it. Why did you decide to make this an element of the book?
A: There are very few of us who go through life without giving away a part of our hearts to someone who didn't deserve it. Even though Sophie had the best intentions, she gave away her heart and she was hurt-not only that she must revisit those emotions.
I wanted to include this element-to delve into the topic that emotions are sometimes as big of a trap as any physical cage. Emotions are real and they guide us -- even when we don't want to admit it. Poor Sophie, not only does she have to deal with a war around her -- she also has to deal with a war within herself. It's something I've battled, and mostly likely others have too.
Q: There is an interesting element that arises in this book and that is Spanish gold. I know you can't tell us what happens in this book, but can you give us a brief history of this gold?
A: Sure. When I was researching I came upon something interesting. The Spaniards, as we know, had taken much Aztec and Inca gold during the time of the conquistadors. Well, at the start of The Spanish Civil War much of this gold was still held in Madrid . In fact Spain had the fourth largest gold reserves in the world at that time. The Republican government was afraid Franco would take the city and the gold. They had to get it out of Madrid and this included transporting priceless artifacts. The element of gold does make its way into my story. It was great to include this little-known (and true!) element into my story.
Q: Another historical fact I learned about was the Nazi involvement during this time. Not only were the Germans active in Spain , but they had spy networks busy around the world. How did you find out about this?
A: I love reading tons of research books. Usually I find one little element that I dig out and turn into a plot line. This is what happened with my plot-line for the Nazi pilot, Ritter. I dug up this bit of research of Nazi involvement in Spain -- and the United States -- because a lot of people aren't aware of the Nazi involvement prior to WWII. The truth is they were busy at work getting the land, information, and resources they needed far before they threatened the nations around them. The Germans knew what they wanted and how to get it. And most of the time they succeeded!
Q: A Shadow of Treason is Book Two. When will Book Three be out? Can you give us a hint of how the story continues?
A: Book Three is A Whisper of Freedom. It will be out February 2008. The characters that we love are all still in the midst of danger at the end of Book Two. Book Three continues their stories as we follow their journeys in -- and (for a few) out -- of Spain . It's an exciting conclusion to the series!
Q: Wow, so we have a least one more fiction book to look forward to in the near future. Are you working on any non-fiction?
A: Yes, I have two non-fiction books that will be out the early part of 2008. Generation NeXt Marriage is a marriage book for today's couples. It talks about our marriage role models, our struggles, and what we're doing right as a generation. It also gives advice for holding it together.
I've also been privileged to work on the teen edition of Max Lucado's book 3:16. It was a great project to work on. What an honor!
Tricia's Bio
Tricia Goyer has published over 300 articles for national publications such as Today's Christian Woman, Guideposts for Kids, and Focus on the Family, and is the co-author of Meal Time Moments (Focus on the Family). She has led numerous Bible Studies, and her study notes appear in the Women of Faith Study Bible (Zondervan).
She has written seven novels for Moody Publishing:
From Dust and Ashes (2003)
Night Song (2004)
Dawn of a Thousand Nights (2005);
Arms of Deliverance (2006)
A Valley of Betrayal (2007)
A Shadow of Treason (Fall 2007)
A Whisper of Freedom (February 2008)
Night Song was awarded American Christian Fiction Writer's 2005 Book of the Year for Best Long Historical. Dawn of a Thousand Nights won the same award in 2006.
Tricia has also written Life Interrupted: The Scoop on Being a Young Mom (Zondervan, 2004), 10 Minutes to Showtime (Thomas Nelson, 2004), and Generation NeXt Parenting (Multnomah, 2006). Life Interrupted was a 2005 Gold Medallion finalist in the Youth Category.
Also, coming out in the next year are: My Life, Unscripted (Thomas Nelson, 2007), Generation NeXt Marriage (Multnomah, Spring 2008), and 3:16-the teen version of the a book by Max Lucado (Thomas Nelson, Spring 2008).
Tricia and her husband John live with their three children in Kalispell , Montana . Tricia's grandmother also lives with them, and Tricia volunteers mentoring teen moms and leading children's church. Although Tricia doesn't live on a farm, she can hit one with a rock by standing on her back porch and giving it a good throw.
Important Links!
First Chapter
Amazon Link
Book 1, A Valley of Betrayal
http://www.amazon.com/Valley-Betrayal-Chronicles-Spanish-Civil/dp/0802467679/
Tricia's Website
Tricia's blogs:
http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com
http://genxparents.blogspot.com
http://mywritingmentor.blogspot.com
http://www.myccm.org/triciagoyer
http://www.shoutlife.com/triciagoyer
Friday, December 07, 2007
Status and Other Stuff
Well, it's been an eventful week! Sammi has been in the hospital for five nights now, and we aren't sure when this will end. They have done an MRI and spinal tap, both were normal. Her headache is still hanging in there...it's almost as persistent as she is! I'm pretty tired, so I don't know how coherent this will be, but I know some of you are looking for an update.
They have changed her medication, so hopefully we'll get a breakthrough soon. The hospital has taken on the challenge of beating this thing...Sammi will be there until the headache ends.
Children's hospital is a wonderful place, and it's full of tired parents who stand by helplessly as their children fight for their lives. I almost feel guilty that we are only dealing with a short term issue when they have such huge diseases to fight. We are on the floor with most of the cancer patients.
I've seen a lot of love and patience in the nursing staff. I was passing by a room when I noticed a nurse teaching a young girl (maybe 12) how to tie a scarf over her head to hide the baldness. They were smiling and laughing -- I really appreciate nurses who can help children focus on something positive. I also saw an adorable little girl walking in front of me with her mom. She looked like she was in the final stages of losing her hair. She looked so cute in her little hospital gown and matching bottoms, and when she turned around she had a huge smile on her face and a large red clown ball on her nose! She was giggling and laughing and she was very proud of her nose.
There is a group of doctors who dress up as clowns and visit rooms. They have a comedy routine that even made Sammi laugh (and she doesn't particularly like clowns). I missed their visit, but she chattered away about it with energy and enthusiasm that I hadn't seen during the rest of her stay. God has really blessed the staff here with a true love for their patients.
God has once again reminded me that he is in control. I'm frustrated that we won't be able to get our basement finished before Alicia comes home for the holiday, the house is a mess, and I'm way behind on Christmas shopping. But I am so blessed by this opportunity to spend a lot of time with Sammi. She's such a busy girl that we hardly get a chance to connect anymore. I'm sorry that she is in pain, but I love spending time with her.
Since light hurts her eyes, I'm also learning to just be still. I always want to be doing something...reading, writing, working. It's hard to just sit...and I'm getting better at it! I think I miss out on a lot of valuable prayer time by always being busy, so I've been able to spend a lot more time with God, too!
As the holiday season approaches, I am focusing on the people in my life instead of the trappings of the holiday. God is here every day, and I want to be thankful on a daily basis that he came to earth for us -- not just during a season. God is good, he's always in control, and he wants what is best for each of us. He is holding each one of the children in the hospital in his hands, and regardless of their earthly prognosis, he will take good care of them. We are so blessed!
They have changed her medication, so hopefully we'll get a breakthrough soon. The hospital has taken on the challenge of beating this thing...Sammi will be there until the headache ends.
Children's hospital is a wonderful place, and it's full of tired parents who stand by helplessly as their children fight for their lives. I almost feel guilty that we are only dealing with a short term issue when they have such huge diseases to fight. We are on the floor with most of the cancer patients.
I've seen a lot of love and patience in the nursing staff. I was passing by a room when I noticed a nurse teaching a young girl (maybe 12) how to tie a scarf over her head to hide the baldness. They were smiling and laughing -- I really appreciate nurses who can help children focus on something positive. I also saw an adorable little girl walking in front of me with her mom. She looked like she was in the final stages of losing her hair. She looked so cute in her little hospital gown and matching bottoms, and when she turned around she had a huge smile on her face and a large red clown ball on her nose! She was giggling and laughing and she was very proud of her nose.
There is a group of doctors who dress up as clowns and visit rooms. They have a comedy routine that even made Sammi laugh (and she doesn't particularly like clowns). I missed their visit, but she chattered away about it with energy and enthusiasm that I hadn't seen during the rest of her stay. God has really blessed the staff here with a true love for their patients.
God has once again reminded me that he is in control. I'm frustrated that we won't be able to get our basement finished before Alicia comes home for the holiday, the house is a mess, and I'm way behind on Christmas shopping. But I am so blessed by this opportunity to spend a lot of time with Sammi. She's such a busy girl that we hardly get a chance to connect anymore. I'm sorry that she is in pain, but I love spending time with her.
Since light hurts her eyes, I'm also learning to just be still. I always want to be doing something...reading, writing, working. It's hard to just sit...and I'm getting better at it! I think I miss out on a lot of valuable prayer time by always being busy, so I've been able to spend a lot more time with God, too!
As the holiday season approaches, I am focusing on the people in my life instead of the trappings of the holiday. God is here every day, and I want to be thankful on a daily basis that he came to earth for us -- not just during a season. God is good, he's always in control, and he wants what is best for each of us. He is holding each one of the children in the hospital in his hands, and regardless of their earthly prognosis, he will take good care of them. We are so blessed!
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Life Update
Our youngest daughter, Sammi, has been in the hospital with migraines since Sunday. We are waiting for the medicine to kick in...it seems to be taking a LONG time! Please keep her in your prayers.
I'll be posting two blogs next week about my two new favorite authors...I'm really excited about their books!
I'll be posting two blogs next week about my two new favorite authors...I'm really excited about their books!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Getting Inside the Head of Your Kid - Free Book!
"Who are you and what have you done with my child?" I have to honestly say that I have thought this about each of my children as they entered the teen years. At some point in their teens (usually during junior high), I've often wondered 'who' would be walking through the door after school. From day to day, and often hour to hour, their attitudes, actions, and preferences would swing from one extreme to another. Luckily, teens eventually discover who they are and what they want from the world and life settles down.
I just finished reading a book called For Parents Only -- Getting Inside the Head of Your Kid by Shaunti Feldhahn and Lisa Rice. I hope the things I've learned in this book will change the relationship I have with my teens (and improve the relationship I'll have with my boys when they become teens).
This is an easy-to-read book that is based on the input of hundreds of kids across the country. Some of the findings seem a little shocking at first until you think back to the time when you were a teen (regardless of how long ago that was), then you wonder if the authors had peeked at your diary! Other findings helped me realize that there are some things we are doing right.
At each stage of our lives we seek to stretch and grow. As babies we want to walk and communicate. As teens we want to learn who we are and how to function on our own in the world. More than anything, this book shows that teens crave freedom and they want to establish their own identity. Often our attempts to control our worlds as parents stifle the very things our teenagers need. Even though our teens may do stupid things with their freedom, they will do almost anything to gain more of it. Our job as parents during this time is to help the kids achieve independence and build responsibility without making reckless choices.
Many of the findings in the book helped me understand some of the attitudes and actions of my teens and their friends. While the information doesn't always make me comfortable, hearing the 'behind-the-scenes' thoughts and feelings that play out in everyday activities helps me gain perspective on what my teens are dealing with. The authors include a chapter that shows how boys and girls react differently to the difficulties of their teen years that really helps a parent deal with gender-unique interpretations of events.
Shaunti and Lisa provide an opportunity to look inside the heads of today's teenagers and give tangible actions parents can take to help their children grow into responsible adults. This would be a great gift for anyone who has a child entering or fully entrenched in the teen years!
Summary:
Shaunti Feldhahn is known for unlocking the mysteries of relationships for men and women. Now she turns to a parent’s relationship with a child, particularly a child of the opposite sex. Drawing on the results of a nationwide survey of kids and teenagers, she explores questions such as:
For Parents Only offers a unique look into a child’s mind and frees readers to communicate in healthier ways as they discover that understanding their kids may not be as complicated as they think.
Author Bio:
Shaunti Feldhahn is the author of For Women Only and numerous other books, with sales totaling nearly one million copies. A nationally syndicated newspaper columnist and public speaker, Feldhahn earned her master’s degree at Harvard University . She and her husband, Jeff, have two young children. Lisa A. Rice is the associate editor of Christian Living magazine, the mother of two teenage girls, and a screenwriter and producer.
You can find out more about the book and purchase it here, or you can go directly to the forparentsonlybook.com website for additional details about the book and some actual survey responses from teens. You can also get a workbook to go with it...this would make a great study for a small group of parents.
Leave a comment about this blog and I'll enter you into a drawing for a free copy of the book! Please be sure to leave an e-mail address or some other way for me to contact you.
I just finished reading a book called For Parents Only -- Getting Inside the Head of Your Kid by Shaunti Feldhahn and Lisa Rice. I hope the things I've learned in this book will change the relationship I have with my teens (and improve the relationship I'll have with my boys when they become teens).
This is an easy-to-read book that is based on the input of hundreds of kids across the country. Some of the findings seem a little shocking at first until you think back to the time when you were a teen (regardless of how long ago that was), then you wonder if the authors had peeked at your diary! Other findings helped me realize that there are some things we are doing right.
At each stage of our lives we seek to stretch and grow. As babies we want to walk and communicate. As teens we want to learn who we are and how to function on our own in the world. More than anything, this book shows that teens crave freedom and they want to establish their own identity. Often our attempts to control our worlds as parents stifle the very things our teenagers need. Even though our teens may do stupid things with their freedom, they will do almost anything to gain more of it. Our job as parents during this time is to help the kids achieve independence and build responsibility without making reckless choices.
Many of the findings in the book helped me understand some of the attitudes and actions of my teens and their friends. While the information doesn't always make me comfortable, hearing the 'behind-the-scenes' thoughts and feelings that play out in everyday activities helps me gain perspective on what my teens are dealing with. The authors include a chapter that shows how boys and girls react differently to the difficulties of their teen years that really helps a parent deal with gender-unique interpretations of events.
Shaunti and Lisa provide an opportunity to look inside the heads of today's teenagers and give tangible actions parents can take to help their children grow into responsible adults. This would be a great gift for anyone who has a child entering or fully entrenched in the teen years!Summary:
Shaunti Feldhahn is known for unlocking the mysteries of relationships for men and women. Now she turns to a parent’s relationship with a child, particularly a child of the opposite sex. Drawing on the results of a nationwide survey of kids and teenagers, she explores questions such as:
What do moms need to understand about the “tough and tender” boy who values respect over love?
What do dads need to understand about their daughter’s need for affirmation?
What are the six biggest pet peeves teens have about their parents?
Understanding the answers to these and other important questions can help parents make the holidays a time of celebration and unity, not strife and friction.
For Parents Only offers a unique look into a child’s mind and frees readers to communicate in healthier ways as they discover that understanding their kids may not be as complicated as they think.
Author Bio:
Shaunti Feldhahn is the author of For Women Only and numerous other books, with sales totaling nearly one million copies. A nationally syndicated newspaper columnist and public speaker, Feldhahn earned her master’s degree at Harvard University . She and her husband, Jeff, have two young children. Lisa A. Rice is the associate editor of Christian Living magazine, the mother of two teenage girls, and a screenwriter and producer.
You can find out more about the book and purchase it here, or you can go directly to the forparentsonlybook.com website for additional details about the book and some actual survey responses from teens. You can also get a workbook to go with it...this would make a great study for a small group of parents.
Leave a comment about this blog and I'll enter you into a drawing for a free copy of the book! Please be sure to leave an e-mail address or some other way for me to contact you.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Quick -- Give Thanks and Move On
I read an article that talked about the increased number of stores that were opening on Thanksgiving. One quote was particularly disturbing to me:
Has our society lost the ability to connect with family and friends on a holiday? I remember many Thanksgivings where we spent most of the day playing games, talking, and watching football games with our extended family. We ate a large lunchtime meal together, and we stayed long enough to have turkey sandwiches and another round of desserts at dinnertime. I've always had a large portion of my family living locally, and we looked forward to any opportunity to play with cousins and reconnect even if it had only been a few weeks since we had been together.
This quote makes it seem like we should treat our holiday like a business interruption -- eat quickly and move on to the real work. We can't even take one day to relax and focus on our blessings. And, as a result, many of our friends and neighbors have to work on the holiday just so we can 'move on'.
It's a sad statement.
"Some people just can't wait until Friday," said Kirsten Whipple, a Sears spokeswoman. "Thanksgiving dinner is done and they have moved on."
Has our society lost the ability to connect with family and friends on a holiday? I remember many Thanksgivings where we spent most of the day playing games, talking, and watching football games with our extended family. We ate a large lunchtime meal together, and we stayed long enough to have turkey sandwiches and another round of desserts at dinnertime. I've always had a large portion of my family living locally, and we looked forward to any opportunity to play with cousins and reconnect even if it had only been a few weeks since we had been together.
This quote makes it seem like we should treat our holiday like a business interruption -- eat quickly and move on to the real work. We can't even take one day to relax and focus on our blessings. And, as a result, many of our friends and neighbors have to work on the holiday just so we can 'move on'.
It's a sad statement.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Prayer for a Friend
My very good friend Maryn just received one of those calls we never want...the test results are back and it is cancer. This is her second round with the dreaded disease. She is a strong Christian woman, and I know her faith and her family will get her through this tough time.
I sent her this prayer, and I plan to pray it at least once each day. If you are reading this, would you take a moment to pray for her too?
I sent her this prayer, and I plan to pray it at least once each day. If you are reading this, would you take a moment to pray for her too?
Lord, I pray that you will heal Maryn completely and miraculously. Rid her body of all cancer cells and protect those cells that are healthy. If she must go through medical treatments, surround her with doctors who are caring and gentle to their patients and who are like warriors on a rampage toward the cancer. Guide their hands and minds as they develop the strategy that will result in total healing. Please provide Maryn the strength she needs to get through this tough situation. Minimize any pain or side effects while those bad cells are erradicated. Surround her and her family with tangible love and peace. Let them draw even closer to you and to each other in this time. Provide wonderful distractions to keep their minds away from negative thoughts. Fill their hearts with laughter and wonder, and bless this family beyond their wildest dreams. I pray in Jesus name, Amen
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
God Allows Suffering for a Reason
I have frequently heard Christian speakers talk about how God doesn't want us to live in pain or with depression. If we turn it all over to Him, he will heal us and make us whole. As if some of these illnesses are our own doing and we should just try harder to get closer to God. We must be doing something wrong if we aren't healed. Many people get more discouraged by this kind of talk, and some may even fall away because they believe the lie that they, themselves, are the true cause of the problem.
That is such a hurtful message to so many people. God often puts us in difficult situations, emotional and physical, so we can cling to him and help others. Yes, we often bring depression and stress-related illnesses on ourselves, but not always.
When Jesus was walking to the temple one day, he passed by the Pool of Bethesda. People believed that this pool was touched occasionally by the wings of angels, and that whomever could get into it first when the water was disturbed would be healed. John 5:3 says "Here a great number of disabled people used to lie -- the blind, the lame, the paralyzed." Jesus saw one man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years, and he asked the man if he wanted to be healed. The man said yes, and Jesus told him to pick up his mat and go home. The man was cured at once.
Could you imagine being the person who was lying next to this man? Why had Jesus selected him and not someone else? Why did he not speak the words and heal every person at the pool? It's easy for us to give reasons such as 'they didn't believe enough' or 'they didn't deserve it'. But we weren't there, and John didn't give any explanation. Jesus healed this one to make a point, but that doesn't mean he didn't love or care about the others.
There are many great saints in God's kingdom who deal with physical and emotional disabilities. God doesn't heal their bodies, but he has healed their hearts and he's put them into situations where many can learn from their examples. They existed even in Biblical times; look at the injuries of Jacob, the thorn in Paul's side, the suffering of Job, and the depression of Jeremiah.
While God could heal them in a second, sometimes he choses not to. They will have whole and perfect bodies when they get to heaven.
If you don't have any physical or emotional ailments, or if you have been healed from them, please be thankful and praise God. But don't look down on others who suffer. They may be blessed with this 'gift' in order to be an example of faithfulness through adversity, and they may be just the example or help that someone else might need. Don't insult them by suggesting that they should just pray harder...you will be a clanging cymbal, just as Job's friends were.
That is such a hurtful message to so many people. God often puts us in difficult situations, emotional and physical, so we can cling to him and help others. Yes, we often bring depression and stress-related illnesses on ourselves, but not always.
When Jesus was walking to the temple one day, he passed by the Pool of Bethesda. People believed that this pool was touched occasionally by the wings of angels, and that whomever could get into it first when the water was disturbed would be healed. John 5:3 says "Here a great number of disabled people used to lie -- the blind, the lame, the paralyzed." Jesus saw one man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years, and he asked the man if he wanted to be healed. The man said yes, and Jesus told him to pick up his mat and go home. The man was cured at once.
Could you imagine being the person who was lying next to this man? Why had Jesus selected him and not someone else? Why did he not speak the words and heal every person at the pool? It's easy for us to give reasons such as 'they didn't believe enough' or 'they didn't deserve it'. But we weren't there, and John didn't give any explanation. Jesus healed this one to make a point, but that doesn't mean he didn't love or care about the others.
There are many great saints in God's kingdom who deal with physical and emotional disabilities. God doesn't heal their bodies, but he has healed their hearts and he's put them into situations where many can learn from their examples. They existed even in Biblical times; look at the injuries of Jacob, the thorn in Paul's side, the suffering of Job, and the depression of Jeremiah.
While God could heal them in a second, sometimes he choses not to. They will have whole and perfect bodies when they get to heaven.
If you don't have any physical or emotional ailments, or if you have been healed from them, please be thankful and praise God. But don't look down on others who suffer. They may be blessed with this 'gift' in order to be an example of faithfulness through adversity, and they may be just the example or help that someone else might need. Don't insult them by suggesting that they should just pray harder...you will be a clanging cymbal, just as Job's friends were.
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