My heart and stomach are tied together. Are yours?
Anytime I want to comfort, I turn to food. Anytime I want to celebrate, I turn to food. I have so many happy memories of cooking with my grandma and just being in her kitchen. It was the heart of her home.
Where is the heart of your home? Where does everyone gather when you have people over? I'm willing to bet that unless you specifically push them in another direction everyone ends up standing in the kitchen gabbing for hours.
I got a new giggle about the Christmas story this morning.
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7
Jesus was laid in the manager. Which, if you're following my kitchen is the heart of a home theory, is the heart of the stable. God incarnate, the bread of life and living water was laid in a manger. He came to be the center of our lives. He comes to satisfy us with overflowing grace and love. He awaits us each morning, at every meal, and in all the moments of our lives to fill us with that which makes us whole.
And he was laid in a manger.
I love God! He makes me smile. :)
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
My Titus 2 Women
A few years ago I heard about the guidance of a Titus 2 woman for the first time. If you're clueless like I was, a Titus 2 woman is an older, wiser women that gives godly advice and lives a godly example for other women. She would guide you through those first years of marriage when you are quickly figuring out that a ring, dress, and romance does not complete the work of marriage. She would point you in the right direction and ask the difficult questions about your faith life to encourage growth.
I have to say, when I heard about a Titus 2 woman, I looked around and asked,
"And just where is my Titus 2 woman, Lord? My grandma is my role model, but You called her home 2 months after we got married. I could use a great role model."
Yeah, that's all me. Whining to the Lord.
As usual...He was already on it.
I have been abundantly blessed by the godly example of several women in the last two years. I am sure they would want me to point out that they are not very much older than me at all, but they are much, much wiser. The Lord has also opened my eyes, ears, and heart so I could pay attention to them. We build each other up by discussing not just our lives and problems but by discussing where we see God in the midst of everything. My heart fills with love for them when I think of these dear women. My heart overflows with love for God when I realize how much He loves me through these women.
Sometimes I feel like quite the little copycat around them. I'm almost embarrassed to tell them that I'm now trying something I saw them doing. However they keep doing such good things, that I just have to try them myself.
This morning my devotion by Henri Nouwen was "Faith is Nurtured In Friendship." Mr. Nouwen spoke of how God wants us to form friendships and community where His grace can grow to fullness and bear fruit. I know I have been blessed with this type of community and friendship. I pray God gives me the love and strength to bear the fruit He desires in my life.
May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant yo to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6
I have to say, when I heard about a Titus 2 woman, I looked around and asked,
"And just where is my Titus 2 woman, Lord? My grandma is my role model, but You called her home 2 months after we got married. I could use a great role model."
Yeah, that's all me. Whining to the Lord.
As usual...He was already on it.
I have been abundantly blessed by the godly example of several women in the last two years. I am sure they would want me to point out that they are not very much older than me at all, but they are much, much wiser. The Lord has also opened my eyes, ears, and heart so I could pay attention to them. We build each other up by discussing not just our lives and problems but by discussing where we see God in the midst of everything. My heart fills with love for them when I think of these dear women. My heart overflows with love for God when I realize how much He loves me through these women.
Sometimes I feel like quite the little copycat around them. I'm almost embarrassed to tell them that I'm now trying something I saw them doing. However they keep doing such good things, that I just have to try them myself.
This morning my devotion by Henri Nouwen was "Faith is Nurtured In Friendship." Mr. Nouwen spoke of how God wants us to form friendships and community where His grace can grow to fullness and bear fruit. I know I have been blessed with this type of community and friendship. I pray God gives me the love and strength to bear the fruit He desires in my life.
May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant yo to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Greetings
Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Luke 1:28b
What a wonderful way to begin.
This greeting from Gabriel to Mary was on a day she would never forget. The day she learned that not only was she highly favored by God, but that he had big, BIG plans for her. Plans not just to change her life, but plans to change the world.
I'm still overwhelmed by the greeting. Not only was Mary highly favored, but each of us (as explained in Luke 11:27-28 in my study Bible) is highly favored by God. We are all dear to Him. He has plans for each and everyone of us. While the plans for our lives probably don't involve a virgin birth (I know I'm not going to have that task), He has important plans for each of us. Anyone who has accepted the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit into their lives has the Lord with them each and every moment. The Lord is with us. When we obey His commands to love the Lord our God and our neighbors as ourselves we are highly favored.
I just have to sit back and treasure this gift.
Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.
I think I'm going to write that on the front of my prayer journal. Each morning I can smile as I read His greeting that I know extends to me also.
What a wonderful way to begin each day!
What a wonderful way to begin.
This greeting from Gabriel to Mary was on a day she would never forget. The day she learned that not only was she highly favored by God, but that he had big, BIG plans for her. Plans not just to change her life, but plans to change the world.
I'm still overwhelmed by the greeting. Not only was Mary highly favored, but each of us (as explained in Luke 11:27-28 in my study Bible) is highly favored by God. We are all dear to Him. He has plans for each and everyone of us. While the plans for our lives probably don't involve a virgin birth (I know I'm not going to have that task), He has important plans for each of us. Anyone who has accepted the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit into their lives has the Lord with them each and every moment. The Lord is with us. When we obey His commands to love the Lord our God and our neighbors as ourselves we are highly favored.
I just have to sit back and treasure this gift.
Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.
I think I'm going to write that on the front of my prayer journal. Each morning I can smile as I read His greeting that I know extends to me also.
What a wonderful way to begin each day!
Friday, November 21, 2008
E-mealz, Making Meal Planning a Cinch
I was reading a blog the other day where a mom for a family of four who spends $300 dollars a month at the grocery store was trying to figure out how to cut her food budget. I just about fell out of my chair. I was impressed. I have no idea how to feed my family for so little. We do like the chips and cookies at our house. If I could just cut my food budget I'd be thrilled.
I struggle with meal times.
Actually I struggle more with meal planning. You know exactly what I mean. It's 5:30, you're standing in the kitchen alternating between opening the refrigerator and the pantry. You're praying a healthy, delicious meal idea jumps onto the stove for you and is ready in the next half hour.
Over the years I've made some progress in this area. I've tried fancy cookbooks that layout the week's menu. I've tried cook ahead meal planning. I've resorted to actually sitting down, meal planning for the week, shopping, and trying to cook it. Yet, I know I haven't been very cost effective in my methods.
It's the planning that gets to me.
Well, have I found a solution. And....the whole family loves it!
It's called e-mealz.com. You can pick from several different plans: regular, low-fat, low-carb, vegetarian, couples, and you can even pick where you shop. Then they give you a 7 meal plan for the week with an organized shopping list. I love the shopping list. It's organized by areas of the grocery store, it tells which meal each item goes for, and there's plenty of room for adding other things I need. It's reasonable cost-wise. Best of all, our family has loved the meals, and they're easy to cook. On one sheet of paper, that I tape inside a cabinet door, are the meals and how to prepare them for the week. I just downloaded the next two weeks of menus, and I'm excited. They look delicious.
Okay that's enough free advertising for the day. I've got to check to see what else I need from the grocery store and try to figure out the best place to buy a warm hooded fleece jacket. Apparently the warm coats I bought the boys last winter don't work, because you know they're puffy and warm looking. My boys would rather die of hypothermia than look warm.
I struggle with meal times.
Actually I struggle more with meal planning. You know exactly what I mean. It's 5:30, you're standing in the kitchen alternating between opening the refrigerator and the pantry. You're praying a healthy, delicious meal idea jumps onto the stove for you and is ready in the next half hour.
Over the years I've made some progress in this area. I've tried fancy cookbooks that layout the week's menu. I've tried cook ahead meal planning. I've resorted to actually sitting down, meal planning for the week, shopping, and trying to cook it. Yet, I know I haven't been very cost effective in my methods.
It's the planning that gets to me.
Well, have I found a solution. And....the whole family loves it!
It's called e-mealz.com. You can pick from several different plans: regular, low-fat, low-carb, vegetarian, couples, and you can even pick where you shop. Then they give you a 7 meal plan for the week with an organized shopping list. I love the shopping list. It's organized by areas of the grocery store, it tells which meal each item goes for, and there's plenty of room for adding other things I need. It's reasonable cost-wise. Best of all, our family has loved the meals, and they're easy to cook. On one sheet of paper, that I tape inside a cabinet door, are the meals and how to prepare them for the week. I just downloaded the next two weeks of menus, and I'm excited. They look delicious.
Okay that's enough free advertising for the day. I've got to check to see what else I need from the grocery store and try to figure out the best place to buy a warm hooded fleece jacket. Apparently the warm coats I bought the boys last winter don't work, because you know they're puffy and warm looking. My boys would rather die of hypothermia than look warm.
Friday, November 7, 2008
But You'll Be Cold...
Good news! I'm back to worrying about if the kids did their homework or studied for their tests.
I'm one of those moms. I'm going to be one my whole life. You know, the ones who ask if you need a jacket when you're sweating.
"You might get cold waiting for the bus," I reason.
"Are you sure?" I ask, knowing the answer.
This morning, on cue, I asked if he wanted his jacket. He looked back with the hint of a grin, to judge my reaction, and declared,
"It's warm!"
I noticed the need for him to make his own decision and more importantly for me not to push my opinion. I lowered the unnecessary jacket and watched my growing boy/man head down the street towards the bus.
I pray I will see the opportunities for him to make his own choices to learn the lessons he needs to become a man. Choosing a jacket or not is so small compared to some of the choices he'll need to make in this lifetime. There will be much more difficult moments when he'll make choices I'll really want to protest. I pray God leads me to be the mother he needs to become a God seeking man.
I'm one of those moms. I'm going to be one my whole life. You know, the ones who ask if you need a jacket when you're sweating.
"You might get cold waiting for the bus," I reason.
"Are you sure?" I ask, knowing the answer.
This morning, on cue, I asked if he wanted his jacket. He looked back with the hint of a grin, to judge my reaction, and declared,
"It's warm!"
I noticed the need for him to make his own decision and more importantly for me not to push my opinion. I lowered the unnecessary jacket and watched my growing boy/man head down the street towards the bus.
I pray I will see the opportunities for him to make his own choices to learn the lessons he needs to become a man. Choosing a jacket or not is so small compared to some of the choices he'll need to make in this lifetime. There will be much more difficult moments when he'll make choices I'll really want to protest. I pray God leads me to be the mother he needs to become a God seeking man.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Dragging It Out
I had a rotten day yesterday. It was one of those days that I couldn't even stand myself. My kids were so sweet. As I laid comatose on the couch they occasionally came over and gave me a kiss and asked if I was alright. I felt loved in the pit of my self-created misery.
Today was better.
Thank God!
But I'm not myself yet. And I feel guilty for still feeling fragile and teary. (And I really like beginning sentences with conjunctions even though I totally know it's against the rules.)
A dear friend inquired after my husband today. I told her he's doing much better; improving everyday. She then asked how I was. I said, "Now that he's getting better, I'm a wreck."
"But weren't you a wreck last week?" She asked...stated??
Well, yes, yes, I was.
But (there's one of those conjunctions) it's a different wreck. At first it was the "I'm so tired I can't see straight wreck," followed by the "Oh, my goodness, he's still in the hospital ,and I'm even more tired wreck," followed by the "Now, we're home, and school is starting wreck," followed even more closely and lasting way too long with the "He has an infection, and will it get better, and will the doctor stop hurting him" empathy pain wreckedness.
I'm in the almost-healed wreck phase of "Oh, my goodness, I could have lost him, and now I can relax a little and let out all those feelings I've been shoving deep down." I know my friends are quite shocked that I was actually holding anything back, but apparently I feel the need to wallow in this situation for a while.
I sure am looking forward to the days when I'm back to worrying about if the kids did their homework or studied for their tests.
Today was better.
Thank God!
But I'm not myself yet. And I feel guilty for still feeling fragile and teary. (And I really like beginning sentences with conjunctions even though I totally know it's against the rules.)
A dear friend inquired after my husband today. I told her he's doing much better; improving everyday. She then asked how I was. I said, "Now that he's getting better, I'm a wreck."
"But weren't you a wreck last week?" She asked...stated??
Well, yes, yes, I was.
But (there's one of those conjunctions) it's a different wreck. At first it was the "I'm so tired I can't see straight wreck," followed by the "Oh, my goodness, he's still in the hospital ,and I'm even more tired wreck," followed by the "Now, we're home, and school is starting wreck," followed even more closely and lasting way too long with the "He has an infection, and will it get better, and will the doctor stop hurting him" empathy pain wreckedness.
I'm in the almost-healed wreck phase of "Oh, my goodness, I could have lost him, and now I can relax a little and let out all those feelings I've been shoving deep down." I know my friends are quite shocked that I was actually holding anything back, but apparently I feel the need to wallow in this situation for a while.
I sure am looking forward to the days when I'm back to worrying about if the kids did their homework or studied for their tests.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Trying to See the Positive
Feeling normal and like myself is only a temporary relief so far. Some days are good, some not so good, some should be good and I just want to cry. My worries, real and highly overly imagined, get to me. Then when I think of what could have been, but didn't happen...Well, I just can't let myself think about that. I'm still on this roller coaster of recovery where every sigh, grimace, and uncomfortable shift leads to more worrying.
It would be a lot easier to whine if my husband would start whining himself. The most he does is sigh really deeply. Occasionally he'll grab his side. Maybe if he was whining I would know it was just the normal everyday stuff you whine about. Instead he is stoic, strong, resolute. But I know him.
He has an incision that isn't healing that the doctor likes to poke and stir, and he refuses to whine. How am I ever going to feel justified in whining about a paper cut again?
I'm pretty sure I'll find a way. In fact, as I re-read this it occurred to me that I'm whining about him not whining. Mercy me!
So while I'd like to rant and rave about all the little things that irritate me and that I do not like this roller coaster of emotions I am on, not one little bit, I think I'll try a little positive thinking.
1. I like our walks. I'm actually starting to feel really good from them. Even though we don't have much to say I enjoy the time together.
2. I like that when he's not feeling so good he just wants me to come sit in the same room with him. If he had a cold or something this would irritate me, but I know that he doesn't feel good. Somehow my presence comforts him...if I don't ask too many questions.
3. Having Hon home this much has given him the opportunity to approach a few difficult conversations with our 13 year old. Conversations that would have ended in an argument if I'd had them. Somehow Hon and Fred have found a common language with out all the mama drama. I am sooo grateful for that!
4. I'm thankful that all our friends brought us brownies after brownies. I really like brownies. Brownies will definitely help you through a difficult time. I knew that Hon was on the road to recovery one night when he asked for a brownie. After one bite he said, "You know what would make this even better?"
"Another brownie and some vanilla ice cream." :)
It would be a lot easier to whine if my husband would start whining himself. The most he does is sigh really deeply. Occasionally he'll grab his side. Maybe if he was whining I would know it was just the normal everyday stuff you whine about. Instead he is stoic, strong, resolute. But I know him.
He has an incision that isn't healing that the doctor likes to poke and stir, and he refuses to whine. How am I ever going to feel justified in whining about a paper cut again?
I'm pretty sure I'll find a way. In fact, as I re-read this it occurred to me that I'm whining about him not whining. Mercy me!
So while I'd like to rant and rave about all the little things that irritate me and that I do not like this roller coaster of emotions I am on, not one little bit, I think I'll try a little positive thinking.
1. I like our walks. I'm actually starting to feel really good from them. Even though we don't have much to say I enjoy the time together.
2. I like that when he's not feeling so good he just wants me to come sit in the same room with him. If he had a cold or something this would irritate me, but I know that he doesn't feel good. Somehow my presence comforts him...if I don't ask too many questions.
3. Having Hon home this much has given him the opportunity to approach a few difficult conversations with our 13 year old. Conversations that would have ended in an argument if I'd had them. Somehow Hon and Fred have found a common language with out all the mama drama. I am sooo grateful for that!
4. I'm thankful that all our friends brought us brownies after brownies. I really like brownies. Brownies will definitely help you through a difficult time. I knew that Hon was on the road to recovery one night when he asked for a brownie. After one bite he said, "You know what would make this even better?"
"Another brownie and some vanilla ice cream." :)
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