Happy Homemaker Monday

 

Well, winter storm Virgil has been through and we have a whole landscape of white again. I'm a snow lover... but, will admit... I'm def feeling that longing for warmer days and sunshine. But you know - there's a reason for all of this snow so rather then complaining about it, we'll enjoy! 

The Weather:::

Snow and cold.

Right now I am:
Looking out the window, listening to the baby monitor buzz {girlie is STILL asleep!}, thinking about turning on the Keurig.

Thinking:
Can I be honest here for a minute? My brain has been on overload lately. There is so much wrong, so much bad happening in our world. I stopped watching the news a few weeks ago but it's unavoidable. Abortion, death, injustice, scandal, terror... those things. They wear on me. And maybe the most difficult one - unbelief. What I can't wrap my brain around is that God is so very real...and yet some choose to not believe. They scoff and it's foolishness to them. I'm frustrated with it.

On my reading pile:::
"No Wonder they call Him the Savior" by Max Lucado.
Being the week of Easter I'm working on getting my mind prepared and ready for the weekend.

"Group" magazine. It's a publication for those who work with youth. Some really great and challenging articles out there this month!


On my tv::: 
It's off today. We stopped watching The Bible - they don't seem to be sticking with scripture they way we had hoped.
I'm sure at some point the girls will watch a cartoon...


Favorite Blog post this week (mine or other)::
"Kierkegaard once said that the deadly sin of our age is our lack of passion. Passion for life is, ultimately, a gift from God. So let’s challenge our young people to receive this gift and rise above apathy."

This article from "Group" called, "The Curse of the A's" in working with teens was very helpful. {A's being = apathetic, angry and AD/HD}If you work with or have teens of your own - might be a worth a glance.

Something fun to share:::
Citizen- Alive Forever
Loving the words and sound of this song!

On the menu for this week:::
Still using up what we have in the house. But, here is a loose plan:
Monday: Ham and Rice...something with those two things. :) 
Tuesday: Beef Veggie soup
Wednesday:
Thursday: Grilled chicken tenders & tomato feta bow ties
Friday: not planned
Saturday: not planned
Sunday: Easter dinner with large family :) 

REALLY wanna make these Lemon Pie Bars. Found the recipe this weekend and they look amazing and springy. You can find the recipes at allrecipes.com/lemon-pie-bars 


On my to do list:::
Laundry
Mail bills and update day planner
Set up payment plan for taxes - um, they went back and REtaxed our 2010 earned income. Boo. 
Dig up kids Easter baskets from basement 
Grab a few odds and ends from Aldi
Do the foot print craft with the girls {gift for grammy!}

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
Picked up the crocheted baby blanket again this weekend. :) So many babies, so little time.

Homemaking Tips:::
Bag it up and give it away. :) We have WAY too much stuff that no one uses. What a great feeling to bag it up and get it out of the house!

Looking around the house:::
So clean! Hubs really helped me clean up this weekend, so I have minimal housework today. However, there is always something to do. 

From the Camera:::

It was a GIRLS NITE this past weekend, as we celebrated my dear friend, Brooke. :) The big 30! Cheesecake factory and a whirl around the mall was just the ticket. I am blessed to know these women!

On my prayer list:::
Brother and family in Ohio
Mom continued recovery from cancer surgery
Easter week evangelism
Raising my girls to see Jesus...not me.
Those struggling with loss and infertility

Devos, Scripture:::
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 
1 John 1:9

THIS truth. It boggles me. How a loving, kind, JUST God can forgive the ugliness that is my sin. It's mind blowing. Even more that I'm accepted in the beloved, cherished, and wanted...even when a repeat offender. 

Happy Homemaker Monday - snowing...again.

 

Gooood Morning. It's day 1 of Spring break around here... and we woke up to more snow. I won't complain - though, it does toss a damper on my hopes of really Springin' things up around here. Guess I'll leave the Winter decor up for a few more days. 

We had a whirlwind weekend that included a youth conference at a local church around these parts. Refreshing! I'm so thankful for the families that watched our children so both Hubs and myself could partake in the learning workshops and key speakers :) And, I LOVE our youth leaders...some of the most fun, godly, people I know. Loved hanging out with them this weekend, too. 

The Weather:::

Snow, snow, snow....{can you hear Bing singing?!}

Right now I am:
Sitting in my over sized chair covered in a green afghan. Girls are playing and hubs is curled up on the couch - we are enjoying a relaxed morning.

Thinking:
about my friends... so many hurting friends right now. Life seems so transitional lately and I KNOW God has a plan, sometimes its hard to sit and wait for it.

On my reading pile:::
"I used to be so organized" by Glynnis Whitwer
"Made to Crave" by Lysa Terkeurst
"The Furious Longing of God" by Brennan Manning
*my husband was given a box of "new to us" books this weekend - hoping to snag some of his Spurgeon stuff!




On my tv::: 
Duck Dynasty & The Bible.
We decided {after our cable bill went up..again} that cable will be shut down at the end of March, after March Madness. There is SO much trash on tv today - it's horrifying. And, honestly, how convicting to look at our taxes and see how much $ is spent on television. Ouch.


Favorite Blog post this week (mine or other)::
Loving this post on "25+ Christ Centered Easter ideas." Needed some new ideas!



Something fun to share:::
We got to meet Zane Black and Propaganda this weekend at the youth conference. :) Both are great communicators of the truth of God! I love Propaganda's gift at the spoken word -
Check out Propaganda talk about the gospel here. It really is SO great.


On the menu for this week:::
I have done ZERO grocery shopping - and, though I do have a menu plan written out... we may just have a survivor week and eat what we already have in house. :)


On my to do list:::
Laundry
Tidy the downstairs rooms
mop kitchen floor
clean bedrooms

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
 Working on some spring crafts and decor type things :)

Homemaking Tips:::
Switch up dishwasher detergents. I can't prove that this is a real scientific thing...but, my dishes seemed to stop looking as clean as they usually did after using my normal cleaner for months. So, I grabbed a smaller bag of another brand and now...they look cleaner, again. Wondering if my machine just needed a change - like, when I use a new shampoo?!

Looking around the house:::
The 4 year old is OBSESSED with using scissors, so, I have a billion tiny pieces of paper laying around on the floor.
1 year old in princess jammies.... she is too cute. :)
Random socks. Is this normal for other peoples homes? Just random socks laying around?!

From the camera:::
Taken at the Ignite Conference this weekend - some of our teens and leaders...and...Propaganda. :)

  

Wow, what a great time!

On my prayer list:::
Hurting friends, family in transition, upcoming Easter service at church - praying for many visitors and many salvations!

Bible verse, Devotional:::
Still reading through Acts and so enjoying the recount of the early church. Stephen's speech before being killed is just a HUGE reminder of the cost... that is so worth it.  (Acts 7)

" “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. ⁵² Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, ⁵³ you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”
⁵⁴ Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. ⁵⁵ But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ⁵⁶ And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” ⁵⁷ But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together^[b] at him. ⁵⁸ Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. ⁵⁹ And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰ And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep."

You are the sunshine

This girl...

She is a joy to my heart.
A breath of fresh air on the difficult days.
A giggle.
A sigh.
A reminder of just how very blessed I am to live THIS life. To have THESE children. To be alive.

My heart and mind have been occupied by heaviness the last few days. Maybe not heaviness... but, feelings of defeat, failure, confusion, desperation. It's a phase and a learning period where I just can't wrap my brain around what it is I'm supposed to be "getting". Ministry is wonderful. Ministry is difficult. And if I'm being honest with you... sometimes I feel like a broken record saying the same things over and over and over and over and then wanting to shout, "Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Anyone?". I'm just so stinkin' burdened for people to LOVE THE CHURCH. LOVE JESUS. LOVE YOUR COMMUNITY. BE THE COMMUNITY. And way more often then I like to admit... I get frustrated. I feel like I'm failing and that its MY job to change hearts and minds and behaviors. Newsflash: it's not. :) Praise God, literally. Praise Him...I'm terrible at changing hearts.

And even in my frustration and defeat and realization of my own very real failures and shortcomings - I'm so thankful to rest in truth. My heavenly Father has got this. HE'S GOT THIS. Sit down, sister. I am not in charge. When students seem to care less... He loves me. When I get the rolled eyes, blank stares, questioning of every-thing...He loves me. When I wonder week after week how on earth the Lord can reach this person or that person... He loves me. He comforts. He proves me wrong. He strengthens my faithless heart. He reminds me and pursues me and puts the wonder back in me {I heard that in a song once}. We have an amazing church family. Such amazing support of friends and parents and beyond - I know we are so blessed by this. Sometimes in my small mind all I can see is the one bad moment. But I'm learning - see BEYOND. Love beyond. Hold on to truth and live for Jesus. He is the heart changer. He is the motivator. I am just a tool in His perfect, nail scarred, hand.

All this to say...
Even in the weeks where life is difficult and the heart is being wrung out, and the emotions high, and the temptation to be a drama queen rises - there is still JOY. We choose it. We yearn for it. We find it in Christ alone, and in the precious gifts He gives. {James 1:17}

This week I am so thankful for my August Hope and the ray of sunshine and joy she has been to my Momma heart. Thank you Lord for bed times in the rocking chair, humming with my baby girl, telling her of Jesus. Thank you for sloppy, wet, peanut butter faced, kisses, smashed lip gloss, and a too-full diaper pail. Her sweet baby smile has been the balm to my soul this week as I remember just how much I am loved by my Savior and how the things that hurt my heart... hurt His too. And just as I hold my August, He holds me. Only, perfectly.

That song I mentioned above. It was from 1999 - maybe you remember someone named, Geoff Moore? I'll share it here - about reminding ourselves of truth! If you have a few mins, enjoy!

Real thoughts

Tonight I sat near the back of the youth room. We had a 5th grade preview night for our up and coming 6th graders-to-be. Here in this part of the world Student Ministries starts in 6th grade. Sixth grade!!! I can clearly remember myself in 6th grade - my waist long hair, lack of style {some things never change...}, insecurities, intense interest in wanting to be loved by a boy, not understanding school and not knowing what to do about it, and not having many friends. My home foundation was STRONG and for that I'm forever grateful. I know that is one of the things the Lord used in my life to save and protect me from many, many, possible stupidities. I went to a Christian school in WV where I was teased about how I dressed, how I spoke {had an Ohio accent?}, the kind of car my parents drove...by the way we were in Bible College for my dad, and drove whatever the Lord provided. At that moment it was an army green VW rabbit. {ugh}But we sure were grateful for it!

 I just remember absorbing so much. I was understanding that "Christian" in title didn't mean Christian in life - and, I'm not hear to bash on Christian education... that would be another post entirely - and not bashing, just....thoughts. But I guess it was an awakening to me - in that complex and formative year in my life. After an entire year I had tried anything and everything to find my niche. Skater girl with baggy pants and green, yes, green lipstick. Preppy, cheerleader, sporty girl - only, we couldn't afford name brand sports gear or clothes, so, that didn't work either. Book lover - wha???? Babysitters club. That didn't last long as I always seemed to doze off. Anyway, I just couldn't figure out WHO I was. I felt myself grasping at any kind of acceptance. My heart is forever soft for 6th grade girls now.

Fast forward back to tonight. I'm sitting in the back row and out of the corner of my eye I see it... "she" is watching me. This precious, beautiful 5th grade girl eyes wide with excitement to be in YOUTH GROUP. She was soaking everything in and I could just sense her every thought. So as not to embarrass her I do a quick grin and look back to our speaker for the evening. But I feel her eyes watching the rest of the night. Watching how I sat {and mimicking that}, watching how I opened my bible and highlighted and took notes. When I would laugh or clap at an appropriate moment - she would watch. And it struck me again at just how mighty this calling in my life is. These children are watching me. They are looking for validation, fulfillment, acceptance and love... they are looking for Jesus. He is the only one who can fill those voids, truly. I wanted to throw my arms around her and tell her a million things...

That Jesus loves her...

That no boy is worth a broken heart so young. 

That friends will come and go and it hurts...but, that's how we grow. She will survive.

That people are not kind. They say mean words and act weird just when you think you have them figured out...but that's ok {again} Because she is loved by an almighty God! 

That being a teenager doesn't last forever...but the memory of those days DO, and to choose how she makes those memories so so wisely. 

Ah, I love these teenagers. I genuinely, deep down, heart-on-my-sleeve love them. I ache for the ones choosing the easy path instead of standing up for the God who died for them. I cry for the ones hurting and alone. My chest puffs out like a proud Momma when I see the light bulb go off...and they act on what they've learned. In this very raw and fresh moment in my mind I'm so challenged - do these kids see Jesus in me? Am I pointing towards Him in how I live? If not... what's the point?! If you have a few minutes - let this song/video speak to you. It is such a challenge to me each time I hear it. Praise God for using imperfect but willing people. And, pray for me. Pray that those little eyes watching my life will see Christ.

The Help

Last night Hubs and I watched the newer movie "The Help". While I won't go into detail or political whatever or even opinions... I will tell you I cried. Several times my throat lumped up and tears met the corners of my eyes. Sad, just very sad - the state of life sometimes.
- Parents refusing responsibility of their children
- Spouse abuse
- Broken and hypocritical relationships
- Racism
- Backward thinking

Just sad. And even more sad {tho not surprising}... not much has changed.

This morning my friend Londa posted a video on her blog - it's about 18 minutes or so, but, if you have the time - I encourage you to check it out. It's Pastor John Piper and his recollection of growing up in this similar time period with similar circumstances.

Click here to be directed to her blog. It's worth it. :)

The last Christmas...

Tonight we had our last Christmas as a family of three {Lord Willing}. We head for vacation this week and tomorrow is a big packing/cleaning day - so tonight we gathered near our little tree, Brad read from Luke about the story of Baby Jesus and then we opened our gifts to each other. Simple. Precious. Memorable.

I'll never forget watching Ava open her "big kitchen" and her eyes as they watched me set up every part. She was so eager to get in and "get cookin'". I always enjoy watching Brad be suprised {or at least fake it} as he opens his gifts and when we open our stocking's it's always a fun time looking at all the little things in there! What a sweet time. I couldn't help but get choked up a bit when I had a few seconds to myself while everyone else played or relaxed, thinking of how blessed we are - and how different next year will be. God has continued to provide for us and bless us with abundance.

I was thinking about Brad and I's first few Christmases, and especially the last one before we moved to Iowa. No money. Minimal gifting... but precious, precious memories and closeness. Usually our small apartments would be decked with whatever hand-me-down decor my mom could afford to part with, or something I tried to create to look festive. Never fancy - we just couldn't. But somehow, it seemed to shine every year. We watched as year after year God provided some kind of "Special treat" {even if it were just a fresh snowfall} and we would marvel. I hope we never stop looking at life that way - or marvelling at what God does. So tonight, as we unwrapped our gifts and laughed - my heart was very full. My blonde haired two year old was filled with wonder as we "opened tresents". My husband smiling as she tore open tissue paper packages... (sigh).

And maybe we'll never be millionaires - actually - I'm hoping we never even make it close! All I pray for is togetherness, closeness and the love of my family. Bonding together to remember what Christ sent to us on that special Christmas all those years ago. Below I've posted a video - one of my favorite songs, that will always and forever remind me of Brad and I. Enjoy. I'm sure many can relate. :)
Merry Christmas!

Yahweh

Because my husband is a youth pastor we often times get random things in the mail. Well, I suppose all of you do, but, our random things are kinda fun. We've gotten samples of mugs with music groups names on them, band pins, goop mix (sticky stuff basically), prayer rugs, etc. Apart from fun mail we also get little random "youth pastor boxes" from our local Family Christian Store full of equally random "youth" things - including tester CD's of new bands, weird t-shirts that would never sell and book teasers...you know, those kinds that have just chapter 1 then a bunch of ads.

Several months ago in one such box we got one of the break-out music cd's. I always love those. It's such a mixed bag of weird, slightly good and just... "never gonna make it" music. There was a group on there called, "Tal & Acacia" that I had never heard of but intriqued me after hearing their song, "Garbage In"... they kind have a Barlow Girl-ish, Sixpence, kind of sound, maybe a tinge sweeter? Anyway, after doing some research I came across their song "Yahweh" and it was so refreshing and encouraging to me this morning. So you just never know what will be an encouragement to you in a day, do ya?! So thankful for Yahweh!

Gaze

I want to Gaze at you

Soak

Soak in all you do

Sit so simply at your feet

Listen To your voice so sweet

And Let time Pass Away

(Chorus) As I simply Praise Yahweh

My Lord I cry Jehovah Elohim

The Lord Most High

and When my hands are raised

My Knees they fall

As I simply Praise Jehovah

Cry As I see your blood stains

Overwhelmed As I see your pain

And I'll dance, dance,

dance Because I am set free

You are my conqueror Jehovah Nissi

And Let time Pass Away

Do I believe that you're my God

That You're all I need

So Let time Pass Away

My Daddy, My Abba, My Best Friend

YAHWEH

Lord, I wanna be just like you...

You know the song by Phillips, Craig & Dean... "I want to be just like You"? Well, it's been on my brain the last few days - random. Perhaps not. My little girl is growing up... she's doing new things, testing new boundaries, saying new words and just amazing her daddy and I. Along with all of these "new" things, I'm seeing a lot of imitations of what she see's Daddy and I do. For example, EVERY time I bake or am in the kitchen... she "helps". I usually end up giving her a bowl with some flour and parsley sprinkled in it - so she can make "soup" and she loves that! Watching her whisk that flour-y mess just warms me. Then there's wearing our shoes. She loves my black heels, daddys tennis shoes and any other pair she can manage. And, maybe my favorite... writing. She LOVES to write and draw. I started writing around 8 years old...but always had a crayon or something in my hand even prior to that. I've always loved the feeling of paper beneath my hand - ready to write out every thought on my brain. The other day I was working on the computer getting some stuff ready for bible study when Ava came with her pad and pen and propped up next to me and began imitating the way I was writing my notes. She cocked her head to the side...like me..., held her pen in the same weird way I do and mumbled under her breath like I do. It was adorable. I just stopped and watched her - she's learning so much and wants so badly to be like Me and her dad.

The first time I heard this PCD song I was in jr high. My dad was in bible college and there was often special music times on campus. A man that lived a few houses down from us sang it and was just tearing up the whole time. While I was sensitive to it... I didn't have a clue. Now I'm the one tearing up at this "old" song - and, of course, changing the words to "little girl". :) What an amazing impact and opportunity we have with our children.

"Just like You"

He climbs in my lap for a goodnight hug

He calls me Dad and I call him Bub

With his faded old pillow and a bear named Pooh

He snuggles up close and says, "I want to be like you"

I tuck him in bed and I kiss him goodnight

Trippin' over the toys as I turn out the light

And I whisper a prayer that someday he'll see

He's got a father in God 'cause he's seen Jesus in me

Lord, I want to be just like You'

Cause he wants to be just like
I want to be a holy example

For his innocent eyes to see

Help me be a living Bible, Lord

That my little boy can read

I want to be just like You'

Cause he wants to be like me

Got to admit I've got so far to go

Make so many mistakes and I'm sure that You know

Sometimes it seems no matter how hard I try

With all the pressures in life I just can't get it all right

But I'm trying so hard to learn from the best

Being patient and kind, filled with Your tenderness'

Cause I know that he'll learn from the things that he sees

And the Jesus he finds will be the Jesus in me

Right now from where he stands I may seem mighty tall

But it's only 'cause I'm learning from the best Father of them all

Lord, I want to be just like You

Cause he wants to be just like me

I want to be a holy example

For his innocent eyes to see

Help me be a living Bible, Lord

That my little boy can read

Lord I want to be just like You'Cause he wants to be like me

Lord I want to be just like you cause he wants to be like me

For laughs...

Buhahahaha! I could not stop laughing when I saw this video today... especially as our 99' Olds Cutlas continues to lose parts, shake on the highway and only have 2 heat settings: Too hot or freezing. :) It's good to not take life so seriously sometimes!

Thoughts on youth ministry

Segregation from NCFIC on Vimeo.

This video was put out earlier this week and... I'm curious as to what your thoughts are on the topic of segregation. It kind of ruffled my feathers {obviously} as my hubby is a pastor to all of those supposed teens leaving the church... {see, slightly ruffled} but I am curious to hear your thoughts or perhaps hear victory stories in your church youth groups.

{you'll probably have to go pause my music player first....;) }

Just for fun... a video :)

I've had this stuck in my head all week...

Might as well share it :)

Not home yet

In case you are wondering... why is my life/world/everything like this?! Quick reminder... we aren't home yet. Well, at least, we aren't to our heavenly home. I'm not a huge fan of "The Message", but, this passage was especially encouraging to me today... and I hope it can be for you, too. Be encouraged today, fellow travelers! :)
I think SCC says it second best... here.

Eden

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGlLL_m4dWQ

when the first light brightened the dark
before the breaking of the human heart
there was YOU and there was me
innocence was all I knew
all I had to know was you
we were running underneath the trees
I want to see you face to face
where being in your arms is the permanent state
I want it like it was back then, I want to be in Eden

to be naked and unashamed
in a sweet downpour of innocent rain
I want it like it was back then, I want to be in Eden

I still remember how you'd call my name
and I would meet YOU at the garden gate
how the glory of Your love would shine
I still remember when the stars were young
You breathed life into my lungs,
oh I never felt so alive
where my eyes can see the colors of glory
my hands can reach the heaven before me
oh my God I want to be there with you
where our hearts will beat with joy together
and love will reign forever and ever
oh my God I want to be there with you

Phil Wickham - "Heaven & Earth"

Yours Alone

"Lord You are the anchor

Refuge in the storm

Your words are wisdom

Shining in the dark

I hear Your voice on the water I feel Your touch in the wind

Your above and beneath me

Surround my heart again

And I know that You are good

God I know that all You do is good

So I put my life in Your hands

I'm Yours alone, I'm Yours alone

Surrender, Lord I raise my hands

To You alone, to You alone

Lord Your voice guides me

So Tell me what to do

Your heart it drives me

To follow after You"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a7_Ng0-JuE

(written by Phil Wickham © 2006 Seems Like Music (BMI) / Wickham Music (BMI) All rights administered by Simpleville Music, Inc.)