I Will Joy

Undeserved Lavish Love

2011-06-27T20:47:00.000-07:00

The other day I heard about a dad who has never told his children that he loves them. It broke my heart.

This seems so wrong to me. I tried to look at it objectively. I know that not every family is going to be like mine.

I grew up in a family that was generous with verbal praise. We tell each other we love each other a lot. A LOT. Like pretty much every time we see each other or talk on the phone, to this day. And my husband and I have continued this pattern with each other, and our children.

I know that not every family is cut from the same cloth. Everyone has their own style. But I got to thinking, if we are going to pattern our families after anything, it needs to be God's family.

And you know what I find in the Bible? Lavish love. Undeserved lavish love. Told to us in a thousand different ways. God's love for us, despite our sin, and poured out for us in Jesus. Which is, of course, the most important part of love. Let us not love in word or tongue but with actions and in truth. I John 3:18 So showing love is obviously important. BUT God sure does a lot of telling about His love as well. He goes way, way out of His way to tell us how much He loves us. Just because He loves us.

The main text for our recent women's retreat was Ephesians 3:18-19, where Paul exhorts us to join other Christians in knowing "what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge."

Literally, that we can understand a love that cannot be known. It's an over-the-top kind of love, that can only be understood by the power of the Holy Spirit in us.

Beth Moore used Psalm 103 to expand on the measurement terms.

How wide is His love? As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

How long is His love? From everlasting to everlasting.

How high is His love? As far as the heavens are high above the earth, how great is His mercy toward those who fear Him.

We left the retreat amazed at his lavishness.

I've loved Psalm 40:5. "And Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered."

His thoughts toward me are too high too count? That's A LOT of love.

I have games I play with my younger children. I heard this idea once, and it's a winner. You tell, for example, your 6-year old son: "You know, if they took all the six-year-old boys in the whole world, and fit them into a football stadium, and told me I could pick any of them I wanted for my six-year-old boy, I would walk around and meet them all. There would be boys with black hair and brown hair and red hair and blond hair, tall boys and short boys, silly boys and serious boys, boys who like baseball and boys who like football, but when I met you I would say, 'Here he is! This is the one I want. I don't need to look anymore. I've found him. I want to take this one home!" They. Love. It. It might seem a little silly, but trust me on this one.

Until our kids get older, the only way they are going to understand God's magnificent love for them, is through our love. Parents need to point the way to God for sure, but they are wired to trust us and need our love, and gradually they will, prayerfully, come to a close relationship with God. But we are their first picture of what love is supposed to be. And they need to know they are loved... not because of their performance, but just because they ARE.

As for the dad who's never said "I love you," to his kids, I don't even know him, but I'm pretty sure he wasn't lavished with love as a kid. But God is our Father, so let's be like Him.

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,

that we should be called the children of God! For that is what we are!

I John 3:1 NIV

Hang in there, Mommy!

2011-06-15T21:26:00.000-07:00

It’s summertime! The transition feels different this year. Going from homeschooling everyone to summer break isn’t such a big deal. But going from having two kids in school, to having everyone home, is really sweet.

Seven kids, ages four to seventeen, all home, for the most part of our summer days. And it’s wonderful. It brings tears to my eyes, thinking about how thankful I am that the atmosphere in our home is what it is. That my children are who they are, by the grace of God.

I was prompted to write, as I thought about the fact that I am reaping the benefits of much labor, both my own and that of others. I want to encourage those who are still in the trenches of raising small children to keep up the good work! It will be worth it.

Let me state the obvious: We are not a perfect family. I had a dear friend describe another family to me by saying, “They are like your family. Everyone thinks they’re perfect. Until they get to know them.”

So true. But imperfect as we are, we do enjoy our kids, and other people seem to like them too. And while sanctification is an ongoing journey, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 1:4)

I love where I’m at in this parenting journey. It’s not as much work now, and there is much enjoyment! I just want to remind you, yes you, the one with piles of laundry and dishes and diapers, that it’s worth it!

When you are interrupted from making dinner (for the third time), and patiently give kisses and band-aids, you are loving your children and showing them Jesus.

When you have to stop story time with your two-year-old, to lovingly give needed discipline to your four-year-old, you are teaching them to fear the Lord, which will bring them joy all the days of their lives.

When it takes you three times as long to unload the dishwasher because of your “help,” you are paving the way for the day when they can do this chore independently. You won’t be the only one doing dishes and laundry and cooking forever!

When it seems difficult to get everyone to settle down for devotional in the morning, you are teaching them to persevere and prioritize what is most important in life.

When you hold them to the standards of the Word (Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32) and not the world, their sibling relationships will flourish.

When you say no, even to good things, if life is too busy, they will know how much you value time as a family.

When you share with joy what God has been teaching you, they will see it’s a relationship, not a religion.

When you step away from your computer, and play baseball in the backyard, you are showing them how important they are to you.

When you take them on “special dates,” you are giving them time to ask questions alone, share their hearts, and just feel loved.

When they see you have your quiet time in the morning (or see your open Bible and empty coffee mug on the table) you are modeling dependence on the living God.

Though you might groan inwardly when the early morning quiet is broken, your cheerful “Good Morning,” smile, kiss and hug is teaching them how to greet each day and those around them.

Are you noticing a trend here? God’s Word is invaluable.

I’m deeply grateful for instruction I have received, starting with having had great parents myself. I’ve also learned so much through parenting classes and sermons, godly women and great books. But all of these things are based on one book – the Bible – which in and of itself has taught me the most.

Because I have also received some bad parenting advice. From Christian people and Christian churches and Christian books. And I wouldn’t have known it was bad advice if I didn’t have God’s Word to compare it to.

So if you are a mommy of young children, I want to encourage you, most of all, to be in the Word! Get up earlier than your kids if you can. Or let your kids watch a video. You only need fifteen minutes.

Just fifteen minutes.

More is nice. But don’t beat yourself up if you can’t. Here’s a great way to get started.

Love those babies. They grow up so fast. All the old ladies will tell you that (especially when you’re about to tear your hair out, and it doesn’t seem fast at all). But I heard a great quote that made sense of it.

“The years are fast, but the days are slow.”

I know it's not easy. You have the most important job in the world. But if you belong to Him, you have the God who created everything available to you 24/7. That’s not a bad deal. I hope you will take advantage of it!

Can't Stop Laughing and Other Thankful Thoughts

2011-05-14T09:11:00.000-07:00

If anyone is new to this blog, this thankful list begins here, and is a result of reading One Thousand Gifts (A Dare to Live Fully, Right Where You Are) by Ann Voskamp. A highly recommended read!

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Cade’s sweet compassion for his younger brother
Tender words
Bode finally realizing that it’s not that bad to wash his hair, and announcing that he’s going to do it every day
Boys in baseball uniforms
Kind words from friends
Learning to crave vegetables
First really warm days of spring
Fresh produce on an old-fashioned china platter
Double peony-tulips
Silly texts with a girlfriend
Projects coming together
Bone-tired accomplishment (yard work!)
Texting with son out-of-town, who tells me he loves me
Late afternoon clean-up frenzies for a beautiful, tidy house to start the weekend
Watermelon slices
Coffee and Bible and Prayer on a quiet Saturday morning (with my newly put together quiet time basket with containers for prayer, verse and blank note cards to use with my beautiful stickers!)
Baseball-playing boys knowing exactly where their uniforms are before the game (i.e. not having to run around madly looking for a jersey)
Laughing so hard with Dan that I cried. Can’t stop. Laughing. Crying.*
Godly, loving women who want to bless their friend. Throwing a baby shower with the sweetest of people for a mutual friend, who is so dear and such a wonderful mother... celebrating her fourth baby.
Roasted beets with goat cheese
Sun-kissed cheeks
Popsicles on a sunny afternoon
Long walks and talks with friends
Teaching Sunday School. Such joy in sharing the greatest gift of all. I love teaching God’s Word.

*I don’t know if this explanation will be funny to any of you, but I’ll tell you why we were laughing. We have had a LOT of water issues lately. Hot water issues, water pressure issues, water pump issues, and irrigation issues. I have had several mornings with no water = backed up dishes and laundry. We’ve had a new hot water tank and new pressure pump installed. Then Thursday morning the water pressure completely went out during Courtney’s shower. Followed by a fountain of water shooting from the ground. I called Dan on his way to work to tell him, and based on the fact that we’d had pressure issues with the shower, and that I told him I was looking out the bedroom window, he thought I was talking about the overflow valve, which would have to do with the pressure pump that had just been installed on Monday. But I was looking out the other bedroom window.

So he called the pump and well specialists. When the guy cam over to fix it, he kept giving me strange looks and told me several times that he doesn’t normally fix this kind of problem, but that he would. I’m thinking, as I run around crazy with voice teacher here, my dad arriving, and running out the door, “okay, as long as it gets fixed so I can have water again.” So late that night, all is fixed and Dan and I are getting ready for bed, and he asks me again where the water was shooting out from this morning. When I tell him, he cracks up. And we realize we called the pump and well specialists to fix a broken part on our sprinkler system. Which they kindly did.

Great Report from Japan

2011-04-09T18:41:00.000-07:00

From missionaries in Japan, who were there before the earthquake...

So happy to see that Samaritan's Purse is helping with relief and helping the local economy!

MONDAY, APRIL 04, 2011

In praise of relief agencies...

I spent some time talking with an Asian Access missionary who has been in Sendai for the past two weeks. In his role he interfaced withSamaritan's Purse and Food for the Hungry staff and assisted in distribution of their supplies. Their experience with disaster relief has been invaluable, and their goods have been wisely chosen.

In the past two weeks since the first load from Samaritan's Purse arrived in Sendai, they have gone out of their way to obtain other things that become apparent as needs. They purchased large amounts of some goods from Costco here in Japan--is that why I can't find what I'm looking for? ;-) I'll gladly give those things up if they are being used for the relief effort in Tohoku!

Currently they recognize that people need transportation. So rather than bringing in bicycles from outside the country, they are going to the local bike shops to purchase the bikes. In doing this, they encourage the local economy and provide a basic need for people.

As my friend, Peter said:

Learned so much over the past two weeks. I love what is starting to happen. Samaritan's Purse is contracting with local businesses to supply goods that SP will give away. Instead of bringing in everything from far away, they will support local business in a time of great need. The businesses sell to SP and SP gives it to people who lost everything. Double win. Beautiful. So amazing. Needs change daily, one day they are ordering tens of thousands of pairs of underwear, the next they are buying bikes. All going free to people in great need. But the combo of buying local when possible and giving local is great to see, especially in expensive Japan.

I know that many times people want to do something tangible to help, and I am guilty of thinking that giving to a major relief agency is not that helpful. But I want to say that these agencies are doing a great job, and the financial donations people give are making a strategic difference in the lives of people.

On My Way to 1000!

2011-04-07T04:42:00.000-07:00

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Such a busy and full life, kind-of a little crazy sometimes, but thankful for quiet times in the morning that make all the difference in my day, and for One Thousand Gifts for helping slow down, be thankful, and appreciate each moment
Red patchwork quilts
Fresh, warm, floral smell of the greenhouse
Hot bath, book and bed
Laughing with my ladies at Bible study
Finding the right motivation for my kids
Seeing their “aha” moments
A perfectly caught pop-fly
The privilege of taking care of my sweet kiddos when they are sick. Having medicine, tea, and all I need to care for them. It makes my heart break for mommas with sick babies who have no resources to care for them. Such a good reminder to live simply, to give more to those in need.
Grant’s Ant Traps (Does anyone else get inundated with ants every spring?)
Money to buy groceries. I never want to take this for granted. I am so thankful to be able to buy good food for our family.
Knowing that my favorite pajamas will be clean for bed tonight
Tyler Candles, “French Market” scent
Dinner in the crockpot
Kat texting me about prom plans and bringing friends over after the big event
Still feeling a little needed and wanted for advice and ideas in her life
Courtney’s delight in her new phone, and in her friend "finally" getting a phone
Giggles
Dan’s team winning their first game of the season
Courtney’s music compositions. She mailed a copy to my grandpa, a musician and former music teacher. He played it on the piano in his retirement home and wrote her a letter, commenting on it. “Not only do you have some very interesting melodies, but your chord progressions are excellent. The modulations to different keys were well done. And I was thrilled to hear some diminished chords throughout the composition. Keep up the good work!”

The bright mind and good health of my 95-year-old grandfather!
The sheer delight of my littlest boys when I tell them we are going to drive-through at McDonalds to get ice cream cones and super-hero toys. (I think this was the first time I had ever taken them to McDonalds.)
Tuck-in cuddles, back scratches and head-rubs with Abby. It’s not a real tuck-in for her unless I get under the covers, and preferably fall asleep with her as well.
Bode's giggles (I wish I could count how many times a day he giggles or laughs hysterically)

Home Sweet Home

2011-03-28T16:33:00.000-07:00

Always so good to be home!

Though for the first time in many years, I could have stayed on vacation longer. With no babies in the house, it's a lot easier to travel, and I wasn't dying to get back to my normal routine. It made me a little sad to leave beautiful, warm Maui.

It was a huge blessing to wake up Sunday morning and go to church and hear a great sermon on contentment from Philippians 4. It was also much needed ~~ammunition~~ devotional material for my youngest kids today as they had the "I've had too much vacation" attitude. God's Word is amazing! Our morning had a complete turn-around after we read about Paul's contentment in any circumstance and the only true satisfaction (Jesus!) that doesn't leave us longing for more (John 4).

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. ¹³ I can do all this through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13

And the thankful list continues... a few with photos...

124. Bantam rooster in the morning

125. Daffodils, anemones, hyacinths and camellias blooming (and bouquets of them in the house, made by my sweet mother)

126. Not having to think about where the light switches are

127. Jack, willing to wake up before 5 a.m. Hawaii time our first morning back, because he’s so excited to play some basketball

128. Worship, great sermon, and sweet friends at church

129. Lots of sun breaks

130. Birdsong in the morning and frogs at night

131. Everything familiar, especially my bed

132. Cooking (I love the combination of making recipes that call for lots of vegetables and making chicken stock - adding the unusable or less desirable parts to simmer with a chicken carcass. Beautiful color!)

133. Buds about to burst open on the magnolia tree outside my bedroom window (I think of this tree as the “Hope of Spring” as I see it’s big, fuzzy buds all winter long)

134. Clean laundry

135. Teaching Sunday School with Dan

136. Sweet hugs from kids we teach

137. Early work-out with my best friend, laughing, catching up – always a great start to my week

138. Brother buddies

139. Homeschooling moments

140. Logistics working out for tonight’s two baseball practices, one parent meeting, one basketball practice, one gymnastics lesson, one piano lesson and one play rehearsal. Everyone is able to get where they need to go thanks to a third driver in the family and a little help from our friends!

Bright-eyed

2011-03-25T18:09:00.000-07:00

Today at lunch I saw a woman with the most joyful eyes. She was probably close to 70, white-haired and more than pleasantly plump. My instant thought upon seeing her was that I don't mind the thought of growing older if I can look like her. She was with family, and while they went in to order food she sat outside at a table.

I had to tell her. She was just so beautiful. She was surprised, a little embarrassed,
pleased and more than a little doubtful about my eyesight, I think. But I went on to tell her it was the joy in her eyes, such a brightness about her. Then she looked at me, a little deeper, and with a more knowing voice and said, "Well, I do love the Lord." I smiled big and nodded, "Of course you do. That's it."

I saw Him in her eyes.

She grabbed my arm and gave a little hug, her family came out and the moment was gone.

That's who I want to be. So full of his grace that I shine His love without saying a word.

Almost Aloha

2011-03-25T11:43:00.000-07:00

I am looking forward to our last full day in Hawaii, but also looking forward to home!

Yesterday I finally got to swim in the ocean. One of my favorite things in life. I was trying to figure out why I hadn't done it before, and then I remembered! I'd been so busy watching the kids I couldn't get in myself. Now they are all ocean-ed out!

Here's a few shots from the past few days:

That last one is Cade playing his DS under a towel. Ha! Really appreciating the moment and all the beauty around him.

We did a family photo session with a photographer last night on a beautiful beach a few miles from here. I can't wait to see the pictures, but for now, here's a glimpse of the scene.

And of course, I couldn't end this post without some thankful thoughts.

100. Perfect bird shadows (such cute little feet!) above my head as they walk across the cabana roof

101. Torch-lit flagstone paths along the beach

102. Wolfgang Puck’s amazing food

103. Sunset dinners overlooking the ocean

104. That Dan and I both love to talk and make new friends when we’re out to dinner

105. Glorious mornings

106. Birdsong

107. First thoughts of day are thanks to God

108. Birds in pairs

109. Tan feet in flip-flops

110. Polka dots of light on the page of my book; sun through the brim of my sun hat

111. Amazing convenience and efficiency of email, camera, texting, games for kids to play, the Bible, Internet, note-taking all in one place. Oh, and it's a phone too!

112. Bougainvillea everywhere

113. Swimming in the best wave pool ever (the Pacific Ocean)

114. Watching liquid gems of sapphire, aquamarine, emerald and peridot cascade toward me again and again

115. Gardenias

116. Sashimi

117. God-appointed conversations

118. Psalm 25

119. Running, dancing, posing, and kissing on the beach at sunset for family pictures.

120. So tired of eating out that everyone is overjoyed at cereal, fruit, bread and lunchmeat in our hotel room.

121. Praying together.

122. A red cardinal on the railing not six feet from me.

123. Wet sand between my toes.

Eucharisteo III

2011-03-22T23:47:00.000-07:00

I realize it's really not hard to put together a thankful list while in Hawaii. And I'm actually looking forward to more of a challenge when we're back to regular life.

Thought this was a great quote from the book today:

One act of thanksgiving,

when things go wrong with us,

is worth a thousand thanks when things

are agreeable to our inclinations.

Sant John of Avila

But I still like documenting our trip through random thankful thoughts.

80. Holding hands and snorkeling
81. The wonder of another world under the surface of the water
82. Two proud little boys emerging from their room, very early morning, in matching outfits: “We’re all dressed and we packed!”
83. The fun of a new location (moving to a hotel today).
84. My capable, caring husband; packing the car up for me since he was golfing when we moved to the hotel.
85. Ahi Poke from Safeway, all packaged up in the meat department just like chicken or beef, with an expiration date. Only in Hawaii…
86. The scent of plumeria
87. Ceiling fans
88. All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before Him. Psalm 22:27
89. After four days in Hawaii, Kat and Cocoa are talking about missing their jeans and Uggs… that’s a little strange, but I’m glad they love living in Oregon!
90. Jack’s new love for Ahi Poke
91. But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. Psalm 52:8
92. Today Abby told me she wants to go home. Do you mean back to the hotel? “No, home. I miss doing my kitchen jobs and cleaning my room.” Again, really? But I’m glad she likes her life at home (and cleaning!) :)
93. I always tell Dan he does too much, but I have to love the fact that he pre-programmed my GPS while we were still in Portland for every location I would need while in Hawaii (including Whole Foods).
94. Abby told me her tummy hurt as we got out of the car at the hotel, and threw up in the bushes! I'm so thankful it didn't happen a moment earlier. Poor girl, now she’s worried the bellman is going to recognize her every time we go somewhere in the car. (She’s fine, was just a little carsick.)
95. Seeing friends and meeting new people, all from Portland, but here in Maui for spring break. A party put together on facebook. Thanks, Wooleys!
96. Arbonne “Glow With It” after-sun lotion. Saves me when I’m sunburned.
97. Fresh sheets.
98. Sunsets on the beach.
99. Flower leis.

Eucharisteo II

2011-03-20T12:10:00.000-07:00

From One Thousand Gifts:

"A nail is driven out by another nail; habit is overcome by habit." Erasmus said that, contemporary and admirer of Martin Luther. When I read this thought, I am surprised because I had never known and I am sad for all that would have changed if only I had.

I look down at the pen, this pen I keep wielding, one writing her way to one thousand. This pen: this is nothing less than the driving of nails. Nails driving out my habits of discontent and driving in my habit of eucharisteo. I'm hammering in nails to pound out nails, ugly nails that Satan has pierced through the world, my heart. It starts to unfold, light in the dark, a door opening up, how all these years it's been utterly pointless to try to wrench out the spikes of discontent. Because that habit of discontent can only be driven out by hammering in one iron sharper. The sleek pen of gratitude.

I hammer.

And so my list continues.

58. Enjoying different family dynamics when our oldest three are elsewhere
59. Dinner for 6 on the lanai
60. Tucking in tired, sun kissed children
61. Not knowing or caring what day it is
62. Early morning cuddles.
63. Kissing soft chubby Bode cheeks.
64. Wondering what deep thoughts Cade is thinking.
65. The strange feeling of having a child that is smarter than I am.
66. God’s goodness in giving me everything I need, mostly a relationship with him, to raise these children to His glory.
67. Contentment
68. Simple habits of coffee, Bible, reading the Psalm of the today’s date.
69. The spiritual disciplines of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication (ACTS).
70. Leather journals
71. Bode sideling up next to me, asking me what all the highlighted verses in my Bible say
72. Blond highlights coming out in my children’s sun-kissed hair.
73. Bode back for round four of morning hugs.
74. Early morning TV for kids so I can have some uninterrupted quiet time.
75. Dan waking up right when I realized I have no idea how to operate the TV
76. Working out in a breeze
77. The feel of a good stretch
78. Post workout pineapple juice
79. More time to read One Thousand Gifts on the deck

A Prayer for Japan from John Piper

2011-03-19T21:59:00.000-07:00

Two blog posts in one day! After six weeks of silence. I know, it's a miracle. That, or I'm on vacation. But this is so beautiful, and too long for a facebook status, so I had to share.

Father in heaven, you are the absolute Sovereign over the shaking of the earth, the rising of the sea, and the raging of the waves. We tremble at your power and bow before your unsearchable judgments and inscrutable ways. We cover our faces and kiss your omnipotent hand. We fall helpless to the floor in prayer and feel how fragile the very ground is beneath our knees.

O God, we humble ourselves under your holy majesty and repent. In a moment—in the twinkling of an eye—we too could be swept away. We are not more deserving of firm ground than our fellowmen in Japan. We too are flesh. We have bodies and homes and cars and family and precious places. We know that if we were treated according to our sins, who could stand? All of it would be gone in a moment. So in this dark hour we turn against our sins, not against you.

And we cry for mercy for Japan. Mercy, Father. Not for what they or we deserve. But mercy.

Have you not encouraged us in this? Have we not heard a hundred times in your Word the riches of your kindness, forbearance, and patience? Do you not a thousand times withhold your judgments, leading your rebellious world toward repentance? Yes, Lord. For your ways are not our ways, and your thoughts are not our thoughts.

Grant, O God, that the wicked will forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Grant us, your sinful creatures, to return to you, that you may have compassion. For surely you will abundantly pardon. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus, your beloved Son, will be saved.

May every heart-breaking loss—millions upon millions of losses—be healed by the wounded hands of the risen Christ. You are not unacquainted with your creatures' pain. You did not spare your own Son, but gave him up for us all.

In Jesus you tasted loss. In Jesus you shared the overwhelming flood of our sorrows and suffering. In Jesus you are a sympathetic Priest in the midst of our pain.

Deal tenderly now, Father, with this fragile people. Woo them. Win them. Save them.

And may the floods they so much dread make blessings break upon their head.

O let them not judge you with feeble sense, but trust you for your grace. And so behind this providence, soon find a smiling face.

In Jesus’ merciful name, Amen.

John Piper

Eucharisteo

2011-03-19T14:06:00.000-07:00

It’s one of those books.

All of a sudden everyone is talking about it.

Two friends, who rarely text, both texted me the same week to ask me if I’d read it.

Another friend is blogging about it.

It’s featured on the book table at Barnes and Noble.

And one of the texting friends bought it for me to take to Hawaii.

I haven’t even finished reading it, but I love the ideas in it. I can’t say that I love the book perfectly. I’m not a huge fan of flowery, wordy writing. But I love lists. And I love being thankful. And I love it when something that is already a part of me is so well expressed by someone else.

So here it is – the key to a joyful life. Let Jesus rescue you first. Then practice thankfulness.

Make a list of a thousand things you’re thankful for. Work on it everyday. When you’re done, do it again.

I’m going to attempt a list while in Hawaii… I may not make it to a thousand. But when I get home I’ll keep going…

Feeling the sun on my face, while still in the Northwest, but flying at 30,000 feet
Five hours of quiet time on the plane - reading, sleeping, journaling
My kids filing past me as they walk back to their seats, and getting the often asked question, “Are those ALL your kids? How many are there?” Knowing how thankful I am for the answer of so many blessings.
Remembering what it feels like to be hot
Bode running with abandonment and delight on the beach
Everyone’s joy in body surfing, getting braver moment by moment
Dining al fresco
Beach walker’s faces lighting up with smiles as Bode runs across their path, concentrating on his shovel of sand
Being home from the beach, so I can stop counting to seven over and over :)
Early morning cup of coffee
Quiet time outside, full moon lighting the ocean
Lemons and limes on a black bamboo tray
Pineapple in a wooden bowl
Eggs in a weathered basket
Getting my work out done early
Early morning on the deck, seeing Ryan and Abby through the window, both reading in bed
A luxurious second cup of coffee
Everyone’s delight with individual servings of microwaveable white rice
Katherine’s eyes
The laughter on my children’s faces as they preview the beginning of another family music video
Morning sun lighting up big, white, puffy clouds
A day of nothing planned… except swimming and beach time… settling in for quiet time, round two
Grapefruit piled in a pedestal bowl
Remembering that my big kids need hugs too and feeling them relax into my arms
An almost 180 degree view of the ocean from my bed
Palm trees blowing in the tropical wind
Jack’s deepening voice and growing height; mistaking him for Dan from across the way.
A vacation house on a hill in an unfinished subdivision, surrounded by empty lots = not having to worry about the noise we make
Browsing contentedly at the bookstore for almost an hour before dinner
Seeing my husband help in random situations – moving displays at the bookstore when the water starts to leak from the ceiling
Dinner out with my man
Ordering salad and soup (which is all I really want, but liking helping him justify his Surf and Turf) and sharing bites of his steak
Surprising my little ones with legos in the morning
A stunningly bright red bird in the bush
Cade’s look of concentration as he builds his legos
Doting on my kids; having nothing to do but bring them juice in the hot tub or pick up their towels.
Hearing “I love you more” from Cade, every time I tell him I love him
Surprise hugs from behind; my husband’s arms around me
My sweet friend Jenni, for buying me this book, One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp
Katherine and Courtney’s closeness when there are no other friends around; knowing they will be best friends for life
Abby’s dimples
The bright sapphire blue ocean
Whitecaps
Sailboats
The flower in Abby’s hair
Cute new cork wedge heels
A rainbow
“Look, Daddy! A blue ladybug,” says my fifteen-year-old daughter.
Cade’s arm around Bode; their sweet friendship
Kids in matching bathing suits.
Courtney’s curls
All my girls piled on my bed with me
My parents examples of thankfulness; living a life of trusting God and His Word
My dear friend Dayna, for living a life of joy with me and teaching me to beautify and simplify
How much bluer Cade’s eyes look when his face is tan
Seeing gigantic tropical versions of plants I know and love from home
Hearing that the sun is shining in Portland!

"Trader Joe's" Garden

2011-02-07T14:20:00.000-08:00

I know this doesn't look like much.

But it's filled with hope!

This garden bed is used for veggies in the summer, but is also home to all kinds of bulbs, most of them purchased at Trader Joe's in springs past. You know, cute little 4 inch pots of daffodils, tulips and hyacinths. Always a great deal at TJ's. You can pop them into a pretty container and enjoy them for a week or two. But after they're done blooming, you can also save them, because they will come back every year!

As the flower buds get larger and closer to opening, I dig them up, stick them in a pot, and bring them in the house to enjoy. I've also experimented with burying spent bulbs in the plastic pot, digging it up again a year later, wiping it down, and placing it inside a decorative container. It's worked, but as the years go by, they will probably not thrive without more room to multiply.

This little pot is on year two - just pulled it out of the ground yesterday.

And just in case you were wondering, my desk is STILL clean! :)

And on an unrelated note, here's a close up of the card leaning against the "flowers" box.

I love my new bird and nest stickers! For the "Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed" Bible study I'm doing we have had lots of opportunities to write down verses for meditation and to pray for our families. I love God's Word, but my flesh is weak, and having them on cute sticker-ed notecards makes me more likely to memorize and pray them!

Food Confusion

2011-01-28T10:57:00.000-08:00

Are you confused about what's really healthy to feed your family?

Me too.

I'm still learning, but here's a few basics ideas based on the way people ate for thousands of years before the rates of degenerative diseases skyrocketed. I'm guest blogging today over at Kari Patterson's.

Happy Friday!
Heather

Inspiration for Organization

2011-01-25T20:42:00.000-08:00

I've always loved organization. But as I got into this wonderful world of having kids, I stopped being any more organized than I absolutely needed to be for survival.

Now that Bode is four and a half, I feel like this January has been my best ever.

And if you're in the mood to get organized, I'll share what has helped this crazy mother along.

First off for me was January's issue of Better Homes and Gardens. I perused it during the Christmas break, and it made me itch to get back home and clean off my desk.

My desk has always been the thorn in my side. I've never been able to stay on top of the paperwork. It has certainly never stayed clean longer than a week. And while this may not seem monumental to you, I am proud to say that it's been perfectly clean before bed, every night, for three weeks. I sure hope I have turned over a new leaf.

I think the secret is that I've applied the Flylady's shiny kitchen sink theory to my desk. It must have taken me three years to consistently get the kitchen sink clean before bed each night. Prior to that I didn't try at all, due to the fact that I was nursing babies, changing diapers, not sleeping through the night, etc.

Of course, the Flylady wouldn't quite approve of my sink. Only the left half shines. The right half usually has dishes from late night snacks, but I don't mind... as long as they're covered in a mound of Mrs. Meyer's honeysuckle dishsoap bubbles. Somehow that makes it okay.

So applying the kitchen sink theory to my desk is simply this: It must be clean before bed. Every night.

To get things started, I put away all the stuff that I didn't really need (and probably should be filed, but I never got around to it) in a remote file drawer under my desk. And only kept out the stuff that really matters.

I reclaimed a cute container from my gardening armoire to be my catch-all, and this is all I'm allowing myself to keep on my desk. My desk, by the way, is one half of a country pine table. It's roughly one quarter of the office that is shared by four or five of us, so I have to be content to keep my little corner of the world tidy.

I have a few active files on the side of my storage armoire.

And pretty new things always help me get organized. I love these antique-looking butterfly file folders.

This is it. It may not be much, but it's tidy and I'm happy.

I take care of paper work daily, instead of weekly, monthly or when I'm in trouble :-)

And you know how it goes... you organize one spot, and it leads to more! You should see my bathroom. And schoolroom! I'm sure I'll keep it up... until gardening season starts.

Happy January!

P.S. I can't help myself. I have to post pictures of my bathroom. Look at those cute bird stickers down below!

A New Way of Shopping

2011-01-13T19:40:00.000-08:00

I have continued to enjoy this new pursuit to shop fair trade. It's kind of like when I woke up to the reality of how badly I ate. I started reading labels and switching to whole foods, and it hit me: What was I thinking before? When I would stick anything that tasted good in my mouth without thinking about what it really was and where it came from and what it was doing to my health.

What was I thinking when I cared only about the cost of an item? Why did I never consider the benefit of buying a costlier item from an ethical company? That you really do get what you pay for and I want to pay for workers being treated fairly.

So it's adventure every week, in some way or another. I still have lots to learn, but I am enjoying the journey. One of my favorite finds so far was prizes for Abby's birthday party. I purchased bottle cap necklaces made by eleven-year-old Sami on the east coast. All of the proceeds go to buy shoes for orphans in Ethiopia, including our Adanu. Sami's dad pays for all her materials, so 100% of the proceeds go to buy shoes for kids who are being cared for by Children's Hope Chest and learning daily about God's love for them!

She also has cute polka-dot backgrounds with an initial of your choice,

and other styles, so be sure to check them out here!

Little Goody 2 Shoes

Stocking Stuffers

2010-12-25T07:48:00.000-08:00

During last Christmas season Cade was very into making me proud of his healthy choices. We were walking through the candy aisle in some store, and he declared with much enthusiasm that he didn't want candy in his Christmas stocking. And even went so far as to add, "I'd rather have Popi's chicken salad in my Christmas stocking."

Well, of course I couldn't pass that one up. Too cute. Somehow chicken salad has become a signature recipe of my Dad's and all the kids love it. I told Dad, and he was all over having a little rubbermaid container of chicken salad for each of the kids stockings.

Well this Christmas my parents are in South Africa visiting my brother and family (they relocated there for a few year with Heinz). That chicken salad had already become a relied upon tradition would never have crossed my mind, especially with the recipe calling for quartered grapes. (Really now? Who has time for that?)

But as soon as we pulled out the stockings after Thanksgiving, Bode's eyes lit up and he turned to me and said, "Remember? Santa brings us chicken salad for our stockings!"

So here I am in the kitchen before the crack of dawn on Christmas morning quartering grapes. And tucked in or under every stocking is Santa's gift.

Oh, the funny things we do for our kids to make Christmas magical.

May your day be filled with love, and the knowledge of the true miracle of Christmas. That God humbled Himself to be born into this world, so He could show us how to truly love, and then made the ultimate sacrifice to pay for our sin, that we might have a relationship with Him. To be His children and His friends. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Simple Christmas Traditions

2010-12-09T22:31:00.000-08:00

I am finally content with our Christmas traditions. It's our 20th Christmas as a married couple and our 17th Christmas with children. I guess it's about time.

I have learned my limits, and no longer come into the season with goals to make new ornaments for the Jesse Tree or bake ten types of Christmas cookies or have special gift boxes to open each day for the twelve days of Christmas (all failed experiments from my past).

I am good for one big day (or weekend) of decorating, and whatever does not get done then will not get done at all. Our tree doesn't have a theme or much organization. Just a lot of white lights and all the ornaments added over the years. Each year we buy each child a new ornament that they can take with them someday (sniff!) to start their own tree.

I'm not really into crafts. But I print out Christmas coloring pages and crossword puzzles and phonics worksheets and math worksheets to do "Christmas School."

I am really, really good at reading (impressive, I know!) Christmas books and buying a few new ones each year to add to our collection.

(I'll list some of our favorites at the end of this post.)

I'm also really good at buying a fun variety of Christmas cookies at Trader Joe's. I buy a new kind every week in December! But we only bake cookies once or twice.

I love making Jesus the center of it all. One of our favorite long-standing traditions is to set up the manger scene with the animals and shepherd, but the baby Jesus gets hidden away until Christmas morning. Mary and Joseph "travel" throughout the house on their way to Bethlehem and the kids love searching for them every morning. They move from bookshelf to counter to under the piano... in no real order... throughout the season. On Christmas Eve they will be in the stable. And on Christmas morning at least one small child will melt my heart when the first thing they ask is "Is baby Jesus here????"

(Even this simple tradition isn't always perfectly done. "Mom, Mary and Joseph haven't travelled since yesterday." "Oh, okay, sorry, uh, close your eyes!" And then I stomp all around the house to throw them off track as I move them to their new spot. )

Here they are today, hidden in the base of one of the advent trees.

I do love the Jesse Tree, but I finally had to break down and buy the ornaments. You can read more about it here (minus the part about homemade ornaments), but it's a daily advent devotional that takes you through the highlights of the Old Testament and the geneaology of Christ. The name comes from Isaiah 11:1: "Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit." It's a beautiful reminder of how much we need Jesus - He is our Rescuer!

I love our very traditional stockings. Even though we've added many over the years, they all go together.

I love having at least one nativity that the kids can play with. It's fun to walk through the living room and see that the animals have been rearranged. They might even be on the roof. But I know the kids hearts are thinking about the real meaning of Christmas as they play, and they always ask such good questions.

Most of all, I love to take time to be quiet. To turn out all the lights except for a few candles and the tree lights and sing carols on the couch. To have days with nothing planned except to sit and read Christmas books. And reflect on the beauty of God's precious gift to us.

--------------------------

Picture Books:

Christmas in the Country by Cynthia Rylant

Apple Tree Christmas by Trinka Hakes Noble

Christmas with the Mousekins by Maggie Smith

Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry

The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski

One Wintry Night by Ruth Bell Graham

The Pine Tree Parable by Liz Curtis Higgs

Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck

Silver Packages by Cynthia Ryland

A Little House Christmas (Holiday Stories from the Little House Books)

Chapter Books:

Jotham's Journey

Bartholomew's Passage
Tabitha's Travels
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

The Best Before and After EVER!

2010-12-08T09:58:00.000-08:00

We began sponsoring Adanu at the Trees of Glory care-point in July. The picture below was taken in June.

This next picture was taken in November. Just five month later!

I can not get over the difference. I had e-mailed Karen, our contact with Trees of Glory, telling her I couldn't wait to get a new picture of Adanu when she (Karen) went to visit in November. I wanted to see Adunu's smile! And I couldn't wait to take that sad picture down.

But I had to leave it up on the fridge. It's lower now, and to the side of the new picture. But I can't get enough of seeing those two pictures next to each other.

What a difference sponsorship makes!

In the new picture Adanu is holding the care package we sent with Karen. All the love we could stuff into a gallon size ziploc bag. A new shirt, other small gifts, and letter and a picture of our family.

18 more kids are joining the care-point, and need sponsors! Please e-mail Karen if you can help. $34 a month makes a world of difference in the life of a child!

Below is more information from Karen's blog about Trees of Glory.

"Trees of Glory" care-point is located about a 2 hour drive North of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It is a semi-mountainous area of Ethiopia that has been greatly affected by famine and drought The care-point is located on 27 acres of land that can eventually be developed to help the care-point become more self-sufficient. There are 13 buildings on the property that are being renovated to provide shelter for the kids when they visit the care-point.

The local government identifies the neediest and most destitute children in an area, and provides the opportunity to attend a care-point to meet their basic needs. 84 orphaned and destitute children have been assigned to "Trees of Glory" as we develop a sponsor program here.

Most of these children are orphans, and are living with a relative or guardian that is barely able to provide for their basic needs. As a result, many of the children are severaly malnourished, and are vulnerable to illnesses like malaria and pneumonia. Local livestock owners employ many of the children as herders, and pay the child's guardian a meager wage of about $12 per year.

Your sponsorship will provide your sponsor child with nutritious meals every day, along with clothing, medical care, Christian discipleship and EDUCATION. Without a sponsor, these kids will never have the opportunity to go to school and they will continue "working" to pay for the roof over their head.

Ginia, with Children's Hopechest, spent a day with the kids at "Trees of Glory" in May 2010 and she emailed me: "Trees of Glory is WONDERFUL. It's a 2 hour drive into the mountains from Addis. We gave kids bread and bananas today. Most of the kids are orphans and are living with relatives or on the streets. They work as "herdsmen" of sheep and cattle. The relative is paid 120 ETB (equivalent of about $12 dollars) for year by livestock owners for the kids to work. It's very sad. Simret's (the director) vision is very big. She is a beautiful Godly woman. Very sweet and you can feel the presence of God in this place. There are no Christians living in the area. They are mainly Ethiopian Orthodox and live by superstitions and witchcraft." A sponsor program will make a dramatic and lasting impact for the kids at "Trees of Glory"!!

If you are interested in sponsoring a child at "Trees of Glory", please contact me at kjwistrom@yahoo.com and let me know if you have a preference for a boy or girl, one child or a sibling group of 2. I will email you with a child's photograph and biographical information and instructions on how to register as that child's sponsor.

Crazy Fair Trade Day

2010-12-05T00:05:00.000-08:00

Today was a serious test of my new commitment to buy only fair trade.

As a community group we have adopted some families who are hurting for the very basic needs. Our part was to do pajamas, maybe a few sweatshirts. I wasn't too worried; I knew I could find something online that was fair trade. But then I got an email that everything needed to be turned in by this weekend! I looked around a little this week, but didn't have much time. Today had to be the day.

I was headed out to Sherwood for a birthday party at Safari Sam's. My plan was to drop off the boys then hit a consignment store. Which I hoped existed but I hadn't found anything on my google search. So I called my friends at Sweetest Thing Cupcakes and got the name of Pitter Patter in Newburg. Yea!

But then I got a phone call from Courtney. She needed 5 Christmas presents for a gift exchange. Tonight. Okay. I can do this. God, I pray I can do this.

Pitter Patter was a great success. I pulled every quality item I could find in each of the two kids' sizes: jeans, pajamas, shirts, sweatshirts, mittens, hats, scarves. It was a load. And the price? Less than taking the family out to dinner. I think I like this thrifting!

Then a quick cup of coffee and yummy gluten-free cupcake with Ann at Sweetest Thing (it WAS on the way back to Safar Sam's). And supporting local businesses, double yay.

Got the boys and headed to the new Finegan's Toy Store at Bridgeport. I wanted to have at least one brand new shiny toy for these kids. But EVERYTHING was made in China. Almost. I finally settled for Playmobil advent calendar toys. Made in Malta? I don't know, but I had more hope for that than China. And the boys had the most fun there playing with a remote control helicopter toy!

Now back to the Courtney challenge. Five moderately priced gifts. After dropping Bode off for a Noni and Popi date and before Cade's basketball game, we stopped at a craft fair but there was nothing that teenage girls would find exciting. I wish hand crafted stuff didn't look so, well, hand crafted.

But I found what I needed at my beloved Market of Choice. Along with the best price on organic grass-fed beef in town, they also had.... Fair trade wool hand warmers! You know, like gloves, but with the tops of they fingers missing so they can still use their phones, itouches, etc.

All devices that use conflict metals, a whole 'nother issue.

But anyway! It was a successful fair trade day, and I'm thankful. But tired.

Me, An Oppressor?

2010-11-09T16:42:00.000-08:00

I have to confess that I have been oppressing people. Maybe not directly, but I have.

We've been studying James 5:1-6 this week in Bible study.

Here it is in The Message:

^1-3 And a final word to you arrogant rich: Take some lessons in lament. You'll need buckets for the tears when the crash comes upon you. Your money is corrupt and your fine clothes stink. Your greedy luxuries are a cancer in your gut, destroying your life from within. You thought you were piling up wealth. What you've piled up is judgment.

^4-6All the workers you've exploited and cheated cry out for judgment. The groans of the workers you used and abused are a roar in the ears of the Master Avenger. You've looted the earth and lived it up. But all you'll have to show for it is a fatter than usual corpse. In fact, what you've done is condemn and murder perfectly good persons, who stand there and take it.

We learned today that James is not addressing Christians here, but still, I want to examine myself. At first I felt pretty good. I think I deal fairly with others, and try to be generous. But I couldn't stop thinking about the "exploited workers." The ones I don't see when I buy something at the mall. The ones who made the clothes under possibly inhumane conditions.

In the past I've gone back and forth on this issue, sometimes refusing to buy things made in China because of human rights violations, and then getting tired of the effort.

This week I did more research, and my eyes have been opened. As the songs goes, "Now that I have seen, I am responsible."

At the end of our study we were asked to write James' indictments in our own words, applicable for today. These were my thoughts:

You care only about your bottom line and spend your money on cheap food harvested by oppressed workers, some of whom have lost their family farms because of your demand for perfect, plastic, convenient, name-brand food.

In the same way, always looking for the best deal on clothes (so you have plenty of money to eat out and entertain yourself with the latest movies, music and video games), you think nothing of the children who were sold by their parents to work for no pay, 16 hours a day, sewing tiny little beads on a t-shirt for your daughter.

You have lived on the earth in wanton pleasure and luxury, always wanting to have a better house, a nicer vacation and a fancier car.

So what am I to do? In general, I need to be content. Live simply. Be busy giving and doing good.

But specifically in the area of clothes for my (slightly) large family?

Honestly, it will be pretty inconvenient. But I can probably clothe the nine of for about the same price as I do now, if I:

1. Buy less. I mean how many clothes do we really need?

2. Buy used. I will miss the Nordstrom smell.
3. Buy from fair trade - socially responsible - ethical companies. Yes, they are more expensive, but they will be balanced out by less clothing and used clothing. And I am so happy to support companies that are doing things right and the people that will be blessed with good jobs.

As far as food, I've been trying to buy quality, local, and organic for quite some time but there are probably a few things I need to tweak. More on that another time.

In all of this study and soul searching, I am so thankful to God for how tender He has been with me. I have truly felt a change in my heart that can only come from Him. He has made me really want to do this. I would have done it out of obedience, and done my best to have a good attitude. But His Holy Spirit has changed my heart, and I am grateful. I'm actually excited to do it!

He's also given me a song to inspire me. We've been watching a lot of Les Miserables with both Abby and Kat in the musical for three weeks, and I love "Do You Hear the People Sing?" You might have to listen to it yourself to fully appreciate it, but here are a few of the lyrics.

Do you hear the people sing?

Singing a song of angry men?

It is the music of a people

Who will not be slaves again!

When the beating of your heart

Echoes the beating of the drums

There is a life about to start

When tomorrow comes! Will you join in our crusade?

Who will be strong and stand with me?

Somewhere beyond the barricade

Is there a world you long to see?

And for more information on the global sweatshop crisis, this is by far the best, easiest to read article I have seen.

Praying Mantis

2010-10-29T17:00:00.000-07:00

Soon after setting up the greenhouse both a male and female female praying mantis moved in.

One day we couldn't find the female, and I told Bode to look for her. I said that she might be laying some eggs.

I'm not sure why I said that.

He found her.

And she really was laying eggs.

Right then.

And it only happens once a year.

The whole process took about an hour, and they won't hatch until spring.

Here she is, hard at work.

I did some googling to find out more, and it seems that sometimes the female eats the male, starting with the head first, after laying the eggs.

And sure enough, about ten days later we saw this.

Poor guy.

So now we're down to one pet.

But in the spring, we should have hundreds more.

Evidently the babies might eat each other too.

Sometimes I'm a Little Slow

2010-10-27T21:18:00.000-07:00

Early this year at a church conference I was offered a free copy of this children's Bible and I didn't take it.

A few months later everyone at church was raving about it, but I wasn't interested.

I already have a great children's story Bible, and besides, I really didn't like the cartoon picture of Jesus on the cover.

Then my best friend starts telling me about this great children's Bible and even buys me a copy.

Ok, I've read it now.

I think I understand what all the fuss is about.

The introduction made me cry.

It's beautiful.

Even if you don't have kids, you need to buy this Bible.

Here are just a couple paragraphs from the intro to whet your appetite:

"No, the Bible isn't a book of rules, or a book of heroes. The Bible is most of all a Story. It's an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It's a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne - everything - to rescue the one he loves. It's like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life."

"It takes the whole Bible to tell this Story. And at the center of the Story, there is a baby. Every Story in the Bible whispers his name. He is like the missing piece in a puzzle - the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together, and suddenly you can see a beautiful picture."

(Oh, and for you Tim Keller fans, he was evidently very influential in the writing of this book, as noted by the author.)

My kids love it too. They never want me to stop reading it. And when I do, they keep looking at the pictures. For hours.

Here you go - you can click here to buy it now.

Hopefully you're not as slow as I am.

There Should Be An App for That

2010-10-09T04:51:00.000-07:00

I want to give more. I want to teach my kids that it makes a difference when we skip that trip to Jamba Juice and give the money to those really in need.

But I need help. While I want to give, I'm still an impatient American used to instant gratification. So I have a great idea. More about that in a minute.

You know that Jesus cared about the poor, right? And they should be one of our highest priorities in life. It's not the government's job or someone else's job. If you are a Christian, it's your job.

If we are generous and share our food with the poor, we will be blessed.

If we give to the poor we will lack nothing. But if we close our eyes to them we will receive many curses.

When we are kind to the poor we lend to the LORD and will be rewarded. (This one really amazes me! It's all God's money anyway.)

But if we shut our ears to the cry of the poor, we will cry out and not be answered. *

I think there are a lot of people who care about the poor and still do nothing because they are overwhelmed with the magnitude of the problems in this world, and they feel like their small contribution won't make much of a difference.

This is not true.

Every little bit helps.

I learned recently that we spend $62 BILLION each year on soft drinks. If we gave up just a third of our soda, we could provide clean water to all 884 million people in the world who lack it.

So back to my need for instant gratification. Yes, I could tell my kids that we're not going to have soda with dinner because it not healthy, and that we're going to send the money to help someone who really needs it. I'm not sure how much they would get that.

But if I pull out my phone and had an app that allowed me to quickly and easily show them a picture of the baby chicks we're going to send to a family in Africa to start a small business, and really sent the money right then and there, don't you think that would be effective?

So to all my favorite charities - those that meet physical needs and give eternal hope through Jesus Christ - this is my request! I'd like your "gift catalogs" to be made into iphone apps. I will download it, and it will be so fun to see how our money can be better used. And really give - then and there - to make a difference!

*Proverbs 22:9, 28:27, 19:17, 21:13

Disclaimer: This type of giving is not tithing. As Christians we should order our finances in such a way that we are tithing to our local church, paying our taxes and bills, providing for our family's needs, and giving generously regularly. This is just an extra way of giving a little more.

The Greenhouse

2010-10-07T10:03:00.000-07:00

My fortieth birthday present from my husband was a beautiful silver bracelet from Tiffany's and a fabulous party.

My fortieth birthday present that I connived/guilted him into was the greenhouse of my dreams.

I asked him how he would feel if it was football season and he didn't have a TV or a computer. Cause that's how I feel when I can't garden during the winter months. And somehow, after all my years of pleading for a greenhouse, that was what got through to him.

But he's actually really gotten into it. We feel like we're officially an "old couple," since we spent a Saturday afternoon at Home Depot and working on the greenhouse instead of going out to dinner for a date.

It's been pretty warm lately, making the temp in the greenhouse at least in the 90's during the middle of the day. My thermometer reads over 100 at times, but I'm not sure how accurate it is.

We're starting veggies and herbs and flowers from seed.

Saving some plants that would normally die once the first freeze hits.

And coming out here for some quiet moments.

I feel like we've added another room to the house.

We also have a few new pets -- that have moved into the greenhouse. More about them next time.

The Cure for Perfection

2010-09-28T11:11:00.000-07:00

I was moved by the Single Dad Laughing’s blog on perfection. If you haven’t read it, you might want to go there first, BUT make a mental note to ignore the graphic at the top of the page. If you’re a guy it will probably cause you to lust, and if you’re a gal, you might hate your body even more than you already do.

Okay, so great article, right? Sad, but true. And the solution is partially helpful.

BE REAL.

Growing up in Dallas, Texas, in the 1980’s I experienced what surely has to be some of the worst pretension in history. I moved there in the 7^th grade from Oregon and showed up for school in my A Smile jeans and a polo shirt. I thought I was cool, only to find girls there wearing long, full, pleated skirts, heels, and carrying Louis Vuitton bags. At 12 years old. Are you kidding me?

Living in Texas for 16 years certainly influenced me as a person. While living there I always felt I had to have the perfect house, with perfectly well-dressed children, throwing perfect dinner parties, etc. I still have a hard time going to the grocery store without any make-up on.

But it’s not really a Texas thing. Well, maybe a little. But the issue of perfectionism runs through all part of the world, in it’s own ways, in every culture.

And being real can be very powerful antidote.

When I was a young mom I was blessed with a new best friend. We did everything together. She was kind of a mess. And she didn’t care. SHE LET ME COME OVER WHEN HER HOUSE WAS MESSY! (This was in Dallas, Texas, ya’ll. Amazing.) She didn’t act like she had it all together when she didn’t. That was an epiphany for me. Because I still loved her. I didn’t think any less of her. And I realized that I didn’t have to be perfect for people to like me either. They might even like me more. What a revelation.

Another “ah-ha” moment I had in being real was with a friend in high school. She and I knew each other from youth group, but went to different schools. Because of this, I think we felt we could open up to each other and not worry about our image. One night we sat on her trampoline and talked about everything into the wee hours of the night. I don’t even remember what we talked about. But I do recall the feeling of being honest yet still accepted, and the beauty of hearing another person express feelings that I thought only I had.

But where I think the BE REAL solution is not enough, is that it doesn’t address WHY we feel this desire to be perfect. If it’s all about being real, then let’s just sit around and pick our noses in front of each other. No! Gross! Not that real.

I believe we have a strong, inner desire to be perfect because we were created for perfection. Before sin, everything was perfect. Adam and Eve had perfect bodies and lived in a perfect garden and had a perfect marriage. We were created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26). And God is perfect.

But sin entered the world, and now we all suffer from it. Some people embrace sin, and choose a life of hate, theft, addiction, greed, etc. Others of us see sin, and don’t like it. We want to be good. But if we don’t deal with sin in the way God has provided, often times I think we turn to some small part of our life and try to control it to satisfy our desire for perfection. It can be our image or reputation. Our body. Our home. Our children. Our career. Or all of the above and more.

And it’s not that excelling in something is bad. We were created for excellence. The problem comes when perfection in some area or areas of our life becomes our god. And turning from the true God puts us in the same group as those who embrace sin.

So here’s the bad news and the good news. We are never going to perfect. We don’t have it all together and we never will. We screw up daily both on a large scale (hating, abusing, murdering) and on a small scale (overeating, not using our time well). Don’t you like how I categorize sin? Those are my thoughts, not necessarily God’s.

Anyway, we will forever make mistakes and be imperfect. And the really bad news is that the punishment for sin is death. God is Holy. He cannot be in the presence of any sin, no matter how “small.” All that you and I know that is good (life, light, love, beauty) is from God. So what to do, what to do!

Of course, that’s the good news. God already did DO. He satisfied His need for justice in the death and sacrifice of His Son, Himself. It is finished. When Jesus rose from the grave he conquered sin and death. If you have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, that His sacrifice has paid for your sins, you are saved.

And when God sees you, He sees perfection.

He does.

You don’t believe it, do you?

Even if you have already been saved.

But it’s true.

You have been cleansed, washed, forgiven.

You don’t have to strive.

You are His precious child.

It does not matter what you have done.

If you trust in Him for your salvation, you are clean. You are perfect. When He looks at you, He sees the righteousness of His Son.

2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

If you are a Christian, YOU HAVE BECOME THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD!

Not by anything that you did.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that now one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

And you weren’t saved for nothing. You were saved for something. See the verses just following:

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10.

God loves perfection. He is perfection. He loves beauty and order. Just look at the world he made. At least the parts we haven’t messed up yet.

He calls us to put off sin, to run the race with endurance. He wants us to abide in Him. Study John 15 to understand how to live a life of walking with Jesus. But it’s not striving to earn anything. He’s already blessed us, if we are Christians, with His righteousness.

Life should be a process of becoming less of me and more of Him, by His grace and in His strength. And we don’t do this in isolation, but community. We need to share honestly our struggles and imperfections as we walk with Him. We do need to be real. We need to bear with one another. We need to extend grace, time and time again, to ourselves and to each other.

But somehow, through it all, He looks at me, even now, and sees the righteousness of His Son.

Growing Up Too Fast

2010-09-27T14:51:00.000-07:00

He's only six.

But lately he just seems so big.

He wants to watch Sports Center and hang with the guys all the time.

Not that he likes sports or anything.

Note the two balls he brought with him for his reading lesson... and that he's wearing the beanie Daddy brought home from the Seahawks game. Even though it's 82 degrees outside today.

We really are doing reading.

Unless, of course, there's a blue jay in the tree outside.

A Good Day

2010-09-20T13:30:00.000-07:00

So many thankful thoughts running through my head.

Inspiration hit yesterday afternoon while I was looking through some cookbooks, and I had made breakfast, lunch and dinner all before 9 a.m. this morning. A crustless quiche for breakfast, split pea soup for lunch, and crock pot beef and vegetables for dinner.

This might sound like bragging. I'm sorry. I'm just so proud of myself right now :-)

I was also reminded (in another book) to cut up vegetables in large quantities in advance so they are easy to grab. Duh! I like vegetables. I just don't want to mess with them when I'm hungry. Now I have a container of celery, carrot and jicama sticks to snack on while I make lunch or eat for a quick snack. It's funny how this is one snack that no one else wants, so I get them all to myself :-)

I worked out for an hour early this morning with a girlfriend (love you, Dayna!), so I'm happy about that as well. I have 4 regular work-out dates each week, and I'm so thankful for the consistency. I need it.

I love homeschooling my kids. Lighting candles on cozy days. Talking to my husband on the phone during his lunch hour.

I'm also so thankful for our church. Devotional with the kids is so easy and fun when I'm being spiritually fed, and it's natural to share with them what I've been learning both on Sunday in Tuesday Bible Study.

Of course, in keeping it real, life is not perfect. I had to apologize to Abby for being irritable with her right before our devotional time. Ugh! That always happens. I had to call about a parking ticket I got when I was trying to pay for parking downtown but the machine was broken. I was frustrated, but thought I was handling it pretty well with the gal on the phone, but she railed into me about how rude I was. Really??? And my children are still in the process of being sanctified... imagine that! I look forward to the day when I can take "referee" off my list of duties.

But today is a good day, and I'm feeling blessed by my God who continues to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond all I could ask or imagine! (Ephesians 3:20)

Lame

2010-09-13T20:58:00.000-07:00

I feel bad that I never write on my blog.

I'm not sure why I have such a hard time with it.

It's not that I don't have time or anything to write about.

It's just that I wonder about posting everything "out there" on the internet, and whether or not it's a good idea to talk about my kids, which is most of my life right now. And then I sort of hate it when I have something personal to share and I write about it and then I want to tell a good friend about it in person and they're like, "Oh yeah, I read that on your blog." Hmmmf. Not that I blame them, but still. It's kind of a funny thing, this internet.

So anyway, I'm going to try to be more regular. Because I really like reading all of your blogs. I just need to figure out how to do mine.

Another hang-up I have is that I really love to put a new picture up with each post, and if I don't have a picture downloaded, I think it's not worth writing. I'm sure I need to get over that.

But, here's a cute pic of the big girls on their first day back to school. It was Courtney's first day to public school ever!

Why I Homeschool

2010-03-09T05:52:00.000-08:00

All right, this is rather deceiving, yet again. I finally post, and it's just a link to another blog. But trust me, you'll love this.

And I feel like I could have written it. If I lived on a ranch in Oklahoma.

Pioneer Woman on Homeschooling.

Late Winter Gardening

2010-02-20T13:19:00.000-08:00

I had a hard time saying, "late winter." Isn't it spring?

In this post I'll show you around the yard and tell you about my latest gardening projects. One friend actually asked me to do this, and I enjoy doing it for the record. I won't be offended if the rest of you don't make it to the end of the post :-)

I was able to cross a lot of plants off my wish list last fall! I finally planted a huge amount of bulbs. Coming up here amongst the pansies are peony tulips and white flowering allium.

Pansies and Narcissus Dutch Master

I have an area at the end of a bed that doesn't get enough water, and today I planted it full of succulents.

I never really liked the look of succulents (too desert-like, I thought), but last summer I ate outside at Meriwether's in Northwest Portland and sat right next to a pot full of a beautiful mix of them. I wish I had taken a picture. Anyway, now I love them, and I'm excited to watch this area fill in.

These may not be beautiful to you, but nothing is more exciting in the early spring to see sweet peas popping up their little heads! It's not too late to plant some, but the sooner the better.

This is a new green I'm trying. It's not too early to plant lettuces, spinach, peas and carrots!

Did you know that you can take sprouting organic potatoes and put them straight into the dirt? It's a little early, but I'm counting on not getting any more super hard freezes. Click here for more information about growing potatoes and sweet potatoes. Scroll down a bit to "Potato Cultivation."

Whenever the kids help me garden they get to put their name on it! Abby and Ryan helped me start some plants from seed. They are in the shop right now under full spectrum florescent bulbs. They must be set on a timer to have at least 6 hours off each night.

These are Ryan's Lobelia:

I forgot to have the kids water them when I went to CA and they dried out, but managed to survive! I'm most excited to see if the petunia seeds I saved from last year will germinate.

This anemone has long been on my wish list... I first saw it at Elk Rock/Bishop's Close. I love early spring bloomers!

My favorite tree - a magnolia. I call it "The Hope of Spring" as I stare at the buds all winter long. I can see it from my bed. Love this tree!!!

Happy Gardening to all!

Worth Reading

2010-02-19T04:58:00.000-08:00

From Don Miller's blog. I especially loved the second part beginning with:

"So two questions I’m asking myself these days are what is my field to plow, and am I plowing it?"

Click Here to link to Don's blog.

Blogs for a Cause

2010-01-20T19:20:00.000-08:00

Do you like the re-do on my blog? I sure do, and what I like best is that the $30 it cost me is being donated to charity. Thank you, Nikki! (see her button on the left)

Of the $30, $25 goes to support Nikki's humanitarian work. She is a 20 year old Canadian, and in her last year of college. She sponsors four children in Africa and Haiti, and has gone to the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Ethiopia to work in orphanages, malnutrition clinics, schools, etc. This coming May she will go to India.

The other $5 goes to a monthly charity. This month's charity is Heartline Ministries in Haiti, which has an orphanage and women's program, that "endeavors to be the hands of Christ in Haiti."

I needed a re-do so my blog would match (and not clash with :-/) the Botanical Interests button that links to the fundraiser to benefit Open Arms International . Please spread the word to your gardening friends! It's time to start planning for spring!

Seeds for a Cause!

2010-01-13T18:35:00.000-08:00

If I talked with you about gardening at all last year, you probably heard me raving about Botanical Interests seeds.

I first discovered them at Portland Nursery, and was taken by the beautiful colored sketches on the front of each packet. As it turns out, they are not only aesthetically pleasing, but organic, heirloom, and family-owned.

Does it get any better?

Well, as a matter of fact, it does! Now when you buy seeds from Botanical Interests (using the link or button above - very important!), 25% of the proceeds go to Open Arms International.

Open Arms International is administratively based in Portland, but serves in Eldoret, Kenya, East Africa. They provide a safe haven for children orphaned by AIDS and other tragedies. They currently house twenty-six children in two homes, with a set of house parents in each home. I love this model for orphanages. Please read more about them on their site!

And, if you want to share this fundraising link for seed shopping with others, please use this link. http://www.botanicalinterests.com/store/register_affiliate.php?AffiliateId=332
(Once you actually get to their site, the link will look different, so don't copy it there.)

For now, it's time to start thinking about planting sweet peas. January and February are the months to plant for an early summer bloom!

A Couple Good Reads

2010-01-08T06:52:00.000-08:00

I loved these books.

Jansen's Gift is a true story, about a woman who suddenly loses her son. In her grief, she finds a greater purpose for life and ends up helping children around the world.

Scared is fiction, based on the real life experiences of Tom Davis, President of Children's HopeChest, a Christian-based child advocacy organization helping orphans in Eastern Europe and Africa.

Both show the vulnerability of children and the reality of modern slavery

(often in the form of sex trafficking). They will break your heart and give you hope.

And if you think you've got problems... you won't think so anymore.

Shepherd's Pie

2009-11-09T10:05:00.000-08:00

Shepherd’s Pie
(for a cozy fall night! As requested by Nadia :-))

2 pounds ground beef
1 large yellow onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
1 quart homemade beef stock
1 small can tomato sauce
½ t. Wizard Worcestershire Sauce
1 t. balsamic vinegar
1-2 t. sea salt

1 bag organic sweet corn (Trader Joe’s)

Yukon Gold Potatoes
Kerrygold butter
TJ’s Organic Sour Cream
Sea Salt

Grated Cheddar Cheese (Tillamook Sharp)

Frozen Spelt Pie Crusts from Whole Foods - pull them out of the freezer as you begin.

Brown beef and onion. When onions are somewhat softened and beef is partly cooked, add diced carrots.

When beef is fully cooked add stock, tomato sauce and seasonings. Simmer for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, make mashed potatoes. I don’t even know the recipe anymore because Courtney always makes them, but I’m guessing a bag of potatoes – boiled, drained and smashed, 2 sticks of butter (or one package of Kerrygold), a lot of sour cream, and sea salt. This is too many potaotes for the pies, but we like leftover mashed potatoes around here.

Stir in corn to beef mixture and simmer until it’s heated.

Pour beef mixture into 2 or 3 pie crusts. Top with mashed potatoes and cheese and bake until crusts are done – 25 mintues or so.

Yummy!

Waiting and Bountiful Harvest

2009-08-26T17:11:00.000-07:00

I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. Psalm 52:8

The other day I had a bunch of plants that I really wanted to move. Some were getting too much sun, and some weren't getting enough. I had all kinds of ideas about where to put things, but there was nothing I could do about it. It was just too hot, and I knew that they would die if I moved them at that time.

So I had to wait.

It made me think about situations we are in, when we really want change. We know we're not in the best place but there seems to be nothing we can do about it, and we pray, and we wait and it seems like nothing is happening. Yet God, our master gardener, feels our pain. Just like I really wanted to move my plants, God wants to put us where we'll blossom. But He understands the perfect timing and circumstances that are beyond our knowledge.

Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you,
And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
How blessed are all those who long for Him. Isaiah 30:18

Part II Bountiful Harvest - just a few fun pictures

I have been so pleased with the limelight hydrangeas. To my knowledge, these are the only hydrangeas that tolerate heat and full sun. The have done beautifully around the pool and also make a great cut flower (best if cut in the early morning).

I think it's fitting that the African basil (on the left) outperformed the standard basil this summer! On the right are Courtney's zinnias (planted from the seeds she got at Justine's birthday party) but if I ask really nice she lets me pick some from time to time. We're going to try to save some seed this year for the first time - from several different flowers. I've heard you can even save petunia seed - we'll see!

As always, I plant tomatoes too close together and without enough support so they are sprawling everywhere... but yummy all the same. This year, I'm almost as excited to see a slug eaten or overripe tomatoe because they make the chickens so happy! And I'm getting about 9 eggs a day now.

Mission Mindset

2009-07-22T16:25:00.000-07:00

It is so, so very good to be home.

We had an absolutely wonderful trip to Kenya. We praise God for His provision and protection in every way. Considering we just took our seven children, age three to fifteen, half way across the world for three weeks, it was amazingly smooth, and we are so thankful.

Before we left, I wondered how it all would affect me. Would there be a difficult culture shock in returning to the abundant life in the US? But while I learned a lot and have somewhat of a different perspective, I don't feel like my world has been turned upside down. And I think it's because everything I encountered was more-or-less exactly what I expected.

I attribute this partly to all the people in my life who have opened my eyes to the hurting world around me. I am thankful for Compassion International, and for a long lost youth group leader who introduced me to this organization. I'm thankful for Samaritan's Purse, and their excellence in showing mercy and practical helps as an avenue to share the best news of all, reconciliation to the God of the universe through His Son, Jesus. I'm thankful to my Dad and Mom, and their real life, close to home examples of caring for the poor, outcast, and underprivileged in this world. And so, so many more people I have known that live their lives sold out to the cross, and tell their tales of the world they encounter.

I attribute it also to a love of reading, which has led me to learn through books about so many other parts of the world. Even Little House on the Prairie had a huge impact on my life, and I often think about how blessed we are to live in this time in history. I also read all the newsletters from missionary organizations and Voice of the Martyrs. They help me put things in perspective on a daily basis.

It was FUN to actually be there, and THRILLING to be able to meet our long prayed over boys, Zachary (pictured above) and Peter. But there is so much you can do to make a difference without flying half way across the world. It is so much about the MINDSET. It's what we read, how we use our time, and what we talk about with our kids. It's taking God's Word seriously and applying it to our lives. That is what has shaped me more than anything.

I'm not saying I've arrived - there is still a lot of sanctification to be done in my life. And I don't think short-term mission trips aren't important, because they are. And for some, I think tactile experiences are more effective than simply reading and seeing pictures.

Certainly Dan's skills as a surgeon were appreciated greatly, and I hope our family was a blessing to others. While money is needed, I'd rank prayer, education (which also takes money) and a stable government up there even more after our experiences. And I've always loved John Wesley's quote - "Earn as much as you can, give as much as you can, save as much as you can."

But for you parents out there, I think the best thing you can do is make missions a part of your everyday life. Pray for those you know who are full-time in ministry. They definitely suffer greater persecution from the enemy. Give generously, and teach your children to do the same. Learn about what God is doing all over the globe, and pray about your part. The beautiful thing is, usually what we are passionate about is where He wants us to be! (Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4)

And on a more shallow note.

It. Is. So. Good. To. Be. Home.

I love cream in my coffee, driving my car, towels that are dried in the dryer, not sleeping under mosquito netting, paved roads, friends and family (not necessarily less important than cream in my coffee), cell phone service, my garden, summer in Oregon, not having suitcases piled up in the study and entry in preparation for the trip, and not wondering how we would survive the flight. It's over. We did it. Thanks be to God! And now it's back to my favorite time of the year... summer, my birthday, homeschool planning (but not actually homeschooling), Sunriver, football season and dates with my husband. SWEET!

God is in the Details

2009-06-25T05:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Ryan's birthday, and we had a fun outing to the mall. He thought it was all fun, thankfully, but it was also a bit of last minute stuff for Africa. I had with me my week's massive, detailed list of EVERYTHING I need to buy for Africa and things I need to remember to pack, etc.

Somehow it disappeared after about three stores. We had walked a long way, it was time for Ryan's birthday lunch, and I just couldn't worry about it. And somehow I didn't.

We had lunch, did some more shopping, and on the way out I had one last stop at the Nordstrom lingerie department. A department, mind you, that I hadn't previously been to that day. After checking out I looked very carefully to see that I hadn't dropped my new, just-started, but incomplete list. And down on the employee part of the counter, amongst their papers, was MY ORIGINAL LIST!!!

It probably fell out near the children's shoe department, across the aisle, which had been my first stop. Someone gave it to someone close by. And it just happened to be given to the department where I would be two hours later. And it just happened to be on the same side of the counter where I would be checking out.

I don't believe in coincidences, do you?

God is SO good, and I think this was such a sweet reminder that He is watching over us, and He is in the details, as we embark on our African adventure.

An Hour in the Life (a.k.a. why it takes so long to make dinner)

2009-06-13T17:58:00.000-07:00

I get out the pasta pot, but it looks like either the dogs had licked it and no one had washed it or someone under the age of nine had done the job.

(I put up with this because by the age of ten or so it pays off. I now have three kids who can make a kitchen spotless if need be!)

Lots of gunked on stuff so I had to get out an SOS pad.

Cade is STARVING and wants some yogurt. Okay, I'm thinking, it is kind of late to be just starting dinner and you're a growing boy.

We don't have any sweetened yogurt ready. So I open the new quart of yogurt, add agave and vanilla and stir, making quite a mess with overspill.

(Grr on all the companies that used to make maple yogurt without sugar but still call it maple yogurt even though it's not just maple syrup anymore.)

Now two more kids want yogurt. AND a little whipped cream leftover from Kat's strawberry pie. PLEASE? Okay, if you'll play the quiet game because Kat has the flu and is trying to rest on the couch.

Get the water started to boil.

Courtney is yelling, "Can you get us some coins so we can dive for them?"

Okay, sure! (Get coins, and on the way close the front door which has been left open by little boys taking bubble wrap outside to stomp on it, and remind them that they need to clean it up).

Mom, says Abby, my tummy hurts.

Why don't you take some Zypan?

Okay.

Meatballs into oven.

Now Bode and Cade want me to get them vitamins too.

Stop to clean up Bode, who is covered in yogurt.

Boys try to escape outside. Stop to get at least Cade to clear the yogurt bowls. And remind him to clean up the bubble wrap.

Out to garden to pick some lettuce. Wait, yogurt needs to be put away. Wait, time to add pasta. Turn off the back porch lights. Why are these always on?

Pick lettuce and so many strawberries! (No slugs in the beer trap, but there are two flies. Not bad!)

See Cade. Did you pick up the bubble wrap?

"What is the bubble wrap?"

The stuff you were stomping on the front porch! Please throw it away.

"Oh!"

The light finally comes on.

Coming back in. "Mom, watch me!" Bode is using a 2X4 as a balance beam. "Good Job!" Falls down. "You're okay!"

Stop to chat to sweet hubby who is working on a project outside.

Wash lettuce and berries.

Bode comes back in and is whining because somebody took his yogurt. No, no, it's right here on the counter.

Drain pasta.

"Hey mom, watch this." Some wierd thing I don't understand, and she says it's from the movie we saw last night.

See bubble wrap in a pile in the entry.

"Cade, you need to put the bubble wrap in the trash."

"O-oh!" (like now I get it.)

Heat sauce.

The little boys come in barking like dogs and crawl through the kitchen. Leave the door open. I close it. Turn the porch lights off AGAIN. I don't get this - who would turn them on?

Abby is now in her third outfit since I started this. "Abby, have you put all your clothes away that you have been taking off?" Says something I don't understand but somehow assures me that it's okay.

Rip lettuce.

"Mom, are you coming to watch our dog show?" Sure! Thankfully it was a short rendition of dogs singing "Don't Stop Believing."

Cocoa and friend are STARVING. Help yourself! Kat. Ditto. Serve Dan his "working snack" outside because this is date night! Come back in to serve the littles and Abby has already served all three!!! Good job!

Cade's drink spills all over the table and Bode has a great time splashing it before I get to clean it up.

Big girls try to escape without doing any dinner clean-up. That's a no-go.

Lots of chat about what movie they are going to watch.

Jack and Ryan are gone for the night or we would have a lot more dictation of arguments and discussion of sports scores.

Mom, I think Bode needs a diaper change.

Ah.

But.

Seriously.

I couldn't be more blessed.

Sweet Spring

2009-06-07T15:09:00.000-07:00

Hilarious picture of Bode during a twilight game of family baseball.

I took this picture after they took their helmets off, of course. No one would be crazy enough to ride around on an ATV without helmets. Of course.

Our chickens and bunnies are living together harmoniously... so far!

These guys are seriously spoiled with all of our food scraps and buckets full of weeds. I especially love giving them all of the slugs I find.

I never seem to put up any picture of my older girls. I sort of feel like I'm invading their privacy; that they're too old for me to blog about. I don't know... what do you think? I guess I'll have to ask them what THEY think!

Organization

2009-06-06T13:20:00.001-07:00

This is not the most beautiful room in the house, but I am very happy with it right now. Dan seems to be on an organizational kick. Maybe he's trying to pick up the slack around here since I always seem to be outdoors... hmm...

Anyway, I love these Costco shelves he put in the schoolroom. Now it's a schoolroom/pantry. We never really did school in there anyway, but it's great storage and nice to have a craft table.

And then this morning I woke up to this.

The picture doesn't really do it justice, but it's a charging station and memo board. Dan and Ryan were up til midnight working on it so that no cord shows!!! How great is that?! And of course he wrote "I love Heather" as the first memo but the flash ruined that for the picture. How did I get so blessed as to have a husband who orders from Pottery Barn without even consulting me?

Feed the Forgotten

2009-06-01T21:10:00.000-07:00

From Brandi's blog.

FEED THE FORGOTTEN
Too often we hear heartbreaking stories like this (that I posted on Saturday) and do nothing. We feel helpless. . . and so we move on. Not this time. There are people DYING in Uganda right now. There are children who's bellies are hungry and aching. There are mamas who are too weak to stand and babies begging to be held. There are people trapping termites hoping for food and eating dung in helplessness. DO NOT CAVE TO DESPAIR. YOU CAN DO SOMETHING.

Join us and Children's HopeChest to FEED THE FORGOTTEN!!! (CLICK HERE TO GIVE NOW) (note: please write FEED THE FORGOTTEN in the notes section)

For $0.14, we can (and WILL) feed someone a meal of posho and beans. (posho is cornmeal, which is filling and beans are protein). Take that in for a moment. . .

$0.14 a meal

$2.86 for 20 days

$1 per FAMILY

$20 feed a family for 20 days.

How much was my Chick Fil A yesterday? How much is your Starbucks? The bigger question is how much am I willing to give up SO THAT OTHERS MIGHT EAT?

Remember Jesus story of the Good Samaritan? Remember how his very neighbors walked right by him? They probably looked at him with pity. . .probably thought "oh poor guy, that breaks my heart" but the fact is THEY DID NOTHING.

What will you do? These children are starving. . .

these actual children. . .

will you help? The money raised will feed those precious children. There are 3 - 4 villages that we are targeting (I'm hoping for more after we see how much we can raise!) to bring food relief to asap. These people are literally starving. . and waiting for you to act. Will you help? Even with paypal fees (2-3%) even $1 will feed 6 people! You CAN make a difference.

Spread the word, blog about it, facebook it, twitter it, ask your church or school or business to give, post the blog badge anything. Truly, we are begging you. . .on behalf of these children not to forget this post and move on to the next in your google reader list. Stop, pray, act.
GIVE TO FEED THE FORGOTTEN CHILDREN!!!!!

(note: please write FEED THE FORGOTTEN in the notes section when you give)

Ah ha!

2009-05-27T21:13:00.000-07:00

I think I've realized something about my sweet, peaceful day yesterday. With a little help from a friend. I am coming out of the fog of toddlers and babies! Bode is getting easier with each and every day and I am not pregnant or nursing. I have not felt like this in fifteen years! No wonder.

Another important note, which should probably have been mentioned first. I've been noticing that Tuesdays have been rough days. I get up early and walk for an hour with my dad, and as a result, I come home and get right into breakfast mode and never really have a good quiet time (Bible study and prayer). But after realizing this, yesterday I made it a point to spend the hour after breakfast in quiet time, and THAT was probably the reason for my great day. My mental state during that hour was one of true desperation for God. He is so good and faithful!

The picture is another "ah ha" moment. Abby has learned to ride her bike! Yay Abby! (I love that look of concentration.)

Our God... does exceedingly, abundantly beyond all we could ask, think or imagine! Ephesians 3:20

Peace

2009-05-26T19:55:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel guilty for feeling peaceful?

I had nothing pressing to do today. We unpacked from Sunriver this morning. The laundry was going, the house was picked up, the kids were playing or working on their school. I weeded for a little while and then made a lunch. Ate outside with my Mom before piano lessons started. My dad dropped by unexpectedly and picked up Kat from school (yay for one less trip in the car). I sat outside with Ryan and worked on grammar. Swam with the kids. Switched some laundry. Dan came home and got the boys and their practices were at the same field at more or less the same time (yay again for no driving for me). Made dinner with Kat's help. Now I'm waiting for Dan and the boys to get home from baseball so we can eat. It's been such a nice day. No stress. And it makes me feel like I'm forgetting something. Hmmm.

Pots

2009-05-20T10:51:00.000-07:00

This is for my friend Ann, who generously helped me with her time and expertise to shop for pots! Ann, here they are! What do you think?

I'll take more pictures when the plants fill in. The middle is a darling little lavender that I thought was a blue salvia when I first saw it. I can't wait for it to really bloom - maybe after this next heat spell.

The big plant in the middle is a bright red camelia that blooms in December. Around it is white verbena, purple petunia and chartreuse sweet potato vine. The sweet potato vine looks horrible though. Brown edges on a lot of the leaves. Anyone have any ideas about that?

Check out the difference in these double blooming purple petunias. Same plants, planted the same day, both fertilized the same number of times.

These were planted in fresh garden blend from Grimms.

These were planted in I'm-not-sure-what.

Another wimpy petunia, but this gives you the best picture of the bloom.

I think I have some soil to amend!

Random Pics of Spring

2009-05-19T17:50:00.001-07:00

I love this boy.

This one too. Though he is a little sneak. Sunday we found him under Dan's desk eating a quart of chocolate ice cream with his hands. Of course it was everywhere, on the carpet and all over his face and hands, but he looks at Dan with his hands up like "I'm innocent" when he was found out. This is the downside to freezer drawers. A little too easy to access.

This is me. Every day. My little bit of heaven. I even love weeding. I've turned into my mother and then some.

My "little" man, helping me with rotatilling.

Baseball

2009-05-18T15:20:00.001-07:00

Love this face. Jack being congratulated by his teammates after his first ever homerun. I sort of missed it. Not totally. I was sitting on the bottom bleacher chatting, but watching too. I saw the boy get up to bat, I saw the hit, was really impressed with it, and excited to see it go over the fence. Only all that time I was thinking it was someone else, because the kid looked so big, I didn't think he was mine! Then he turned the corner at second base, I saw his face, and realized, but I was a little late with the camera. (Note to self: Jack is number 9)

But then he got a double. We could always pretend this was his homerun. It looks about the same rounding the bases.

.

Glamour and Fairies

2009-05-15T06:47:00.001-07:00

This is been a busy, fun spring! I'm going to spend the next few days catching up on posting photos.

Abby with her Hollywood look. Seven going on 27. She has a rough life. On nice days she takes her school books, coloring stuff, toys etc. to a chaise and Cade enjoys playing the waiter for poolside service.

Abby and I planted a "fairy" garden. The seed packet said they would attract fairies. This is Abby and her friend Catie discussing how to spot fairies after finding a stone path that the fairies (read: sister) made.

Sweet girls! They BELIEVE in fairies.

Christian Humility

2009-04-30T11:42:00.001-07:00

I finished reading a wonderful book last weekend, The Roots of Endurance by John Piper. My favorite quote was this picture from John Newton:

A company of travelers fall in to a pit: one of them gets a passenger to draw him out. Now he should not be angry with the rest for falling in; nor because they are not yet out, as he is. He did not pull himself out: instead, therefore, of reproaching them, he should show them pity. . . . A man, truly illuminated, will no more despise others, than Bartimaeus, after his own eyes were opened, would take a stick, and beat every blind man he met.

Amazing grace!—how sweet the sound—
That saved a wretch like me,
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.

The effect of this amazement is tenderness toward others. “[The ‘wretch’ who has been saved by grace] believes and feels his own weakness and unworthiness, and lives upon the grace and pardoning love of his Lord. This gives him an habitual tenderness and gentleness of spirit. Humble under a sense of much forgiveness to himself, he finds it easy to forgive others.”

The Roots of Endurance, by John Piper, pp. 72-73

Atmosphere in the Home Part II

2009-03-29T20:45:00.000-07:00

I think we all want to have happy, loving homes with a joyful atmosphere, and some sense of order.

After we make sure we are staying connected to the Source of all that we need (Part I), then what?

God has given us an order. Husbands love your wives. Wives respect your husbands. Children obey your parents.

You (if you are a woman) have no control over the first one, so work with the second and third. :-)

Most of us don't respect our husbands, unfortunately. We have certain things that we respect about our husbands, but we don't respect them ALL of the time just because of their position, which I think is what God wants us to do. If you haven't, please read Created to be His Helpmeet by Debbie Pearl. I can't say it any better than she does, except maybe a little less redneck. But it's the most biblical, no-nonsense, this-is-what-you-can-do-as-a-wife-to-make-a-difference-in-your-marriage, book I've ever read!

As far as children obeying their parents, I've found it to be a balance between discipline and training and friendship and relationship. For great basics on parenting biblically, my favorite book is Don't Make Me Count to Three: A Mom's Look at Heart-Oriented Discipline by Ginger Plowman. I also liked Shepherding a Child's Heart by Ted Tripp, but Plowman's book is more readable, humorous and practical.

To summarize, the standard has to be set high. You should expect your children to obey you the first time, all the way, and with a happy heart.

But it's easy to go over-the-top and become a drill sergeant, whose children only obey you in your presence. Not good! While keeping high expectations, you also have to have a sense of humor, laugh, play with your children, show them affection, be willing to admit when you are wrong and ask forgiveness, and in general, build a friendship or relationship with them, just like you would with any other person.

Also keep in mind Proverbs 22:6. Most of know this verse as, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." But "in the way he should go" can be translated "according to his bent" or "according to the tenor of his way." That means if you have multiple children you can't treat them all the same way and expect the results to be the same. Hmm... that makes things a little more difficult. Is God trying to make it hard? Or maybe make us a little more dependent on Him? Back to the Source on that!

I heard something really interesting last week at church. We had a guest speaker (Chuck Bomar from Colosse Church in Tigard) who said God is never going to call us in a direction that makes us less dependent on Him.

Being a wife and mother and manager of our home keep me very dependent on God. And that's a good thing!

Atmosphere in the Home Part I

2009-03-01T08:15:00.000-08:00

Over the years I have been so blessed by all the "older" moms who have taken time out of their busy schedules to share with "younger" moms.

I have been to many groups - MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), Hearts at Home and others whose names I can't remember. I always left feeling so encouraged and inspired. These are such important ministries, and I hope someday to do my part as an older mom. Problem is, right now, I'm an older mom but I still have a two-year-old. So here's to blogging instead.

I remember being asked by an older mom, "How do you want your kids to remember you?" Are you always rushing to get somewhere? Are your kids going to remember you saying "Hurry, hurry, get your shoes on and get in the car!" Is this the legacy you want to leave?

I remember feeling very convicted. And I think about it to this day.

We need to have balance. We want to make sure our kids have time for church, school, extra-curricular activities, family, chores, friends... and depending on the day and the season, we tend to be a little out of balance in one way or another, but always coming back to center.

How do we do this? I think it starts with getting supernatural help. I don't know about you, but I can't do it on my own.

Do you really believe that the Creator God, Who made you, Who made this world, Who made the universe, Who is love, Who sent His own Son to die for you, has more thoughts of you than there are grains of sand? (see Psalm 139:17-18)

If you really believe that (and it is true!) won't you cuddle up to your Abba Father, and seek His infinite wisdom for your day?

Enjoy Him!

Wake up before your kids (or put on a video) and have your spot. For me, that's coffee & water, a blanket, my Bible, journal and sometimes my copy of Morning and Evening (a devotional by Charles Spurgeon.) And my dayplanner too, though I try not look much at that. Only to write things down that I need to remember that come to me as I pray - since it is my brain.

Personally, I do not work on an official "Bible Study" during this time. I read the Psalms or another book of the Bible and meditate on God's Word and pray, going back and forth between Scripture and journaling/praying. But I don't do well with feeling like I'm doing homework.

If you only have five minutes, spend five minutes praising Him for Who He is (reading the Psalms and copying Scriptures down that describe Him is great for this). Getting your mind off yourself and all the unimportant things we tend to worry about will do wonders for your day! If you have more time, continue through the ACTS model of prayer (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication - presenting your requests to God).

If you aren't a morning person, just try it anyway. Even if you can have just a little quiet time in the morning, I think it will bless your day.

Okay, this is getting long. I've just added "Part I" to the title, and I will continue it later :-)

For more great information on getting started on quiet times, head over to my friend Jeannie's blog.

Valentines Fun

2009-02-06T20:36:00.000-08:00

I spent a Saturday morning at the end of January with a great group of ladies learning about a sweet Valentines tradition. I don't know if it has an official name... maybe "Fourteen Days of Blessing Your Husband."

The idea is to do a little something each day for all the days of February leading up to Valentines Day, expressing your love and respect for him.

Some give little clues along the way leading up to the "big" gift on Valentines Day. Others have publicly declared their love with yard-sale type songs all along their husband's route to work saying "Trish loves Jerry." How cute is that!?

The picture above is from a surprise visit we paid to Dan at work this week. Another day he found found chocolates in his car, and he has had employees deliver little gifts to him at his various office locations. Who knows what will happen next!

And if your marriage could use a little refresher or you want to learn more about what it means to respect your hubby, check out Created to be His Helpmeet by Debi Pearl. Click here to order it. It's not easy to read, but it will bless your marriage as you pray your way through it. If you haven't read the Pearls before, be forewarned... for most of us, parts of it are like reading about a different culture. But I think this is their best book yet, and I know it blessed our marriage immensely.

Happy Valentines Day!

Struggling

2009-02-03T04:48:00.000-08:00

I have had a hard time blogging the past few weeks, because a lot of painful stuff was going on, but nothing that I could share online. I feel like we're out of the woods now... I hope and pray!

One of the biggest lessons I have learned from this experience is how draining it is to have turmoil. My life is busy, but I forget how easy and blessed it is. And how hard it is just to live life when there are people or situations that sap all of your emotional energy. I have new sympathy for others around me who live with dysfunction or disease or anything other than normal. It is exhausting.

As Christians, we are going to mess up. Others are going to hurt us. Satan is alive and well doing his best to cause all the trouble he can. Even amongst like-minded people who all desire to see God's will be done, there can be divisiveness. God knew this, and he warned us in Colossians 4:13 to be "bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do."

We shouldn't be surprised when other Christians hurt us. We know from His Word that this is expected.

How do we bear and forgive? "But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." Colossians 4:14-15

And though we labor, strive, and agonize, it's with His strength which works in us mightily. (Colossians 1:29) So even when He calls us to hard things, He gives us His strength to do it. (Thanks, Mom, for sharing that verse this week!) He's thought of everything. He did it all. Bringing me back to one final and favorite verse:

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Yummy, Healthy Snack!

2009-01-12T11:49:00.001-08:00

I love homeschooling. This is what Abby and I made for school today. Right now she is doing her handwriting by writing the recipe down.

Almond Butter Balls

2 cups almond butter
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
1 cup Arbonne Chocolate Protein Shake powder
1 cup honey
1 cup coconut flakes; plus additional for coating

Mix all until smooth. Form into balls and roll in coconut flakes. Refrigerate. Yum!

New Years Goals

2009-01-08T19:21:00.001-08:00

This is my favorite time of year. If you follow this blog for long, you'll probably hear me say that again about another season. But it's one of them! I love setting goals, de-junking my house, getting started with school again after a break, and that fun, fresh feeling of a new year.

I am not sure if it is a fast or a diet, but I am doing the biggest whatever-it-is of my life. Not a total fast, but a fast from all real food for 21 days. I am doing liquids (yes, coffee, too), Standard Process protein bars, Arbonne protein shakes, fiber supplement, energy drinks and weight loss chews. So it's not total torture, but still a very limited diet. To help me stay out of tempting situations, my kids are doing all the cooking. What an amazing amount of time I am saving! Not eating, and especially not cooking. I am just about done with day four.

Another new years goal is to have my kids memorize a new Bible verse every other day or so (one that I choose, in addition to AWANA or whatever else they are doing at church). In the past I have had loftier goals, like memorizing entire books of the Bible, and while we'd get a chapter done, which is great, we'd burn out before the whole book was memorized. I'm enjoying making notes of verses I come across that I'd like to do next, and everyone has been very enthusiastic about our three verses so far. Tonight I bought a cute little journal at the Container Store to keep them in for easy review. January is never complete without at least one trip to the Container Store!

I have been especially meditating on one of our verses, Luke 3:10-11. When told of their need to repent, God's people ask John the Baptist, what they should do next. His response is "Who ever has two tunics, let him give to him who has none, and he who has food, do likewise." I sure have a lot more than one tunic, and I'm not quite sure what do about that.

P.S. Abby doesn't yet follow my blog, so hopefully she won't notice that I didn't post on her birthday. But Happy Seventh Birthday, my dear spunky girl! What a delight you are to all of us.

The Joy of Stock!

2008-12-29T17:57:00.000-08:00

Happiness is a refrigerator full of stock.

I get a lot of accolades for making my own stock, but let me let you in on a little secret: If it was complicated, I wouldn't be doing it. Having homemade stock on hand is the easiest way to make yummy, flavorful food (not just soup!) and incredibly good for you to boot.

The basics: Buy a chicken (preferably organic, free-range, etc.) and roast it. Have I lost you already? Okay, buy a rotisserie chicken. Or two. Eat the meat for dinner and then throw the bones and all that good stuff from the roasting pan (yes, I mean the fat too, that's where the flavor is!) into the pot with some leftover wine or apple cider vinegar (about 1/2 a cup), a whole yellow onion, a couple of unpeeled carrots, and the butt end of a celery or celery leaves. Cover with water, bring it to boiling, and then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 24 hours. Cool, then strain and toss the veggies and scraps to the dogs (the bones are soft now).

I know, I know, you have to leave it on all night. If that worries you, do it in the crock pot. But make sure your crock pot doesn't contain lead, which many do. The wine or vinegar is important because its acidity leaches the minerals from the bones. All the good stuff from your veggies gets into the stock too, which can be reduced to a sauce later, and eaten over mashed potatoes or pasta. Mmmmm. What a fun way to eat your greens.

If you have beef bones, brown them first to bring out the flavor, then cook them for 36 hours (yes - three days!) and be sure to cool it and discard the fat. In both cases, be sure to check if it needs more water as it's cooking. I don't salt it until I'm ready to use it, in case I reduce it for sauce. If you're in a hurry for some beef stock, go ahead and strain after 12-24 hours, but then use the bones again with more veggies and wine/vinegar.

This is one of the secrets of ancient diets that kept people healthy. Why do you think they are making cancer treatments out of shark cartilage? And why is chicken soup the Jewish Penicillin? Give it a try. If you make beef stock let me know, and I will share my mother's amazing minestrone soup recipe!

One more tip - save and freeze your vegetable scraps. I know I really sound like your grandmother now, but those onion peels give your stock such a nice color. Keep adding to your zipper slide gallon bag every time you chop just about any veggie, and when you are ready to make stock, you'll be all set.

Once you've tasted your favorite recipes with homemade stock, there's no going back. You will treasure and cherish your bones. And truly have no shame about how you acquire them. Picture me, for instance, walking around the kitchen last night snatching up gnawed on chicken wings from the everyone's plates. It's okay, really. I'm going to boil them, after all.

Click here if you want to read more from the professionals, but while the weather outside is frightful, you should really make some stock!

Happy Birthday Cocoa!!!

2008-12-13T06:36:00.001-08:00

Courtney is thirteen today! We love you soooo much, Cocoa.

This picture was taken when you were eleven and you have changed so much! But since you said it's your favorite picture in the whole world, I thought it was the one to post.

Our lives would not be the same without you! Your bubbly, passionate personality and hard-working, can-do attitude are an amazing combination. God has blessed you richly, and we pray your life will be to His glory.

I'm so excited about our day together today!

Wii Bummer

2008-12-10T20:17:00.000-08:00

We've been enjoying an early family Christmas gift of Wii Fit. I have never liked video games, but I LOVE this. It's a pretty good work out with yoga, strength training and aerobics. And I can out-ski Dan! In real life he skis blacks, and I slide down the hill on my rear end.

It's also cute to see the little ones try yoga, and hear Cade's sound effects while he's boxing. My current goal is to beat Jack's score on the hula-hoop. All in all, good family fun.

I was also excited to see some pounds dropping when I signed in and did my body balance test each day.

But the bummer part came today when I heard Katherine laughing when she did her body test. "Haha it says I've lost sixteen pounds." WHAT? If Kat lost 16 pounds she'd probably have to be hospitalized. She checked the bathroom scale and found she really hadn't changed at all.

That is not what I wanted to hear.

I'm going to back to living in my wii dream.

Dinner Hour

2008-12-09T20:05:00.000-08:00

Homemade stock, free-range meat, and organic vegetables... I think I'm taking good care of my family, but if I forget to serve it, I guess it doesn't do much good.

It's pretty sad when my two-year-old has to bring me his plate and a spoon (while I'm sitting at my computer, I must admit) to remind me that he hasn't eaten. It was one of those nights... people heading out to basketball and church, others coming and going from our home, and quite a scene of costumed children (having so much fun that I didn't want to interrupt their play just to eat). Before I knew it it was 8 p.m. and half the family hadn't eaten dinner... until Bode made his point with dishes in hand.

The good thing is he was really hungry! He ate a lot better than he does at 5:30.

Home Alone

2008-12-04T16:52:00.000-08:00

I had forty-five minutes ALONE in my house today. I started thinking about adopting children someday. It was really quiet.

But then remembered this blog, and that I still needed to figure out how to post pictures. It's kind of a small picture for such a big family.

But I did it. All by myself!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T06:07:00.000-08:00

I am taking the plunge. I've been lurking, and rarely commenting; an outsider in the world of blogging. I wish I had one of you over my shoulder here, navigating through this set-up. My biggest goal for today is to learn how to connect my camera to my computer! That and successfully hosting Thanksgiving for twenty people. Not too hard really - that's only one more than twice our normal crew. Pictures to come!