Our senses are amazing in their ability to transport us back in time. A song that immediately takes me back to a family road trip, a smell that transports me to my grandmother's bathroom. I know that last one is rather strange and I did not realize that the memory was even there until I smelled it.
I bought some new soap for our bathroom and immediately upon opening it I found myself at my grandparents, remembering all the good times that were had there. My grandparents had a great bathroom with a deep tub that one always felt privileged to take a bath in. Grandma would make sure that the water was the perfect temperature and gave us plenty of bubble bath to make the experience special. Though the soap smell stayed in the bathroom my memories of my grandparents were not limited to that room. Waffles enjoyed in the kitchen, family dinners held at the grand dinning room table, sleep outs on the hide-a-bed in the front room. Who knew that soap could bring it all back.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Moody Monday's
Being pregnant is not conducive to stable emotions. Having a two year old is not easy when your pregnant. These two factors in my life converged on me last night with feelings of overwhelm-ment, not wanting to get up in the morning and to deal with being the pregnant mother of a two year old. Life being what it is, getting up in the morning was my only option. My husband had to go to work and I had to eat breakfast and make it through appointments and maybe laundry later. God is good through it all and sent a very timely message with Focus on the Family's daily broadcast. Below is the link and I hope it encourages all Moms who might be allowing their feelings to dictate their day.
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/popups/media_player.aspx?MediaId={ADDF485C-7347-42F5-B8ED-CF67D19C576F}
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/popups/media_player.aspx?MediaId={ADDF485C-7347-42F5-B8ED-CF67D19C576F}
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Curve Ball (or should I say cube).
I am back from a slight hiatus from blogging due to the first few months of pregnancy tiredness. Yes I am pregnant with the next addition to our family and am excited to share that it is a little girl. Pink is in the future of our household now! I have heard rumors of grandma's buying pink items already. So, as I get back into feeling good and the regular routine of life I have picked up trying to teach my toddler his letters. Here was a fun interactive way that we discovered.
My son is very active and when it comes to teaching him things like his colors, letters and numbers I often feel like I am falling behind. I just can't get him to sit down and learn things, everything has to be interactive and, well, just plain active. Today he handed me the answer in the form of his soft cubed blocks. They have letters and numbers on them and some even have objects that correspond with a specific letter. In tossing them around the living room, the few things that he can throw in the house, an educational game was discovered.
Standing in front of me on the foot rest, so he would be eye level with me sitting on the couch, I would show him one side of the block and call out the letter that was shown. Then I would rotate it so that he could see the picture that was represented. He then had to name the picture and the letter that it went with. Once he got that correct he was able to then smack the block out of my hand, making it spin across the room. To him of course the hitting it out of my hand was the best part but I hope that some of the learning also stuck in his head.
If any of you Moms out have any other good ideas on educational games that involve, throwing, hitting, tumbling, running etc? Let me know.
My son is very active and when it comes to teaching him things like his colors, letters and numbers I often feel like I am falling behind. I just can't get him to sit down and learn things, everything has to be interactive and, well, just plain active. Today he handed me the answer in the form of his soft cubed blocks. They have letters and numbers on them and some even have objects that correspond with a specific letter. In tossing them around the living room, the few things that he can throw in the house, an educational game was discovered.
Standing in front of me on the foot rest, so he would be eye level with me sitting on the couch, I would show him one side of the block and call out the letter that was shown. Then I would rotate it so that he could see the picture that was represented. He then had to name the picture and the letter that it went with. Once he got that correct he was able to then smack the block out of my hand, making it spin across the room. To him of course the hitting it out of my hand was the best part but I hope that some of the learning also stuck in his head.
If any of you Moms out have any other good ideas on educational games that involve, throwing, hitting, tumbling, running etc? Let me know.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Fun Zones
Welcome to
Summer Fun Zones throughout San Diego
Things to do with your children, spouse, best friend and maybe even some that your dog could join in on. May these help you to enjoy the summer sunshine, San Diego, culture, your kids and maybe some leisure time to yourself. So if you need a good idea for a fun activity out stay tuned.One of my most recent discoveries has been The New Children's Museum. It is located in downtown San Diego, but before you let that scare you away keep reading. Though found in a part of San Diego that is know for being hard to get to, this museum is not. It is very convenient to take the trolley there (only $5 for a roundtrip ticket and all kids under 5 ride for free) and if you choose to drive, parking was very easy to find and was $1 per hour on the street.
Once you have gotten through the door this place is designed for kids. Everything from an air jumper to painting, chariots that they can drive, a rock wall to climb, and rain room. I will let the photo's below do the rest of the talking.
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| He only got that high with his daddy's help |
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| It did not take him too long to figure out how to work this very kid friendly chariot |
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| Painting a big whales tail |
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| Playing a bamboo musical instrument | After you have finished enjoying the museum, stop at the playground right across the parking lot or take a bit of a longer walk and head to Sea Port Village. Downtown has great things to offer so don't be afraid to explore. |
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Quotes of the Day
Conrad's Quotables
It seems that every week my little guy is using new words in creative ways. Here are the ones that I found the most enjoyable this week. Have a great Memorial Day holiday.
Before meals we try and pray to thank God for the day and the food that we are about to eat. Conrad has asked to pray many times and I love the things that he talks to God about.
Dear Lord, thank you for Mommy, thank you for Jesus, thank you for Daddy, thank you for food. Um Amen.
Dad: Conrad do you have an attitude problem?
Conrad: Yes, sir.
At least he is polite about it and admitting you have a problem is a good first step.
I was in the kitchen starting breakfast and this is the conversation that began.
"Talk about it Mommy." Conrad asks from his perch on the table - which I was about to tell him to get off of, he can sit on a chair but not on the table and he knows this. I ask first, " talk about what?" "Talk about me not sitting on the table Mommy." I then proceed to tell him to not sit on the table. His response, "thank you Mommy." My kid really does cry out for boundaries.
As long as he keeps saying cute things I will keep recording them. Hope you enjoy this weeks edition.
It seems that every week my little guy is using new words in creative ways. Here are the ones that I found the most enjoyable this week. Have a great Memorial Day holiday.
Before meals we try and pray to thank God for the day and the food that we are about to eat. Conrad has asked to pray many times and I love the things that he talks to God about.
Dear Lord, thank you for Mommy, thank you for Jesus, thank you for Daddy, thank you for food. Um Amen.
Dad: Conrad do you have an attitude problem?
Conrad: Yes, sir.
At least he is polite about it and admitting you have a problem is a good first step.
I was in the kitchen starting breakfast and this is the conversation that began.
"Talk about it Mommy." Conrad asks from his perch on the table - which I was about to tell him to get off of, he can sit on a chair but not on the table and he knows this. I ask first, " talk about what?" "Talk about me not sitting on the table Mommy." I then proceed to tell him to not sit on the table. His response, "thank you Mommy." My kid really does cry out for boundaries.
As long as he keeps saying cute things I will keep recording them. Hope you enjoy this weeks edition.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Dating
Creative cheap ways to date your spouse, leaving the kids at home.
You may have time to get away but how to afford a night on the town and someone to watch your kids? A good friend suggested that our families start a babysitting exchange. It has worked out great. They watch our son for a night and then we exchange and watch their son for a night. So this takes care of the kids, now on to the next part, what to do that is fun and reasonably priced. Here is an idea that my husband and I used recently.
When doing our grocery shopping at Costco we periodically buy movie tickets. They are cheaper then paying at the box office and don't have any limitations on when you can use them. When you get up the counter to purchase your tickets it feels like they are free because no cash is exchanged. Rubios fish taco's are on the dinner menu, two are less then five dollars total and very filling. The next stop is Walmart to buy one dollar movie snacks and then on to the theater. Parkway Plaza is the place to find all of these places in one location.
It was a great night out and very reasonably priced. Looking forward to many more fun nights out with my hubby.
Let me know of other creative date nights that you have invented.
You may have time to get away but how to afford a night on the town and someone to watch your kids? A good friend suggested that our families start a babysitting exchange. It has worked out great. They watch our son for a night and then we exchange and watch their son for a night. So this takes care of the kids, now on to the next part, what to do that is fun and reasonably priced. Here is an idea that my husband and I used recently.
When doing our grocery shopping at Costco we periodically buy movie tickets. They are cheaper then paying at the box office and don't have any limitations on when you can use them. When you get up the counter to purchase your tickets it feels like they are free because no cash is exchanged. Rubios fish taco's are on the dinner menu, two are less then five dollars total and very filling. The next stop is Walmart to buy one dollar movie snacks and then on to the theater. Parkway Plaza is the place to find all of these places in one location.
It was a great night out and very reasonably priced. Looking forward to many more fun nights out with my hubby.
Let me know of other creative date nights that you have invented.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Quotes of the Day
Conrad Quotables
San Diego got a good amount of rain this last week and that made for some fun conversations and questions from my inquisitive little boy. Enjoy and hope you all have a great Monday.
Sitting looking out the window at the rain, Conrad looks at me. “Why looking at it?” he says. Slightly confused I inquired with, “why am I looking at the rain?” He said “um, ya.” (it is hard to type in the attitude in his voice with this response but trust me, it was there) “Because I want to!” Was my response. Geeze!
As the rain continued, Conrad was standing out on the patio looking at the sky. “Where does the rain come from Mom?” “ From the clouds, Conrad. The clouds fill up with water and then they start to overflow making rain.” (After this bit of dialogue I attempted to make a rainy day craft with him to better demonstrate where rain came from but my little guy had no patience for that).
Last but certainly not least... “Turn it off Mom, turn it off!” “What, Conrad?” “Turn the rain off Mom” Even with all of our Bible stories and conversation about God, Conrad still thinks that I am the all powerful one.
What kind of activities do you enjoy doing on rainy days. Or for those that have to go out in the rain and work, what did you wish you could do on a rainy afternoon?
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Help
How to Nurture the Helpful Spirit
My son loves to help. Help do the dishes. Help sweep the parking lot (together we keep our apartment complex clean). Help clean the laundry room. Help make the bed. Help cook breakfast. It is all of these helpful events that make my to do list not get completed in a timely manner, or at all for that matter. The dishes turns into washing the floor with all the water that gets displaced, I guess that checks one thing of the list. Sweeping the parking lot means that I end up sweeping together all of my piles twice as my little 'helper' comes behind and does his own sweeping. Cleaning the laundry room entails wiping off shoe prints from on top of the machines, since climbing to the top of them is what he finds to be the most helpful. Cooking breakfast means uncooked oatmeal on the counter as he tries to pour it into the pot.
I love the spirit behind the actions and strive to find a way to not get frustrated with his helpful acts. When completing daily chores that I know my son enjoys being involved in I try to not have a time schedule in mind. It is only when I need to get things done quickly, or in some cases actually get things clean, that I find myself getting testy with my helper. I get creative with the chore and find a way that Conrad can truly be helpful. I have taught him how to hold the dustpan as I sweep up my piles, he gets to start the dishwasher once it is full, and, well, making the bed always seems to turn into a pillow fight. When it comes to cooking I have found that a butter knife is the best way to allow him to cut up the veggies for dinner.
Praise seems to be the key. I guide him through a task with encouragement, pointing out and explanation how to do a job correctly and thanking him for his help. Don't get to caught up with my angelic little helper, he has learned the hard way that some things just have to get done. As he has grown, and we continue to put off potty training, it is Conrad's responsibility to throw away his dirty diapers. This is a task that he does not enjoy but has learned to do when asked. Picking up the toys in his room is another job that is not on the top of his fun list but again, Conrad knows to obey when asked.
Coming alongside your kids and showing them through example is another way that I have found teaches good work skills. I remember growing up and being involved in delivering newspapers through neighborhoods, working at a food co-op and helping watch day care kids. All of these jobs were done alongside my parents and siblings and I have no sense that they were chores. They were made fun with my parents creativity. I also sensed that we had to do these things because we were part of the family.
I continue to work on passing that same work ethic onto my son and nurturing his helpful spirit so that he grows into a man that is helpful to others and obeys the calling of God in his life.
My son loves to help. Help do the dishes. Help sweep the parking lot (together we keep our apartment complex clean). Help clean the laundry room. Help make the bed. Help cook breakfast. It is all of these helpful events that make my to do list not get completed in a timely manner, or at all for that matter. The dishes turns into washing the floor with all the water that gets displaced, I guess that checks one thing of the list. Sweeping the parking lot means that I end up sweeping together all of my piles twice as my little 'helper' comes behind and does his own sweeping. Cleaning the laundry room entails wiping off shoe prints from on top of the machines, since climbing to the top of them is what he finds to be the most helpful. Cooking breakfast means uncooked oatmeal on the counter as he tries to pour it into the pot.
I love the spirit behind the actions and strive to find a way to not get frustrated with his helpful acts. When completing daily chores that I know my son enjoys being involved in I try to not have a time schedule in mind. It is only when I need to get things done quickly, or in some cases actually get things clean, that I find myself getting testy with my helper. I get creative with the chore and find a way that Conrad can truly be helpful. I have taught him how to hold the dustpan as I sweep up my piles, he gets to start the dishwasher once it is full, and, well, making the bed always seems to turn into a pillow fight. When it comes to cooking I have found that a butter knife is the best way to allow him to cut up the veggies for dinner.
Praise seems to be the key. I guide him through a task with encouragement, pointing out and explanation how to do a job correctly and thanking him for his help. Don't get to caught up with my angelic little helper, he has learned the hard way that some things just have to get done. As he has grown, and we continue to put off potty training, it is Conrad's responsibility to throw away his dirty diapers. This is a task that he does not enjoy but has learned to do when asked. Picking up the toys in his room is another job that is not on the top of his fun list but again, Conrad knows to obey when asked.
Coming alongside your kids and showing them through example is another way that I have found teaches good work skills. I remember growing up and being involved in delivering newspapers through neighborhoods, working at a food co-op and helping watch day care kids. All of these jobs were done alongside my parents and siblings and I have no sense that they were chores. They were made fun with my parents creativity. I also sensed that we had to do these things because we were part of the family.
I continue to work on passing that same work ethic onto my son and nurturing his helpful spirit so that he grows into a man that is helpful to others and obeys the calling of God in his life.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Quotes of the Day
To start of your week on a funny note here are Conrad's most recent quotables.
We were leaving the parking structure at the mall and, being on the second story, we had to drive down the ramp. From the back seat I hear my son recommending that I drive down the ramp carefully. The exact quote "drive careful Mom!".
Along that same vein we were heading out as a family and got to a busy intersection. My husband was driving and, not wanting to get stuck in the middle of the intersection, quickly stops. Conrad, from the back seat, reprimands him to "drive careful Dad!". Kevin quickly claims that he was driving careful. Conrad responds with "no drive careful". Kevin then explains to Conrad what was happening and why he had so quickly stopped. Conrad replies with "sorry Dad, sorry Dad".
Conrad, being an only child, enjoys having my full attention most of the time and follows me around the house throughout the day. As I am getting ready in the bathroom most mornings Conrad is right there playing with something, making me sing happy birthday to him or just standing on the bathroom counter having me save him. It is a game that he came up with. He will stand on the counter, on the bed or the couch and yell out, "falling Mom, save me!". He is never really falling but I dutifully exclaim great alarm and then quickly grab him off of the precipice and save him. No matter what mood I am in or how hurried I am in getting ready for the day I always save him, hopefully giving him the reassurance that I will try and be there to catch him when he falls. Also a good reminder during this game is the other person who saves us. It has been a great way to talk about Jesus and how He saved us.
Have a good Monday everyone.
We were leaving the parking structure at the mall and, being on the second story, we had to drive down the ramp. From the back seat I hear my son recommending that I drive down the ramp carefully. The exact quote "drive careful Mom!".
Along that same vein we were heading out as a family and got to a busy intersection. My husband was driving and, not wanting to get stuck in the middle of the intersection, quickly stops. Conrad, from the back seat, reprimands him to "drive careful Dad!". Kevin quickly claims that he was driving careful. Conrad responds with "no drive careful". Kevin then explains to Conrad what was happening and why he had so quickly stopped. Conrad replies with "sorry Dad, sorry Dad".
Conrad, being an only child, enjoys having my full attention most of the time and follows me around the house throughout the day. As I am getting ready in the bathroom most mornings Conrad is right there playing with something, making me sing happy birthday to him or just standing on the bathroom counter having me save him. It is a game that he came up with. He will stand on the counter, on the bed or the couch and yell out, "falling Mom, save me!". He is never really falling but I dutifully exclaim great alarm and then quickly grab him off of the precipice and save him. No matter what mood I am in or how hurried I am in getting ready for the day I always save him, hopefully giving him the reassurance that I will try and be there to catch him when he falls. Also a good reminder during this game is the other person who saves us. It has been a great way to talk about Jesus and how He saved us.
Have a good Monday everyone.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Mother's Day
Sorry followers that I have been out of the blogger world for so long. I got sick and then somehow life got crazy, so here I am back from the crazy.
It is Mother's Day today and I am sitting here alone reflecting on the day (no worries my son is in bed and my hubby is picking up a friend from the airport). I have been through three of these holidays so far and all of them have been very good to remind me of the joys of Motherhood. Thankful that God allowed these little reminders to shine through the hardships of being a Mom. Recently that has been my struggle, seeing more of the bad and not the good, prayer is an amazing thing though and with much of that joy has come. Let me list out some of the ways...
1. Every morning he gets up, walks into the living room and says "I woke up!" with all the energy of those obnoxious morning people, but in a way that I have grown to love.
2. When a fun song comes on the radio or TV he is instantly up dancing and asking me to dance with him.
3. "Play with me" is another one of his favorite sayings.
4. Walking down a path or through the park he is excited to pick up leaves and give them to me, like a special treasure.
5. Whenever someone gets hurt, is sick or not feeling well Conrad has a great concerned expression, cocking his head to the side.
6. The cute way my little guy makes me hold fake flowers while he sings happy birthday to me (even though it is not my birthday).
7. The way that he wants to be exactly like his Dad, shaving, dressing, wearing sunglasses.
8. Conrad waking up and wanting to crawl into my lap and cuddle in the morning.
9. Having a little boy who is learning to share and obey and generally listen - means that all the hard work is starting to stick.
10. God encouraging me to read His word when my son grabs his kid Bible and makes me read it to him.
Thank you Lord for the son that You have given me and all that I continue to learn about myself and You through this adventure of parenting.
For those that are still waiting for that adventure to begin try and not get discouraged, it is a hard road so take this time now to prepare yourself and enjoy your quiet, clean house.
It is Mother's Day today and I am sitting here alone reflecting on the day (no worries my son is in bed and my hubby is picking up a friend from the airport). I have been through three of these holidays so far and all of them have been very good to remind me of the joys of Motherhood. Thankful that God allowed these little reminders to shine through the hardships of being a Mom. Recently that has been my struggle, seeing more of the bad and not the good, prayer is an amazing thing though and with much of that joy has come. Let me list out some of the ways...
1. Every morning he gets up, walks into the living room and says "I woke up!" with all the energy of those obnoxious morning people, but in a way that I have grown to love.
2. When a fun song comes on the radio or TV he is instantly up dancing and asking me to dance with him.
3. "Play with me" is another one of his favorite sayings.
4. Walking down a path or through the park he is excited to pick up leaves and give them to me, like a special treasure.
5. Whenever someone gets hurt, is sick or not feeling well Conrad has a great concerned expression, cocking his head to the side.
6. The cute way my little guy makes me hold fake flowers while he sings happy birthday to me (even though it is not my birthday).
7. The way that he wants to be exactly like his Dad, shaving, dressing, wearing sunglasses.
8. Conrad waking up and wanting to crawl into my lap and cuddle in the morning.
9. Having a little boy who is learning to share and obey and generally listen - means that all the hard work is starting to stick.
10. God encouraging me to read His word when my son grabs his kid Bible and makes me read it to him.
Thank you Lord for the son that You have given me and all that I continue to learn about myself and You through this adventure of parenting.
For those that are still waiting for that adventure to begin try and not get discouraged, it is a hard road so take this time now to prepare yourself and enjoy your quiet, clean house.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Conrad Quotables
Lets get to the funnier side of parenting. Following are some of the funny and memorable things that Conrad has said recently ( I have started to write them down as he says them so that don't forget).
Conrad could hear the shower running in the back bathroom from the kitchen. He proceeds to put his ear against the cabinets and says "listening".
Daddy - "Conrad are you a silly monkey?"
Conrad - "No, I Conrad. Floyd Conrad Davis!"
He is secure in his identity.
Conrad's favorite car CD is "They Might be Giants" ABC album. The musical prelude comes on for the next song and before the singing starts Conrad shouts out "clapping". Sure enough it was the clapping and foot stomping song. Everyday I am impressed with how much he knows and how quickly he learns.
Well I thought that I had written down more. Next time I will do better, I promise. I will follow Conrad around with a pencil in hand, ready to take down his every funny word.
Conrad could hear the shower running in the back bathroom from the kitchen. He proceeds to put his ear against the cabinets and says "listening".
Daddy - "Conrad are you a silly monkey?"
Conrad - "No, I Conrad. Floyd Conrad Davis!"
He is secure in his identity.
Conrad's favorite car CD is "They Might be Giants" ABC album. The musical prelude comes on for the next song and before the singing starts Conrad shouts out "clapping". Sure enough it was the clapping and foot stomping song. Everyday I am impressed with how much he knows and how quickly he learns.
Well I thought that I had written down more. Next time I will do better, I promise. I will follow Conrad around with a pencil in hand, ready to take down his every funny word.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Lent Continued
For those that have made Lent commitments, and those who heard about mine, I hope that you have stayed strong to your pledge. Not that it would have changed my mind about my Lent deal but 40 days is a long time. God has not made the days easy either by allowing a sick spell to hit me. What do most people do when sick and stuck at home for days on end? Find some good movies, snuggle into a blanket with Kleenex and lots of fluids and give in to the misery. Well I did allow for most of the listed comforts but I strive to stay in reality and not give in to my movie cravings.
"The Blind Side" was one that I thought would be appropriate as it is a true story and the other that I gave into was the "All Creaters Great and Small" TV series, based on the novels by James Harriet, an English vet. The books are true stories so I figured that the TV series could not be too far off and what is more comforting then animals and soothing British accents? That and lots of Food Network shows got me through my sick spell, along with sleep, a great husband and a two year old that made me read to him, get up and change his diaper and feed him regularly (along with making me laugh with his crazed stuck in the house for two days energy).
With the beginning of this new week coming into focus I have renewed my commitment and am trying to get back to my creative ways of spending free time and down time. One of the things that I think is in order is some outdoor adventures. San Diego weather is calling me and the clear blue skies are so inviting that I know some time out running and hiking will take up my afternoons. Somehow including exercise into the day gives me energy that makes not sitting on the couch in front of the TV, appealing.
So I am starting of my week feeling good enough to get off my couch and attack the week. I am also in charge of keeping track of a missionary families prayer requests to report to the ladies Bible study at the end of the week. This has opened my eyes more to the daily life of missionaries and incorporating them into my prayer life (which was needing some revamping as I struggled to have focused prayer time with the Lord). Also with Easter coming up, God has reminded me of my heart for my neighbors and the neighborhood around our local church. Looking forward to the upcoming event of handing out fliers to the locals, inviting them to The Chapel's Easter service.
"The Blind Side" was one that I thought would be appropriate as it is a true story and the other that I gave into was the "All Creaters Great and Small" TV series, based on the novels by James Harriet, an English vet. The books are true stories so I figured that the TV series could not be too far off and what is more comforting then animals and soothing British accents? That and lots of Food Network shows got me through my sick spell, along with sleep, a great husband and a two year old that made me read to him, get up and change his diaper and feed him regularly (along with making me laugh with his crazed stuck in the house for two days energy).
With the beginning of this new week coming into focus I have renewed my commitment and am trying to get back to my creative ways of spending free time and down time. One of the things that I think is in order is some outdoor adventures. San Diego weather is calling me and the clear blue skies are so inviting that I know some time out running and hiking will take up my afternoons. Somehow including exercise into the day gives me energy that makes not sitting on the couch in front of the TV, appealing.
So I am starting of my week feeling good enough to get off my couch and attack the week. I am also in charge of keeping track of a missionary families prayer requests to report to the ladies Bible study at the end of the week. This has opened my eyes more to the daily life of missionaries and incorporating them into my prayer life (which was needing some revamping as I struggled to have focused prayer time with the Lord). Also with Easter coming up, God has reminded me of my heart for my neighbors and the neighborhood around our local church. Looking forward to the upcoming event of handing out fliers to the locals, inviting them to The Chapel's Easter service.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Everybody Loves Babies
And Lent continues. For those that may have not been reading all of my lent related blogs, I have committed to not reading or watching anything fictional. This has meant me being creative with the evening hours of my day, which were previously composed of TV entertainment. I will admit that finding non-fiction books has been easy as the subjects available are varied, being forced to search out new genre's has been a fun challenge.
Currently I am reading through America's Women: 400 years of dolls, drudges, helpmates and heroines by Gail Collins. I have enjoyed the women from history that this author has pulled out and highlighted. The women that came over on some of the first ships to America and had to build a life from the dirt around them to the women that strapped themselves into corsets, attempting to squeeze out the perfect figure. The rugged life of a pioneer is pointed out in the furniture that was available at the time, maybe one family chair and table and then the family bed. No place for a women to sit down in comfort. Pointing out that there was not much ease in the life of these early American women. I will say that the author has a feminist bent, no wonder as she was the first female editor of the New York Times Editorial Page, but it is not overwhelming, yet anyway.
Conversations with my husband during this season have abounded, playing games (currently I hold the record of most won, but we have only played one game so that record is not worth too much), enjoying Everybody Loves Babies (click to watch the trailer) documentary and listening while my husband records his radio show.
What has come out most through this commitment is how relaxed my evenings feel and also the creativity that has been required. I don't just fall to TV to entertain. When I have laundry to fold I wait until one of my favorite afternoon radio hosts is on, Hugh Hewitt. I call a friend on the phone and connect when down time presents itself or I read over old journal entries (I loved reading my entries from after my wedding day and during my honeymoon), listen to music and do my Biblestudy.
The noise level in my home has diminished, I feel that I can more easily hear God calling me with His still small voice. Today, while taking trying to take a nap with my husband, I was reminded to pray for my neighbors. They were having a fight that drifted to me through the ceiling and though my husband was snoozing away, I could not sleep. Through this alertness God encouraged me to pray for my neighbors and the other residents in the apartment complex where we live. This lead to questions of how I could be used to reach my neighbors for Christ, specifically using the upcoming Easter season as a way to start talking with about church and spiritual things. The origination of these thoughts came from the sermon at The Chapel today but I feel that I would not have ruminated on them had TV been clouding my mind.
I am sure that you can all tell that I am also blogging more with my new found free time so I hope that some are enjoying reading as much as I am enjoying writing.
Currently I am reading through America's Women: 400 years of dolls, drudges, helpmates and heroines by Gail Collins. I have enjoyed the women from history that this author has pulled out and highlighted. The women that came over on some of the first ships to America and had to build a life from the dirt around them to the women that strapped themselves into corsets, attempting to squeeze out the perfect figure. The rugged life of a pioneer is pointed out in the furniture that was available at the time, maybe one family chair and table and then the family bed. No place for a women to sit down in comfort. Pointing out that there was not much ease in the life of these early American women. I will say that the author has a feminist bent, no wonder as she was the first female editor of the New York Times Editorial Page, but it is not overwhelming, yet anyway.
Conversations with my husband during this season have abounded, playing games (currently I hold the record of most won, but we have only played one game so that record is not worth too much), enjoying Everybody Loves Babies (click to watch the trailer) documentary and listening while my husband records his radio show.
What has come out most through this commitment is how relaxed my evenings feel and also the creativity that has been required. I don't just fall to TV to entertain. When I have laundry to fold I wait until one of my favorite afternoon radio hosts is on, Hugh Hewitt. I call a friend on the phone and connect when down time presents itself or I read over old journal entries (I loved reading my entries from after my wedding day and during my honeymoon), listen to music and do my Biblestudy.
The noise level in my home has diminished, I feel that I can more easily hear God calling me with His still small voice. Today, while taking trying to take a nap with my husband, I was reminded to pray for my neighbors. They were having a fight that drifted to me through the ceiling and though my husband was snoozing away, I could not sleep. Through this alertness God encouraged me to pray for my neighbors and the other residents in the apartment complex where we live. This lead to questions of how I could be used to reach my neighbors for Christ, specifically using the upcoming Easter season as a way to start talking with about church and spiritual things. The origination of these thoughts came from the sermon at The Chapel today but I feel that I would not have ruminated on them had TV been clouding my mind.
I am sure that you can all tell that I am also blogging more with my new found free time so I hope that some are enjoying reading as much as I am enjoying writing.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Conrad Quotables
My little boy is two years old and as his vocabulary continues to expand, I am trying to hold onto and remember all of his fun new phrases and words. Here are a few that have stood out recently.
When asked what a particular family member says, Conrad will respond with the following (these are phrases that we have trained him in, but I think they are still cute).
Question: What does Pappa (grandpa) say?
Answer: Hey Buddy!
Question: What does Grandma say?
Answer: The prince is coming!
Question: What does Mommy say?
Answer: Lame!
Question: What does Daddy say?
Answer: DUDE!
Coming home from a date night recently, my husband and I were talking to the sitter about how the night went. It was stated that they were impressed with how polite Conrad was and they liked the songs that he knew. They stated that at one point in the evening he said 'the B-I-B-L-E', paused and then loudly exclaimed 'BIBLE!' My husband and I were very impressed, mostly because we had not taught him that song. He must have picked it up on his own from the music he listens to while going to sleep and the songs sung during Sunday School.
He is on a song kick currently and will randomly break out into song while in the car, eating his breakfast or when asked to leave a birthday phone message. The titles tracks are "Jesus Loves Me", "The ABC's", and when coxed he does a good rendition of "Happy Birthday".
I went running Friday morning. Conrad was all bundled up in the stroller, knit cap on and everything. We are going along and with my visor on, I don't notice the light mist that has started to fall. Through most of the run I have been talking to Conrad about the cars that are driving by - he is partial to any big bus - and the color of the flowers that are blooming along the road. At one point Conrad starts saying 'shower, shower'. Thinking he is asking to take a shower when we get home, I tell him that we need to get back home first. He pauses, and then points to the tray on his stroller and says 'water'. It was at this point that I notice the mist. Though I have tried to teach him about rain, poor San Diegan kid can only link water falling from the sky to a shower.
When asked what a particular family member says, Conrad will respond with the following (these are phrases that we have trained him in, but I think they are still cute).
Question: What does Pappa (grandpa) say?
Answer: Hey Buddy!
Question: What does Grandma say?
Answer: The prince is coming!
Question: What does Mommy say?
Answer: Lame!
Question: What does Daddy say?
Answer: DUDE!
Coming home from a date night recently, my husband and I were talking to the sitter about how the night went. It was stated that they were impressed with how polite Conrad was and they liked the songs that he knew. They stated that at one point in the evening he said 'the B-I-B-L-E', paused and then loudly exclaimed 'BIBLE!' My husband and I were very impressed, mostly because we had not taught him that song. He must have picked it up on his own from the music he listens to while going to sleep and the songs sung during Sunday School.
He is on a song kick currently and will randomly break out into song while in the car, eating his breakfast or when asked to leave a birthday phone message. The titles tracks are "Jesus Loves Me", "The ABC's", and when coxed he does a good rendition of "Happy Birthday".
I went running Friday morning. Conrad was all bundled up in the stroller, knit cap on and everything. We are going along and with my visor on, I don't notice the light mist that has started to fall. Through most of the run I have been talking to Conrad about the cars that are driving by - he is partial to any big bus - and the color of the flowers that are blooming along the road. At one point Conrad starts saying 'shower, shower'. Thinking he is asking to take a shower when we get home, I tell him that we need to get back home first. He pauses, and then points to the tray on his stroller and says 'water'. It was at this point that I notice the mist. Though I have tried to teach him about rain, poor San Diegan kid can only link water falling from the sky to a shower.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Handy Work
As my time away from fiction continued I found my hands to be rather restless. As evening came along, and this is the time that was usually spent watching TV, I needed a project. Over the last couple of months I had been making some scarves for my sisters. They took me awhile to complete so I was not very anxious to start another one. With my evening looming in front of me, however, I decided to jump in a try my hand at another crocheting project. This time I choose a new pattern (and with the help of the internet, figured out the new stitch that was required) and got started. Actually now that I think about it, last night was the second night that I worked on this scarf but I don't know that my previous blog talked much about it. Anyway, this pattern turned out to be much easier then the ones I had done already and without a very interesting show to distract me, I was able to complete half of the scarf in two days, that is to say, two evenings. The rest of the evening was composed of reading and enjoying a documentary on the Appalachian Trail. For those that don't know, the trail goes through 14 states and takes most hikers anywhere from 4 to 6 months to complete, if they are brave enough to 'hike through' as they call it. One couple that was interviewed had memorized over 200 birds calls in preparation. Another hiker had started more in the middle of the trail, liked it so much and decided to finish. The views that could be seen through the many mountains that are climbed were amazing. A German women had decided to hike a portion of the path as a way to see a different side of America. She seemed impressed.
Pictured below is the scarf that I completed. It was another successful evening without fictional TV!
Pictured below is the scarf that I completed. It was another successful evening without fictional TV!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Work
This seemed to be the theme of today's day of Lent. Work consumed the day allowing me to be free of the temptation of sitting down and watching TV. I have taken on a very part time job being the administrative assistant to a financial planner. There is a learning curve involved and I am still behind the curve, so my day today was consumed with keeping my ears open to learn all that was being taught and then also try and get some actual work done. I was successful and mailed out a packet to a client and then also got another client packet put together for an upcoming meeting, this was all after about 4 and a half hours of just learning. On top of being trained in a new job I also had some water leaking issues at my other part time job, this required the maintenance man, a plumber and jack hammer. All of the physical work was done by others but I was still involved in communicating with the tenant and staying informed about what was going on. This was enough to keep me busy until dinner time, however, at that point I had a headache and just wanted to sit down in front of the TV and zone out. I stuck to my commitment, however, and started making dinner and doing other various household chores.
Since coming back from Montana (a trip taken recently to visit my sister) my son has been trying out a big boy bed. That only means that one of the railings on his crib was taken off to allow him to get in and out of bed freely. Since then he has only slept through the night once. We have not been able to determine if he is falling out of bed or just waking up and wandering into our bedroom, needless to say, it has made for longs nights and I was ready to try a railing to see if that would help. Three stores later we could not find a used one so we went home to see how the night would go. All the shopping did help to distract me and keep me busy until Wheel Of Fortune came on. That is our nightly routine if we are home in the evening. A good educational show and I enjoy seeing what Vanna will be wearing every night.
The rest of the evening went by with putting my son to bed, getting out my crochet needles and starting another project, and listening to my hubby while he worked on his radio show. Then I did some reading and when my eyes got too tired for that I headed off to bed. I am looking forward to all the extra reading time that I will be getting without so much TV taking up my evenings and I am motivated to get some games out of the closet and try to beat my husband. For those that don't know him, he is a genius at games and the times that I have beat him I can count on one hand (and are usually documented with a photo so that I have proof).
Since coming back from Montana (a trip taken recently to visit my sister) my son has been trying out a big boy bed. That only means that one of the railings on his crib was taken off to allow him to get in and out of bed freely. Since then he has only slept through the night once. We have not been able to determine if he is falling out of bed or just waking up and wandering into our bedroom, needless to say, it has made for longs nights and I was ready to try a railing to see if that would help. Three stores later we could not find a used one so we went home to see how the night would go. All the shopping did help to distract me and keep me busy until Wheel Of Fortune came on. That is our nightly routine if we are home in the evening. A good educational show and I enjoy seeing what Vanna will be wearing every night.
The rest of the evening went by with putting my son to bed, getting out my crochet needles and starting another project, and listening to my hubby while he worked on his radio show. Then I did some reading and when my eyes got too tired for that I headed off to bed. I am looking forward to all the extra reading time that I will be getting without so much TV taking up my evenings and I am motivated to get some games out of the closet and try to beat my husband. For those that don't know him, he is a genius at games and the times that I have beat him I can count on one hand (and are usually documented with a photo so that I have proof).
Monday, March 21, 2011
Lent - Staying In Reality
One night I was laying in bed and my mind was racing. I was thinking about my day and all that consumed it. One thought held sway over the others, what was going to happen next?! This was in regards to the show I had been watching earlier that day. As I continued to lay there and think about this show another thought enter my head, this is not real. The people in this show are not real nor the events that are happening. I am thinking and being consumed by things and events and people that don't exist. I enjoy TV, shows that are produced well and creative, movies that are intense, funny and make you think but it all was getting to be too much. I needed to clear my head and get back to what is real and true. Around the corner was Lent, though I do not participate in this tradition of fasting until easter regularly, I decided that this was the year. I would give up fiction TV and books and only read and consume things that are true and real. Biographies, documentaries, books that encourage or teach. That is the goal. Here I will try and document the things that I do in place of my routine of watching a TV show to fill in the time. I was in Montana with my sisters for the first week of Lent so I allowed myself to start when I got home. Day one was yesterday and this is what I did.
I found myself being bored and my husband on his way out the door to a Biblestudy. Me and my son were home alone and temptation was there as no one was watching what would be taking up my time. God gave me the creativity to make homemade granola instead, read some books with my son, color in his coloring book and then make some dinner. My son was full of energy so we played a bit and then I looked for a documentary to watch and found one on Tsunami's. In light of recent world events I thought this would be a good one to watch. It was very interesting but very easy to pause and get my son ready for bed, read his Bible with him and then pray. When my husband came home I was excited to talk to him about what I had been learning on my show but again it was easy to step away from the documentary and just talk to him about the evening that he had.
The experience of Lent has been very positive so far and I am encouraged to see how God will continue to work through this commitment. Already I see that God is challenging me, it has been raining and gloomy making it harder to go outside and be occupied with outdoor activities.
I encourage you to allow God to work in you during this season of Lent.
I found myself being bored and my husband on his way out the door to a Biblestudy. Me and my son were home alone and temptation was there as no one was watching what would be taking up my time. God gave me the creativity to make homemade granola instead, read some books with my son, color in his coloring book and then make some dinner. My son was full of energy so we played a bit and then I looked for a documentary to watch and found one on Tsunami's. In light of recent world events I thought this would be a good one to watch. It was very interesting but very easy to pause and get my son ready for bed, read his Bible with him and then pray. When my husband came home I was excited to talk to him about what I had been learning on my show but again it was easy to step away from the documentary and just talk to him about the evening that he had.
The experience of Lent has been very positive so far and I am encouraged to see how God will continue to work through this commitment. Already I see that God is challenging me, it has been raining and gloomy making it harder to go outside and be occupied with outdoor activities.
I encourage you to allow God to work in you during this season of Lent.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Conrad's Quotables
As my son, Conrad, gets older and starts to talk and string words together, I have been enjoying what comes out of his mouth. Well, I have to confess that I don't always enjoy what Conrad says and am currently trying to break him of his 'stop it' phrase. Through this new phase I try and find the good things and am thankful that for the most part Conrad quotes are very enjoyable.
I am sitting at the bank dealing with our checking account Conrad is in the chair next to me and says 'all done talking'. Then proceeds to get up, grab his apple from the desk and walk to the door.
Recently we bought three fish. Conrad has been noticing more animals lately and I thought he would enjoy watching gold fish. After about one day, two of the fish died but the other one lived about a week longer. Conrad was around when I found the last fish at the bottom of the tank. Since he enjoys flushing the toilet I let him come with me to the bathroom to 'bury' the fish. After I dropped the fish in Conrad says 'swimming, swimming' I then tried to explain that the fish was dead and told him to flush the toilet. He did and now every time that we go into the bathroom for his bath he will stop by the toilet and say (or at random times during the day, like while riding in the car looking at a book with fish in it), 'fish, died, flushed it'.
Conrad and his Dad love to wrestle. Every day after his Dad has lunch, Conrad will walk into our bedroom and ask his Dad to wrestle on the bed with him. His Dad has since taught him to finish the sentence 'let's get ready to...Rumble!' Conrads cute, loud 'Rumble' is so fun to hear.
Conrad has a small repertoire of songs that he knows parts of or others that he likes when I sing to him. At breakfast one morning he went through his list and it went something like this; 'I know, I know (Psych), baby, baby oh (Justin Bieber), Happyloula (his version of hallelujah)'. The ones that he has asked me to sing are 'baby song' (Rock a by Baby) and 'Jesus loves' (Jesus loves me). I have yet to tire of singing to him when he asks and I always love it when he starts to sing for me.
Friday, February 4, 2011
My Sunny Backyard
I recently got back from a trip where the weather was cold and being inside was the most inviting. Upon making it back to my hometown I found the sun shining, the blue sky sparkling and temperatures hovering at a great 65 degrees. What calls when the weather is like that? The great outdoors! I grabbed my sons hand and decided to be adventurous and not go to a park but try something new. Mission Trails was our destination and on the way my son and I laid out the animals that we would look for along the path; lizards, birds and fish. These all seemed good possibilities except maybe the lizards as the weather was a bit cool for them, but off we went on our hunt along the trail. Having a goal in mind, that of reaching the point of the trail where it overlooked the dam, I hit the path with a wide stride enjoying the crunch of the gravel beneath my feet. Not hearing the crunch of gravel behind me I turned around to see if my son was lagging too far, but he was not far behind, he was not on the path at all. He had seen the next best thing to walking down a gravel path, jumping off the rocks that line the path. So the jumping began, he was confident enough to make it off the small ones on his own but still needed my hand to help him with the big ones.
It is slowly getting to be less and less that my little boy reaches for my hands. As he discovers the world around him he is finding that he does not need a mom to hold his hands as he traverses the play ground (though to be honest my little dare devil never did want my help when it came to the playground I just tried to keep him alive), walks through the mall or goes to his Sunday school class. As a new mom I dreamed of the times when my baby would be able to feed himself, play on his own and allow me to sit through a whole church service, but now that it is here I wish my baby would come back.
As we continued on our hike the only animals that we noticed were small black caterpillars crawling around everywhere. It was so fun to see these creatures through my sons eyes as he followed them along the trail saying 'crawling, crawling, crawling'. I had to step out of my purposeful stride and move at a more meandering pace to allow for enjoyment in viewing the water, climbing on rocks, climbing on rocks through the water and looking for fish in the water. Unfortunately it is hard to explain to a 2 year old that throwing rocks into the water has a tendency to scare away fish. Crossing over streams, up stairs and over more gravel paths we made it to the top of the were a nice bench was waiting for us, so we enjoyed our orange and trail mix. Once again the only animals that we saw along the path were the little black caterpillars. On our way back along the path we came to a small hillside that looked too inviting for my little boy to pass up. Being the mountain climber that he is and aspires to be, up the hill he went. Making it a good way on his own, with me following closely behind to prevent injury, he got to a point where he could not get much farther on his own. It was tempting to help him up so that he could reach his goal but it was a bit slippery and not the best terrain to carry a kid up so we turned around. I admired his spirit of adventure and enjoyed my glimpse of what the future holds. Exploring nature and learning how to climb mountains as my little guy takes on the world is the bright future. May the journey of being a mom continue to hold so much joy.
It is slowly getting to be less and less that my little boy reaches for my hands. As he discovers the world around him he is finding that he does not need a mom to hold his hands as he traverses the play ground (though to be honest my little dare devil never did want my help when it came to the playground I just tried to keep him alive), walks through the mall or goes to his Sunday school class. As a new mom I dreamed of the times when my baby would be able to feed himself, play on his own and allow me to sit through a whole church service, but now that it is here I wish my baby would come back.
As we continued on our hike the only animals that we noticed were small black caterpillars crawling around everywhere. It was so fun to see these creatures through my sons eyes as he followed them along the trail saying 'crawling, crawling, crawling'. I had to step out of my purposeful stride and move at a more meandering pace to allow for enjoyment in viewing the water, climbing on rocks, climbing on rocks through the water and looking for fish in the water. Unfortunately it is hard to explain to a 2 year old that throwing rocks into the water has a tendency to scare away fish. Crossing over streams, up stairs and over more gravel paths we made it to the top of the were a nice bench was waiting for us, so we enjoyed our orange and trail mix. Once again the only animals that we saw along the path were the little black caterpillars. On our way back along the path we came to a small hillside that looked too inviting for my little boy to pass up. Being the mountain climber that he is and aspires to be, up the hill he went. Making it a good way on his own, with me following closely behind to prevent injury, he got to a point where he could not get much farther on his own. It was tempting to help him up so that he could reach his goal but it was a bit slippery and not the best terrain to carry a kid up so we turned around. I admired his spirit of adventure and enjoyed my glimpse of what the future holds. Exploring nature and learning how to climb mountains as my little guy takes on the world is the bright future. May the journey of being a mom continue to hold so much joy.
Monday, January 24, 2011
The Mom of a Boy
Being the mom of a little boy is all about adventure. Recently I was asked to give a devotional at a friends baby shower. Being the mother of a very active, almost two year old asked to speak to a mom that had just had her first boy I thought that I would encourage her along the challenging road that lay ahead. By no means am I claiming expertise on the topic or issue of how to raise a boy but am coming from my two years of experience and my childhood of being the sister of a boy. Here are the thoughts that I shared, may they be encouraging and enlightening as you interact and deal with boys.
Adventure
A – Anticipate : so that you are not always saying 'no'.
D – Defer to Dad : Sons naturally idolize there fathers especially once your child is older. They seem to respect their words more so allow Dad to handle things some times.
V – Venture Out : be their partners on adventures and the listening ear when they come back from one – be their biggest fan!
E – Encourage : exploring, climbing, running, swinging and all other fun activities.
N – Nurture Independence : My son loves to follow me around when I work and 'help'. So I encourage this and provide him with a broom or a rag, or let him put the money into the slot when we do laundry. The look of determination while he does the task and the look of pride when he has accomplished it is so worth the extra time.
T – Train : Prov. 2 – provide instruction and wisdom through example and your words
2 Pet. Virtues to instill Faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly love, and love.
U – Unconditional love : President Bush Jr. say that his father 'gave him the freedom to fail'. That is what God allows it in our lives also. Mistakes are the way that we learn and I think even more so for boys.
R – Run with them : Trips to the zoo, just running at the park is amazing fun for them and I have learned to always keep a ball on hand so that my son can 'kick it'.
E – Enjoy them : for who they are.
These last words are the ones that my husband came up with when given the word adventure. I love how different they are from mine.
Action
Danger
Violence
Excitement
Noise
Trouble / thrills
Unexpected
Reckless
Entertainment
Friday, January 14, 2011
Orson Scott Card
I have found that the longer I am married the more my interests merge with my husbands. In asking him how I have influenced his life he did not have much to say leaving me with the idea that he has passed on more of his likes to me then the other way around. All that is beside the point since I enjoy all the new experiences that I have had with him in my life. With that said, it was through my husband that the Ender Series was brought into my life and I have loved every minute of those books, though I have yet to finish all of them. My hubby was looking at other books by Orson Scott Card and found the series that was done on the women of Genesis. The first one is 'Sarah' and chronicles the life of Sarai and Abram as they go through Egypt and transition into the names that God gave them and have their son Isaac. It followed the biblical layout of the story pretty closely and made me look at parts of the story in a new light. Card interprets the travel into Egypt, portraying that God lead Abram to say that Sarai was his sister showing Abram's trust in God and close communion with him. I had always viewed Abram as one who was rather weak, not owning up to the fact that Sarai was his wife and then letting Sarai manipulating him into having a child through Hagar. Card put him into a new light of one who closely followed God's call on his life and trusted God with his legacy even as he continued to age with no children.
The book helped me to see more clearly that even though our circumstances may scream that God does not care or is not in control, we have to trust in his promises, rest in them and be at peace that he will work it out in his timing.
I am looking forward to reading more in this series and encourage any one to pick it up and try it out. I am in no way saying that all his puts in this book is truth but it did encourage me to look at the story in the Bible with new eyes.
The book helped me to see more clearly that even though our circumstances may scream that God does not care or is not in control, we have to trust in his promises, rest in them and be at peace that he will work it out in his timing.
I am looking forward to reading more in this series and encourage any one to pick it up and try it out. I am in no way saying that all his puts in this book is truth but it did encourage me to look at the story in the Bible with new eyes.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Everyday Miracles - The message of Tron
My everyday miracles are the love of a savior, the daily companionship of my husband and the life of my son. It is so easy to look past these miracles, waiting for something of Biblical proportions to jump out of my life. An amazingly fulfilling job that pays the bills and allows us to move into a house with a huge wilderness in the backyard for my son to explore. The hard-hearted world to look to and turn to God for meaning and joy.
When I think of a miracle of Biblical proportions the one that comes to mind is the parting of the Red Sea. Moses was leading the Israelite nation out of Egypt after a succession of God interventions. They get to the sea with the Egyptian army chasing them and God comes through, allowing the people to pass to the other side on dry ground. (Story can be found in Exodus 13). The people then set up an alter to worship God and remember what he had done for them. The next part of the story is hard to read and I find myself yelling at the Israelites. "How could you forget what God did for you and where you came from so quickly?". For the people grumble and complain about the lack of food and water and end up making their own god to worship. But don't we all stumble into the sins of complaining and turning to idols for fulfillment. Forgetting the miracles of God, if we even recognize the miracle in the first place.
You may be wondering what this has to do with the movie Tron? For those that have not seen the newest edition to Tron this will not spoil anything, it is just my takeaway from the movie. Kevin Flynn, the creator behind some amazing computer programs, has found a way to go into a computer, what is called 'going on the grid'. That is his job to go to the grid and create a world with the hopes that some day this world will be able to interact, on a whole new level, with the outside 'real' world. Flynn loves the grid and one day something amazing happens while he is there. That is kinda the beginning of the movie and if I was to say more it would be ruined for all of you so allow me to get to the point. Through Flynn's journey of discovery in this other world he comes to realize that the miracle that is most amazing and important to him in his life is the one that has been right in front of him, his son. At the end of it all he would give up all of the other discoveries to be able to spend more time with his son.
What is the miracle that most changed the world? A baby being born. Through this babies life the whole world was saved and given the opportunity to have a relationship with the Creator. Only a few appreciated and even noticed this event in the beginning, the shepherds that came to worship and the wise men who came to give. That seems to be the way that the most meaningful miracles happen, noticed by few.
The definition of a miracle is; an event that seems impossible to explain by natural laws as so is regarded as supernatural in origin or an act of God, one that excites admiration or awe: wonder. I like the second definition the best. "One that excited admiration or awe: wonder". Most of the things that I think are wonderful in the everyday, the sun rising, my husband kissing me as he leaves for work, birds singing, the companionship of friends, could all be explained away through the natural laws of life. If you think of the ancient world that worship the sun they truly thought that it was a miraculous event when this great ball came up into the sky to provide warmth and light. For those that label themselves as hard to love or even unlovable, thinking of someone kissing them is a wonder. I could go on and on highlighting the wonders that God has placed into each of our lives. But let me end here with this one reminder from Kevin Flynn, don't miss out on the miracles of this world because you are caught up in the possibilities of another.
Check out the movie Tron here.
When I think of a miracle of Biblical proportions the one that comes to mind is the parting of the Red Sea. Moses was leading the Israelite nation out of Egypt after a succession of God interventions. They get to the sea with the Egyptian army chasing them and God comes through, allowing the people to pass to the other side on dry ground. (Story can be found in Exodus 13). The people then set up an alter to worship God and remember what he had done for them. The next part of the story is hard to read and I find myself yelling at the Israelites. "How could you forget what God did for you and where you came from so quickly?". For the people grumble and complain about the lack of food and water and end up making their own god to worship. But don't we all stumble into the sins of complaining and turning to idols for fulfillment. Forgetting the miracles of God, if we even recognize the miracle in the first place.
You may be wondering what this has to do with the movie Tron? For those that have not seen the newest edition to Tron this will not spoil anything, it is just my takeaway from the movie. Kevin Flynn, the creator behind some amazing computer programs, has found a way to go into a computer, what is called 'going on the grid'. That is his job to go to the grid and create a world with the hopes that some day this world will be able to interact, on a whole new level, with the outside 'real' world. Flynn loves the grid and one day something amazing happens while he is there. That is kinda the beginning of the movie and if I was to say more it would be ruined for all of you so allow me to get to the point. Through Flynn's journey of discovery in this other world he comes to realize that the miracle that is most amazing and important to him in his life is the one that has been right in front of him, his son. At the end of it all he would give up all of the other discoveries to be able to spend more time with his son.
What is the miracle that most changed the world? A baby being born. Through this babies life the whole world was saved and given the opportunity to have a relationship with the Creator. Only a few appreciated and even noticed this event in the beginning, the shepherds that came to worship and the wise men who came to give. That seems to be the way that the most meaningful miracles happen, noticed by few.
The definition of a miracle is; an event that seems impossible to explain by natural laws as so is regarded as supernatural in origin or an act of God, one that excites admiration or awe: wonder. I like the second definition the best. "One that excited admiration or awe: wonder". Most of the things that I think are wonderful in the everyday, the sun rising, my husband kissing me as he leaves for work, birds singing, the companionship of friends, could all be explained away through the natural laws of life. If you think of the ancient world that worship the sun they truly thought that it was a miraculous event when this great ball came up into the sky to provide warmth and light. For those that label themselves as hard to love or even unlovable, thinking of someone kissing them is a wonder. I could go on and on highlighting the wonders that God has placed into each of our lives. But let me end here with this one reminder from Kevin Flynn, don't miss out on the miracles of this world because you are caught up in the possibilities of another.
Check out the movie Tron here.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Silence
Just wanted to share the evening I had last night and the lesson of silence that God continues to challenge me with.
It has been a tough week. My husband has had crazy work hours and comes home very tired out, so my goal has been to make home a relaxing place for him to be and to keep our son out of his way as much as possible. Needless to say our son has since decided that he is going to be extra cranky and whiny this week, testing my patience during the day and into the evening as I don't want my husband to have to deal with too much. By the time that Thursday rolled around I needed a break but did not feel that it was fair to approach my hubby with a request for time off so I just tried to go with the flow and be up for whatever he was up for. Focus on the Family was having a free event Thursday evening for listeners and when I looked up who the speaker was I really wanted to go (a Mom was speaking about being a Mom - that's all it takes to encourage me). When I mentioned the event to my husband he was rather negative about it and stated that he was too tired to go out. Well I was very tempted to start harping about how hard my week was being a single parent and go through the mantra of 'when your at work I am working too and your long hours mean long hours for me, I have had a stressful week too and I need some encouragement from another mom'. All of those statements are true but God whispered to me to be quiet and let it be. I had to make dinner for some friends who just had a baby and then deliver it to them. This family lived in about twenty minutes from home so we planned on just staying in that area for dinner ourselves and not fighting traffic to get back right away. As we were getting on the freeway my husband says that as long as we are in the area we can stop by the Focus on the Family thing and check it out for a bit before we drive home. So God worked it out for me to be encouraged and get out a bit and even though our son came along, my husband was up for watching him and he let me sit and listen on my own for a bit.
Be silent and see how God works in your favor to give you the desires of your heart. No nagging needed here!
Love you all,
Maegan
It has been a tough week. My husband has had crazy work hours and comes home very tired out, so my goal has been to make home a relaxing place for him to be and to keep our son out of his way as much as possible. Needless to say our son has since decided that he is going to be extra cranky and whiny this week, testing my patience during the day and into the evening as I don't want my husband to have to deal with too much. By the time that Thursday rolled around I needed a break but did not feel that it was fair to approach my hubby with a request for time off so I just tried to go with the flow and be up for whatever he was up for. Focus on the Family was having a free event Thursday evening for listeners and when I looked up who the speaker was I really wanted to go (a Mom was speaking about being a Mom - that's all it takes to encourage me). When I mentioned the event to my husband he was rather negative about it and stated that he was too tired to go out. Well I was very tempted to start harping about how hard my week was being a single parent and go through the mantra of 'when your at work I am working too and your long hours mean long hours for me, I have had a stressful week too and I need some encouragement from another mom'. All of those statements are true but God whispered to me to be quiet and let it be. I had to make dinner for some friends who just had a baby and then deliver it to them. This family lived in about twenty minutes from home so we planned on just staying in that area for dinner ourselves and not fighting traffic to get back right away. As we were getting on the freeway my husband says that as long as we are in the area we can stop by the Focus on the Family thing and check it out for a bit before we drive home. So God worked it out for me to be encouraged and get out a bit and even though our son came along, my husband was up for watching him and he let me sit and listen on my own for a bit.
Be silent and see how God works in your favor to give you the desires of your heart. No nagging needed here!
Love you all,
Maegan
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