10 things about this week.
1. It was almost, but not quite, summery.
2. I didn't really mind, but I will soon because we want to go to the beach and I need a hot day for that.
3. I have been falling in love with my children all over again. Must be all the time we've been spending together. Or maybe it's because they are just so cute.
4. I watched a few minutes of Eat, Pray, Love. It was the scene where an Italian man tells Julia Roberts' character something like "Italians have made an art of doing nothing." I like that. I've been trying to enjoy my "doing nothing" without thinking of all I should be doing instead.
5. Speaking of Julia Roberts, I want to see her new movie with Tom Hanks. It looks super cute.
6. I just finished reading Graceling. Tomorrow I plan to go to the library to see if they have the next book in the series.
7. I am now reading The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide. Guilty pleasure summer reading at it's finest. I loved the interview part between Stephanie Meyer and Shannon Hale.
8. I am so looking forward to summer theater tonight. One of the four nights per summer guaranteed to be spent with some of my favorite girls eating yummy food and enjoying musical theater.
9. My husband interviewed for and got a job. A full time, permanent, benefited job. The first such job in almost 4 years. Hallelujah!
10. I have been reminded this week of the power of prayer. And of all those who love us and have taken our family before the Lord in their prayers. What a blessing.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Artistry
On Tuesdays and Thursdays this summer I am teaching at our school's summer day camp. Yesterday we had a visitor. It was Abby, my adorable and sweet niece. Julianna was so excited when she found out her cousin was coming to play with her. One of the things they wanted to do was paint. So I broke out the watercolors and paintbrushes and they, along with all the other kids, painted and painted and painted. Here are Abby's masterpieces.
And here are Julianna's.
And here is when they painted their fingernails blue. Umm...whose idea was this, Little Girls?
They were mighty pleased with themselves. Luckily it was washable paint.
And here are Julianna's.
And here is when they painted their fingernails blue. Umm...whose idea was this, Little Girls?
They were mighty pleased with themselves. Luckily it was washable paint.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
10 Things Thursday
10 things about the kids' dentist visit yesterday.
1. They all have beautiful, straight, strong teeth. Yeah!
2. They have all gotten (and lost) teeth earlier than typical.
3. Adam has to go back for 4 sealants on new teeth that he's gotten in the last 6 months.
4. Josh needs 2 sealants and a tiny filling (which did not make him happy). The dentist wasn't sure how he even got the cavity they found, but it's there nonetheless. Not even big enough to require anesthesia.
5. Julianna didn't want to show off her teeth. She gets extremely shy around doctors and dentists. They did finally get a peek and were happy with what they saw.
6. She did, however, love the sunglasses they put on her and chose some similar ones from the treasure box after her visit.
7. Josh chose a sticky hand (which Arrty hates).
8. Adam chose a whoopee cushion (which I hate).
9. They all got new toothbrushes and Julianna therefore brushed both willingly and for a lot longer than usual last night. I guess she just needed a pink toothbrush with monkeys on it.
10. I am grateful that my children have access to health and dental care and that we have insurance to cover it.
2. They have all gotten (and lost) teeth earlier than typical.
3. Adam has to go back for 4 sealants on new teeth that he's gotten in the last 6 months.
4. Josh needs 2 sealants and a tiny filling (which did not make him happy). The dentist wasn't sure how he even got the cavity they found, but it's there nonetheless. Not even big enough to require anesthesia.
5. Julianna didn't want to show off her teeth. She gets extremely shy around doctors and dentists. They did finally get a peek and were happy with what they saw.
6. She did, however, love the sunglasses they put on her and chose some similar ones from the treasure box after her visit.
7. Josh chose a sticky hand (which Arrty hates).
8. Adam chose a whoopee cushion (which I hate).
9. They all got new toothbrushes and Julianna therefore brushed both willingly and for a lot longer than usual last night. I guess she just needed a pink toothbrush with monkeys on it.
10. I am grateful that my children have access to health and dental care and that we have insurance to cover it.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Head for the cellar!
I'm working today caring for children at our school's summer day camp. We were outside for recess when some of the kids starting yelling, "Tornado, tornado!!" and running for cover. Either they all saw The Wizard of Oz at summer theater last week or think we moved to Kansas all of a sudden. I thought it was kind of amusing but had to laugh out loud when Julianna came running around the side of the play equipment yelling, "Tomato, tomato!!" I know she doesn't like tomatoes, but running from them is a little dramatic. :)
Monday, June 20, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
10 Things Thursday
10 things I don't need today.
1. sunscreen
2. popsicles
3. shorts
4. a tank top
5. a fan
6. air conditioning
7. ice water
8. sandals
9. sunglasses
10. a beach towel
10 things I do need.
1. an umbrella
2. galoshes
3. socks
4. a coat
5. hot chocolate
6. a hat
7. long pants
8. a space heater
9. long sleeves
10. a calendar--to prove that it really is the middle of June
1. sunscreen
2. popsicles
3. shorts
4. a tank top
5. a fan
6. air conditioning
7. ice water
8. sandals
9. sunglasses
10. a beach towel
10 things I do need.
1. an umbrella
2. galoshes
3. socks
4. a coat
5. hot chocolate
6. a hat
7. long pants
8. a space heater
9. long sleeves
10. a calendar--to prove that it really is the middle of June
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
The Last 12 Days
Since Julianna's birthday on June 2nd, our life has been crazy busy with birthday celebrations and end of school year stuff. Here's what's happened over the last 12 days.
June 2nd--We took Jules to her birthday dinner. She wanted hot dogs. So we went to DQ and had dinner and sundaes for dessert. DQ is not my idea of a special birthday meal, but then again I'm not 3.
June 3rd--I began birthday party preparations for the big party on Sunday.
June 4th--More cleaning and cooking plus some last minute shopping for the party.
June 5th--Church in the morning and then the party after. It was great fun with lots of friends plus cake, ice cream, and presents of course. We had a very happy 3 year old.
June 6th--Doctor's appointment in Spokane in the morning, work the afternoon, Bible study at our house that night.
June 7th--Kindergarten graduation. They are so very cute in their little caps with their bright smiles. It was wonderful and exhausting.
June 8th--Kindergarten movie day. I've finally decided once and for all that most, almost all, kindergartners cannot sit through a full length movie. No matter how much popcorn you provide.
June 9th--Last day of school and awards ceremony. Lunch with my coworkers. Dinner and first summer theater show (The Wizard of Oz) with the girls...and Marci and my Joshes. (My Josh loved the play. Lots of action and special effects. He wants to go again and doesn't quite believe me when I tell him that there aren't pyrotechnics and people flying around the stage in every show.)
June 10th--To school for some cleaning up--with a few yard sale stops on the way. Where I happened to run into my mom and sister. (Surprise, surprise.) Then lunch with them and my dad at Olive Garden. Then I finally made it to school for a few hours. Then shopping with Julianna to spend a Borders gift card she got for her birthday. She chose a princess book with little figures to play with and a stuffed dog. Then we went to the park that she spotted on our yard sale trail and would not forget about. She had such a great time sliding and climbing and running. She also met a new friend. They hit it off right away and played together for the longest time. It was interesting watching Jules at the park. The boys always had each other and never had to make friends with strangers. (The boys spent this day with their daddy in the woods. They had a great day, too.)
June 11th--BOOK DAY! The Book Man's sale first thing in the morning and then the Scholastic Book Warehouse after that. We of course found lots of treasures and books we couldn't live without, but the highlight of the morning was when Kathy stuffed $433 worth of books into our little "build-a-box." We paid $24.95 for that box. She is a master at the "build-a-box" puzzle. After we got back to town, Adam and I went to see The Wizard of Oz with my sister and nephew. So I got to see it twice. It was just as good the second time. And Adam loved it as much as his brother had. Aidan liked it, too, but said it would be better if there wasn't so much singing. :)
June 12th--Church, lunch, nap, ice cream. Ahhh.
June 13th--First official day of summer vacation. We spent the whole day at home. The kids playing and watching movies since it rained. And me cleaning and doing laundry. Then we had Bible study.
Today--My first day of Camp Cougar, our summer program at school. I will be working Tuesdays and Thursdays. Today I cared for 10 kids not counting my own. It went well, but after all my years of teaching, I'm pretty much undauntable when it comes to a room full of kids.
Maybe, just maybe, things will slow down now. A girl can hope.
June 2nd--We took Jules to her birthday dinner. She wanted hot dogs. So we went to DQ and had dinner and sundaes for dessert. DQ is not my idea of a special birthday meal, but then again I'm not 3.
June 3rd--I began birthday party preparations for the big party on Sunday.
June 4th--More cleaning and cooking plus some last minute shopping for the party.
June 5th--Church in the morning and then the party after. It was great fun with lots of friends plus cake, ice cream, and presents of course. We had a very happy 3 year old.
June 6th--Doctor's appointment in Spokane in the morning, work the afternoon, Bible study at our house that night.
June 7th--Kindergarten graduation. They are so very cute in their little caps with their bright smiles. It was wonderful and exhausting.
June 8th--Kindergarten movie day. I've finally decided once and for all that most, almost all, kindergartners cannot sit through a full length movie. No matter how much popcorn you provide.
June 9th--Last day of school and awards ceremony. Lunch with my coworkers. Dinner and first summer theater show (The Wizard of Oz) with the girls...and Marci and my Joshes. (My Josh loved the play. Lots of action and special effects. He wants to go again and doesn't quite believe me when I tell him that there aren't pyrotechnics and people flying around the stage in every show.)
June 10th--To school for some cleaning up--with a few yard sale stops on the way. Where I happened to run into my mom and sister. (Surprise, surprise.) Then lunch with them and my dad at Olive Garden. Then I finally made it to school for a few hours. Then shopping with Julianna to spend a Borders gift card she got for her birthday. She chose a princess book with little figures to play with and a stuffed dog. Then we went to the park that she spotted on our yard sale trail and would not forget about. She had such a great time sliding and climbing and running. She also met a new friend. They hit it off right away and played together for the longest time. It was interesting watching Jules at the park. The boys always had each other and never had to make friends with strangers. (The boys spent this day with their daddy in the woods. They had a great day, too.)
June 11th--BOOK DAY! The Book Man's sale first thing in the morning and then the Scholastic Book Warehouse after that. We of course found lots of treasures and books we couldn't live without, but the highlight of the morning was when Kathy stuffed $433 worth of books into our little "build-a-box." We paid $24.95 for that box. She is a master at the "build-a-box" puzzle. After we got back to town, Adam and I went to see The Wizard of Oz with my sister and nephew. So I got to see it twice. It was just as good the second time. And Adam loved it as much as his brother had. Aidan liked it, too, but said it would be better if there wasn't so much singing. :)
June 12th--Church, lunch, nap, ice cream. Ahhh.
June 13th--First official day of summer vacation. We spent the whole day at home. The kids playing and watching movies since it rained. And me cleaning and doing laundry. Then we had Bible study.
Today--My first day of Camp Cougar, our summer program at school. I will be working Tuesdays and Thursdays. Today I cared for 10 kids not counting my own. It went well, but after all my years of teaching, I'm pretty much undauntable when it comes to a room full of kids.
Maybe, just maybe, things will slow down now. A girl can hope.
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
Phew!
It's been a whirlwind of a week. One more half day of school then I'll have time to tell you all about it.
Thursday, June 02, 2011
10 Things Thursday
10 things about Julianna.
1. She turns 3 today.
2. She was born at 8:04 on a Monday.
3. She weighed 7lb 14oz and was 21 inches long.
4. She was, and still is, absolutely adorable.
5. When I asked her what she wanted for her birthday supper, she said, "A hot dog."
6. When I asked her where she wanted to go for lunch, she said, "To the store to look at toys."
7. While at the store looking at toys, (Yes, I took her. How could I resist?) she chose a My Little Pony and a stuffed dog.
8. She can melt my heart with a smile or sweet word.
9. She can make me laugh out loud more than anyone else.
10. She is a gift. A true blessing from above. And I thank God for her every single day.
Happy birthday, sweet girl.
1. She turns 3 today.
2. She was born at 8:04 on a Monday.
3. She weighed 7lb 14oz and was 21 inches long.
4. She was, and still is, absolutely adorable.
5. When I asked her what she wanted for her birthday supper, she said, "A hot dog."
6. When I asked her where she wanted to go for lunch, she said, "To the store to look at toys."
7. While at the store looking at toys, (Yes, I took her. How could I resist?) she chose a My Little Pony and a stuffed dog.
8. She can melt my heart with a smile or sweet word.
9. She can make me laugh out loud more than anyone else.
10. She is a gift. A true blessing from above. And I thank God for her every single day.
Happy birthday, sweet girl.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
10 Things Thursday
10 things about the Coeur d'Alene High School choir concert I went to on Tuesday.
1. It was certainly not like my choir concerts at CHS circa 1990.
2. Nowhere to be seen were the long, blue choir robes like the ones we wore. (I was assured, however, that they do in fact still wear robes at some of their concerts.)
3. It was "glee-ed" out. Popular music, funky costumes, choreography...
4. There was a lot of Lady Gaga. Now I appreciate talent and I believe that in her way she is talented, but isn't one of her songs enough for any concert other that hers?
5. There were some really good singers. Really good. I guess we had some good singers back in the day, but I didn't appreciate it like I do now.
6. Josh went with me and enjoyed it. He's turning out to be my music buddy.
7. I couldn't help but remember when I was 17 and singing with my high school choir. That was definitely my favorite part of each day and the part I remember best.
8. I also found myself wondering about my children as teenagers. Very daunting for me to think of it. I have a feeling I will be praying a lot. We've given them a good start and I trust that they will make mostly good choices in what they do. But this world isn't always an easy place to live a pure life.
9. Signs on the walls of the high school haven't changed. Still a big sheet of newsprint with one corner torn off painted with bright colors with the last word squished on at the end.
10. I'm old. I'm pretty sure I went to high school with several of the parents of the performers. And they are old. So I guess that makes me old, too. And besides that, only an old person would ever think there's any such thing as too much Gaga.
Bonus: I would not go back to high school for a million dollars. I don't even think I'd teach high school for a million dollars. Okay, maybe for a million I would.
1. It was certainly not like my choir concerts at CHS circa 1990.
2. Nowhere to be seen were the long, blue choir robes like the ones we wore. (I was assured, however, that they do in fact still wear robes at some of their concerts.)
3. It was "glee-ed" out. Popular music, funky costumes, choreography...
4. There was a lot of Lady Gaga. Now I appreciate talent and I believe that in her way she is talented, but isn't one of her songs enough for any concert other that hers?
5. There were some really good singers. Really good. I guess we had some good singers back in the day, but I didn't appreciate it like I do now.
6. Josh went with me and enjoyed it. He's turning out to be my music buddy.
7. I couldn't help but remember when I was 17 and singing with my high school choir. That was definitely my favorite part of each day and the part I remember best.
8. I also found myself wondering about my children as teenagers. Very daunting for me to think of it. I have a feeling I will be praying a lot. We've given them a good start and I trust that they will make mostly good choices in what they do. But this world isn't always an easy place to live a pure life.
9. Signs on the walls of the high school haven't changed. Still a big sheet of newsprint with one corner torn off painted with bright colors with the last word squished on at the end.
10. I'm old. I'm pretty sure I went to high school with several of the parents of the performers. And they are old. So I guess that makes me old, too. And besides that, only an old person would ever think there's any such thing as too much Gaga.
Bonus: I would not go back to high school for a million dollars. I don't even think I'd teach high school for a million dollars. Okay, maybe for a million I would.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
10 Things Thursday
10 things that have happened this week.
1. The sun decided to shine two days in a row!
2. I figured out how to get Julianna to wear shoes...only buy sparkly ones.
3. The day came when my kindergartners declared school over by giving me the unmistakable sign of becoming unable to sit still. No more learning. They're done. Which is a great excuse for me to play with them more.
4. We counted how many days of school we have left. 13.
5. Our school administrator is out of town. When the cat's away...
6. We celebrated Adam's birthday with dinner at Outback. He had ribs.
7. I was enlightened on how to buy gifts for tweens. Take the brother shopping with me. He picked out Adam's birthday gifts and they were a big hit. I totally would have bought something else. Thanks, Josh.
8. I played with the dogs and cat out in the sunshine. I love them, but they make me sneeze and itch. Which is why they are outdoor pets.
9. Since visiting Marci's school last weekend, I have been contemplating my classroom for next year. Paint. Ceiling decorations. New library shelves. Comfy chairs. Fewer but better toys. Real art and more kids' art.
10. I've smiled and laughed a lot thanks to all of the above.
1. The sun decided to shine two days in a row!
2. I figured out how to get Julianna to wear shoes...only buy sparkly ones.
3. The day came when my kindergartners declared school over by giving me the unmistakable sign of becoming unable to sit still. No more learning. They're done. Which is a great excuse for me to play with them more.
4. We counted how many days of school we have left. 13.
5. Our school administrator is out of town. When the cat's away...
6. We celebrated Adam's birthday with dinner at Outback. He had ribs.
7. I was enlightened on how to buy gifts for tweens. Take the brother shopping with me. He picked out Adam's birthday gifts and they were a big hit. I totally would have bought something else. Thanks, Josh.
8. I played with the dogs and cat out in the sunshine. I love them, but they make me sneeze and itch. Which is why they are outdoor pets.
9. Since visiting Marci's school last weekend, I have been contemplating my classroom for next year. Paint. Ceiling decorations. New library shelves. Comfy chairs. Fewer but better toys. Real art and more kids' art.
10. I've smiled and laughed a lot thanks to all of the above.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Adam D.
Today my baby turns 10. Now I'm fully aware that he's not my youngest child. But he was for 7 years until his little sister was born. He was, and still is, my blond, blue-eyed baby. Absolutely adorable and charming and funny before he should have been. Seriously. The kid has made me laugh everyday for the last 10 years. Sometimes by trying and sometimes totally by hilarious accident. He's smart, too. He has to work hard at school to overcome a major case of butterfly chasing,* but he gets great grades and remembers things better than I. Especially if he's interested in it. And frankly, I don't find multiplying fractions all that interesting either. It's hard to believe that I've been his mom for 10 years. This child who make his daddy and I look at each other and ask "where did this kid come from?" This child who can drive me to drink, or at least could if I drank. This kid who positively can melt my heart with a smile. He's something else, I tell ya. And I love him all to pieces.
Happy, happy, happy birthday, Adam!
*Butterfly chasing is when you are supposed to be going one way but see a butterfly and chase it in another direction. In other words, he's easily distracted by, well, pretty much anything.
Happy, happy, happy birthday, Adam!
*Butterfly chasing is when you are supposed to be going one way but see a butterfly and chase it in another direction. In other words, he's easily distracted by, well, pretty much anything.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Two For Tuesday
Two reasons I haven't posted much lately.
1. Blogger was down for a few days.
2. I didn't want to.
1. Blogger was down for a few days.
2. I didn't want to.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Morning Call
This morning while I was brushing my teeth, my phone rang so Josh answered it. I knew it was my sister because it was her ring that I heard. I heard his side of the conversation which was mostly "okay"s. When he hung up and I finished brushing, I asked him what she wanted. He said that she wanted to borrow "a loaf of bread or two." "A loaf of bread? Are you sure she didn't say a slice of bread or two?" "No, I'm pretty sure she said a loaf." I figured that she was out of bread and needed enough to make a sandwich for my nephew's lunch so I went to the kitchen, opened the bread, and got out a baggie all the while wondering why Josh had said "loaf." So I called her back. "Josh said you needed to borrow a loaf of bread or two," I said laughing and knowing she would say "slice." But to my surprise, after a brief hesitation, she said, "Umm, I asked to borrow a roll of toilet paper or two." I'm so glad I called. She really would have been confused if I had shown up at her house with two slices of bread.
Wednesday WORD
Matthew 6:34 (various translations)
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.
Don't worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.
Don't worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.
Monday, May 09, 2011
Confession
Here's today's confession. I watch reality tv. And I let my kids watch reality tv. We watch it together. We watch The Amazing Race, American Idol, Deadliest Catch, and Survivor every week. Josh and I watch So You Think You Can Dance when it's on. And the boys in the family watch lots of reality tv on Discovery like Swamp Loggers, Ice Road Truckers, Swamp People, etc. (Are those reality or documentary?) Usually these shows are just purely entertainment. I can't even tell you who last year's winners were or how much crab was caught. But it's fun to watch.
This year's Survivor, however, has proven to be more. There's a contestant on the show who is very open about his religious beliefs which happen to be very similar to mine. He's a Bible believing, praying, God fearing Christian. Which has caused trouble for him from the very beginning. You see, after the very first challenge when the other team won, he went over and congratulated them and shook hands with one of their competitors. A few members of his team didn't like that and voted him off first. They saw what he did as weakness and a threat to their tribal unity.
But this year there's a twist. When voted off, the contestants go to Redemption Island and get the chance to compete to re-enter the game. Well, Matt won every challenge and rejoined the tribe a few weeks ago. Where once again he was promptly voted off and sent back to Redemption Island. He was discouraged to say the least. But the show, on national tv, showed him praying and crying out to the Lord. Amazing. And guess what? He's still in the game. He has won his way to the last few weeks of the show and has a chance to join the tribe again. Which in itself is quite an accomplishment. But even more so is the effect he's had on the other contestants. When Julie lost her challenge against Matt, she was okay with it and said that he had inspired her to go home and find a church family to be a part of.
And last week, when Mike, one of Matt's opponents who he's been having Bible studies with on the island, had the choice to spend time with his mom who had been flown in or give this gift to the other contestants, the very ones who had voted him out, he talked about reading Matt's Bible and referred to the verse where Jesus tells us to love others more than ourselves. And then he gave his "enemies" his prize and they got to spend time with their love ones while his mom left without even getting to hug her son. When she was asked about it, she said she wasn't surprised. She was proud of his decision and thought he did the right thing. (Here it is if you want to watch. It's about 14 1/2 minutes into the episode. Matt's the young man with longish blond hair in the yellow tee shirt.)
I couldn't believe what I was watching. This young man competing on a tv show was living for Christ. He was sharing his Lord and Savior. He was saving others. And they were showing it on national television! The truth is, Matt has had times when he wanted to go home. He's wanted to be done since he's been by himself almost the whole game. But he prayed that God would keep him there as long as he needed him there. And he's still there. He's still there teaching others through his words and actions. He's teaching his fellow contestants as well as the Survivor audience. And he's taught me a few things as well.
So I just want to say, "Go Matt! May God bless you in this game and all the others you play in your life. If you continue to play for HIM, you will win no matter what."
This year's Survivor, however, has proven to be more. There's a contestant on the show who is very open about his religious beliefs which happen to be very similar to mine. He's a Bible believing, praying, God fearing Christian. Which has caused trouble for him from the very beginning. You see, after the very first challenge when the other team won, he went over and congratulated them and shook hands with one of their competitors. A few members of his team didn't like that and voted him off first. They saw what he did as weakness and a threat to their tribal unity.
But this year there's a twist. When voted off, the contestants go to Redemption Island and get the chance to compete to re-enter the game. Well, Matt won every challenge and rejoined the tribe a few weeks ago. Where once again he was promptly voted off and sent back to Redemption Island. He was discouraged to say the least. But the show, on national tv, showed him praying and crying out to the Lord. Amazing. And guess what? He's still in the game. He has won his way to the last few weeks of the show and has a chance to join the tribe again. Which in itself is quite an accomplishment. But even more so is the effect he's had on the other contestants. When Julie lost her challenge against Matt, she was okay with it and said that he had inspired her to go home and find a church family to be a part of.
And last week, when Mike, one of Matt's opponents who he's been having Bible studies with on the island, had the choice to spend time with his mom who had been flown in or give this gift to the other contestants, the very ones who had voted him out, he talked about reading Matt's Bible and referred to the verse where Jesus tells us to love others more than ourselves. And then he gave his "enemies" his prize and they got to spend time with their love ones while his mom left without even getting to hug her son. When she was asked about it, she said she wasn't surprised. She was proud of his decision and thought he did the right thing. (Here it is if you want to watch. It's about 14 1/2 minutes into the episode. Matt's the young man with longish blond hair in the yellow tee shirt.)
I couldn't believe what I was watching. This young man competing on a tv show was living for Christ. He was sharing his Lord and Savior. He was saving others. And they were showing it on national television! The truth is, Matt has had times when he wanted to go home. He's wanted to be done since he's been by himself almost the whole game. But he prayed that God would keep him there as long as he needed him there. And he's still there. He's still there teaching others through his words and actions. He's teaching his fellow contestants as well as the Survivor audience. And he's taught me a few things as well.
So I just want to say, "Go Matt! May God bless you in this game and all the others you play in your life. If you continue to play for HIM, you will win no matter what."
Sunday, May 08, 2011
Blessed Sunday
For Blessed Sunday this Mother's Day, I have had many ideas for the blessings I could write about. Obviously I could write about the blessing my children are. Or I could write about my mom or other moms I know. I could even write about the blessings of motherhood in general. But the blessing I decided on for today is what motherhood has taught me about God.
You see, for me motherhood has been the greatest catalyst in increasing my relationship with God. I feel like I know and understand him better. I feel like I love him more deeply since I became a mother. It started at the very beginning of my mom journey. I had a little bit of trouble getting pregnant with Josh. In my control-freak manner I prayed for a baby. My time. My terms. My plans. He said "no." Finally after a while I gave it to him. I literally prayed, "Okay, I'm giving it to you. Do what you want." Josh happened. That was my first lesson. One I still remember and am blessed by to this day. His time. His terms. His plans.
Since I became a mom I've also learned about God's love. The love I feel for my kids defies understanding. It's an instinctual, intense, amazing love. God's love for me, and you, is like that, too. Only his love is perfect in every way. Perfect and unconditional and so much more amazing than any love we can feel on earth. I also can finally understand a little better how God can love us all with that awesome love. When I was pregnant with Adam, I wondered how I could possibly love him as much as I loved Josh. And then I did. With Julianna I knew I would love her as much. I understood that love is in no way limited. There's always enough to go around. If I had 6 billion children like God does, I would love each and every one just as I loved the first. Each differently but equally.
And then there's grace. You know, when we're given something even when we don't deserve it. Over the last 11+ years I have learned a little more about God's grace given to me. And I've learned a ton about giving grace to others. I give of myself to my children 'til there's no more to give. And then somehow I find more. Most of the time they take it for granted. Most of the time they take advantage of it. Most of the time I don't mind. Beyond that, I sometimes don't give them something they do deserve. Like consequences or lectures or worse. That's grace, too. Just like God's grace. I don't deserve so much that he gives me. And I certainly do deserve so much that he chooses to not give me. Hallelujah! Amazing grace!
I truly count motherhood as one of my greatest blessings. For so, so, so many reasons. Honestly, I can't imagine how I could even begin to understand my Father if I weren't a mother. Josh, Adam, and Julianna are a part of me just as I am a part of him. The rely on me just as I rely on him. They are my greatest joy in this life. I pray and hope with all my heart that I can be a great joy to the one who gives all joy.
You see, for me motherhood has been the greatest catalyst in increasing my relationship with God. I feel like I know and understand him better. I feel like I love him more deeply since I became a mother. It started at the very beginning of my mom journey. I had a little bit of trouble getting pregnant with Josh. In my control-freak manner I prayed for a baby. My time. My terms. My plans. He said "no." Finally after a while I gave it to him. I literally prayed, "Okay, I'm giving it to you. Do what you want." Josh happened. That was my first lesson. One I still remember and am blessed by to this day. His time. His terms. His plans.
Since I became a mom I've also learned about God's love. The love I feel for my kids defies understanding. It's an instinctual, intense, amazing love. God's love for me, and you, is like that, too. Only his love is perfect in every way. Perfect and unconditional and so much more amazing than any love we can feel on earth. I also can finally understand a little better how God can love us all with that awesome love. When I was pregnant with Adam, I wondered how I could possibly love him as much as I loved Josh. And then I did. With Julianna I knew I would love her as much. I understood that love is in no way limited. There's always enough to go around. If I had 6 billion children like God does, I would love each and every one just as I loved the first. Each differently but equally.
And then there's grace. You know, when we're given something even when we don't deserve it. Over the last 11+ years I have learned a little more about God's grace given to me. And I've learned a ton about giving grace to others. I give of myself to my children 'til there's no more to give. And then somehow I find more. Most of the time they take it for granted. Most of the time they take advantage of it. Most of the time I don't mind. Beyond that, I sometimes don't give them something they do deserve. Like consequences or lectures or worse. That's grace, too. Just like God's grace. I don't deserve so much that he gives me. And I certainly do deserve so much that he chooses to not give me. Hallelujah! Amazing grace!
I truly count motherhood as one of my greatest blessings. For so, so, so many reasons. Honestly, I can't imagine how I could even begin to understand my Father if I weren't a mother. Josh, Adam, and Julianna are a part of me just as I am a part of him. The rely on me just as I rely on him. They are my greatest joy in this life. I pray and hope with all my heart that I can be a great joy to the one who gives all joy.
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