British Air flight 195 is on its way to Houston! So the girls and I are leaving to pick up Wayne and Cassie!
We are so excited that God would choose our family to serve Him across the water...and so grateful that He might allow us to be together again...
I'll give you an update tomorrow...for now read this to see how I'm praising Him today!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
In need of another's view
We had gone inside after a morning swimming in the clear water of Lake Burton, GA...grabbed some lunch, helped to clean up...when we heard the first rumblings of thunder. So, Aisley, Brennan and I did what came to be an almost daily ritual: quickly gathered books, Nintendo DS, snacks, drinks and a couple of towels and headed outside!
Aisley and her DS waiting for the rain to come...
No, we're not nuts. We just really wanted to get to the top of the boathouse before the rain hit. There's a covered pavilion at the top with a couple of net swings for the girls and a hammock for me. The rain rolled in, the cool wind blew and we fell into what we decided later was our favorite time on the lake.
The hours were slow and wonderful. The talk was easy and fun. It was good to be with my girls in one of the most beautiful places we've ever seen. Life was good...and for all we knew, it was that way for everyone, everywhere. After all, cell phone service was sporadic. Email connections, almost non-existent. We talked of the Lord...His provision and splendor...His care for us and for Wayne and Cassie, thousands of miles away...His amazing gift of time and rest. Wasn't everyone feeling the same?
It only took a few phone calls to find out differently. What we realized is that the top of the boathouse was the only place my cell phone worked with any reliability. I took it out with us the second day just to have a clock with us since the day before we lost track of time! As soon as I settled in, the phone buzzed that a few messages were waiting. I settled back to listen to messages and return calls, wondering what was happening in the rest of the world.
By the time the evening came we discovered that two friends of mine had died, two others were having conflict within their families and a family had lost a two year old little boy after simple swimming lessons put too much strain on a little heart. Grief, pain, stunned voices, straining to see clearly the way to walk next, pressing to find their way back to the place we rested in so easily.
While talking to one dear sister that day, she paused to ask if I had time to listen...was she interrupting us? No, I softly laughed, if you've got time...I've got time. All the time in the world, in fact. What was I doing? she wanted to know. Sitting in the rain, swinging on a hammock at the top of a boathouse on a beautiful lake nestled in the Appalachian Mountains...and would be for the next 3-4 hours. There was a bit of a pause in her voice as she chuckled ironically. What a difference between her day and mine.
So great was the gap, I started to apologize for it...for being in such a good, restful place when she was not. I wanted her to know that I weep where she weeps. But she quickly stopped me. No, she said. I'm so glad that you are doing so well. I need you to be. I need to know that someone is seeing clearly...that God is still as He always was.
I was struck by her words of wisdom. How right she is. When I'm going through hardship...whether money, children, pain, suffering, loss, conflict...it's easy to look at others who are experiencing blessing from God and either feel more sorry for myself or bitter at their good fortune. But the Word of God has a different perspective for me...Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says...
How amazing to realize the provision that God has already made for my future problems in dear sisters in Christ who are chasing hard to know Him and obey Him in all things. I will fall. He will lift me up...and sometimes He will use others to cry in the darkness to me...I see Him! Follow me...I know the way to go. We'll get there together.
Aisley and her DS waiting for the rain to come...
No, we're not nuts. We just really wanted to get to the top of the boathouse before the rain hit. There's a covered pavilion at the top with a couple of net swings for the girls and a hammock for me. The rain rolled in, the cool wind blew and we fell into what we decided later was our favorite time on the lake.
The hours were slow and wonderful. The talk was easy and fun. It was good to be with my girls in one of the most beautiful places we've ever seen. Life was good...and for all we knew, it was that way for everyone, everywhere. After all, cell phone service was sporadic. Email connections, almost non-existent. We talked of the Lord...His provision and splendor...His care for us and for Wayne and Cassie, thousands of miles away...His amazing gift of time and rest. Wasn't everyone feeling the same?
It only took a few phone calls to find out differently. What we realized is that the top of the boathouse was the only place my cell phone worked with any reliability. I took it out with us the second day just to have a clock with us since the day before we lost track of time! As soon as I settled in, the phone buzzed that a few messages were waiting. I settled back to listen to messages and return calls, wondering what was happening in the rest of the world.
By the time the evening came we discovered that two friends of mine had died, two others were having conflict within their families and a family had lost a two year old little boy after simple swimming lessons put too much strain on a little heart. Grief, pain, stunned voices, straining to see clearly the way to walk next, pressing to find their way back to the place we rested in so easily.
While talking to one dear sister that day, she paused to ask if I had time to listen...was she interrupting us? No, I softly laughed, if you've got time...I've got time. All the time in the world, in fact. What was I doing? she wanted to know. Sitting in the rain, swinging on a hammock at the top of a boathouse on a beautiful lake nestled in the Appalachian Mountains...and would be for the next 3-4 hours. There was a bit of a pause in her voice as she chuckled ironically. What a difference between her day and mine.
So great was the gap, I started to apologize for it...for being in such a good, restful place when she was not. I wanted her to know that I weep where she weeps. But she quickly stopped me. No, she said. I'm so glad that you are doing so well. I need you to be. I need to know that someone is seeing clearly...that God is still as He always was.
I was struck by her words of wisdom. How right she is. When I'm going through hardship...whether money, children, pain, suffering, loss, conflict...it's easy to look at others who are experiencing blessing from God and either feel more sorry for myself or bitter at their good fortune. But the Word of God has a different perspective for me...Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says...
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!God had given me a time of strength and clear sight, not for my sake, but for Him and His people. It was now my turn to do what I could to be a light in her darkness...to proclaim that the God she has known for so long is still the same as He ever was...to make known again to her the promises which are ours in Jesus Christ...to declare the cross and the power of the gospel in her life. It was my delightful duty to lift her up...with the sure knowledge that it won't be long before I need her to return the favor. In this world I will have trouble...another of Jesus' promises to us.
How amazing to realize the provision that God has already made for my future problems in dear sisters in Christ who are chasing hard to know Him and obey Him in all things. I will fall. He will lift me up...and sometimes He will use others to cry in the darkness to me...I see Him! Follow me...I know the way to go. We'll get there together.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
A month of fun
It's hard to believe that the last time I posted something was a month ago. It's actually a rare time in my year when I have no time at all to be online, but this was one of them! Impact took us away for 2 weeks...then a week of painting, sewing, cleaning took up the next...then Wayne and Cassie took off for the Ukraine to help build up our sister church in Bela Tserkov. The other two girls and I headed for Georgia!
It was so great to be with John and Katharine Williams again. They were our backyard neighbors for the three years John was in residency here in Temple. Emma Kate who will soon be 5 and Henry who turned 3 just a few days ago were both born during that time. Lauren turns 1 tomorrow, but we were so blessed last summer to be in GA during the time she was born.
Brennan and Henry during movie time...
It was a time of firsts for us...the first plane ride for Brennan and Aisley who LOVED flying and wandering through airports...the first time for us to see Lake Burton (much, much more on that later!)...first trip to Add Drug Store in Athens, GA...first time for us to meet dear brothers and sisters in the Lord including Gregg and Becky Soles whom we will now pray for with faces in mind...
Aisley, Lauren and Emma Kate waiting on lunch at the lake...
But it was also a time of reconnecting with those we've met before. We so love them and their parents who make you feel like you are a special part of their families. It's not so much about southern hospitality (though they really do that well!) as it is a sense from them that they are thrilled to see you and so grateful that you've come. We feel enjoyed. The kids love Aisley and Brennan and it took all of about a minute for them to jump back into playing and talking. It was such a gift.
And it made me want to be that more here, in my world. I want people closest to me to know that I am thrilled that God put them there. I want them to feel enjoyed for who they are and how God uses them to bless His body. To let them have the freedom to just be who they are, with a great sense inside of me that I can leave them to God and just rest in who they are today. After all, God Himself is sanctifying them completely. (1 Thess. 5:23)
This isn't a new idea for me...but I feel more intensely today how poor I am at obeying His Word...just as an example, Colossians 3...
I think today the words from above for me to dwell on are humility and meekness. The more I see myself in light of the perfections of God, the more I will dwell with His people with humility and grace...the more I can delight in the Lord, the more I can delight in His church.
So, I'm thankful today for John and Katharine, Russ and Cookie & Grady and Emma Jean for showing me in the flesh what to think of as I walk toward others today...joy and love, affection and laughter, generosity and gratitude, humility and grace, ease and summer time resting. What a gift.
It was so great to be with John and Katharine Williams again. They were our backyard neighbors for the three years John was in residency here in Temple. Emma Kate who will soon be 5 and Henry who turned 3 just a few days ago were both born during that time. Lauren turns 1 tomorrow, but we were so blessed last summer to be in GA during the time she was born.
Brennan and Henry during movie time...
It was a time of firsts for us...the first plane ride for Brennan and Aisley who LOVED flying and wandering through airports...the first time for us to see Lake Burton (much, much more on that later!)...first trip to Add Drug Store in Athens, GA...first time for us to meet dear brothers and sisters in the Lord including Gregg and Becky Soles whom we will now pray for with faces in mind...
Aisley, Lauren and Emma Kate waiting on lunch at the lake...
But it was also a time of reconnecting with those we've met before. We so love them and their parents who make you feel like you are a special part of their families. It's not so much about southern hospitality (though they really do that well!) as it is a sense from them that they are thrilled to see you and so grateful that you've come. We feel enjoyed. The kids love Aisley and Brennan and it took all of about a minute for them to jump back into playing and talking. It was such a gift.
And it made me want to be that more here, in my world. I want people closest to me to know that I am thrilled that God put them there. I want them to feel enjoyed for who they are and how God uses them to bless His body. To let them have the freedom to just be who they are, with a great sense inside of me that I can leave them to God and just rest in who they are today. After all, God Himself is sanctifying them completely. (1 Thess. 5:23)
This isn't a new idea for me...but I feel more intensely today how poor I am at obeying His Word...just as an example, Colossians 3...
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.Not too hard when there's an end date in mind, when they're leaving in a few days, but a little more of a challenge in the day to day relationships. But God does not command what He does not supply. I can by His grace obey His Word...I am His chosen one, holy and beloved. His Spirit is alive here. I will not say, "I can't".
I think today the words from above for me to dwell on are humility and meekness. The more I see myself in light of the perfections of God, the more I will dwell with His people with humility and grace...the more I can delight in the Lord, the more I can delight in His church.
So, I'm thankful today for John and Katharine, Russ and Cookie & Grady and Emma Jean for showing me in the flesh what to think of as I walk toward others today...joy and love, affection and laughter, generosity and gratitude, humility and grace, ease and summer time resting. What a gift.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Think Veggie Tales meets The Office
OK...one more...
I was asked to tell what we'll be doing at the clubs...
The clubs are held around our area in the homes of our church members. They are asked to canvas the neighborhood to invite kids from their area, esp. those that they consider un-churched.
Our youth come in and put on a mini-Vacation Bible School for them with games, skits, a Bible story and Gospel presentation. This happens for four days. On Friday our church hosts a big cookout at a local park with games, inflatables, etc. in hopes of having all the kids and their families attend. We share with the parents what we've been doing and then give one more gospel presentation.
The theme this year is "Treasure Hunters". The kids will help write the skits this week with the help of a very gifted theater teacher, Kristi Easley. We've already begun brainstorming because the skits will show the difference between the captain of a ship who is putting together a crew in search of his long lost treasure and Jesus. Think of Steve Carrell as the captain with a "yes" man (Dwight) and a guy who is actually normal (Jim/Pam) as the crew! Mix in a little "Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" and you've got the picture. So the stories are:
Pray with me that this would be the first of many times in their lives that these high school kids will believe this...that Jesus is worth whatever it costs. Pray for me that I would go first in believing this and showing it in my everyday life.
I was asked to tell what we'll be doing at the clubs...
The clubs are held around our area in the homes of our church members. They are asked to canvas the neighborhood to invite kids from their area, esp. those that they consider un-churched.
Our youth come in and put on a mini-Vacation Bible School for them with games, skits, a Bible story and Gospel presentation. This happens for four days. On Friday our church hosts a big cookout at a local park with games, inflatables, etc. in hopes of having all the kids and their families attend. We share with the parents what we've been doing and then give one more gospel presentation.
The theme this year is "Treasure Hunters". The kids will help write the skits this week with the help of a very gifted theater teacher, Kristi Easley. We've already begun brainstorming because the skits will show the difference between the captain of a ship who is putting together a crew in search of his long lost treasure and Jesus. Think of Steve Carrell as the captain with a "yes" man (Dwight) and a guy who is actually normal (Jim/Pam) as the crew! Mix in a little "Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" and you've got the picture. So the stories are:
- Monday - the calling of the disciples...it's not about what you can do to measure up (captain makes the crew show off their skills)...it's about what Jesus does in you
- Tuesday - healing of the paralytic who was brought to Jesus by friends...captain doesn't know what he's doing, how to sail or even how to read a map...Jesus knows everything, even what is in men's hearts and can give us knowledge of Him
- Wednesday (water day) - Jesus calms the storm...storm hits and captain tries everything to get it to stop (think Jonah story)
- Thursday - review of stories from previous days along with the shortest parable Jesus told about a man who finds a treasure in a field and in his JOY sells everything to have it...Christ is worth whatever it takes to find Him. The captain has led them on this perilous journey which ends with them finding a completely worthless treasure (think: long lost stuffed parrot).
Pray with me that this would be the first of many times in their lives that these high school kids will believe this...that Jesus is worth whatever it costs. Pray for me that I would go first in believing this and showing it in my everyday life.
I give up
I kept thinking that surely I would have time to post stuff even though Backyard Bible clubs is about to start. But I was wrong, wrong, wrong...sorry it's been so sporadic.
The three girls and I leave for training camp with all the youth Sunday and won't be back until Friday evening. Wayne can't join us as he will be here earning money for the GA and Ukraine trips! We haven't forgotten about him, though he may wish we hadn't tried so hard to make sure he had plenty to do in the evenings! Brennan will come back to a whole different room after her week away! She's so excited.
I did put the thought in his mind that this would be a great time to spend the later evenings watching all those movies I would prefer never to see...movies where lots of people die, lots of things blow up and the guy always gets the girl (who looks beautiful even when bloody...not fair).
Needless to say, this will be the last post this week...with very few to follow the next week when the clubs actually start. Before you click away, will you pray for our teens and the kids they'll be with. I'd love it if you added a note to your calendar to remind you to pray each day. You already know what a difference it would make.
The three girls and I leave for training camp with all the youth Sunday and won't be back until Friday evening. Wayne can't join us as he will be here earning money for the GA and Ukraine trips! We haven't forgotten about him, though he may wish we hadn't tried so hard to make sure he had plenty to do in the evenings! Brennan will come back to a whole different room after her week away! She's so excited.
I did put the thought in his mind that this would be a great time to spend the later evenings watching all those movies I would prefer never to see...movies where lots of people die, lots of things blow up and the guy always gets the girl (who looks beautiful even when bloody...not fair).
Needless to say, this will be the last post this week...with very few to follow the next week when the clubs actually start. Before you click away, will you pray for our teens and the kids they'll be with. I'd love it if you added a note to your calendar to remind you to pray each day. You already know what a difference it would make.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Happy, happy birthday, Brennan
Our baby girl is 11!!
She's has spent the last weeks telling us every day how many days were left. This means either she's really excited or she doubts very seriously that we'll remember without her help. The real answer probably lies somewhere between the two.
How to describe Brennan to you...she's a mass of contradictions and temperament...
Brennan, we are so proud of who you are. You tug our hearts and make us smile. We are so grateful that God chose us for you and you for us. We love you so much more than you could ever know...and are so very pleased that He has chosen to give us these 11 years together. I can't wait to spend some one-on-one time with you next year since Aisley's going off to school. We can find our favorite spots on the swing...grab a good book and rock...really, really fast!
She's has spent the last weeks telling us every day how many days were left. This means either she's really excited or she doubts very seriously that we'll remember without her help. The real answer probably lies somewhere between the two.
How to describe Brennan to you...she's a mass of contradictions and temperament...
- She never walks when she can run, skip, spin, crawl, crab walk or roll to get there.
- She is the child most likely to be outside, riding her bike, playing basketball, up a tree, chasing a dog, befriending a stray cat, catching a lizard, digging in the dirt...
- Unless, of course, she's got a book. Then she can stay still for hours, literally. The one who can't watch a movie without spinning in circles also can't stand to stop reading a book. So, now at 11, she can read a 400 page book in a couple of days if we'll let her.
- Even though she's so excited to be 11, she would go back to being a toddler if she could.
- Thus, she loves being taken care of...snuggling, being held tight, grabbing a hug every time you pass by.
- And yet, out of the three girls, she's most likely to be reticent with people...even those she knows pretty well. (Notice the convenient clickable wording, Cassie? You're welcome.)
- She battles fear daily. She feels an overwhelming need to know what is going on in our lives on a detailed basis...definitely doesn't do well when we tell her to just relax and enjoy the day.
- But she's also the most spontaneous of our kids. She's constantly asking to do something spur of the moment. As long as she plans it, it's fine!
- She's not given naturally to crafts and art stuff...unless you can stand on your head while you do it or you make it while jumping on the trampoline...it never occurs to her that you can just get a box and think of something to do with your hands. That's our Aisley.
- But when she does decide that what Aisley is doing looks like fun, she never makes just one. Thus for a while origami swans turned up everywhere...followed shortly by popup cards for everyone, just to say hello. Then it was anagrams of everyone's names. Then snowflake after snowflake after snowflake. Meanwhile, Aisley has made her one card and is off.
- But this energetic child has also been our sickest this year. All told, she probably missed more than 40 days of school work due to one virus after another. If it was out there this season, Brennan caught it. It got so bad that her friends were surprised each week if she showed up for art class or choir.
- She loves babies and small kids...
- until she's done. And then she's the one who's quick to hand them back!
- She's blunt to a fault sometimes when you ask her opinion...
- but she's so quick to make sure that others don't feel bad when others offer their opinions!
Brennan, we are so proud of who you are. You tug our hearts and make us smile. We are so grateful that God chose us for you and you for us. We love you so much more than you could ever know...and are so very pleased that He has chosen to give us these 11 years together. I can't wait to spend some one-on-one time with you next year since Aisley's going off to school. We can find our favorite spots on the swing...grab a good book and rock...really, really fast!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
But, Lord, look at all my books!
I love books. I love reading. But I love my husband more. So even though it might look like I'm making my way down the same road as this couple...I promise, Wayne, you can keep the manure shed.
(You can fast forward to 45 seconds to skip the introduction.)
HT: Challies.com
(You can fast forward to 45 seconds to skip the introduction.)
HT: Challies.com
Monday, June 2, 2008
Go straight to the throne
I love this quote by Charles Spurgeon. I wonder if you long like me to get to the point where we might see the promises of God and truly understand that they are the PROMISES of God. They are not telling us what He intends, what we might hope can happen. They are as sure as His faithfulness. When we doubt His promises, we doubt His character. What He says is, is. What He says will be, will be. Who He says He is to us...that He is, right now, at this very moment. There is nothing left to be done to satisfy Him. His Son has seen to the payment needed to procure for us not only right standing with the Judge of the Universe, but the Father's care, compassion and love for us. We are not simply right with God...as though a paper transaction has taken place. We are in the family. The adoption is secure. We belong.
This needs to move us to claiming what comes with being in the family. We have the Father's attention. Let's not defame Him by coming hesitantly to Him. Let us stride boldly to the throne of grace that we may find grace and receive mercy in our times of need. (Heb. 4:16) Paul even went so far as to tell us that in Christ all the promises of God are "yes"! (2 Cor. 1:18-22)
So, read the Word again today with new eyes and search out a promise. Ask Him as Spurgeon tells us to below, "God, I come asking that You do the very thing You have said you will do. Here is Your promise. Do as You promised." And wait, expectantly, knowing that it is not even possible that He will fail you. He is faithful...He will do it.
This needs to move us to claiming what comes with being in the family. We have the Father's attention. Let's not defame Him by coming hesitantly to Him. Let us stride boldly to the throne of grace that we may find grace and receive mercy in our times of need. (Heb. 4:16) Paul even went so far as to tell us that in Christ all the promises of God are "yes"! (2 Cor. 1:18-22)
So, read the Word again today with new eyes and search out a promise. Ask Him as Spurgeon tells us to below, "God, I come asking that You do the very thing You have said you will do. Here is Your promise. Do as You promised." And wait, expectantly, knowing that it is not even possible that He will fail you. He is faithful...He will do it.
“God’s promises were never meant to be thrown aside as waste paper. He intended that they should be used. Nothing pleases our Lord better than to see His promises put in circulation. He loves to see His children bring them up to Him, and say, ‘Lord, do as you promised.’ We glorify God when we please His promises. Do you think that God will be any the poorer for giving you the riches He has promised? Do you dream that He will be any less holy for giving holiness to you? Do you imagine He will be any less pure for washing you from your sins? He has said, ‘Come now, let us reason together,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are red as crimson they shall be like wool.’
Faith embraces the promise of pardon. It doesn’t delay, saying, ‘This is a precious promise, I wonder if it is true?’ but goes straight to the throne with it, and pleads, ‘Lord, here is the promise. Do as you promised.’ Our Lord replies, ‘Be it to you even as you will.’ When a Christian grasps a promise but doesn’t take it to God, then God is dishonored; but when one hastens to the throne of grace, and cries, ‘Lord, I have nothing to recommend me but this, You have said it;’ then the desire shall be granted.
Our heavenly banker delights to cash His own notes. Never let the promise rust. Draw the word of promise out of its scabbard, and use it with holy violence. Don’t think that God will be troubled by your importunately reminding Him of His promises. He loves to hear the loud outcries of needy souls. It is His delight to give favors. He is more ready to hear than you are to ask. It is God’s nature to keep His promises. Therefore, go at once to the throne with, ‘Do as You promised..’”
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Recipe Swap
One of my favorite people in the world is Nancey Ingram. She a "mature" woman (how's that, Nancey?!) who is steadfast in her friendship to me even when it's costly! We really got to know one another while heading up the women's retreat for three years together. I'm the one to call if you need a spreadsheet done or something fixed. So, I took the organizing of the lists and the nuts and bolts calls. Nancey was the one I sent the women to who just needed someone to talk to! I've never enjoyed serving with anyone more. Afterwards we were the dearest of friends. She never fails to make me laugh and also to remind me that loving God, delighting in God is not an option. She can let me vent and then pull my face to Jesus again and again. I'm so grateful to God for the gift of having met her and for somehow giving me favor in her sight.
But...she's not perfect. There was one time near Christmas when she gave me something that she never should have. Addicting isn't quite the word. I have never, ever served this stuff or given it away without someone clutching at me, demanding the recipe. It really is one of the best things you can serve a crowd. It is also our favorite teacher gift because we only give them a little. After they taste it and beg for the recipe, we trade it for a few points on the final.
No, we don't...but not a bad idea...
Here you go...don't ever make it when you are alone...or at least be smart enough to just go ahead and start a second batch!
Tijuana Trash
4 cups Bite sized Tostitos
3 cups Crispix cereal
1 bag popped microwave popcorn
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white corn syrup
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp chili powder
Mix chips, cereal and popcorn in a large baking dish or foil pan. Mix rest of ingredients in a saucepan and slowly bring to a boil over med-low heat. Drizzle over dry ingredients, stirring often. Bake for 1 hour at 250 degrees, stirring every 20 minutes. Pour onto foil to cool. Break up as it cools.
Notes:
But...she's not perfect. There was one time near Christmas when she gave me something that she never should have. Addicting isn't quite the word. I have never, ever served this stuff or given it away without someone clutching at me, demanding the recipe. It really is one of the best things you can serve a crowd. It is also our favorite teacher gift because we only give them a little. After they taste it and beg for the recipe, we trade it for a few points on the final.
No, we don't...but not a bad idea...
Here you go...don't ever make it when you are alone...or at least be smart enough to just go ahead and start a second batch!
Tijuana Trash
4 cups Bite sized Tostitos
3 cups Crispix cereal
1 bag popped microwave popcorn
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white corn syrup
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp chili powder
Mix chips, cereal and popcorn in a large baking dish or foil pan. Mix rest of ingredients in a saucepan and slowly bring to a boil over med-low heat. Drizzle over dry ingredients, stirring often. Bake for 1 hour at 250 degrees, stirring every 20 minutes. Pour onto foil to cool. Break up as it cools.
Notes:
- Yes. I know those ingredients are odd. You will not believe how good this is!
- We usually snap the chips in half before stirring them in.
- We never use popcorn because we LOVE the chips, so I just usually do those and cereal.
- You can use corn chex or whatever instead of Crispix.
- It is really not spicy with that much cayenne. We usually up it to at least 3/4 tsp when we make it for others and up it to 1 tsp for our family.
Friday, May 30, 2008
If God gives you time
Well, Aisley room is painted...curtains, bed skirt and pillows are sewn...only thing left is hanging the stuff on the walls. Which means we'll be able to rest this week? NO! It means Brennan can finally hear "yes" to the pressing question, are we going to start on my room now?! So, I won't have time for these things, but maybe your house is different. I hope you get a minute!
I found online a place where you can read some of what Wayne Grudem has written. He's the guy who wrote Systematic Theology which I love and use all the time in understanding key doctrines. He is a professor at Phoenix Seminary and is now hard at work as the general editor of the new ESV study Bible that's due out in October 2008. Check out some of his online articles here. You can also hear him teach his systematic theology class at the link to your right.
A touching look at the memorial service for Maria Chapman:
C. J. Mahaney has written three posts on the very timely subject of vacations. (You have to scroll to the bottom and work your way up.) But it's written for dads. This makes it a little sticky for us. If you pass this along to your husband, I don't want to be responsible for the "discussion" that breaks out! So, here's what I suggest. Why don't you read it. If you think it's worth a read, tell him what it is that you see he's already doing great at. Tell him that you know that he longs to be the dad God wants him to be and you can already see so much that you are grateful for. THEN, if he's still in a good mood and seems interested...have him click this!
I just learned of a website for those who love to listen to books online. It's called LibriVox and it has a catalog listing that is unbelievable! Austen is there...Dickens, Emerson, C. S. Lewis...the list is huge. Certainly enough for those longer car trips this summer...if you can still afford the gas!
And in the "oh, my is this funny" category...I loved this posting from girltalk. (Nancey, you have my permission to print this for Wayne. Tell him that I said even though he's 80, it's never too late to learn!)
I found online a place where you can read some of what Wayne Grudem has written. He's the guy who wrote Systematic Theology which I love and use all the time in understanding key doctrines. He is a professor at Phoenix Seminary and is now hard at work as the general editor of the new ESV study Bible that's due out in October 2008. Check out some of his online articles here. You can also hear him teach his systematic theology class at the link to your right.
A touching look at the memorial service for Maria Chapman:
C. J. Mahaney has written three posts on the very timely subject of vacations. (You have to scroll to the bottom and work your way up.) But it's written for dads. This makes it a little sticky for us. If you pass this along to your husband, I don't want to be responsible for the "discussion" that breaks out! So, here's what I suggest. Why don't you read it. If you think it's worth a read, tell him what it is that you see he's already doing great at. Tell him that you know that he longs to be the dad God wants him to be and you can already see so much that you are grateful for. THEN, if he's still in a good mood and seems interested...have him click this!
I just learned of a website for those who love to listen to books online. It's called LibriVox and it has a catalog listing that is unbelievable! Austen is there...Dickens, Emerson, C. S. Lewis...the list is huge. Certainly enough for those longer car trips this summer...if you can still afford the gas!
And in the "oh, my is this funny" category...I loved this posting from girltalk. (Nancey, you have my permission to print this for Wayne. Tell him that I said even though he's 80, it's never too late to learn!)
Changes at 40
My 40th year is bringing change that is wonderful and terrible all at the same time. Yes, I've got bifocals, but I love that I can see. My blood pressure hit the "pre-hypertension" stage, but it finally got both Wayne and I to wake up to taking better care with what we eat and how we exercise. So, now we spend more time than ever together.
My oldest girl, Cassie, is a perfect example of this. Her last day of her junior year is today. In just a few short weeks we'll enter her last true year at home. College applications will have to be sent (along with the small...whatever...fee). Senior pictures will have to be taken. Cap and gown ordered. I can see her walking away even today. (Okay, Mom, I'll stop. I know. We're not talking about this yet!)
But with this time also comes the undeserved grace of seeing what God is doing in her and the hindsight to be able to see what He has been doing. We are so grateful to be able to bear witness to the Spirit of God that is within her. We taste the fruit of her life and proclaim together with those she blesses that the Lord is good. To give you a taste, here's a posting that she did recently on her blog. She told me when she wrote it that she meant it when she said that she liked it the way it was. I tend to edit. Heavily. I'd love it if you'd leave her an encouragement at her blog by clicking here. Here's our Cassie:
In my English III class at school we were told to write a college essay and turn it in the next day. It's the last week of school and my teachers are still assigning us homework! I pessimistically sauntered over to a computer and began to look at the plethora of prompts i could choose from. One stuck out to me the most. "Describe a significant person, experience or achievement that has meaning for you." I can find something to write about this for sure. Everything else is like politics and find a solution for the world...this should be a breeze. Which it was...but God had a different plan for my essay. He wanted it to be about Him. How selfish! Just kidding! He's allowed to be selfish...He's God! So, I began to think about what i could talk about. One topic that obviously came up under the "significant person" category was my mother. She's more than significant to me...BUT, it's a college essay and the things i'd have to say might be seen as sappy (although true) and made up (because they seem so fictional). So, then i began to think about other people, experiences and achievements that could come a close second to my mom and God said "ME...talk about ME." So i said "O.K"...and this is what i wrote:
Discuss a significant person, experience or achievement that has meaning for you.
"Most people might have a certain mentor, life altering experience or unheard of achievements on which they could write a college essay. I'm not saying that I lack any of those, but the one I'm going to write about is the most important person, experience and achievement that has meaning to me all wrapped up in one. My life was saved, changed, and renewed. It began when I was just a little girl. I would dress up in my prettiest dress, or the dress that twirled the most, and trot off Bible in one hand, my Mom's hand in the other. Dad would proceed to drive us to church. This was a weekly event in which my parents and two younger sisters would greet people as I twirled down the hallway eagerly admiring the smiling faces I received and giggling with the joy of knowing here I was accepted. This tradition, so called has continued for all of my life and for the rest of it I'm sure. I had heard every Bible story imaginable from Moses and the Ten Commandments to the birth of Christ through His death on the cross. To me they were just like the fairy tales I grew up on or superhero cartoons on Saturday mornings. Nothing more, nothing less. Easily forgettable during the week, but boy was I a professional when it came to memory verses in Sunday school! As I grew older I began to question some of the things I had heard in church. Why would a God so great send His one and only Son to die? Wasn't there another way? Things like this irked me and I grew restless. I wanted to know the answers, but I was uncertain of where to find them."
"I had had a certain revelation when I was seven years old when I suddenly felt guilty for doing something wrong. That had certainly never happened before. It struck me as odd because I couldn't understand why I continued to do bad things even though I wanted to stop. That's when God revealed Himself to me. Not physically, but spiritually. I learned that day that nothing I could do could help me not to sin, but with the help of Jesus Christ "...all things are possible." From that day on I took that and ran with it. My life was not about me anymore. It was about living for Christ and putting others before myself. Yes, I realize that I was only seven, but this wasn't an overnight heart change. It took years. Four years to be exact, and I'm still growing. When I entered the public school system at the beginning of my sixth grade year, after being home schooled for three years it became apparent to me that I was different than the rest of the kids there. Not only was I socially awkward, which is just a nice way of saying weird, but I stood up for the other little people around me and didn't let them get pushed around. I knew what I wanted in my life and what I didn't and I wasn't afraid to let people know. This was, as I found out quite uncommon. I wrestled with what my friends were doing (sometimes joining in) and what I knew was right. For all my life my parents had to lay down rules and tell me what to do and what not to do. However, during my seventh grade year that began to change. I began to see things and decide for myself whether they were what God wanted me to do or not do. My reason for not going to a certain movie changed from: "Mom said no." to "I don't think I should be watching that." "
"My faith had finally become my own. Now, four years after that I still struggle with understanding God's will for my life. But one thing I am certain about is that if it weren't for Jesus Christ and His remarkable mercy and grace I would not be the person I am today. I'm not perfect. In fact, I'm far from it. Due to my experience when I was seven and having love and mercy revealed to me I was able to strive to achieve what many people look for everyday: my purpose. My purpose in life is to glorify God in everything I do. Not just the "churchy" things but the minute and everyday things like eating and drinking. God has not left me alone in this world. He has given me tools in which to master specific tasks He has planned for me. College is my way of sharpening those tools to better equip myself for what lies ahead. It's a journey that will take a lot of faith, trust, and perseverance, but knowing that the God of the universe is by my side is the most comforting stronghold I have."
I like it the way it is...grammatical errors and all...it's how i write when i don't give mom my papers and have her edit them! haha! let me know what you think! I love y'all!
My oldest girl, Cassie, is a perfect example of this. Her last day of her junior year is today. In just a few short weeks we'll enter her last true year at home. College applications will have to be sent (along with the small...whatever...fee). Senior pictures will have to be taken. Cap and gown ordered. I can see her walking away even today. (Okay, Mom, I'll stop. I know. We're not talking about this yet!)
But with this time also comes the undeserved grace of seeing what God is doing in her and the hindsight to be able to see what He has been doing. We are so grateful to be able to bear witness to the Spirit of God that is within her. We taste the fruit of her life and proclaim together with those she blesses that the Lord is good. To give you a taste, here's a posting that she did recently on her blog. She told me when she wrote it that she meant it when she said that she liked it the way it was. I tend to edit. Heavily. I'd love it if you'd leave her an encouragement at her blog by clicking here. Here's our Cassie:
In my English III class at school we were told to write a college essay and turn it in the next day. It's the last week of school and my teachers are still assigning us homework! I pessimistically sauntered over to a computer and began to look at the plethora of prompts i could choose from. One stuck out to me the most. "Describe a significant person, experience or achievement that has meaning for you." I can find something to write about this for sure. Everything else is like politics and find a solution for the world...this should be a breeze. Which it was...but God had a different plan for my essay. He wanted it to be about Him. How selfish! Just kidding! He's allowed to be selfish...He's God! So, I began to think about what i could talk about. One topic that obviously came up under the "significant person" category was my mother. She's more than significant to me...BUT, it's a college essay and the things i'd have to say might be seen as sappy (although true) and made up (because they seem so fictional). So, then i began to think about other people, experiences and achievements that could come a close second to my mom and God said "ME...talk about ME." So i said "O.K"...and this is what i wrote:
Discuss a significant person, experience or achievement that has meaning for you.
"Most people might have a certain mentor, life altering experience or unheard of achievements on which they could write a college essay. I'm not saying that I lack any of those, but the one I'm going to write about is the most important person, experience and achievement that has meaning to me all wrapped up in one. My life was saved, changed, and renewed. It began when I was just a little girl. I would dress up in my prettiest dress, or the dress that twirled the most, and trot off Bible in one hand, my Mom's hand in the other. Dad would proceed to drive us to church. This was a weekly event in which my parents and two younger sisters would greet people as I twirled down the hallway eagerly admiring the smiling faces I received and giggling with the joy of knowing here I was accepted. This tradition, so called has continued for all of my life and for the rest of it I'm sure. I had heard every Bible story imaginable from Moses and the Ten Commandments to the birth of Christ through His death on the cross. To me they were just like the fairy tales I grew up on or superhero cartoons on Saturday mornings. Nothing more, nothing less. Easily forgettable during the week, but boy was I a professional when it came to memory verses in Sunday school! As I grew older I began to question some of the things I had heard in church. Why would a God so great send His one and only Son to die? Wasn't there another way? Things like this irked me and I grew restless. I wanted to know the answers, but I was uncertain of where to find them."
"I had had a certain revelation when I was seven years old when I suddenly felt guilty for doing something wrong. That had certainly never happened before. It struck me as odd because I couldn't understand why I continued to do bad things even though I wanted to stop. That's when God revealed Himself to me. Not physically, but spiritually. I learned that day that nothing I could do could help me not to sin, but with the help of Jesus Christ "...all things are possible." From that day on I took that and ran with it. My life was not about me anymore. It was about living for Christ and putting others before myself. Yes, I realize that I was only seven, but this wasn't an overnight heart change. It took years. Four years to be exact, and I'm still growing. When I entered the public school system at the beginning of my sixth grade year, after being home schooled for three years it became apparent to me that I was different than the rest of the kids there. Not only was I socially awkward, which is just a nice way of saying weird, but I stood up for the other little people around me and didn't let them get pushed around. I knew what I wanted in my life and what I didn't and I wasn't afraid to let people know. This was, as I found out quite uncommon. I wrestled with what my friends were doing (sometimes joining in) and what I knew was right. For all my life my parents had to lay down rules and tell me what to do and what not to do. However, during my seventh grade year that began to change. I began to see things and decide for myself whether they were what God wanted me to do or not do. My reason for not going to a certain movie changed from: "Mom said no." to "I don't think I should be watching that." "
"My faith had finally become my own. Now, four years after that I still struggle with understanding God's will for my life. But one thing I am certain about is that if it weren't for Jesus Christ and His remarkable mercy and grace I would not be the person I am today. I'm not perfect. In fact, I'm far from it. Due to my experience when I was seven and having love and mercy revealed to me I was able to strive to achieve what many people look for everyday: my purpose. My purpose in life is to glorify God in everything I do. Not just the "churchy" things but the minute and everyday things like eating and drinking. God has not left me alone in this world. He has given me tools in which to master specific tasks He has planned for me. College is my way of sharpening those tools to better equip myself for what lies ahead. It's a journey that will take a lot of faith, trust, and perseverance, but knowing that the God of the universe is by my side is the most comforting stronghold I have."
I like it the way it is...grammatical errors and all...it's how i write when i don't give mom my papers and have her edit them! haha! let me know what you think! I love y'all!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Light through dark veils
I met Beth tonight. She's an opera singer living in a place where, she says, the people literally do not sing. The irony of God. She and her husband have moved to the United Arab Emirates to join Oasis Hospital which is operated by Cure International. Cure was started by an orthopedic surgeon to help children around the world who are born with deformities. The vast majority could be cured if they only had the means to get help.
Her husband serves as an administrator and team builder to help organize ways the hospital staff can serve outside the grounds. They have organized wellness clinics for women and children, have helped with Lebanese refugees and have even reached out to the Muslim "seminary" that is in Al Ain (pronounced to my Texas ear as all-LINE...though I realize that I don't even think I have an accent). And they do it all in the name of Christ. It even says so on the walls as you enter the hospital. This in a country where it is forbidden by law to share the gospel. Another grace of God today to be thankful for today.
A little background was helpful for me...
As I was cleaning, Beth came up to get a glass of water. I asked her simply: What is in your heart that I could pray for? What is your prayer, especially for the women there? Tears came to her eyes. She told me that she didn't want to go at first. Her husband wanted to and she followed obediently and lovingly. Now God has given her such a love for these people. And she sees so clearly how blind they are. They have everything that money can buy. And they are finding it has not solved anything. They are curious about Christianity after what they see those in the hospital do for them in the name of Christ. But they will not risk their lives for Him.
I feel so helpless, she said. There is nothing I can do to get through to them. I can't even reach them through singing. And there are half a million of them in our city alone...I feel so helpless sometimes. It's completely up to God. Would you pray that God would move in their hearts so that they will not fear...so that they would be willing to risk everything for Him. They are so lost. They can not see. Like the veils over their faces, their eyes are darkened. Then she spoke one sentence that seared into me: Pray that God would shine light through their dark veils.
So, will you? Will you take just ten seconds to pray for the women of Al Ain? It's a simple prayer...God, would You out of love for Your Name shine light through the veil of these women's hearts that they might see the Light of Christ? In Jesus name, Amen.
Got another minute? Open your Bible to 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 (go ahead...I'll wait...), read it and next to it, write the letters UAE. Maybe stick a piece of paper there so that every now and then it opens to it. And when it does...pray again...
Then listen for more of what God is doing around your town and around the world and add some more letters...and pray again...
Her husband serves as an administrator and team builder to help organize ways the hospital staff can serve outside the grounds. They have organized wellness clinics for women and children, have helped with Lebanese refugees and have even reached out to the Muslim "seminary" that is in Al Ain (pronounced to my Texas ear as all-LINE...though I realize that I don't even think I have an accent). And they do it all in the name of Christ. It even says so on the walls as you enter the hospital. This in a country where it is forbidden by law to share the gospel. Another grace of God today to be thankful for today.
A little background was helpful for me...
- UAE has a per capita income of $17 million dollars! The median household income for Texas? About $42,000. This is deceptive though as there are thousands which are not even counted for this statistic since they are lowest of the low class. Their income is a pittance.
- Only about 18% of the people in the UAB are actually Emiratees.
- Their women are in full veil and do not speak to outsiders.
- The temperature can get to 146 degrees (which made me resolve again to quit complaining as I wait for the air conditioner to kick in...what is 95 degrees?).
- It is illegal to "move someone from one faith to another"...though she said that the Muslims get a bit of a pass on this one.
- If a person accepts Christ as their Savior, they will lose everything...children, home, job...and unless they escape, they will be killed.
As I was cleaning, Beth came up to get a glass of water. I asked her simply: What is in your heart that I could pray for? What is your prayer, especially for the women there? Tears came to her eyes. She told me that she didn't want to go at first. Her husband wanted to and she followed obediently and lovingly. Now God has given her such a love for these people. And she sees so clearly how blind they are. They have everything that money can buy. And they are finding it has not solved anything. They are curious about Christianity after what they see those in the hospital do for them in the name of Christ. But they will not risk their lives for Him.
I feel so helpless, she said. There is nothing I can do to get through to them. I can't even reach them through singing. And there are half a million of them in our city alone...I feel so helpless sometimes. It's completely up to God. Would you pray that God would move in their hearts so that they will not fear...so that they would be willing to risk everything for Him. They are so lost. They can not see. Like the veils over their faces, their eyes are darkened. Then she spoke one sentence that seared into me: Pray that God would shine light through their dark veils.
So, will you? Will you take just ten seconds to pray for the women of Al Ain? It's a simple prayer...God, would You out of love for Your Name shine light through the veil of these women's hearts that they might see the Light of Christ? In Jesus name, Amen.
Got another minute? Open your Bible to 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 (go ahead...I'll wait...), read it and next to it, write the letters UAE. Maybe stick a piece of paper there so that every now and then it opens to it. And when it does...pray again...
Then listen for more of what God is doing around your town and around the world and add some more letters...and pray again...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)