My Life as a Mom

I'm Moving!

2011-01-22T15:14:00.003-05:00

I'm in the process of moving my blog to another site. I've decided to want to change the name and theme of my blog and moving it seemed the best way to do it. I still have more work to do but here's my new home:

http://www.toshowthemjesus.com/

Looking forward to seeing you at my new home!

Orchaboky

2011-01-22T12:53:00.000-05:00

Orcha what? I'll explain, but let me say first that I am so fascinated by the highly gifted brain. I guess it's because I don't think the same way so I find it so interesting. Ever since Ethan was a baby I just followed along in whatever he wanted to learn. One of his first words was "clock" so I exposed him to lots of clocks. When he asked to learn math, I taught him math. When he wanted to learn about space, we studied everything we could find on space. When he wanted to learn cursive, I showed him how. When he wanted to memorize the 50 states, I got him a map. His mind has an insatiable desire to learn and he has led me on quite an adventure!

One of his daily challenges is getting his mind to slow down enough so he can sleep at night. We try to give him tons of books to read, drawing supplies and give him ideas for what to do in his bed at night. One night he came out and said that he had nothing to do. I suggested he invent his own country and tell us about it in the morning. Well, that's just what he did.

Most nights since then he has been working on the country he invented: Orchaboky. He created a flag and can tell you about their natural resources and their industry. He has been working on a power point presentation of his country and the other day we all sat down to listen to his presentation. It was really cute and we had fun raising our hands asking him questions. It's an ongoing project that will hopefully keep his mind engaged for quite some time.

River of Grace

2011-01-19T19:13:00.000-05:00

I've still been meditating on God's grace and mercy in lives of rebels such as myself. Even though I've been a Christ Follower for so many years, my sin nature continues to pull me away from him. Yet he continues to pursue and draw me back. This is a poem reflecting those thoughts.

I am a leaf, fallen from the tree.
The wind carries me, I know not where.
The worlds distractions take hold of me;
I follow it's fads, concerns and cares.

Lord, plant me firmly in your vine
growing in your light that shines.

I am Gomer, restless, weak and untrue.
The idols of my heart consume me.
Loving myself and things more than you,
in the prison of shame I can't flee.

Lord, cleanse my heart and make me new.
Fill my heart with passion just for you.

I am a young child lost in a storm.
Fearful, I curl up tight and small.
There's nowhere to go that's safe and warm;
scared there's no end to the rain that falls.

Lord, may I find my shelter in you.
No matter the storms, you'll see me through.

An adopted child of the King,
I'm cherished, loved, and accepted.
If I stray from my Source of being,
I know I'll be found just as He said.

Lord, help me to seek and love you more
as your river of grace on me pours.

Gratitude List

2011-01-18T12:30:00.001-05:00

"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him." John Piper

One of the ways we can show our satisfaction in God is through our gratitude. That's what the Gratitude Community is all about. My list is growing each day:

216. That God is with us even when we turn away from him.
217. That he loves and pursues even messed up prophets like Jonah--what can he do with me?
218. The body of believers.
219. Peace in my heart.
220. Good music.
221. The imagination of children--watching my boys turn my bed into a ship that went off to war
222. Hearing the sadness in my son's voice and knowing he loves Jesus when he said this morning that he doesn't like to hear the passages in scripture about Jesus being beaten and whipped.
223. Clean laundrey and a washer that works.
224. Helping little hands do crafts in Sunday school.
225. The power of God's word to change lives.

Abortion:a rational look at an emotional issue

2011-01-17T07:20:00.000-05:00

The following is a book review for a new book by R.C. Sproul titled, "Abortion: a rational look at an emotional issue. Copyright information: © 2010 by R.C. Sproul, Published by Reformation Trust Publishing. All Rights Reserved. I receive compensation for a fair review in the form of a copy of the book reviewed. The opinions stated below are my own.

It's been 20 years since the first edition of this book was published. It has been updated to reflect recent politics and thoughts on the subject. I never read the first edition and am honored to be asked to review it for Reformation Trust Publishing. Abortion is an intensely emotional, highly debated issue in our country. Dr. Sproul has written a fair, reasoned, and biblical response to the arguments for abortion. He is a trained philosopher and theologian and in this book he thoroughly discusses both sides of the topic using biblical texts, laws of logic and natural and civil law. He includes important historical information showing the development of the pro-abortion and pro-choice views.

For someone who is not quite sure of what they believe concerning this controversy, this is an excellent book to read. He addresses each argument in support of abortion in a considerate manner. Dr. Sproul argues that the debate about abortion can essentially be boiled down to one question: "When does life begin?" He believes that the majority of people, once they are convinced that life begins at conception, will in turn see abortion as wrong. His arguments are mostly directed not to militant pro-abortionists but those who call themselves pro-choice--those who say "I wouldn't get an abortion myself but I wouldn't want to restrict someone else's freedom in getting one." The ethical arguments directed toward those persons are logical and thorough.

An excerpt from the book:

"The fear of divine judgment governs my actions regarding

abortion. As a theologian, I am firmly convinced that God hates

abortion and will judge it thoroughly. I also recognize that not

everyone shares my view of God’s opinions and intentions.

If there is a God, and if we are convinced that the evidence

for His existence is compelling, then without question we are

accountable to Him for our actions. Before we choose to participate

in abortion, we must give serious consideration to what

God’s views in the matter might be. To ignore this is to ignore

the call of conscience and to place ourselves in a perilous position.

If an act against conscience is an act against God, then we

can easily see how dangerous such an action is.

This book is addressed primarily to those who are not sure

about the ethics of abortion. If you remain uncertain, I urge you

again not to engage in abortion unless you are absolutely certain

for clear and sound reasons (which I’m not aware of) that

abortion is an ethically justifiable action. The simple adage of

common wisdom applies to you: “When in doubt, don’t.” (p. 72)

The book includes a compassionate chapter on repentance and forgiveness for those who suffer from the guilt of a previous abortion. There is also a well thought out chapter on specific ways those who are pro-life can effect change in our country. The Appendixes provide interesting scientific information on the beginning of life as well as a list of pro-life resources.

As one who was born after the Roe v. Wade decision, I have never known a time when the abortion debate was not going strong. Having been involved in pro-life rallies and marches and volunteered in a crisis pregnancy center, I have been involved in the debate myself. I really appreciate Dr. Sproul's use of logic and biblical scholarship to explain the reasons that abortion on demand is wrong and should be illegal. I believe this book is an excellent resource to use when discussing the issue with those who consider themselves pro-choice or are undecided about where they stand on abortion.

The Maker Changes Me

2011-01-14T16:20:00.000-05:00

I've been studying Jonah a lot lately and thinking about how God disciplines his children when they rebel. I've also been thinking about the way C.S. Lewis described the process of sanctification in "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" and that led to this poem.

Stomping my feet, I turn my back.
Questioning the fairness of life
and complaining of what I lack.
I feel bitter and full of strife.

The Potter says to me, "My child, I made you think way for a purpose."

Like scales of skin that rip and tear
is the pain of becoming pure.
Why is this change so hard to bear
and how much more can I edure?

The Refiner says to me, "My child, you will shine as silver when I am done."

Finding myself in a new place,
I grow and flourish like a tree.
Pruning may bring a wince on my face,
yet I know it's what makes me free.

The Gardner says, "My child, I have planted and watered you into something beautiful for me."

I may wander and I may roam,
but back to the fold I am led.
I will always be brought back home
and there I find rest and am fed.

The Great Shephard says, "My child, you are mine and for you I died."

"The very first tear he made was so deep that I thought it had gone right into my heart. And when he began pulling the skin off, it hurt worse than anything I've ever felt. The only thing that made me able to bear it was just the pleasure of feeling the stuff peel off."

Eustice in "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" by C.S. Lewis

Words for Him

2011-01-13T12:37:00.001-05:00

The first question in the Westminster Catechism is "What is the chief end of man?" The answer is "To glorify God and enjoy him forever." I keep coming back to this catechism question as I think about my blogging. A couple of months ago I wrote a post, thinking out loud about why I was blogging and whether my motives were right. I've been convicted that I should write for one Person alone--God.

My prayer lately has been that when I write a post, He would be glorified. If only one person in the world reads this blog and they are in some way helped or encouraged and God is glorified, then I have done what he has called me to do. So each time I write a post, I am challenging myself to write for Him and for His glory. I've taught my oldest that to glorify God means that when people looks at us they see God in us. As the moon reflects the light of the sun, so we are to reflect to others who God is through how we live our lives.

And so my words that I type can be used to bring glory to Him. My title for my blog is "My Life as a Mom" and as I write about what God is doing in my life to refine me to be the mother I am called to be, I can point to God and his work in and through me. My posts "Teach me Jesus" and "God's still working on me" should be less about me and more about him. My book reviews, poetry I write and even stories of our family events and adventures should all point back to the one who graciously gives me the hands to write these words. And instead of holding back a part of myself because of fear of judgment, I can share what God has done in my heart so that others might see the hope that is in Christ.

This year, my resolve is to share more about my experiences with depression and God's unending grace to me through those difficult times. I resolve that this blog will become less about me and more about Him. I also resolve to care little for comments on my posts but more that my posts would be glorifying to God. I echo Jonathan Edwards resolution: "Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it."

"For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." Eph 3:14-19

A New Year for New Books

2011-01-11T17:02:00.002-05:00

At the beginning of a new year, it seems natural to make plans for the year. We've already discussed our trips for the year (D.C. in March, Tennessee in the summer). I've also been thinking about books I'd like to read this year. On the left column of my blog I keep a running list of books I'm currently reading but I have a list of books I'd like to read sometime this year.

I am always spoiled by getting new books for Christmas so some of these I already have waiting for me to read. The rest I'll have to find along the way;











That should be a good start! I'm sure I'll mix in some Amish fiction along the way. And I really should finish a few books I started but never finished like the Imitation of Christ and one on the Psalms by C.S. Lewis. If you a had list of books to read this year, what would be on it?

New Year Brings Many Thanks

2011-01-08T19:07:00.000-05:00

There are many things to be grateful for as I start a new year which is good because I still have a ways to go to reach a thousand!

201. Another year on this earth.
202. A savior who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses (Heb 4:15)
203. A bounty of new books to read.
204. Unity on the pastoral search committee that I'm on.
205. Getting to hear the word of God preached numerous times throughout the week as I listen to sermons from prospective pastors.
206. Listening to the sighs and watching the facial expressions of a friend's newborn.
207. The Body of Christ at work: a friend took my kids for a couple of hours yesterday and sent me home with dark chocolate and tea and orders to rest.
208. Dark chocolate with raspberry filling.
209. Coconut cocoa tea.
210. Answered prayers.
211. The joy of my son when I come to pick him up from school--seeing him running toward me shouting "mommy!"
212. Getting the digital scrapbooks in the mail that I worked on all last year and watching the excitment on the kids faces as they flip through their books.
213. Having down time to organize my house.
214. The anticipation of what God is going to do in and through me this year.
215. Listening to Ian read.

That's all for now...

Failing

2011-01-07T12:25:00.000-05:00

While we were on vacation, we had an opportunity to speak with a professor of education who teaches on gifted education. Yes, I did pick her brain! One of the things we discussed was the spiritual challenges gifted learners confront because of their perfectionism. She shared examples of other families with gifted children and how they handle sin in their lives.

Perfectionism is a common trait in the gifted. For perfectionists like my oldest son, sin is a big problem. Failing at anything is a big problem. When he first started to play board games, it was the end of the world for him when he didn't win. He is hesitant to try anything new unless he feels confident he will excel at it. We encourage him to fail at something everyday. We had a debate with him yesterday about the fact that failure can be a good thing; it challenges you to try harder the next time and you learn from your mistakes. He was adamant that what we said was not true.

In our catechism devotional (Training Hearts Teaching Minds: Family Devotions Based on the Shorter Catechism), we've been discussing the Fall, Original Sin, and the effects of sin in our lives. He acknowledges that he is sinful, that everyone sins, and that one day everything will be restored when Christ returns. However, he does not handle it well when he is corrected. He gets upset and berates himself, "I am the worst person!"

This will be an ongoing challenge for him and for us as parents as we remind him of his worth in God's eyes and help him deal with the fact that he is not perfect, cannot be, and sin brings consequences. Battling perfectionism will be a lifelong internal war for him I'm afraid. But isn't sin a battle we all face each and every day?

"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Romans 7:15-25

Pensive Thoughts

2011-01-04T20:10:00.000-05:00

I'm recovering from a bad sinus infection, and because of the medication I'm taking, I haven't been sleeping. This has given me a lot of extra time for thinking--thus my title, pensive thoughts. I've so much time to think in the middle of the night that my thoughts have thoughts!

With school starting back this week for my oldest, I found that neither of us were excited about it. He frequently complains of boredom and says he doesn't want to go to school. This isn't good for me because I continue deep in my heart to want to homeschool him. I started having an interest in homsechooling when he was about 18months and it has not gone away. (My husband and I compromised on Christian school but then the school we chose turned out to be the wrong fit and so Ethan ended up at the public school). I still don't feel right when I drop him off at school in the mornings, I just feel like something's not quite right. I keep thinking this desire to homeschool will go away and lately I've been praying to the Lord that if this desire is not from him, to please take it away.

The reasons for wanting to homeschool are many and too much for this post. I think I'm in one of those times in my life that we all face where we think we should go one direction but maybe we're really supposed to go another. Sometimes the choices we have to make in life are not that clear, maybe all the choices are good options. How do you pick one? For me, it's one of continual prayer and waiting for God to make things clear. In the meantime, we'll get up bright and early each morning and head for carline trusting in faith that God is sovereign over all our cares and that he has a good plan for us.

New Year

2011-01-02T15:08:00.000-05:00

I think that January is turning out to be one of my favorite months of the year. It seems like it wouldn't be as many people feel the post Chrismas "blahs" during this month. We had a marathon from September through December and I was counting down the days until January. I think we had a revolving door at our house all during the Fall: parties, bbq's, bible studies, etc. It was fun but I am ready for some down time.

I've been given some down time this past week. We returned from being gone almost two weeks, started getting sick on Christmas Day and have been sick ever since. So I've barely left the house and have enjoyed every minute of being here. I think the kids have too. My New Year's Resolution is to spend as much time as I can in January hibernating in my house. Can you have a New Year's Resolution that lasts only a month?

Starting a new year always gives opportunity for reflection on the past year and hope for the one ahead. And seriously I'm not one who makes resolutions but last year I reviewed the book: The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards and Jonathan Edwards at a young age had a great list of resolutions for his life. Here are a few that I want to think on this year:

#19. Resolved, never to do anything, which i should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.

#25. Resolved, to examine carefully and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.

#65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this all my life long, viz, with the greatest openness I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him; all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows fears, hopes, desires, and everything, and every circumstatnce.

#67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.

Oh yeah, I guess I should add that I want to go to the gym more often:)

Christmas Adventures

2010-12-27T20:39:00.000-05:00

We were gone almost two weeks on our wirlwind tour. The day we were leaving, Ian's preschool called to tell me he was throwing up. He threw up the entire drive to our first destination. He had a bowl in his lap and I have to say, he's got good aim!

First stop, Disney. We decided not to go into any of the theme parks because of Ian's stomach bug but we did go to Ice and Disney Quest.

Ethan sliding down the ice slide at Ice.

All bundled up, even before they gave us parka's to wear (it was 9 degrees inside)

Brrrr!

It's really shameful when the first time your child gets to slide down a hill of snow, it's in Orlando.

I gave it a try too.

Taught the kids how to make a proper snowball.

Ethan loved tubing.

Our pirate hotel.

Disney Quest

Then we headed to Chattanooga to visit friends and our usual hangouts.

We sure do love the cookies at the DoubleTree.

And the big jetted tub!

No trip is complete without a stop at Ted's. Momma sure loves her bison.

Next to the Tennessee Aquarium.

One of the few times they were nice to each other.

Got to have at least one picture of them being silly!

We got to wish our friend's daughter a happy birthday.

She loved eating the presents we got her:)

Ethan enjoyed an art class at the Creative Discovery Museum.

Their favorite was making a virtual snowman.

At the mountain maze on Lookout Mountain.

George teaching the boys Lava Tag.

We took a short hike to Sunset Rock to show the boys the view.

I don't know who was more concerned, me or George that one of the boys would jump off the cliff.

We also played at the Pumpkin Patch playground on Signal Mountain.

Then on to Atlanta where we visited some more old college friends. Imagine all these boys at Covenant College in the future!

Playing dress up at a Civil War Museum.

Checking out Old General.

Digging for dinosaur bones at the Tellus Museum.

And panning for gems. We also enjoyed the planetarium where we saw all the stars in the night sky.

From Georgia, we headed south to the inlaws house for Christmas.

Ethan is excited to dig up some gems.

Hurry, mom. Take the picture quick. This is too heavy!

Thanks so much grandma!

Last, but not least, my desk. I picked this antique desk up at an antique shop in Chattanooga. My husband is in charge of packing the car and he had packed it standing upright in the back of the van. While in Georgia at our friends house, I drove to one of the museums. The desk went flying back and I thought for sure it would go out the back window. Thankfully it didn't but it was pretty banged up. But George's stepdad can fix anything and it was a Christmas day guys project for George, his stepdad and brother-in-law. I did supervise a little:) It is as good as new.

Ian got sick again while at our inlaws for Christmas. A fever and cold symptoms. I will spend the next few days wiping noses and doing two weeks worth of laundrey. Sigh...

Annual Christmas Party

2010-12-12T19:32:00.000-05:00

I survived the week and made it to the Christmas party. I was mostly on my own in putting it all together, that's why I'm amazed I made it:) Lots of yummy food, laughter and of course the gift exchange game. Another fun party with friends! Now on to packing for our trip to TN...

On the Edge

2010-12-11T09:03:00.000-05:00

One of the incidious things about depression is that it can sneak up on you when you least expect it. I have been feeling the stress the past couple of months of many responsibilities and too much on my plate. But I'm organized enough that I think I can manage it. Yet, I'm in that position where if one little thing is added, everything will crash down. I think the kids constant fighting may be that one thing. I was on the verge of tears yesterday from their fighting and I realized that my depression symptoms were trying to squeeze their way in. We are in the midst of party preparations for our annual Christmas party and I've had a few other events going on this week as well so when the kids start fighting, I can't take it. I guess it feels like I've emptied myself of everything I have to hold it all together. That's where the Holy Spirit steps in and reminds me that I am not alone and he strengthens me to pull myself together. It's a good thing because tonight is our party! Praise God for his unending grace!

Compassion Gift Catalog

2010-12-10T10:12:00.000-05:00

Do you have someone on your Christmas list who has everything? You want to give them a gift but can't think of anything? Compassion International has an on-line gift catalog of gift ideas that will help make a difference in the life of a child living in one of the poorest communities of the world. These gifts help provide clean drinking water, medical treatment, disaster relief, food supplies and much, much more for Compassion-assisted children and their families.

Some of the gifts include chickens, goats, clean water, mosquito nets and gift prices range from $10 to $5000. You can purchase these gifts in the honor of a friend or family member and make difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Jesus says in Matthew 25: When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’37“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Click here to view the catalog and provide for the least of these in the name of Jesus.

Christmas Doings

2010-12-09T15:25:00.000-05:00

Decorating our Christmas Tree

Somehow all the ornaments were around the bottom of the tree:)

All finished.

Grandma and PopPop braved the cold air to join us for the parade.

Gang enjoying the parade.

Friends at dinner

Ethan's school's float in the parade

Ian and Me

Gratitude 191-200

2010-12-07T15:01:00.000-05:00

191. Cold weather
192. Snuggly sweaters
193. Jars of Clay Christmas Concert
194. Going to the movies with a friend. "I didn't mean to kill you, just maime or seriously injure."
195. The ladies who continue to come to my bible study.
196. God works through weak and broken vessels like me to share his word.
197. God pursues me when I've sinned, no matter how far, even to the ends of the earth.
198. His mercy and compassion is greater than my capacity to rebel against him.
199. That One Greater than Jonah has come.
200. He is Immanuel, God with us.

What to do with Santa

2010-12-06T11:03:00.000-05:00

For those who read my post about our Advent Box, I mentioned that we don't do Santa with our kids. (If you didn't read that post, you can see it here.) At first I had hoped to just ignore Santa and maybe it wouldn't become an issue. When my oldest was in a church preschool and Santa came to their Christmas play, I knew I had to have a different tactic. I told my son then that Santa was a character in tv and in a book, like Mickey Mouse. As he's gotten older and everywhere we go people ask "what did you ask Santa to get you for Christmas?" I've had to help him understand more about the difference between what we do during Christmas and the rest of our culture. He's under strict orders to not say anything to kids at school and to let them believe what they want about Santa. The only reply he's allowed to give is "We don't celebrate Santa."

Today is St. Nicholas day and it is widely celebrated in Europe. My guess is that the Dec. 6th celebration somehow got merged over the years with our Christmas celebration on the 25th. What I have been doing is teaching the kids that there was a real Santa Claus whose name was St. Nicholas. I have a book called, Santa, Are You For Real? that we read each year on St. Nicholas Day. This morning in our Advent Box, was a tiny cup (actually a communion cup). We read the passage from scripture where Jesus says in Matthew 25:

"But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.
34“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’37“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’40“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

I tell them that the cup represents the part of the verse where Jesus says "I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink." We read the story about St. Nicholas and talked about his generosity to the poor. Our activity today was to fill stockings with items that homeless men in our community need: socks, soap, toothbrushes,etc. We are going to give them to a ministry that works with the homeless in our area.

After about five years of instructing Ethan in the true meaning of Christmas through our Advent Box, he now looks for Jesus in what he sees at Christmas time. When were were decorating our Christmas tree, he asked, "What will we put at the top of the tree, a star?" I said yes and he replied "Do we do that because there was a star over the manger where Jesus was born?"

Where do you find Jesus this Christmas?

Babies and the Babysitter

2010-12-06T06:57:00.000-05:00

Our babysitter has a special way of teaching our kids new things. Oftentimes it's things we wouldn't have thought to teach them ourselves. Like when she taught them how to use a blow gun or the jumping on the bed game. We tease her about it a lot and laugh when she tells us the stories of how and why she taught them something.

For some reason, they also ask her deep questions about life that they don't ever ask us. Apparently last night was one of those nights. Ian wanted to know how babies get out of their mommies belly. I have a book about that very subject that I have read to Ethan a few times (The Story of Me (God's Design for Sex)). I didn't realize that Ian was interested in the topic as well. He's never asked me, though one time in a public restroom he yelled at the top of his lungs "Mommy, you're peeing out of your but." The other women in the bathroom enjoyed his comments and were laughing to themselves.

So last night, Ian asks about how babies are born and says "My mommy pooped me out." Our babysitter says she didn't want him to go to bed thinking that so she talked to him about it. When she told me the story, I thought I would die laughing!

Guess I have to get that book out to read to Ian too. For goodness sakes, he just turned 3!

Tearing Down and Building Up

2010-12-03T15:48:00.000-05:00

"So encourage each other and build each up." 1Thessalonians 5:11

We have an ongoing problem in our house with boys who say mean things to each other when they're angry. Today it was Ian telling Ethan "I hate you!" After he completed his timeout I had the boys sit down with me and do an activity to teach them about how Christ wants them to treat each other.

They both built a house out of Lego's and we talked about what a builder does. They start from a pile of supplies and after a lot of hard work they have a house. I had Ethan read the verse from 1Thessalonians and we talked about what it means to build up a person and what it means to tear them down. (Ian of course took it literally and talked about how to build a person:) I took them by surprise and knocked down Ethan's house and it broke into a bunch of pieces. (On one hand it wasn't wise for me to do it because he got extremely upset but on the other hand, it helped with the message I was trying to relay). After I helped Ethan calm down, I pointed out to both of them that when they say hurtful things or call each other names, they are tearing each other down like I did Ethan's house. I also pointed out that like the house Ethan built was a masterpiece to him that he worked hard on, so is each person in the world a masterpiece that God created. When they say hurtful things to someone else they are also hurting God. I then knocked down Ian's house and explained to them that before they say anything hurtful in the future, I wanted them to remember what it felt like to have their house torn down. I encouraged Ethan to remember just how hurt he was when I knocked down his house so that he would remember that God is just as hurt when we treat each other unkindly.

I had a moment of thinking that I ruined the teaching moment when I saw how upset Ethan was but when he realized that it was part of the lesson I was teaching, he told me he forgave me, gave me a hug and he then helped Ian understand the meaning behind what we did.

Advent Week 1

2010-12-02T08:17:00.000-05:00

I posted about our Advent Box a few days ago. I thought I would try and post more specifically what we are doing. Sunday began the Advent Season. We began the Advent Season by lighting our family Advent Wreath and reading Isaiah 9:2-6

Here's a summary of our devotionals and objects in our Advent Box for the first week:

1. Object: a small scroll Verse: Gen 3:15 the promise of redemption

2. Object: Praying Hands Verses: Luke 1 Zechariah received an answer to prayer and told that Elizabeth would have a child; John the Baptist who prepared the way for Christ.

3. Object: Trumpet Verse: 1 Thess. 4:14-18 about Jesus' second advent Activity: see our local Christmas Parade (where lots of trumpets will be played:)

4. Object: Angel Verse: Luke 1:26-38 Mary is told she will have a child

5. Object: Magnifying Glass Verse: Luke 1:46-56 Mary's Song ("My soul magnifies the Lord")

Grownups shouldn't be left out of Advent! Since all my shopping is done ( I had to shop and wrap it all before Thanksgiving to give to my mother-in-law to hold onto until Christmas because we will be traveling for the two weeks prior to Christmas), I am able to focus more on Advent and dwell on it's meaning. I'm reading an Advent devotional that has been wonderful: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus: Experiencing the Peace and Promise of Christmas. Christmas isn't just for children to enjoy--I trust that your heart is full with the wonder of God's love in sending his son to earth for us. Take time today to meditate on the promises of the Messiah.

Check Up

2010-12-01T06:57:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I had my bi-annual checkup with my doctor regarding my antidepressant medication. Six months ago, I had thought about decreasing the dosage I am taking but with the craziness with George's schedule the past six months, I decided not to. And I think it was a good decision since I got through all those months of him studying without any major meltdowns. So I talked it over with my doctor again and she said, "Don't mess with what's working." Sounds good to me! I'm pretty much resolved to the fact that depression will be a life long battle and I am prepared to take medication as long as I need to. I mentioned my ongoing problem with night waking. I usually don't have much trouble falling asleep at night but if I wake up in the middle of the night, I can't go back to sleep. And in our house, someone is always waking me up! I've had this problem for a few years now--after Ian was born I took benadryl at night for a year to help me stay asleep all night. Come to find out, I can't take my medication at night because it interferes with sleep. AHHH! Why didn't they tell me this before? I take a high dosage so I have to divide it up throughout the day which is why I took some of it in the evening. Well, at least now I know. More sleep ahead for me--yay!

Fighting Sin

2010-11-30T07:01:00.000-05:00

Oftentimes it seems easier to confront a child with their sin, tell them they've disobeyed and give them their consequence than to also work with them on what "to do" or how to prevent the problem to begin with. At least that's how it is for me. So many teaching moments pass me by during the day when I could have spent time teaching the boys how to battle their sin. I pray each night that God would reveal those teaching moments to me so that I won't miss them.

We had one the other day. Ethan, being a perfectionist, often has trouble when he doesn't win a game. People with high IQ's expect a lot from themselves and perfection at games is a big one. Lately, when he has not won a game or not excelled at some challenge in his life, Ethan has been doing a lot of negative self-talk. "I'm terrible, I never do anything right." "See, I told you I'm bad." "I never win, I'll never get it right." You get the picture. A couple of days ago he had an emotional outburst following loosing a game to his little brother. I sent him to his room to calm down. While Ethan was in his room, Ian brought me some books to read to him. One of the books was: The Armor of God (My Favorite Verses). It's a really cute book about putting on the armor of God and one of our favorites. God opened my eyes to realize that he was giving me a teaching moment.

Ethan came out to listen to me read and as I read, I related it to the negative self-talk he had just said and the emotional outburst. I pointed out to him that Satan was whispering those lies to him and wanted him to stumble into sin. We talked about how every day we need to put on the helmet of salvation and think God's thoughts instead. God has provided us everything we need to battle sin and evil in our lives, we just have to use it. Since armor and knighthood is something the kids can relate to, it's a great way to teach them how to battle their sin. Everytime a negative thought pops into our minds, we need to stop it with God's word. We need to use our faith to repel the arrows of doubt that Satan flies at us.

Ethan will struggle with perfectionism his whole life but I believe it's important that he knows where the power lies to fight that battle. As a parent, I also need to be suited up in my battle gear to fight the sin and evil in my own life and be in constant prayer that I will be always ready to take advantage of teaching moments so that I can ward off the arrows of evil that are constantly threatening the hearts of the kids.

Praise!

2010-11-29T14:00:00.000-05:00

We had anticipated Ian having to have surgery this fall. Certainly his adnoids removed, possibly tubes in his ears. The ENT told us to try a particular vaccine first before scheduling the surgery. The pneumo-vax vaccine often will help people who get frequent sinus infections. Coincidentally, my allergist also had me get the same vaccine. I didn't hold much hope in it being effective because our oldest had the vaccine and still needed surgery. Well, Ian has had two colds this month and no infections! I don't remember our kids ever having just a cold! And I have been healthy as well! I'm thinking maybe I should go on a speaking tour to promote the vaccine:) Seriously, this is a major praise for our family-I did not want my little Ian to undergo surgery. Thank you Lord!