Oh boy, I am so not into posting anything educational about much of anything except the Word of God (and even at that, some of you might wonder how 'educational' those posts are, too!). When I read this post, though, I had to post a link.
Being the mom that I am, I often struggle when food shopping. There is the constant war between our budget and nutritional standards. While it would be nice to put three servings of vegetables, plus a fruit, a whole grain, and a low-fat, free-range, protein on the table for each meal, we eat tuna casserole and fish sticks on a regular basis. I do like to make my own bread, but I'm not going to invest in a grain mill or order wheat berries when I know that with almost four children, a busy husband, ministry opportunities beating the door down, and a hectic home school schedule, I would be lucky to use the mill once or twice and bread baking would turn into a chore instead of a fun part of our week.
Reading this post about the "differences" between organic and non-organic foods somehow gave me some peace. I will continue to try to buy conscientiously, within our budget, supporting local growers when I can, feeding my children the best we can afford, leaving the rest in the Lord's hands.
Judy from Midsummer Meanderings tagged me with this meme, so here goes!
The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
1. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
2. At the end of the post, the player then tags five people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read the player’s blog.
3. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.
Q. What were you doing five years ago today?
I don't know exactly what I was doing on this particular date, but I do know that I was pregnant with our second child, Ruthie, and just beginning to feel hot and tired with a whole month of pregnancy stretching out before me. Thankfully, she arrived almost three whole weeks early, so my misery was short-lived.
Q. 5 things on your to do list today.
1. Take a shower (an optional activity sometimes when you have five children under one roof!)
2. OB appointment--re-scheduled for tomorrow, though, because the doctor had a delivery at the same time as my original appointment.
3. Laundry--okay, that's on my list everyday.
4. Make haircut appointments--for one daughter and two dogs. Didn't get to that one...
5. Find time to blog:)
Q. 5 snacks you enjoy.
1. Anything with peanut butter and chocolate combined!
2. Popcorn and apples
3. Chocolate almond ice cream
4. Lorna Doone cookies
5. Watermelon (just during this pregnancy, though!)
Q. 5 jobs you have had.
1. Youth Pastor
2. Director of a camp and conference center
3. Director of multicultural affairs for a small university
4. Tutor
5. Waitress
Q. 5 things you would do if you were a billionaire.
1. Tithe (and then want to see the look on our church bookkeeper's face when she opened the anonymous donation!)
2. Pay off all our own debt as well as the student loans of our siblings.
3. Fluff up our parents' retirement accounts as well as our own, plus our kids'.
4. Go on an amazing vacation with our extended family.
5. Let someone else take care of distributing the rest...I wouldn't want the responsibility of that much moolah!
Q. 5 people you want to tag.
I'll have to tag later...I think most of the folks I read have already been tagged!
It's sooooo good to finally be home again! Though we've technically been home from our various vacations since Sunday evening, this morning was the first morning I didn't feel jet-lagged or overwhelmed at the piles of laundry, dishes, bills, dust bunnies, errands, or phone calls screaming for attention. It was good to get away, but so good to come home!
I have so many blog posts to put here, but they will have to wait just a bit while I continue to catch my breath. God has been showing me so much lately...good vacations always yield a new perspective on what the Lord is doing in your life, don't they?
Coming home reminds me that this is only a temporary home and a beautiful homecoming awaits us in heaven. Can't you imagine the excitement Jesus must feel each moment that brings us closer to eternity with Him?!?
Be both blessed and a blessing today!
Jen
I can't believe I'm nearly 24 weeks (tomorrow) into this pregnancy. Usually, I'm ticking off the days and the weeks are just dragging by. It seems like the past few months have flown by in a flurry of activity. I suppose I could chalk it up to being the mother of 3 busy children. I could also attribute it to long lists of things I've had to take care of or the hectic schedule we've kept. I could also credit the many other ministry opportunities that have brightened our doorway recently, but I know in my heart that this time has been an incredible gift and an answer to prayer.
I spent most of my last pregnancy complaining...about being pregnant; about headaches and backaches and leg cramps; about the hot weather and the rain; about my morning sickness; about our children and their endless energy; about my doctor and nursing staff; about our messy house and broken down van...basically, I found something to complain about every day. It was a loooong nine months and my sweet husband should receive some sort of special medal of honor for weathering that period of time without once losing his temper with me. When Olivia was born, I instantly regretted my attitude and felt deep conviction about the lack of respect I had for what God was working in my body and heart and soul. I was embarrassed to look back and see that I had complained about something God had intended to be an enormous blessing.
When I found I was pregnant again, I immediately began asking God to protect my mind from negative thoughts and put a guard about my mouth if any negative thoughts should interrupt me. I've asked to be pliable in God's hands through this pregnancy, and so far, I feel that He has blessed me. I've had my share of morning sickness and backaches, leg cramps and weird food cravings. I've also been short-tempered with my family and emotional when I should have been rational. But, I also have this great peace. I know that God is in complete control and I'm happy to let Him be. I don't have it all figured out, and don't I feel like I need to. I know God works all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) I'm just thankful to be used in this miraculous way, once again.
So, for anyone who still reads me, that's where I'm at here at 24 weeks. Blessed. Grateful. Sometimes crabby. Always amazed...leg cramps and all!
If bread dough somehow makes its' way into your washer and also into your dryer, you will have sheets and pillowcases glued together. And, the bread dough can't be removed.
If you get distracted and forget to put the toothpaste away in the children's bathroom, you will return to find the mirror, sink, window, and toilet seat decorated with dried-on-tough-to-scrape-off-bubble-gum-scented toothpaste.
If you take your three small children, one large dog and one small dog on a walk, one of them is going to run away. And, if that "one of them" is the beloved favorite family pet, you will then have three crying, wailing children and a long chase that ensues.
If you read "Hansel and Gretel" before going to the grocery store and then hand out snacks to keep little hands and mouths busy through the store, eventually a grocery store employee will ask you to please put away the peanuts and raisins because you have left a trail six aisles behind you.
If your two year old tells people she has a baby in her tummy and that her father (she means "God-her Father") put it there, people will give you dirty looks.
If you teach your oldest child to use the telephone for emergency purposes, "emergency" will come to be defined in her mind as anything that crosses her mind as a reason to pick up said telephone, including calling her best friend to ask her what color socks she is wearing while you are taking a shower.
It's been an interesting week!
Thank You, Lord for even the interesting moments. Thank You for granting me both patience and a sense of humor, though I don't always recognize them instantly. Forgive me for the times I've sighed or been cross or rolled my eyes this week. Help me to appreciate the sweetness of wee ones underfoot and overhead and in my lap and under my skin. Help me to love them the way You do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Yesterday, I stopped by our local gas station and let the girls each pick out a drink. They have some yummy 100% fruit juices (at ridiculous prices!) that we very occasionally treat them to. As we were unloading the van, Emma and Ruthie were having some sort of heated argument that resulted in tears for Ruthie. As the older two emerged from the van, I asked Ruthie why she was crying...
Ruthie: Emma's lying!
Emma: No I'm not, Ruthie! You just don't know as much about the Bible as I do!
Ruthie: Yes I do!
Mommy: Okay, Ruthie, what do you think Emma is lying about?
Ruthie: I said that Jesus is the lion in the Bible, but Emma said Satan is a lion, too. She's lying because Satan can't be the same thing as Jesus!
Mommy: (thinking...) Well, Ruthie, you are both right. You're right because Jesus and Satan can never be the same thing. Jesus is God and Satan was made by God. But, Emma is right, too. The Bible does describe both Jesus and Satan as lions.
Ruthie: Huh?
Mommy: Jesus is the King Lion. He is like the protector of the forest and of all the creatures in the forest. His job is to protect us and God describes Him as a lion because He is so mighty and powerful. Nothing can destroy Him. God also describes Satan as a lion but not as a protector lion. He is described as a sneaking, prowling lion, trying to steal and kill and destroy. That lion doesn't care about anything but himself and wants to hurt everyone. So, they are both lions but very, very different lions. God wants us to know which lion we should follow.
All three girls: The King Lion! Jesus!
We closed the van doors and turned to walk into the gas station. As I turned, the man who had been cleaning the parking lot was standing a few feet away with tears streaming down his face. He softly said, "Thank you. I really needed to hear that today. I needed to know they are both lions." Then he turned and walked away.
I was completely stunned. I don't know this man's story or anything about him other than that he works at the gas station near my home. But, God used an argument with my girls to remind him and teach us that He really is the King Lion, guarding us and protecting us. As we walked into the gas station, Ruthie said, "Do you think that man knows Jesus?"
Yes, honey, I do. I think he just needed to remember what Jesus' job really is.
Thank You, Lord. For juice at the gas station, for arguments that are about You and Your character, for allowing us to be used for Your purposes. Thank You for being such a mighty lion on our behalf...and for being so much more. In Jesus' name...Amen.
