One Thousand Gifts-Take 2!

I am attempting to begin again a fantastic book my bestie, Stacey, gave me a few months ago that she said spoke to her heart. One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are. The moving of roots took me from it only a chapter into it and my sister's discovery of it from a friend has prompted me to dust if off and dig back in to it from the beginning. As I read some of the highlighted passages from the first go 'round, I get excited all over again and humbly amazed.It amazes me that the same passage can be read by different women, in different ages/stages/phases of life, in different time zones and leave each with "How does she know that is exactly how I feel?!" I realize tonight through reading a bit more of the chapter that it is because the issue is a human one. A heart issue that doesn't discriminate. An equal opportunity blemish, if you will. Ingratitude. Ugly word isn't it? Offensive even.
Voskamp wrote the following: "what I have, who I am, where I am, how I am, what I've got-this simply isn't enough."
"Our fall (including Adam and Eve) was, has always been and always will be, that we aren't satisfied in God with what He gives. We hunger for something more, something other."
It is easy to deny this "disease" lives in any of us. This spirit of ingratitude is deceptive. It is as easy as wanting new furniture, a cleaner house, a more engaging marriage, different music played at church,  or thinner thighs! It is more easy to see when we pray for something feverishly and it may even be something we are beseeching on some one's behalf. The prayer goes answered or almost more painfully, answered in a way we didn't see as God's best.
We throw our temper tantrums. We tell God "I won't accept this from you. I thought you loved me." I think, in our humanness, our view of love is so damaged by our sense of entitlement. There is a lack of gratitude or even the absence of it because there is an attitude of entitlement. Think about it...when we don't get our way we might not fall to the ground in tears with our fists and feet flying but we sulk. We question. We huff. We sigh. We keep score. We play the martyr. We jut out our chins in defiance and tell God "I am not going to be your friend if you don't do what I want."
Why? Because we honestly think we DESERVE what we want. I know that is how I have felt but perhaps I am the only one. And, that my friend is entitlement. We would never grant every wish our children make but when it comes to us, adults, we sing a different tune.
How do I know this? Because I have lived it and if not careful, will continue to live it. I know that "hunger for something more, something other." I have been through various stages: God answers prayers to I will pray but I won't dare ask for anything to if God is going to do what He wants to anyway then why bother praying to IF there is a God, He doesn't live here. I know that place. I have bought Satan's lies. It is a dangerous and less than fun place to be. And being raised Southern Baptist will cause you to choke on that bitter pill.
"Now everywhere we look, we only see all that isn't: holes, lack, deficiency." Voskamp
We have some how lost our humbleness. In truth, we deserve nothing! Forgotten "our place" in accordance to WHO God is and who WE ARE NOT. There is no fear left in our "God fearing". We have leveled the playing field in our minds.  Made the planning of our lives a collaborative effort with God in a consultative position rather than recognizing His sovereignty.  We have lost our reverence, our awe for His power.
We have in short, "dumbed" God down.
How insulting that must be for Him.

Mexico 2011

Does This Thing Still Work??!!

Been a while and here are 10 things that I know for sure...I think:

1. I love my friends! Especially those who blog as often or less often than me! Thanks for keeping it real, gals! (You know who you are.)
2. It rains a lot in Georgia.
3. Oh yeah, we moved to Georgia. Did you get the memo?
4. God is not finished with me yet...And thank God for that 'cause I just seem to be in a constant state of "needs improvement"!
5. Boxes multiply when you are sleeping.
6. One must plant 10 trees for every 1 tree destroyed according to Georgia law.
7. Sometimes I get on facebook and think, "I really dont care what anyone is doing right now." And so, I just log off without reading a single status update.
8. The older I get the more I need a bit of time alone each day and a bite of chocolate each night.
9. I would like to go to Paris but I dont want any French people there.
10. Other than HGTV and Food Network, TV is stupid.

Dinner is Served

You often hear people (mostly famous ones) respond to the question, "Who would you invite living or dead to dinner?". I never really thought of my answer but I have had the most interesting list of guests pop in my head this last few minutes. One of my guests would be Corrie ten Boom. I am reading her devotional and I checked out The Hiding Place yesterday from the library. I just find her adorable looking and so fascinating. She looks so tiny and I just want to put her in my pocket! Today in the devo she writes, "Oh Lord, thank You that Your side of the embroidery of our life is always perfect. That is such a comfort when our side is sometimes so mixed up.". It reminds me of my cross stitching days as a young girl and the back always looked like a disaster. You couldn't make heads or tails out of it! My mom would always encourage me, "Don't worry about the back. No one looks at the back. They only see the front."
What a joy to know that our Father can take a jumbled up "back" and make it a beautiful "front"! It is so easy for us to let our "backs", our past, determine our "fronts",our future. How sad that must make God feel when we take our eyes off Him and focus on our past. I think He wants to take our faces in His hands and say, "Baby girl, I fixed it already. I fixed it. It is nailed to the cross.". What a comfort to know that it doesn't matter how you start, just how you finish. What a divine thought that when we get to heaven, no one is looking at the "back",only our perfect "fronts".

Bloggin' at its Finest!

I decided to hop on and see what my other friends are blogging about and I find it very refreshing to see there are "some of us" who have not blogged in quite some time. You know who you are and thank you for not being "perfect"! And for those who have posted something in the last 2 months, "well done you" and I enjoyed catching up with you!
Here is a quick update from "our neck of the woods"...literally.

Mo is currently serving on a jury for a murder trial. Although I don't know details other than what I see on the news, it is very graphic, involves a young girl and he hasn't slept well in a week. It is expected to go on another 3 weeks. Pray for God to use this in his life...although I don't know how God uses that kind of thing but know He can.

Kami is doing really well this year and we got her information packet for high school registration....sigh. Still into music, computers and books. Boys, make up and clothes are not on the radar...thank ya Jesus. Thinking she will be home with us for only 4 more years...just doesn't seem like enough. She really enjoys her bible study group. Already has her life mapped out: exchange student in England for her jr year then off to Columbia to major in journalism. She will spread her wings and fly!

Kori is doing well also although 5th grade has been hard (even I am ready to be done with the school year). Still playing hockey and looking forward to swim team as well as skiing. She wants to live with us forever, "My husband and I can live in the basement and I can wipe your bottom when you get too old.". Of course she is still wanting to open a "hotel for homeless people so they can take a bath" and is chomping at the bit for us to start foster care again so her hands maybe too full for bottom wiping when we are old.

I am with a home health agency and enjoying it. Love the elderly! I try to read or knit when possible but mostly enjoy cooking and talking with the girls. I just started to volunteer at a local foster care agency a couple hours a week doing whatever.

We are home shopping which is always fun except Colorado is an expensive place to live and we are tighter that Dick's hatband! And it is just a house so it is really not that big of a deal. I would be thrilled with an old fixer upper! Something to gut and rebuild! God has the perfect place for us that will allow us to serve foster kids and a few cadets from the Air Force Academy..just have to wait until He shows us.

Still looking for a church home. Have about 50 in a 10 mile radius but nothing like our little Southern Baptist FBC Sanger! Texas really does have the most friendly people on Earth.

And I have come to the conclusion that Coloradians (is that a real word??) do not particularly like to eat...or at least cook. None of my girlfriends like to cook! How crazy is that?! Nothing revolves around food. No homes have big 'ole kitchens. I offer to share recipes with my friends to which their husbands reply, "Don't bother. She will never make it. She doesn't cook." Blaspheme! To which I really want to reply, "And you married her??". I say, "let me bring a meal to you.", and they look at me like I have a third eye! To them I must be some kind of "Paula Deen wackaloon". I tell them it is the southern way, every Texas woman worth her weight in salt is this way and there is no situation that food especially that with gravy or processed cheese can not remedy. Perhaps this is why Texas leads the nation in "most unhealthy places to live" but we wear that banner with pride! So, I have made it my mission to reclaim the Sunday Family Meal in the name of Jesus to this way ward state! Invite friends, family and neighbors and lets break bread! The only fly in the ointment is that currently our kitchen and dinning room put together are the size of the women's restroom at Target. But alas, I will prevail! I have also come to the conclusion that it must be the result of all the Californians who have moved here and contaminated the place.

Are You Afraid?

I have started studying the book of Proverbs in preparation for a bible study with a friend of mine. In the first chapter, I am already swimming in great "stuff"!
Our pastor said in a sermon many Sundays past that "wisdom is what you ought to do based on how the world works". I don't know if those are his words or another person's, but I like it!
In Chapter 1, the first few verses point out the purpose of Proverbs: attaining wisdom, discipline, insight, prudence, knowledge and discretion for the young, and for the wise (aka old people could be added here, or maybe not) to add to their learning. I don't know about you but I could use a bit or a lot of all those! But maybe that is just me.
In verse 7 is his first point and the one that I am camping on this morning.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."
As I roll around in my head what does a "fear" of the Lord mean, I come up with a lot of thoughts but nothing I can put in five words or less. However what a statement to start a book on wisdom!
If we do not have fear of the Lord then the Bible essential means nothing to us. Why follow one word of it? Why read it? Why attend church or worship at all? If we do not fear the Lord then why do we even care what He said? I think it is safe to say that if you do not have fear of the Lord than you wouldn't give one iota to any of it.
And I think that is precisely what has happened in our world. We, as a whole, have taken God out of everything possible and even taken Him out of those things not possible. We thumb our nose at Him and turn our backs at His word all in the name of "We have it under control. We don't need you. Mentioning your name offends others." We have done this without so much as a thought as to whom it truly offends: God, himself! There is no fear of the Lord in our world, in our government, in our schools, or in our communities.
I read an article about a well known atheist who is dying of cancer. He continues to not believe in God and his response to those believers who write to him to let him know they are praying for him is this, "Pray for me if it will make you feel better but do not pray on my account."
It blows my mind. To be on your deathbed and believe that Jesus Christ, the almighty powerful healer and savior, has nothing to over you. It moves me to tears.
Sorry, Charlie Daniels, this world doesn't need a few more rednecks. It needs a healthy dose of "fear of the Lord".

Steinbeck

I love books! Just love em! However, I hate paying full price for a book as I have posted before. (And no, I will not succumb to the communistic or democratic carcinogenic ideation of a Kindle, thank you very much!)

So, I check out the selection at thrift stores from time to time and found a John Steinbeck, whom I have never read, called Travels with Charley. It is a gem! It basically chronicles his travels across America in 1961 and the interesting people he meets along the way. Very good and humorous while being surprisingly deep at times.

At one point he comes into contact with the immigration services and has a bit of a run in over nothing really and he writes: "Before I went to sleep I went over all the things I wished I had said to that immigration man, and some of them were incredibly clever and cutting." Ha! Haven't we all been there!

Later, he writes of visiting different churches along his journey and one in particular, a Vermont church where a pastor brings the message of fire-and-brimstone unlike any Steinbeck had heard to which Steinbeck writes: "He forged a religion designed to last, not predigested obsolescence."

Not predigested obsolescence....I love that!

Early Humans vs. Neanderthals

Just saw a head line that there is now scientific evidence that early humans mated with Neanderthals. I am no archaeologist but are those not one and the same???? Unfortunately, I didn't care enough to read the article.

Doing Life Differently

I picked up Luci Swindoll's biography: Doing Life Differently a couple weeks ago and not knowing much about Luci, it has been very interesting. She has done it all: missionary, opera singer, writer, exec for Mobile Oil, etc.

As Luci writes, she tells of growing up in Texas in 1950s and how strained her relationship could be on occasion because she did not follow her mother's and society's views of what "was appropriate" for a girl at that time. You see, Luci did not want to get married and she did not want to have children although she was engaged at one time and loved kids. She just wasn't interested. Never had been. It just was not in God's make up of her dreams.

How easy would it have been for her to just "be a good girl" and do what her mama told her? After all, we rear our kids to be obedient and some of our kids are parent pleasers to the core of their very being. (I personally don't have one of these kind of kids, but I have heard urban legends that they exist.)

If she had ignored the very fiber of who God designed her to be, how different this world would be...and I believe not for the better. She served and still serves the Lord all over the world, being the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need.

So, it is not that hard to begin thinking of my role as parent:
What do I do as mother that imposes or restricts my children's God given design for their lives?
What do I deem appropriate for their future and who am I to make that decision?
And in doing so, how much of God's perfect plan am I trampling on?
How can I support my girls to not just follow God's voice but to run toward it with gusto?

Bubba's Tacos

Here is a quick and easy recipe from our friend's, the Howes. Since getting this recipe a couple weeks ago, it has become a Sunday football staple. It got the name from Micki's uncle, Bubba, who made a version with ranch dressing. Micki and Heath changed it up a bit and since we have gotten the recipe, we have changed it up a bit.
I have made the filling the night before then refrigerated it overnight, set it out while at church then when you get home, an easy and quick lunch while you watch the football game. It also makes quite a bit so we usually save half the mixture for a quick dinner during the weeknight

Bubba's Tacos

3 small tubes of sausage (we like hot)
2 cartons of cream cheese (we use fat free)softened
1 bell pepper (diced)
1 onion (diced)
1 package of won ton wrappers (in the refrigerated section by the veggies and tofu)
muffin pan

Heat the oven to 350. Brown your sausage, bell pepper and onion in a large pot. Drain. Return the meat and veggies to the pot and add your cream cheese. Stir until well mixed. Place one won ton wrapper in each muffin "spot", pushing it down into the opening. Add a spoon of meat mixture into the wrapper, leaving the wrapper up or open.
Bake for 10 minutes and serve.

I like mine with a bit of "Slap ya Mama" Cajun spice sprinkled on top. Mo likes his with salsa. Heath and Micki add some green chilies to theirs and the kids usually like them "plain". Never tried it with ground turkey sausage but its a thought or some finely diced mushrooms would be tasty.

I will try and post a pic next time we make them so you can see what I mean by leaving the won ton wrapper open.

Now, to be honest, I don't like the name Bubba's Tacos but can't find anything else I like. Mo's bid for the new name is "suppleness" but I just can't bring myself to say, "Suppleness is ready." so that name is out. Let me know if you like them and if you can think of a better name. Enjoy!

What if?

I am not typically a "what if" person but did wonder tonight:

What if we, as a society, took our personal relationship with Christ as seriously as we took sports?

What if we took our children's spiritual growth as seriously as we took their sports growth?

What if we took all hours of our child's schedule devoted to practice and games, not to mention money, and transferred that into their learning of Biblical Truth and serving others?

The Many Faces of God

I was at a Women of Faith event a couple of weekends ago and enjoyed the speakers although it was nothing like I thought it would be. Isn't it funny how our own expectations can get in our way...
One thought that was made by a speaker when referencing another woman she knew has bounced around in my head for the last two weeks. Or it might have been from our church pastor referencing someone else, I am not sure BUT the comment went something like this,
"God is either all loving or He is all powerful. He can not be both because if He was, then he would heal. But He doesn't. He would answer our prayers. But He doesn't. So that means He either doesn't love us or He doesn't have the power to do it." And when asked if this person prayed anymore, the response was, "Yes, but I don't ask for anything."
With all the pain in the world, it would be easy to see how someone could arrive at this conclusion. Children dying of cancer. Spouses betraying each other. Random violence. Children being sold in to sex trades. Infertility struggles. A parent losing a child from drugs or an accident. A teenager about to age out of the foster care system still wanting a "forever family". These people are not asking for sports cars or to win the lotto. They are asking for survival. It is an ugly world we live in.
You can understand the thoughts:
"Why pray when God can't do anything about it or He doesn't love me enough to do anything about it? Why pray boldly when the answer is silence? I begged of you and nothing. If you are going to do what you want, God, then why pray for anything."

Interesting, isn't it, the pondering of the how's, why's and the what for's of our God...

titus publishing Launches!

Hi blog friends, long time no write! Just a quick update that I am launching my publishing company this weekend at a children's special needs fair in Colorado Springs. There should be about 300 people and I have a vendor booth reserved. It will be a learning experience no doubt and if I get one book order, all the more blessings.
God has moved in amazing ways just to get me ready for this event so I am already so thankful! And thankful for my friends and family who have suffered in the name of my wild dream to write and publish personalized books for children with disabilities, illness or unique social situations.
Prayers appreciated as I attempt to let the Lord work through me by showing other parents and children that they are WONDERFULLY made!

Holy Word at Goodwill

I love going to Goodwill and plundering through stacks and stacks of books looking for a new treasure. I just love books! Among the racks of unfashionable clothing, chipped plates or just plain ugly wall decor, a treasure awaits! There is a reason the saying, "One man's trash is another man's treasure." is a saying. It's because it is true!
But on occasion what do I find? Someones bible. Some even have people's names engraved on them. Some have passages highlighted. Some are still in the wrappers. Some have handwritten well wishes from the giver.
And the going price for a used bible at Goodwill? $2.99.
It is so sad to me that someone has donated the most precious, priceless love they could ever get their hands on. Donated like a pair of old shoes that no longer fit or jeans that aren't in fashion.
Your bible is probably not sitting at Goodwill right now..but if someone else donated it, would you know it was missing?
God's word always fits and is always in fashion. Yesterday, today and tomorrow.
What a treasure, indeed!

Mumus and buzz cuts

When I got old and gray, I vow to wear mumus and buzz my hair off. I will however continue to wear a bra unlike many of the residents I see on a daily basis. Of course by then, if I don't wear one I will have to tuck them in my socks to keep from tripping!

Bernina and memory lane

Been trying to sew some clothe napkins for the house and my little Bernina just won't sew the edges because they are too thick. My mom brought her "real" Bernina when she came to visit a couple weeks ago and it has worked like a dream!
It has also brought so many memories to mind of my mama hunched over that machine making our clothes. Not just one but for all three of us. She would buy one pattern and tailor it to fit all of us. So thrifty she was! She made our swimsuits, church dresses (all three matching on occasion), our slips (you can't find little girl slips these days), pjs, Halloween costumes and even some panties! I vaguely remember my dad having a robe made from her hands. AND Jamms shorts in high school.
Even as a little girl all my pants had to be taken up in the waist, thanks to the bubble butt I even had as a kid. She taught me on that machine along with Mama White teaching me on hers.
Now she is a master quilter and has a fancy Bernina with embroidery and computer screens and all that jazz.
Fun thoughts and happy memories!

My Beloved

Ya know what I love: That my big, strong, burly, man's man hears The Revolution Song by Phillips, Craig and Dean and can't help crying like a baby every time. I have never wanted him more.

Time Machine Murders

If I had a time machine I would go back in history to the person, presumably a woman, who thought up the stupid idea of feminism and kill her/him. Nothing inhumane, just a bullet to the temple.
Then I would come back to the present where things would be as God intended when it comes to women and the work place.

Mercies New Every Morning

Re: my hypoglycemic rant yesterday
Nothing a handful of Mike and Ikes and working on my memory verses during my swim workout at 5 this morning won't fix!
Just me and Jesus, swimming laps and talkin'.
I am sure my lap buddies think I have lost my senses!
Or they are just used to the "Sasquatch wearing the silver swim cap who carries the bag of index cards and is constantly muttering to herself while she swims".