Today I want to try something new. I don't know if I'll worry about having these specific things written down every day, but I sure do like the idea. To write down today's peak, the highest point of the day. Today's pit, the lowest point, not to complain but to work through it and learn from it. The prayers that may have arisen today or are lingering. And today's praises, the things I'm grateful for specifically from this day.
Today's Peak: I went with A's class to a local Nature Center and even learned something new! There exists a coniferous tree that loses its needles in the fall and grows them back in the spring. It's called a Tamarack. I had never heard of such a thing!
Today's Pit: I finally succumbed to the cold that has been chasing me for a couple weeks. I felt so crummy that Kevin jumped in and took care of dinner for me. I managed to get laundry and ironing in during my race against time but took two naps after I was done babysitting and my throat still hurts. Bleah.
Today's Prayers: For patience. I've been short tempered of late. Maybe I'm sick, but I long to no longer hide behind excuses and be much more pleasant to be around.
Today's Praise: For my husband who loves me so. That God's grace is new every morning. Even more blessedly, every minute. That my kids are eager learners and good listeners. I praise God for good times as an extended family, and giggles and screams as I went down water slides with my girls this weekend.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
I am so Blessed.
This week we've been embarking on a bit of a spiritual adventure with our children. Our church has just recently decided to come alongside many other Reformed churches and begin to invite our children, who are of an age to understand Jesus' love for them and what Communion means, to partake in Communion before they make their Profession of Faith.
This issue has always rankled me a bit, from when I was very young and attending a CRC church that was very strict about Profession of Faith and Communion. It was a rule at that church that you couldn't take Communion until you had made Profession of Faith, and you couldn't make Profession of Faith until you were 16. I can remember as a small child grating against the unfairness of that rule, and wondering, 'what if I want to make Profession of Faith before I'm 16?'
Well, we had just been thinking ourselves that our children seemed to grasp what Communion was about, and they've known for a long time how much Jesus loves them, and they love to learn about him. The excitement in their voices as they talk about the stories from the Bible they've learned is captivating and humbling.
And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3
So we knew. We knew they were thinking about communion and whether they could take it, but we did not know our church's rules off hand about at what age you could participate. It turns out that it was, until very recently, that you could not participate unless you had made your Profession.
This has changed. And as soon as our church offered the workshop to teach children about the meaning of Communion we signed our kids up. And watching them grasp and understand the deep meanings of Christ's body and blood in their own simple, innocent way was a profound blessing to me. I find myself looking at them and just thanking God that he's given me these three wonderful children, that I may learn again what it is like to have that childlike faith.
So they have been to meet with an elder, who confirmed that they were indeed grasping the truths of partaking in the remembering of what Christ means to us. Unfortunately we will not be in town for the first communion they could be a part of! We are all a bit bummed by this, but we were told there would be another around Christmas time.
I am so grateful for the blessing of my children. So very grateful. And also for this opportunity to be reminded what a blessing they truly are.
This issue has always rankled me a bit, from when I was very young and attending a CRC church that was very strict about Profession of Faith and Communion. It was a rule at that church that you couldn't take Communion until you had made Profession of Faith, and you couldn't make Profession of Faith until you were 16. I can remember as a small child grating against the unfairness of that rule, and wondering, 'what if I want to make Profession of Faith before I'm 16?'
Well, we had just been thinking ourselves that our children seemed to grasp what Communion was about, and they've known for a long time how much Jesus loves them, and they love to learn about him. The excitement in their voices as they talk about the stories from the Bible they've learned is captivating and humbling.
And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3
So we knew. We knew they were thinking about communion and whether they could take it, but we did not know our church's rules off hand about at what age you could participate. It turns out that it was, until very recently, that you could not participate unless you had made your Profession.
This has changed. And as soon as our church offered the workshop to teach children about the meaning of Communion we signed our kids up. And watching them grasp and understand the deep meanings of Christ's body and blood in their own simple, innocent way was a profound blessing to me. I find myself looking at them and just thanking God that he's given me these three wonderful children, that I may learn again what it is like to have that childlike faith.
So they have been to meet with an elder, who confirmed that they were indeed grasping the truths of partaking in the remembering of what Christ means to us. Unfortunately we will not be in town for the first communion they could be a part of! We are all a bit bummed by this, but we were told there would be another around Christmas time.
I am so grateful for the blessing of my children. So very grateful. And also for this opportunity to be reminded what a blessing they truly are.
Friday, November 18, 2011
A Day
Today was a day. I was BUSY. And I actually found myself enjoying it! I think I thrive on the times when it's really hectic. Call me crazy but when I used to work in the flower store and then the card store, my favorite times were Christmas and Valentine's when it was so busy in the stores you could hardly move. I love when stuff is buzzing and people are talking over each other and there are crises to solve. Probably has a lot to do with growing up in my mom's side of the family!
Anyway, I started the day in C's room, which promptly put me in a good mood because there were three adults there to help 26 kids get turkey hats made for their Thanksgiving celebration within 20 minutes. We did it!
Then I got to go shopping with my mom. I had money from the girls' Great-Grandma to do her shopping for them for Christmas, and a bit of money to get myself some jeans. I went looking for jeans that had pockets that would flippin' fit a phone inside of them, for crying out loud! I finally found a pair that not only had that but are long enough to shrink a bit in the wash if they have to, they are an excellent shade of blue, and they look good. Bonus again.
Then off to A's class where I stapled ("you're stapling again?!" A asked me incredulously. Get used to it, kid. That's why I'm here.), and sorted report cards, sharpened pencils, and made copies. I also got to see the Turkey Bowl, a team of kids against the teachers, which the whole school troops out to watch. So I got to see S, too. Teachers won, 16 touchdowns to 14, in case you were wondering. It's a bit of a truncated version of football, hence the funny score.
We finished up there and when we got home the girls enthusiastically unpacked everything from their backpacks so they can use them for our road trip to Great Wolf Lodge in less than a week, while I made lasagna.
Supper (with a welcome glass of wine), dishes, reading with A, then some reading of my own (I'm on my 3rd time through the Harry Potter series), and finally writing, after an initial misfire when my computer posted just the title of my post for some reason. So apologies for the empty post a few minutes ago.
That's a day. I love 'em that full. I'm thankful to be able to do that kind of thing for my kids and with my mom. Today was a GREAT day!
Anyway, I started the day in C's room, which promptly put me in a good mood because there were three adults there to help 26 kids get turkey hats made for their Thanksgiving celebration within 20 minutes. We did it!
Then I got to go shopping with my mom. I had money from the girls' Great-Grandma to do her shopping for them for Christmas, and a bit of money to get myself some jeans. I went looking for jeans that had pockets that would flippin' fit a phone inside of them, for crying out loud! I finally found a pair that not only had that but are long enough to shrink a bit in the wash if they have to, they are an excellent shade of blue, and they look good. Bonus again.
Then off to A's class where I stapled ("you're stapling again?!" A asked me incredulously. Get used to it, kid. That's why I'm here.), and sorted report cards, sharpened pencils, and made copies. I also got to see the Turkey Bowl, a team of kids against the teachers, which the whole school troops out to watch. So I got to see S, too. Teachers won, 16 touchdowns to 14, in case you were wondering. It's a bit of a truncated version of football, hence the funny score.
We finished up there and when we got home the girls enthusiastically unpacked everything from their backpacks so they can use them for our road trip to Great Wolf Lodge in less than a week, while I made lasagna.
Supper (with a welcome glass of wine), dishes, reading with A, then some reading of my own (I'm on my 3rd time through the Harry Potter series), and finally writing, after an initial misfire when my computer posted just the title of my post for some reason. So apologies for the empty post a few minutes ago.
That's a day. I love 'em that full. I'm thankful to be able to do that kind of thing for my kids and with my mom. Today was a GREAT day!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Clear!
My scans were clear. The doctor asked me how I was feeling after she told me they looked good and I was like, 'I feel good, now!' I was so very nervous going in. I wonder if that ever goes away? I don't think so. I've heard that former cancer patients feel like every ache or odd thing their body does, they think it's their cancer coming back. Boy do I experience that. Especially right before scans and between having them and getting their results.
I figured out last night why exactly it was so tense for me. My radiation treatments finished a little more than 2 1/2 months ago. The last time I had scans 2 1/2 years after my treatments ended they told me it was back. I was so incredibly relieved yesterday.
It's interesting to actually take those scan results home and read them myself. The chemo and radiation had quite an effect on my insides. There is scarring in the center of my chest where the chemo killed the fast growing cancer, and then where the radiation killed everything in there they shot it at. There's a place in my left lung that is scarred from radiation. Maybe that explains why no matter how far I can run I still get winded walking up staircases... The bone marrow inside the bones in the center of my chest is diminished due to radiation.
As good as I feel there's such an effect in there! Crazy. And I do. I feel so good. I'm so glad those scans confirmed that. So very glad. Praise God.
I figured out last night why exactly it was so tense for me. My radiation treatments finished a little more than 2 1/2 months ago. The last time I had scans 2 1/2 years after my treatments ended they told me it was back. I was so incredibly relieved yesterday.
It's interesting to actually take those scan results home and read them myself. The chemo and radiation had quite an effect on my insides. There is scarring in the center of my chest where the chemo killed the fast growing cancer, and then where the radiation killed everything in there they shot it at. There's a place in my left lung that is scarred from radiation. Maybe that explains why no matter how far I can run I still get winded walking up staircases... The bone marrow inside the bones in the center of my chest is diminished due to radiation.
As good as I feel there's such an effect in there! Crazy. And I do. I feel so good. I'm so glad those scans confirmed that. So very glad. Praise God.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
It's the Little Things
It's in the little things. Thinking on the little things is when fights start or hearts warm. In our marriage I notice that if I let myself get going on the little things that bug me, I get quickly into a very sour mood and spend the day grumping at my husband and everyone else. But if I think on the positive little things, the things that drew me to my husband, that caused me to fall in love with him in the first place, my day feels so much better, I am much sunnier toward my husband and even my kids. So maybe the little things aren't so little after all.
Some 'little' things
The way he makes sure to hug or kiss me almost every time we pass each other.
When he kisses my hand after we pray together.
The way we enjoy the quiet together after the kids are in bed.
The fact that we enjoy most of the same shows.
Him knowing my favorite flower and buying it for me when he can.
The fact that he jumps in and does dishes when the day is beating me down.
The way he looks at me over his glasses.
His artistic hobbies: woodworking, painting, knots/braiding.
His laugh.
His lop-sided grin.
The way he twitches his nose when he's concentrating.
How good I feel when we're together.
Us having a 'usual' at our favorite restaurant.
That ring on the 3rd finger of his left hand.
The ring he got me for the 3rd finger of mine.
Sharing funny or poignant things from websites as we unwind together.
So many things. I'm so thankful for my husband.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Together, We Are Holy
That's what they call it, 'Holy Matrimony.' And everyone's heard those words so many times that maybe they've lost their meaning a bit. But it's true. The act of man and woman leaving mother and father and wedding and living and loving... It's holy. It's designed by God to be an example to the world for how he loves us all.
God is no stranger to covenant. He invented it, arranged it as the way to populate his world. He is the God of the covenant, after all. He promised Abraham descendants to populate the entire earth and then made all Christians Abraham's descendants through Christ's sacrifice. He planned for this promise, this covenant we live day to day, to be a holy union in his sight. Matrimony is holy.
We lose sight of this. It is hard to grasp in the day in day out that this union that we've made is Holy in God's eyes. We have our tight spots, our things we bicker over. There's the shirts that didn't get ironed and the lawn that didn't get mowed.
But working at it, keeping our promises, even the little ones, giving 100% to the other person, always putting their needs ahead of our own, these things make it holy. Day by day. Jesus called us to be holy as he is holy. There's no way to do this in our world except to beg forgiveness and then discipline to try again. To get better and better.
I was thunderstruck when this thought hit me the first time months ago. Can you believe it? 8 years married and I had never truly considered that the phrase 'Holy Matrimony' means just that. Joined together in a union that is actually holy to God. Amazing.
God is no stranger to covenant. He invented it, arranged it as the way to populate his world. He is the God of the covenant, after all. He promised Abraham descendants to populate the entire earth and then made all Christians Abraham's descendants through Christ's sacrifice. He planned for this promise, this covenant we live day to day, to be a holy union in his sight. Matrimony is holy.
We lose sight of this. It is hard to grasp in the day in day out that this union that we've made is Holy in God's eyes. We have our tight spots, our things we bicker over. There's the shirts that didn't get ironed and the lawn that didn't get mowed.
But working at it, keeping our promises, even the little ones, giving 100% to the other person, always putting their needs ahead of our own, these things make it holy. Day by day. Jesus called us to be holy as he is holy. There's no way to do this in our world except to beg forgiveness and then discipline to try again. To get better and better.
I was thunderstruck when this thought hit me the first time months ago. Can you believe it? 8 years married and I had never truly considered that the phrase 'Holy Matrimony' means just that. Joined together in a union that is actually holy to God. Amazing.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Colossians 3:23
What I wrote on July 8, 2009
Some days God just reaches down and smacks me upside the head with something. Today I was laying on my bed, not really needing a nap but just being lazy. I was reading in a book, and the author made a point using that verse.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Colossians 3:23, NIV
I don't even remember what the point was that the author made, but that short line jumped off the page and smacked me upside the head. I don't always conduct my days as if I'm working for God. Today was one of those days. As I lay in bed, not really needing the nap, there were dirty dishes on the cupboard and a nearly full dishwasher that I should already have run. There were un-ironed shirts that I had been putting off since Monday. There was a litter box that needed emptying. And here I was, with no real reason to put those things off, but doing it anyway. God went 'hey! Get off your butt and go do those things!' Okay, maybe I'm taking a little liberty with that. But it's definitely what I said to myself after he nudged me! :D
Are you kidding me? Some times it seems like two steps forward, three steps back.
Two years and I'm still struggling with this. Sheesh.
Sorry, just a little kick in the rear for myself today. Seriously. *eye roll*
Friday, November 11, 2011
Ugh.
I hate cold and flu season. Ever since I was really and truly sick 3 years ago my body does not handle this season well. The tiniest little thing makes my limbs all achy, my throat gets sore, my face feels feverish even if it is not, my eyelids get all droopy and I feel like I could sleep all day.
This time there was the added bonus of going to volunteer in C's class. The class that sent a kid home TODAY. While I was there. With pinkeye. Lovely. I was careful not to touch his hands while I was talking to him! I hope C or I did not bring this wonderful sickness home with us, now.
Blessedly this does not happen to any of us very often. But when it hits, it tends to be a doozy.
Actually I'm just glad it waited until after my PET scan. We'll see if my body was already fighting it off yesterday; that tends to make scans glow and that would mean I'd have to have another scan. Double ugh.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Settling In
So I finally have a routine. Mondays are a free day, I've been lagging in the housework department but I hope I'll get my rear in gear soon. C has her dance class in the afternoon and my mom gets the other two off the bus. It makes for a rushed afternoon as I get home to their homework and have to make dinner, but it's better than having two dance classes on Saturday, that's for sure!
Tuesdays I babysit in the afternoons and that is a laundry day. For some reason doing laundry really motivates me to do other things so Tuesdays usually end up being really accomplished. Tuesdays have ended up being either really relaxed in the evening or really rushed. Having the kids at two different schools means that when they schedule school meetings for Tuesday night (which they often do), we end up running all over the place.
Wednesday I either have free because Christy's at school (and then I'm there from 2-3:30, so not entirely free), or she's home and housework gets done. Soon it'll be a lot of Christmas shopping! Then Wednesday night is stuff at church. A and C are in the Fireflies group, which I do the snacks for, and S is in GEMS. They all love it so much.
Thursdays are grocery day which is a full day's work, or at least it feels like it with how tired I end up. Then Thursday night is volleyball, which is usually wonderful but some nights frustrating. It was the latter tonight, that's for sure!
Fridays I spend at everyone's classrooms (or I do when S's class needs me which isn't always). This means I have a small amount of time to run errands but not much. Sometimes this leaves me feeling very tired without feeling like I did anything! But the teachers seem to like that I'm there so that's good.
Saturdays are A's dance class and another laundry day. Plus with everyone home we get some cleaning and household improvement things done. I'm excited for snow now too because that means snowmen and sledding. The girls are getting old enough to take them to the really good hills so I can't wait for winter this year.
The girls are ready! :D
Tuesdays I babysit in the afternoons and that is a laundry day. For some reason doing laundry really motivates me to do other things so Tuesdays usually end up being really accomplished. Tuesdays have ended up being either really relaxed in the evening or really rushed. Having the kids at two different schools means that when they schedule school meetings for Tuesday night (which they often do), we end up running all over the place.
Wednesday I either have free because Christy's at school (and then I'm there from 2-3:30, so not entirely free), or she's home and housework gets done. Soon it'll be a lot of Christmas shopping! Then Wednesday night is stuff at church. A and C are in the Fireflies group, which I do the snacks for, and S is in GEMS. They all love it so much.
Thursdays are grocery day which is a full day's work, or at least it feels like it with how tired I end up. Then Thursday night is volleyball, which is usually wonderful but some nights frustrating. It was the latter tonight, that's for sure!
Fridays I spend at everyone's classrooms (or I do when S's class needs me which isn't always). This means I have a small amount of time to run errands but not much. Sometimes this leaves me feeling very tired without feeling like I did anything! But the teachers seem to like that I'm there so that's good.
Saturdays are A's dance class and another laundry day. Plus with everyone home we get some cleaning and household improvement things done. I'm excited for snow now too because that means snowmen and sledding. The girls are getting old enough to take them to the really good hills so I can't wait for winter this year.
The girls are ready! :D
Monday, November 7, 2011
October Revolution
So I was listening to the radio today and they were talking about Russia's October Revolution, which is celebrated today. They were making jokes about it, about how Russia was backwards enough as a superpower that it didn't celebrate its holidays until the next month! It was pretty amusing (though it's an old-calendar vs. new-calendar thing). But it made me think of myself. Why, you ask? Because here it is November 7th and I haven't posted pictures of the girls in their Halloween costumes! Oops. Here they are.
We had a blue and red Supergirl, a pink and silver Supergirl, and a Pirate!
A vampire pumpkin, a vampire BAT pumpkin, and a pirate pumpkin!
Friday, November 4, 2011
On My Heart Today...
... is 'our' little guy, Simon. We sponsor him through Compassion International now. He is 4, he'll be 5 on November 22.
He's already broadened our worldview, helping to remind Hubby and I that we are beyond blessed to have everything we have, getting our kids interested in and caring about the fact that there are countries and cultures outside our own, and reminding us all that life is not guaranteed to always be safe and warm and healthy.
I'm learning to write to him. How do you write coherently to a four year old you've never met? It's kind of fun to explain things like snow and falling leaves to someone who lives near the equator. Probably a bit of what I say gets lost in translation but this is truly a situation where it's the thought that counts.
I'm already so proud of how the girls have embraced Simon. They get an allowance and we've set out a jar for them to make donations to Simon so we can get him special gifts throughout the year. I went to send his birthday gift just a couple weeks after we had started to sponsor him and there was already $7 in the jar from them. I took that out and sent the gift and now there's more in there already again. We've only been sponsoring him a month! They pray for him at meal times and bed times and ask about him through the day, asking what his life is like in relation to what theirs are like. They've blown me away with their generosity.
Welcome to our family, Simon. We're so happy we can help you and pray for you and your family. I wonder if you'll know this side of heaven how you've blessed us right back? I hope so.
He's already broadened our worldview, helping to remind Hubby and I that we are beyond blessed to have everything we have, getting our kids interested in and caring about the fact that there are countries and cultures outside our own, and reminding us all that life is not guaranteed to always be safe and warm and healthy.
I'm learning to write to him. How do you write coherently to a four year old you've never met? It's kind of fun to explain things like snow and falling leaves to someone who lives near the equator. Probably a bit of what I say gets lost in translation but this is truly a situation where it's the thought that counts.
I'm already so proud of how the girls have embraced Simon. They get an allowance and we've set out a jar for them to make donations to Simon so we can get him special gifts throughout the year. I went to send his birthday gift just a couple weeks after we had started to sponsor him and there was already $7 in the jar from them. I took that out and sent the gift and now there's more in there already again. We've only been sponsoring him a month! They pray for him at meal times and bed times and ask about him through the day, asking what his life is like in relation to what theirs are like. They've blown me away with their generosity.
Welcome to our family, Simon. We're so happy we can help you and pray for you and your family. I wonder if you'll know this side of heaven how you've blessed us right back? I hope so.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Just do it.
So it's NaNoWriMo. And while I'm definitely no novel writer at this stage in my life, I've always admired those who do and I've LOVED the idea of NaNoWriMo ever since I first heard about it.
I was reading a blog post the other day about the benefits of writing, even if you're not writing a novel. It can open up other creativity, allow you to get your thoughts on 'paper' so to speak (I plan on writing on here and in my paper journal), and just be an all-around stress reliever. I've noticed that in the past it helps me clear my head to write things down. Also, if I have something important to say to someone I'd much rather write it out, as my thoughts are more coherent that way. Maybe I also like that I can't be interrupted when the person has to read through an entire page before they get to respond! :) I don't do that that often (nor do I have conflicts that require if with any frequency), so if you're friends with me don't fret. I won't start writing letters for every little misunderstanding I ever run into.
Heh, the rambling of this post could betray me as not all that coherent in the written word after all.
Anyway, all that to say that I love the idea of disciplining myself to write for a month. Maybe it'll lead to a habit of writing and thus less stress from keeping things bottled up inside. I've even added it as a to-do item on my daily list. I'm 2 for 3 so far as I already skipped yesterday! But with grace for myself on those days I think I can do this cheerfully, without it seeming like a chore.
I was reading a blog post the other day about the benefits of writing, even if you're not writing a novel. It can open up other creativity, allow you to get your thoughts on 'paper' so to speak (I plan on writing on here and in my paper journal), and just be an all-around stress reliever. I've noticed that in the past it helps me clear my head to write things down. Also, if I have something important to say to someone I'd much rather write it out, as my thoughts are more coherent that way. Maybe I also like that I can't be interrupted when the person has to read through an entire page before they get to respond! :) I don't do that that often (nor do I have conflicts that require if with any frequency), so if you're friends with me don't fret. I won't start writing letters for every little misunderstanding I ever run into.
Heh, the rambling of this post could betray me as not all that coherent in the written word after all.
Anyway, all that to say that I love the idea of disciplining myself to write for a month. Maybe it'll lead to a habit of writing and thus less stress from keeping things bottled up inside. I've even added it as a to-do item on my daily list. I'm 2 for 3 so far as I already skipped yesterday! But with grace for myself on those days I think I can do this cheerfully, without it seeming like a chore.
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