It is frigid. Really. When I finally checked the temperature mid-morning it was 10 degrees below zero! And now that it's mid-afternoon the temperature has risen to a balmy 5 degrees below zero. How do we Minnesotans survive? I don't really know. We just do.
I'll tell you one thing, we're not going anywhere today. I'd prefer to stay indoors today, if it's all right with you, thank you! It does help having a gas fireplace in the downstairs family room. I also enjoyed a nice, steaming cup of hot tea this morning. Sweatshirts and jeans are appropriate apparel for inside the house. If I were to go outdoors (which I'm not) I would have to do a lot more bundling up than that! We're talking long johns underneath the jeans, thick socks, boots, puffy down coat, gloves, scarf, and hat. But I'm not going out, so I don't have to worry about it.
Tomorrow we have to go out. The girls have their piano lessons. I will be starting the car early to let it warm up. Thank goodness for car heaters and home furnaces! I can't imagine living when Laura Ingalls Wilder lived. She lived in Minnesota for a time, you know. How did they survive? If we were to ask her she'd probably say: "I don't really know. We just did."
You'd think I'd be used to these winter temperatures by now. I grew up here in Minnesota. I went to college in Northern Wisconsin. I've never lived anywhere else. But I'm not! This body craves warmer temperatures and climes. Oh for the warm sun to let its rays warm my cheeks on a sandy beach somewhere! But I have to wait.
But I don't have to wait quite as long as I normally do for that to happen this year. Yes, this year we are going to Florida in the middle of winter! Yay! This soul rejoices at the prospect. Yes, I can hold on for just a few more weeks. I can make it. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can . . . .
Until then, I'll eat hot things, drink hot things, and wear warm things, all the while staying in my warm house. And I will survive.
1.15.2013
Our New Year
This year hasn't started out the way we had hoped. The first few days were fun, because we were visiting my in-laws still. We enjoyed hanging out with them, playing games, cooking, eating, shopping, etc. Then we came home. We unpacked, got all of the laundry done, started doing a few things for school and BOOM! Mike came down with a virus of some sort. It could've been the flu, but we're not sure. Then 3 days later, Mia came down with it. And a few days after that Kylie came down with it, too. So far I haven't gotten it, and I am praying that I won't! Thankfully I think we are over the worst of it. But the girls are still hacking and sniffling. None of us have much energy. Sleep has been interrupted, to say the least.
But as I sit here typing this, I realize how the situation could be so much worse! This is temporary. And even if I do end up getting sick, it won't last forever. Even though the experience of going through a season of sickness is not fun, I know that my God is in control. I can't make my girls or my husband get better no matter how much I wish I could. I can administer medications and fill cups with water countless times. I can take temperatures and hand out cough drops, but the fact remains-- God is in control of this situation. I'm not.
Recently I prayed that I would be a servant. After all, that's what Jesus came to be. And if I want to become more like Jesus, then that means I should be a servant, too. Well, lately I've had plenty of opportunities to be a servant--with having a sick family and all. There are moments when I am tired. And there are moments of being tired of being tired. And there are moments of being sick of everyone else being sick. Today I started to feel crabby about the situation. Then I remembered to pray and ask the Lord once again to help me be a servant to my sick girls. And He is faithful to give the grace I need for each moment of each day.
I must be honest when I say that there have been many moments when I have worried about the girls or my husband. I worry and wonder if I am doing the best things for them. I wonder if I should take them to the doctor or not. I wonder if I will get sick. Every sneeze, every little tickle in my throat, every time I feel hot or cold I wonder. Then I remind myself that I can't control any of that. But I can go to the One Who is in control. I can remind myself of His presence right here right now. I can go to Him and ask for wisdom in decision-making. And my heart quiets. He is God. And He is good. All the time.
But as I sit here typing this, I realize how the situation could be so much worse! This is temporary. And even if I do end up getting sick, it won't last forever. Even though the experience of going through a season of sickness is not fun, I know that my God is in control. I can't make my girls or my husband get better no matter how much I wish I could. I can administer medications and fill cups with water countless times. I can take temperatures and hand out cough drops, but the fact remains-- God is in control of this situation. I'm not.
Recently I prayed that I would be a servant. After all, that's what Jesus came to be. And if I want to become more like Jesus, then that means I should be a servant, too. Well, lately I've had plenty of opportunities to be a servant--with having a sick family and all. There are moments when I am tired. And there are moments of being tired of being tired. And there are moments of being sick of everyone else being sick. Today I started to feel crabby about the situation. Then I remembered to pray and ask the Lord once again to help me be a servant to my sick girls. And He is faithful to give the grace I need for each moment of each day.
I must be honest when I say that there have been many moments when I have worried about the girls or my husband. I worry and wonder if I am doing the best things for them. I wonder if I should take them to the doctor or not. I wonder if I will get sick. Every sneeze, every little tickle in my throat, every time I feel hot or cold I wonder. Then I remind myself that I can't control any of that. But I can go to the One Who is in control. I can remind myself of His presence right here right now. I can go to Him and ask for wisdom in decision-making. And my heart quiets. He is God. And He is good. All the time.
12.02.2012
I Need a Refill
I like free refills, don't you? You go to a restaurant, you order a soda, you drink it ALL, and now--well, now you need a free refill! But some restaurants don't have free refills. You drink all of your soda, ask for a refill, only to find out that you have to pay for said refill.
I find that I also need a different kind of refill. It's a refill that I can't even predict how often I'll need. I know I don't have the money for this kind of refill. It's actually a refill that no one can afford. You can't pay for it with money, but it's priceless.
This refill is one that's only given by the Holy Spirit.
Picture this: You, yourself, are a cup that needs filling. You wake up in the morning empty. But you forget from the very start of your day to get a refill. Then something frustrating happens--one of your children spills their milk (and they need a refill), someone cuts you off in traffic, a big bill comes in the mail, the washer breaks. You know what I mean. There are days like this! And when something like any one of these things happens you try to handle it on your own. Or you don't really handle it at all. Because you're empty. No supernatural help coming through for you here.
I do this. I go through my day in my own strength without that supernatural free refill. And then I wonder why I don't handle things very well. Duh! I'm running on empty!
Okay, back to getting a free refill at a restaurant. What do you have to do to get one? That's right. You walk up to the counter (if it's a fast food joint) or ask your server (if it's a sit-down place) for a free refill. Yep. That's it. That's all you have to do. You don't even have to do the filling part. They do that for you.
Well, it's the same way with a free refill from the Holy Spirit. He waits for us to ask Him for one. And when we do, He does it! He does the filling. And guess what? The free refills are unlimited, endless, bottomless . . . You get the picture!
The only catch is that we have to go to Him. He wants us to be dependent upon Him. He wants to do for us what we can't do for ourselves. And it's there (and free!) for the asking.
So, I think I'm going to put a little sign on my nightstand to help me remember to do this. First thing in the morning, before I get out of bed, I'll see this: DON'T FORGET TO ASK FOR FREE REFILLS TODAY!
Let's do this thing!
I find that I also need a different kind of refill. It's a refill that I can't even predict how often I'll need. I know I don't have the money for this kind of refill. It's actually a refill that no one can afford. You can't pay for it with money, but it's priceless.
This refill is one that's only given by the Holy Spirit.
Picture this: You, yourself, are a cup that needs filling. You wake up in the morning empty. But you forget from the very start of your day to get a refill. Then something frustrating happens--one of your children spills their milk (and they need a refill), someone cuts you off in traffic, a big bill comes in the mail, the washer breaks. You know what I mean. There are days like this! And when something like any one of these things happens you try to handle it on your own. Or you don't really handle it at all. Because you're empty. No supernatural help coming through for you here.
I do this. I go through my day in my own strength without that supernatural free refill. And then I wonder why I don't handle things very well. Duh! I'm running on empty!
Okay, back to getting a free refill at a restaurant. What do you have to do to get one? That's right. You walk up to the counter (if it's a fast food joint) or ask your server (if it's a sit-down place) for a free refill. Yep. That's it. That's all you have to do. You don't even have to do the filling part. They do that for you.
Well, it's the same way with a free refill from the Holy Spirit. He waits for us to ask Him for one. And when we do, He does it! He does the filling. And guess what? The free refills are unlimited, endless, bottomless . . . You get the picture!
The only catch is that we have to go to Him. He wants us to be dependent upon Him. He wants to do for us what we can't do for ourselves. And it's there (and free!) for the asking.
So, I think I'm going to put a little sign on my nightstand to help me remember to do this. First thing in the morning, before I get out of bed, I'll see this: DON'T FORGET TO ASK FOR FREE REFILLS TODAY!
Let's do this thing!
10.17.2012
Think on these things . . .
I went to the Women's Retreat that our church has every fall this past weekend. I always look forward to it. I know I won't get extra sleep. That's not why I go anyway. And I was right. I didn't. I know that I'll have fun talking and laughing with the other women there. Yep, that happened again. I also know that God will have some special message for me. And He did.
I was reminded and challenged by the speaker to not live so much by my feelings but to instead live with the knowledge of the truth of God found in His Word. It's so easy to get wrapped up in my circumstances--to look around me and see what's not going right. It's so easy for me to get down when things aren't going "just so." The perfectionist in me wants just one day to go completely the way I want it to. But, you know what? That's not God's way. God wants me to focus on Him. He wants me to meditate on truth found in His Word. So, I was challenged to memorize some verses that will directly speak to what I am going through. That way I can focus on Christ more easily and remember what His promises to me are. In fact, I'm going to list some of His promises right now so I can start meditating on them. Maybe these promises will encourage you, too.
Jeremiah 29:11 ' "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." '
Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Isaiah 40:28-31 "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
I was reminded and challenged by the speaker to not live so much by my feelings but to instead live with the knowledge of the truth of God found in His Word. It's so easy to get wrapped up in my circumstances--to look around me and see what's not going right. It's so easy for me to get down when things aren't going "just so." The perfectionist in me wants just one day to go completely the way I want it to. But, you know what? That's not God's way. God wants me to focus on Him. He wants me to meditate on truth found in His Word. So, I was challenged to memorize some verses that will directly speak to what I am going through. That way I can focus on Christ more easily and remember what His promises to me are. In fact, I'm going to list some of His promises right now so I can start meditating on them. Maybe these promises will encourage you, too.
Jeremiah 29:11 ' "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." '
Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Isaiah 40:28-31 "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
9.28.2012
Celebrating
Mia's birthday is only 2 days away. She will soon be nine years old. Thinking about that fact, I also asked myself this question: "Why do we celebrate the day a person was born?" And I think I came to a conclusion--at least for the reasons why we celebrate the day a person was born.
We celebrate birthdays as a way to show our thankfulness for that person and their presence in our lives. We also celebrate birthdays as a way to celebrate life. Life is precious, because life is created by God. Each person we see--each outward body--represents an eternal soul that will live forever. Each life is created by God with a purpose in mind. He loves each one, and I think He celebrates people, too.
So, tomorrow (and Sunday, too) we will be celebrating Mia. We are thankful for her presence in our lives. She brings us joy and laughter, and she keeps us on our toes. Our family wouldn't be complete without her. And I know that God has a special purpose and plan for her life. Mia is precious to Him, and Mia is precious to us!
We love you, Mia! Happy 9th Birthday!
We celebrate birthdays as a way to show our thankfulness for that person and their presence in our lives. We also celebrate birthdays as a way to celebrate life. Life is precious, because life is created by God. Each person we see--each outward body--represents an eternal soul that will live forever. Each life is created by God with a purpose in mind. He loves each one, and I think He celebrates people, too.
So, tomorrow (and Sunday, too) we will be celebrating Mia. We are thankful for her presence in our lives. She brings us joy and laughter, and she keeps us on our toes. Our family wouldn't be complete without her. And I know that God has a special purpose and plan for her life. Mia is precious to Him, and Mia is precious to us!
We love you, Mia! Happy 9th Birthday!
9.21.2012
Changing
The girls are growing like weeds! Kylie is now in 6th grade. How can that be? And Mia is now in 4th grade. Kylie is almost 11 1/2. Mia will be 9 in only 10 days. Time goes by whether I want it to or not. And we are in the midst of our 6th year of homeschooling. That is unbelievable to me! And now, finally, after 5 years of homeschooling, I can finally say that I actually like it! I know that sounds pretty sad. I mean, who wants to go through 5 years not liking something that they do 5 days a week for 9 months? But, it was a struggle for me. I want to be honest here. Sometimes I think people only share the positive things in their lives, and that's okay. But there is always good and bad. We live in an imperfect world, and we are imperfect people.
I want to share this, because I am sure that there are other homeschooling moms, like me, who started out not liking homeschooling. And I want to testify here as well, because the only reason that I believe that I do like it now is because of the Holy Spirit doing a work in my life! He is the one Who deserves to receive all of the glory and praise for this! It is encouraging for my heart, because I can tell that He has been at work in me. I have a long way to go, no doubt about it, but He is changing my heart. I am grateful.
I love my daughters. And now I actually like homeschooling them. It is no longer a burden or a trial but a blessing. That is not to say that we do not have trying or challenging days anymore. We do. But, overall, I enjoy the experience of homeschooling them, reading to them, doing projects with them, and seeing them really learn. We are privileged to walk this road.
Thank You, Jesus!
I want to share this, because I am sure that there are other homeschooling moms, like me, who started out not liking homeschooling. And I want to testify here as well, because the only reason that I believe that I do like it now is because of the Holy Spirit doing a work in my life! He is the one Who deserves to receive all of the glory and praise for this! It is encouraging for my heart, because I can tell that He has been at work in me. I have a long way to go, no doubt about it, but He is changing my heart. I am grateful.
I love my daughters. And now I actually like homeschooling them. It is no longer a burden or a trial but a blessing. That is not to say that we do not have trying or challenging days anymore. We do. But, overall, I enjoy the experience of homeschooling them, reading to them, doing projects with them, and seeing them really learn. We are privileged to walk this road.
Thank You, Jesus!
2.10.2012
"Toss It In" Salad
Today I wanted something different for lunch. I get into a lunch rut around here, and it was time I got out of it. I'm getting a little low on fresh produce, but I decided to make a salad with whatever I had laying around in the frig. Here's what I came up with:
Romaine lettuce, chopped, rinsed, and spun in the salad spinner
1/2 Roma tomato, chopped
several carrot sticks, chopped
about 1/8 to 1/4 c. roasted red peppers, chopped
small handful of Italian flat leaf parsley, rinsed and chopped
about 6 green garlic/jalapeno olives, sliced (Yum! You gotta try these!)
a generous sprinkle of feta cheese
a squeeze of lemon juice
freshly cracked black pepper
a sprinkle of sea salt and cracked black pepper croutons
*My salad dressing of choice: Kraft Greek Vinaigrette, made with olive oil--So good! And only 5g of fat per 2 Tbsp. serving!
This made enough for about 3 people. It was good! I encourage you to make your own "Toss It In" Salad, and let me know what you toss in. You'll be glad you did!
Romaine lettuce, chopped, rinsed, and spun in the salad spinner
1/2 Roma tomato, chopped
several carrot sticks, chopped
about 1/8 to 1/4 c. roasted red peppers, chopped
small handful of Italian flat leaf parsley, rinsed and chopped
about 6 green garlic/jalapeno olives, sliced (Yum! You gotta try these!)
a generous sprinkle of feta cheese
a squeeze of lemon juice
freshly cracked black pepper
a sprinkle of sea salt and cracked black pepper croutons
*My salad dressing of choice: Kraft Greek Vinaigrette, made with olive oil--So good! And only 5g of fat per 2 Tbsp. serving!
This made enough for about 3 people. It was good! I encourage you to make your own "Toss It In" Salad, and let me know what you toss in. You'll be glad you did!
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