needed reminders

Quotes worth remembering today...sharing with you ~
(a repost from the archives)


On the inside of my kitchen cabinets, I often place various quotes that inspire. Right now:

"Things which matter the most

must never be at the mercy

of things which matter the least." Goethe

"Though I am always in haste,

I am never in a hurry,

because I never undertake more work

than I can go through with calmness of spirit." John Wesley

Balance is when someone ~
senses a call on his life and says yes even when he feels unqualified

says no to something he's not called to, even though he might disappoint others

guards and protects her time with the Lord

refuses to allow food to become an idol

gives himself the gift of exercising several times per week

refuses to succumb to a busied, harried lifestyle

gives herself (and her children) enough time to get out the door

pushes himself beyond what's comfortable for the purpose of growth

is teachable and flexible

practices self-control

(from Focus on the Family magazine, March 2007)

needed reminders

pen to paper :: from the heart

I am humbled and quite thrilled to share the release of a new book!  Thrilled because of the purpose of this project, a gathering of authors who write for charity to benefit the sickest of children.  Humbled because a few words I’ve penned (well, typed) are included in the book…an honor indeed.

From the Heart, A Collection of Stories and Poems from the Front Lines of Parenting tracks some of the funniest, the hardest and the most phenomenal moments of this journey called parenting.  A collaborative effort of many authors, all proceeds from the sale will go to support children’s hospitals and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Center.

Beth Davis, the editor and also founder of the organization Write for Charity, had a desire to make a difference in the lives of children after learning that her youngest daughter needed surgery.  The idea of writing a book for charity was born and the search for authors began in earnest through magazines, the blogsphere and writer’s groups around the country—through several months and over 300 submissions later, From the Heart was born.

Currently this collection of stories and poems is only available for sale through the organization’s website in order to control costs and donate more to charity :: after October, this release of close to one hundred different stories sharing perspectives on parenting, will be available through other venues such as Amazon and bookstores.

*****

My heart has always been for the needs of the youngest among us, my own children and those who need an advocate.  It’s my life’s work really and I’ll try to be a voice in whichever way possible.  To have some words included in a project that echoes this vision is humbling, an honor and a small way to remind others of the little ones around them.  I am eagerly awaiting my copy as parenting encouragement is needed & appreciated by this Mama!

Feel free to share the word by grabbing a button :: find the list of authors here.

All contributors (graphics, editors) and authors have donated their time and work :: proceeds, outside of printing costs, are all to be donated.

pen to paper :: from the heart

oh, September…

Right about this time each year I am tempted to become overwhelmed by the transition from summer schedules to fall routines.  Each week brings a new ‘we start _______ today!’  Bible club, homeschool classes, field hockey, and music lessons are becoming a part of weekly life.  It’s not that our schedule is too full, far from it.  We find ourselves saying ‘NO’ to much more than the actual ‘yes’ activities.  And I am loving the fact that we are home most evenings.

But it all begins at the same time!  With the newness brings paperwork to fill out, backpacks to dig out of closets and prepare for class, etc.  ETC!

When I find my emotions tempted to spin wildly like a washing machine, I pause for a gratitude check and reflection.  Today I think of our end of summer, say good-bye to it, and give thanks ::

for a gathering of Moms, Dads, lots of kids & great food

weekly date nights with my husband (though this continues, yeah!)

for an outdoor worship service & fellowship time with our church family

 

    a fun & filling shrimp boil with other families :: laughing at the fact that we seriously overestimated the amount of food needed!  taking home great memories and munchies

our annual back-to-school campout (in our basement) with a near-by cousin

welcoming the end of the grass-growing season!

for backyard enjoyment, just sitting to read, lie in the shade or watch the stars at night

 

Ah, yes.  That’s much better.  Now I’m ready to welcome all that our new routines bring….

oh, September…

truth for this day

“Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what He has made crooked? (Eccl. 7:13)

“God often seems to place His children in places of deep difficulty, leading them into a corner from which there is no escape.  He creates situations that human judgment, even if consulted, would never allow.  Yet the cloudiness of the circumstance itself is used by Him to guide us to the other side.  Perhaps this is where you find yourself even now.  Your situation is filled with uncertainty and is very serious but it is perfectly right.  The reason behind it will more than justify Him who brought you here, for it is a platform from which God will display His almighty grace and power.  He not only will deliver you but in doing so will impart a lesson that you will never forget.  And in days to come you will return to the truth of it through singing.  You will be unable to ever thank God enough for doing exactly what He has done.”  from Streams in the Desert devotional 

***

This God, my God…will walk me through any storm and bring me safely to the other side.

Praise His holy name.

 

photo credit

truth for this day

cultural celebrations :: an English tea

The study of the United Kingdom of Great Britain (did you know this is the official name?) ended with a grand tea party as we make our way through the countries of Europe!  My, my…I do need to brush up on my geography and world history a bit; though I didn’t admit this fact to the girls, I think they caught on?

Naturally the girls (big & little) were all quite excited about this celebration as part of our curriculum; and the little boys in the house don’t know to not be thrilled about such a prim & proper event.  Dad on the other hand?  Well, he was a good sport until one of his children asked if we should all try to speak in a British accent…the man does have limitations!  Overall, it was a grand time.

Our menu ::

lemon poppy seed muffins with lemon glaze

sweet scones (that turned out a bit flat!) with homemade peach jam

maple ham & cucumber sandwiches

spinach & cheese cups

and lots of English tea!

A few resources that we used through this study ~ famous people, events or places ::

design an English garden (which can be printed out) 

read a Beatrix Potter story at this site or check a book out of the library

a few of us will be listening to this audio version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

our current read-aloud is about George Mueller, a great man of faith and courage; this version is great for young children as well

cultural celebrations :: an English tea

this girl…

{she only wishes the phone belonged to her!}

….today is TWELVE.

And yes, I reluctantly release her into the next year of her life :: praising God for the wonderful & exciting years we’ve enjoyed so far. 

twelve.

I simply can’t believe it.  The pregnancy with her was my hardest, uncontrolled sickness that landed me in the hospital several occasions and caused an 18 pound weight loss in just under ten weeks.  Doctors knew little and I suffered much; my girl and I joke today about how maybe this crazy pregnancy was a ‘heads up’ for days to come?  Just a joke.

She is witty, intelligent, and motivated.  I appreciate her serious and yet tenderhearted nature.  She has a passion to learn, to DO, and to BE; being a wife & mother and ‘having my own house’ are part of her talk of the future—I’m sure it may all come together much as she is planning it! :) 

We love her dearly and celebrate once again with joy her arrival into our lives. 

Happy Birthday, Sweetie!

 

this girl…

cultural celebrations :: the family

One of the aspects that completely sold me on our new geography curriculum this year is the fact that the schedule includes plans to celebrate on a regular basis the countries studied!  Should we choose (and we probably will not do them all), each week we’ll gather together to experience the food, customs, games, etc. of a particular region of the world.  Winter Promise calls this a ‘cultural celebration’ :: I love it!

The first one was to pause and celebrate our family.  Yes, the curriculum called for us to choose our favorite family meal, games, memories and such to be the focus; the children were quite excited.  But, deciding on our favorite food was not simple at all and I finally allowed one child to make the final decision.

I guess we are fairly globally-minded already because chicken curry over rice turned up as the choice :)  What a fun time of ‘remembering when’ as we recounted the years gone by and enjoyed some favorite games!

 

Pictures of the table setting or of the people might have been appropriate, right?  That didn’t happen.  Hmm…it’s all about the food.  Oh, well.  I will leave you with the recipe used :: maybe it will find it’s way to your family’s table!

Basic Meat Curry (with chop salad)

Saute in deep skillet:

2 T oil

sweet onion, chopped (as much as you’d like)

2 tsp minced garlic

Blend in a small bowl:

2 T lemon juice

2-4 tsp curry powder (depending on taste desired)

Stir curry mixture into sauteed onions and fry lightly 2-3 minutes.

Add:

1-1/2 lb cubed chicken breast (or beef, fish :: for a veggie version try white or black beans)

Stir briefly to coat meat with spices.

Add:

1 cup tomato juice

1 tsp salt

1 cup broth

Bring to boil, cover and simmer 1 hour.  Thicken slightly with flour before serving, if desired.  Serve over hot rice with chop salad (recipe below), coconut, pumpkin or sunflower seeds, peanuts or raisins.  Freezes well. Serves about 4-6.

Chop Salad

Chop into bite size pieces and combine in a bowl:

3 peppers: red, orange & yellow (if I have this, it gets put in.  if not, moving on…)

1 long cucumber

3 green onions

1 pkg. grape tomatoes

Mix dressing and pour over all:

3 TBsp vinegar

1 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp salt

dash of pepper

Stir well and chill several hours.

cultural celebrations :: the family

school days again!

Our homeschool year is underway, starting with 1/2 days in August, slowly adding subjects and we’re about to head full scale next week.  Exciting days, the first days of schooling.  New supplies, fresh curriculum choices, a Mama full of ideas for the year, children thrilled with the plans ~ we’re experiencing it all and soaking it in (because there will be days we will not all be so happy, but let’s not focus on that right now okay? :)

Each year we prayerfully consider the focus and direction for each child, including also what God is speaking to us as a whole family.  Homeschooling (and in general all parenting regardless of school choice) takes this kind of discernment ~ to step back and evaluate where you’re headed and how to get there.

Last spring several things happened that caused us as parents to pause and take notice:: our kiddos as a group were becoming captivated by one main subject ~ the world we live in.  Books on the topic were read, maps were being drawn, a talking globe received as a present was played with quite often (so often it got a bit annoying at times!), and questions were asked by a certain almost 12-yr old which led to some great conversations about people groups, resources available to those people, missionaries, etc.

So we had a ‘aha’ moment when thinking through the plans for this year ~ let’s travel the world!  Alright, not literally, but through our year :: let’s learn more about the people of the world, the customs & culture of various countries, the music, language, weather and similarities or differences compared to our own.  To say that I was pumped about the idea is an understatement.  And so, I decided to write our own curriculum :: hurray!

NOT.

After only about a few days of research last May, it became apparent that this was not the season to take on such a task.  We were and still are in transition as a family and I had just written some of last year’s curriculum ~ a break was definitely in order.  Sooo….the hunt for what we would use became the focus and we landed on a wonderful, wonderful choice :: Winter Promise’s Children Around the World.  Let me tell you, this could not be a better fit!

Having never used a boxed curriculum before, I was concerned if this would flow with my style of teaching, a very odd mix of Charlotte Mason likeness, unschooling (yes, I’m admitting to this!) and some classical ed thrown in for good measure, so weird I know.  While we have firm & even ‘high’ academic goals, our approach is much different & more relaxed than that of conventional schooling since we’re focusing on other aspects of our children as well :: so far, it’s working beautifully. 

However, my qualms are settled about an all-in-one curriculum and I am very appreciative of the fact that everything is set up for me including lessons plans for both girls and age-appropriate assignments :: yes!  We’ve added math and a little extra language/grammar focus, that’s it.   All else will be through this geography curriculum.

We are having SO much fun already!  Being from a Christian perspective, Children Around the World also focuses on missionary work past and present, how to specifically pray for areas of our world and much more.  All of the books (lots of great books!) and materials (journals, maps, worksheets, etc.) were included :: I am grateful indeed. 

It’s going to be a fabulous year!  I’ll be sure to write more….

school days again!

on hospitality

I am so spoiled here at my Mom and Dad's home! I just may extend our stay....

Being in a place where I'm currently experiencing the hospitality of others has me pondering this subject :: actually, I've been thinking on it for a few weeks now and reminding myself of those whose open heart & open home have blessed and marked me for life. 

While many have inspired me through the years, I've been privileged to know two women who lived and breathed the essence of hospitality.  They've never met and never will, and yet their lives were so familiar.  Each had a husband with a primary call to ministry in their local church, four children and were homeschoolers.  Our dear friend Annette lived outside of Chicago and we visited as time allowed and our friend Colleen lived around the corner when we made our home in Connecticut.  Two women, different lives :: one strong commitment to open their homes.

They taught me ~

:: to not be intimidated by the space I have or don't.  Both Annette and Colleen had very small homes...very.  With just enough room (or in one case not quite enough) for their own families, there wasn't much extra space.  And yet, others who visited didn't seem to mind this, people literally flocked to their homes.  One cookie exchange at Colleen's was standing room only if you didn't count the women sitting up her staircase!; no one wanted the gathering in a different location though she offered.  While they both desired more space, this did not become a focus of discontent. A valuable lesson.

:: to allow others into my life as well as into my home.  This for me is the marker that distinguishes these two examples of gracious hospitality.  Planned events or impromptu visits, time with these ladies didn't just mean learning more about how she decorated or where her furniture was purchased (though that is fun info at times!).  They generously shared life and wanted to know about yours.  The focus was on people, not things or simply the event at hand.  At Annette's funeral in 2009, hundreds of people came to honor a woman who made them feel important, unique and made a space in her life for others.  Hundreds.  Colleen's hospitality to an older woman, consistently yet gently inviting the lady to share & be in her home, caused the woman (who had boarded up her back door) to join in a neighboorhood gathering and finally speak to people she had lived next to for 18 years!

::  to be hospitable to those in my home.  Annette's kids were served breakfast in bed on occassion, just because.  Colleen would bring tea in special cups to even her youngest child.  Both served their husbands with flair and yet simplicity.  Their families did not feel as though guests alone received attention, it was a part of the norm.  I appreciate my parents who also stressed this lesson; to create an atmosphere where my children and husband are not jealous of those who visit our home!

The goal of course is not to become these women, though I deeply appreciate their examples.  The focus is to be open to how God is asking me to share both my life and my home :: first to those who live with me, then to the body of Christ and beyond.  And though we've been hospitable in various ways in the past or even in this past year (from large neighborhood gatherings to Bible studies or groups), I am asking Christ afresh how he would have us serve right now. 

And trusting for the answer...

on hospitality

right now

8:00 p.m. Monday eve

I’m supposed to be packing for a trip away for several days :: off to another big city to explore the sites, including days at my parent’s home where I plan to fully enjoy the fact that I don’t have to cook!

But, packing isn’t happening…willing my clothes (and the rest of the family’s) to simply just jump into bags.  Wouldn’t that be nice?

Instead, I’m thinking about ~

:: purchasing an ice cream maker soon since there are so many issues with dairy in our home and the substitutes are a bit expensive.  my girls have promised to be in charge; hmmm…we’ll see.

:: making a felt playhouse for the boys’ Christmas present~ this idea has me very excited at the moment, but really, that excitement needs to last several more weeks before I actually say ‘yes’!

:: I was thinking of making these orange cup cinnamon rolls for the first day of school, but we’ve already had that.   So, maybe when we return, we’ll have them for the 11th day?

:: I’m reminding myself again of a healthy perspective on lamenting (versus complaining)

:: also reading again through the daily seven for household management ~ simple & good!

 

Okay, right now…I DO have to pack up a few items!!  Especially the hat I’m knitting (as seen in the header) and the camera.  All else?  Well, I hope they find their way into our bags…..

right now