Monday, August 8, 2011

Let Kids Be Kids


I read a great article in the Sunday Parade (or whatever that weekly supplement was in the Portland Press Herald). The writer was relating that kids now have no summer to just do nothing. The scheduled camps, activities and "educational experiences" keep a kid running from dawn to dusk all summer long leaving no time to enjoy the creativity, imagination and fun of doing nothing. I agreed with the author, that we're not allowing kids to enjoy summertime without some kind of a purpose, be it learning or skill development. I think of my own childhood, biking with my friends with no objective (we used to alternate taking Right Turns and Left Turns at every intersection and try to "get lost"). We would play Cavalry and Indians (so politically incorrect now). We would cup jars over bees on clover and then knock it over with a stick and run (don't ask me who thought of that one). Sure, it's great to expand kids world's beyond their own house, but good grief, they have the rest of their lives (70 years+) to be scheduled and controlled by the responsibilities of life. My 11 year old and I went to a local nature preserve to participate in a bird-banding and data-gathering experience. That was our one big "educational" thing for July. He loved it. He was able to hold the birds when it was time to release them. I wonder if he would have been as excited if it was just another thing mom had him signed up for in the short span of days we call summer. I am thankful that I am able to allow my kids to have the experience to just do nothing all summer long. As I write, I hear the happy sounds of Lane talking with his buddy, as they run around the yard being knights, building creations from Legos and munching on popsicles. He may not learn anything about physics or become a talented athlete, but he will have great memories of his summers, just as I do of mine.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

I will trust my Jehovah-jireh


Lately it has really been impressed upon me the reality of God will provide. How freeing this is! I don't have to worry and fear the future. If I am living in His plan, he will provide what I need to accomplish it. Our income the last few years has been not what it had been in prior years but I've come to realize, I still have a roof over my head and food to eat (many times too much). If the day comes when we cannot stay here, God will provide something else for us, a less expensive house or maybe a completely new situation/location. A friend recently moved into their first home ever (and at not that young of an age). They have the best attitude about it. She told me, "This is not our house, it's God's". And that should be true about all our "stuff". So if it is all HIS, then he can do with it what He wants. Who am I to go against His plan for His possessions? I just need to be listening to His leading and follow every step He takes. And if "my" stuff is the sacrifice in that Plan, then I must be willing to release my grip on it. Like Job of old, "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, BLESSED be the name of the Lord!"
But I've also found that the Lord is my Provider for ALL of life--not just physical needs. Like the beautiful chorus from Chris Tomlin,
All of You is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You is more than enough

This includes my emotional and spiritual needs. Lessons I learn now, will enable me to trust Him in anything that is to come. I need not fear the future; He provides what I need. My task in life is to eagerly step out on the path he puts before me. I will follow; I will trust my Jehovah-jireh!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

A Tale in Every Trunk


I was talking to my friend tonight and in the course of our conversation, we were talking about all the boxes of stuff in our houses. For her, it's stuff from her life, having moved a few times over the years. For me, I have stuff of my own as well as boxes from my mom's house. We were commiserating about having to "go through" them and clean out. But each item in each box tells a story; that's what makes it so hard to ditch. I was reminded of what treasures are in my parents boxes when I found letters written between my parents as my dad traveled on the road, often for weeks at a time. So many times he wrote lines to the effect of, "I don't have enough money to get to my next destination. I'll just have to trust God will provide." And sure enough, within hours often, someone in the church he was at would hand him $10 or $20 so he could get to the next series of meetings. I am often sad that I didn't take the time to talk to my parents more of their spiritual journeys through life. I am thankful that all the "junk" in the boxes lets me hear their story of God's love and faithfulness to them.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

A Great Read for 2011


Just finished reading "Pearl in the Sand" by Tessa Afshar. Wow, a really captivating book. It is the fictionalized story of Rahab who saved the Israelite spies in Jericho. Each page had me dwelling on some aspect of our relationship with God and others. I loved how the author portrays Rahab being drawn to the true and living God before she even understood anything about Him. God does draw us to Himself when we allow Him to speak to us. Each step of obedience to Him draws us deeper and deeper into the plan He has for us. I am convinced more each day, that all God requires of us is to choose His way over the way I would naturally want to react to events and people. Eventually, His way becomes the natural way to live. And what Peace and Joy follow.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Julia Child I'm Not


My favorite movie last year was "Julie and Julia", a wonderful film with food, writing and Meryl Streep. All things I thoroughly enjoy! I am not (nor ever will be) a gourmet cook, but tonight I tried a yummy recipe from Taste of Home magazine. I love this magazine because they have "real people" recipes. This one was called "Chicken Crescent Wreath". I actually had fun chopping up the red pepper, broccoli, onion, and water chestnuts into little pieces. And who doesn't love popping open Pillsbury dough in the tubes. When all the ingredients were mixed together it made such a lovely conglomeration of colors that it was like a holiday wreath. Final step--folding over the little triangles of dough over the mixture. What do you think? Look good enough to eat?






I'm happy to report, it was scrumptious! We enjoyed this meal along with Grandpa and Grandma visiting from Connecticut. Perfect meal for a perfect evening with family. For tonight I actually felt like I was a cook extraordinaire.


Here's the recipe for those who want to try it:
CHICKEN CRESCENT WREATH
2 tubes (8 ounces each)refrigerated crescent rolls
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Co-Jack cheese
2/3 cup condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup chopped fresh broccoli
1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1/4 cup chopped water chestnuts
1 can (5 ounces) white chicken,drained or 3/4 cup cubed cooked chicken
2 tablespoons chopped onion

Arrange crescent rolls on a 12-in. pizza pan, forming a ring
with pointed ends facing the outer edge of pan and wide ends overlapping.
Combine the remaining ingredients; spoon over wide ends of rolls.
Fold points over filling and tuck under wide ends (filling will be visible).
Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Yield: 6-8 servings.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

A Wish for 2011



I don't make New Year's Resolutions because they are always broken within a few weeks. My "plan" for this year is to blog a bit more than I did. For one, it really is a way of looking back and seeing how God has revealed himself to me and also what the real me was experiencing in this life on any given day. Having a mom who is losing all touch with reality and memory has made me value those life experiences even more. Like sipping tea with my very best friend that I don't get to see very often and talking about everything and anything. Like watching our 2 youngest sliding recklessly down a hill on toboggans. Like sitting in the silence of my living room in the predawn light reading how great God's faithfulness to His people is. Simple events but I want to remember them. And be grateful for it all.