July 11, 2008
Just wanted to see if you still wanted to come visit J. Just let me know it is totally up to you! Did you get your job?
A
July 1, 2008
We picked up a new hobby, Rock Climbing. We decide to start rock climbing because our whole family could do it together and we love being outdoors. So, this weekend we went with my in laws. We picked the same site we have always been too, since we are new at this. Previously, I climbed up the 35 foot cliff after much debate and loved it once I got the hang of if and little C climbed about 10 feet. We were so proud. This time little C wanted to go first; we let him. After climbing about 10 feet we expected him to return down, but he did not, he kept climbing and climbing only to finally with (much joy) reach the top where daddy ran vigorously to meet him. The only problem is that we hadn’t taught him how to repel down yet. I climbed up after him and repelled down hoping he was watching. He did and with a bribe of Gatorade and a snack he made it down. We were so proud of him and he was very excited himself. Our youngest meanwhile was climbing his own small size boulders, and eventually fell asleep. Rock climbing has been like fresh air to our family. We have enjoyed God’s creation, we have spent time as a family talking, challenging, searching for critters, and simply enjoying family. It’s been a worth while investment.
April 10, 2008
So, my husband was putting our oldest son to bed tonight and was singing “Silent Night”. I know it’s not christmas but it is one of my sons favorite songs. When my husband finished C said, “Daddy we don’t sleep in peace, we sleep in beds.”
I just love children’s literal take on things!
April 9, 2008
So lately I have been severly convicted that my judgement of peoples lives in the 5 minutes I see them is absolutely horrid. I know this may seem over stated or something that you may not deal with, but I really have been convicted about viewing “that mom with her two unruly kids in the grocery store”. Really I just said unruly. Maybe “that mom” is having a rough day or maybe I am only seeing her children in that little window when the pressures of the toy world are caving in on that child. Do I need then to add to it by my thougths of “She should just drop everything take that kid home and give him a spanking.” Maybe this is her only chance to get groceries and dropping everything is not an option. And whose to say that in any given situation my sons would do the same thing. So, I am learning to stop and remind myself I am only seeing this person in the 2 minute window of their day and even their life.
Now, ever since this conviction I have been more willing to help, smile, and make an encouraging comment. How refreshing it is that the Holy Spirit convicts our sins and then helps us see the magnitude of them and then helps us change. Change isn’t easy but I am glad that God is so gracious to not let me alone as I am but keeps me changing, moving, and growing in His grace.
Glory To God!
March 25, 2008
There are days when I try to keep up and not get distracted. What I mean by this is not being distracted by all the things that come my way, i.e. laundry, phone calls, blogs… I really want to spend more time doing the things I set out to do, like reading the bible with C in the morning, and keeping up with his scripture memory, but I find that I am often selfish and want to just move on with the day and wait for daddy to come home. So, rather than lament and write of self pity which is what I have just done. I think I will think of more ways to pull those distractions out of my life and re-focus. Life is so short, I don’t want to waste my time.
February 26, 2008
I have lots of thoughts in my mind about much of what I have been learning. Mostly the Lord has been given me joy in being a housewife. The encouragement has come from lots of my mom friends at church and from a recent book I have read called, Passionate Housewives Desperate for God. The book is a wonderful exhortation of what I am called to be in this season of life. I highly recommend it. I have also been learning much about family worship, and family in general. Jeff came across an article today that was insightful and a blessing. https://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Articles/ByDate/1995/1560_The_Family_Together_in_Gods_Presence/
I have also been learning about the roles of men and women biblically through a series of dvd’s. The most thought provoking part so far has been the passage in Genesis 3 that says, and “Yet your desire will be for your husband.” I have always read that and wondered the meaning but often passed by and continued reading. A great theologian discuss this very section and said that this meant that the wife’s desire means, she has a desire to be embittered or set against. The Hebrew word of desire in that passage is only mentioned one other time in the bible and it also is sited to mean an embitterment. This has made me think and also made me fight more. I find that many times my husband comes home I want to be embittered. This week instead of being embittered I have asked the Lord to give me the strength to do battle against such a desire.
This season of life is to be treasure, to be met with joy, and with much prayer and laying down myself. Oh, how I have learned of my selfishness and of my habitual sins that I don’t want to pass down to my children. So I praise God for his mercy on my life and for giving me children, and godly husband, and his unfailing pursuit to change me. To God be the glory.
February 3, 2008
So I picked up a book today called Family Driven Faith, by Voddie Baucham, Jr. It’s has been wonderful. J and I have been wrestling through many of the issues that are addressed in this book. Although I am not done. I highly recommend you to read it. It will challenge you on the idea of what we as American Christians have compromised in our families to make them “social, athletic, wise, rich”…instead of giving them what God desires to be faithful, God glorifying young men and women. Whether God blesses us with more children, which I pray He does, may J and I be faithful to seriously look through God’s word and train our children to honor him, not a sport, an academic, a social arena, or any other thing above honoring him.
January 21, 2008
I read this article from my college roommates dad’s blog. It has caused me to think and I am grateful. Thanks Mr. Wileman
Sunday, November 11, 2007
The Problem with Balance
I’m a little skeptical of “balance” as a virtue. I understand that it has its place. Certain things won’t work without balance. But sometimes balance may be a euphemism for mediocrity.
This is what I mean: When something is really important, I don’t want balance. Soldier in a battle don’t seek balance–it’s a life and death struggle, so it take total commitment to survive. I’ve studied leadership for twenty years, and my experience is that great and exceptional people aren’t balanced. In fact, many have fairly extreme personalities. It’s the extremes that set them apart.
And when it comes to serving the God of the universe, who sacrificed His Son for our sin, I’m not so sure that we are called to balance. Jesus’ commitment to us was extreme. He gave His life so that we can be forgiven. I’m wondering if we should consider more extreme obedience and love in return.
Balance has its place, but when something is really important, there’s a place for the extreme.
January 12, 2008
You know you are a mom of boys when:
1. You sit down at night and realize that a batman sticker has been on your shirt all day and is still there.
2. You get in bed at night and you flip your pillow over to realize your pillow case has a big red truck on it (obviously not yours).
3. Your sitting in the bath tub trying to figure out where in the world is degobaugh (sp?) only to realize hours later that it is the place were Luke trained to be a jedi with Yoda on Star Wars.
4. You wake up in the morning to the tune of Star Wars coming from the room next to you.
5. Your house has a strange smell as well as your car.
6. Your biggest word used to converse through out the day is zoom.
7. You build garages out of blocks (not houses for people) for his cars.
8. You hear him ask you things like, “mom let’s wrestle”
9. You get a big kiss after you cook dinner!
These are just a few of the funny and sweet things I like about being a mom of boys. If you are a mom of boys you know what I am talking about. I praise God for boys and for the time to enjoy them.
