Home Alone, Safe and Sound!

"I cried out to the LORD, and He heard me from His temple in Jerusalem. Then
I lay down and slept in peace and woke up safely, for the LORD was
watching over me."
-Psalm 3: 4-5 The Living Bible Translation

My husband travels a lot with his job. From our early days of marriage, his job would take him out of town for 2 weeks at a time as the organization he works for was moving it's headquarters to the Charlotte, NC area and he was assisting with the move. Now, he travels quite often, usually once a month anywhere from 3-12 days at a time.

I've had to get used to it, and with two small children, this can be very hard at times. You never realize how hard it is to parent until you have to do it alone. 24/7. Everything---meals, entertaining, baths, discipline. Whenever friends hear that I am single-mommying it, I usually hear these responses:

1. "How do you do it? I would go visit my parents for the week!"

2. "I couldn't do it. I would go absolutely crazy being alone for that long without help!"

3. "Don't you get scared staying alone? I would be terrified!"

Well, I would be lying if I didn't say that all of these haven't been true before and sometimes still are. To answer the first question, now that I have children, it isn't as easy to just pick up and go to my parent's or in-law's houses for the week as it was before I had them. The kids are involved in different activities and we have our weekly routines, although it is a lot easier in the summer time. And to add in the second question, yes it is hard at times with no help. Both of our families live at least 2 hours away, leaving us with no family in town. I have to mentally get in the frame of mind that I will be the only parent to these children for "X amount of days". I will say it usually gets harder at the end of the time that my husband is away, especially the last day, and the 4:00-7:00 hours of the day are pure chaos at our house, with the kids screaming or whining and me about to go over the edge! One thing that helps me and my attitude is to hire a babysitter for a night sometimes just so I can go out to Bible study or go run some errands---alone! I also try to have one thing planned to do each day so that we can get out of the house. We meet friends at parks, or just go to Target to walk around. A change of scenery and getting around other people is a big help!

The third question is the one I hear the most. There is something about the sun going down and the night entering into the day that takes down a person's guard and makes them vulnerable. I have to say that I do enjoy putting the kids to bed and knowing that I have the entire night to myself to do whatever I want. But there are times that I sit on the couch and see my dog's ears perk up as if she's heard something and I become a little bit paranoid. And the hardest part? Finally deciding to head on up to bed, while turning the lights off downstairs and walking up the stairs alone. This is when my mind has played tricks on me in the past and I wonder, "Is someone outside watching me through the windows? Do they know I'm going to bed now? ". See?! I would never think things like this during the day, but just because it's dark outside, my mind starts to think crazy things and I don't like it! Then I slip into bed, turn off the lamp on the night stand and usually say a prayer like, "Okay, Jesus. Get us through the night safely. Protect our house and watch over us! PLEASE keep us safe!". This all changed last November.

My husband was on a trip out of the country and our daughter had a school program that we couldn't miss. The babysitter came over to watch our son and after I gave her the instructions for the night, my daughter and I left for her preschool. As I backed out of the driveway, I noticed an old pick up truck parked near our house under a lamp post with just it's parking lights on. "That's kind of strange", I thought but went on my way. Once I got to the school, my mind was very uneasy and I sat through the entire school program praying that God would protect my son and our babysitter. What a relief when I got home and saw the truck gone and everything at home was safe. The next night around the same time, I went to go get our mail and the same truck was in the same spot in the same scenario as the previous night. Our neighbors across the street came home from work as I was getting the mail and they noticed the truck, too. We called the police to report it just as the car pulled away. Normally I wouldn't be scared, but the fact that it was there 2 nights in a row worried me a little. Plus...I was ALONE! That night as I went to bed, I left the outside lights on, the lamps on downstairs and placed our feisty chihuahua in her crate right by the front door. I hesitantly closed my eyes to sleep that night. How strange that the next night, I read these verses in the Bible before I went to bed:

"I cried out to the LORD, and He heard me from His temple in Jerusalem. Then I lay down and slept in peace and woke up safely for the LORD was watching over me." -Psalm 3:5-6

Talk about the Bible speaking at the right moment! It made me so happy to read that and I instantly felt so safe. That same week in my Bible study, the topic was on feeling safe. The passage was discussing that as humans, we go to great lengths to feel safe. We get alarm systems in our homes, we lock our doors and recheck to make sure, we carry mace with us as we walk through dark parking lots, we get dogs to protect us by barking if danger lurks outside. But as Christians, the best security we could ever have is GOD! The power we have just by asking Him to protect and watch over us is amazing. I've always known this but when I read that, with the experience I had had that week, it was like a light going off in my head!

When I told my friends about what took place last November, most of them said, "Donna! You are crazy to stay there by yourself. I would already be at my parent's house!" Believe me, the thought did occur to me. But I realized if I can't feel safe in my own home, with God watching over me and my children, where can I feel safe?

So, now when my husband travels and I turn off the lights to go to bed, I pray Psalm 3:5-6 asking God to help the children and me sleep peacefully and awake safely and I close my eyes knowing that we are safe in OUR home. My husband and protector may not be there physically, but our God is going to protect us with His hedge, as he always does. I know this to be true. If that doesn't make me feel safe and secure, what will?!

Love,

Donna

Thrifty Thursday ~ Free Lists

To celebrate ListPlanIt's 2nd Anniversary they are offering a FREE 1 week trial membership. The website features almost any list you can imagine. Their motto is "lists to put your world in order" and I couldn't agree more. I did the trial membership last month and really enjoyed it! A few of my favorite lists are:

• Babysitter instructions
• Chore lists (available from toddler to teen)
• Medications tracker
• Equivalent Measurements

My suggestion is to use the lists as a guide and tweak them to fit your family. My all time favorite list on ListPlanIt is the Weekly Cleaning Schedule!! I created my own to fit our needs. My goal is to do a few small tasks each day and by the end of two weeks my entire house is clean. I also added an "other" column to manage those weekly errands that remain the same each week. It has given me an easy, one stop glance of what I need to get done. I'm not overwhelmed and I feel a sense of accomplishment every day. Click here to see my Weekly Cleaning Schedule. Give it a try!

Household Duties

Wednesday In The Word: Hide and Seek

A friend sent me a video yesterday of a beautiful song of worship. I have listened to it at least fifty times. It is a rare song that captures your heart and takes you away to what seems like a safe place. The song, The More I seek You, sung by Kari Jobe talks about the more we seek the Lord, the more we find Him and the desire to just rest back against Him to hear His heart beat. You should definitely go to You Tube and listen to it, fantastic!

Today people everywhere are looking for safety and comfort.

The Bible says in Psalm 32:6-8

Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

From the rooftop:

You have a safe Hiding Place: His name is Jesus

You have the ability to pray and seek the One that provides safety

He can be found

He will instruct you and teach you what to say and which way to go

He will counsel you

He will watch over you

If you are at a point in your life that you need to experience a safe comforting place. Come to JESUS, He will be your hiding place and provide for you a peace that no man can manufacture. May we all remember to seek His hiding place before we go anywhere or to anyone else.
God Bless You.

Love,
Glenda

Training alonside our teachers

Moms:

I wanted to pass along some combined ideas I got from fellow moms on how to encourage your child's teacher. For the first week of school I put together a "survival" kit with the following content (all of it I got at Walmart, some in the travel toiletry section)

1) travel size Advil and Tylenol
2) small bottle of body spray (it is hot in Texas on the playground!)
3) chocolate
4) fun pen
5) creative sticky notes
6) Kleenex (personal size)
7) hair bands
8) tic tacs
9) first aid kit
10)throw away tooth brush
11)hand lotion
12) tide stain stick
13) note of encouragement!


Now, I know you can be creative. I put my stuff in a gift bag but I heard of an idea to get a small paint can from Home Depot and dress it up. I was also thinking about a cute bag that zips. Be inspired by what works for you!

The most important part is the note. I simply said thank you for giving your time to help in raising my son. I also told her I was praying for her today and throughout the year. Keep it simple but honest.

Enjoy being back to school!
Annie

Letting go of our babies...

Today was the first day of kindergarten for our oldest son, Michael. I didn't have many expectations for the day other than one less boy around my house making noise! To my surprise after dropping him off at school, coming home and sitting down the flood gates opened and my heart was broken. Five and half years flashed before my eyes and then I realized my little boy is on his way to becoming a man and fulfilling God's plan for his life. Whether his days are short or long, our time at home is over. Enjoy the moments with those little ones at home. I now understand in my heart all I was told by older women who advised me to enjoy this time.

The greatest comfort I have found in this day is knowing, trusting and leaning upon the truth that our God is ever present and all knowing. The Lord spoke to me and gave me Psalm 139 today. I sat down and substituted Michael and him in all the places it says I and me. I encourage you all to do the same for each of your children as you commit them to the Lord each day.

Changing seasons and eyes full of tears,
Annie

Psalm 139
O LORD, you examine Michael and know him.
You know when he sits down and when he gets up;
even from far away you understand his motives.
You carefully observe him when he travels or when he lies down to rest;
you are aware of everything he is doing.
Certainly his tongue does not frame a word
without you, O LORD, being thoroughly aware of it.
You squeeze him in from behind and in front;
you place your hand on him.
Your knowledge is beyond our comprehension;
it is so far beyond us, we are unable to fathom it.
Where can he go to escape your spirit?
Where can he flee to escape your presence?
If he were to ascend to heaven, you would be there.
If he were to sprawl out in Sheol, there you would be.
If he were to fly away on the wings of the dawn,
and settle down on the other side of the sea,
even there your hand would guide him,
your right hand would grab hold of him.....
look up the rest and write it out for your children

Fun and Easy Owl Applique

OK, so let me start by saying that I cannot sew. I can get a button on, and I can run a thread through a needle's eye ... and then a needle through some fabric--which is really all you have to know in order to do this here little project.

I saw this on a Web site--this one here--and bookmarked it, thinking, "I might could try that one day." And that day was today! (Please note that the cute outfits on the Web site are awesome, and I do realize that my project does not resemble the shirts on the site at all. LOL! I am a beginner's beginner. :o) )

I put this together during Kate's nap today, and took a little more time after she woke up to finish it (but not much, really)--and that includes looking for pieces of old clothing to cut up to use. (And that took some time!)

Anyway, I know it is very primitive and not polished-looking at all, but that's OK with me. I like how it turned out. It was really easy--that Web site includes the pattern and everything! Give it a try--and let me know how yours turns out!


What a hoot! Kate smiles because I bribed her with a lollipop.


Here's a close-up of the applique. The light pink is from one of Kate's old dresses (from Target that I got for, like, 75 percent off). The polka-dot material (and the pink beak) is from an old pair of play pants that I bought on consignment. The buttons were from my basket of random buttons. The black turtleneck bodysuit is from The Children's Place. Kate wore it some last year, but it still has a bit of room (and it is stretchy), so I think it will fit through fall.


We tried it with jeans and a denim skirt, too. Here is the skirt. Do you like Kate's pose? HA! She was watching her LeapFrog Letter Factory DVD, her current obsession these days. She LOVES that DVD!

Wednesday In The Word

What do you do when you feel unjustly accused, misunderstood, or when you are doing all you know to do and the deck just seems to stack up against you? I talk to many women that have retreated from relationships with others because they have been misunderstood one to many times or so they think?

If God is all about our lives being used to build His kingdom here on this earth, it can not be a healthy move on our part to isolate ourselves. There are times when brief periods of isolation are needed and are healthy, I know when our son died I spent quite a lot of time by myself for almost year. However, Christians can't get stuck there and we have to keep putting one foot in front of the other and moving down the path that God alone has laid out for each one of us individually.

I came across this passage in my devotion the other morning and it helped me, perhaps it will help you:

Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong;
for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.

Psalm 37:1-8

From the rooftop:

Fret means worry: Do not worry when people scheme against you

Do not be envious when it seems they are succeeding in their schemes

God's eyes are on YOU and if you have put your trust in Him, then He will make all things right

God's perception of the situation is perfect and He will move on your behalf perfectly

Be patient, wait on Him

Do not act on your own

I know that all of this takes great faith and discipline in our life but I have seen God work enough in all kinds of situations to know that His plans are perfect. I am praying for all of us that we will grow strong in our faith as we look to God to handle our problems instead of man.

I love you and hope you have a blessed week.

Glenda

Happy Saturday ya'll! Hope you're enjoying the last weekend before school starts (for some of you). :(

Mommy Marketing Moment
I have some fun news for anyone that LOVES jewelry and is ever planning to visit the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, NC. Remember this Mommy Marketing Moment about Amani ya Juu? Now, their items are available to you beyond their online store! That's right, you can purchase their beautiful, quality, handmade jewelry and support the women of Amani ya Juu at the Ruth's Attic Bookstore in the Billy Graham Library. Each item is reasonably priced and comes in a beautiful handmade bag. My mom recently picked up a beautiful bracelet for a birthday present and a HOT red bangle that I've been dying to get my hands on. I hear they have it in turquoise, too. It might be all I can do not to get one of each. If you beat me there, you better not buy them all up or I'm gonna get ya!

Savory Smackerel
Have any of you yummy cooks and die hard bloggers seen the movie Julie & Julia yet?!?!? Whenever you do, let me just tell you that you're going to be CRAVING a little diddy called Boeuf (Beef)Bourguignon. Our friend Elizabeth did her research and found the original Julia Child recipe, so for kicks, I'm going to spread the wealth. Please do let us know if any of you are brave enough to make this for Sunday lunch~all 45 steps! I'd love to hear how it turns out. If you don't happen to be brave enough, I'm sure Donna's SCRUMPTIOUS tried and true recipe for Beef Stroganoff will curb the craving in a pinch!

Boeuf Bourguignon a La Julia Child

SERVES 6

Ingredients
For the Stew
6 ounces bacon, solid chunk
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 lbs lean stewing beef, cut into 2-inch cubes
1 carrot, peeled and sliced
1 onion, peeled and sliced
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper, freshly ground
2 tablespoons flour
3 cups red wine (a full bodied wine like Bordeaux or Burgundy or Chianti)
2-3 cups beef stock (Simple Beef stock is posted on the site, unsalted and defatted)
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 garlic cloves, mashed (you may choose to add more)
1 sprig thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dred thyme)
1 bay leaf, preferably fresh
For the braised onions
18-24 white pearl onions, peeled
1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup beef stock
salt & fresh ground pepper
1 bay leaf
1 sprig thyme
2 sprigs parsley
For the Sauteed Mushrooms
1 lb mushroom, quartered
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions
1 First prepare the bacon: cut off the rind and reserve.
2 Cut the bacon into lardons about 1/4" think and 1 1/2" long.
3 Simmer the rind and the lardons for ten minutes in 1 1/2 quarts of water.
4 Drain and dry the lardons and rind and reserve.
5 Pre-heat the oven to 450°F.
6 Put the tablespoon of olive oil in a large (9" - 10" wide, 3" deep) fireproof casserole and warm over moderate heat.
7 Saute the lardons for 2 to 3 minutes to brown lightly.
8 Remove to a side dish with a slotted spoon.
9 Dry off the pieces of beef and saute them, a few at a time in the hot oil/bacon fat until nicely browned on all sides.
10 Once browned, remove to the side plate with the bacon.
11 In the same oil/fat, saute the onion and the carrot until softened.
12 Pour off the fat and return the lardons and the beef to the casserole with the carrots and onion.
13 Toss the contents of the casserole with the salt and pepper and sprinkle with the flour.
14 Set the uncovered casserole in the oven for four minutes.
15 Toss the contents of the casserole again and return to the hot oven for 4 more minutes.
16 Now, lower the heat to 325°F and remove the casserole from the oven.
17 Add the wine and enough stock so that the meat is barely covered.
18 Add the tomato paste, garlic and herbs and the bacon rind.
19 Bring to a simmer on the top of the stove.
20 Cover and place in the oven, adjusting the heat so that the liquid simmers very slowly for three to four hours.
21 The meat is done when a fork pierces it easily.
22 While the meat is cooking, prepare the onions and mushrooms and set them aside till needed.
23 For the onion, if using frozen, make sure they are defrosted and drained.
24 Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet and add the onions to the skillet.
25 Saute over medium heat for about ten minutes, rolling the onions about so they brown as evenly as possible, without breaking apart.
26 Pour in the stock, season to taste, add the herbs, and cover.
27 Simmer over low heat for about 40 to 50 minutes until the onions are perfectly tender but retain their shape and the liquid has mostly evaporated.
28 Remove the herbs and set the onions aside.
29 For the mushrooms, heat the butter and oil over high heat in a large skillet.
30 As soon as the foam begins to subside add the mushrooms and toss and shake the pan for about five minutes.
31 As soon as they have browned lightly, remove from heat.
32 To Finish the Stew:.
33 When the meat is tender, remover the casserole from the oven and empty its contents into a sieve set over a saucepan.
34 Wash out the casserole and return the beef and bacon to it (discarding the bits of carrot and onion and herbs which remain in the sieve).
35 Distribute the mushrooms and onions over the meat.
36 Skim the fat off the sauce and simmer it for a minute or two, skimming off any additional fat which rises to the surface.
37 You should be left with about 2 1/2 cups of sauce thick enough to coat a spoon lightly.
38 If the sauce is too thick, add a few tablespoons of stock.
39 If the sauce is too thin, boil it down to reduce to the right consistency.
40 Taste for seasoning.
41 Pour the sauce over the meat and vegetables.
42 If you are serving immediately, place the covered casserole over medium low heat and simmer 2 to 3 minutes.
43 Serve in the casserole or on a warm platter surrounded by noodles, potatoes or rice and garnished with fresh parsley.
44 If serving later or the next day, allow the casserole to cool and place cold, covered casserole in the refrigerator.
45 20 minutes prior to serving, place over medium low heat and simmer very slowly for ten minutes, occasionally basting the meat and vegetables with the sauce.

Bibles for Children and Lessons for (Kate's) Parents

This week, during a conference call, I was reminded of a very important truth about God's Word: "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." --Hebrews 4:12

God's Word IS living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword. I am guilty of taking the Word of God for granted--but remembering the truth about Scripture reminds me of what a gift we have in the Bible.

It is my prayer that Kate will one day appreciate the Word of God for the precious gift that it is. I am so grateful for the various Bibles and Bible storybooks that Kate already has, many gifts from family and friends. I wonder if she will one day comprehend how blessed we are to live in a country where we can read the Bible without fear ... where we can own several Bibles in our home and not worry about the consequences ... where we can carry our Bibles to church and out into the world and not be afraid of the ramifications.

Some Christians in other countries do not have such luxuries. Some fear imprisonment or worse for as they smuggle the Word of God into their homes and read and memorize it in secret. What a contrast to my life--one in which I will sometimes let several days go by before I read a word of Scripture. And one in which I can recite lines to movies and songs without hesitation and yet can't remember where a verse is in the Bible--or worse, not even recognize something as coming from Scripture. And I have been a Christian for years, so I have no excuse. Shame on me. I also need to be doing a better job of setting an example and of fostering a respect for God's Word in Kate.

Toward that end, I thought I would share some of Kate's Bibles and Bible storybooks with you--and please feel free to share with me your favorites for toddlers and children.



In the bottom row of the above photo, you will see two small New Testaments, which make such sweet baby gifts--and nice keepsakes, too. What better gift is there to give to others than the Word of God--which is a gift to us from God and something to be treasured. Next up is Read-Aloud Bible Stories, Vol. 1. This was a special gift from Kate's Aunt Cindy, Uncle Joe and family. It is a great book with big, colorful illustrations, which are fantastic! This book is ideal for preschoolers and younger school-age children.

In the middle is pictured The Jesus Storybook Bible. I first read about this book on my friend Bethany's blog. I had made a mental note to look into this storybook, but I had forgotten about it until last month when my friend Jennifer asked if Kate had this Bible storybook yet. I thought it was the one Bethany had written about, but I wasn't sure. Anyway, Jennifer went on about how great it is and how she uses it to teach a children's Sunday school class at her church, etc., etc.--and then she gave a copy to Kate for her birthday! What a wonderful gift!

Next is Children's New Testament: A Collection of Bible Stories. This is an Usborne book which I ordered when another friend of mine named Jennifer had an Usborne show. This is a great collection of Bible stories for older children (older than Kate, anyway), and the illustrations are good, too. I like how it has a variety of long and short stories as well. I couldn't find it online, so I don't know if this one is still available, but I did find The Usborne Children's Bible (which seems pretty popular) as well as a few other titles.

And now ... on the top row: The first Bible story book was my mother's when she was a little girl; it was a gift from her Sunday school teacher. What a treasure to still have after all these years! And to think ... the stories inside the book are just as relevant today ... and yet also as unchanged ... as they were when my mother was a child--and for hundreds and hundreds of years before that! The next two are board-type Bible books and are a good for Kate's current age, I think. She can physically handle them, and I don't worry about her ripping the pages, etc. Plus, I think the content is age-appropriate. Both of those were gifts--one from Sandra, a special family friend from my home church in Tennessee; and the other from Kate's cousin Kylie. Here is a picture of Kylie with her special gift for Kate when Kate was just a few weeks old:



Again, how blessed Kate is to have so many resources for learning the Word of God at her fingertips. Now it is up to Tanna and me to encourage her and to help her learn the truth of Scripture, which I hope will be her guide throughout her lifetime.

And in the process, I know that we will learn as well ... because the Word of God is living and active ... and sharper than any double-edged sword.

Additionally, as Isaiah 55:11 also reminds us, God's Word does not return void: "So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. "

Thanks be to God!

Wednesday In The Word: Highways

I have been on the road for the past few weeks. The last little adventure took me through Corbin, Kentucky. You may not know about Corbin but it is the very place that Kentucky
Fried Chicken started, if you are a southerner you may say, Praise God for KFC. The original
cafe where the Colonel fried his first piece of restaurant chicken is right there in Corbin and of course we had to stop and have some fried chicken for our trip. It was soooooooo good! As I was leaving the little cafe, which is a quaint white house that almost looks like a cottage, I read the plague standing right outside of the door. I was impressed and want to share with you what it says. It seems that when Colonel Saunders was 66 years old a highway was going to be cut right through Corbin, Kentucky. This road was going to present the Colonel with some challenges because it would take the traffic away from the main road that came right by his business and of course curtail his thriving business. It was at that moment that the Colonel decided to take the recipe for the spices for the chicken around the country and sale them to restaurants far and wide.
Immediately, I was impacted. The Colonel, close to retirement took the challenge in his life and figured out a way to make his business continue and be a success. My second thought was when it looks like a highway is getting ready to be built across your life and you feel paralyzed by it, take a deep breath and ask God about what opportunity He is unfolding in your life. You see, the Colonel could have closed his doors and gone home, everyone would have understood, but he didn't.
Is there a highway or obstacle in your life right now? Listen to what the Bible says:

Luke 3:4-6

As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God's salvation.' "

From the rooftop:

If you know Jesus, you know the one that takes any highway or crooked road in your life and makes it straight.

Your highways that seem to be blocking you right now may turn out to be the biggest blessings in your life

You will bless other people as you walk down the roads that God has set out for you

Never give up, Cling to Jesus

The way we would write our own story is not necessarily the way God will write it

I am praying for you and love you.

Persevere!

Love,
Glenda

A Special Trip to Toys R Us

Last week, we made a special trip to Toys R Us. Kate is a member of Geoffrey's Birthday Club, so she was ready to spend the $3 gift card Geoffrey sent for her birthday. (If your child isn't a member, I highly recommend signing up--just click the link above.)

I know Kate isn't old enough to fully grasp the concept, but it is important to me that she understand the importance of giving. And Operation Christmas Child is such a wonderful project for teaching that. I thought it would be nice if we used her gift card to buy something for our OCC shoe boxes this year. And so off we went to shop.

We looked around the whole store and saw several cute things. I found a few things that were marked down to around $3--but I thought buying three little cars would be perfect. Kate LOVES cars, so it is something she would enjoy giving to another child (I think, anyway). Plus, we could buy three with Kate's gift card. Perfect.

I picked up a few other things to buy, but I wanted the cars to be a separate transaction--an all-Kate transaction, so to speak. However, it turns out that our pre-tax purchase was a few cents shy of $3--so I had to run and get something else to buy because the purchase had to be at least $3 before tax to use the gift card. (Had I realized that in advance, then I would have combined our orders ... but our other stuff already had been rung up.) Anyway ... sorry that explanation was so long, but just FYI. :o) I picked out a little package of smiley-face mini flying discs because Kate also likes smiley faces these days.

In just a few months, we'll be packing our shoe boxes for children in need in another country. I hope they like the little cars--but, more important, I hope they know the love with which they are sent. Likewise, I hope Kate knows the joy that giving brings--and that she always will be generous in her giving, even when it hurts.

And may all children know the love of Christ, which is free to us all.

"Remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " --Acts 20:35


Shopping with her birthday card and gift card from Geoffrey


Picking out some toy cars


Time to check out!


Paying for the cars ... all by herself! :o) (Well, kind of--LOL!)

Remembering John Hughes

It's a sad day for Generation Xers everywhere. One of our best spokespersons--John Hughes--has died. He was only 59.

Hughes was a brilliant writer, director, producer. Even if you don't know his name, then you know his work--which includes classics such as "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "The Breakfast Club" and "Sixteen Candles." And who can forget the "Home Alone" and "Vacation" series--or the hilarious "Mr. Mom" from way back? Oh, and I can't not mention "Uncle Buck" or "The Great Outdoors," which I saw in the theatre with my siblings back in the day and which Tanna and I watched just the other night. I could go on with more titles, but you get the idea.

John Hughes' entertainment not only imitated life, but also life imitated (and still imitates) his entertainment. His work defined our generation. And his words live on in our vocabularies. Who doesn't know at least a handful of quotes from various John Hughes movies? (Maybe the Amish--maybe. (No offense to the Amish, by the way.))

For me, one film of his stands above the others. "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" is a movie that spoke to me even in middle school--and still speaks to me today. FBDO came out in 1986. I was in the sixth grade, going into seventh. I remember watching it on Beta with my brother when it came out on video. Before I entered high school, I pretty much had the film memorized.



A FBDO DVD was on our wedding registry. And I was so thankful to receive it as a wedding gift! I have an original movie poster--a gift from a relative from the movie's opening at a local theatre--and I had it matted and framed. Just a few weeks ago, I bought a music/jewelry box that features Seurat's "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte," the artwork featured in the movie's museum scenes. A magnet of the piece has been hanging on the fridge for years.

Likewise, I have ordered bibs and onesies for Kate that read "Save Ferris"--perhaps you've seen them. In fact, I just ordered some stationery with that same infamous line just the other day. No joke.

There are a lot of things about FBDO that resonate with me--and with the world. It's a film about living life to the fullest. About taking the time to enjoy your surroundings. About seizing opportunity. About friendship. And about having fun.

"Life moves pretty fast," Ferris says twice in the movie. "If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." So true, so true.

Thank you, John Hughes, for giving us such great lines ... such memorable characters ... such classic films.



I never met John Hughes, though I did have the wonderful experience of meeting Matthew Broderick--Ferris himself--twice while in New York City. I cannot emphasize how excited I was to meet the guy who brought Ferris to life. A photo taken during one of those chance encounters ended up as my Christmas card that year. People still bring it up today, some seven years later--because they, too, know and love Ferris Bueller. And many other John Hughes movies.

The world of motion picture will never be the same again. I don't know if John Hughes knew Jesus. It is my hope that he did--because I'd love to meet him (and Ferris) in heaven. His untimely death is another reminder that life, indeed, moves pretty fast. Death, it can be said, is like Christ's return--no one knows for sure the day or the hour when it will happen, except the Father in heaven. So we must be ready. And make the most of every opportunity. Kind of like Ferris might do.

Wednesday In The Word Will Be Back Next Week Blessings On Your Week!

Portion Control

Each day we eat approximately 3 meals and 2 snacks. If you were to take all the food you were to consume over a one year period and eat it all in one day you just couldn't! You would vomit. You would become sick and even possible die.

I bring this illustration up to get you to focus your mind on what a portion of food looks like. For each of us this may be very different. Male or female, young or old, active or inactive, all these factor play into the portion our stomach can handle. The same is true about out emotional and spiritual tanks. We are each at different stages of growth and maturity. The fact is God is the only one who can judge what enough is for each of us.

Shouting From the Rooftop (as Glenda from Wednesday always says :)

God knows you completely.

1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.

He provides all you need perfectly.

James 1:5-6 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

He is your portion

Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Life may consume you but God will provide what you need, as you need it, in the portion He knows you can handle. Relax, enjoy, rest in His care.