Weekend reads

The Good Christian Girl: A Fable Great read. I might have called it "A Cautionary Tale" instead of "Fable".

Study in Brown: The End Thank you Tonia for these words. I will miss your blog.

Hospitality is not a dirty word"Simply stated, hospitality is loving people." Brilliant. I really, really, liked this.

Motherhood and Identity: Martyr is not spelled MOM All moms need this wake up call. Multiple times.

Happy weekend!

For good--in all things

My two oldest children are at sleep away camp this week. Everyone with more than one child knows that if you take even just one child out of the mix, it makes your work at home feel a lot easier. So, imagine my household with only three children instead of five!

Funny enough, my two oldest are my most quietest children. My second oldest is my peacemaker. The two older ones left at home are my loudest, and then you have the baby.

When I found out I was unexpectedly pregnant with my fifth child, I asked God, "how can I do this? I already feel overwhelmed, I can't do more children."And as He is, He was gracious to me and gave me the grace I needed in the situation. One year ago today my baby boy was born and as they say: "I can't imagine my life without him."

Funny thing is, God puts people in your life for a reason. If you ask Him to take them away from you, and He doesn't, then you have to accept His will in that situation. (By no means did I ever ask God to take my baby away from me. I just had to pray to accept the pregnancy--just to be clear!!!) Romans 8:28 says: "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."

In this we find comfort. That annoying person at work you see everyday? God works for good.

That friend you just don't understand but God keeps saying--"love them"? God works for good.

That child who challenges you? God works for good.

Not having my oldest here, I miss the extra set of hands to help me with laundry, to clean the kitchen, to ask in her sweet voice, "Mom, do you need help?".

Not having my second oldest here, I see what a peacemaker she is with her siblings, as well as I miss the peace her presence brings to our home.

So, while some of the burden is lifted, I can see how God works for good every single person in my family, every single child I have been blessed with, every single person in my life.

And I will give thanks.

photo by Blue Lily

Etsy love

My daughter opened her etsy shop:

Nizhoni Ribbons

Check it out!

My good friend Eve makes beautiful things and also has an etsy shop:
Children of Eve

I ordered a couple of pillows from this etsy shop for my living room:
Leslie Janson
Love, love, love them. She has beautiful things in her shop. I also found out she lives near me and I hope to visit her workshop at some point!!

I am in love with the necklaces in this shop!

I love the lip balm sold in this shop!

What etsy love can you share??

Inner rest

Keeping busy is one of our culture's greatest pastimes. But keeping busy although seemingly "American" and a good thing can also get in the way what is really important. 

What I have found in my own life is that there are neccesary steps to keep yourself from busy-ness. I do not have this "under control" by any means, but I have been on the unhealthy side of busy-ness and know the consequences as well as I have worked really hard to get to a place of continual balance. (And it *is* continual balance--for I always have to work at it and it will never just *be*)

Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Church in New York City says:

"One of the key themes in the Bible is Sabbath. Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:27-28)--the Lord of Rest!! Jesus urges us to come to Him because "I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28-30) and no one else will."

How do you get to "Sabbath"--"rest"?

1. Trust Him. Don't "do"--just "trust". Of course we must be obedient to Him, but sometimes being obedient to Him means we say--"Ok, Lord, I am not "doing", I am "doing by trusting".  

Instead of doing everything you think you need to be doing (busy, busy, busy), let go of some of this and trust.

2. Be still. Keller says, "External rest of the body is impossible without inner rest from anxiety and strain." I would venture to say that the opposite of this is also true: What are ways you can slow down to hear Him better? To have the opportunity to give your anxieties to Him. With a slowing of the body, becomes a slowing of the heart.

3. Meditate on Christ's finished work: (Hebrews 4:1-10) Tim says, "It takes deep work in Christ's finished work for your salvation to avoid over-work."

4. Let go. Must you get it all done? Must you think you should? Remember the loaves of bread were multiplied with Christ's power. Let His power work in you to get things done. Let go of that mental work inside your head, "I have to do this, to make this happen.." The Lord does what He wants, when He wants regardless of us. Amen?

The Consequences of No Rest:

1. In Deut. 5:12-15, God ties the Sabbath to freedom from slavery. Anyone who cannot rest from work is a slave--to your own need for success, to your children's need for success, to your family's need for success,  to the materialistic culture, employers, or all of the above. 

2. Over-stress

3. Burn out

4. Depression

5. problems with relationships

The Sabbath means to regularly cease from, and to enjoy the results from, your work.

In what ways can you do that this week to enjoy inner rest in Him?

How can you take a Sabbath?

Related:

On being busy or being full: how can we tell the difference?"
Three ways to rest today...."

Rituals

My morning ritual includes coffee, sitting in my favorite chair, reading a devotional, and doing my morning prayer. Pretty soon after that the baby wakes and everyone is downstairs and the morning rush begins....

Few words....

{almost walking baby}

I am enjoying every little bit that summer has to offer. Even enjoying the 90+ degree heat here in New York. My sweet baby will be one year old next week, and I will be turning a year older next week as well! There is so much to enjoy about summer. And since winter is my least favorite season, I plan to embrace as much warm weather, fresh food, outside living, beach, pool, and vacation as I can.

We will be checking things off our Summre list, and I will be (hopefully!) documenting it all with many pictures and few words. At least, that is my plan. (However, I reserve the right to become wordy at any time! ;)
Hope you are enjoying your summer!

"Musts" in the bedroom

I've been redecorating my bedroom over the past 6 months, slowly but surely. Choosing paint colors, painting, getting new bedding, rearranging furniture. Thinking about what makes my bedroom a sanctuary in my home. I am by no means an expert on decorating bedrooms, but I have some thoughts on some "musts" in the bedroom:

1. It must be a refuge. Everything in its place, and everything has its place. No dirty laundry draped over unused treadmills. (I'm guilty.) Make it pleasing to the eye: no clutter, no mess. And please, if it doesn't belong in the bedroom, get it out of there! (I'm thinking treadmills, work desks, bills.....)

2. It must have good lighting. Dim lamps. Candlelight. Lots of sunlight in the day. No glaring overhead lights or fluorescent lighting! The horrors! This is your refuge!

3. It must have a good bed. When my husband and I bought our bed, we decided we were going to spend some money on it. I mean, you spend half your life in your bed, why not make it comfortable? Good mattress. Good, comfortable sheets. cozy comforter. It doesn't take that much money. Just some thought.

4. A lock on the door. For some quiet time with your husband. ;) Or if you want to lock your children out for a little while so you can regain sanity.

5. Whatever makes you happy. I love scented candles, pictures of my babies, a stash of popcorn and sour patch kids beside my bed. I'll say it again: this is your refuge!!!

Related: The peasant princess project: Bedroom makeover

What are your "musts" in the bedroom?

Friday five

1. Summer has gotten me in the kitchen, using all of the delicious fruits and veggies in season. I found a great deal on organic basil at the grocery store and made batch after batch of pesto. Yum!

I'm inspired to try to make my own pasta after reading this post.

2. We took our first of many "summer trips" over the Fourth of July to Utah where a lot of my husband's family lives. It's never "relaxing" but always fun visiting the many friends and family we have there. I have to say Utah does the Fourth right! Family, fireworks, food and fun.

3. This recipe looks so yummy.

4. While in Utah, I got to see Elise again. Such a treat. She wrote a whole post about me!! And I could never match what she wrote so beautifully. So go read it. There is just something to be said for someone who knows you and knows your heart and understands you. It's so rare to find. It's so wonderful to feel understood.

5. My oldest daughter is working on an etsy shop. She makes beautiful ribbon headbands for girls. I will be sure to let you know when she gets it up and running so you can support her! ;)

That's it for now. Have a wonderful weekend!!

Mama Monday

Today's featured "Mama" is the wise and witty, simple-livin', articulate Amy Scott, from the fabulous weblog

 Amy's Humble Musings.

Amy's blog was one of my first introductions to blogging way back in '05. I loved her witty musings that also had a wise edge.Posts like Thinking outside the box, Live well on less, and Right where you are all influenced me immensely, and her humor as in the oldie but goodie: Hatching melons

made me laugh out loud.

So this combination of intriguing writing soon made me an obsessed reader. (*smile*)

I love Amy. And I've never even met her. But I know we'd be BFFs. Right, Aimes? ;)

Ladies, I bring you AMY:

1. greatest thing about being a mom:

Cards, kisses, and a reason to have econo-sized Flavor Blasted Goldfish in the house.

2. hardest thing:

When they throw up at 2 a.m. and don't coordinate their efforts to get sick at the same time. It can drag on for a month at our house.

3. how do you find balance in your life:

I do not know one person who would agree that I have found balance in my life. But if you are asking what I do when I am losing it? We put a jacuzzi tub in our new farmhouse even though it didn't fit, and I wish I had it done it five kids ago.

4. hobbies/interests:

The economy, the piano, and my love crushes: Jack Bauer and Ron Paul.

5. life with six children is--

going to be worth it in a few more years. It's just hard when they're all young. I'm not a good "baby" mom. Of course, I've never experienced a baby who just "sat there" so maybe that's different. I'm really getting better at this as they get a little older. I think you have to enjoy each stage, but admit too, that some stages are just more conducive to your personality than others. But that could be the deep scars from hyperemesis talking.

6. favorite blogs or websites

The Market Ticker

7. I couldn't live without--

my husband Greg.

8. favorite thing to do with your family

Go to the ball field

9. favorite food

Chicken Bryan with zucchini and house salad (hold the celery) at Carrabba's.

10. favorite treat

I think real food is a treat, and so I didn't get fat on cake and ice cream. I got fat on the dipping oil at Carrabba's, the Chicken Tikka Masala at Taste of India in Melbourne, and the chips and salsa at the now defunct Don Pablos. Why I was still fat in Kentucky, I don't know because they only have Taco Bell and Pizza Hut in my town. And that's just gross. Good food is one of God's common graces in life.

11. 3 books that changed your life (besides the Bible)

Stepping Heavenward and Elisabeth Elliot's books (whom my youngest daughter is named after) because it is how I met Jesus.


12. parenting "epiphany"

I no longer say, "My kid will never do that." Instead, I think inside my head that my kid wouldn't do that and get away scott-free.

13. verse that comforts you

Because I am a sinner, I John 1:9.

Amy's six beautiful children

Yes, this is her farm.

Son McGregor and a real live cow!!!

Thank you Amy!!!!!!!!

Ages and stages

There are two stages of childhood that I haven't quite figured out: the newborn stage and the teenager stage. And then there is the adult stage, which has nothing to do with childhood, but is for another post. I just don't get adults sometimes. They are supposed to act like adults, but, well....sometimes they don't.
Same with teens. They want you to treat them like an adult--to let them go and do and have more freedoms and leave them alone, and yada yada yada, but then they go and do something like make fried chicken in your kitchen and leave the mess in the sink and all over the counters, while you are at the pool with 4 young kids, and you come home and find it, and your exhausted and you just can't believe that someone who seems so mature could do something so.....selfish and immature. I'm just sayin'. But--adults can be so immature, too. (Didn't I say that?)
Newborns are this sweet, warm, yummy bundle who squawks and smells so different (but so delicious) and sleeps all these odd hours and can't see your facial expressions and wants to nurse all these odd hours and you are totally taking care of this being on pure instinct and to a person who likes to know and plan, well this is just plain hard.
I'm just sayin'.

So, what am I saying?

I feel more comfortable with ages 6 mos to about 10-11 years old. They are more predictable (somewhat) and you are not running to the Lord for every single thing you don't understand (not a bad thing at all, just so against human nature--my human nature) and you understand them, and you can see clearly that they understand you, and they want to please you, and it's not so complicated and out of your hands.....
So. That's my thoughts today on this Sabbath.

But they were not willing

Five of the saddest words in the Bible are: "But they were not willing."

Psalm 81:11—“But my people would not hearken to my voice, and Israel would have none of me.”
Isaiah 28:12—“This is the rest by which ye may cause the weary to rest, and this is the refreshing; yet they would not hear.”
Proverbs 1:24—“Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded.”
Jeremiah 13:10—“This evil people, who refuse to hear my words, who walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be like this belt, which is good for nothing.”
Isaiah 65:12—“When I called, ye did not answer; when I spoke, ye did not hear, but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that in which I delighted not.”
Proverbs 1:24—“’Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded.”
John 5:40—“And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life.”
"I WOULD--BUT YE WOULD NOT."
(Matthew 23:37; Luke 19:41)

Living in relationship with others can be so difficult. We have expectations for how they should behave--our husband, our children, family, friends. And if they are Christian, then our expectations are raised to even a higher level. And when they disappoint, it is devastating, and well...disappointing.

But these sad verses in the Bible remind me that men even reject God. Christian men and women. And how devastating and disappointing that is for the Lord. And He knows how we feel when others disappoint us.

Weekend reads

When you can't quite figure out how to live your best life
Savoring these words today. Making every effort to choose people over "have-to's". Relationships over......whatever. Realizing that what we choose to do speaks about what we really care about in life.


I'll be on a brief blog hiatus. Enjoy your holiday weekend!