11.19.09
Eternal Perspective
This is a devotion from my friend Elise. It was a great encouragement to me and I’m sure will be to you too.
Gaining an Eternal Perspective
My dad doesn’t give much advice. And when he does give advice, it’s usually in the form of one of two phrases. At times, particularly during my teenage years, when some “tragedy” would occur (like so-and-so broke up with so-and-so and now she was mad at me because she thought I said such-and-such) and my world as I knew it was crashing down, Dad would gently remind me that though life seemed hopeless and our differences irreconcilable – “Life’s a long time.”
And other times when I came home all in a tizzy because, for instance, I was pretty sure that I had heard so-and-so say such-and-such about something that sort of sounded like it was about me, and therefore I was never talking to her again, Dad would listen and then gently remind me – “Life’s too short.”
As I’ve gotten older and reflected on his wisdom, I’ve learned several things. First, I’ve realized how ironic those two pieces of advice are. Second, despite how incompatible they seem at first blush, they’re really two sides of the same coin. Each phrase speaks of gaining perspective. Both have been used to remind me of my limited perspective on life. The first, “life’s a long time,” reminds me that I don’t have a clue what God is going to do during the course of a lifetime, or a day for that matter, and things may look differently sometime later on. The second, “life’s too short,” reminds me that life is too precious and too uncertain to waste time fretting about things that really don’t matter in the scheme of things.
And so, as it turns out, as usual, Dad is right (boy am I going to hear about that comment when he reads this – he may not give much advice, but that is not to say that my quick-witted dad is ever at a loss of words). Putting the two phrases together, Dad is encouraging me to gain an eternal perspective. He’s really saying, “Think about things that matter. Don’t waste time worrying about unimportant things.” Or, in other words, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:33-34. Or, put another way, “Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2.
As I’ve gained wisdom, and dare I say, perspective, in my old age of thirty, I so appreciate Dad’s nuggets of advice. “Life is a long time” to witness God’s miracles, and “life is too short” not to focus on those miracles every day.
11.18.09
And the award for worst mommy goes to…
Me! Me! Me! Pick me!
Tuesday night I was a single mom as Pat had to work late. While we miss daddy alot there’s usually nothing major that happens when I’m by myself with the kiddos. Well other than multiple meltdowns, injuries and Angel asking every ten minutes, “Where’s Daddy?”.
On Tuesday night right before bedtime Caleb decided to fill his pants. Angel was playing and so I grabbed Caleb and went to quickly change him. We often change them on our bed because it’s the perfect height. Me, being the idiot that I am, put Caleb on our bed. Not realizing that he not only had a poopy diaper but he had a blowout poopy diaper.
I should also mention that our bed has a white down comforter.
I take his diaper off and realize he’s got poop going all the way up his back and since I had layed him on the bed, poop is now all over the bed. Did I mention he’s laying on a white down comforter? Since he has a new found love of his you know what, the first thing he does is put his hands there getting them all poopy too.
At this point wouldn’t the sane, smart and good mommy just put the kid in the tub? Well not this mommy. I was being lazy and didn’t want to give them baths – they’d had them earlier that day at Grama’s house – and so I decided I’d just clean up Caleb with wipes. Unfortunately every time I would try to wipe I’d smear it all over, get it on my hand or smear more on our white down comforter.
I eventually decided that I would have to hold Caleb upside down by his ankles to get everything clean. And so that is what I did. Oh yes, I did. Never mind that he was screaming and probably asking God what He was thinking when He made me the mommy.
I persevered through the poop (and poor screaming Caleb) and got him all cleaned up. It only took me 14 wipes and will cost me 20 some dollars to get my comforter cleaned. But I guess every kid needs a poop story so that’s gotta count for something.
And the award for the dumbest person goes to…
11.17.09
Caleb, 11 months
~Caleb says “mama” and “baba” (for bottle). Um, ya, I’m going to list that first because it’s AWESOME! Pat gets a little jealous but will get his turn in a few months when Caleb starts to realize, like Angel did, that their dad is way more cooler than their mom.
~Caleb loves taking a bath (most of the time) but still stands up in the tub. Drives me completely insane. Needless to say his baths are very short.
~Within the last month he has discovered, well, um, you know. Oh my word. Stop with the touching all ready.
~He’s almost walking. He’ll walk along everything and will stand for quite a long time without hanging on. He’ll then try to take a few steps and get in about 2-3 before getting really excited – he’ll start to bounce and fall down!
~He’s the weirdest eater. Some times he’s really picky and won’t eat anything but instead throw everything on the floor. Sometimes he’ll eat whatever we give him. I have no idea what his favorites are – well besides chocolate – it totally depends on the day. He does seem to consistently like noodles, cantaloupe, ham, beans, corn, bananas and banana bread and cheese.
~Caleb is a great sleeper. Takes two naps a day (usually 1-2 hours each). By about 8:00 pm he’s ready for bed and sleeps until 6:00 am. He’s still taking 5-6 bottles a day.
~He loves to chase Angel around. It’s the cutest thing, he follows after her wherever she goes. He also loves to steal whatever she’s playing with. While I think it’s kinda funny, Angel certainly does not – it ticks her off pretty bad and usually ends up turning into a meltdown.
~He loves to read books. He’ll sit and listen to us read a book to him for the longest time. He prefers that over actually looking at the book himself but he’s been doing that more and more too. He also loves to have a bucket or some kind of container and put stuff in and then take it out and repeat about 476 times.
~He wears a size 5 diaper and mostly 12-18 month clothes.
~He grunts alot. And makes animal noises. Well one animal… “roarrrrrr” or some type of growl that I can’t really spell. I’m pretty sure he learned that from sister Angel.
~He points with both pointer fingers. He’ll point at the dogs mostly. But he’s also pointed at the picture of Gloria (one of his baby-sitters) on the fridge and then I say, “Is that Gloria?” and he’ll start laughing. He’ll also point at random things like trees and grunt.
~He’s mostly outgrown watching tv for any period of time. Although earlier tonight he was pointing at Dora on the tv. Usually though he’ll watch Mickey Mouse in the morning for a few minutes and then want to get into stuff.
~He loves music and likes to clap. To the beat. Definitely a future Pride of the Dakotas freak like his mom. 
~While Angel has for the most part outgrown her “terrible twos”, Caleb has begun to discover his temper and stubbornness. I’m pretty sure he learned that from his dad. He’s usually a pretty happy, content little guy but more and more he’s starting to get mad when he doesn’t get his way or doesn’t get what he wants.
~He’s got 4 teeth completely in – 2 up and 2 down. And then 2 more on the top that are half way through and I think 2 more right next to them that are just about to break through.
~He’s a cuddly cuddly bear. Especially in the morning he loves to cuddle and hug.
~He hardly uses a sippy cup. It’s not for lack of trying. Little stinker would just rather pound it on the table or throw it across the room.
~He’s very ticklish. And he’s got the cutest laugh. He’s just so scrumptious it about kills me.
11.16.09
His hands and feet…and wheels
This last weekend we went to my parent’s house. Just to get away and spend some good quality time with my family. But also to help them with a luncheon they put on for the teachers in their town.
They’ve done this luncheon for the past three years. The teachers have an inservice and my parent’s church provides a lunch free for the teachers. It’s a pretty awesome example of the body of Christ reaching out and being the hands and feet of Jesus.
The thing that I loved most was that they cared about every little detail. From the color of the napkins to the decorations to having an awesome menu. They served a baked potato bar, a taco bar, soup and dessert.
The line of teachers and staff…
Pat and my brother Jim working hard in the kitchen. Actually it looks like Jim is working hard and Pat is goofing off.
Cooking, serving and doing dishes…
It was a great day. We served about 100 teachers and staff and there were just enough leftovers for everyone to take something home.
The most amazing thing about this lunch is that there are only about 20 people in my parent’s church (but growing!). They’ve had some real struggles the past year and people have left. But about 20 people have perservered through it all and continue to serve and love and reach out to their community. And be the hands and feet of Jesus.
The rest of the day Friday we rested and then Pat (finally gave in to my whining and) went and bought the movie UP. We had seen it in the movie theatre and I knew it was one we wanted to have in our DVD collection. We watched it 6 times this weekend. Angel loves it so much. There are a few spots with mean dogs that I thought would scare her but she even loved that part. It has a great message too and is a good movie for kids and adults.
In addition to watching the movie and watching it again and again, we also…
Looked at the fish…
Spent some time at Aunt Nellie’s salon…
Cuddled with the duck. Not sure what it is with my kids and ducks!?
Ate brownies. And more brownies. And then some more.
Ate cinnamon bears. Just like Papa (my dad). Or as Angel calls them “teddy bears”.
I also got to celebrate my 36th birthday with my family. I’ll have to share a little more later about how this was the first birthday that I actually felt old. Well, I guess I just did, huh.
Anyway, while I’m very thankful for the time spent with my family, it probably wasn’t the most ideal birthday. First of all Angel had horrible nights both Thursday and Friday nights. Up all night. So I was so tired from that. And then our van broke down Saturday morning (my birthday). My mom and Angel ran to the store and when they went to leave they couldn’t get it started. So we got them home and then Pat went to work trying to figure out what to do, how to fix it, how we’re going to get home, etc.
Oh ya, my parents also rent their house out and there were a bunch of hunters coming to rent the house at 3:00 on Saturday. So we were also busy cleaning and getting ready for them. Well my parent’s were cleaning, I was trying to keep the kids from messing up the house anymore than they had!
Turns out the switch on the van broke and we couldn’t get a part until Tuesday. Our insurance covered towing so we got it towed to my sister’s house and Pat took it all apart but unfortunately, even though he is quite amazing, couldn’t get it working. This was going on late Saturday now and so my dad said we could take his pickup back to our house (two hours away). I’m not sure how we were going to get the van fixed or get him his vehicle back. But that’s just like my family – to give the shirt off their back – or their pickup – for someone in need.
Right before we were going to leave Pat decided to try something else. And sure enough he was able to get it started. There’s still something wrong with it but we were able to make it home. It was late Saturday night – my birthday – the night my hubby was suppose to surpise me with an awesome birthday date – or something like that. Instead we rented a movie and picked up Mr Goodcents subs and hung out at home and that was good too.
Even though I’m a year older and feeling it, it was overall a great weekend and I’m thankful for each day the Lord gives me! And hopefully each year I’m given I can strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus too (and wheels, if necessary).
11.15.09
Attempting to document a first
Today I was able to get Angel’s hair into pony tails for the first time. She looked so cute – although it’s completely breaking my heart that she’s so grown up! But anyway, I tried to get a good picture of her and as usual she had other plans:
That’s my girl.
11.12.09
Thankful Thursday
Today I’m thankful for…
~Soap. We ran out of bath soap at our house for two whole days. I thought it was some sort of tragedy and it felt pretty amazing to finally have soap again. But as I opened one of the 8 packages of soap that we had bought I thought of the millions of people around the world who don’t have soap. Not to mention the millions who don’t have running water or ANY water for that matter. Sometimes I get so very sick of myself and the stuff I have and the things I take for granted.
~My husband. He’s such an amazing father. And he’s an even more amazing husband. Every day he strives to serve me and show me that he loves me. He does a load of dishes at least once a day. He’s solely responsible for feeding and watering the dogs and everything else that needs to be done for them! He runs to the store, without complaint, every single time I ask him too (and I ask alot). He sends me texts that say “I love you” and “hottie”. Every day I see Christ in him more and more. Every day I am so thankful that God saw fit to redeem our lives and our marriage.
~Compassion bloggers. Molly. Kelly. Heather. Shaun (especially his post today). Keely. I’ve cried alot of tears this week as I’ve read their posts. They are in El Salvador with Compassion. I’m thankful for the work of Compassion and for the many people that sacrifice to help change the life of a child.
~Meredith Andrew’s song You Are Not Alone.
~This video message from Beth Moore. EXACTLY what I needed to hear!
~My Angel. And all my kiddos. Every single minute of every single day I thank God for blessing me with my December blessings.
~The shut down feature on my computer. Pat and I are off work tomorrow and we’re heading to my parent’s house later today for a three-day weekend! (I’m also thankful for work, for being off work, for my parents and for three-day weekends!) Woo hoo!
Stop over to Grace Alone for more Thankful Thursday.
11.10.09
Perplexed
Someone who I dearly love said to me tonight, “I’m perplexed.”
I thought that was an interesting word. One we often don’t use. And I wondered what God’s Word said about it.
1 Corinthians 4:7-9
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
The concordance in Pat’s Bible says this about verse 8:
Hard pressed is translated afflicted in 1:6. In the Greek text, an identical expression occurs in 7:5, where it is rendered “troubled on every side.” But in 7:5 Paul adds, “Outside were afflictions, inside were fears.” Thus every side means “inside and outside.” Yet Paul was not crushed, a compound Greek word from the words for narrow and space. Perplexed is derived from two Greek words: the word for no plus the word for way. Thus perplexed means “to be at a loss.” One is perplexed when one sees no way out. Yet Paul was not in despair, which means, “utterly at a loss.” As believers, we will face trials. But we must remember that God controls trials and uses them to strengthen His people. God’s glory is manifested through broken vessels, through people who endure troubles by relying on His power.
Wow, good stuff.
Now I don’t know about you but when I look at my life – and really consider the people and world around me – I’ve had it pretty cushy and the “trials” I’ve had to endure haven’t really been that perplexing or hard-pressing.
But still we all have circumstances in our life that cause us to be perplexed and hard-pressed. The one thing that stood out to me in Pat’s Bible is in verse 8 the word are is italicized. We are hard-pressed on every side. We are perplexed. Trials are going to happen. So how do we react?
Recently something happened that caused me to be perplexed and hard-pressed. I had a plan. It was a good plan. I thought it was God’s plan. Turns out that while it might have been a good plan, it wasn’t God’s plan. And so the first thing I did was throw my hands in the air allowing despair to take over. According to my crushed spirit, it was the end of the world.
What God so gently reminded me of though was that He still has a plan. I was looking at today which is just a tiny picture of the entire plan. Just because things didn’t turn out the way I thought they were going to or the way I thought they should doesn’t mean that God isn’t able to work through this circumstance. But it’s in His timing and not mine. While I’m waiting God calls me to not be crushed…to not be in despair.
While it’s not always easy – it certainly is freeing when I release my expectations and my plan to His perfect ways and thoughts and timing. I’m reminded that, um oh ya, I’m not in control. And it’s not all about me.
So while you might be perplexed or hard-pressed today, I pray that you aren’t crushed or in despair. I pray that you will be reminded that God’s glory is manifested through broken vessels, through people who endure troubles by relying on His power.
11.09.09
Before the snow flies
This weekend we went over to Pat’s mom’s house to let Angel play in the leaves. The one downside of our house is it’s in a new development. Which means very young trees with no leaves. Now yes, this is very nice when it comes to having to rake all those leaves. But when you have a two year old who wants to play in leaves, well it’s kind of a bummer!
But thankfully Pat’s mom has enough leaves for all of us!
At first Angel wanted nothing to do with the leaves. But she was interested in helping Grama Barb with the leaf blower.
Finally she relaxed a little and started to have some fun.
Covering cousin Stephi.
I think she was telling cousin Krissy to stop throwing leaves at her!
Hhmmm, where’d they go?
And even though my blue eyed boy didn’t really enjoy the leaves, he got to spend a little time outside too.
It was a fun day!
11.08.09
The I’m tired from a busy weekend and want to go to bed but still have to watch dvr’d Amazing Race so I’ll quickly come up with a lame list post
1. That’s gotta be the longest title in the history of the world. It’s the simple things in life people.
2. Pat and I watched Transformers 2 this weekend. I was a little confused becaues I didn’t realize it was part 2 but eventually I caught on. Kinda. Well, not really because I didn’t see part 1. It was a pretty good movie. Rather funny actually. I was pretty annoyed by Megan Fox’s outfit in the last part of the movie. She was wearing white pants. And they stayed white for a very long time even though they were running through the dessert in Egypt and getting shot at.
3. I’m watching The Next Iron Chef on Sunday nights on the Food Network. I’m not really loving it but it’s not all bad. I was very happy that tonight Amanda got booted (sorry – should have issued a spoiler alert). She creeps me out.
4. I felt very productive this weekend – well Saturday to be exact. We are trying more and more to get all our weekend work done on Saturdays so our Sundays really can be a day of rest. Which means I got all of my laundry done on Saturday! Woo hoo! That is such a major accomplishment for me. Now yes, as I type this there is still 1/2 of it left on our chair and ottoman that needs to be put away. But it’s all washed. That’s gotta count for something.
5. My baby boy Caleb is turning into such a big boy. He loves to brush his teeth – all 4 (almost 6) of them. Every morning he and Angel will sit on our bed and we’ll give them their toothbrushes and they’ll brush away. Well actually they usually just suck on the the tootbrush although Angel is getting better and better at actually brushing. After a few minutes we take the toothbrush away from Caleb and he screams.
6. We’ve noticed that Angel has started counting things. Every where we go. She’ll count trees and houses and pretty much anything that she feels like counting. Today on the way to church she counted all of us in the car – her, Caleb, Pat and me – which in her counting world is ten people!
7. I broke my butter crock. I’ve had it for at least ten years and the other day I accidentally knocked it off the counter and it shattered. My first husbands mom got it for me through Home and Garden and I went to their website but couldn’t find it. I’ve looked at every store I could think of but still can’t find one. I’ve found a few that you have to put water in the bottom and I don’t want one like that. And then Pat made the smart remark of “why don’t you just google ‘butter crock’?” Well because that’s why.
So then I googled “butter crock”. But all I could find where the ones where you need to add water at the bottom. It kinda has got me wondering if the butter crock I had was some super duper amazing creation. My butter never went bad and sometimes I had the same butter in it for over two weeks. Well, the search continues.
8. Speaking of my first husband’s mom – one thing she used to do was bring towels and blankets right out of the dryer and wrap them around us. I’ve started doing this with Angel and she absolutely loves it. I brought a big load of laundry out yesterday and wrapped a towel around her. She loved it so much that she proceeded to take every piece of clothing out of the hamper and try to wrap it around her and she’d say, “oooo warm” and then shake it (which in her mind is folding it) and then put it on the pile of folded clothes.
9. Conversation with Angel on the potty chair today:
Angel: Caleb’s baby.
Me: Yes, Caleb is a baby.
Angel: Me not baby.
Me: No, you’re a big girl.
Angel: Emma’s baby. (her cousin)
Me: Yes, Emma’s a baby. Do you miss Emma?
Angel: Ya. I miss Emma. (pause) I miss doggies.
Well ok then.
10. Man, I’ve got nothing for number ten. I can’t really end on number nine, can I? Well, I guess I just did.
Have a good Monday.
