TGIF? I don't think so!

Okay, too many more Friday afternoons like this one and I'm boycotting Fridays from here on out! We just got back from the clinic. Mark is sporting 2 shiny new stitches in his right hand. Remodeling strikes again. Oh well, he won't need another tetanus shot for 10 years.
On another note, yesterday when I was having a bad attitude about work and life in general, God brought to mind, "WHATEVER you do, in thought, word or DEED, do ALL to the glory of God." So there I was, cleaning up after those who had cooked before me at work (I'm work in a school kitchen, low man on the totem pole, so it's my lot to clean up the messes most days, although one day I do get to make them myself...) and I'm thinking, ugh, right, and wondering if there will be dirty dishes in heaven. I'm sort of thinking there might be, what with a banquet going on and all. So I got over it, and moved on with life.
So there it is. Another slice of life.

Hee-hee

For a great stress reliever, click here, then click on the nose.

Wow, again...

Okay, so I have this counter on my blog which tells me where in the world people who visit my blog are from. Some come up as "unknown," but I think I have those pretty much pegged as from my parents. Don't know how they're listed as "unknown" but oh well. There are others that interest me, though. Like there's someone from Englewood, CO who's been on from time to time, not to mention those who flip through and spend no time, because apparently I'm dull and not interesting enough for some international person to take note of me. Whatever.
I just mention it because I find it intriguing to see where in the world there are people sitting by their computers and happen to stop by to visit little old me. That's all.

Fearfully and wonderfully made

No matter how you put it, God made the human body quite amazing. I think it takes more faith to believe in evolution than intelligent design! I received the following in an email, and thought I'd put it here for your enjoyment and amazement...

Human Body Facts

The human body is a machine that is full of wonder. This collection of human body facts will leave you wondering why in the heck we were designed the way we were.

• The largest cell in the human body is the female egg and the smallest is the male sperm.
• You use 200 muscles to take one step.
• The average woman is 5 inches shorter than the average man.
• Your big toes have two bones each while the rest have three.
• A pair of human feet contain 250,000 sweat glands.
• A full bladder is roughly the size of a soft ball.
• The acid in your stomach is strong enough to dissolve razor blades.
• The human brain cell can hold 5 times as much information as the Encyclopedia Britannica.
• It takes the food seven seconds to get from your mouth to your stomach.
• The average human dream lasts 2-3 seconds
• Men without hair on their chests are more likely to get cirrhosis of the liver than men with hair.
• At the moment of conception, you spent about half an hour as a single cell.
• There is about one trillion bacteria on each of your feet.
• Your body gives off enough heat in 30 minutes to bring half a gallon of water to a boil.
• The enamel in your teeth is the hardest substance in your body.
• Your teeth start growing 6 months before you are born.
• When you are looking at someone you love, your pupils dilate, they do the same when you're looking at someone you hate.
• Your thumb is the same length of your nose.

(Now I KNOW you are placing your thumb on your NOSE, aren't you?)

Quite something, isn't it? You are NOT an accident!

Sinking

Here I am, on the verge of tears and feeling quite hopeless. I hate this feeling. MOney is too tight, job is too uncertain, and my husband is down, too. God is refining me, I can feel it, but I'm still in tough shape.

Okay, maybe not

The official word from the radiologist is that there is no break... So I took off the splint. It's still sore for her, but we'll ice it yet and perhaps wrap it with the ACE bandage. Perhaps it's just a bad bruise. Let's hope it feels much better by morning!

Busted!

At least we think it is. The radiologist will have to let us know for sure. Leah injured her thumb on the playground yesterday, and though it was all an accident, I think the other kid feels pretty bad, she's a good friend and they were having a lot of fun! Anyway, after "stablizing" it overnight with a small splint we had in the house and giving pain meds so she could sleep, this morning the thumb still looked pretty bad and felt bad, too. Bumping it was misery for her. So off to the urgent care clinic we went this morning for a routine x-ray and examination. Sure enough, the doctor on duty saw something, even though it was aligned good, he made a splint for her and sent us on our way. They'll call Monday with the official result. Sigh. Perhaps we'll make our deductible this year after all. Thankfully, with the splint on she seems in much less pain, so it is all worth it. I hate it when my kids hurt.

On another note, Hannah's first drill team performance was last night at the football game. They did a good job after only 3 weeks of practice! It was a lot of fun to watch.

Married with children

I've often heard that when a married couple is out on a date they should not talk about their kids. But why not? My husband and I have tried this, and honestly it doesn't work. But when we "allow" the topic, we've found that other topics blossom from our conversation, and we end up having a great time in which we feel we've drawn closer. So my advice is about any topic of conversation is game, but to temper any "criticisms" with "I feel like..." and remember that the "attackee" needs to take time to completely understand the "attacker" before launching into defense mode. A helpful way of remembering this is called the Speaker-Listener technique. It seems silly and trite when you're in the middle of it, but the sense of knowing you're truly understood by your spouse is priceless. I challenge you to take the time to master this technique, participate in a workshop, your marriage is worth it! (And so are you!)

Listening to the sounds of life

As I sit here right now, Leah is practicing piano. (It was "This is My Story" now its "My Country tis of Thee" she needs to check her key signature, there's sharps missing somewhere!) I pointed it out to her and received a groan... :-)
Hannah is quietly homeworking on the floor, getting ready to attend a youth group function which she doesn't get to go to if she isn't finished, now I hear her say "done." Whiew, weeping and gnashing of teeth avoided for tonight at least!
Peter is stuffing balloons into a small Coke bottle, go figure.
I'm clickeyty-clacking on the computer keyboard, posting this nonsensical thing.
Mark's reporting what is in the paper this week from our school--Leah's class trip to the pond.
That's about it, our slice of life for the day.
Ho-hum

Being Honored by God

James 4:10 – “When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor.”

Isn't that an awesome promise? Honestly, I don't know what being honored by God would look like, but I don't think it necessarily has anything in common with what people might consider honor. God's definitions and ours are too often polar opposites, aren't they? But I do cling to this promise, and I do admit my complete dependence on him, and realize that when I try to take matters into my own hands I mess them up beyond all recognition.
God is good, and for whatever reason, he is good to me.
Here's the same passage from The Message:

James 4:7-10So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.

Wow. Right where God wants me is at his feet, I can handle that, I really can.

A prayer

This prayer was written by my 9 1/2 year old daughter, Leah. What a joy for a mom to get a glimpse into her child's heart for God...

Dear God,
I have sined many times, and you forgave all of them. I am so glad
that you created the earth just for us. I love you. Please take me
to heaven with you. Please have Abby move back to S____ C____. So we can have lodes of fun together. Like we used to. I can't wait untill I go to heaven. OXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
AMEN.

I love watching my kids grow in their faith walk with God. Thank you, Lord for your faithfulness in spite of my faults. I love you, too.

(I kept all her spellings just as she wrote them, it makes it all the more precious to me.)

The book is out!

You can look for Nicole Baart's Book After the Leaves Fall in stores now! It is out! Enjoy!

Stomach Turning

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18IKmx6wsYk

Coming soon...

I've always featured a link on my blog to Nicole Baart's website. She's a debut author with Tyndale. Her book, After the Leaves Fall, is being released on October 1, 2007. In conjunction with the book's release, she's doing a blog tour, and this blog is one of the stops! So if you'd like to ask Nicole a question via my blog, she'll be "here" during the week of October 22 to answer them. I had the privilege of being allowed to read the manuscript last summer, and am in the process of re-reading the advance readers copy to get ready for this tour.
The book is a coming of age story, is very real, and you as a reader truly come to care for Julia as she struggles through a tumultuous adolescence searching for her true self. I highly recommend it! Local bookstores will be carrying it, but you can also order it through Amazon or Target's website. I hope you'll enjoy this great read and join me at the end of October to ask questions. You can also contact me with your questions at mom2hpl@hotmail.com and I'll do my best to include them.

Comforting truth today

Today's verse,

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” (Isaiah 46:4)

is such a comfort. Life is a little out of control right now, new high-schooler, new jr high-er, new school year, old job, house upkeep, tuition bills, medical bills, upkeep bills, you get the idea. Peace is hard to come by it seems, but then there's today's promise and I know in the depths of my being that it's true. God is my creator, he has sustained me in the past, and will continue to do so even to my old age (some days I feel it's closer than others still, but...). Knowing he's carrying me is a lifeline I won't let go of.
High schooler's home, I'd better go re-introduce myself!

Pet Potato (God does have a sense of humor!)

Dug up potatoes recently, here's an interesting character!








Say hello...
Roll over...
take a bow!!!













It seems we have interesting results whenever we plant potatoes. When we tried them in our first garden we planted like 12 plants and ended up with 12 football size potatoes! And it was just the two of us then, so there was no way we could even eat ONE at a meal! LOL! It was hilarious! It took us a long time to dare plant potatoes again, but we did last year with success, so decided to go for it a little more this year. Peter was absolutely captivated by this one, and unless I took pictures (and published them here) he probably wouldn't let me cut it up to eat! So hopefully this suffices for the memory's sake.


I find it so intriguing when things grow like this, it just proves to me that God likes things interesting and unexpected, too, and likes to see how we'll react to His little jokes. Not all unexpected things are funny by any means, but it sure is nice when you dig up a potato and find it has a personality!

My Marriage, My "Fit"

I just read this article from Family Life Today and I was struck with the blessing of what my marriage really is. In a day of being told it's all about me (and sometimes even jokingly saying so) a solid marriage is becoming harder to come by. I feel so grateful to have one, but also know that I should never take it for granted. I must work at my marriage's strength, in big ways and small ways. Respecting my husband isn't always easy to show, though I do feel a lot of it for him. I need to keep in mind that expression of my feelings is important, and supporting him through his efforts is vital. Am I simply stroking a man's ego? No, because when he feels my respect for him, I feel his love for me. The security of another person knowing how I feel and offering the support I need at just the right moment is more than priceless to me, it's as needed as the air I breathe.
So for the record, I love you Mark, and you have my undying support, whatever the Lord brings our way.

Train up a Clown?

Peter began a new phase of his life the other day. We always knew he was a ham and truly just wants to make people laugh and like him, so I guess now he's taking it to the next level. He's made a new friend in one Ditzy the Clown. She's training him to be her helper for our church's upcoming Hallelujah Party on October 31. He's doing a great job! He took to balloon sculptures and is starting to get the hang of spinning plates. He's so looking forward to it! We're excited for him. But if you see him that night, he won't answer to anything but "Pitzy"

Bullying---ARGH!

Bullying is a tough issue. I have found that sometimes my child is on the giving end of it, but mostly on the receiving end. So I had my child read this article on how to handle it. I hope there is enough strength inside to execute the principle taught in it.
Another part that I struggle with is the part of knowing the parents of the child who is doing the bullying. It's hard not to shout at them, "Tell your kid to leave my kid alone!!!!" Which I know won't help anyway, and will probably make matters worse. Ugh. Whoever said parenting was easy, huh?

Could High School Days Get Any Fuller?

And I already know the answer is yes, because I've talked to others who have it more busy than I do...
Anyway, Hannah came home announcing that she made the drill team. Early morning practices, here we come--hope they have their mojo on!

When I say "I am a Christian"

- by Carol Wimmer

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not shouting, "I've been saved!"
I'm whispering, "I get lost! That's why I chose this way"

When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't speak with human pride
I'm confessing that I stumble-needing God to be my guide

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not trying to be strong
I'm professing that I'm weak and pray for strength to carry on

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not bragging of success
I'm admitting that I've failed and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't think I know it all
I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible but God believes I'm worth it

When I say, "I am a Christian," I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name

When I say, "I am a Christian," I do not wish to judge
I have no authority--I only know I'm loved

Copyright 1988 Carol Wimmer

Some Days, I just don't want to!

So all my housework is staring me in the face, we went away for the weekend to a wedding then on to Minneapolis, and the laundry is mounting. I usually try to clean house before we go anywhere, but I didn't get that done this time. Therefore I also have a pit of a home to make presentable today, plus I should get to the grocery store before my coupons expire today. Ugh. I just want to sit and blob and finish my knitting project that I almost got done over the weekend. Of course it doesn't help that I was up half the night with Leah who has a sore toe that kept her from sleeping (consequently it kept the rest of us from sleeping as well...). Boo-bah and ho-hum and all those other words that express a sense of utter blahness.

Monday Night Football

Dordt Style! History was made tonight, as Dordt College played their first ever football game. It was exciting to be a part of it! Who cares if they lost? They've got a GREAT defense!!!! (I do know a bit about football after being married to a Seahawks fan for almost 18 years...)

Gaining (or Losing) Ground

Yippee, small steps, but I stepped on the scale and found that the number didn't go quite as high as it did the last time. I know things can fluctuate, but I'm encouraged to continue on and keep being extra-conscious of what I put into my mouth, if I REALLY need it or not.

Comfort in music

Cademon’s Call – There Is A Reason

From the album – Overdressed

Late at night I wonder why
Sometimes I wonder why
Sometimes I'm so tired
I don't even try
Seems everything around me fails
But I hold on to the promise
That there is a reason

Late at night, the darkness makes it hard to see
The history of the saints who've gone in front of me
Through famine, plague and disbelief
His hand was still upon them
Cause there is a reason
There is a reason

He makes all things good
He makes all things good
There's a time to live and a time to die
A time for wonder and to wonder why
Cause there is a reason
There is a reason

I believe in a God who sent His only son
To walk upon this world and give His life for us
With blood and tears on a long, dark night
We know that He believed
That there is a reason
There is a reason

For the lonely nights
And broken hearts
The widow's mite
In the rich man's hand
And the continent
Whose blood becomes a traitor
For the child afraid to close their eyes
The prayers that seem unanswered
There is a reason
There is a reason