I was going to just leave a comment to my last post with all my answers, but it got so long I thought I should just go ahead & make a new post.
Wow! Great response so far, guys! Thank you! I am enjoying all your answers.
Matt totally took me by surprise, though!! I really thought my post with Derek's bare bottom would scare away all of the preacher friends I've made recently. I'm wondering, Matt, if you know any single guys in FL that I can hook my sister up with. She's going to be really mad that I asked that! You're just the only young guy in FL I know (if we could say I know you), & you're already taken.
Maria, I love imagining your accent as you said "porridge" for breakfast. Too cute! I wish I could hear you!
Amy, can you say "Obsessive/Compulsive"?? HA!! I'm just kidding.
Malia, I love your answer to what you wanted to be when you were a child.
Bevin, I think we should take our vacation together next year. I love the beach too!
Dee, I remember in Searcy there was this horrible trend with the natives there to not use their turn signals. What is up with that?! They're only a little better about that here in VA.
Okay, here are my answers...
1. I guess there is no answer to this one. Thanks a lot for all your help, guys. Really, I mean it, so helpful.
2. I read mostly NIV, but we also have a New American Standard now because Dan was once asked at another church to not read from the NIV. So now I like to compare some of my favorite verses in his translation.
3. Yes, I do think schools should ask for ID, but twice I went to Nathan's school & was not asked for it--once, when I was staying for lunch, I wasn't even asked to sign in. Another time, when we went to pick Nathan up for a dentist's appt, I signed him out & then went to wait for him in the hallway--it wasn't until later that I realized if I were an evil person, it would have been WAY too easy to sign out a kid that wasn't mine & take him home with me! I was just wondering if I was being too paranoid or if others agreed with me.
4. I am definitely NOT a minimalist. I like clothes. I don't really like shorts, even in the summer.
5. There are so many ways I need to work on my relationship with God that I don't know where to begin. But I have determined to be more patient, because that characteristic spans several areas in my life that need improving. (patience with kids, patience with Dan, patience with God, patience with other drivers, patience, patience, patience!!) And I love Matt's latest post on Waiting on the Lord. I actually have a similar post I've been working on, but I think I'm going to scrap it as Matt says it so much better. So go on over & check it out.
6. My biggest driving pet peeve is other drivers, period. But I'm working on that. :)
7. Let's see, breakfast . . . I think I had some.
8. My ideal vacation would be a resort on a tropical beach where I could take lots of books, maybe some craft stuff, where I had absolutely nothing else to do, nothing to cook, nowhere to go, & it would be absolutely free. Since that's not likely to happen in my lifetime, I'll settle for Mom & Dad's new place in sunny FL. It'd be almost the same if I could go without the kids!! I don't think the grand-folk would let me come without them, though. Oh well!
9. I am a night person. I hate it too, because I have three morning children who like to wake me up early! But for some reason, I cannot bring myself to get into bed at a reasonable hour. Maybe it's just that there's so much to do after the kids go to bed.
10. I have always wanted to be a teacher & a mom. Well, I'm halfway there (unless you count Sunday school, which I would, except I planned to be a teacher that got paid).
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Monday, November 13, 2006
I need some answers!
Just feel free to answer whatever questions you want to.
1. Can someone who has beta blogger please tell me if there is a way to avoid having to sign in every time I want to post a blog or post a comment on someone else's blog?
2. What translation of the Bible do you read the most? (this question courtesy of preacherman's post)
3. Do you think schools ought to require to see ID of visitors or of parents taking their children out of school? (this question I'm asking because of my recent visits to Nathan's school--I'll discuss it later)
4. When it comes to clothing, are you a minimalist or an I'd-prefer-to-have-a-pair-of-pants-&-a-shirt-on-even-in-the-muggy-heat-of-summer kind of person? (this question courtesy of the comments-discussion on My Fatal Mistake post)
5. What is one way you want to better yourself or your relationship with God? (this question courtesy of Matt Dabbs' post--incidentally, I want to know if any of my Harding pals remember this guy--he was there around the same time most of us were; after my "Fatal Mistake" post, I don't think he'll be coming around here anymore!)
6. What's your biggest driving pet peeve?
7. What did you have for breakfast this morning?
8. If you could go anywhere for vacation, where would you go?
9. Are you a morning person or a night person?
10. What did you want to be when you were a child?
1. Can someone who has beta blogger please tell me if there is a way to avoid having to sign in every time I want to post a blog or post a comment on someone else's blog?
2. What translation of the Bible do you read the most? (this question courtesy of preacherman's post)
3. Do you think schools ought to require to see ID of visitors or of parents taking their children out of school? (this question I'm asking because of my recent visits to Nathan's school--I'll discuss it later)
4. When it comes to clothing, are you a minimalist or an I'd-prefer-to-have-a-pair-of-pants-&-a-shirt-on-even-in-the-muggy-heat-of-summer kind of person? (this question courtesy of the comments-discussion on My Fatal Mistake post)
5. What is one way you want to better yourself or your relationship with God? (this question courtesy of Matt Dabbs' post--incidentally, I want to know if any of my Harding pals remember this guy--he was there around the same time most of us were; after my "Fatal Mistake" post, I don't think he'll be coming around here anymore!)
6. What's your biggest driving pet peeve?
7. What did you have for breakfast this morning?
8. If you could go anywhere for vacation, where would you go?
9. Are you a morning person or a night person?
10. What did you want to be when you were a child?
Friday, November 10, 2006
Happy Birthday, Derek Braden!
In honor of Derek’s second birthday today, I wrote a loving (mostly) tribute to honor the child that is my youngest son. Incidentally, he is the third son of a third son of a third son of a third son (no joke!). Very special, indeed!
Derek . . .
*Until you were born, we thought Jeremy was stubborn
*Until you started jibber-jabbering, we thought Nathan was going to be our chatterbox
*Until you, we had no idea just how loud a child could scream
*Until you, I wouldn’t have figured on a child falling out of his chair so many times simply because he refuses to sit still for even a second
*Until you came along, I thought 7 a.m. was pretty early to have to wake up (why, oh why, must you consistently wake up at 6:15?)
*Until you, I didn’t know the meaning of the word “bossy”
*Until you, I didn’t know a rough-&-tumble little boy could turn around & give babies gentle little pats on the head or sweet little hugs
*Until you, I never knew how cute the color “leh-lo” could be
*Until you, I didn’t know just how precious it would be to witness my two oldest sons protect their younger brother & then in the next second wrestle him to the ground
*Until you, I couldn’t have guessed how cute it would be to have Nathan & Jeremy be renamed to “Nay-nay” and “Meh-mee”, although I’m glad you’re getting the hang of their given names, even imitating me when I “sternly” call them “Da-faniel” (Nathaniel) & “Deremiah” (Jeremiah)
*Until you were born, I wasn’t sure how three children would fit in that small room in our tiny little house
*Until you were born on that lovely Wednesday afternoon two years ago, I wasn’t sure if I could fit my three little children in my lap, or surround them with my arms
*Until the very second you were born, I wasn’t sure my heart could grow to fit the love I’d need for my three precious little boys
How easy that was, & needless my worries! Your impish little smile, your obvious leadership qualities (even at such a young age!), your friendliness–all of these things plus so much more make it pure JOY to love you, to treasure you, my dear sweet child. I love you, Derek Braden, & have from the first moment I laid eyes on you. I still remember how wonderful it was to be able to be in my own room, waiting so impatiently & painfully for you to arrive, then the moment you came I forgot all about the pain I was in & hugged you so close & cried & cried & cried (it’s a good thing you’re too young to be embarrassed by your ol’ Ma). I had a feeling that the slowness with which you were brought into this world might be a sign for things to come. While you have taught me patience in many ways, all of them are ways I’ve needed to learn.
DB, I will treasure you always.
Perhaps those of you that know Derek might like to share a special memory or thought of him as well. Thank you!
Monday, November 06, 2006
Our God Reigns!
Jehovah-rapha!
The God who heals
Jehovah-jireh!
The God who provides
El-Shaddai!
All Sufficient One
A friend of mine sent me these names for God today, & they really encouraged me. Enough to want to share them with you.
I went forward yesterday at church. Though we had a guest speaker who was GREAT, the reason I went forward had more to do with these burdens I carry that have gotten too heavy. I share with a small group of friends what's going on in my life, but I guess yesterday was the point of breaking. I just posted a few days ago about how great I am at giving my burdens over to God. How arrogant of me! I was so wrong! There is at least one big burden that, though I pray about it often, still weighs heavy on my heart and tears me down regularly. I thought I was giving it over to God, but since I let myself still worry over it, I don't. I have been trying to manipulate someone into doing something, when it really has to be this person's decision. Even if I were able to convince them of the change they need to make, it means nothing if I've coaxed it out of them, rather than letting them discover the need to change themselves.
Praise God for being El-Shaddai--I am nowhere near being all-sufficient, but He is all I need.
Praise God for being Jehovah-rapha--We all need healing!
Praise God for being Jehovah-jireh--My God provides for all my needs. In this case, it was a church family that enveloped me after services & again last night & reminded me that I am loved & cared for by earthly beings as well as by Jehovah God.
And it's knowing you, my friends, are there for me as well. I love you!
The God who heals
Jehovah-jireh!
The God who provides
El-Shaddai!
All Sufficient One
A friend of mine sent me these names for God today, & they really encouraged me. Enough to want to share them with you.
I went forward yesterday at church. Though we had a guest speaker who was GREAT, the reason I went forward had more to do with these burdens I carry that have gotten too heavy. I share with a small group of friends what's going on in my life, but I guess yesterday was the point of breaking. I just posted a few days ago about how great I am at giving my burdens over to God. How arrogant of me! I was so wrong! There is at least one big burden that, though I pray about it often, still weighs heavy on my heart and tears me down regularly. I thought I was giving it over to God, but since I let myself still worry over it, I don't. I have been trying to manipulate someone into doing something, when it really has to be this person's decision. Even if I were able to convince them of the change they need to make, it means nothing if I've coaxed it out of them, rather than letting them discover the need to change themselves.
Praise God for being El-Shaddai--I am nowhere near being all-sufficient, but He is all I need.
Praise God for being Jehovah-rapha--We all need healing!
Praise God for being Jehovah-jireh--My God provides for all my needs. In this case, it was a church family that enveloped me after services & again last night & reminded me that I am loved & cared for by earthly beings as well as by Jehovah God.
And it's knowing you, my friends, are there for me as well. I love you!
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Cornbread Muffins
Here is the perfect partner for your cold-weather chili (or Taco Soup, if you're Dee!):
Cornbread Muffins
1 1/2 c. flour
1 c. fine yellow cornmeal
1/3 c. sugar, heaping if you like it sweet
1 T. baking powder
1 t. salt
1 egg
1 1/2 c. milk
1/3 c. vegetable oil
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter the bottoms only of 12 muffin cups. Mix the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk egg, milk, and vegetable oil. Make a well in the dry ingredients. Pour in liquid mixture & stir just until smooth. Spoon the batter into muffin cups. Bake the muffins on the center oven rack until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, 15-20 minutes.
A "cheesy" option is to add a bit of cheddar to the top of each muffin; I think it would work adding it before cooking, but I usually top them off with cheese just after taking them out of the oven.
I got this recipe from Family Fun, it was originally for making a mix to give as gifts. You just measure the dry ingredients & put them in a bag or jar. Attach instructions for making the muffins; your gift recipient only needs to add the liquid ingredients.
Enjoy!!
Cornbread Muffins
1 1/2 c. flour
1 c. fine yellow cornmeal
1/3 c. sugar, heaping if you like it sweet
1 T. baking powder
1 t. salt
1 egg
1 1/2 c. milk
1/3 c. vegetable oil
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter the bottoms only of 12 muffin cups. Mix the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk egg, milk, and vegetable oil. Make a well in the dry ingredients. Pour in liquid mixture & stir just until smooth. Spoon the batter into muffin cups. Bake the muffins on the center oven rack until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, 15-20 minutes.
A "cheesy" option is to add a bit of cheddar to the top of each muffin; I think it would work adding it before cooking, but I usually top them off with cheese just after taking them out of the oven.
I got this recipe from Family Fun, it was originally for making a mix to give as gifts. You just measure the dry ingredients & put them in a bag or jar. Attach instructions for making the muffins; your gift recipient only needs to add the liquid ingredients.
Enjoy!!
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
For the curious...
The bug that I posted about has been identified as either a house centipede or a silverfish by you, my devoted readers. Dan doesn't think it's very easy to tell from the picture what it is. You can't see the size of it, or really what its back looks like. I have looked up silverfish before, & I can tell you with about 90% certainty that it is not a silverfish. (Again, it is hard to tell from the picture, but thank you all who tried to help me figure out what kind of bug it is) I am apt to agree with Kim Hill who said it's call a house centipede. Aunt Dawn, who "googled" it agrees that it's a centipede. It is very centipede...ish. If I had our Audobon Society books here at home, I'd look it up again under centipedes, but alas, they are in Dan's classroom (the books, not the centipedes).
Interestingly enough, this post has generated quite a few comments, even comments that were sent to me by email rather than posted on the blog, & even a comment from "James", a man that I'm not sure I know. It's good to know that you're just as interested in the bugs that reside in our home as you are the children. I'll be sure & post a few pictures of the fruit flies, fleas, spiders...just kidding. Have you ever noticed how many bugs you get in your house when you're moving in? It's amazing--probably more so in the summer than during the winter (it is cold in the winter, after all). But they're gone now. We miss them terribly.
If you're just checking in for the first time in a few days, make sure to scroll down as I've posted several times in just a short while. I don't want you to miss a single post!
And, now I leave you, my dear friends. I have spent so much time on the computer today that the house is suffering (& Derek is flashing the neighborhood). I will be back, but when? I cannot say.
Good day to you all.
Interestingly enough, this post has generated quite a few comments, even comments that were sent to me by email rather than posted on the blog, & even a comment from "James", a man that I'm not sure I know. It's good to know that you're just as interested in the bugs that reside in our home as you are the children. I'll be sure & post a few pictures of the fruit flies, fleas, spiders...just kidding. Have you ever noticed how many bugs you get in your house when you're moving in? It's amazing--probably more so in the summer than during the winter (it is cold in the winter, after all). But they're gone now. We miss them terribly.
If you're just checking in for the first time in a few days, make sure to scroll down as I've posted several times in just a short while. I don't want you to miss a single post!
And, now I leave you, my dear friends. I have spent so much time on the computer today that the house is suffering (& Derek is flashing the neighborhood). I will be back, but when? I cannot say.
Good day to you all.
Fatal Mistake
Derek is going to be the cause of a heart attack--& I predict it will be before he's 4. My BIG mistake of the day: not getting a shower before Dan left for school. I needed a shower, though, so I decided to try it--with Derek & Jeremy running loose around the house.
Jeremy comes into the bathroom while I'm showering & says that Derek has let the dog out of the house (oh no! not again!). So I quickly get out, dry off, get dressed.
Then it hits me... "Jeremy, where's Derek?"
"Outside."
AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
I run to the front door & peek outside. I don't see him, so I'm hoping maybe Jeremy was wrong?? No such luck. I hear Derek, so I call to him & he comes around the corner of the house. Apparently he went after the toys we left in the driveway yesterday in our rush to get ready for trick-or-treating.
What I learned from this mistake: from now on, when I MUST take a shower & it's not naptime & there's not another responsible adult in the house, I will lock & bolt all the doors. I will lock Snickers in the basement & turn off all the lights so Derek won't go down there. I will instruct Jeremy to stand guard over Derek & not let him near any of the doors. In fact, I think I'll chain Derek to the dining room table.
Better yet, & much easier, I'll just put Derek in his room & lock the door ... from the outside.
Oh, and did I mention that Derek is going through I-love-to-take-off-my-pants-&-diaper-&-run-around-the-house phase? So, yeah, any neighbors driving past our house around 10 this morning got an eyeful!!
Warning: Bare-bottomed picture of Derek ahead--you may want to close your eyes!
Is it okay to post a picture of your baby's bottom on your blog? I wasn't sure.
Was it his morning adventures or last night's excitement that wore him out so thoroughly that he fell asleep on the living room floor?!
Jeremy comes into the bathroom while I'm showering & says that Derek has let the dog out of the house (oh no! not again!). So I quickly get out, dry off, get dressed.
Then it hits me... "Jeremy, where's Derek?"
"Outside."
AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
I run to the front door & peek outside. I don't see him, so I'm hoping maybe Jeremy was wrong?? No such luck. I hear Derek, so I call to him & he comes around the corner of the house. Apparently he went after the toys we left in the driveway yesterday in our rush to get ready for trick-or-treating.
What I learned from this mistake: from now on, when I MUST take a shower & it's not naptime & there's not another responsible adult in the house, I will lock & bolt all the doors. I will lock Snickers in the basement & turn off all the lights so Derek won't go down there. I will instruct Jeremy to stand guard over Derek & not let him near any of the doors. In fact, I think I'll chain Derek to the dining room table.
Better yet, & much easier, I'll just put Derek in his room & lock the door ... from the outside.
Oh, and did I mention that Derek is going through I-love-to-take-off-my-pants-&-diaper-&-run-around-the-house phase? So, yeah, any neighbors driving past our house around 10 this morning got an eyeful!!
Warning: Bare-bottomed picture of Derek ahead--you may want to close your eyes!
Is it okay to post a picture of your baby's bottom on your blog? I wasn't sure.
Was it his morning adventures or last night's excitement that wore him out so thoroughly that he fell asleep on the living room floor?!
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Two truck stories
I'm tellin' ya, I would have enjoyed being a preacher, but my dad gave me the wrong chromosome.
Today Derek, Jeremy, Chelsea & I drove over to Dan's school to visit him & his class & show off our cute costumes. I will post more about Halloween & the fun (WARM) days we've been having later. While we were driving on the interstate, two interesting things happened that both involved trucks, & each time I thought, "I think I'll blog on that."
When I'm driving I try to be aware of other drivers. I am largely influenced by my dad & my husband in this respect. I have learned a lot from them when it comes to driving, and I'm grateful for that as I am not a particularly aware person, if you know what I mean (in other words, complete airhead!!). I was passing a few trucks when I noticed a truck coming up pretty quick behind me. I don't drive terribly fast (I promise), but with my roots being in NJ I am usually one of the faster drivers on the road while in Virginia (& that's because everyone else drives slow, not that I drive fast). But I digress . . . So this truck is coming up behind me, which I thought was interesting, but we were on the down slope. I thought about moving over to the right lane to let him get by but we just started on a hill up & I thought that he'd probably slow down quickly as those big trucks usually do. But, sure enough, he didn't slow down. So I found a place to move over into the right lane & let him by. As he passed by I realized why he was going so fast--no trailer on him! So my thought was, "I guess he's enjoying being without all that extra weight & taking advantage of being able to drive faster." My next immediate thought was, "Isn't it great to feel so light? You just move right along!"
How many times does our day drag on because of all the burdensome things we have to do? How often do we feel weighed down by the stresses of our lives, & we even feel we are moving in slow motion? How, then, does it feel to be free of our burdens & move quickly with grace and joy instead? Does your heart literally feel lighter when you've unloaded a burden in prayer? Do you feel grateful that your heavenly Father is willing to take on your sorrows and help you get through them? Do you express your gratitude with joy?
I was feeling pretty light-hearted today and have been for a while. I have reached a point in my relationship with God that I feel confident He will take care of me. I feel confident relinquishing control to Him and letting Him guide me as He sees fit. I'm not perfect--I don't always remember to not worry about something I've already prayed about. But I know the comfort, joy, & grace that comes when I do truly hand a problem over to God.
My second story is just a sweet little story. The boys like to try to get trucks to honk at them as we drive past them. Jeremy was trying this today on our way home from Dan's school, but I really didn't think the truckdrivers would be able to see him, as he was sitting in the middle of the backseat. I was wrong, though! One truck driver in a blue truck saw him & honked back. Not only that, but after we passed him, he pulled over into our lane behind us, & so I waved to thank him for honking for Jeremy. And he waved back! Pretty cool, but that's not all! A few minutes later, we pulled off the interstate at our exit. As we did this, the same truckdriver passed us & honked again! Jeremy was pretty excited, but I don't think he was as excited as I was. I don't know why it tickled me so, but I just like thinking about the connection strangers can have with each other. I don't really know if that truckdriver remembered a few hours later the cute little boy in the red Camry that he honked at, but I remember him & his big blue truck! It made my day. And thanks to blogging, I'll remember him for a long time. :)
Why not seek out a stranger today or tomorrow that you can bless?
Today Derek, Jeremy, Chelsea & I drove over to Dan's school to visit him & his class & show off our cute costumes. I will post more about Halloween & the fun (WARM) days we've been having later. While we were driving on the interstate, two interesting things happened that both involved trucks, & each time I thought, "I think I'll blog on that."
When I'm driving I try to be aware of other drivers. I am largely influenced by my dad & my husband in this respect. I have learned a lot from them when it comes to driving, and I'm grateful for that as I am not a particularly aware person, if you know what I mean (in other words, complete airhead!!). I was passing a few trucks when I noticed a truck coming up pretty quick behind me. I don't drive terribly fast (I promise), but with my roots being in NJ I am usually one of the faster drivers on the road while in Virginia (& that's because everyone else drives slow, not that I drive fast). But I digress . . . So this truck is coming up behind me, which I thought was interesting, but we were on the down slope. I thought about moving over to the right lane to let him get by but we just started on a hill up & I thought that he'd probably slow down quickly as those big trucks usually do. But, sure enough, he didn't slow down. So I found a place to move over into the right lane & let him by. As he passed by I realized why he was going so fast--no trailer on him! So my thought was, "I guess he's enjoying being without all that extra weight & taking advantage of being able to drive faster." My next immediate thought was, "Isn't it great to feel so light? You just move right along!"
How many times does our day drag on because of all the burdensome things we have to do? How often do we feel weighed down by the stresses of our lives, & we even feel we are moving in slow motion? How, then, does it feel to be free of our burdens & move quickly with grace and joy instead? Does your heart literally feel lighter when you've unloaded a burden in prayer? Do you feel grateful that your heavenly Father is willing to take on your sorrows and help you get through them? Do you express your gratitude with joy?
I was feeling pretty light-hearted today and have been for a while. I have reached a point in my relationship with God that I feel confident He will take care of me. I feel confident relinquishing control to Him and letting Him guide me as He sees fit. I'm not perfect--I don't always remember to not worry about something I've already prayed about. But I know the comfort, joy, & grace that comes when I do truly hand a problem over to God.
My second story is just a sweet little story. The boys like to try to get trucks to honk at them as we drive past them. Jeremy was trying this today on our way home from Dan's school, but I really didn't think the truckdrivers would be able to see him, as he was sitting in the middle of the backseat. I was wrong, though! One truck driver in a blue truck saw him & honked back. Not only that, but after we passed him, he pulled over into our lane behind us, & so I waved to thank him for honking for Jeremy. And he waved back! Pretty cool, but that's not all! A few minutes later, we pulled off the interstate at our exit. As we did this, the same truckdriver passed us & honked again! Jeremy was pretty excited, but I don't think he was as excited as I was. I don't know why it tickled me so, but I just like thinking about the connection strangers can have with each other. I don't really know if that truckdriver remembered a few hours later the cute little boy in the red Camry that he honked at, but I remember him & his big blue truck! It made my day. And thanks to blogging, I'll remember him for a long time. :)
Why not seek out a stranger today or tomorrow that you can bless?
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Prayers Requested
Let me tell you about a friend of mine named Lisa. (No, not me)
Lisa Carr lived in Bluefield, Virginia, until about a year ago when her family moved to Searcy, Arkansas, so her husband could take a position with African Christian Hospitals. In Bluefield they were about an hour away from our church's location; but Lisa, her husband Tom, & their children Betsy, Jamie & Mary, worshiped with us in Blacksburg. (They have an older son, Jesse, who was at Harding.) They are amazing people, incredible really. She & Tom taught our young marrieds class for a little while, & I loved the insights they shared. I never traveled the hour to Lisa's house, but when I saw her each Sunday, I immediately felt at home. I don't know if it's a special bond just she & I shared, or if everyone Lisa comes into contact with goes away feeling the same way I did. She manages to avoid chit-chat & get deep into conversation, even when you only have a few minutes to talk. When you're talking with her, you feel like her eyes are able to see deep into your soul & know if you're dealing with hurt or pain.
After Derek was born nearly 2 years ago, Lisa & her family somehow adopted Derek to "their pew" almost every Sunday. If you think that this was mostly Lisa's idea, however, you'd be wrong. The entire family, a family that by all appearances gets along really well with each other, fought over who got to hold Derek. He was almost always asleep when they (very reluctantly) returned him to me after services. Lisa, Mary & Betsy, even Tom, shared stories about the cute things he did while they had him.
When they were going to be moving back to Searcy, our congregation held a farewell potluck for their family. I had printed & framed a poem that was special because of how it reminded me of them & the friendship we shared. I tried to share a few words about the Carrs at the potluck, talking about how difficult it was to see them go but how wonderful the reunion in heaven would be. I was barely holding it together when I glanced at Lisa & her red, teary eyes, and then I lost it & couldn't say anymore. Thankfully Tom took over & shared his own farewell words to the congregation.
Well, I love sharing memories about people that are special to me. I love sharing a little of them & my love for them with the people who read this blog. But that's not the only reason I'm telling you about Lisa. I am asking for prayers for her because she has just been diagnosed with cancer. You know, you hear about people like Lisa being afflicted with cancer & you want to question why in the world it has to be them, what good could it possibly do for them to suffer from a disease or maybe worse, dying from a disease. And yet, people like Lisa are the most equipped to handle the pain and suffering, the questioning that inevitably pops up. She doesn't want to leave her children, her husband, her friends. Yet she is so confident that should the worst happen, she WILL be graced by their presence once more, and this time for eternity.
We are praying for healing. We are asking that God will heal this woman of her cancer. So if you would join me in that prayer, I would be really grateful, & Lisa will be very blessed. She starts chemotherapy tomorrow. She thought she would be starting it next week & was surprised when she realized it was this week, so she is not quite mentally prepared for it. If you would, please pray for her to get through tomorrow, and then that the rest of the treatments will produce results.
Thank you all!
Lisa Carr lived in Bluefield, Virginia, until about a year ago when her family moved to Searcy, Arkansas, so her husband could take a position with African Christian Hospitals. In Bluefield they were about an hour away from our church's location; but Lisa, her husband Tom, & their children Betsy, Jamie & Mary, worshiped with us in Blacksburg. (They have an older son, Jesse, who was at Harding.) They are amazing people, incredible really. She & Tom taught our young marrieds class for a little while, & I loved the insights they shared. I never traveled the hour to Lisa's house, but when I saw her each Sunday, I immediately felt at home. I don't know if it's a special bond just she & I shared, or if everyone Lisa comes into contact with goes away feeling the same way I did. She manages to avoid chit-chat & get deep into conversation, even when you only have a few minutes to talk. When you're talking with her, you feel like her eyes are able to see deep into your soul & know if you're dealing with hurt or pain.
After Derek was born nearly 2 years ago, Lisa & her family somehow adopted Derek to "their pew" almost every Sunday. If you think that this was mostly Lisa's idea, however, you'd be wrong. The entire family, a family that by all appearances gets along really well with each other, fought over who got to hold Derek. He was almost always asleep when they (very reluctantly) returned him to me after services. Lisa, Mary & Betsy, even Tom, shared stories about the cute things he did while they had him.
When they were going to be moving back to Searcy, our congregation held a farewell potluck for their family. I had printed & framed a poem that was special because of how it reminded me of them & the friendship we shared. I tried to share a few words about the Carrs at the potluck, talking about how difficult it was to see them go but how wonderful the reunion in heaven would be. I was barely holding it together when I glanced at Lisa & her red, teary eyes, and then I lost it & couldn't say anymore. Thankfully Tom took over & shared his own farewell words to the congregation.
Well, I love sharing memories about people that are special to me. I love sharing a little of them & my love for them with the people who read this blog. But that's not the only reason I'm telling you about Lisa. I am asking for prayers for her because she has just been diagnosed with cancer. You know, you hear about people like Lisa being afflicted with cancer & you want to question why in the world it has to be them, what good could it possibly do for them to suffer from a disease or maybe worse, dying from a disease. And yet, people like Lisa are the most equipped to handle the pain and suffering, the questioning that inevitably pops up. She doesn't want to leave her children, her husband, her friends. Yet she is so confident that should the worst happen, she WILL be graced by their presence once more, and this time for eternity.
We are praying for healing. We are asking that God will heal this woman of her cancer. So if you would join me in that prayer, I would be really grateful, & Lisa will be very blessed. She starts chemotherapy tomorrow. She thought she would be starting it next week & was surprised when she realized it was this week, so she is not quite mentally prepared for it. If you would, please pray for her to get through tomorrow, and then that the rest of the treatments will produce results.
Thank you all!
Friday, October 27, 2006
Did you know...
A goldfish has a memory span of three seconds?
Imagine a goldfish marriage...
Mrs. GF: Honey, will you take out the trash?
Mr. GF: Of course, dear.
3 seconds later.
Mrs. GF: Honey, will you take out the trash?
Mr. GF: Of course, dear.
What other funny scenarios can you imagine??
Imagine a goldfish marriage...
Mrs. GF: Honey, will you take out the trash?
Mr. GF: Of course, dear.
3 seconds later.
Mrs. GF: Honey, will you take out the trash?
Mr. GF: Of course, dear.
What other funny scenarios can you imagine??
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
New Blogs
Hi y'all, just wanted to let you know about some new blogs that are out there. (Remember, they're new, so there's not much on them yet, but they're going to be good!)
Thinking on These Things, by my Mom
Riner Leichners by my sister-in-law Terri
Thinking on These Things, by my Mom
Riner Leichners by my sister-in-law Terri
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Survey Says...
Molly's the winner!! And here's what you've won . . .
Congratulations, Molly!! And thank you, to Molly, and all the many others who played my little survey game, especially those that don't particularly like answering survey questions and those that continued to buzz in after the 7th comment. If you were one of the early "surveyees," go back & see what others wrote after you!
Here's a little bonus for Molly, and the rest of you that are interested in useless trivia about candy bars. When I looked up some websites to find a picture of a NutRageous bar (which is Molly's favorite in case you didn't figure out why I posted a picture of it), I also came across a bunch of trivia about the NutRageous bar, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups & peanuts, plus I added a few additional comments. Have fun!
*Reese's NutRageous bar was introduced in January 1994 (that's younger than I am!).
*The NutRageous bar's original name in test markets was "Acclaim," but most consumers disliked this name and said it made them think of the car by the same name. When presented with the name "NutRageous," the test market consumers immediately loved it. (Incidentally, the name "Camry" was also in the mix, but consumers were not interested in a candy bar imported all the way from Japan)
*A NutRageous bar was reportedly eaten in "The Nap" episode of Seinfeld (I can't believe I don't remember what episode that is! I thought I saw all the reruns three times!).
*Spanish explorers discovered peanuts in Peru in the 16th century (before this discovery, a sandwich favorite was cocoa butter & jelly).
*Rumor has it that Taylor and Zachary Hanson are huge fans of NutRageous Bars (as if anyone remembers who the Hansons are).
*Peanuts aren't a nut, they're a legume (oh, that's why they're called, peanuts).
*A third of the world's peanuts come from India (huh, a third of my honors classmates in high school were also from India. No joke! I'm not making fun, they were my favorite classmates).
*Peanut butter was developed in 1890 by a St. Louis physician seeking a nutritious, easily digested, high-protein food for elderly patients (I guess he found it?).
*Mr. Reese was not only involved with candy. He is also known for the Reese automobile, a 3-wheeled, gasoline engined vehicle that was built in Plymouth, PA, in 1899. Only one such vehicle remains intact. Mr. Reese also built Reese and Shawnee bicycles. (have you ever noticed the ridges around a peanut butter cup? That's how the wheels on his vehicles were made as well, perhaps a clue as to why they are not still intact)
*Reese's makes enough peanut butter cups in one year to feed one cup to every person in the US, Japan, Europe, Australia, China, Africa, and India (I'm sorry, India, I ate your peanut butter cups last year).
Congratulations, Molly!! And thank you, to Molly, and all the many others who played my little survey game, especially those that don't particularly like answering survey questions and those that continued to buzz in after the 7th comment. If you were one of the early "surveyees," go back & see what others wrote after you!
Here's a little bonus for Molly, and the rest of you that are interested in useless trivia about candy bars. When I looked up some websites to find a picture of a NutRageous bar (which is Molly's favorite in case you didn't figure out why I posted a picture of it), I also came across a bunch of trivia about the NutRageous bar, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups & peanuts, plus I added a few additional comments. Have fun!
*Reese's NutRageous bar was introduced in January 1994 (that's younger than I am!).
*The NutRageous bar's original name in test markets was "Acclaim," but most consumers disliked this name and said it made them think of the car by the same name. When presented with the name "NutRageous," the test market consumers immediately loved it. (Incidentally, the name "Camry" was also in the mix, but consumers were not interested in a candy bar imported all the way from Japan)
*A NutRageous bar was reportedly eaten in "The Nap" episode of Seinfeld (I can't believe I don't remember what episode that is! I thought I saw all the reruns three times!).
*Spanish explorers discovered peanuts in Peru in the 16th century (before this discovery, a sandwich favorite was cocoa butter & jelly).
*Rumor has it that Taylor and Zachary Hanson are huge fans of NutRageous Bars (as if anyone remembers who the Hansons are).
*Peanuts aren't a nut, they're a legume (oh, that's why they're called, peanuts).
*A third of the world's peanuts come from India (huh, a third of my honors classmates in high school were also from India. No joke! I'm not making fun, they were my favorite classmates).
*Peanut butter was developed in 1890 by a St. Louis physician seeking a nutritious, easily digested, high-protein food for elderly patients (I guess he found it?).
*Mr. Reese was not only involved with candy. He is also known for the Reese automobile, a 3-wheeled, gasoline engined vehicle that was built in Plymouth, PA, in 1899. Only one such vehicle remains intact. Mr. Reese also built Reese and Shawnee bicycles. (have you ever noticed the ridges around a peanut butter cup? That's how the wheels on his vehicles were made as well, perhaps a clue as to why they are not still intact)
*Reese's makes enough peanut butter cups in one year to feed one cup to every person in the US, Japan, Europe, Australia, China, Africa, and India (I'm sorry, India, I ate your peanut butter cups last year).
Monday, October 23, 2006
Friday, October 20, 2006
Mommy Gang
We are the Mommy Gang! From left to right: Lisa, Jeremy & Derek, April with Melody, Sara with Carley, & Bevin with tiny baby Cooper!
I jokingly called us the "mommy gang" in an email to April, & she really likes that title for our little club. Today was the first "meeting," & we had so much fun! I was so excited about having everyone over that I couldn't even wait more than an hour to get on & blog about it.
When I first started going to church in Blacksburg, it was so wonderful for me to have a few friends who were a little older & had older children but also children close in age to mine. (And, by the way, Tanya, I did not really feel like they were older!!) We got together frequently, kept each other's kids occasionally, & loved every second of it! I cherished the feeling of security that came with having friends who'd "been there, done that," & when my younger or same-age friends here started having children, I thought, "I want to be that for them too!" So we got together, had lunch, played with our kids, talked a lot about nursing! ... & then made sure we got pictures!!
Baby Cooper (born August 22)
Melody kissing Carley (who turned 1 today!)
Carley making Derek giggle
Thanks for all the fun, guys! I can't wait to do it again!
When I first started going to church in Blacksburg, it was so wonderful for me to have a few friends who were a little older & had older children but also children close in age to mine. (And, by the way, Tanya, I did not really feel like they were older!!) We got together frequently, kept each other's kids occasionally, & loved every second of it! I cherished the feeling of security that came with having friends who'd "been there, done that," & when my younger or same-age friends here started having children, I thought, "I want to be that for them too!" So we got together, had lunch, played with our kids, talked a lot about nursing! ... & then made sure we got pictures!!
Thanks for all the fun, guys! I can't wait to do it again!
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Happy Birthday, Mom L.!
My mother-in-law is having a special birthday today. I don't know if she'll mind if I tell you what her age is now, though. (It ends with a "0".) Her birthday is not special because of what age she's turning. Her birthday is special because she's a special person. I'd like to share a little of how she has blessed me in the past seven years.
My first special memory of being with Dan's mom is from Dan's graduation. His whole family drove out to Harding. It was fun to be part of the family, even though we had only been engaged for about a week. I enjoyed being part of the easy banter, the childish behavior of "the boys," who were now all grown men, and the way Dan's mom was forever rolling her eyes at them but really laughing inside (I can easily see that being me in twenty years--but that thought makes me cry!). I remember Dan's graduation party a little while later when Dan's mom so thoughtfully included not just me, but my family too. And I met much of Dan's family for the first time that afternoon, thinking this will be a nice family to be a part of!
Another special memory is from Christmas 1999. Dan & I were going to be married in one week!! Mom always goes ALL out for Christmas--there are tons of presents under the tree for everyone. I was not expecting to be included so fully in their family Christmas before I was officially part of the family. I was quite surprised, though! On Christmas Eve, I was invited to go along to get their Christmas tree (I don't remember for sure, but Dan says he wasn't there that year). It's tradition every year to go get the tree on Christmas Eve. I believe this tradition comes from Mom's parents. And now we do it too! On my part, it was under protest for the first year or two, but I now fully embrace this special tradition.
It's incredible that I don't remember Dan not being there, because I can actually remember other specific things about that day. What I was wearing, for example (and, for the record, I don't remember what I wore yesterday). Riding over in Terri's blazer. Having a disgusting potty discussion courtesy of Brian. Playing with my sweet little niece Arden. I remember everyone teasing Dan's mom about having to find the perfect tree (that, incidentally, is not unique to Dan's family--I think every family must tease the Mom about her search for the perfect tree since we did it too). And then I remember that we did not, actually, find the perfect tree but a rather UGLY one! What do you expect when you wait til Christmas Eve to get a tree, right?! Of course, since Dan's mom brings out about a thousand ornaments that you're supposed to cram on the tree, it doesn't entirely matter what the tree looks like bare. On Christmas Day, Mom had quite a few presents for me in the mix, & I felt so special!
Most of the other memories I have that include Mom are spread throughout the past seven years. Mom & Dad always made a point to come down each time we had a new baby. They come down frequently throughout the year so their grandkids don't forget them (they don't seem to care whether or not Dan & I would forget them, though!).
My favorite thing about my mother-in-law, AKA Mom, is that we have a great relationship. I am not really good about calling people on the phone or keeping in touch with them, but Mom is. And she calls pretty often. We used to talk just about every Monday afternoon. And we can talk for hours! I guess we're catching up on the 20 years of my life that we didn't know each other. Plus we have a lot in common--namely the three sons we each have--there are always lots of stories to share!
So, Sandra Lynn Leichner, AKA Sandie, AKA Mom, AKA Oma . . .
Happy 60th Birthday!!
Oops, I let the cat out of the bag. (It's okay, Mom, no one will believe me.)
I love this picture from soon after Jeremy & Hannah's births--Mom is so happy! There's nowhere she'd rather be than with her grandkids.
Mom & Dad on one of many vacations they take together.
Sorry the picture is dark & hard to see everyone. This was our last trip to Gatlinburg with the whole Leichner clan. I know Mom is so proud of her family!
My first special memory of being with Dan's mom is from Dan's graduation. His whole family drove out to Harding. It was fun to be part of the family, even though we had only been engaged for about a week. I enjoyed being part of the easy banter, the childish behavior of "the boys," who were now all grown men, and the way Dan's mom was forever rolling her eyes at them but really laughing inside (I can easily see that being me in twenty years--but that thought makes me cry!). I remember Dan's graduation party a little while later when Dan's mom so thoughtfully included not just me, but my family too. And I met much of Dan's family for the first time that afternoon, thinking this will be a nice family to be a part of!
Another special memory is from Christmas 1999. Dan & I were going to be married in one week!! Mom always goes ALL out for Christmas--there are tons of presents under the tree for everyone. I was not expecting to be included so fully in their family Christmas before I was officially part of the family. I was quite surprised, though! On Christmas Eve, I was invited to go along to get their Christmas tree (I don't remember for sure, but Dan says he wasn't there that year). It's tradition every year to go get the tree on Christmas Eve. I believe this tradition comes from Mom's parents. And now we do it too! On my part, it was under protest for the first year or two, but I now fully embrace this special tradition.
It's incredible that I don't remember Dan not being there, because I can actually remember other specific things about that day. What I was wearing, for example (and, for the record, I don't remember what I wore yesterday). Riding over in Terri's blazer. Having a disgusting potty discussion courtesy of Brian. Playing with my sweet little niece Arden. I remember everyone teasing Dan's mom about having to find the perfect tree (that, incidentally, is not unique to Dan's family--I think every family must tease the Mom about her search for the perfect tree since we did it too). And then I remember that we did not, actually, find the perfect tree but a rather UGLY one! What do you expect when you wait til Christmas Eve to get a tree, right?! Of course, since Dan's mom brings out about a thousand ornaments that you're supposed to cram on the tree, it doesn't entirely matter what the tree looks like bare. On Christmas Day, Mom had quite a few presents for me in the mix, & I felt so special!
Most of the other memories I have that include Mom are spread throughout the past seven years. Mom & Dad always made a point to come down each time we had a new baby. They come down frequently throughout the year so their grandkids don't forget them (they don't seem to care whether or not Dan & I would forget them, though!).
My favorite thing about my mother-in-law, AKA Mom, is that we have a great relationship. I am not really good about calling people on the phone or keeping in touch with them, but Mom is. And she calls pretty often. We used to talk just about every Monday afternoon. And we can talk for hours! I guess we're catching up on the 20 years of my life that we didn't know each other. Plus we have a lot in common--namely the three sons we each have--there are always lots of stories to share!
So, Sandra Lynn Leichner, AKA Sandie, AKA Mom, AKA Oma . . .
Happy 60th Birthday!!
Oops, I let the cat out of the bag. (It's okay, Mom, no one will believe me.)
Special story written by Mom L.
I know I've given you a lot to read about today, but I have this story that Mom wrote that I think is really sweet. She wrote it about a memory she has of another special woman she knew over 50 years ago. I've been saving it so I can share it with others on my blog, & I think her birthday is a good day to do it. So without further ado . . .
When I was six years old, my best friend was a red-haired, freckle-faced tomboy named Penny. One August afternoon, as we were trying to decide whether to roller-skate or play hopscotch, we were greeted by Mrs. Clarke. She lived across the street from us and had been my father's Sunday School teacher when he was a child. Sometimes she'd make me giggle with her memories of his not-so-reverent antics.
She was an ample woman and wore her grey hair in an old-fashioned bun. She had rosy cheeks and her eyes twinkled behind wire-rimmed glasses. Her voice was rich and deep and she spoke with an endearing lisp.
She leaned heavily on her cane asking if we would help her. She explained that she had not been playing her piano and thought if we would accompany her with our singing it would help her practice. She said she had gotten "rusty." I didn't notice any rust, but got my Mom's "okay" and we followed Mrs. Clarke.
Her parlor was filled with beautiful over-stuffed and dark carved wood furniture generously topped with lots of lace doilies. Penny and I perched ourselves on either side of this great lady seated on the polished piano bench. She took a book with gold letters on its cover and began to leaf through the pages. When she found just the right one, she smiled. Propping the book on a little ledge, she began to play. The music was beautiful and I marveled as her plump fingers danced lightly across the yellowed keyboard.
Suddenly she stopped and asked why we weren't singing along. Embarrassed I confessed that we couldn't read many words beyond those found in our First Grade Primer. Nodding knowingly and without a hint of amusement Mrs. Clarke set out to tackle the problem. Word by word, with much patience, she taught us to memorize the words of the entire song. Once or twice she offered us her delicious lemonade. When we could recite all the words, she felt we were ready to actually sing them.
Mrs. Clarke played the introduction then nodded her head. Penny and I belted out the words we'd learned with such enthusiasm many in the neighborhood must have heard us.
How wonderful I thought it sounded--our high-pitched six-year-old voices and the magic sound coming from Mrs. Clarke's piano!
When the song was over we looked to her for approval. She broke into a broad grin and said, "That was truly lovely." Penny and I looked at each other and we couldn't help grinning too!
And so it was I learned "What A Friend We Have In Jesus."
As the summer wore on we learned other hymns, drank more lemonade, and enjoyed the companionship of our dear Mrs. Clarke. But to this day when I sing "What A Friend We Have In Jesus," part of me becomes six years old again."
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Can I Please Melt Some Towels?
I know, strange post title. Jeremy just asked me, "Can I please melt some towels?" and I was trying REALLY REALLY hard to figure out what in the world he was talking about. I finally realized that his "t" in "towels" was a "k" sound, as he cannot pronounce "k" sounds, but instead they come out as "t"s. I still, though, didn't understand what he was asking: "Melt some cows?"
"No," Jeremy says, "melt some tows."
"I don't really understand what you're asking, Jeremy; can you say it again?"
"Can I please melt some tows?"
"Jeremy, are you saying, 'cows'?"
"Yes."
"Okay, so you want to melt some cows?"
"No, can I please melt some tows." (what a polite little boy, he really did say "please" every time!)
"Oh, oh, I gotcha, you want to MILK some COWS!!!"
"YES!"
I couldn't really answer him through my laughter. But really, do you see a cow around here, Jeremy??
You have so much to read from me today! What fun! Hope you're not as cold & rainy as we are!! (It's that stinky fall again!)
Thanks for playing!
I am very happy to see 9 comments on my last post (even though 2 are mine & one was an extra one of Molly's from some phantom blog name). But I know there are more of you out there!! We just need one more to be a winner!! Who was holding out for #7?? Go to my last post if you'd like to participate in a fun little game.
Seriously, I really appreciated all of you playing, especially those of you that don't normally respond to these surveys. (When I've gotten emails in the past like this, I have answered about half of them--sometimes they are too long!) Next time I will try to think of more clever answers, although I'm not very clever, so it might take a while. I'm open to suggestions. I have also seen movie trivia questions on other blogs, but I don't remember quotes from movies very well, so I wouldn't even be able to come up with good questions. We'll see.
Hope you're having a good week so far!
Seriously, I really appreciated all of you playing, especially those of you that don't normally respond to these surveys. (When I've gotten emails in the past like this, I have answered about half of them--sometimes they are too long!) Next time I will try to think of more clever answers, although I'm not very clever, so it might take a while. I'm open to suggestions. I have also seen movie trivia questions on other blogs, but I don't remember quotes from movies very well, so I wouldn't even be able to come up with good questions. We'll see.
Hope you're having a good week so far!
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