tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62371554040294995852024-03-13T22:31:33.251-05:00T is for Tammy"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." --C. S. LewisTammy Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018711696941413340noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237155404029499585.post-2540810823293222562013-06-18T21:01:00.000-05:002013-06-18T21:27:21.434-05:00Treetop Nursery Reveal<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Maybe it's because I never got a chance to decorate a nursery for Josh, maybe it's because I'm a major nester and love any excuse to (re-)decorate a room, or maybe it's because we're having a girl this time around, but I really dove into the nursery decor and love, love, love our Little Girl's nest!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Since I really know the value of a</span> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">dollar but love a custom look, I basically had no option but to DIY almost everything! I started building my "nesting fund" with some Christmas and birthday money I received, along with some ebay and Craigslist sales. Shortly after I found out I was expecting (October 2012), I fell in love with the </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_15/192-8843623-8665849?url=search-alias%3Dbaby-products&field-keywords=treetop+friends&sprefix=treetop+friends%2Caps%2C397"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Treetop Friends" theme from Skip Hop</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> and went from there. Spending nearly $200 for the crib set would have wiped out my entire nesting fund and then some, though--never mind that it would have been no fun at all!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I totally lucked out just after Christmas in finding a similar 4-piece crib set (it included a window valance instead of a blanket, but who need another blanket, anyway?!) at our "Once Upon a Child" for $20. Although we didn't know for sure that our Little Girl would help balance out the testosterone overload around here, I wishfully bought </span><a href="http://www.schylling.com/p/childrens-tea-set"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">this tea set</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> by a tried-and-true toy company there, too--kinda reminds me of Fiestaware dishes, huh? (You can see part of it on the 2 corner shelves to the left; they're mounted between the window wall and the wall adjacent to the closet wall.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I pinned a lot of ideas </span><a href="http://pinterest.com/tammymommy/woodland-treetop-themed-nursery-decor/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">to this board</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> and started collecting supplies . . . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then there were the walls. . . . As a girl, I would have loved this room, with its slanted ceilings, but as a decorator . . . not so much. I absolutely adored the large tree vinyl clings I saw listed, but any with good reviews were oh-so-pricey! And I'm not good with detail painting. The walls were already painted a neutral tan color, but I wanted to do one accent wall. Maybe green?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My hubby suggested the sliding closet doors instead, since they were white but had goopy stuff all over them and needed to be repainted anyway. He also thought he could remove them and put them up on saw horses for me. He couldn't, but the choice had already been made. "Asparagas Green" it was, and I had those handy 8-ounce sample cans in tow. I figured I'd need 3, but that glossy white I'd sanded didn't let the primer-plus-paint (by Behr at Home Depot) tick too well. I might have been better off buying a quart, but hey.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'd already painted matching dressers (from Craigslist in 2 different states, believe it or not!) for the boys and primed a wall in the bathroom before I got to it. I was a little nervous about how it would turn out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'd decided on these vintage girl silhouettes, but I couldn't spring for the ready-made vinyl clings I saw on Etsy or Ebay. So I followed the trail and purchased the graphics (and some branch and treetop ones) from another Etsy shop owned by the same gal who runs <a href="http://www.cocoamint.com/">this site</a>, printed them, used the overhead projector at church to enlarge them, and traced them onto brown vinyl I purchased on Amazon and at Hobby lobby (They were about an even deal, when you use the HL 40% off coupon, but I liked the </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=brown+vinyl"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Amazon roll</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> better, partially because its liner had grid lines on it like typical Contact paper).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cutting out the designs was a bit putsy, and I had to learn the hard way to peel and stick part of the design before peeling off the backing of the whole thing, but we made it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The kneeling girls and words were an afterthought (2 images from iStock Photo and one from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/cocoamint?ref=shop_sugg">the Etsy shop</a> where I found the others), but my hubby likes them the best. What do you think? (My fave is the girl on the swing, above. I feel like I should have extended the branch on the right side, but alas, I've decided to just be done.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">You can also see my childhood rocking chair in the above pic. My hubby refinished it, and it looks amazing! Who says daddies don't nest?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I found the papasan for $5 on Craigslist, and I told the boys it was our "nest chair." They're so cute when they say "tweet, tweet, let's go read in the nest chair, Mom!" :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I purchased wool felt from an Etsy shop (it's now MIA) because the cheaper stuff at Jo-Ann and Hobby Lobby didn't come in my colors, and if you know me, you know I'm kinda OCD about matching! :) After making felt mobile stuffies for my sister Tiffany's strawberry-themed nursery, I was "rockin' the blanket stitch," so away I went with the free owl and birdie templates I pinned!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I loved the idea--for the budget and the au naturale of it all--of using real branches in the design, but I didn't want too rustic of a look, with the bold colors and more modern crisp design elements I was using. So I spray painted the branches holding the mobile, as well as the one that will hold her name made from branches tied together with string (Wouldn't you like to know?! It's a secret until she's born--but I've been hinting, if you're perceptive enough!). I got a little addicted and did the same with our stumps-turned shelves. The idea of making corner ones was my hubby's brain child--good one, huh?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The bird houses were $1 each at Jo-Ann, and my mom bought that painteg for me when I told her it reminded me of Hobby Lobby, who appeared more than once during my childhood. A friend from church made the owl papercraft, another made a blanket to match my colors, and many contributed to "feathering the nest" with more blankets and clothes and cash for other things we needed . . . ahem, "needed." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We also replaced a 70s light fixture and plastic blinds and used the same crib and dresser that Little Girl's big brothers used. The crib will probably finally get a chance to transition to a toddler bed and full-size bed in this cozy little nest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Now, like the mama birdie who made a hnome for her little ggs outside our front door, I just need to wait for my Little Girl to "hatch"!</span><br />
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<br />Tammy Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018711696941413340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237155404029499585.post-88893976468695707222013-03-03T22:13:00.001-06:002013-03-03T22:17:13.874-06:00Never (Quite) Good Enough<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Okay, so you know me at all, you know that I'm kind of a half-hearted type-A, goal-oriented person. <span style="color: #741b47;"><strong>The perfect example of imperfection.</strong></span> I remember preparing for free days like Saturdays as a kid by charting out my mornings with unrealistic minute-by-minute schedules. Without fail, I'd wake up at least 2 minutes too late to brush my teeth according to plan, and <span style="color: #741b47;"><strong>by 15 minutes after I awoke, I'd be a failure</strong></span>--according to my now impossible plan, according to myself. I'd hit myself (glad I'd never heard of cutting), throw something no one would hear, and <span style="color: #741b47;"><strong>go about the remainder of my already-ruined day, moping around and hoping it would end sooner, rather than later</strong></span>. Maybe just take a long nap to sleep off the guilt, the frustration, the day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I said all that to say that <span style="background-color: white; color: #741b47;"><strong>unfortunately, I haven't grown up all that much</strong></span>. I still set high, humanly unattainable goals, and even when my aims are reachable, <span style="color: #741b47;"><strong>I blow it</strong></span>. All. The. Time. I waste time on Facebook when I should be writing (for pay), I choose to peruse Pinterest instead of prepping for dinner, and sometimes I even choose <a href="http://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/the-me-time-myth-11598542.html?fb_action_ids=4857648351910&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_ref=socialbar&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%224857648351910%22%3A10150149779854373%7D&action_type_map=%7B%224857648351910%22%3A%22og.likes%22%7D&action_ref_map=%7B%224857648351910%22%3A%22socialbar%22">my own perceived needs</a> above those of my precious little boys. <span style="color: #741b47;"><strong><em>I've done it this week, even today.</em></strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I need grace. <span style="color: #741b47;"><strong>God's grace.</strong></span> So do my kids. So do you. And your kids. And everyone we know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I've only recently become awakened to this need in my life--not just a one-time infusion of grace for salvation from the eternal penalty of my sin, but<span style="color: #741b47;"><strong> a day-by-day grace </strong></span>that enables me to release my pride, my schedules, my dreams, and try harder, empowered by His all-forgiving, empowering grace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I need it for parenting, for worshipping, for cooking, for cleaning. I need it for <em><strong><span style="color: #741b47;">every breath of life.</span></strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">One of the many books on my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/CV42SDY9LJQI/ref=topnav_lists_2">2013 list</a> that revolves around the topic of grace is </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Give-Them-Grace-Dazzling-Jesus/dp/1433520095/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top#_"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">this one</span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">. I first heard about it on </span><a href="http://themobsociety.com/2012/11/give-them-grace-dazzling-your-kids-with-the-love-of-jesus-book-club-news/"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The MOB Society blog</span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> (love, love, love their tagline!) and then from a FB friend. As if the title didn't already make me smile, this "negative" (2 star) review put me over the top in wanting to read it: <span style="color: #38761d;">"Kids need to know that we all need Jesus, but this book seeks parents to impress on their children that they are not good . . . It seems to encourage parents to break a child down so they see their need for Jesus . . . it tells the parent that building up their child's self-esteem is turning them away from God."</span> <strong><span style="color: #741b47;"><em>Good! Amen! I need that, too!</em></span></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">When I attended True Woman '12 this fall, I realized that I seldom give grace to others: I want them to earn my favor, my good behavior, my love. I think I tend to do this because I fail to humbly realize how undeserving I am of Christ's forgiveness and blessings in my life. Some of the issue probably has to do with a somewhat legalistic tendency I come by naturally, similar to the one described in <a href="http://www.truewoman.com/?id=2418">this blog post</a>. Some also comes from my background which appeals to my natural tendency to think I can be--or am--good enough. Here's another <a href="http://www.davecrabb.com/2012/04/16/the-deadly-danger-of-legalism/">blog post</a> , this one by the husband of a dear friend, on the topic of grace vs. legalism that really hits the nail on the head:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"<span style="font-size: small;">As Christians, we are able to go years (even decades) believing we are basically holy people because we’ve never messed up in any big way, don’t go here, don’t say this, or look, talk, dress, and act a certain way. And yet we do not encounter Christ daily through his Word. We are not seeing Jesus Christ and <strong><span style="color: #741b47;">savoring him</span></strong> for all that he is to us. We do not understand the depth of our sinfulness so that they we out to God for <strong><span style="color: #741b47;">daily mercy</span></strong>. We do not understand <span style="color: #741b47;"><strong>the gracious kindness of God towards us</strong></span> so that we are filled with joy, life, and love. We do not know what it is to depend upon the Holy Spirit and to be led by him into holiness. For us holiness is simply x, y, and z–not Christ."</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="color: black;">The same friend blogs about the</span> <a href="http://www.davecrabb.com/2012/06/11/the-grace-that-frees-us-from-both/">freedom of grace</a>: <span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Many of us resonate deeply with the message of grace that rightly corrects the artificial constraints and condemning attitudes of legalism. We should recognize, however, that grace also frees us from the bondage of lawlessness."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">As <a href="http://www.candacecameronbure.net/shop/index.php">Candace Cameron Bure</a> (childhood star of "Full House" and sister to outspoken Christian <a href="http://kirkcameron.com/">Kirk Cameron</a>) considers the theme of <a href="http://www.candacecameronbure.net/ministry/testimony.php">her personal testimony</a>: <span style="color: #38761d;"><strong><em>"Being good isn't good enough."</em></strong></span> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnktv4fJX5GtAUPMcFujXeT4wdvO6OAf5s_2hfHG2cZ90OdgZ4uxm4RrqZ7H243h2oxIAwyUjy1Py166kuoRPD8_24FytOJrwriqjUDksM5J8bB8OGAEWJuk3mb9QpULZMINKRFgawE8ew/s1600/Candace.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnktv4fJX5GtAUPMcFujXeT4wdvO6OAf5s_2hfHG2cZ90OdgZ4uxm4RrqZ7H243h2oxIAwyUjy1Py166kuoRPD8_24FytOJrwriqjUDksM5J8bB8OGAEWJuk3mb9QpULZMINKRFgawE8ew/s320/Candace.PNG" width="268" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Even still, I will try to be good, do better, set (reasonable) goals, and try to follow them. Goals like this <a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2012/05/4-weeks-to-a-more-organized-home-printable-checklist-and-daily-email-reminders.html">20-day challenge</a> I mentioned last week, along with another post or 2 I've pinned on <a href="http://pinterest.com/tammymommy/i-can-get-organized/">this board</a>. <strong><span style="color: #741b47;">And I'll do so knowing I won't be perfect, I'll need grace, and I can move on in the right direction without moping through the rest of my day, my week, my life as a failure. </span></strong>I hope you will, too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em>(Don't forget to </em><a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f/?Sub=830077"><em>sign up tonight</em></a><em> if you want to receive the e-mail reminders!)</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'll end with a quote from a </span><a href="http://earthandashes.wordpress.com/2013/01/24/mommy-guilt/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">friend, fellow baby-mommy, and former student of mine</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> because I simply couldn't say it better myself, so I won't even try:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"It’s one thing to determine how to live based on principles and goals. It’s another to imagine the awesome life I can have because, I mean, c’mon, <span style="color: #741b47;"><strong>I’m a pretty awesome person.</strong></span> When I build that dream, and reality fails to match it (as it inevitably does), the weight of my mediocrity and normalcy crushes me. I want to hide in bed, distracting myself and others from the knowledge of my failure. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"<span style="color: #741b47;"><strong>That is pride. It is the secret, ugly belief that I am somehow better.</strong></span> Others’ failures I can understand, but my own? I am capable of more.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"So here’s to humility. <strong><span style="color: #741b47;">Here’s to acknowledging our weaknesses, and being patient with ourselves while striving to be better</span></strong>."</span>Tammy Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018711696941413340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237155404029499585.post-8275995652066456092013-02-24T21:34:00.003-06:002013-02-24T22:06:20.904-06:00Easter Preparation 2013<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Like Nancy Leigh DeMoss mentions to be her experience in the intro. to her wonderfully Christ-centered series about </span><a href="https://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/revive-our-hearts/the-unique-claims-of-jesus/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"The Incomparable Christ,"</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I didn't grow up in a church that celebrates Lent--or any particular period or manner of preparation for the Easter season. (Ironically, many people I knew celebrated "Fat Tuesday"!) However, I've personally tried to implement some special ways to set myself apart for God during this season. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Starting during my high school years, I would spend extra time reading </span><a href="http://noelpiper.com/2011/04/18/holy-week-what-happened-today/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">the gospel accounts that correspond to each day of Passion Week</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> as well as extra-biblical books that helped me focus on Christ. These are some of my favorites:</span><br />
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<li><a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/books/seeing-and-savoring-jesus-christ"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> by John Piper (available for free as a .pdf download)</span></li>
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<li><a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/books/fifty-reasons-why-jesus-came-to-die"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came To Die</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> by John Piper (also available as a free download)</span></li>
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<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=lucado+no+wonder+savior"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">No Wonder They Call Him the Savior</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> by Max Lucado (My former English students might remember this one, and you can read some of it <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wonder-They-Call-Savior-ebook/dp/B001PO5BV8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1361763616&sr=8-2&keywords=no+wonder+savior#reader_B001PO5BV8">for free, here</a>.)</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm sad to admit that since my due date for my first baby on Easter Sunday 2009, I've pretty much let that tradition lapse. Well, that baby was born 2 days later, and now I'm mommy to an almost 4-year-old boy, a 2-and-a-half-year-old boy and am full-on nesting with my baby girl, expected in June! Between then and now, we've moved 4 times and just been in transition mode a lot! (In fact, my negligence of this blog for nearly a year shows how non-creative, scatter-brained, and just plain spent I've been for quite some time. I finally feel like I've recovered from our serial moves!)<br /><br /><em><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d;">I know that it's easy to let life in general, as well as our Martha-style Easter celebrations eclipse the Mary kind.</span></strong></em> You know what I mean--entertaining guests for a big, beautiful meal; practicing and preparing for Passion Week church events; and putting together egg hunts and baskets for the kiddos--not to mention new coordinated family dress clothes fit for spring! Now, don't get me wrong, I still plan to enjoy many of those Martha-type tasks, but I want the quiet, Christ-focussed preparations to fuel such activities.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I think I was first challenged to consider Easter preparations seriously from Noel Piper (wife of prolific preacher/writer John Piper) in her book </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Treasuring-God-Traditions-euml-Piper/dp/1581348339%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAI47QWING7R3RDCCQ%26tag%3Dnatbegla-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D1581348339"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Treasuring God in Our Traditions."</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Her series of 8 devotionals, entitled </span><a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/articles/lenten-lights"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Lenten Lights"</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> can be read over the 8 weeks, or 8 days, preceding Easter. I think we'll make this a special focus after breakfast each day of Easter week, and instead of the candles, we'll use a </span><a href="http://impressyourkids.org/resurrection-easter-ideas-for-kids/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Resurrection Garden</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> (maybe we'll even do </span><a href="http://www.theencouraginghome.com/2012/03/23/resurrection-garden/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">one with freshly planted grass</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I might incorporate some of these </span><a href="http://www.crosswalk.com/family/homeschool/resources/holy-week-prepare-for-easter-with-your-family-1317997.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">other ideas by Noel Piper</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">, as well. Maybe I'll even create a <a href="http://www.dayspring.com/the_story_of_easter_15_piece_easter_magnet_book/">magnet activity</a> like this one, so the boys can participate in the Passion Week story, somehow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Last year, I also discovered that spring cleaning actually started as a Jewish tradition associated with </span><a href="http://www.minuteswithmessiah.com/minutes/springclean.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Passover</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">, which begins (and is gloriously fulfilled!) on Easter weekend. That started me thinking of cleaning as a part of my worship, which has helped me become more passionate and purposeful in it--even though I have a l-o-n-g way to go!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One of my goals for 2013 is to keep up with a weekly/monthly/quarterly cleaning schedule, and </span><a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/downloads/household-management-forms"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Crystal at Money Saving Mom</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> has been my mentor in this regard, so it makes sense that I'm planning to retake her </span><a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/tag/4-weeks-to-a-more-organized-home"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"4 Weeks to a More Organized Home"</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> challenge as part of my Easter preparation, this year, starting next Monday, March 3. It's just 20 days, instead of 40 days of Lent, since it's just 5 days per week (see the <a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/4-Weeks-to-a-More-Organized-Home.pdf">downloadable schedule here</a>.) <em><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>Would you care to join me?</strong></span> </em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">(I'll try to post next Sunday with <a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f/?Sub=830077">this link, again, </a>so we can receive the daily e-mails starting that Monday.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Music is also a huge part of setting the mood for meditating on the victorious Resurrection of Christ, and I absolutely love how the Gettys' music focuses on this glorious reality. Already a huge fan of </span><a href="http://www.gettymusic.com/hymns-inchristalone.aspx"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"In Christ Alone"</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://www.gettymusic.com/hymns-powerofthecross.aspx"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"The Power of the Cross,"</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> tears came to my eyes when I first heard them in person, singing "Christ Is Risen, He Is Risen, Indeed,"--just look at & listen to these </span><a href="http://www.gettymusic.com/hymns-christhasrisen.aspx"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">rich lyrics</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Just like I have been trying to prepare for Sunday worship by having my weekly cleaning completed by Saturday evening and extending that by doing the 4-week challenge, I'm going to try to read and listen to only Christ-focussed material and music during these remaining weeks leading up to Easter. <br /><br />In the midst of those efforts, I'm so thankful that it's not my faltering attempts that earn me favor with my Savior. <em><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>In fact, this past week, I've failed miserably in many areas, including my cleaning goals and a restful, Christ-focused Sunday (today).</strong></span></em> I'm so thankful for God's </span><a href="http://www.dayspring.com/god_s_grace_covers_me_free_easter_printable/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">grace</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">--my </span><a href="https://moneysavingmom.com/2013/01/change-your-life-in-2013-with-one-word.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">key word</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> for 2013!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em><strong>Do you celebrate Lent? How does your family prepare for Easter? I'd love to read your own insights and traditions!</strong></em></span><br />
<br />Tammy Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018711696941413340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237155404029499585.post-33053100534447351522012-05-30T21:46:00.003-05:002012-05-30T21:46:37.439-05:00Proverbs 31--Days 9-11<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Okay, I didn't quite fall off the wagon, here, but it's been really tempting! Between working hard on prioritizing properly and getting criticized for not giving more to others and then going on vacation and not having internet access to post and then the aftermath of vacation, let's just say it's a struggle to get back into the practice. But here we go . . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I actually typed out my S. O. A. P. for last Thursday, day 9 of the study, and now I'll copy and paste it here:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Scripture: Proverbs 16:20, 28:25, & 29:25</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Proverbs 16:20—Whoever gives thought to the word [or matter]
will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Proverbs 28:25—A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who
trusts in the Lord will be enriched.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Proverbs 29:25—The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever
trusts in the Lord is safe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Observations: Trusting in the Lord brings
blessings, riches, and safety; however, these terms are defined differently by
God’s people (those who do trust in Him) than others. I don’t think I’ve ever
associated strife with greed, but I know that I often when my attitude
encourages less-than-peaceful interactions, it’s been prompted by my desire for
having my own way.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Applications: I think it would help me to call
my “strong will” and “independent, driven personality” as what it is—sinful greed.
Greed isn’t just about materialism and money, after all. I think I excuse this
mindset in myself all too often. If I want a peace-filled home and desire to
raise my sons to be selfless servant-leaders, then I need to demonstrate the
fact that I truly value the kinds of blessings, riches, and safety God promises
when I truly trust in Him rather than my own fulfilled desires.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Prayer: Lord, help me to see my sin for what it
is and recognize how I’m failing to trust you when I care more about my own
desires or how others perceive me. You know I’ve struggled with this greatly
this week, and You know that Satan would love to have that victory in my life.
Help me to be willing to sacrifice my own prideful selfish ambition for the
sake of others’ good and Your well-deserved glory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Today is Wednesday, but I'm only on Monday's reading, so here's my day 11 S. O. A. P.:</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Scripture: </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2031:12,%201%20kings%2011:4&version=NASB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Proverbs 31:12, 1 Kings 11:4</span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Observations: Good versus evil--such a constant struggle, not just on a cosmic level but an individual heart level. I don't want to even admit that it's sometimes a temptation to do him "evil." While it's easy (and true and expected) to say I love my husband more than anyone else, I also know him better and can more easily become frustrated with his shortcomings--after all, I know those better than anyone else, too.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Applications: Lot's wife and </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+2:9&version=NASB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Job's wife</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> come to mind--and let's not forget about good ol' Eve! It's amazing the power we women can have over men. Of course, men of integrity can sometimes stand up even to our "womenly wiles," but we're still responsible for the influence we weild--or attempt to weild. (As a side note, I love how Dannah Gresh discusses this issue in "</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Keeper-Delicate-Modesty-ebook/dp/B00394U8EC/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1338431897&sr=8-15"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Secret Keepers</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"--the best book on modern, feminine Christian modesty, ever, but so much about feminity and the nature of sin, as well!)</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">On a side note, over our little vacation, I did finish reading an excellent work of fiction that made sense of the old adage about fiction sometimes holding significant amounts of truth. I'd highly recommend <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Light-Thousand-Stars-Derby-Series/dp/B007PMUQQO/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1338432189&sr=1-1-catcorr">"By the Light of a Thousand Stars" </a>by my college creative writing teacher, Jamie Langston Turner. It's more than a literary success--it's a story of life-touching-life and healing and all sorts of other winding pathways exploring biblical womanhood and goodness and godliness. Yes, it's really that good! It helped me recognized some sinful thinking patterns and ugly aspects of myself that I might not have realized through any other means.</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Prayer: Lord, you know that sometimes I let my grumpy, discontented attitude spill over into my words and let them attempt to influence the godly man you've entrusted to me. Help me to be like the woman of Proverbs 31 and be a source of grace in his and others' lives.</span></li>
</ul>Tammy Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018711696941413340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237155404029499585.post-26716945894184849722012-05-23T21:49:00.002-05:002012-05-23T21:51:15.680-05:00Proverbs 31 Study--Day 8<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Okay, I've been writing like a feind today (10 articles! That might be a record for me! And I still fed and bathed my boys, played outside with them, did 1.5 loads of laundry, and went to church tonight! Amazing!) so this will have to be brief.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Day 8 S. O. A. P.:</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Scripture: </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2031:11,%2011:28,%2028:26&version=NASB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Proverbs 31:11, 11:28, & 28:26</span></a></li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Observation(s): One of the areas in which I know of many women who aren't trustworthy is in the area of finances, so it's interesting that the proverb about how foolish it is to trust in money is included in today's reading.</span></li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Application(s): For a brief hiccup of time, I was a Mary Kay "beauty consultant," and I'll never forget how appalled I was when the director in my area discussed what she called "the husband unawareness plan," which was a payment method we were encouraged to promote. Basically, women could pay part of their beauty bill in cash, part with a credit card, and part with a check. Pretty sneaky, huh? <br /><br />I'm glad my hubby and I have joint finances, and we track all our expenditures in a budget form, so I'm not even tempted to try to do such things! At the same time, I'm thankful that our budget allows for some "mad money," because we all need to splurge on chocolate or a manicure now and then, right? :)</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">For some reason, I've always thought about the "idea of trusting in riches" as something like trusting in them for the future or basic needs, but some life experiences have encouraged me to think of what my deceptive heart lures me to sometimes do--trust in them for happiness, security. "If I could just have XYZ, I'd be </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">content." Yeah, right. The Devil is such a liar! And if I trust God instead of putting my faith in material things for my happiness, I'll be less likely to even entertain materialistic yearnings that could prompt me to go against my husband's wishes with my spending.</span></li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Prayer: Lord, help me not to believe Satan's lie that my security is wrapped up in finances, and help that knowledge to keep me from even being tempted or longing to be anything but upfront about my spending, so my husband can feel secure in allowing me to make wise choices of which he approves.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />Tammy Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018711696941413340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237155404029499585.post-50828140175995065952012-05-22T13:53:00.001-05:002012-05-22T13:53:25.860-05:00Proverbs 31 Study--Day 7<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Day 7 S. O. A. P.:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Scripture: </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2018:22,%2019:14&version=NASB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Proverbs 18:22 </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">& 19:14</span></a></li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Observation/Application: The idea that I as a wife am called to be a "good thing" or God-given blessing to my husband is definitely a challenge. While this definitely has various implications for different women, I'm pretty sure we all know what our husbands consider "good things."</span></li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Prayer: Lord, help me to be mindful of what my husband desires and considers good and selfless enough to be that to him, even when it means not being or doing what I would prefer. I know that by laying down my life for others, I will be most fulfilled as a woman and as your child. Help me trust you enough to do that instead of vying for my own way, the way you know I tend to do, all. too. often.</span></li>
</ul>Tammy Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018711696941413340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237155404029499585.post-37813028642219932052012-05-22T09:38:00.001-05:002012-05-22T09:56:22.790-05:00Proverbs 31 Study--Day 6<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here's yesterday's </span><a href="http://womenlivingwell.org/2012/05/the-proverbs-31-woman-week-2/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">blog post</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">, complete with an encouraging video from Angela at Good Morning Girls.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Yes, I'm a day behind, and hopefully I can rectify that by the end of the week. (Yesterday, I woke up at 2 a.m. and couldn't get back to sleep. I did accomplish much, by the grace of God, but by evening, I had so little mental energy that I literally came close to arguing with my husband that 7 would be fewer than 6!) <br /><br /><a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/11/21-days-to-a-more-disciplined-life-discipline-is-a-process.html">This post</a> really made an impact on me, and I've read part of the ebook mentioned. I'm finding that ending my day, however long and tiring it is, with a clean kitchen is truly key to starting out the next day well--and even at my exhausted, numbers-confused state of mind last night, I'm glad I went to bed with a clean kitchen! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Day 6 S. O. A. P. :</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Scripture: <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2031:10,%2012:4&version=NASB">Proverbs 31:10 & 12:4</a></span></li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Observations: Pairing these two verses together was interesting. The contrasting thought in Proverbs 12:4 is quite an ugly </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">picture: "She who shames <i>him</i> is like <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-16724B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> rottenness in his bones." Jewels or crowns speak of royalty and offset a person's already fine appearance. Rotten bones seem to refer to weariness and illness.</span></li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Application: One way in which I can "shame" my husband is when my attitude is less-than-content. I also struggle with selfishness far more than I care to admit. Another way is by not having our home organized and clean, and this is something God has been chipping away at me about through our serial moves in the past 2 years. I may have a ways to go, but I'm far less of a pack rat and more diligent of a home organizer than I've ever been!</span></li>
</ul>
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<div>
I'd like to describe a little bit of my recent journey toward more effectively running my home:</div>
</span><br />
<div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Some came as a direct result of living in smaller spaces (amazing to think that a year ago, we were crunched into a 2-bedroom apartment that was smaller than the main floor of the home where we now live, and 2 years ago, we had 2 bedrooms total, in my parents' house--that after having a 4-bedroom house with an attached 2+ car garage at our disposal!) and moving (once you move a box a couple times and still haven't opened it, what's the point?!). </span></li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Some came from financial hardship that led to my starting to work part-time from home as a freelance writer--yes, even to afford our little apartment. (Pastors of small churches don't typically get paid very much, but those with an advanced degree in such a field looking for secular work aren't often offered high-level positions or salaries in the world, either.) That huge addition to my to-do list required me to become more organized with my time. (Our resolve to have me prioritize the home was truly tested during that time--I'll write more about that, someday.)</span></li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">During the fall "semester," I attended a women's class at our church in Madison, Wisconsin, based on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Feminine-Appeal-Expanded-Edition-Questions/dp/1581346158/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337695057&sr=8-1">this inciteful book</a> by Carolyn MaHaney (wife of C.J. Mahaney). Terrie, the Bible study leader, encouraged us at the close of the class to come up with a couple homemaking goals for the new year. I had never been challenged to develop my homemaking skills or create goals. As a fairly goal-driven person, this gave me a renewed sense of purpose in my chosen and God-given full-time career. </span></li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Just like my dear friend Terri brought up in her introductory lesson in the class, <a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/11/time-management-101-determine-what-your-priorities-are.html">this post</a> discusses determining priorities and sifting out what doesn't belong in our lives--not that what we filter out is necessarily "evil," just that sometimes it's not the optimal use of our time, money, energy, etc., given our stage and station in life--and that's constantly changing, isn't it?!</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">My first goal was to get into freezer cooking for the sake of our family budget and nutritious needs. (We all have crazy days, and mine typically meant having easy, pre-packaged frozen meals on hand or diving into fast food--options we still sometimes do, just not nearly as often!)</span></li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Once we moved here to Linesville in January (a major answer to our prayers and desires, in so many ways!), I knew something had to give. My husband's much different work schedule meant that we'd have more together time, but that also dipped into what was formerly my prime writing time. Add to that, opportunities for ministry I hadn't had in a while, and I've really had to get organized if I wanted an opportunity to </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">pursue my writing, at all.</span></li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After getting moved in, I started experimenting with freezer cooking, helped largely by this </span><a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2012/05/a-beginners-guide-to-freezer-cooking.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">awesome Christian blog</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. You can see many of the pages I've printed and filled in for my "homemaking notebook" on my </span><a href="http://pinterest.com/tammymommy/i-can-get-organized/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"I can get organized!"</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Pinterest board. My notebook is a full-sized 3-ring binder that includes sections for calendars (& flyers and invitations), medical information, coupons, my address lists, and then ideas I want to use. (I once had separate places and methods for all of that, but it's really handy to have it all in one size and place. I also have a half-sized binder for recipes, and most of them are all typed out and in plastic sleeves, like the larger ones I use in my homemaking notebook.)</span></li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I still have yet to get something official in line re: my other goal from last semester's class: setting up and implementing a cleaning schedule that includes weekly, monthly, quarterly tasks. (You can see a form I downloaded re: daily routines from Money-Saving Mom site on my Pinterest board I mentioned, but there it sits, with a few handwritten notes scrawled on it. You can also see a link to her "4 Weeks to a More Organized Home" series, which I followed semi-faithfully.)</span></li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Prayer: Lord, thank you for putting those seeming obstacles in my life that have actually become stepping stones that would encourage me to become a more virtuous woman that is an asset to my husband rather than a shame to him and to You. Please help me to be encouraged by how far your grace has brought me this past year, in this area of being a home-manager, and help me to continue to improve and master the skills with whch you've equipped me to serve You, my family, and others.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span>Tammy Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018711696941413340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237155404029499585.post-67862931570511779942012-05-19T14:59:00.000-05:002012-05-19T14:59:06.251-05:00The Making of a Good Works Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTI0n-akVWalNNkiqvfho0hXKBSqneCesqlwy1ByDRFoQJU2BIYAT3VvT6trR2q-AdmrAoSzwVxXG89gGtaX8tbXofM7Q1lPAanzxMYT8LEAJKdSMGbdX9ydmdtrpvpKtD_pKuWyHxV56/s1600/Mother's+Day-p002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTI0n-akVWalNNkiqvfho0hXKBSqneCesqlwy1ByDRFoQJU2BIYAT3VvT6trR2q-AdmrAoSzwVxXG89gGtaX8tbXofM7Q1lPAanzxMYT8LEAJKdSMGbdX9ydmdtrpvpKtD_pKuWyHxV56/s320/Mother's+Day-p002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I spoke at our church's "Mother's Day Banquet" last Satuday--what an honor to be asked! I was also on the program team, so I had part in deciding on the theme. If you know me, you know how much I love themes! We chose a patchwork quilt theme, and it came together beautifully! So much work went into every detail.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkMshXTCVrrJTpIXOQIulfFI1w5WfRgLjRfTkAQFYKiAYZfXsp-xW169F1L8L2LKTKzvuE8QetQ6mZpp8XyRpNRkjj0xNYd2aH9SMIn3ho-2Hzg2m-SUSC-F39tnyCIjY9qtohXkxaTq2/s1600/Mother's+Day-p004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkMshXTCVrrJTpIXOQIulfFI1w5WfRgLjRfTkAQFYKiAYZfXsp-xW169F1L8L2LKTKzvuE8QetQ6mZpp8XyRpNRkjj0xNYd2aH9SMIn3ho-2Hzg2m-SUSC-F39tnyCIjY9qtohXkxaTq2/s320/Mother's+Day-p004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Our theme verse was Titus 2:7a, but the main verse I used for my challenge was 1 Timothy 5:10, a little gem I discovered sometime this winter. In some ways, it's an outline of the characteristics of the Proverbs 31 woman, but I've never heard this passage used </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">for a ladies' challenge--and I've heard more than a few!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBCv2MzeZbUZlbR4Fbez4Kse98qZ6Adtl1mFLS1Crf_t0dELimWe6ZdVu47EOrOlbIiYV32BKbje0gMz9Xy86vj7S5bY0sALzSobI79lDi_sPFK3DMZDz0jhp78xaS7-ucs9ebeAWSDVZ/s1600/Mother's+Day-p005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBCv2MzeZbUZlbR4Fbez4Kse98qZ6Adtl1mFLS1Crf_t0dELimWe6ZdVu47EOrOlbIiYV32BKbje0gMz9Xy86vj7S5bY0sALzSobI79lDi_sPFK3DMZDz0jhp78xaS7-ucs9ebeAWSDVZ/s320/Mother's+Day-p005.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I wasn't originally intending to publish these notes, but I thought maybe someone could benefit from them. If you want to use them as a springboard for a Bible study or challenge you're giving, I'd be happy to provide you with the PowerPoint I used (including the above graphics), as well. Btw, in case you're wondering, "Character Cameos" were brief first-person descriptions of the women mentioned, performed by women from our church.)</span><br />
<h3 style="margin: 1em 0in 0pt;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Introduction:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What is a successful woman? What does success mean to you? I’ve heard
it said that the main difference between Super Man and Wonder Woman is that at
some point, most men have stopped believing that Super Man is real.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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</span><br />
<h3 style="margin: 1em 0in 0pt;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Depending on which women’s magazine you pick up, you may see a
successful woman portrayed as a flamboyant fashionista, a sparkling socialite,
or a decorating diva. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h3>
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<span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you find yourself closely resembling any of those ideal images, you
may feel pretty good about yourself. However, if you know you don’t measure up,
you may feel inferior. Or perhaps you’re the type of woman that doesn’t care
about such unrealistic expectations: “I am who I am,” you say with confidence.
Whatever your response to the world’s idea of success, I trust that we all
desire to evaluate our lives according to the measuring tape of His Holy Word. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h3>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The difference between the world’s idea of a
successful woman and God’s expectations, as shown in Scripture, is similar to
the difference between an intricately designed pattern quilt made for show and
a traditional patchwork quilt. The patchwork quilt originated in 1800s America,
not for decoration but for a purpose. Fabric from old blankets and outgrown
clothing was repurposed (upcycled, if you will) and pieced together into a
quilt that would keep loved ones warm at night. As Christian women, we’re all
equipped to do more than “sit pretty” in church each Sunday and be “good girls”:
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He wants the kind of good that works.</i></span><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h3>
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<span>Prayer<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span>Let’s explore this idea of “the making of a good works quilt.” We'll</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> look at 1 Timothy 5:10, where an honorable woman is described as
follows: “Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if
she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have
relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Background of passage: Describing worthy widows, women deserving of God’s
(and the church’s) approval and financial support<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">H</span></span><span>ow many of you can multi-task? How many of you have
forgotten how to single-task? Sometimes simply planning our family’s menus can
be overwhelming, while we consider the sometimes conflicting priorities of
nutrition, budget, time-management, and personal preferences. Many women face
chronic fatigue, and some of that is because we try to do it all—not over a
lifetime, but Every. Single. Day.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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</span><br />
<h3 style="margin: 1em 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>We can get burnt out easily when we do this to ourselves. I did this
with my first quilt—to-date, my only quilt. Let’s not do this to ourselves or
one another as we build our “good works quilts.”</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Before you start to get overwhelmed by these
biblical principles, keep in mind that this “good works quilt” you’re making
isn’t your project for this weekend, this month, or this year. It’s the project
of a lifetime, a resume of sorts.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<h3 style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">2 Timothy 2:15—“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, <u>rightly dividing</u> the word of truth.”</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
“Rightly dividing” has the idea of measuring, cutting, and piecing
together, much like you would various fabrics in a quilt. Paul, after all, was
a tentmaker. He likely pieced together camel skins in order to make tents.
Wisdom is skillful application of biblical truth; “rightly dividing” both God’s
Word and our own lives in order to piece together a life that glorifies Him. </span><br />
<h3 style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">Consider which good works God has best equipped you for, with your unique
background, spiritual gifts, talents, and current life stage.</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
2 Timothy 3:16-17—“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto
all good works.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Good works are the end use, or purpose behind studying Scripture; knowledge
is not enough. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">God wants the kind of good
that works.<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i></span><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Let’s look at some of the “works” God
had in mind when He designed us as women and equipped us as believers.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<h3 style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">As we look through them, you may think that some of the most obvious
applications may not apply to you, at your age and your situation. But be creative—there
are ways you can apply them!</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
The first good work listed in this passage is the idea of raising children.
What better example to consider than Mary, the mother of our Lord.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Brought up (raised) children—Mary,
the mother of Jesus—character cameo<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Of course, not all women
biologically bear children. Note that while the idea of having one’s own
children to care for full-time is the implication of this verse, I praise the
Lord for many women who do not have their own children but purpose to impact
other children in their families and in their church.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For young women today, you’re
growing up in a culture that promotes the pursuit of self-centered dreams and
careers over a commitment to marriage and family. You should know that when
it’s your kid, the diapers are still gross, and the wakeful nights are still
exhausting. But the selflessness that motherhood requires is a huge part of how
God designed us as women to serve Him and receive fulfillment.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I once heard a man say that he
wasn’t raised, but rather “yanked up by accident,” describing the
less-than-purposeful way that his parents approached his upbringing.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Excerpt from <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2011/07/29/why-youth-stay-in-church-when-they-grow-up/]">“Why Youth Stay in Church WhenThey Grow Up” by Jon Nielson</a> on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Gospel Coalition.org:</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6.5pt 63pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #40464b; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The common thread that binds together
almost every ministry-minded 20-something that I know is abundantly clear: a
home where the gospel was not peripheral but absolutely central. The
20-somethings who are serving, leading, and driving the ministries at our
church were kids whose parents made them go to church. They are kids whose
parents punished them and held them accountable when they were rebellious. They
are kids whose parents read the Bible around the dinner table every night. And
they are kids whose parents were tough, but who ultimately operated from a
framework of grace that held up the cross of Jesus as the basis for peace with
God and forgiveness toward one another.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 63pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #40464b; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is not a formula! <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">Kids from wonderful gospel-centered homes leave the church; people from
messed-up family backgrounds find eternal life in Jesus and have beautiful
marriages and families. But it’s also not a crap-shoot. In general, children
who are led in their faith during their growing-up years by parents who love
Jesus vibrantly, serve their church actively, and saturate their home with the
gospel completely, grow up to love Jesus and the church.</span> The words of </span></span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Proverbs%2022.6"><span style="color: #2f8ad1; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Proverbs 22:6</span></span></a><span style="color: #40464b; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> do not constitute
a formula that is true 100 percent of the time, but they do provide us with a
principle that comes from the gracious plan of God, the God who delights to see
his gracious Word passed from generation to generation: “Train up a child in the
way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #40464b; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Questions: Are you
willing to live sacrificially in raising your children? Are you just rolling
with the punches, focused on surviving the day or your children’s current
stage, or strategically orchestrating their influences and experiences, training
your children with purpose?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Have lodged strangers (practiced
hospitality)—Tishbite woman—character cameo</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This scenario was unique in that
God directly spoke to His prophet, who told this woman to care for him rather
than her own son. Usually, any good works should be focused on our families,
first. In a way, she was prioritizing her family in that she believed that they
would be blessed if she obeyed God’s Word. (Illustration of deacon’s son)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That shouldn’t be an excuse not
to minister beyond our own households, but an incentive to manage our
households wisely. By being industrious, we can make the most of our limited
resources of time, energy, and finances, in order to have some “extra” with which
to serve others.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There’s a distinct difference
between entertaining and showing hospitality. This isn’t about friendship, but
about ministry. (I was once challenged to think of all friends as ministries,
and that would help me not to get hurt. Guess what?! It works!)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Luke 14:12-14—“</span>Then said
he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not
thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours;
lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. But when thou
makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt
be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at
the resurrection of the just.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I’ve heard it said, “What if you woke up tomorrow
with only what you thanked God for today.” Well, I have a new spin on that
idea: <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">“What if you woke up
tomorrow with only those possessions with which you were willing to serve God
today?”</span> The tithe is supposed to represent the idea that we realize that
we’re only stewards, not owners, of all that we possess. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">How can you truly minister to people if they don’t
let you into their lives? How can you expect them to let you into theirs, if
you don’t let them into yours? Nothing represents your life like your home, and
when you let people in, you invite them to connect with you in a unique way
that they otherwise would not do.</span><br />
<h3 style="margin: 1em 0in 1em 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Have washed the saints’
feet—Mary, the mother of John Mark—character cameo<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+3:27&version=KJV"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Proverbs 3:27</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">—“</span></strong>Withhold not good from them to
whom <span style="font-weight: normal;">it</span> is due, when <span style="font-weight: normal;">it</span> is in the <span style="font-weight: normal;">power</span>
of thine <span style="font-weight: normal;">hand</span> to <span style="font-weight: normal;">do</span> <span style="font-weight: normal;">it</span>.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10:24&version=KJV"><span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hebrews 10:24</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">--"<span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:"</span></span><br />
<h3 style="margin: 1em 0in 1em 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Have relieved the afflicted
(helped those in distress)—Rahab—character cameo<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Run to the problem, & be
there for people. It may mean providing a meal, helping with others’ kids,
writing a note, or listening or lending a shoulder to someone who is hurting.
It’s being a true friend.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You can’t help unless you know
the person and the situation. Getting to know people to the point that they’ll
share their burdens with you takes time and intentional interaction, beyond the
surface. Developing a “radar” for hurting people takes practice, intention, and
opportunity.</span></span><br />
<h3 style="margin: 1em 0in 1em 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Diligently followed every good
work (exhibited all kinds of good works)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In that list, we have women with a variety of
less-than-ideal circumstances and backgrounds—a Gentile prostitute, a wealthy
single mom, an impoverished single mom, a young Gentile widow, a good Jewish
teenaged virgin whose character was questioned by many. God is not concerned
with your heritage or history, but with what you allow Him to piece together to
create a unique patchwork quilt of your life.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<u><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Application</span></span></u><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Warning #1: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This is not in place of trusting Christ, but on top of it.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+64:6&version=KJV"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Isaiah 64:6</span></span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">—</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">But we are all as an unclean thing,
and all our <b>righteousness</b>es are as filthy <b>rags</b>; and we all do
fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Ephesians 2:8-10--For by
grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of
God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we
should walk in them.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5:16&version=KJV"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Matthew 5:16</span></span></b></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">—</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your <b>good
works</b>, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Warning #2: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This is not a contest!<b><o:p></o:p></b></i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“Steps To Making a Good Works Quilt”<o:p></o:p></span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Step 1: <b>Measure out what you’ll need & set goals for adding to your
quilt<o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Step 2: Cut Out some activities and priorities that aren’t part of your
quilt<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Step 3: Find a mentor to advise you in designing your quilt.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Step 4: Gather Materials you need for your work.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Step 5: Get to Work on your quilt, realizing it will come together, piece
by piece<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Step 6: Trust God to help you stitch it all together into a masterpiece!</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One thing that’s great about this list in Scripture is that it kind of
gives us a set of goals or lifetime “to-do list.” Whether or not we measure up
to the world’s standards of glamour, we can feel satisfaction knowing that
we’re prioritizing the qualities God honors.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span>Fringe benefits of developing a “good works quilt” include lack of
boredom and loneliness that comes from the self-centered lifestyle encouraged
in our world. Proverbs 31 pits the world’s emphasis on popularity and outward
beauty against what</span>’s truly beautiful: “Favour is deceitful, and beauty
is vain: <span>but a woman that feareth the Lord,</span>
<span>she shall be praised.</span> <span>Give her of the fruit of her hands;</span> <span>and let her own works praise her</span> <span>in the gates.</span>”</span><br />Tammy Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018711696941413340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237155404029499585.post-14950568381945803502012-05-17T20:08:00.001-05:002012-05-19T14:29:25.202-05:00Proverbs 31 Study--Day 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7F8a2J96YMqPKSgxR8tb1zxp99UKPvSlv61O4DepsY2sHdLTRnypz6FDFBUNqDP4ZiQwp0KedDoV9SBJ_VTFOuQ1q02qQocuVCnToX7a-Q_q6gGW2ZA1zBaC_fKBzt0aJ_WJxth3X7Jh/s1600/free+vintage+clip+art+for+Shabby+blogs+By+FPTFY.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7F8a2J96YMqPKSgxR8tb1zxp99UKPvSlv61O4DepsY2sHdLTRnypz6FDFBUNqDP4ZiQwp0KedDoV9SBJ_VTFOuQ1q02qQocuVCnToX7a-Q_q6gGW2ZA1zBaC_fKBzt0aJ_WJxth3X7Jh/s320/free+vintage+clip+art+for+Shabby+blogs+By+FPTFY.png" width="212" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">This will be another quick one. As I've been trying to more diligently follow the already-familiar example of this phantom woman, God is truly blessing my efforts! Even though I didn't get up *quite* as early as I'd planned, I was able to write 5 articles (I wrote a total of 4, all of last week, so that's major progress!), straighten 2 rooms, do 2 freezer meals in addition to our lunch (my favorite mac-n-cheese using </span><a href="http://penniesonaplatter.com/2011/01/12/easy-homemade-mac-n-cheese/"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">this recipe</span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">, only I add in ham cubes) and make up some </span><a href="http://www.lynnskitchenadventures.com/2010/10/peanut-butter-granola.html"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">peanut butter granola</span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> for snacks and then </span><a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/06/freezer-friendly-baked-oatmeal-recipe.html"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">baked oatmeal</span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> for tomorrow morning in addition to one to freeze. Whew! <br /><br />(By the way, all those recipes turned out well, except that the granola was really piec-y and crumbly--maybe too much oatmeal? Everyone likes it, though, and it's great with yogurt or as an ice cream topping! Anyhow, one new chicken recipe I tried for the first time this week is </span><a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/05/worlds-easiest-make-ahead-marinated-chicken-recipe.html"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">this amazingly easy one</span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">, and everyone loved it! Yea!)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />Beleive it or not, everyone was taken care of and fed and everything, too, and now I'm about to snuggle with a very tired gardener who's just getting out of his shower while we watch our favorite shows!</span><br />
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One more thing: Here's a great </span><a href="http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/2012/05/disney-sea-shells-and-easy-ways-to-be-intentional-with-your-kids-link-up/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">post by Angela</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> about parenting intentionally, for God's glory! (Especially if you don't have the money for a Disney vacation, this post should be an encouragement to you!) You'll also see my family's picture at the bottom because I decided to join her link-up party--yea!</span></div>
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</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Okay, without further adieu, here's my S. O. A. P. for today.</span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Scripture: </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2031:7-9&version=NASB"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Proverbs 31:7-9</span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Observation: She is teaching him to speak up for others, not on his own behalf. This reminds me of Proverbs 27:2--"Let <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-17172A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> another praise you, and not your own mouth;</span><span class="text Prov-27-2"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A stranger, and not your own lips" as well as Philippians 2:3--"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." So different from a worldly focus on self esteem and selfishness!</span></span></li>
<span class="text Prov-27-2"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></span>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Application: While I want to teach my sons to stand up for themselves, I also need to make sure to teach them to look out for one another and for others around them. <br /><br />This is an interesting thought for me this week, because I was thinking just last week about something similar, when my hubby had the opportunity to show his true manliness by pulling a man who was beating his 14-year-old daughter off of her: As much as I tend to focus on my boys' safety at their young ages (1 and 3), ultimately, I'm preparing them to be willing to do what isn't safe, for the benefit of others and God's glory. I want them to be courageous enough to run into a burning building to save a child or risk their very lives to share the Gospel.<br /><br />I really should upload a picture of my sorry first attept at homemade granola, never mind the "P" part, but my tired gardener is ready to snuggle and veg. :)</span></li>
<br />
<br />
</ul>
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<br />
<br />Tammy Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018711696941413340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237155404029499585.post-38899412294448874472012-05-16T20:27:00.000-05:002012-05-16T20:35:30.851-05:00Proverbs 31 Study--Day 3<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This will be a short post--fitting, after yesterday's novella!<br /><br />Here's my "S. O. A. P." for the day:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Scripture: <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2031:5,%206&version=ESV">Proverbs 31:5, 6</a></span></li>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<li>Observations:</li>
<ol>
<li>The idea of alcohol as a danger because it may result in a person's forgetting what's important is interesting. In fact, of the many arguments against drinking I've ever heard, this has never been mentioned.</li>
<li>Both verses point out concern for the less fortunate ("in distress," "perishing," "afflicted"). This is truly a mark of nobility and leadership.</li>
</ol>
<li>Applications:</li>
<ol>
<li>I think the idea of being distracted from what's important connects well to <a href="http://womenlivingwell.org/2012/05/escaping-the-rat-race-wlww-link-up-party/">today's post by Courtney</a> about the danger of rat-race living. (By the way, anyone read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Its-Your-Kid-Gerbil-Less-Stressed/dp/1589976150/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337217220&sr=8-1">this book</a>, on the same topic? Looks interesting!) I think that our busy, busy lives and overload of information and entertainment can easily become as distracting as a mind-altering substance.</li>
<li>Even though I do tend to be politically conservative, I think many similarly conservative Christians can come across as real jerks by being anti-welfare, etc. I understand and can empathize with the idea of helping people voluntarily, rather than out of mandatory taxes, and I realize that many do abuse the "system." However, I strongly believe that we need to be cautious not to come across as uncaring about the needs of others and raise our children to do the same, not to assume anyone in need has been foolish or in some way intends to "take advantage" of others' kindnesses. That kind of cynical view is quite unlike that of Christ.</li>
</ol>
<li>Prayer: Lord, help me not to forget what's really important in my parenting. May I raise my sons to be concerned about the needs and difficulties of others, whether those problems are self-inflicted or innocently endured. </li>
</span></ul>
<ul><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></ul>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span>Tammy Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018711696941413340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237155404029499585.post-54691224246896248912012-05-15T14:34:00.001-05:002012-05-15T15:09:45.852-05:00Proverbs 31 Study--Days 1 & 2Yesterday, I started a 14-week Bible study about my hero--the woman of Proverbs 31. I've had a longstanding relationship with her, starting with memorizing the 21 verses that describe her, when I was just a teenager. (I've also read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Proverbs-Lady-Other-Impossible-Dreams/dp/0871235951/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337109080&sr=8-1">this hilarious book</a> and done <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Woman-After-Gods-Own-Heart%C2%AE/dp/0736918833/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1">this study</a>--anyone read the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Young-Woman-After-Gods-Heart/dp/0736907890/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_4">teen version</a>? I'd love to read it and possibly do it as a young ladies' Bible study with girls at church, sometime.) This year, though, I've been convicted that I really have a long way to go in emulating her. I've made some pretty major strides toward being a more diligent home manager so far in 2012, but I still have a looooong way to go! (You can see some ideas I've implemented on <a href="http://pinterest.com/tammymommy/i-can-get-organized/">Pinterest</a>, if you have interest--ha!)<br />
<br />
When a friend from high school put a shout out on Facebook about forming an online accountability group for this study, I jumped at it. The fact that <a href="http://tammy-mommy.goodblogs.com/view-post/Sometimes-You-Just-Have-To-Laugh">that friend</a> was one who modelled Christian character and the fruits of the Spirit to me at a young age made connecting with her even more appealing.<br />
<br />
Our little accountability group includes former classmates and both former and current church sisters of mine, a one-time co-worker of Eydie's, and even a former student of mine, haling from IL, MI, MN, OH, OR, PA, TX, & WI! Life stages range from the single to young moms, moms of teens, and even empty nesters. I love the diversity!<br />
<br />
To be quite honest, I really lack discipline in many areas of my life, including daily Bible reading. I'll do fairly well for a while, and then sluff off. I know this is terrible--I'm a pastor's wife, for heaven's sake! I've also been a beliver since I was a young child, and I do love the Lord and enjoy spending time with Him and studying His Word. I'm just more of a "binge" reader than a regular, steady student of the Word, like I yearn to be. The opportunity for accountability and community surrounding this study isn't just a bonus for me; it's a necessity.<br />
<br />
Without further adieu, I'll link up and do my journalling. Here are links for Day 1 (Monday, May 14):<br />
<ul>
<li>Intro. (with video!) <a href="http://womenlivingwell.org/2012/05/the-proverbs-31-woman-series-begins/">from Courtney</a> at "Women Living Well" </li>
<li>Intro. <a href="http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/2012/05/week-1-intro-to-the-proverbs-31-book-club/">from Angela</a> at "Good Morning Girls"</li>
<li>Study Guide <a href="http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Proverbs-31-study-guide.pdf">Link</a></li>
<li>Reading Schedule <a href="http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Proverbs31-Soap-Reading-Plan.pdf">Link</a></li>
<li>Free Ebook *Subscription <a href="http://womenlivingwell.org/free-proverbs-31-ebook/">Link</a></li>
</ul>
*When you sign up, you'll get an e-mail with the daily blog posts, along with the ebook, at some point. Since you won't get the ebook right away, though, as long as you did sign up, feel free to download it right away with this <a href="http://womenlivingwell.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Proverbs-31-Ebook1.pdf">direct link</a>.<br />
<ul>
</ul>
Monday's S-O-A-P:<br />
<ul>
<li>Scripture: <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2031:1,%202&version=NIV">Proverbs 31:1, 2</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Observations: </li>
<ol>
<li>In the NIV, it's translated/interpreted as "listen," which seems more natural to the way we talk than the "what" in my usually preferred translations (NASB or ESV), but the fact that it's repeated gives the idea that she's really trying to get her son's attention on this one. Like most of us, King L.'s mom probably had plenty of instructions she gave her children (if she had more than one--anyone know?), but she really wanted to emphasize this one.</li>
<li>The fact that she calls him "the answer to my prayers" is just beautiful! She's wise in reminding him of her love for him, as a precurser to her instructions.</li>
</ol>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>
Applications:</li>
<ol>
<li>I've realized in my parenting lately that by highlighting everything, I'm emphasizing nothing. If I have the same serious (or, let's be honest, LOUD) tone when telling my boys not to splash me with the bathtub water as I do when they run dangerously toward the busy street, I'm doing them a disservice. Even though right now, we're dealing primarily with safety and simple obedience issues, I need to be cautious about determining what really deserves my getting. their. attention.</li>
<li>Sometimes it's good to remember how many answers to prayer we enjoy on a daily basis. In my busy mommy-ing, I sometimes yearn too much for quietness--which I enjoyed profusely during the years in which I ached for a husband and children.</li>
</ol>
</ul>
<br />
<ul><ol>
</ol>
<li>Prayer: I'm not much for scripting prayers, but the prayer of my heart today goes something like this: Lord, you know that I begged you for years for these little people that regularly interrupt my meager attempts at having "me time" and make each task on my to-do list take much longer than I feel like it should. Help me to remember that they're the ones for whom I prayed and to be thankful for them, like I should. Please forgive me for my impatience and for failing to appreciate your many good gifts in my life. Please help me to emphasize what's truly important--not what inconveniences me, but what will equip my sons to ultimately prioritize that which honors you best.</li>
</ul>
Tuesday's (today's) Link <a href="http://womenlivingwell.org/2012/05/the-1950s-wife-vs-the-proverbs-31-wife/">from Courtney</a>--If you haven't watched the video of her on Rachael Ray, you need to check that out! More thoughts on that and her blog post tomorrow--I've written far too much already, for today!<br />
<br />
Tuesday's (today's) S. O. A. P.:<br />
<ul>
<li>Scripture: <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2031:3,%204&version=NASB">Proverbs 31:3, 4</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Observations:</li>
<ol>
<li>The parallelism of verse 3 seems to imply that some women (most women?) are ones who destroy kings. I think of Samson in the Old Testament, and even the way would-be first women in the U.S. either make or break their husbands' reputations and candidacy.</li>
<li>The idea of true masculinity is quite counter-cultural. Many men today see drinking alcohol as a sign of being a man, but King L.'s mom warns him that drinking something that would compromise his reasoning powers is not befitting of a leader.</li>
</ol>
</ul>
<br />
<ul><ol>
</ol>
<li>Applications:</li>
<ol>
<li>Like Dannah Gresh points out in her <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Keeper-Delicate-Modesty-Paperback/dp/B0083HPPYI/ref=sr_1_25?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337109696&sr=1-25">excellent book</a> on modesty (I so wish I'd been exposed to her Scripture-saturated approach, rather than the rules-based approach, as a young woman!), we have power as women. We need to use it for good, not evil. Although I am happily married, I'm never "above" being tempted toward impurity. (By the way, Dannah Gresh has<a href="http://www.amazon.com/And-Bride-Wore-White-Secrets/dp/0802483445/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337110282&sr=1-1"> another great one</a> out there about growing in purity, whatever your past. she does an amazing job of weaving the concepts of pursuing purity with God's forgiveness for past sins.) </li>
<li>I'm reminded that the principles with which I want to raise my sons is counter-cultural and will be criticized--that goes with the territory. I need to be "thick skinned" enough to be ready for that criticism, when it comes, maintaining a balance between being ready to answer others' questions about my parenting choices and sometimes just letting it lay.</li>
</ol>
</ul>
<br />
<ul><ol>
</ol>
<li>Prayer: Lord, please help me to continue to grow in purity and to model for my sons the kind of trustworthy woman who will edify and support them, rather than ruin their lives. Please show me any areas where I need to be more cautious about my own purity and to be braced for the reactions that come from being counter-cultural in my parenting.</li>
</ul>
<br />Tammy Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018711696941413340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237155404029499585.post-35363445830121707462012-02-29T11:53:00.001-06:002012-02-29T14:04:18.944-06:00You Go, Girls!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm not much for holiday-ish posts because, quite frankly, I don't post very regularly anyway. So I guess it's somewhat ironic that I'm posting a holiday-ish post on a pseudo-holiday: "</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadie_Hawkins_Day"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sadie Hawkins Day</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">." If you don't know anything about this role-reversal idea, you can click on the link above for an overview of its history. The basic idea is what I'm writing about, though--girls pursuing guys. Or at least showing interest in them.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I want to encourage the young, unmarried women in my life to feel free to step out and make it clear you're looking for a romantic relationship, if in fact, you're at an age and maturity level to pursue a marriage-bound relationship. (For now, we won't get into what I think that means.) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I want to tell you a little bit about my thinking and my real-life "love story." If you know me at all, you likely know I've been happily married for nearly 6 years, now, and Jonathan and I have two adorable little boys. That also means that I was single until age 28, though, and I'd likely still be single if I were the type to sit around and wait for God to drop him in my lap! Not that being single for life is necessarily a bad thing, but if that's not what you want, I just want you to realize that it's okay to go after your dreams!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For those of you who don't know, we actually met on a Christian "dating" site called "</span><a href="http://www.christiancafe.com/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Christian Cafe"</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> (the link takes you to their site). Despite the constant jokes we make about "not being able to trust anything you find online" and "you get what you pay for" (I was only on a free trial--Jonathan had a paid membership!), I really think that how we met is great for the thinking person, for several reasons:</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You have the chance to find out what the other person believes and to see if you're philosophically compatible before physical attraction and all those related goopy emotions can get in the way.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You literally have to learn to communicate with one another because basically, that's all you have. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You don't run as much of a risk of "wasting time" building a relationship with a guy who isn't interested in more than "hanging out" since travel is often required for an in-person meeting.</span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQT6DVXmq_zhXkOUSdEKwpyGeDG9PCxbH3wBwUaSP9EFURjIlsw8ZKe4gYrT1WoC7kI_Jade-UloV23LLWdMNtb6gXnjQw66MIZoXZBlATpuvpCQzOEW-RqUR77-9mK4b3dDKsTlJjIIip/s1600/Forfun2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQT6DVXmq_zhXkOUSdEKwpyGeDG9PCxbH3wBwUaSP9EFURjIlsw8ZKe4gYrT1WoC7kI_Jade-UloV23LLWdMNtb6gXnjQw66MIZoXZBlATpuvpCQzOEW-RqUR77-9mK4b3dDKsTlJjIIip/s320/Forfun2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Like anything else, you need to be cautious because, like my dad mentioned to me, all you know about a person you meet that way is what they tell you. You do need to check up on that. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For those of you set on waiting for a guy to make the first move or waiting for God to literally drop him in your lap, I wonder if you feel the same way about a degree program or career. Did you wait for those to come to you, or did you get out there and pursue what you desired? Just sayin'.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here's how it worked for me. When I went on Christian Cafe, there were about 3,000 guys. When I narrowed the search to "Baptists" and those who don't drink or smoke and were within a few years of my age (and taller than I am, and maybe a few more qualifiers), the field narrowed to 30. Two of those guys were in the church I was attending at the time (that was a little awkward). I messaged several of them and asked them to tell me what they liked most about their church. (Not very romantic, I know!) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My Jonathan replied to that message in a very thoughtful way, and thus began our first weeks of dialogue (or grilling each other, however you want to term it!). He was a youth pastor in Oregon at the time, and I was teaching at a Christian school in Michigan. We had both attended Bob Jones University for 3 1/2 of the same years, but we'd never met. (We're still finding out about mutual friends and acquaintances--crazy!) Our first phone conversation was in April 2005, he flew out to meet me in June, and I flew to Oregon in August, which is when he officially proposed. We were married in March 2006.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5py58H0gZEYd6zRt2F4Mr6x9MMBSq3jiezWv3xboWxHn4_LlQkmtIgLqA4E2RPL1iLFIictW1u6iSqP3KaFEE7ffGip4vDXZXo6NWykzEF4ebIhPKlkc7Hq9cQMZMmFN7kv1TjreMk2D9/s1600/11-20-2005-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5py58H0gZEYd6zRt2F4Mr6x9MMBSq3jiezWv3xboWxHn4_LlQkmtIgLqA4E2RPL1iLFIictW1u6iSqP3KaFEE7ffGip4vDXZXo6NWykzEF4ebIhPKlkc7Hq9cQMZMmFN7kv1TjreMk2D9/s320/11-20-2005-19.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Nearly six years later, I'd consider us one of the many on-line love success stories! God has taken us up and down some windy roads, but we're thankful to have each other and, of course, our two little balls of energy!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QUbTsUGMccF9ZvXFBta4l4hC0CICou4z6DmQs7S59SoaAFY1NKZ7AcKh4DgIfdakM45HRVzKCv7aRxI2uI9WSYQOPFwx07ZkkEsTE1MUEzhzwz845vpaqcPzjDOYV-ilTMu607ky6rV_/s1600/IMG_2411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QUbTsUGMccF9ZvXFBta4l4hC0CICou4z6DmQs7S59SoaAFY1NKZ7AcKh4DgIfdakM45HRVzKCv7aRxI2uI9WSYQOPFwx07ZkkEsTE1MUEzhzwz845vpaqcPzjDOYV-ilTMu607ky6rV_/s320/IMG_2411.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'll tell more of our story in another post, but the main point of this one is to encourage those single Christian girls out there to feel free to make a move, today on Sadie Hawkins Day, or any day!</span>Tammy Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018711696941413340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237155404029499585.post-20550839565867278662012-02-18T22:03:00.009-06:002012-02-18T22:18:30.986-06:00Our Home Sweet Parsonage--A Pictorial (& Video) Tour<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Well, I figured that if I kept waiting until everything was completely decorated and how I want it, I'd be waiting until my hair's completely gray (and no, I don't have ANY . . . yet!), so I settled for doing this when it was at least clean. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's been just over a month since we moved here to Linesville, and we absolutely love it here! After getting completely out of boxes in just a few days, some minor illnesses and just plain L-I-F-E has gotten in the way of my big plans of getting completely settled in within a week. You'd think we'd have this whole moving thing down to a science by now, but the whole moving-out-of-state deal comes with some extra challenges like new bank accounts, insurance, drivers' licenses, etc., etc., etc. Oh, well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We absolutely love our new church family and have had so many opportunities for fellowship with them, starting the day we moved here. We had 3 or 4 different offers for people to watch our boys during while the big stuff was coming in, and after I dropped them off at another home, I came "home" to about a gazillion (okay, maybe just a couple dozen, but still!) helpers that had already unloaded the majority of our belongings. They even helped set up and make our bed and unpack about half my kitchen. They'd burned a lot of boxes before we left to go down the road to the church for a fabulous dinner prepared by others in the church.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I must admit: It was a little odd having people whose names I didn't remember (and had met only once or twice, in the past couple months) asking me where to put furniture pieces in a house I'd briefly toured in late November, but hey!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Without further adieu, here's the grand tour of the first floor:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When you come in the front-ish side door (there is a front door, but there's no real access to it--weird, I know), you come in through (drum roll, please!) the coveted spacious mud room!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdKDlcSAcASvtfXRmb2brvm7cRuWAobMK9Cu0z2nlSeZjGkWTyz87z2q389F85Sry0koHTT2sxfJkxxZY2WFDwqHKNMmRof8TakyQV3TLMXUGxslPzGtz5-OnhCvEVZF5Il5Q_fiDWCqb/s1600/IMG_2424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdKDlcSAcASvtfXRmb2brvm7cRuWAobMK9Cu0z2nlSeZjGkWTyz87z2q389F85Sry0koHTT2sxfJkxxZY2WFDwqHKNMmRof8TakyQV3TLMXUGxslPzGtz5-OnhCvEVZF5Il5Q_fiDWCqb/s320/IMG_2424.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you were visiting in person, you could sit down and take off your shoes or boots (depending on the day of the week or time of day, this crazy winter!) and then hang up your coat on either the wall-mounted rack behind the door, to your right, or on the rod to your left. Either way, you'd then want to follow that well-placed carpet remnant to your left to what was once the side door. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Once you walked through it, your view would be something like this one, with the arched doorway slightly to the right of being directly in front of you: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnX3atXBbV9cQWTddQTyEkSQ2ee0kxXk6caM8NVdN6i9AFivk7-4LhLZI6w62b5-ZutLG1Tyr9TLhLFttIbP5z52Zwor8qgUffuRZqnET0BM4MkueHlXN49i7f8pN3FZ-_gFqlRUaWjf0_/s1600/IMG_2427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnX3atXBbV9cQWTddQTyEkSQ2ee0kxXk6caM8NVdN6i9AFivk7-4LhLZI6w62b5-ZutLG1Tyr9TLhLFttIbP5z52Zwor8qgUffuRZqnET0BM4MkueHlXN49i7f8pN3FZ-_gFqlRUaWjf0_/s320/IMG_2427.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Don't you just love the white trim and chair rail against the tan walls?! We do! And note the berry swag you can barely see above the arched doorway--I just had to put in that Pennsylvania touch--along with candles in my windows, of course! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The window-type opening above our extra-long sofa leads to the kitchen, so it's a semi-open layout. (And yes, I know that there's a hole in my photo arrangement--like I said, I'm not done yet!) By the way, to the right of that incompletely decorated wall is the door to the pastor's study. </span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(As a side note, we are adjusting to his working from home again, never mind the first-shift-ish and somewhat flexible schedule--there are both positives and negatives to all of that. It's especially hard for the boys to understand that when Daddy comes out to get a cup of coffee or something, he's not <em>really </em>home. One way we've tried to explain it to them is to tell Caleb that the play room is <em>his </em>office. I love it when he tells me he's working in his office! lol Then, today, he told me that the kitchen was <em>my</em> office. <em>How cute is that?!)</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Moving on, if you were to look to the right of the door to the study, here's what you'd see:</div></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjex_tmWQ6EDnswQj-YYMAajuPtOJLLuM3Boj26X0vXxfSh2SxfaO1YsghnFr0KU5JjxgtSvE8P1Wske6wPImTr52mI8jDAJJl9Crh7pwitgGzkHcS8T4f8QVOl2OTzclakIwUfM_GxSpZI/s1600/IMG_2426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjex_tmWQ6EDnswQj-YYMAajuPtOJLLuM3Boj26X0vXxfSh2SxfaO1YsghnFr0KU5JjxgtSvE8P1Wske6wPImTr52mI8jDAJJl9Crh7pwitgGzkHcS8T4f8QVOl2OTzclakIwUfM_GxSpZI/s320/IMG_2426.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you stood in front of the door to Jonathan's study, here's the view as yo look a little to your right (just past the arched doorway you saw before):</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadI00pHOZlSYqdvH86_8vkbkRSWf0m4DSZHfXsbBJfBLDR2ExFebUmWFCpNvmE2e5ZZTX8x0KKiWo8Ejcqqk4Hx6xF8ne-zBos6yq2ku2LzwFxXeI9FQiRD7rOZ8EnsV9FoDeDEuh5WyG/s1600/IMG_2428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadI00pHOZlSYqdvH86_8vkbkRSWf0m4DSZHfXsbBJfBLDR2ExFebUmWFCpNvmE2e5ZZTX8x0KKiWo8Ejcqqk4Hx6xF8ne-zBos6yq2ku2LzwFxXeI9FQiRD7rOZ8EnsV9FoDeDEuh5WyG/s320/IMG_2428.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In the top right corner, you can see our nonfunctional front door in front of which is the staircase to the upstairs, which includes three bedrooms (two of which are very spacious!) and a large full bath that includes a ton of storage. (Maybe I'll give you a tour of that sometime next month. . . . if there's any interest.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Standing at the same spot, here's what you'd see if you looked a little to your left:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisET3AY9IUlFdeEJBkNYaotoxG8xvl7CEUjEuuVrJPMzohqlmxWzJDaHivfjF3nFWtE6GcOSCa7misBHnTr7vOkUGd3Z1ZgBphch7J84Uv69OcPrqLNXEsloOTt-2iil57K6ipDumADEld/s1600/IMG_2430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisET3AY9IUlFdeEJBkNYaotoxG8xvl7CEUjEuuVrJPMzohqlmxWzJDaHivfjF3nFWtE6GcOSCa7misBHnTr7vOkUGd3Z1ZgBphch7J84Uv69OcPrqLNXEsloOTt-2iil57K6ipDumADEld/s320/IMG_2430.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You can see the (second) door you came in, there to your left. And sure, it's a little quirky to have a window to my mud room, but that's obviously where the house once ended. Besides, window treatments are in the works, and I just love having that informal but highly functional entryway! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Might I point up our new electric fireplace? It's my Valentine's Day/Anniversary/Mother's Day/probably a few other holidays gift from my man! <em>Ain't he the greatest?!</em> We had the TV on the bookshelf you already saw, until we bought that last week, and now the pictures need to be rehung because they don't look quite right, but that's okay!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Okay, back to the tour. If you turn to your right and walk through the arched doorway, turn to your right, and you'll be in my kitchen! It's not huge, but it's not tiny, either, and there's plenty of cabinet space--woo hoo!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfgR7Rz4gPu9SJWMkc6fZdGVbRAJvNwOTXv3OpY24lGNssR1V6MvYFU1xehZq2vKTL_ZVdBXjquxqKskB3GdLU1FA7fbe6e5Ke57Zc0VYwP4EoSZrXwPAam-_yUutzwhf0oA0at3TUlDe/s1600/IMG_2431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfgR7Rz4gPu9SJWMkc6fZdGVbRAJvNwOTXv3OpY24lGNssR1V6MvYFU1xehZq2vKTL_ZVdBXjquxqKskB3GdLU1FA7fbe6e5Ke57Zc0VYwP4EoSZrXwPAam-_yUutzwhf0oA0at3TUlDe/s320/IMG_2431.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Past that is our dining area. It's a little too white for my taste and the valances were here when we came but don't quite match my not-yet-hung decor, but alas . . . these things do take time! Anyhow, if you were to walk through the doorway and look to your left, this is what you'd see:</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWN6zSyWp89vyBMcgH9bzi6JqE6jbX0936Qrn0AxuAiPUupN2fZjid9Sm7dnhDogOqL0E7Y6ImIXjp9UzCIRkvZsVKnmDTfwSo6ra2ZWspGhI48E4NMj1eSUnL9DhaVJjgc0_0-3MHf5a/s1600/IMG_2432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWN6zSyWp89vyBMcgH9bzi6JqE6jbX0936Qrn0AxuAiPUupN2fZjid9Sm7dnhDogOqL0E7Y6ImIXjp9UzCIRkvZsVKnmDTfwSo6ra2ZWspGhI48E4NMj1eSUnL9DhaVJjgc0_0-3MHf5a/s320/IMG_2432.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Walk along the counter on the left and look back the other way, and here's the view:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVjA9YbBCtLSoVrvSZkOkcT-0OZ2fxwMaZYib8qhEjLOaxKHUYlXbStQdS1I0ptdi3W3GPSk86zEkC6NZ2OwUpan1xUI1j8q3_9TJp_iLa-SP3ezrp930CK37A3UTVew30EjbQRMYqdo-/s1600/IMG_2434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVjA9YbBCtLSoVrvSZkOkcT-0OZ2fxwMaZYib8qhEjLOaxKHUYlXbStQdS1I0ptdi3W3GPSk86zEkC6NZ2OwUpan1xUI1j8q3_9TJp_iLa-SP3ezrp930CK37A3UTVew30EjbQRMYqdo-/s320/IMG_2434.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If we moved the buffet, we'd have room to use all four leaves to extend our table for plenty of guests. By the way, that back door is functional, and it leads to a small cement landing with a few stairs to the spacious, evergreen-shaded back yard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Why don't you walk over to the side window (the one not along the same wall as the back door) and look out. Here's what you might see (depending on the day, this odd-ball winter):</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jZuVwUTpnE96l3rWJ6de-Mx25ukMcGH-sHH0C8F9ijDc9iFquhU9GNau2gInV7jbllAVBkdz_VRtudymbjlkIpzeYZzuG8YwgCyPqyXt_tFQJQImsEwj_cZmcOWvU9cHnBe0WcnmhHh3/s1600/IMG_2385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jZuVwUTpnE96l3rWJ6de-Mx25ukMcGH-sHH0C8F9ijDc9iFquhU9GNau2gInV7jbllAVBkdz_VRtudymbjlkIpzeYZzuG8YwgCyPqyXt_tFQJQImsEwj_cZmcOWvU9cHnBe0WcnmhHh3/s320/IMG_2385.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yes, there is a creek and plently of wooded space out back--such a great place for two boys to explore as they grow up! Now, jump back in the window, and turn toward the kitchen, and you'll see one of my favorite spots inside the house:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw02mSfJ1lc0OoRsKnOQpYFDoOPUGnmVdtXZWvduWUxt1tA18FAiCWGmBcLw2g8H5g1DjoEVxGAGC0baOu24Tu_eDJt1EP-U_gDOQpeQk5NZPsN9BtIWH9Z_YSuUKUQouD6NubFCBvcKKK/s1600/IMG_2433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw02mSfJ1lc0OoRsKnOQpYFDoOPUGnmVdtXZWvduWUxt1tA18FAiCWGmBcLw2g8H5g1DjoEVxGAGC0baOu24Tu_eDJt1EP-U_gDOQpeQk5NZPsN9BtIWH9Z_YSuUKUQouD6NubFCBvcKKK/s320/IMG_2433.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I must give credit to Jonathan for this brain child--if we hadn't used this little nook as a coffee corner, I'm sure it would be wasted space--speaking of space, this place has TONS of storage, like the cabinets placed below the coffee pot!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Back through the kitchen, I must point up a feature I just love--no, not the old-fashioned phone--the pantry! I've never had one of these before, and I just love having the extra space to stock up on food. Our church family did a pretty good job of getting us started out with plenty of canned goods and some easy meals, so some of those are still in there, too.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJejqXBU1_-Q4TLWWGZWpcN59ersBtL3Q8nR-uBdtxL05k_rRm2Xnan5hmLjQN4mLXDSyYyznOp8CWBscTIXhQFbJxUMXh8_MI0vdTMo9HN6AaSL1zCb8QVUPLK_oAtqiA3ZsOGu82PYb1/s1600/IMG_2435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJejqXBU1_-Q4TLWWGZWpcN59ersBtL3Q8nR-uBdtxL05k_rRm2Xnan5hmLjQN4mLXDSyYyznOp8CWBscTIXhQFbJxUMXh8_MI0vdTMo9HN6AaSL1zCb8QVUPLK_oAtqiA3ZsOGu82PYb1/s320/IMG_2435.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Okay, going back to the living room, when you came through the arched doorway, you turned right to come into my kitchen. If you'd gone straight, you'd go into a small full bathroom (sorry, no pics--it is clean, though!). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you looked to your left, you'd see our basement door (it's unfinished and has a low ceiling, but we're grateful for the storage space and washer and dryer down there). Like all the interior doors downstairs, the door to the basement has a fabulous vintage doorknob with a (working) keyhole you can peek through, like this one:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4LQUJV61nX133soS2KTnL3qrsbMLplXgLX0fIZAy1Ti2fxevCjR1PAAmexjKxb4Ar2ahnOj-YzJ4OGQuVsCbMVhmNkUGpNTtRITQy48GyQAr3NEoK6Zb3GJ99Mw9NA1dmoEcJWhoI7uL/s1600/IMG_2388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4LQUJV61nX133soS2KTnL3qrsbMLplXgLX0fIZAy1Ti2fxevCjR1PAAmexjKxb4Ar2ahnOj-YzJ4OGQuVsCbMVhmNkUGpNTtRITQy48GyQAr3NEoK6Zb3GJ99Mw9NA1dmoEcJWhoI7uL/s320/IMG_2388.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">To the left, just past the basement door, is the door to my favorite place in the whole house--the play room! (Originally, this was one of two bedrooms in the house--so glad they added on!) But we'll save those pics for another post. For now, you'll have to settle for the sneak peak in this very amateurish, completely unedited 4-minute video tour linked <a href="http://vimeo.com/37041534">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Thanks for popping over to see our new home. We're very grateful to the Lord for providing it and to Calvary Baptist Church of Linesville for all the hard work they've put in to keeping it up for nearly 6 years without a pastor to live in it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Hope you'll visit in person sometime, friends! Just give me about an hour's notice, and I'll even feed you. :)</span>Tammy Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018711696941413340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237155404029499585.post-79056586765466556932011-12-28T22:15:00.007-06:002011-12-31T12:23:57.967-06:00O Little Town of Linesville--4 Wagner Move FAQs<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Okay, I know this post title would have been a bit more apropos if I had written it on Christmas Day, but you still get the idea! I'm not sure if anyone reads my blog who isn't a friend of mine on Facebook, but just in case the news has somehow escaped you, the afore-mentioned angst had a happy ending for us Sunday: <strong>Jonathan was voted in as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Linesville, Pennsylvania, Christmas Day!</strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1.Where is Linesville?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Contrary to my joked-about mistaken Facebook post, Linesville is in Pennsylvania, not Ohio; however, it does border Ohio. It's also about 45 minutes south of Erie, Pennsylvania, which is on Lake Erie, so it's pretty much in the far Northwestern corner of the state, as you can see in the Google Maps view linked </span><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&cp=4&gs_id=c&xhr=t&q=linesville+pa&tok=tbx812j2yVYov4FRrWNvog&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1441&bih=677&wrapid=tljp132512912950204&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x88324842cd93c505:0x46c09856639ea851,Linesville,+PA&gl=us&ei=qd37Tp_VLOWjsQKI7dGYAQ&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=2&sqi=2&ved=0CDUQ8gEwAQ"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. It's only 80 miles from Cleveland, Ohio, and slightly further from Pittsburgh. Its population is just over 1,000, similar to Gillett, the town where Jonathan formerly pastored.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Jonathan grew up in Quarryville, Pennsylvania, which is in Southern Lancaster County; that is where his parents and both brothers and their families still live. I can't get the map link to work right, but i</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">t's basically in the opposite corner of the state; it's about a 6-hour drive. (We'll be about 10 hours from Madison, which is where my parents live.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2.Why are you excited to go there?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Well, you might like to visit us to see Pennsylvania's second-most-visited </span><a href="http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2204"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">tourist attraction</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">, but we're not moving to Linesville to find out if the ducks really do walk on the fish. Jonathan is excited to again fulfill his life's calling as a pastor, preaching and teaching God's Word and serving those within the church and the Linesville community.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When we set out for our second visit to the church, I have to admit that my focus was on getting out of this transition time and into a more permanent home and routine. However, during that visit, we truly began forming relationships with people and desiring to go in order to serve them, not just because we liked it there (which we actually do!). The church itself has about 100 people, including a balanced range of age groups and many children. <br />
<br />
(Random fun fact: With our family's move, we'll help even out the gender imbalance among the children in two churches. Here at <a href="http://www.calvarybiblefellowship.com/">Calvary Bible Fellowship</a> in Madison, there are far more boys than girls. At <a href="http://www.cbclinesville.org/">Calvary Baptist Church</a> in Linesville, there are currently many more girls than boys--I think I counted 14 out of 20 in their Christmas program!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3. Where will you be living?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We'll be living in the church's parsonage, which is located about a mile from the church. Both are outside of town, but they are not on adjacent property. The house is a 2-story home with an unfinished basement and a small, unattached garage. It sits on 5 acres, most of which are wooded. It has 4 spacious bedrooms, 2 full baths, and the pastor's study. One of the bedrooms is on the main floor, and we plan to use it as a play room/guest room. (So if you're in the area or feel like taking a road trip, please do come visit--we will certainly have room for you!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I don't remember many details except that it does have a dishwasher (something I've been without since our August move) and a really nice-sized mud room (something I've always dreamed of having!). We didn't have much time to look around at it, and taking pictures or measurements seemed like it would come across as presumptuous, so we didn't. Now, I really wish we had! Oh, well. I (kind of) like surprises!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4. When are you actually moving?</span><br />
<br />
<div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The big move, our third/fourth in 19 months, is scheduled for January 15-16. At the time of this posting, we have a meager 2.5 weeks! <em>Yikes!</em> <em>So what in the world am I doing blogging?</em> Good question! Well, actually, I feel like I kept things pretty organized since we moved here in August, and many, many boxes remain unpacked. Besides that, we've practically become pros at this whole moving thing. Besides, you probably already know that I'm a little crazy about this whole writing thing--in some ways, it's my therapy. I do have some paid writing to do, so I should really end this now.</span></div><div><br />
</div><div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here's an abbreviated timeline for our move, for any of you who want to pray for us or help us pack up here in Madison, Wisconsin, or unpack out in Linesville:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Mon., Jan. 9<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> – Pastor Wagner & friends in Madison, WI, to load 6’x12’ U-Haul trailer pulled behind Pastor’s truck.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tues., Jan. 10<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> – Pastor Wagner to drive to Linesville and unload trailer at parsonage. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Wed., Jan. 11<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> – Pastor Wagner to leave from Erie airport and fly back to Madison.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sat., Jan. 14<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> – Pastor Wagner and friends in Madison, WI, to load 20’ U-Haul truck.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sun., Jan. 15<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> – After attending church in the morning in Madison, Pastor Wagner to drive U-Haul truck and Tammy to drive minivan about 5 hours toward Linesville.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mon., Jan. 16<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> – Pastor Wagner and Tammy to drive the remainder of the way to Linesville and unload truck.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Wed., Jan. 18<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>—Pastor Wagner to attend first service in his role as pastor of CBC Linesville. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sun., Jan. 22<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup>—Pastor Wagner’s first Sunday as pastor of CBC Linesville.</span></li>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QST1OI-YalA/TvvjifjY7PI/AAAAAAAAAJw/DuBJwxYFhUM/s1600/IMG_1797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QST1OI-YalA/TvvjifjY7PI/AAAAAAAAAJw/DuBJwxYFhUM/s320/IMG_1797.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At least 2 of my boys are still travel-sized!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y88e3bB8mKE/TvvksrQLjhI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/dHtuVnfudBo/s1600/IMG_1919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y88e3bB8mKE/TvvksrQLjhI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/dHtuVnfudBo/s320/IMG_1919.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Josh's favorite part of moving is the extra boxes and bins to climb on!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FAV_hG7Tgco/TvvmRcYI0GI/AAAAAAAAAKM/KhTQp8141E4/s1600/box.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FAV_hG7Tgco/TvvmRcYI0GI/AAAAAAAAAKM/KhTQp8141E4/s320/box.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As long as we can all remember this part, we'll be fine!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UFCaA-0HrnE/TvvovgUGsmI/AAAAAAAAAKY/X2AW284XfHU/s1600/IMG_1770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UFCaA-0HrnE/TvvovgUGsmI/AAAAAAAAAKY/X2AW284XfHU/s320/IMG_1770.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This picture was taken of our family the month of move #1 of 4</span>. <br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(Yes, we're all 4 there--Josh is hiding in my tummy!)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Jxp_W7Mujs/Tvvk7ZULT4I/AAAAAAAAAKA/WLvks1AkSpc/s1600/IMG_1308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Jxp_W7Mujs/Tvvk7ZULT4I/AAAAAAAAAKA/WLvks1AkSpc/s320/IMG_1308.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Caleb has moved many times in his not-quite-three years of life.<br />
Here's hoping (and praying!) that after this, we don't move again<br />
for a long, long, long time!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Tammy Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018711696941413340noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237155404029499585.post-34193870821955101902011-12-16T16:09:00.003-06:002011-12-22T23:26:32.981-06:00Ah, the Angst!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have to admit it--this post is actually a copy of the Christmas letter I'm sending out to some friends and family who aren't (or aren't often) Online. It's a cross between a family newsletter and a ministry-search update. Sorry I didn't take time to find Christmas-y online paper for you. Hope you can pretend!</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear treasured friends and family,</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last year, there was no newsy post to accompany our family picture, but our family has had a quite eventful 2 years! In June of last year, Jonathan resigned from his pastoral position at Gillett Baptist Church, his first senior pastorate. We moved in with Tammy’s parents, fully expecting to move to a new ministry within a few months, preferably before Tammy’s October due date. At the culmination of <span style="color: #4f6228; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">a second healthy pregnancy</span>, we welcomed <span style="color: #4f6228; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">Joshua Seth</span> into our family <span style="color: #4f6228; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">October 5, 2010</span>. Caleb won our hearts anew as he seemed to be instinctively drawn to love on his little brother.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When Josh was only 5 weeks old, we traipsed down to Tucson, Arizona, where Jonathan candidated as pastor of a church. Thanksgiving week, we learned that the percentage of votes was not high enough. The first week of December 2010, we moved into an apartment here in Madison. When a raise that Jonathan was led to expect in October still hadn’t come through by January 2011, <span style="color: #c00000;">God used this seeming delay</span> to rekindle Tammy’s long-time dream of getting paid to write! </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In <span style="color: #4f6228; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">April 2011</span>, our sweet boy <span style="color: #4f6228; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">Caleb turned 2</span>. In May, we decided to look for a residence that was closer to our church and either more spacious or more economical—and our God provided us with a place that amazingly met all three qualifications. In August, <span style="color: #c00000;">we moved for the third time in just over a year.</span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">October 2011 was an exciting month for us. Not only did Josh celebrate his first birthday and have his grandparents visit from Pennsylvania, but Tammy met a fairly ambitious goal in her new writing career, and Jonathan finally received his raise—25% of his original salary! We also visited a church in Ohio.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In November 2011, we took a long-overdue trip to visit Jonathan’s family in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, as well as a church in <span style="color: #c00000;">northwest Pennsylvania</span>. As I write this, we have less than a week before the two of us make our way back to <a href="http://www.cbclinesville.org/Events.html">that same church</a> for him to candidate. The plan is for the church to vote on him the following Sunday—that’s right, <span style="color: #c00000;">Christmas Day</span>!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we hope and (seemingly insanely) plan for <span style="color: #c00000;">our fourth move in one-and-a-half years</span>, our hearts are both heavy and full. The heaviness comes from our tiredness of moving and waiting and not being able to plan ahead, never mind fearing yet another disappointment. We trust that this angst can help us to better appreciate <span style="color: #c00000;">the faith and waiting of the Old Testament saints</span>, who wandered in the wilderness and trusted in a promised a Messiah. Of course, their hope was far more sure than ours, and yet we still do have <span style="color: #c00000;">a certain hope</span>: That same Promised and Expected One will someday return. With Him, the peace and joy and perfect life of which we can only dream will become real; the transitory nature of this life points to that <span style="color: #c00000;">eternal and secure hope</span>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even if we do receive yet one more disappointment Christmas Day, <span style="color: #c00000;">our hearts will be full</span> in knowing that God does reign and keep His promises and care about the details of our lives. Along with the author of Hebrews 11, I think these words from <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGniRk_GcLs">“Blessings”<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>by Laura Story</a> describe that tension well:</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We know the pain reminds this heart that <span style="color: #c00000;">this is not our home</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Is the revealing of <span style="color: #c00000;">a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy</span>?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">And what if <span style="color: #c00000;">trials of this life</span>—the rain, the storms, the hardest nights—</span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">are [God’s] mercies in disguise?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As last Christmas, we unpacked our holiday décor along with the rest of our belongings, this year we hope to be packing everything away along with our manger scene to move someplace where we can <span style="color: #c00000;">get settled in and live and serve and raise our family</span>. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4f6228; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">Will you pray with us to that end?</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With hope eternal,</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Edwardian Script ITC"; font-size: 16pt;">Jonathan & Tammy Wagner</span><span style="color: #c00000;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHk6JPtxkbuR3c89cAw5m2Eu5cV4uuayHaz5b_4h5EJtI4iqW9TOMJo2ze3Y0iHSKoA2zWmpsDSVqAF7fmVLf9Aoh3I8shoejh-sfMpHsmvWfuuNPYVHxh99MrRArLf-dKIZEajQy-k4aI/s1600/Christmas+Cards-p002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHk6JPtxkbuR3c89cAw5m2Eu5cV4uuayHaz5b_4h5EJtI4iqW9TOMJo2ze3Y0iHSKoA2zWmpsDSVqAF7fmVLf9Aoh3I8shoejh-sfMpHsmvWfuuNPYVHxh99MrRArLf-dKIZEajQy-k4aI/s400/Christmas+Cards-p002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is the version of our Christmas card that I'll be handing out this weekend at what we hope will be our new church home. I created it myself, with one of the family pictures from the photo shoot shown in <a href="http://vimeo.com/32987632">this video</a>. I created both the Christmas card and video with my digital scrapbooking software. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(As a side note, I'd like to launch a side business marketing these types of products. What do you think? What would you pay for these types of services? Just testing the waters--thanks for your input and your continued prayers!)</span>Tammy Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018711696941413340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237155404029499585.post-953171035921848482011-12-13T22:07:00.003-06:002011-12-14T14:08:31.811-06:00So Much for That Idea . . .<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In my last post, I mentioned trying to blog at least on a weekly basis . . . so much for that idea! </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I really miss blogging here regularly. Maybe someday I'll get back into the habit, or have time for this indulgence, or . . . whatever you want to call this whole blogging deal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Most of my November, though, was spent trying to cram a month's worth of (paid) writing into 2 1/2 weeks (which I did, by the way!), and since our trip to my hubby's hometown in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, we've basically been recovering--from the trip and our colds--two of which turned into infections!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We've also been doing some Christmas-ing, of course, which for me mainly meant decorating our place in time to host a ladies' Christmas activity for our church--which is the kind of thing I really delight to do! With my two littles and our constantly up-in-the-air status (more on that later this week--and that's a promise!), I'm far less active in serving than I've typically been and than, in many ways, I'd like to be. So I wanted to spoil our faithful ladies just a bit and invite them to a bring-only-yourself event, for once. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My friend Christina made the main course, which was a delightful stromboli, as well as delicious cranberry-and-white chocolate cookies, and I basically made some other goodies--you know, the fun stuff I like to puts around and play with in all my "free time"! :) My faves are peanut butter balls, peppermint Oreo truffles, and cinnamon ornaments. (The full menu is posted below.) Maybe I'll post links to the recipe cards I plan to create for them this week--if anyone is interested . . .</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBWQpS3zpvcw9gA_NACjMClmJbCxH2j-shlIljYHtLKHoFeRvMmLLHVlXbob00wMNqQtB2YgyGCYRdSoCAPQld9caC7RYUtOjGyv3XghZ0SUy6YkJSGLWNR5RJqFUCqwcaRoXkUNEpTRO/s1600/337509_10150519100012652_518017651_10688566_295982896_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBWQpS3zpvcw9gA_NACjMClmJbCxH2j-shlIljYHtLKHoFeRvMmLLHVlXbob00wMNqQtB2YgyGCYRdSoCAPQld9caC7RYUtOjGyv3XghZ0SUy6YkJSGLWNR5RJqFUCqwcaRoXkUNEpTRO/s320/337509_10150519100012652_518017651_10688566_295982896_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here are some long-in-coming samples (as promised in my October post!) of Josh's 1-year photo shoot--isn't he just a doll-baby? </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUN_Xj4y5ONiDcaMkcMP7qyLMJvwoWbfFxEQaKFJqwvJD0X1ZT0AthVoM62G_sej5GxYVkxycfwBjCzeosFibwwq30SSH8MDOXZDJr57EHUM-fHAr9cjIl1dQbMUtcDP_2nQhW0Cdx-oC/s1600/Josh+117+CB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUN_Xj4y5ONiDcaMkcMP7qyLMJvwoWbfFxEQaKFJqwvJD0X1ZT0AthVoM62G_sej5GxYVkxycfwBjCzeosFibwwq30SSH8MDOXZDJr57EHUM-fHAr9cjIl1dQbMUtcDP_2nQhW0Cdx-oC/s320/Josh+117+CB.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yes, he can now walk without holding our hands, but I just love that he couldn't for his pics, because it afforded us this sweet mommy-daddy-baby shot!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7XeiuupX9R3cE76Bm-21r0C7Ox9at7rJY0KLVPxbrB3ALEE74ix52QTVj-O7x9qhDZtg1sj3xDjHGP2pfOM_9Yno5aLpKFQm-p5EVLzpe-pJD6wsNHaxodRVpT9jYVelcHqKfBkxnkIk/s1600/Josh129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7XeiuupX9R3cE76Bm-21r0C7Ox9at7rJY0KLVPxbrB3ALEE74ix52QTVj-O7x9qhDZtg1sj3xDjHGP2pfOM_9Yno5aLpKFQm-p5EVLzpe-pJD6wsNHaxodRVpT9jYVelcHqKfBkxnkIk/s320/Josh129.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And my little Josh-a-boo is certainly built like a football player--so different from his tall, skinny big brother!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1PIH3YJsvBfr6bOProZRADTaB12EO7uLlK5g961nnSkIBkIUxVt8V8nLuKvVx54HoJxjrbl-Tu4uFn41foESXxehGeiiJLGJYU5XGBnfuYaN6d9PJS8r7EEMLXJvuSI77vB1CnJNryhz/s1600/Josh108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1PIH3YJsvBfr6bOProZRADTaB12EO7uLlK5g961nnSkIBkIUxVt8V8nLuKvVx54HoJxjrbl-Tu4uFn41foESXxehGeiiJLGJYU5XGBnfuYaN6d9PJS8r7EEMLXJvuSI77vB1CnJNryhz/s320/Josh108.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My grandma used to call this a "dickins" look--and, boy, does this kid have it down!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6ViHHxW2BJT3fndQPYRuISkYmTO2b2fReFWD3Wa049wnPk-S4cbWsooMIvKwpft9sw7yCFmDYs1qgtELUPYfCXZ8jNeIlSNQqDNmL07EuOsokD7-r5DeqQfapym74-EeRfxAEuUnWHUo/s1600/Josh+123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6ViHHxW2BJT3fndQPYRuISkYmTO2b2fReFWD3Wa049wnPk-S4cbWsooMIvKwpft9sw7yCFmDYs1qgtELUPYfCXZ8jNeIlSNQqDNmL07EuOsokD7-r5DeqQfapym74-EeRfxAEuUnWHUo/s320/Josh+123.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'd thought I'd like these naked, more baby-ish pics more than I did. I guess the time has passed . . .</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD00lkycTfGy_9AM7KQWbPLb473jtLM2CD-v0xRlkxYBPmsuBuYRL0-7z9joJ8qBs-6fA8mB-Hwxb0XdqaustREYZ141O5fnhPXw0GxLgBo8jXjK05RO37cJVpxR_Kp6fcqbCnXaDaQ4ZM/s1600/the+whole+fam+105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD00lkycTfGy_9AM7KQWbPLb473jtLM2CD-v0xRlkxYBPmsuBuYRL0-7z9joJ8qBs-6fA8mB-Hwxb0XdqaustREYZ141O5fnhPXw0GxLgBo8jXjK05RO37cJVpxR_Kp6fcqbCnXaDaQ4ZM/s320/the+whole+fam+105.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And here we are, all four of us, relishing the sweater weather back in October!</span></div>Tammy Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018711696941413340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237155404029499585.post-70165486223855884432011-10-17T22:26:00.001-05:002011-10-18T00:11:37.792-05:00Finally, A Real Blog Post!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I know I haven't really blogged here in, like, forever. For a while, it was because I didn't want to share what was going on in life because it was hard and contained too many unknowns. Then, I was blogging on a site called Goodblogs, now practically defunct, which often paid me to blog. That was also the case with my most recent posts on here, even though the experiences and opinions I expressed were genuinely my own. While I'm not terribly fond of those sponsored posts, writing for which I do get paid is something that I need to prioritize right now, even if there are other topics and formats I prefer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">More recently, my excuses have been getting settled into <a href="http://www.madisonapartmentliving.com/display.asp?u=1&id=423">our new place</a>, becoming increasingly active in <a href="http://calvarybiblefellowship.com/">our church</a>, and finally getting into an awesome rhythm and achieving major goals with my paid writing. (In the mean time, I did get some fun pics of the boys taken this summer. These are two of my faves.)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3ZmT3UU5be-WGi8X5_ggUHIHErja855LpzW_bHdf4FXK0N6WgOQ58vYj90Ce4UVfbjyA5hg9-nOs4pcbBRnzy2VOrVHhUigHTrYBEfbokGbqukYg1YqKEdThCpweERtm35W17uvfv01A/s1600/DSC_0424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3ZmT3UU5be-WGi8X5_ggUHIHErja855LpzW_bHdf4FXK0N6WgOQ58vYj90Ce4UVfbjyA5hg9-nOs4pcbBRnzy2VOrVHhUigHTrYBEfbokGbqukYg1YqKEdThCpweERtm35W17uvfv01A/s320/DSC_0424.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_Ts5R1FB6dZPGcHJdu0ZK7oy8x5GIEdHUCR_4jUuiqgLd55SrbXHrtd2rvBjTPsGQ4lQTyXJP-Yha8jdUbUN_1CeE03s-gSYXDHEY5fICSq3mubN4W4j9_Vut_wPeF5i9hFi4POb9MJz/s1600/DSC_0214+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_Ts5R1FB6dZPGcHJdu0ZK7oy8x5GIEdHUCR_4jUuiqgLd55SrbXHrtd2rvBjTPsGQ4lQTyXJP-Yha8jdUbUN_1CeE03s-gSYXDHEY5fICSq3mubN4W4j9_Vut_wPeF5i9hFi4POb9MJz/s320/DSC_0214+-+Copy.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Lately, though, I've been remembering </span><a href="http://tisfortammy.blogspot.com/2010/09/in-medias-res.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">why I started blogging</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> in the first place, just over a year ago: I wanted an outlet, a way to connect beyond my living room walls, and a way to remember what God has been teaching me in life and possibly help others through such times. From that, a love for the written word was re-awakened, and God used that rekindled passion, mixed with encouragement and leads from long-time friends, to get me started in the exciting and mommy-friendly world of freelance writing. But I digress. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I want to get back to writing here, at least once a week or every two weeks, in keeping with that original purpose: "I hope that learning about my current journey through my words on this blog, <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">as I'm 'in the middle of things' that I don't like, will be the same kind of encouragement to you when you're there too."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">While we're still somewhat in "temporary mode" (Jonathan is still actively searching for another pastoral position, after a year-and-a-half), we've moved to a larger (and even more affordable!) place that feels more like home, been relieved from financial "emergency mode" and have actually been the ones to end communication with potential churches ourselves, because they would not be good situations or good fits for our family and views. God has used those recent developments to help us at least feel more settled here and thankful for the church family we have. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Along with our move and subsequent signing of a full year's lease (one we can get out of, if we need to, though), we finally became members of our church. That step has enabled us to get involved in ways we weren't able to before, and I'm especially relishing the chance to teach again--something that I'd really missed. (This month, Jonathan and I are co-teaching the 5 to 7 kiddos who come to children's church.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In the midst of all these changes (coupled with the constant transitions that come with having boys who are constantly changing and growing at mind-boggling rates!), I'm thankful for the fact that there is One who does not change. He deserves our praise, in the autumn rain, frozen darkness or smiling sunshine. </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZHfv2ivUrM"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This song</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> has been a rebuke and inspiration to me, as have </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2011:33-35&version=ESV"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">these verses</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We've seen the smiling hand of Providence direct in our lives by stopping short of giving us our hearts' desires, particularly in the timing we'd prefer. But I'll save the details of those graciously unanswered prayers for another post. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I hope to start posting on a weekly basis, once again. Josh is getting 1-year pics tomorrow, so you can look for a few of those to be posted, soon! I might even have to devote a full post to mommy-gushing, celebrating some of my little guys' most recent achievements and [mis]adventures!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Well, that's it for now. It feels good to be back. Thanks for reading.</span>Tammy Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018711696941413340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237155404029499585.post-12240685126730267992011-08-30T00:26:00.002-05:002011-08-30T00:33:26.340-05:00Diabetes and DPN<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Okay, at some point I'll stop blogging about these medical webinars . . . but not tonight! I actually found the latest one that I attended fairly fascinating. Seriously.</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At the church where Jonathan used to be pastor, we joked among ourselves that there must be "something in the water": Out of a congregation of about 60 people, there were two who were missing limbs. One was a man who'd lost his arm in a farming accident (and he was an amazing woodworker, especially considering his injury!) and a "senior saint" who'd lost her leg due to complications of Diabetes. About a month after we left, we heard that she had realized one of her worst fears: She'd lost her other leg.</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have to admit that I had no idea exactly why the amputation of limbs has anything to do with Diabetes, which is pretty pathetic, considering the fact that it runs in my family, and my dad has had it for a few years, now. </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In a nutshell, the following is what I learned about diabetic peripheral neuropathy, or DPN (they also called it "Silence of the Limbs"--bahaha!). </span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Peripheral nuropathy--relating to the limbs--is the most common complication of Diabetes, occurring in 50-90% of patients (depending o the criteria used for diagnosis)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Up to 70% of diabetics will lose sensation in their feet.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Approximately 25% develop foot ulcers, which often become infected, requiring hospitalization, with a 20% chance of amputation.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Of those who have major amputations, almost half will have the other limb amputated within 3 years, and a startling 50% of them will die within 5 years of having their first limb amputated.</span></li>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></ul><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Okay, suddenly the idea of tingling, numbness, or burning foot pain seemed pretty serious. I had no clue! Basically, the sensory loss and atrophy of nerve fibers is the problem, and it leads to infections simply because the patient can't feel pain from cuts or burns or whatever. </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(As a side note, one huge way to decrease amputation rates is for Diabetes patients to undergo regular foot examinations at home as well as during doctor visits. I learned that the latter often takes insistence on the part of patients, <em>which is so, so sad!</em> In the mean time, the primary treatment option for Diabetes slows the disease's progression, the secondary option is simply pain management. Often toleration of side effects or maxing out the efficacy of pain meds leads to issues as attempts are made to mask pain, while the disease continues progressing.)</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The good news is that peripheral nerve fibers have the ability to repair and regenerate with adequate blood flow. The bad news is that blood flow is often lessened in patients who have DPN. But there's more good news (or so it seems): Nutritional support in the form of a newly available </span><a href="http://www.metanx.com/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">medical food</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> can aid in Nitric Oxide Synthesis, improving blood flow. Treatment over 6 months has seen to result in 97% increase in nerve fiber density, potentially decreasing amputation rates by 50%! (This "medical food" is considered "gras," or "generally recommended as safe," with risk factors similar to taking a placebo--i.e., not very high at all!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Until there's a medical discipline that takes ownership for DPN, patients will need to be proactive in examining their feet, asking about various treatments, and insisting that their doctors examine their feet at regular visits.</span><br />
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Tammy Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018711696941413340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237155404029499585.post-74577820854059190482011-08-16T00:29:00.007-05:002011-08-16T08:58:09.350-05:00Now, That's Depressing!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Okay, so I attended another medical webinar I heard about through one of my clients, this one about depression. Since again, I have a family history of clinical depression and similar "mental illness" issues, I found the topic interresting. I also have a friend who recently blogged about her battle with depression and anxiety and the increasing (decreasing?) failure of her Prozak and other meds to help her, anymore.<br />
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<em>By the way, did I mention that my dad's a pharmacist?</em> (When I student taught in a ghetto area of South Carolina, I told my students he was a "drug dealer in Chicago," which earned me their undying respect! lol) He and I have very different perspectives regarding the treatment of depression, and I was intersted in another--and less pointed--medical view.<br />
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The information presented was largely regarding the (eh-hem!) failure of antidepressants to actually work. Well, you probably already know the warning that </span><a href="http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/UCM096273"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the FDA requires</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> of virtually all "antidepressant" medications: a warning of "increased risks of suicidal thinking and behavior, known as suicidality, in young adults ages 18 to 24 during initial treatment." Terribly ironic, huh? (Emphasis on the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>terribly.)<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Add to that, the fact that success rates for initial, or level 1, antidepressant therapy are only 27.5%, and a remission rate is only at 1/3, and it's pretty clear that if you're on Prozac, Sarafem, Paxil, or any number of other such drugs, and it's not working for you . . . you are far from alone. <br />
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What's worse is that as low as successful treatment is at level 1, by the time a patient has been re-evaluated 3 times and had therapy altered accordingly, at level 4, success occurs only 7% of the time. And we won't even go into all the side effects that accompany these largely ineffective drugs!<br />
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<em>Okay, so if you weren't depressed before you started reading this, you probably are now, right?</em> <span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p>Well, don't be. </o:p></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> <br />
Basically, depression is connected to an imbalance of three neurotransmitters associated with mood: serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Most antidepressants address one or 2 of them. L-methylfolate (the only form of folate that can cross the blood-brain barrier) is needed within the patient's body in order to regulate theose neurotransmitters, but many people's bodies fail to metabolize the L-methylfolate they need.<br />
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Factors in lessening the amount of L-methylfolate available in a person's body can be caused by a wide range of factors, from lifestyle choices to genetics and age. In fact, 7 out of 10 depressed people's genetic makeup predisposes their bodies to an inability to use dietary folate to become L-methylfolate, which can be used by the brain in order to regulate their moods.<br />
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An illustration given was that SSRIs (or Antidepressants) basically "plug the drain," rather than making more of the monoamines, which would be like turning on the shower. Until 2000, manufacturing T-Methylfolate was not possible. Now, the makers of </span><a href="http://www.deplin.com/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Deplin</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> are pretty excited that their drug has led to the ultimate in breakthrough technology--the coinage of a new word! The synthesis of monoamines is known as a trimonoamine modulator (TMM).<br />
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Deplin is currently recommended for use as a complement to other antidepressants and is in trials to be able to be prescribed on its own. <br />
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During the webinar, I asked if there were updated percentages available to counter those I mentioned earlier in this post, but the improved success rates have not yet been surveyed in a comparable manner.</span></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">If anything, this webinar has made the following facts clearer to me than ever:</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Psychiatry and the pharmaceutical world do not have this issue down to a science.</span></li>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span> </span>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The drugs often prescribed for depression have negligible</span></li>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span> </span>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The so-called "chemical imbalances" are still difficult for the medical community to delineate, and that's at least in part because measuring them is something that simply cannot be done.</span></li>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></span></ul><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As far as my personal opinion on all of this, I tend to agree with</span><a href="http://www.mcmanweb.com/stard.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">this blogger,</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> who gives a lot of facts and figures before coming to this conclusion: "The pharmaceutical industry and psychiatry would have us believe that an antidepressant is a pill for all seasons. Conversely, critics of psychiatry contend we would be better off on a sugar pill (at least there's no side effects). But there is a time and a place, even for an antidepressant. The catch is we're tripping over furniture in the dark with no watch."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Even more so, I also agree with Jay Adams, a champion of the biblically based Nouthetic Counseling movement. I've read his book <em>Competent to Counsel</em> and just recently stumbled on his blog. </span><a href="http://www.nouthetic.org/blog/?p=3940"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">One post</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> seems especially apropos regarding the untrue allegations that those who subscribe to a nouthetic counseling model reject any use of medication. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">However, if "depression" clearly comes as a result of circumstancial--rather than physical--prompting, is it really a medical issue? Or is it an issue of the heart? Certainly, our beliefs are betrayed by our internal reactions (or, as Scripture puts it, "the meditations of our hearts") which, in turn, affect our moods. (Remember <a href="http://tisfortammy.blogspot.com/2010/09/that-ugly-b-word.html">this post about bitterness</a>? It's s definite mood-altering frame of mind!)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I think it's absolutely bizarre that people treat depression medically when they can point to the following issues as the genesis of their dives:</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Relationship tension</span></li>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span> </span>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Deaths of loved ones</span></li>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span> </span>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Job loss or stress</span></li>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span> </span>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Financial troubles</span></li>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></span></ul></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I am not trying to be unsympathetic, here. Those things can be immensely hard. For the Christian, though, that's when real hope and faith matter, when it really steps up to the plate.<br />
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I love </span><a href="http://www.sovereigngracemusic.org/albums/category/sovereign_grace_music/come_weary_saints"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">these words</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> that describe my new favorite music album, or at least the one with my fave song, which you can listen to via </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZHfv2ivUrM"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">this YouTube video</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">: "Scripture assures us that God is sovereignly using our difficulties as tools to make us more like his Son . . . (Ro 5:3–5) . . . While we know these things are true, in the midst of our hardships we can lose perspective. Problems can loom large, and our hopes can grow dim."<br />
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I know the numbness that comes with some antidepressants; I was on one of them for a while, years ago. I didn't feel the "lows," but then, I barely felt anything at all. I wasn't in control, and I knew it. I also knew that the Holy Spirit could help me deal with the thoughts and feelings I was having. Yes, they did escalate during times of lost sleep, hormonal tides, and other physical prompts. However, it's the internal struggle where I start to lose control, and for that, I pray, with David in Psalm 19:14, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer." <br />
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Another related thought comes from 1 Peter 3:15, which encourages believers to be able to answer "everyone who asks you to give an account for the <sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-30440C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup>hope that is in you, yet <sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-30440D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup>with gentleness and reverence," and if we have no more hope than they do, will they even ask?<br />
</span><div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">When hard times and negative thoughts come, I can choose not to listen to them and instead to counsel myself with Scripture, with Truth. Maybe there aren't documented "success rates" with that, either, but it's definitely better than a placebo!</span></div></span><div></div></span><div></div></span><div></div></span><div></div>Tammy Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018711696941413340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237155404029499585.post-5631874385798488492011-06-23T17:14:00.008-05:002011-06-23T21:34:40.248-05:00"Am I Losing My Mind?"<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've often wondered what kind of abilities I'd miss most and least, as if someday I might have to choose. Personally, I think losing my eyesight would be worse than my mobility. I had a friend who lost his abilities to smell or taste, though, and that would take a bit of joy out of one's life (even if it would help shed unwanted pounds). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">However, I just can't imagine not being able to see my computer screen, for one thing, but what's more, I'd miss seeing the dimples on my little boys' faces as they smile, the variegated shades of green across a wooded hillside, or the ripples in the water as the raindrops hit the surface. Then, there's the fear that surely would come when you can hear something or feel it, but you don't know what it really is, because you cannot see it. I feel shakey even considering the horror. No, I can't imagine losing my ability to see. <em>But one thing would be worse, still: I'd hate to lose my ability to think, reason, and contemplate. </em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Am I losing my mind?" That question is one that haunts me, to this day. It was asked by my paternal grandma of my mom, who was pretty much her bestest friend. My grandma had dementia. It was in the early stages, and she vacillated between lucidity and what used to be called senility. <em>She was, literally, losing her mind.</em> My mom insightfully commented that she thinks the worst torture one could experience on this earth would be to have enough of your faculties to know that you are losing them. And I have to agree.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">According to some studies, my mom and I are far from being alone in our estimation of that horror: the diagnosis of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia is cited as being the #1 fear for older people, as well as their physicians. Why? Thinking abilities significantly impact a person's quality of life. What's more, Alzheimer's is the 7th leading cause of death among the elderly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It was hard watching Grandma "lose her mind," hearing about her imagined son who had come back, or her mom--long-since deceased--who'd come to visit, or later yet, forgetting not only to put on her lipstick (she was always so prim!) but to cover herself properly and put in her teeth before friends entered her room.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>The process of the fading of her memory was gradual, like that of an old picture as it becomes less crisp and clear and yet still clearly represents something (or someone) that once was.</em> A person's outward beauty is like that too. But inward degeneration of a person is far more devastating.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGleHex1ZVIfWXyIxMsZvtDMzTHpPG1vsDQCqrNwkJ7ye-u2Wgcl69DAw2iGdcs7eEG8UUpJYjZYwRweTmgj4YakflaLcKeIsBx1RLo4FaRdb4toq9W2i_4gqQXIovQaojxYAnMHPiCE-/s1600/gram+car.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGleHex1ZVIfWXyIxMsZvtDMzTHpPG1vsDQCqrNwkJ7ye-u2Wgcl69DAw2iGdcs7eEG8UUpJYjZYwRweTmgj4YakflaLcKeIsBx1RLo4FaRdb4toq9W2i_4gqQXIovQaojxYAnMHPiCE-/s320/gram+car.JPG" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Classy Grammy, age 18, circa 1934</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQmkwL2UMNNuT8CSDYz1NzE26q5Ia51tAUOoGsloEqTGqd8DTWd2AH3npKAq-6tOQgnKyA_KXMCOBxnOCnHlJyokrWV8_xVljXzlY2xYAB75Xh8XKHPvFWBQOA3Fu64fM3OBXBMxFVpEI/s1600/gram+girls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQmkwL2UMNNuT8CSDYz1NzE26q5Ia51tAUOoGsloEqTGqd8DTWd2AH3npKAq-6tOQgnKyA_KXMCOBxnOCnHlJyokrWV8_xVljXzlY2xYAB75Xh8XKHPvFWBQOA3Fu64fM3OBXBMxFVpEI/s320/gram+girls.JPG" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gram, me and my younger sister Judy, circa 1981<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5YoV5da526eaiCHeIHkdZ3IhtTECI3MkOdgLcDu94jXEXSM4Sf3haNQAcf_TCgyBvqKojX8EAj5A5W-bsm2JsVXe5CV6Xkd-D8uIU2a5k9c9CUMUhPbzXmj6LKvXMvWkmQpCDGk0fk1L/s1600/gram+8th.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5YoV5da526eaiCHeIHkdZ3IhtTECI3MkOdgLcDu94jXEXSM4Sf3haNQAcf_TCgyBvqKojX8EAj5A5W-bsm2JsVXe5CV6Xkd-D8uIU2a5k9c9CUMUhPbzXmj6LKvXMvWkmQpCDGk0fk1L/s320/gram+8th.JPG" width="154" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gram & me at my 8th grade graduation, 1992</td></tr>
</tbody></table></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDi8cZuumwh4JGq_G6NiVr1ok3mhzbwhIYadmiue7rgnwBI8KclGYHDDYFsXl4YiYiRoEw7sPkDkNGCJuUleKXK_P02Mn6CgguzaCcS0vXp13SO_CO-BIcjBRJvnwpudJfB82cPcawpxQQ/s1600/gram+high+school+grad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDi8cZuumwh4JGq_G6NiVr1ok3mhzbwhIYadmiue7rgnwBI8KclGYHDDYFsXl4YiYiRoEw7sPkDkNGCJuUleKXK_P02Mn6CgguzaCcS0vXp13SO_CO-BIcjBRJvnwpudJfB82cPcawpxQQ/s320/gram+high+school+grad.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gram & me, the day of my high school graduation, 1996</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The second and third pictures show the ways my grandma looks in my mind's eye. (My mom finally talked her into stopping with the hair dye! lol) She was active, happy, fun. She cleaned circles around anyone, despite having a bad back. She was also always "hefty" in my memory. The last picture is only a few years after the third, and yet it shows her vastly different. <em>The regression had begun.</em> She was living in a nursing home and losing weight. I couldn't bear to look at pictures of her past that point, even if I had them (which I don't). The funny thing is that in the third pic that I posted, I'm the age that she was in the first.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I encountered a variety of emotions looking through pictures of Gram today to post some. I smiled at happy memories and fought back tears of sadness, missing Gram. But I also grew afraid.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Even now that she's gone, my grandma's story haunts us all: Dementia, as many know, holds increased risks for those with family histories of it. The infamous Alzheimer's disease is a sub-set of dementia, and both affect not just a person's memory, but all cognitive (or mental) processes, as well. That's why Grandma didn't just forget she'd left the iron on, but she'd put it in her bed. (<em>Yikes!)</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Add to the difficulties inherent in knowing a loved one is losing cognitive abilities, the fact that Alzheimer's, like all forms of dementia, is irreversible, and the meds that can be prescribed come with heavy side-effects, and many of us notice people "slipping" but don't want to say anything. Even medical professionals sometimes fear bringing up the "A" word ("Alzheimer's") to their patients. (Of course, it's not the official "diagnosis" that really should be feared, but evidently, that's beside the point for many people.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Another sub-set of dementia has recently been recognized, though, and it's called MCI. "MCI" stands for "Mild Cognitive Impairment," and I attended a free webinar about it last week. I learned that this intermediate condition can be treated by a new drug called </span><a href="http://cerefolinnac.com/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cerefolin NAC</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. As a medical food, this drug has proven to have no notable side effects, compared to placebos. Yet, it actually decreases brain atrophy by over 50%. The basic ingredients are active B12 and folate (the purist form of folic acid) that can cross the blood-brain barrier. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So if you have a loved one that you can see "slipping," don't be afraid to broach the subject; there may now be hope for reversing the process that can lead to full-blown dementia or Alzheimer's.</span></em><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Another application of this knowledge is to eat your greens! We Americans typically don't get nearly enough folic acid in our diets; it's found in green leafy veggies, such as spinach and kale (I don't think I've ever eaten kale, have you?). Once we reach our 50s or 60s, we can't "cram" enough in to make up for a lifetime of starving our brain of needed food, but if we start early, maybe we can keep our minds sharp for a little longer.</span>Tammy Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018711696941413340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237155404029499585.post-25494467186528871602011-06-08T00:21:00.002-05:002011-06-08T00:41:49.290-05:00A Heart-Mirror of a Book!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Well, you may have noticed that I haven't been posting on here much, at all, lately. I have been posting other places, like </span><a href="http://www.tammymommy.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">my mommy blog</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://www.goodblogs.com/bloggers/2163"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">GoodBlogs</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. I can hide behind the excuse that I've been busy (which I have) and that we've been having internet connectivity issues (3 techs out here, in as many weeks!) as well as that I write on those other sites for career purposes, networking, and the potential for pay (and that is true, too). <strong>But the fuller truth is that I've been purposely avoiding this blog.</strong> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Why? Well, I read this statement this week, and it reflected my heart all too well: <span style="color: blue;">"If you're resisting the call of God . . . your life will be set adrift on a sea of shifting emotions and unruly ways of thinking. You are inviting depression and anger. You are tempting bitterness and confusion. You are fueling a mind-set that will stay in constant disarray, with no referenc epoint to provide any kind of stability for your life." </span>(That quote is from chapter 2 of </span><a href="http://store.reviveourhearts.com/voiceofthetruewomanmovement.aspx?utm_source=TW-COM&utm_medium=LINK&utm_content=TW-COM&utm_campaign=TW-COM">"Voices of the True Woman Movement"</a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">In all the uncertainty and conflicted priorities and tough decisions that has been our lives, for this past year, I've lost my focus, and, like Peter, I've been sinking. And in this kind of water, I can't swim. Here's another excerpt from the same heart-mirror of a chapter: "Perhaps you've been there--perhaps you <em>are</em> there--down where life drags the floor of all human abilities, where everything feels hopeless and pointless and impossible to handle." Um, yeah. That's me. Was me. Will be me every time I take my eyes off where they should be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The other day, I actually found myself asking Jonathan if he had a "contingency plan" regarding something we were hoping would work out and then adding, "If you don't, can you just pretend to?" He won't play my game, and he shouldn't. I shouldn't need a game. There is Someone who knows and has a plan. <em>So why isn't that enough for me?</em> I feel like I need to see how it makes sense, or at least the Person Who's in Charge. But I can't. Yet I must look to Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Yes, that craving for seeing what He doesn't let us see is mentioned in that chapter, too (in part, quoted from John Piper): <span style="color: blue;">"In every situation and circumstance of your life, God is always doing a thousand different things that you cannot see and you do not know. . . . the vast majority of His work is behind the scenes, providentially obscured from our view."</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Those "providentially obscured" workings require faith to see. Faith, by nature, is about what can't be seen. Nancy continues to address them:</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">"God's ways for you--just as His ways for [Sarah, Ruth, Hannah, and Mary, in the Bible]--will not alwyas make sense to your human reasoning. . . . It may seem that His plan is not working; you can't imagine how the outcome could be anything but bleak. But you can be assured that God doesn't make mistakes.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">"You don't have to know what He's doing. Or why.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">"The fact is, <em>He </em>knows. And that's all that really matters.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">"And if you trust Him, in time, you will thank Him for the treasures that have resulted from those trials."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Oh, I want the treasures, but not the trials. In the same way, I want a clean house, a fit body, and a stellar writing portfolio without the discipline and sweaty work required to achieve them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The chapter was based on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%2011:33-36&version=NASB">Romans 11:33-36,</a> and I learned that the Greek word that's translated "depth" in verse 1 connects to the idea of a bath. You know how that warm, soothing water surrounds your body, making it buoyant and refreshed. Oh, the depth of the treasures of God's wisdom! If I bathe my heart and mind in His wisdom that He shares with us, I think I'll be more likely not to sink. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Even when I can't see how His ways in my life are wise, I need to constantly bathe myself in the Truth so I'm reminded that they are. <span style="color: purple;"><em>Will you help remind me of that, from time to time? </em></span><span style="color: black;">I need that kind of friendship in my life.</span></span>Tammy Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018711696941413340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237155404029499585.post-68294890705990164262011-04-25T16:24:00.000-05:002011-04-25T16:24:55.803-05:00Pregnant for 10+ Months<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you've been following my story of this in-between time, you may remember <a href="http://tisfortammy.blogspot.com/2010/09/expecting-or-just-plain-waiting.html">this post</a>, one of my first, about "expecting" versus "waiting," that I wrote back in September. I just thought that I was antsy about moving on, back then! The best analogy to how I feel is something other moms may understand--you know how you feel that last month of your pregnancy, or even the last week? Words like <em>tired, anxious, achy, </em>come to mind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In addition, though, you're unable to focus on anything else besides the strong physical and emotional need to have the pregnancy over! Of course, you would never want it over prematurely, risking your health and the baby's, so you remind yourself you should be thankful for carrying the child full-term, but there is still that incredible restlessness, unease, angst that overshadows every thought.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">That's how I feel, lately. But unlike pregnancy, there is no due date, due week, due month--no promises that this "transition time" will end anytime soon. And as summer approaches, I find myself grieving, in a way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We'd planned to buy a porch swing for last summer, and we'd planted strawberries in the garden. We never got to buy our swing, though, and we at least hope someone else besides the squirrels enjoyed the berries we'd planted. Jonathan was going to build a swingset for the boys, too. Not only did he not get to do that last summer, but he won't get to do it this summer, either. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And we'll be moving again, because this apartment was a good choice for the short-term sublet, but not for the long-term. It's so hard to make wise choices while in "temporary mode." Just when the weather will be warmest, and I'll be wanting to take advantage of the pool that's in the complex, we'll be spending hours packing boxes once again, probably to a smaller place, instead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I'm mailing out another intro. packet to a church tomorrow, and Jonathan's boss seems hopeful that he could get Jonathan in on a next-level-up position that would mean decent pay. A church with which he had a phone interview 4 weeks ago tomorrow still hasn't contacted him back, even though they said they would, either way--par for course.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The writing contest was a fun diversion, and I'm not ashamed of coming in 2nd out of 120 or so writers, even though it turned into more of a popularity contest than a writing contest. (I was encouraged, too, by how many friends helped me out, and I credit them with my placement, which doesn't make sense considering the winner had over 1,000 more FB friends than I!) Some other writing gigs seem to be coming through, though, so some extra funds are coming in. Just nothing regular like the Momsquawk position would be. But the issue isn't just financial.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">In the mean time, we can't plan on any kind of vacation, even an inexpensive one, because Jonathan wants to save any vacation time he has in case a church asks him to visit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I just want something to look forward to, some timeframe that gives me hope that this tunnel will end. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The Resurrection gives me hope, and I'm glad this world isn't all there is, but I can't help wanting something to change for now, today, this month, this year.</span>Tammy Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018711696941413340noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237155404029499585.post-82079579634019592382011-04-22T16:13:00.004-05:002011-12-14T16:32:38.326-06:00The ER on Good Friday<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Our first trip to the ER for one of our boys just happened to occur today, Good Friday. Caleb, our firstborn, just turned 2 last week and checked out just fine at his well-baby (or well-child?) appointment. This week, though, he's been running a temp, on and off, since Sunday. Nothing major, though. <em>Probably teething,</em> I thought, despite the medical community's insistence that teething does not cause fevers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anyhow, yesterday, he was so sleepy all day and miserable by evening. And warmer. I finally took his temp, and it registered at 103.7. I called the after-hours doctors' office number, mainly because that was easier than looking up the magic temperature for this particular age; the nurse on call said that if it went over 105 to take him in, right away. Otherwise, she suggested trying to get him in to his primary care physician the next day (today). After his second night waking, I resigned to sleeping on the couch, holding my precious boy. I missed the comfort of my own bed, but I delighted in comforting him--<em>don't all parents?</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Around our normal waking time, I checked his temp again: 105.4. <em>Yikes!</em> I called to see if I should take him in to the doctor's office or urgent care, and the nurse said to head to the ER. "If he has no other symptoms of influenza, he likely has a urinary tract infection, and they'll need to use a catheter on him. They'll probably have to sedate him for that, so you should just go straight to the hospital." Not words I wanted to hear. The idea of a sedative on one so young scared me, but I did as I was told.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's bad enough to have to hold your happy, healthy child's arms down while he gets his innoculations, but to hold a sick kid still and in position for a poke, an X-ray, and then a catheter insertion is just miserable! (We were relieved that they did not sedate him, though.) The only reason my husband and I could do those things was because we knew that it was for his good, and it could lead to less pain and discomfort for him, later. Would I do it to ease your discomfort, or anyone else's? Probably not. I love my son more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Between the pokes and other tests, Caleb wanted a "boo"; of course, I had brought a few of his favorite books. We read about bacon, ham, and pork (Jonathan's pet names for "The Three Little Pigs") and then read something more significant: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Storybook-Bible-Every-Whispers/dp/0310708257/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1303505287&sr=8-1">a story</a> about another Dad who let His Son suffer. Here's an excerpt:</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Papa?" Jesus cried, franticaly searching the sky. "Papa?" Where are you? Don't leave me!"</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And for the first time--and the last--when he spoke, nothing happened. Just a horrible, endless silence. God didn't answer. He turned away from his Boy.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tears rolled down Jesus' face. The face of the One who would wipe away every tear from every eye. . . .</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The full force of the storm of God's fierce anger at sin was coming down. On his own Son. Instead of his people. It was the only way God could destroy sin, and not destroy his children whose hearts were filled with sin.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The comparison is weak, but for me, as I read that story today in the ER, I seemed to understand and appreciate God's sacrifice for me a little more. As much as any dad hates seeing his boy suffer, God had to hate it, too. He just loved something even more than He hated that, and that "something" is me, and you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Well, our story has a somewhat happy ending. By the time we left the ER, Caleb's fever was down, and we had been assured that it was nothing serious. Daddy even got him <a href="http://vimeo.com/23134800">laughing at the trash can</a> that mysteriously opened on its own--<em>and talked! </em>(The link is to a quite amateurish--and wrongly positioned--video, but I think it's sweet!)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmA3nmhKs9-HyZN18a9MO9Rnw-e58hm0mg7bnGUMgTzxmXkrD2Z1shMssXO2K5jysTx8N-dB01OUSUDHY4xMoDXpxosew58wJjCy1MMSZUCsLlvnLLaL3RBduXrWo40j2b72iQovIAci2Y/s1600/sleepy+caleb+closeup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmA3nmhKs9-HyZN18a9MO9Rnw-e58hm0mg7bnGUMgTzxmXkrD2Z1shMssXO2K5jysTx8N-dB01OUSUDHY4xMoDXpxosew58wJjCy1MMSZUCsLlvnLLaL3RBduXrWo40j2b72iQovIAci2Y/s320/sleepy+caleb+closeup.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">On the 10-minute drive home, Caleb fell peacefully asleep. His dad and I smiled at each other when we noticed the long eyelashes of our sweet boy resting on his cooled cheeks. The pain was over. I imagined God's relief when Jesus said,"It's finished." Their story has a happy ending, too. <em><span style="color: red;">Will yours?</span></em></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/jgFU5Ak88-k?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Tammy Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018711696941413340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237155404029499585.post-65264991913485649472011-04-20T15:55:00.001-05:002011-04-20T16:01:12.018-05:00Soon Spring Will Come<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've been so crazy with this contest that I haven't spent much time in reflection on this most holy of weeks. Or blogging. So I'm taking a little break here, to praise the One who gives us hope, even on icy days, both literal and not.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here's a little piece I wrote as part of an application for another writing gig:</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The first day nature hints that spring is on its way sends energizing sunlight through my veins! Deep down, I know I’ll have to clear snow off patio chairs and cover my brightly colored toe nails with socks and boots again, but I still celebrate spring’s first appearance each year. Why do I love spring so much? It’s the anticipation, the promise that soon summer will come; soon I’ll feel warmth smiling on my shoulders and taste fresh -picked berries. Spring’s first glimpse offers hope for life: It may be cold and dark right now, but soon the sun will shine.</span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> And here's a few more eloquent lines from </span><a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/about/john-piper"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">one of my favorite non-canonical writers</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">:</span><br />
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<span class="messageBody"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If Holy Week is icy, and snows your flowers enfold,</span></span><br />
<span class="messageBody"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Remember, His last night was brutal, bitter, cold.</span></span><br />
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<span class="messageBody"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That little piece of poetry is based on John 18:18: "Now the slaves and the <sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-26804A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup>officers were standing there, having made <sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-26804B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>a charcoal fire, for it was cold and they were <sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-26804C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup>warming themselves; and Peter was also with them, standing and warming himself."</span></span><br />
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<span class="messageBody"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">May His Resurrection hope give you warmth that shatters even the darkest, coldest memories and thoughts you hold, this Holy Week.</span></span><br />
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<span class="messageBody"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And even when your earthly hopes are dashed, may the <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews%2011&version=NASB">saints of old</a> remind you to take heart, because if you know God, you will enjoy a warm spring day, eternally, someday. </span></span>Tammy Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018711696941413340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6237155404029499585.post-48324011505283752022011-04-06T12:16:00.003-05:002011-04-06T15:25:03.677-05:00Dancing Like No One Is Watching<table class="posts" id="posts"><tbody>
<tr class=" selected"><td class="title" onclick="setSelected(this, "5833735514023121716");"><div class="postContents"><div class="entirePost"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgva-9vtdLnkYp1eDHzhEQeo0YLGUWToTw5MK3BM64xR7hz1FGnMYU2WwVkAI3SSpQSb-q0gLark5Kf39ih8F-mJtowCxdRP2fcCcrnAYT8HrrHWB4yNnyJY5EysEibUhPsms3lGv0avZ6N/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgva-9vtdLnkYp1eDHzhEQeo0YLGUWToTw5MK3BM64xR7hz1FGnMYU2WwVkAI3SSpQSb-q0gLark5Kf39ih8F-mJtowCxdRP2fcCcrnAYT8HrrHWB4yNnyJY5EysEibUhPsms3lGv0avZ6N/s1600/photo.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I love teaching my son Caleb new words and activities! I never knew that watching a child climb up stairs or make an animal sound could bring me so much joy! He loves books, and favorites are "Three Little Pigs" and "Alice in Wonderland." (Here's a picture of his famous "Cheshire Cat grin"! I love it!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="entirePost"></div><div class="entirePost"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Helping develop his character (yes, already!) is quite rewarding, too. I love it when he obeys at times when he does not want to do so. And not just because it trips my ego, but because he's learning something valuable. Maybe you already saw this video I posted to my Facebook wall a couple months ago, but I just love opportunities like </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20src=%22http://player.vimeo.com/video/18997802%22%20width=%22400%22%20height=%22300%22%20frameborder=%220%22%3E%3C/iframe%3E%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href=%22http://vimeo.com/18997802%22%3ETeaching%20Self-Control%3C/a%3E%20from%20%3Ca%20href=%22http://vimeo.com/user3734985%22%3ETammy%20Wagner%3C/a%3E%20on%20%3Ca%20href=%22http://vimeo.com%22%3EVimeo%3C/a%3E.%3C/p%3E"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">this one</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">! However, I never thought about all that he'd teach me. </span></div><div class="entirePost"> </div><div class="entirePost"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You know the phrase "dance like no one is watching"? Well, he's teaching me to do just that. I love the lack of self-consciousness he has! When he's excited, he makes all kinds of loud, happy sounds and flails his arms and runs all around. He doesn't care if people see him or what they think. He just expresses himself. </span><br />
</div><div class="entirePost"></div><div class="entirePost"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">He also dances. Now, I know that may not be a winsome quality for a conservative Baptist preacher's son, but he just does it naturally, when he hears music. (Trust me, this kind of dance isn't likely to elicit any kind of lust!) I can be in the most uptight, frustrated mood, and he'll gesture toward my iPod dock to let me know he wants to hear some music. Wether it's VeggieTales, Patch the Pirate, Sara Groves, the Steve Pettit Evangelistic Team, the Cosby Show intro., or Dean Martin, that kid just smiles and moves to the music and has a blast! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(<a href="http://www.spea.org/">The Pettit Team</a>, you ask? Seriously, one of my favorite times of seeing him dance was at Northland's Freedom Celebration last summer. If you've been there, you know how they keep the driveway to campus clear. Well, we had our seats right behind that, as you face the stage, and it seemed to him that he was on stage, as he danced in the driveway to the bluegrass rhythms. Priceless!)</span><br />
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</div><div class="entirePost"></div><div class="entirePost"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anyhow, my son is teaching me to take time to enjoy life and, yes, even to dance. Maybe we look silly, but we have a lot of fun and even get some exercise. I just make sure to close the blinds.</span></div></div></td><td class="type"></td><td class="type"><div class="softAlert"></div></td></tr>
</tbody> </table>Tammy Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018711696941413340noreply@blogger.com0