I recently began volunteering in Owen's kindergarten classroom. I head to the school once a week for about an hour. I love getting to see his teacher in action and meeting the other kids in his class.
The teacher was giving the students some instructions today so I had a few minutes to look around the room. I noticed a large piece of paper hanging on the wall. The top of the paper said . . . "Ways that baby animals are the same . . ." Under this heading, the teacher had written the responses given by each student in the classroom. I scanned the page and found Owen's name and response . . . "With the help of Jesus."
Owen is shining the light of Jesus in a place that I can not shine. As his mom I am proud of him and humbled at the same time. How am I doing? Do I shine where God has me? I pray that "with the help of Jesus" I can shine like my 5 year old did today.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
One Sentence Updates
Too busy living life to write it all down. Here are the highlights . . .
Brandon: The fun dad with lots of youth ministry plans.
Owen: The inquisitive learner who likes to talk a lot.
Miles: The potty-trained boy who makes us laugh.
Me: The blessed mom who is trying to take it all in.
Brandon: The fun dad with lots of youth ministry plans.
Owen: The inquisitive learner who likes to talk a lot.
Miles: The potty-trained boy who makes us laugh.
Me: The blessed mom who is trying to take it all in.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
More Random Pictures
Getting ready to visit GGs (Great Grandparents). Yes, it is still summertime in the Midwest. Probably reached high 80s this particular day. I believe he kept all this on for most of the 1-hour van ride.
There has got to be a better way to slice boneless chicken breasts in half. I was actually laughing out loud in the kitchen as I butchered these poor things.
We visited Madison zoo this week. I was hoping to show the boys a camel. We are getting ready to talk about the Israelites in Egypt during our devotion time. A camel would have been a great object lesson. Unfortunately, the camels were in the middle of the construction zone. Are penguins in the Bible anywhere?
When asked what he was most excited to see at the zoo, Miles said "dinosaurs!" Fortunately, there was a little dinosaur graveyard in the play area. That seemed to please the little guy!
This picture cracks me up!
We weren't able to see any camels, but the boys did get a mini-lesson on giraffes. We discussed how they fit into the ark!
We talked about Jacob's 12 sons this week. This will come in handy for future lessons as we talk about the 12 tribes and the Israelites. We didn't discuss the multiple mother situation at this point. We'll save that for another time:-)
Owen absolutely loves his Joseph coat. He wore it to Giordano's Pizza the other day and modeled it for the garbage man as well!
Me and the hubs heading off to a wedding. We will be celebrating 10 years of marriage on August 12th!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Training
There is a lot of training going on at our house these days. Miles is at the tail end of potty training. You might even consider him newly trained. Owen is in training to be a better listener. He is attending Kindercamp at our church this week and gets a little encouragement and reminder each day to listen to the teachers. So far, he has gotten really good reports. I am training my body. I’m training my body to get up early, to exercise, to eat better, and to go to sleep on time.
Twelve days ago, I committed to doing an exercise DVD that challenged me to exercise for 30 days in a row. The first challenge was starting. You would not believe the excuses I threw out there to avoid beginning this venture. As I sat and encouraged a good friend to do some training in another area, I was convicted to take my own and advice and just do it!
The first few days went smoothly. I could barely move, but I didn’t mind because I knew it was working. Then on days six and seven I faced some crossroads. My regular training routine and schedule had been interrupted. How would I handle it? Would I give up or would I press on and honor the commitment I had made? I chose to stick with it and find a way to keep going.
Yesterday, I noticed that my pants weren’t quite so tight. Although I don’t look forward to or enjoy my early morning workouts, I do delight in the results. I’ve recently been put through some pretty tough training. I didn’t want to be put through this training and there was not any part of it that I enjoyed. However, with my eyes fixed on Jesus Christ, I am beginning to recognize some of the results; a deeper faith, a greater joy, and a peace beyond understanding. Thanks be to the skilled trainer who has taken me on with grace, mercy, and compassion to shape me into the woman He has called me to be.
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Random Pictures
In April, Brandon and I headed south to Cancun, Mexico for an early celebration of our 10 year wedding anniversary coming up in August. This picture was taken at Chichen Itza.
Brandon and I were taking pictures as we walked along with our tour group. We were in the middle of the Mexican jungle and it was HOT!
This is where I spent most of my mornings. I spent my time reading a missionary biography and working on a Bible study about prayer.
My friend Rose got married in June. These are most of the girls from my Bible study group. Rose was the last one to get married. Our other Bible study buddy Erin wasn't in the picture because she was on her honeymoon! 
Owen played soccer for the first time this year. He was part of AYSO which is all about having fun and learning. He had a great coach and his team improved very much over the 10 weeks!
Owen was so excited about receiving his first ever trophy!
On July 3rd, we celebrated Miles' golden birthday! We had a Diego party, excelente!
My friend Tona and I lead a small group of Jr High girls. We really enjoy spending time with the girls and getting to know them better.
To celebrate Brandon's return from a week long missions trip to Chicago, we made a trip to Volcano Falls for a little mini-golf. Miles insisted on using the putting technique Grammy taught him for croquet!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Spiritual Homeschooling
I’m sending my oldest off to Kindergarten this fall. As I look forward to helping him with school assignments and projects, I realize that one subject won’t be taught in his public school--the Bible. Over the past 5 years, I’ve fallen in love with the Bible. The more I study this incredible book, the more I depend on it to survive.
Brandon and I take primary responsibility for the spiritual development of our children. We read the Bible together, we talk about God, we pray. We are supported in this endeavor by our church and it’s various ministries. With the recent implementation of a family routine, devotional time has been an important addition to our schedule.
The boys love The Beginner’s Bible. Each received this Bible as a gift on their 3rd birthday. Owen and I have read through the Bible multiple times. Miles is showing more and more interest in the stories and pictures presented. I want to nurture this interest and model a growing and vibrant relationship with the Lord.
After getting dressed and eating breakfast each morning, the boys know it will be devotional time. They grab a special chair to sit in or plop down on a pillow. Sometimes we sit at the kitchen table. We begin by patting the Bible and singing a special song they learned at church. Next, we say our verse of the week. We all open our Bibles to the story for the day. We are starting at the beginning and going straight through. Between creativity from the Lord and some google searches, I look for coloring pages, mazes, experiments, crafts, etc. to go along with the Bible story. We finish with a prayer/thankfulness time and a few songs. We all really enjoy this time. Throughout the week, I seek out teachable moments to apply the lessons we are learning to everyday life.
This all takes a bit of creativity and planning ahead, but the investment is so worth it. I am finding the planning to be fun and I am even learning things as I seek to pull out important precepts to teach my children.
Below are two pictures from the days we talked about Noah's Ark. We focused on the story of Noah's Ark the first day and rainbows the second day. The boy's and I really got into our rainbow experiment using milk, food coloring, and soap. The last two pictures were a snack we had the day we talked about Adam and Eve. We used apple slices to make a mouth. This snack idea was in one of Owen's High Five magazines.
Brandon and I take primary responsibility for the spiritual development of our children. We read the Bible together, we talk about God, we pray. We are supported in this endeavor by our church and it’s various ministries. With the recent implementation of a family routine, devotional time has been an important addition to our schedule.
The boys love The Beginner’s Bible. Each received this Bible as a gift on their 3rd birthday. Owen and I have read through the Bible multiple times. Miles is showing more and more interest in the stories and pictures presented. I want to nurture this interest and model a growing and vibrant relationship with the Lord.
After getting dressed and eating breakfast each morning, the boys know it will be devotional time. They grab a special chair to sit in or plop down on a pillow. Sometimes we sit at the kitchen table. We begin by patting the Bible and singing a special song they learned at church. Next, we say our verse of the week. We all open our Bibles to the story for the day. We are starting at the beginning and going straight through. Between creativity from the Lord and some google searches, I look for coloring pages, mazes, experiments, crafts, etc. to go along with the Bible story. We finish with a prayer/thankfulness time and a few songs. We all really enjoy this time. Throughout the week, I seek out teachable moments to apply the lessons we are learning to everyday life.
This all takes a bit of creativity and planning ahead, but the investment is so worth it. I am finding the planning to be fun and I am even learning things as I seek to pull out important precepts to teach my children.
Below are two pictures from the days we talked about Noah's Ark. We focused on the story of Noah's Ark the first day and rainbows the second day. The boy's and I really got into our rainbow experiment using milk, food coloring, and soap. The last two pictures were a snack we had the day we talked about Adam and Eve. We used apple slices to make a mouth. This snack idea was in one of Owen's High Five magazines.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Routine
I love to plan and organize! In the past few years, I have discovered my gifting in this area and have used it in ministry to women and teens. I’m not sure why it has taken so long, but I am finally realizing that I can and should be using this gifting to love and serve my family.
Recently, I have become frustrated with myself. My children are overly “busy”. Our home is cluttered and disorganized. The kitchen is collecting dust from lack of use. I am a few pounds away from having to buy a brand new wardrobe. All the while, I am running in circles trying to figure out what to fix first.
As a dear friend reminded me, I have been through a lot in the past year. I have been caught in a cycle of morning sickness and grief. With that in mind, I am not going to beat myself up about the mess I now find myself in. God is doing a beautiful work inside of me and I am grateful for that. As a matter of fact, I believe this renewed passion to love and serve my family has developed out of the internal construction God is doing in my life.
Sunday night I sat down at the computer and developed a daily routine for our family. I thought through what I wanted our day to be like. I considered different priorities and things I wanted my children to experience. We are only three days into this grand experiment, but I am thrilled with the results so far! I am enjoying my boys and accomplishing more. Our “firmly flexible” routine includes daily chores, devotional time, plenty of bathroom breaks, rest time and much more. As I prepare to send Owen to kindergarten in the fall, I am looking forward to enjoying the rest of the summer with my family.
Recently, I have become frustrated with myself. My children are overly “busy”. Our home is cluttered and disorganized. The kitchen is collecting dust from lack of use. I am a few pounds away from having to buy a brand new wardrobe. All the while, I am running in circles trying to figure out what to fix first.
As a dear friend reminded me, I have been through a lot in the past year. I have been caught in a cycle of morning sickness and grief. With that in mind, I am not going to beat myself up about the mess I now find myself in. God is doing a beautiful work inside of me and I am grateful for that. As a matter of fact, I believe this renewed passion to love and serve my family has developed out of the internal construction God is doing in my life.
Sunday night I sat down at the computer and developed a daily routine for our family. I thought through what I wanted our day to be like. I considered different priorities and things I wanted my children to experience. We are only three days into this grand experiment, but I am thrilled with the results so far! I am enjoying my boys and accomplishing more. Our “firmly flexible” routine includes daily chores, devotional time, plenty of bathroom breaks, rest time and much more. As I prepare to send Owen to kindergarten in the fall, I am looking forward to enjoying the rest of the summer with my family.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Offering
Each summer our church sends a group of 7th and 8th grade students to the hills and hollers of Kentucky. On Saturday, I will head south with a great group of students and adult leaders with the purpose of serving others. As I pack and prepare for this trip, I wonder if I have anything to offer.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Monday, May 31, 2010
He Does
The neighbor smiles and waves hello.
He doesn’t realize what today is.
The barista greets me and serves with a smile.
She doesn’t see the pain in my heart.
The boys run and laugh and climb on their dad.
They don’t grasp the weight of the day.
The banker politely nods and says good-bye.
She doesn’t understand where we’ll soon go.
The drive-thru girl smiles and says have a nice day.
She doesn’t know what my day holds.
The man crossing the street looks into the car.
He doesn’t care that there are tears in my eyes.
The man in the suit asks if we are the family.
He doesn’t participate in our last moments.
The man who is working shovels dirt into the grave.
He doesn’t weep as he does his job.
The God of the universe looks down from above.
He realizes
He sees
He grasps
He understands
He knows
He cares
He participates
He weeps
Hebrews 4:15-16
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Written Friday, May 28, 2010
He doesn’t realize what today is.
The barista greets me and serves with a smile.
She doesn’t see the pain in my heart.
The boys run and laugh and climb on their dad.
They don’t grasp the weight of the day.
The banker politely nods and says good-bye.
She doesn’t understand where we’ll soon go.
The drive-thru girl smiles and says have a nice day.
She doesn’t know what my day holds.
The man crossing the street looks into the car.
He doesn’t care that there are tears in my eyes.
The man in the suit asks if we are the family.
He doesn’t participate in our last moments.
The man who is working shovels dirt into the grave.
He doesn’t weep as he does his job.
The God of the universe looks down from above.
He realizes
He sees
He grasps
He understands
He knows
He cares
He participates
He weeps
Hebrews 4:15-16
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Written Friday, May 28, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Christian
1 Peter 4:12-19
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
Notes from "The Bible Knowledge Commentary" on 1 Peter 4:16:
There is no shame if one suffer(s) as a Christian rather than as a criminal. On the contrary, that name should be a source of praise to God for it identifies the bearer with the blessings of salvation. The term “Christian” (Christianos) occurs only three times in the Bible
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
Notes from "The Bible Knowledge Commentary" on 1 Peter 4:16:
There is no shame if one suffer(s) as a Christian rather than as a criminal. On the contrary, that name should be a source of praise to God for it identifies the bearer with the blessings of salvation. The term “Christian” (Christianos) occurs only three times in the Bible
Monday, May 24, 2010
A Time to Laugh
Sometimes laughter really is the best medicine. This is a conversation I had with Owen last night while he was in the bathroom. . .
Owen: Mom, can you wipe me?
Me: No, that's your job.
Owen: Will you pay me for it?
(Brandon and I laughing hysterically)
Me: I don't think I can do that.
Owen: I think you can.
(More laughter)
Ecclesiastes 3:4 . . . a time to weep and a time to laugh . . .
Owen: Mom, can you wipe me?
Me: No, that's your job.
Owen: Will you pay me for it?
(Brandon and I laughing hysterically)
Me: I don't think I can do that.
Owen: I think you can.
(More laughter)
Ecclesiastes 3:4 . . . a time to weep and a time to laugh . . .
Friday, May 21, 2010
My Psalm
Born Still
May 14, 2010
Too tired to sleep
Don’t want to think
Can’t get the images out of my mind
A lifeless body
Silence persists
This just can’t be happening again
Prepped and prepared
Feeling so scared
I’m not ready to say goodbye
Crying out to my King
Maker of everything
Hold me now Lord, I need you tonight
Quietly you came
We gave you a name
This moment I’ll never forget
Your tiny form
You had been born
Straight into the Father’s embrace
I love you little one
Your life has truly begun
It won’t be long until we’re together again
For now I must stay
I will glorify and praise
The God who has provided a way
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14
May 14, 2010
Too tired to sleep
Don’t want to think
Can’t get the images out of my mind
A lifeless body
Silence persists
This just can’t be happening again
Prepped and prepared
Feeling so scared
I’m not ready to say goodbye
Crying out to my King
Maker of everything
Hold me now Lord, I need you tonight
Quietly you came
We gave you a name
This moment I’ll never forget
Your tiny form
You had been born
Straight into the Father’s embrace
I love you little one
Your life has truly begun
It won’t be long until we’re together again
For now I must stay
I will glorify and praise
The God who has provided a way
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14
Monday, May 17, 2010
In this world . . . (orginally posted Sept 2009)
This is an old post of mine from September, it's a good reminder for me right now.
The Bible clearly tells us in John 16:33 that in this world we will have trouble. How do you deal with heartache? Nat King Cole would tell you to:
Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though its breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you
Yep, that’s about the best the world has to offer. When life gets hard and sorrow comes your way, smile and hope for the best. Although I’ve taken this theory for a test drive, it always seems to come up short. God has shown me a better way and given me a new song to sing:
Cry when your heart is aching
Seek God especially when its breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, ask Him why
If you search God’s word through your fear and sorrow
Trust Him and I assure you tomorrow
You’ll see the Son come shining through for you
We live in a fallen world tainted by sin. This guarantees us some pain and sorrow along the way. God doesn't expect us to smile through our grief and sorrow. As a matter of fact, He counts our tears and weeps along with us. So where do we go from here? If we seek Him, we will find Him. Don't be afraid to bring your sorrows, your fears, and your questions to God. Wrestle through your heartaches with the One who can bring hope and healing. Allow the Bible to speak truth into your life. When your emotions are running wild, allow God's truth to penetrate your heart. He loves you, He cares for you, He will never leave you. God has a plan for our lives and nothing that happens has not first been sifted through His loving hands. So, the next time you are faced with heartache, turn off the radio and tune into the One who has overcome the world.
. . . in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Romans 8:37
The Bible clearly tells us in John 16:33 that in this world we will have trouble. How do you deal with heartache? Nat King Cole would tell you to:
Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though its breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you
Yep, that’s about the best the world has to offer. When life gets hard and sorrow comes your way, smile and hope for the best. Although I’ve taken this theory for a test drive, it always seems to come up short. God has shown me a better way and given me a new song to sing:
Cry when your heart is aching
Seek God especially when its breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, ask Him why
If you search God’s word through your fear and sorrow
Trust Him and I assure you tomorrow
You’ll see the Son come shining through for you
We live in a fallen world tainted by sin. This guarantees us some pain and sorrow along the way. God doesn't expect us to smile through our grief and sorrow. As a matter of fact, He counts our tears and weeps along with us. So where do we go from here? If we seek Him, we will find Him. Don't be afraid to bring your sorrows, your fears, and your questions to God. Wrestle through your heartaches with the One who can bring hope and healing. Allow the Bible to speak truth into your life. When your emotions are running wild, allow God's truth to penetrate your heart. He loves you, He cares for you, He will never leave you. God has a plan for our lives and nothing that happens has not first been sifted through His loving hands. So, the next time you are faced with heartache, turn off the radio and tune into the One who has overcome the world.
. . . in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Romans 8:37
Friday, May 14, 2010
"Faithful"
A portion of the song "Faithful" by Steven Curtis Chapman . . .
I am waiting for the rescue
that I know is sure to come,
cuz You are faithful.
Yes You are faithful.
I've dropped anchor in Your promises,
and I am holding on,
cuz You are faithful.
God You are faithful.
I will proclaim it to the world.
I will declare it to my heart
And sing it when the sun is shining.
I will scream it in the dark.
You are faithful!
You are faithful!
When you give and when You take away,
even then still Your name
is faithful!
You are faithful!
And with everything inside of me,
I am choosing to believe You're faithful.
So faithful...
Though I cannot have the answer
that I'm wanting to demand,
I'll remember You are God
and everything is in Your hand.
In Your hands you hold the sun, the moon,
the stars up in the sky,
for the sake of Love, You hung Your own Son
on the cross...to die...
You are faithful...
Yes, You are faithful...
When you give and when You take away,
even then, great is Your faithfulness!
Great is Your faithfulness!
I am waiting for the rescue
that I know is sure to come,
cuz You are faithful.
Yes You are faithful.
I've dropped anchor in Your promises,
and I am holding on,
cuz You are faithful.
God You are faithful.
I will proclaim it to the world.
I will declare it to my heart
And sing it when the sun is shining.
I will scream it in the dark.
You are faithful!
You are faithful!
When you give and when You take away,
even then still Your name
is faithful!
You are faithful!
And with everything inside of me,
I am choosing to believe You're faithful.
So faithful...
Though I cannot have the answer
that I'm wanting to demand,
I'll remember You are God
and everything is in Your hand.
In Your hands you hold the sun, the moon,
the stars up in the sky,
for the sake of Love, You hung Your own Son
on the cross...to die...
You are faithful...
Yes, You are faithful...
When you give and when You take away,
even then, great is Your faithfulness!
Great is Your faithfulness!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Expecting
On Sunday, Brandon announced to the congregation that we are expecting. As he continued with his greeting and prayer, my mind couldn’t get that word out of my head. Expecting. When a couple announces they are expecting, one can reasonably assume they are referring to a new baby. What does the word expect really mean?
Expect (verb)
1.to look forward to; regard as likely to happen; anticipate the occurrence or the coming of
2.to look for with reason or justification
3.to suppose or surmise; guess
4.to anticipate the birth of (one’s child)
Brandon and I have been “expecting” five times now. Five times we have looked forward to and anticipated the coming of a baby. However, our expectations have only been met twice. We are praying for a third such occasion right now.
When we experienced our miscarriages, our expectations were not met. I would go so far as to say our expectations were crushed. All that we had looked forward to and anticipated did not come to be.
The title of my blog is “Great Expectations.” My journey through the crushing pain of unfulfilled expectations has left me a bit timid. I have been afraid to expect too much. When you allow yourself to have great expectations, you open yourself to the possibility of great pain. I’d rather just lower my expectations and be pleasantly surprised if things go well or that when things do come crashing down, at least I am not buried in the rubble.
I don’t believe that this is how God wants me to live. He has given me a hope that is secure, an anchor for my soul (Heb 4:19). I can eagerly await and anticipate eternity in heaven with my Lord and Savior--an existence absent of death, mourning, crying and pain (Rev 21:4). Although this world is full of trials and tribulations, I can live in great expectation. I can live in a state of looking forward to something that is SURE to happen. I don’t have to suppose, surmise, or guess what the outcome will be.
Maybe this security of a sure expectation will allow me to open my heart to expect great things here and now. Maybe the disappointments and hurts sure to be experienced here on earth will be softened by the knowledge that this is not how it will always be. It is like taking a huge leap knowing that although I may get some bumps and bruises along the way down, I am assured of a soft landing in my Father’s strong and secure arms. I might have my eyes closed, but I think I’m ready to jump.
Expect (verb)
1.to look forward to; regard as likely to happen; anticipate the occurrence or the coming of
2.to look for with reason or justification
3.to suppose or surmise; guess
4.to anticipate the birth of (one’s child)
Brandon and I have been “expecting” five times now. Five times we have looked forward to and anticipated the coming of a baby. However, our expectations have only been met twice. We are praying for a third such occasion right now.
When we experienced our miscarriages, our expectations were not met. I would go so far as to say our expectations were crushed. All that we had looked forward to and anticipated did not come to be.
The title of my blog is “Great Expectations.” My journey through the crushing pain of unfulfilled expectations has left me a bit timid. I have been afraid to expect too much. When you allow yourself to have great expectations, you open yourself to the possibility of great pain. I’d rather just lower my expectations and be pleasantly surprised if things go well or that when things do come crashing down, at least I am not buried in the rubble.
I don’t believe that this is how God wants me to live. He has given me a hope that is secure, an anchor for my soul (Heb 4:19). I can eagerly await and anticipate eternity in heaven with my Lord and Savior--an existence absent of death, mourning, crying and pain (Rev 21:4). Although this world is full of trials and tribulations, I can live in great expectation. I can live in a state of looking forward to something that is SURE to happen. I don’t have to suppose, surmise, or guess what the outcome will be.
Maybe this security of a sure expectation will allow me to open my heart to expect great things here and now. Maybe the disappointments and hurts sure to be experienced here on earth will be softened by the knowledge that this is not how it will always be. It is like taking a huge leap knowing that although I may get some bumps and bruises along the way down, I am assured of a soft landing in my Father’s strong and secure arms. I might have my eyes closed, but I think I’m ready to jump.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Easter 2010
Easter Highlights:
Our family has been gearing up for Easter for the past 40 days. Things were kicked off with a prayer calendar put together by our church. As a family, we enjoyed turning a page each day, reading Scripture and quotes, and following specific prayer ideas.
One month before Easter, I broke out the Resurrection Eggs. The boys enjoyed looking inside each egg and learning about the events of Holy Week.
A few days before Palm Sunday, Owen and Miles put on a little puppet show. Owen was Brae the donkey and Miles was a palm branch. Owen told the story of Brae, the donkey Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, in great detail. Miles waved that branch like nobody's business!
On Good Friday, Owen informed me that it was "not good for Jesus, but good for us because He died on the cross for our sins." We spent the day with my mom's side of the family. My favorite moment was when Miles kept taking candy-filled eggs to my Grandpa. Miles needed help opening the eggs and he knew Mom had said no more candy. Grandpa GG was more than willing to open the eggs, so Miles was more than willing to split the booty with him. It was really cute!
Today was the big day. We got all dressed up in our Easter best and headed to church. I was scolded by Owen for driving with no hands because I was too busy singing my heart out. Owen's Sunday School teacher informed me that he had accidently kicked a little boy in the face while reenacting how the guards at Jesus' tomb fell over like dead men. We enjoyed the rest of the day with family.
Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice and thank you God for giving us victory over death!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Family Update
Early Family Updates . . .
Brandon is breathing a little easier at work. We recently hired a great guy to take over Jr High. Luke and his fiance Jessi are great and we are so excited they are here. Brandon is "fun dad" but also firm and loving. Owen invited his dad to Special Friends day at school. He was so excited to show his dad off. Miles has been trained to state on command, "I am daddy's boy!"
Owen is my helper. He loves to help, he loves to love his brother, he loves to say sweet things. He is very thoughtful and kind. He knows no strangers and especially loves babies. I also recently learned that he likes the New Testament better than the Old Testament. That kid knows his Bible! Now, we do have our not so sweet moments. We are currently going through the "I think it is more fun to be bad" stage. At least I'm hoping this is just a stage!
Miles is a hoot. He has so many different faces and voices. When he knows he is in trouble, he smiles this big smile where his eye are all squinted shut. We are half-heartedly working on potty training. I'm in no hurry. Miles is learning to pedal his tricycle. He has a pretty solid bed time routine that he has come up with. It includes a kiss, a buzzer, a hug, and three blankets.
I am doing good. I am enjoying the warmer weather and looking forward to an early anniversary trip with Brandon next month. This summer we will celebrate 10 years of marriage. That is crazy!!! I was thrilled to learn that I will still have my job next year. I also continue to be involved at church with women's ministries and Jr High.
Brandon is breathing a little easier at work. We recently hired a great guy to take over Jr High. Luke and his fiance Jessi are great and we are so excited they are here. Brandon is "fun dad" but also firm and loving. Owen invited his dad to Special Friends day at school. He was so excited to show his dad off. Miles has been trained to state on command, "I am daddy's boy!"
Owen is my helper. He loves to help, he loves to love his brother, he loves to say sweet things. He is very thoughtful and kind. He knows no strangers and especially loves babies. I also recently learned that he likes the New Testament better than the Old Testament. That kid knows his Bible! Now, we do have our not so sweet moments. We are currently going through the "I think it is more fun to be bad" stage. At least I'm hoping this is just a stage!
Miles is a hoot. He has so many different faces and voices. When he knows he is in trouble, he smiles this big smile where his eye are all squinted shut. We are half-heartedly working on potty training. I'm in no hurry. Miles is learning to pedal his tricycle. He has a pretty solid bed time routine that he has come up with. It includes a kiss, a buzzer, a hug, and three blankets.
I am doing good. I am enjoying the warmer weather and looking forward to an early anniversary trip with Brandon next month. This summer we will celebrate 10 years of marriage. That is crazy!!! I was thrilled to learn that I will still have my job next year. I also continue to be involved at church with women's ministries and Jr High.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
The Sickies
Ugh. Sickness has hit our home in full force. Owen got things going with a nasty stomach flu one night. Miles, not wanting to be left out, chimed in with a horrible cough and cold. Brandon seemed to then come down with a touch of whatever Owen had. Just when things were finally looking up, I started in with a nasty cold. Now, Owen is well on his way to a cold too. We have all been a bit grouchy and tired which doesn’t play out well. None of us are very hungry so we end up eating stuff that probably isn’t helping the situation. In summary, the Early home is not at its best these days.
In spite of all these sickies floating around, we do manage to have a good time. Owen entertains us with his very logical 5-year-old brain. In the car today, Brandon was naming various animals that we could have as a pet. Some examples were: a mosquito, an eagle, and a tree. Bless his little heart, Owen very calmly and logically explained to his dad why each of those options simply would not work. Owen’s final conclusion was that we needed a hamster. I explained that we have a pet dog named Daisy who just happens to live at Grammy and Grampy’s house. That seemed to work for the moment.
Miles is finally perking up a bit as well. That kid makes the most hilarious faces. Some of them, such as the Soccer Monster, are mean, scary faces, but even they are funny. He is so animated and has such a great vocabulary. It is quite entertaining. Today he told Grampy that “I’m big enough to do it myself” when given a bag of fruit snacks (aka juicies).
I look forward to having toys instead of tissues strewn around our house, but for the time being, we are trying to make the best of a not so great situation. A big shout out to Grammy and Grampy for risking their own health and sanity to give Brandon and I a break from time to time.
In spite of all these sickies floating around, we do manage to have a good time. Owen entertains us with his very logical 5-year-old brain. In the car today, Brandon was naming various animals that we could have as a pet. Some examples were: a mosquito, an eagle, and a tree. Bless his little heart, Owen very calmly and logically explained to his dad why each of those options simply would not work. Owen’s final conclusion was that we needed a hamster. I explained that we have a pet dog named Daisy who just happens to live at Grammy and Grampy’s house. That seemed to work for the moment.
Miles is finally perking up a bit as well. That kid makes the most hilarious faces. Some of them, such as the Soccer Monster, are mean, scary faces, but even they are funny. He is so animated and has such a great vocabulary. It is quite entertaining. Today he told Grampy that “I’m big enough to do it myself” when given a bag of fruit snacks (aka juicies).
I look forward to having toys instead of tissues strewn around our house, but for the time being, we are trying to make the best of a not so great situation. A big shout out to Grammy and Grampy for risking their own health and sanity to give Brandon and I a break from time to time.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Birthday Week Festivities
What a great birthday week! I have rung in 32 with style. Here is a glimpse of my week:
Tues 19th-Mom and dad treated us to dinner at Texas Roadhouse
Wed 20th-Brandon and I took the boys to JMK Nippon’s for lunch. Owen kept trying to address the hostess, chef and wait staff to tell them it was my birthday so they would sing to me. His wish came true when the staff came out with my pineapple bowl complete with candle. He enjoyed the attention much more than I did! Church was cancelled this night due to ice, so I had a nice quiet evening with Brandon.
Thurs 21st-Well, this day was not so great. Poor Brandon woke up with a really bad case of vertigo. Anytime he would lift or turn his head he became dizzy and nauseous. He was pretty much bed-ridden all day. I stayed home from bible study to look after him. I love bible study and missed my group, but enjoyed some quiet time at home to read and study.
Fri 22nd-After work, mom and I headed up to Madison, Wisconsin to see Little House on the Prairie the Musical starring Melissa Gilbert. I have loved Little House since I was a little girl. I know every television episode forward and backward and even read some of the books. I own a Laura collector’s doll and an 8x10 of the Ingalls family. Hey, we all have our stuff. When we got to the theater, we learned that our tickets were in the front row! I’m pretty sure we had the best seats in the entire house. It was wonderful! I even got a little teary when the music started playing. In my head I started to think . . . this is heaven! However, I became even more overwhelmed by the fact that Heaven is going be (insert biggest number possible here) better than even Little House! Now that is something to look forward to!
Sat 23rd-Today is my really good friend Tona’s birthday. This is our third annual Tona-Keri birthday event. Year one we saw Brian Regan at the Coronado. Year two we went to an Ice Hogs hockey game. Year three (today) we had a spa day! Oh my was it wonderful. I have never had a facial or massage and received “mini” ones today. We also had a pedicure which was wonderful. After that, we grabbed lunch. It was such a fun way to celebrate and it is becoming something we both look forward to.
Sun 24th-Tomorrow I will attend week 3 of the Sunday School class I helped organize. I have been learning a lot from the class taught by Pam MacRae. After church, I get to spend a few hours with some of my favorite 7th grade girls. We have a great time together. After d-groups, I have BSB with a few good friends. We are reading Forgotten God by Francis Chan and I can’t wait to discuss what we are learning!
Tues 19th-Mom and dad treated us to dinner at Texas Roadhouse
Wed 20th-Brandon and I took the boys to JMK Nippon’s for lunch. Owen kept trying to address the hostess, chef and wait staff to tell them it was my birthday so they would sing to me. His wish came true when the staff came out with my pineapple bowl complete with candle. He enjoyed the attention much more than I did! Church was cancelled this night due to ice, so I had a nice quiet evening with Brandon.
Thurs 21st-Well, this day was not so great. Poor Brandon woke up with a really bad case of vertigo. Anytime he would lift or turn his head he became dizzy and nauseous. He was pretty much bed-ridden all day. I stayed home from bible study to look after him. I love bible study and missed my group, but enjoyed some quiet time at home to read and study.
Fri 22nd-After work, mom and I headed up to Madison, Wisconsin to see Little House on the Prairie the Musical starring Melissa Gilbert. I have loved Little House since I was a little girl. I know every television episode forward and backward and even read some of the books. I own a Laura collector’s doll and an 8x10 of the Ingalls family. Hey, we all have our stuff. When we got to the theater, we learned that our tickets were in the front row! I’m pretty sure we had the best seats in the entire house. It was wonderful! I even got a little teary when the music started playing. In my head I started to think . . . this is heaven! However, I became even more overwhelmed by the fact that Heaven is going be (insert biggest number possible here) better than even Little House! Now that is something to look forward to!
Sat 23rd-Today is my really good friend Tona’s birthday. This is our third annual Tona-Keri birthday event. Year one we saw Brian Regan at the Coronado. Year two we went to an Ice Hogs hockey game. Year three (today) we had a spa day! Oh my was it wonderful. I have never had a facial or massage and received “mini” ones today. We also had a pedicure which was wonderful. After that, we grabbed lunch. It was such a fun way to celebrate and it is becoming something we both look forward to.
Sun 24th-Tomorrow I will attend week 3 of the Sunday School class I helped organize. I have been learning a lot from the class taught by Pam MacRae. After church, I get to spend a few hours with some of my favorite 7th grade girls. We have a great time together. After d-groups, I have BSB with a few good friends. We are reading Forgotten God by Francis Chan and I can’t wait to discuss what we are learning!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Object Lesson: Priorities
I am all about object lessons. As a visual learner, seeing things helps me better understand and remember information. Several years ago, my good friend Tona did an object lesson for the Jr High small group we were leading together. Little did I know that day how much that lesson would impact my life.
The lesson materials included a large glass vase, 3 or 4 ornament-size balls, a bag of small pebbles and some sand. Tona demonstrated what happened when she first filled the vase with the sand and then the rocks. The balls did not fit. She started the process again. This time, Tona placed the large balls in the vase first. She then added the pebbles, followed by the sand. Guess what? It all fit! The lesson . . . when we daily put the "big things" in our lives first, everything else falls into place.
What a great lesson! I began thinking about what those "big things" needed to be in my life. I eventually figured out that having quiet time with God, living a healthy lifestyle (diet and exercise), and keeping a clean home were the "big things" I needed to put first in my life. This is where my Tresolution (3 year plan) came into play.
How does it all work? My quiet times with God have given me perspective on life. I am reminded of who God is and His plans for me. Living a healthier lifestyle has increased my energy and strength to live out what God has called me to do. My hope is that decluttering and organizing my home will eliminate some of the distractions that material possessions can cause and allow our family to be better stewards of what we are given. As an added bonus, improvements in each of these areas has great potential to positively impact my family.
I want to serve God with all that I am and all that I have. When my day begins to fall apart, I remember that object lesson and ask myself the question . . . What's in my vase?
Friday, January 1, 2010
Top 10 for 2010
Top 10 Things I'm Looking Forward to in 2010 (in no particular order). . .
1. Little House on the Prairie the Musical (22 more days!)
2. Two new nephews due to arrive this month
3. Group's Simply Youth Ministry Conference in February
4. Jr High missions trip to Kentucky in June
5. Two good friends getting married
6. Celebrating 10 years of marriage in August
7. Sending Owen to Kindergarten in August (he'll love it, I'll probably cry)
8. Being a diaper free house (hopefully sooner rather than later)
9. Decluttering my home, the Salvation Army is my new best friend!
10.Continuing to study God's word, cook, and exercise
1. Little House on the Prairie the Musical (22 more days!)
2. Two new nephews due to arrive this month
3. Group's Simply Youth Ministry Conference in February
4. Jr High missions trip to Kentucky in June
5. Two good friends getting married
6. Celebrating 10 years of marriage in August
7. Sending Owen to Kindergarten in August (he'll love it, I'll probably cry)
8. Being a diaper free house (hopefully sooner rather than later)
9. Decluttering my home, the Salvation Army is my new best friend!
10.Continuing to study God's word, cook, and exercise
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