Gifts 361 - 379

Another week of grace...another week of little and big gifts all around. It is amazing to remember everything good we have is undeserved...they are only sweet gifts from God. How thankful I am for that, and let us not forget the Giver by focusing only on the gift.

361 - a vase of tulips next to my chair
362 - modern medicine
363 - little bunnies under bushes
364 - fun dresses for Toodle found at Goodwill (I was going to take some pics, but couldn't find the camera!)
365 - plants that flower for months
366 - purpose in suffering (1 Peter)
367 - people honest with their struggles yet desiring to please God
368 - short visit with my sweet neighbor and her little boy
369 - having dinner outside
370 - lots of rain
371 - having breath for a new day
372 - Toodle not being anxious about state testing
373 - looking through old pictures
374 - group prayer
375 - fast food restaurants when you're running late for dinner
376 - easy to pull weeds
377 - purchasing beautiful new plants
378 - milkshakes after working outside
379 - people that respond well to difficult situations

I don't think I posted these pics from our trip to the newspaper last month...

How to Lead Well, Part 1

People seem to generally think I lead things well. But, in my mind, I don't really do anything particularly spectacular...just some basic things. These thoughts aren't specifically relating to leading spiritual things - they can be helpful for anything such as women's events, something at your home, or bible study...really anything you'd get up in front of a group to lead. So, I thought about what I do and figured I'd put together a little series on it...here's part one:

1. Be prepared - I know this is a no-brainer to say, but somehow good preparation can often be overlooked or just not done thoroughly.

   Scheduling: Have a tentative schedule in place for all the parts you are in charge of - have approximate times allocated to each part - make a list of anything critical to be said during each piece (otherwise you'll most likely forget).

   Activities: Make sure you have all the pieces needed - think through each step so that you don't forget the tape/scissors/extra staples/ etc. - actually play it through in your mind. It's nice to make an example both for a visual as well as a true time amount needed. For some reason, things rarely seem to work quite the way you thought they would.

   Delegate: Choose or have people sign up to help, then make sure to give them a run down of what their general expectations are. Don't take on everything yourself (my husband is laughing at this comment as I know he thinks I take on too much - we disagree about that :) ). There are two sides to this...one, know who are dependable, capable people and ask them to do things that you don't want to ever think about again. Two, know who are people that you want to encourage and bring along...sometimes people who are somewhat "fringe"...and pull them in. I've found that people who are outside of the "core group" really appreciate being asked to be involved. Many people are often uncertain of how to help (so don't offer), but when you ask, they are generally willing and somewhat excited to participate. (A side note on this point...this requires that you know the people you are involved with...know what they enjoy and then be looking for ways to plug them in.)

   Including Group help: Make sure when you've just asked for anyone who is able to come and help that you have a direction for them. Know the main things needing to be done and approximately how many people are needed for any given job. Then tell them what to do...people seem to like being given specific direction (please cut the pineapple into bite size chunks, please put four stacks of 25 pages each) rather than having to figure out what needs to be done on their own.

   Do as much as you can ahead of time: Somehow on the event day, there's always more to be done than anticipated...so do whatever you can ahead of time. Gather all the items you need - don't shop on the final day except for something you forgot or something that will spoil. Set up whatever you can - arrange chairs/furniture, put out paper items, etc. It also helps to find out if all your delegatees are on track a few days before rather than finding out the morning of that they still need something from you.

   Get there early: On the day of the event, be the first one there (unless you've organized that to not be the case). Having a few minutes of calm and being able to do some initial preparation before everyone gets there is so valuable. Coming into droves of people needing you is a bit overwhelming and stressful.

I think that's all I can think of on being prepared...be ready for more to come. :) Also, if you happen to have any specific questions that you want to ask, feel free to leave a comment or email me.

Delegation at work...

Drafts

I know posting has been somewhat sparse these last few days…there have been random thoughts chasing about in my head, but I haven’t really had/found the time to write them down. So, just for fun, I thought I’d share my list of “drafts” that never got written (or at least not completed) over the last two years:

How to Lead Well

Live for Eternity

Easy to Forget

Free Time

It’s so much easier to complain than be thankful

The Cares of This World

Life Skills

The Fringe

Things I love

Two sides

Falling Short

Also in that area was this quote back from last summer when we went through the series on the Holy Spirit - spiritual gifts specifically it looks like...interesting perspective.

Churches often fall back on organization because the organism (the body of Christ) is not functioning right. Because a hand is not doing its job, a foot is called on to do that work, and so on. If most of the congregation is inactive, the active members must do work for which they are not equipped. The answer to an inactive organism, however, is not an active organization. Carnality cannot be overcome by compensation. No human substitutions can satisfactorily replace God's plan and God's power. The only way the church can function properly is by using the Spirit's gifts in the Spirit's power as it should, just as God desired. We all have what God desires for us and are to receive the privileged gift with joyful thanks. ---MacArthur, 1 Cor Commentary, page 316

Gifts 345 - 360

What a lovely day we had here today! So wonderful to be outside in the warm sunshine getting yard work done. It's been a relatively quiet week which has been really nice - I felt like we actually accomplished quite a bit of school. :)

345 - the yellow-green of spring
346 - morning walk with the kiddos
347 - fun gifts to give
348 - finding that you already have what you were going to buy
349 - getting out spring sandals
350 - the weariness of hard work
351 - a weeded garden
352 - nice door knobs
353 - silly kid skits
354 - chocolate cream pie
355 - new garden clippers
356 - how much kids love making forts
357 - how happy I am when they come down
358 - getting the pile of dishes washed
359 - waving at a neighbor
360 - pulling out my favorite quilt

This week we also made our church decision...we will be attending Grace Covenant Church as we expected would likely be the case. There were a couple other churches we had thought about, but after talking about them a bit further it was clear they wouldn't be a good choice. A primary reason we decided on GCC was the gospel community concept that we are looking forward to being a part of - it is an intentional way of making disciples in your community. I still have a bit of an outsider-type feeling, but I'm sure as we get more connected that will quickly be changed.

Discipling

Over the years, I've often thought about this concept of discipling and how I really should be doing this. But, how to go about it and the time factor have always been in the way. It also seemed kind of strange to call someone and say, "Hey, can I disciple you?" That seemed a bit like, "I really know what I'm doing, and you don't...so, here, I'm going to help you out." However, on the other hand, I've always wished someone would have helped me out more spiritually through those earlier years (and even now). There have been a few good friends over the years that have encouraged and strengthened me, but generally nothing on a consistent basis. For me, my love for reading has really filled in that gap as I've read on a range of topics typically addressing challenges that I've faced.

So, anyways, as my general commitments have waned a bit since we are in church transition, I decided to go ahead and call a sweet somewhat younger friend of mine and talk about discipleship. We've been friends for a number of years so my calling wasn't totally out of the blue, and I think she knows me well enough to not perceive my calling as an "I'm better than you" type of thing. I was also confident that she desired to grow in the Lord. After the initial somewhat odd start to the conversation (at least from my end), we decided to go ahead and get together on an every other week basis for an hour or two.

Needless to say, I was excited to have this opportunity to pour into someone's life and, Lord willing, encourage her love for and growth in the Lord. We met for the first time and shared about our backgrounds - growing up, getting married, having kids, how we came to know the Lord, struggles, etc. I had also pulled together a couple of books that she might be interested in going through. She choose Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit. Even though she doesn't quite have school age kids, this book is so helpful for any mom to have the right attitude when training their kids.

After that initial meeting, I kind of went yikes! exactly how am I supposed to be going about doing this?!?!? So, I googled it...and came across a great website from Capitol Hill Baptist Church (Mark Devers). They had this helpful definition and summary of discipleship:


The intentional encouragement of Christians on the basis of deliberate, loving relationships and training in God’s Word.

While our definition is not authoritative, it is important.  The key words in this definition may be helpful to focus on:

·        Discipling is INTENTIONAL and DELIBERATE – it is not something that just happens, it is the result of purposeful initiative on the part of other Christians.

·        Discipling involves ENCOURAGEMENT – Christians need encouragement in order to be faithful and to persevere in their faith.

·        Discipling is focused on making followers of Jesus, i.e. CHRISTIANS – not on just general moral reformation or even worse, copies of yourself.

·        Discipling is ultimately rooted in the WORD of GOD – not just our good advice.

·        Discipling is LOVING – to care for someone’s soul in this way IS love.

·        And finally, discipling is RELATIONAL it involves more than just watching a lesson on video – it involves humans sharing our lives with others.

I particularly appreciated how they painted it as a "coming alongside" sort of thing rather than the much scarier "I have it all together" sort of thing.

At our second meeting, I felt better about how things should be progressing, and decided that each time we got together, I'd like to cover these things: catch up since our last time together, discuss our book chapter and review questions, tell about something we've learned from our personal quiet time, share prayer requests/struggles, and a time for prayer. Simple yet purposeful, God honoring, and growth encouraging. 

And, lastly, a couple of comments as I've reflected over our first two meetings. Discipling someone makes you realize how not great you really are...how much you are in need of God's grace. It makes you more diligent to pray for others. It makes you see scripture a bit differently as when you read/hear/study you are also thinking about your friend and her needs. It makes you test the depth of your scripture knowledge...when you are discussing something, it's nice to have a general knowledge of what scripture says concerning it. It gets you out of your comfort zone and gives you the opportunity to be vulnerable. It allows Christ to shine more in your life as you are sharing with someone else what Christ has done for you. 

I hope this hasn't come across as a scatter-brained post, but I wanted to share my short journey in this with the hope that more people will be obedient to God's call to make disciples (not only seeing that as making new converts but persevering to help people become mature in Christ.) 

Good Reminders

Tonight, I thought I'd just post a couple of quotes from blog entries long ago that I've been thinking about a bit lately...

JR Miller - Life is too short to spend even one day of it in bickering and strife. Love is too sacred to be forever lacerated and torn by the ugly briers of sharp temper. Surely we ought to learn to be patient with others, since God has to show every day such infinite patience toward us. Is not the very essence of true love the spirit that is not easily provoked, that bears all things? Can we not, then, train our life to sweeter gentleness? Can we not learn to be touched even a little roughly without resenting it? Can we not bear little injuries and apparent injustices without flying into an unseemly rage? Can we not have in us something of the mind of Christ which will enable us, like him, to endure all wrong and injury and give back no word or look of bitterness? The way over which we and our friend walk together—is too short to be spent in wrangling.

R.C. Sproul, Jr. - Nancy Wilson once explained wisely that there is something wrong with a wife and mother who thinks there is something wrong when she falls into bed exhausted after a hard day's work. She encouraged those who so think to understand that such is a good thing, a sign of diligence and hard work... What do we need? To stop worrying about what we need, to pick up our cross, and follow Him. What we need is to lose our lives. And then, and only then, will we find them. Only if we seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, will all these things be added to us. Then we will finally escape the vanity, for it will be the Lord who builds our houses.

Steve Maxwell - You know what, anger gets results with our children. It's so easy to fall into that trap. It's so easy, yet so harmful. It may get results for a while, but there will come a time, because it is damaging that relationship...it is poisoning it...there will come a time when their hearts will not really be with us. Then as the older they get, and we are relying more on having their heart to train and lead them, it's not going to be there. And therefore we're not going to be able to have the influence in their lives that we desire.

I know these are completely random pics, but Josh took them while we were
in Chinatown, and I always think they look so delicious :)

Tying Strings

One very important aspect of parenting that I was introduced to through the ministry of No Greater Joy (some excellent helps and insight into parenting, but this is not a blanket statement of agreement with all their materials - so read with discernment) was this concept of Tying Strings. The idea is basically that we, as parents, need to be creating sweet connections with our kids, tying strings of relationship and love, especially as we are also the ones to be correcting and training them the most. I was reminded of that today as I felt like I spent most of the day reprimanding one of my kiddos, constantly responding to critical speech and crankiness. It was quite discouraging for me, and I'm sure also quite discouraging for them. So, this afternoon, I decided that I needed to take some time out just to love this child, to do something that they would specifically enjoy. It was nice just to chat and talk about random things without having any expectations.

As homeschool moms, this is especially difficult. I know that I feel that all I do is spend time with my kids - we do school together, eat together, do chores together, etc, etc. But, that doesn't always meet the needs of the kiddos...sometime they just need some one on one time with mom doing what they enjoy...not accomplishing anything on the "agenda." For me, that takes self-denial and purposeful effort, but keeping those little hearts are worth it. :)

I had a hard time finding a pic of just the kids and me - this is from 2007

Homeschool Happenings

Whew, it's been almost three months since I've posted something about homeschool! That's probably because we're kind of in the in-between time, not quite looking to next year and pretty well set on the current year. However, this week has been a bit challenging in the homeschool arena - I don't know if it is because we're just coming off spring break, but there has been lots of grouchies and pesteries going on this week. Thankfully, I know God is in control both in giving me these certain kids and by having us homeschool at this point. So, I needed to be more diligent in going to Him for help, and, as always, He provides.

So, a couple of things...one, testing time is almost upon us. I thought I'd put the main links I look at for help to know what will be on the tests. I wouldn't say I teach to the test, but I do make sure that my kids actually know what they are expected to know, and thus see on the test. 

Test questions/examples - we will actually do pretty much all examples, and even do additional like examples

Test and item specs - this helps to know exactly how many of each specific items will be on the test

Performance level descriptors - this is another means I use of making sure we are covering all the areas

Two, here are a couple of random websites that might be of interest to you:

Literature Genres - we've finished our reading program for the year, and I plan to move to focusing (and perhaps writing) on specific genres

Souptoys - I don't know if I've already put this down, but it is a fun, free, imaginative "game"

Fantastic Contraption - a physics puzzle game

Lightbot - basic, early programming type game

Here's the website I found the previous two games from and it has many other recommendations for starting kids on programming (I think we are pretty likely going to get Josh (group gift) Lego Mindstorms for his bday)

30 Truths about Homeschooling - just a good reminder

And, lastly, we spent most of the day reorganizing our classroom. I think part of the reason math has been a struggle is because the kids sit on the couch for most of it and that creates lots more opportunity for fooling around, being distracted, etc. So, now the desks have been placed to face the board rather than having the couch face the board. We'll see how it goes...

 

 

Gifts 325 - 344

Good morning, friends. I've felt somewhat cranky and discouraged these last two days...I'm not exactly sure why as life always has little irritations, but so many of God's great blessings. So, today it's good to sit again and recall many of God's goodnesses to me.

325 - fresh flowers brought in by my sweetie girl
326 - the phases of the moon
327 - light creeping in earlier in the morning
328 - abundance of lovely flowering trees
329 - that God gives wisdom - James 1:5
330 - seeing my friend start leading at BSF
331 - first freshly mowed yard of the year
332 - new games to play
333 - a bald eagle flying by the window
334 - moved-away friends coming for a visit
335 - people that have different perspectives
336 - people that encourage you to fight the good fight when it's hard
337 - fun, yet beneficial, book to read
338 - quietness in the morning
339 - the smile of a friend
340 - knowing God is at work
341 - kids getting quickly to work
342 - birthday invitations in the mail
343 - peeling carrots with a friend
344 - the feeling of accomplishment

these pics were at the Washington Arboretum
 

 

 

 

 

 

Cleopatra VII, Daughter of the Nile

We finished a fun book last week or so, Cleopatra VII. It's one of The Royal Diaries series. The book basically chronicles the early life of Cleopatra with additional historical detail given about her later life in a sort of epilogue. Since not a whole lot is known about this part of her life, the author does take some poetic license to fill in gaps while still trying to stay true to Cleopatra's personality and likely events. The writing was very enjoyable and wove in some historical information not actually in her time (Nefertiti, Spartacus). Also the book had a few different settings so you not only learned about Egypt, but Rome and some other Italian towns. A main portion of the story dealt with her time in Rome to gain the Romans' assistance in overthrowing Cleopatra's sister from the Egyptian throne. At that time we are also introduced to the characters of Cicero, Pompey, and Marc Antony. Overall a good, pleasant read that is effective at painting that period in history. I'm looking forward to reading others in this series as those dates come up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweetness & Light Muffin Cakes

Just thought I'd share my most favorite muffin recipe tonight...I think I like it so much because you can put most anything in it and it tastes yummy.

Sweetness & Light Muffin Cakes

taken from a copied recipe in my recipe binder, pg 367

1 3/4 unbleached all purpose flour

1/2 to 3/4 c sugar depending on how sweet you like your muffins

2 1/2 t baking powder

1/4 t salt

1/4 t nutmeg

1/2 c milk

1/3 c butter, melted and cooled

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 t vanilla

Preheat oven to 400 F. Grease or paper 12 muffin cups. 

In large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. In second bowl, whisk together milk, butter, egg and vanilla. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and combine with as few strokes as possible. Add in any extras (chocolate chips, blueberries, craisins, nuts, dried cherries, fresh peaches, pears, etc.).

Spoon batter into muffin cups, filling 1/2 to 2/3 full. Bake until golden brown, 15-20 minutes. 

Personal comments - I don't believe in two bowl muffins anymore. :) Basically, I just mix all the wet ingredients in a bowl. Then place the flour on top. Over the flour I put the other dry ingredients and mix them carefully together. Then do a full mix of the whole bowl. So far it's worked just fine. I also like putting a sprinkle of raw sugar on the top before baking. You can also dip the warmish muffins tops in butter and then in sugar. Super tasty and super quick - a winning combination!!!

 

 

 

 

Happy Resurrection Day

Dave said that to me this morning, and I quite like it. He was also looking up the origins of Easter and there's a lot of pagan stuff that goes along with that. So, that's what I'm going to call today from now on (or until I forget :) ). We had a lovely day today...somewhat leisurely morning with a yummy breakfast...then off to church at GCC. Rather than a traditional service, it was primarily a time of testimonies with my brother and sister-in-law being the ones to give an extended version of their story. I was really struck with how sad people's lives are apart from Christ...how they often look pretty "good" on the outside yet they are hopeless on the inside. That most everyone you walk by in your day to day is likely feeling the burden of their sin and are miserable in it. For me, it was a bit of a reality check...in most ways I lead a pretty much charmed life surrounded by wonderful Christian friends and family...I'm not in the world too much, and the bit I am not in a real meaningful way. So, to hear the stories of struggle, despair, and then redemption was a beautiful thing. It's encouraging and challenging...it inspires in a person the desire to give their life for the cause of Christ because you know nothing else can satisfy and transform a person. Also, on a personal note, listening to Jeff and Becky's story particularly made me wish that I would have extended more grace to them...that I would have expected less and been willing to give more.

There was also a series of baptisms. For some reason I cried a lot as I watched. I think it was because I knew a bit about many of them and knew the heartache and care that friends/parents went through as the people being baptized made bad choices. Maybe in some ways I transposed myself on them and the feelings I would have seeing a wayward son/daughter give their life to Christ. And, I guess what really came through to me is that in Christ there is hope...that periods of suffering and anguish can be washed away in rebirth...that what was once black with sin can be made whiter than snow.

And, lastly, it increased in me my thankfulness for Christ's work on my behalf..."We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." May my life be a testimony of praise to Him!

As far as the rest of our Resurrection Day...we enjoyed a pleasant dinner with family, opening Resurrection eggs around the table, and amiable conversation over dessert. Hope you were able to reflect on Christ's great gift as well...

 

 

 

 

 

Gifts 299 - 324

Lots of easy thanksgivings this week with our fun trip to Seattle...

299 - waking up early

300 - cats against your feet

301 - hearing about missions internationally

302 - honest conversations

303 - last minute reservations

304 - unexpected room upgrades

305 - sunshine in Seattle

306 - synchronized fountains

307 - enjoying creation

308 - vacationing with my folks :)

309 - floating bridges

310 - exploring new places

311 - great last day of skiing

312 - dinner with girlfriends

313 - hymns on the piano

314 - serving a risen Savior

315 - practical truths in scripture

316 - how helping others helps you

317 - purposefulness in trials

318 - odd people

319 - pleasant strangers

320 - liquid glass

321 - bedtime prayers

322 - kids in bubble baths

323 - knowing you're loved

324 - new people in my house

 

butterfly garden
 

 

 

Fun in Seattle

Since James is on spring break this week, we took the opportunity to go over to Seattle for a couple of days and see the sights. Normally, we ignore the "official" school holidays, but since James is with us this year, my kids are a bit wiser about when other kids have time off. :) The kiddos really had never been to Seattle so that was great fun, and my folks ended up being able to come with us as well. I figure I'll cover what we did and such in this post, then post random pics over the next week or so. 

First off, the hotel...we stayed at a really great hotel, The Maxwell Hotel. I didn't know anything about it, but having a pool is high up on my kids list so that narrowed down the search a lot (although their pool is very small ~15x20). I also wanted to be within walking distance of most downtown stuff as well as having a place I felt safe staying in. So, after searching around TripAdvisor, this place moved to the top. Add to that a great price through Bookit.com (some pretty mixed reviews, but it worked fine for me), and we had a place to stay. Some other great perks about this place were free parking, yummy mini cupcakes and coffee in the afternoon, and a room upgrade. I also thought their decor was lots of fun...happy, bright colors. 

We headed out the door here in Wenatchee about 8:15 a.m. and arrived in Seattle a bit before 11:00. The hotel staff very graciously allowed us to check in that early so we settled our stuff in the rooms and left for the Pacific Science Center. Thankfully the sun had peeked through so we enjoyed a lovely walk over to the center, passing by one of my favorite things, the International Fountain. I love watching the water shoot out, especially if it is one that is synchronized with the music. We all enjoyed the Science Center...Hannah especially enjoyed the butterfly exhibit. I think Josh enjoyed the 5 senses portion the best. Although fun, it seemed somewhat limited compared to the many other science museums we've been to through the years. We probably finished most of it in about 4 hours. 

The next day, we walked and walked and walked some more. We first went down to the Olympic Sculpture Park. There are some interesting sculptures, but most are rather odd. We walked along the waterfront, went to the carousel, and over to Pike's Place Market. It's fun just walking through there, looking at all the lovely flowers and crafts and just being in the city. For lunch, we had an Indian buffet which was super yummy and then off for home. On our way, we stopped and walked around the Arboretum and Foster Island, both of which were fun to see. Foster Island has this really cool group of bridges/paths/other that you can walk along to get to the smaller islands, and the Arboretum had beautiful trees flowering right now (although not too much else). We then took the floating bridge over lake Washington and came on home. 

As with most of my favorite times away, it was short and sweet. I'm always so happy to get back into my own home and back into "normal" life. :) Hope all of you are having a delightful spring break as well...

 

 

 

We're All to be Teachers

I was going to write a "real" post tonight, but James and I got to looking up food to eat in Seattle. We decided last minute to hop over there Wed/Thurs while he is on Spring Break. I'm looking up things here, and he somehow got to looking up things in China, so we're also planning a three month eating excursion through China to enjoy all the good things there. :) Right now we're hoping to eat at an Indian lunch buffet...so yummy!!! and get some seafood since the rest of the family doesn't really care for that. 

So as not to have just a totally pointless post :), here is another great quote (somewhat strung together) from Radical (pgs 99-101):

In our relationships with one another in the body of Christ, we are to be continually teaching one another the Word of Christ...we need to be careful not to immediately jump in our minds to the classroom...this is not the predominant kind of teaching we see in Jesus' relationship with His disciples. On the contrary, the world was a perpetual classroom for Jesus and His disciples, providing opportunities for instruction at every moment...Jesus' command for us to make disciples envisions a teaching role for all of us. 

Think about it. What would be the most effective way for this new follower of Christ to learn to pray? To sign her up for a one-hour-a-week class on prayer? Or to invite her personally into your quiet time with God to teach her how to pray? 

Similarly, what would be the most effective way for this new follower of Christ to learn to study the Bible? To register her in the next available course on Bible study? Or to sit down with her and walk her through the steps of how you have learned to study the Bible?  

This raises the bar in our own Christianity. In order to teach someone else how to pray, we need to know how to pray. In order to help someone else learn how to study the Bible, we need to be active in studying the Bible. But this is the beauty of making disciples. When we take the responsibility for helping others grown in Christ, it automatically takes our own relationship with Christ to a new level. 

pic with our friends who stayed with us

 

my kids have been really into crazy pics lately...this one is particularly funny
because it was on a timer that seemed to take forever to snap the pic :)