I know, I know, it has been FOR-E-VER since my last blog; much has happened over the last few months in my little life. Many new things. Homeschooling life has passed, and a new life has begun. I am now a "working woman".....hmmm......wasn't I that before? Well, just for clarification, I now leave my home for work, as opposed to staying in my home to work. Everyday, The Bud and I leave around 6:30am and get home around 6:30pm.
It's quite a different schedule than the one of my last 20 years......
But, I'm lovin' every minute of it. It was time --that's all. It was time to let go of one season of my life stretch out into another and see what comes of it. There are challenges to be sure; who does dinner, when do you do laundry, what things are important and what are not, which routines/responsibilities do you keep and which do you lay down, how do you keep up with friends and family?
Meanwhile, leaves are falling and the season moves forward.....
"Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God" --Ps. 92:13
While the season moves on and my landscape changes, one thing remains constant: my desire to have God's will done in my life as it is in heaven. Psalm 92 reminds me to stay rooted in God and His Word and His will for my life. I'm looking to flourish wherever I am.
How about you?
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Goin' to the Wood-Shed
We have a wood stove. It’s so wonderful to come home in the winter to an amazingly warm home. The warmth just wraps around you like no other type of heat-source can. LOVE-it!
BUT, to have wood stove, this means you must have a wood SHED. And if you have a wood-shed, that means there’s wood to be stacked at some point before the cold weather sets in.
You need people to stack the wood.
That’s where I come in.
Usually each year at some point during the summer, the Three Lovelies and I have gone out each morning and spent about an hour picking up, carrying over and stacking wood into the woodshed. It’s tedious, hard work. It IS worth it in the end, but while you’re doing it, it’s intense. We have a HUGE wood-pile which The Bud adds to each year from his runs to various local mills with the pick-up. Then our job is to take wood from the messiness of the pile and make some order and some sense out of it in the wood-shed in nice, neat stacks --this dries out the wood more evenly, protects it from the coming winter, and generally makes it easier to grab when needed.
My life has changed A LOT this year in the way of who is home on a regular basis. After over 20 years of being a stay-at-home mom, I graduated my last Lovely this past June, and all have moved on to either jobs and/or higher education. This means that most days only 1 of the Lovelies are home at any given time.
This changes our wood-stacking routine, to say the least. What used to be a 4-person job has now been “stream-lined” into a 2-person machine most days. Lovely #3 and I have been diligently working this week on getting the empty half of the shed filled up for winter. However, today being Saturday, she’s sleeping in, so I decided to go out by myself and get some more done.
Of course when I’m by myself, this gives me more time to talk to God. At these times, He usually gives me some little truth from His Word which relates to my task at hand.
What the heck can one learn spiritually from stacking wood?
Is 28:10 “For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, rule upon rule, rule upon rule; here a little, there a little.” (Amp. Bible)
Now this portion of Scripture is a bit sad, because it is really directed toward a lazy people and how they must learn, instead of entering into the rest that God wants for them (see verses 11 and 12). BUT, since all Scripture is profitable for instruction (II Tim 3:16), we can still glean something wonderful from this verse.
Just as my wood-pile is messy, and work is needed to bring some semblance of order to it in the form of the stacks in the wood-shed, so too is parenting. It’s line upon line, precept upon precept, over and over again until they grow up (and beyond?)
It can be messy and confusing at times; remember having your first baby and wondering how to stop her crying?
I know I am not finished in my parenting --I have read that in the Jewish tradition, parents do not fully release their children until they are 30. This makes a lot of sense; the 20’s can be the time when many adult mistakes are made and it would have been nice for The Bud and I to have had some parental guidance/mentoring. I see opportunities all the time for he and I to come alongside and cheer our Lovelies on and give them advice to help them make decisions. Yes, cheerleading from the sidelines now, but there’s still work involved in waving those pom-poms and doing those cart-wheels.
…..and filling that wood-shed to the brim J
BUT, to have wood stove, this means you must have a wood SHED. And if you have a wood-shed, that means there’s wood to be stacked at some point before the cold weather sets in.
You need people to stack the wood.
That’s where I come in.
 |
| The task at hand |
Usually each year at some point during the summer, the Three Lovelies and I have gone out each morning and spent about an hour picking up, carrying over and stacking wood into the woodshed. It’s tedious, hard work. It IS worth it in the end, but while you’re doing it, it’s intense. We have a HUGE wood-pile which The Bud adds to each year from his runs to various local mills with the pick-up. Then our job is to take wood from the messiness of the pile and make some order and some sense out of it in the wood-shed in nice, neat stacks --this dries out the wood more evenly, protects it from the coming winter, and generally makes it easier to grab when needed.
My life has changed A LOT this year in the way of who is home on a regular basis. After over 20 years of being a stay-at-home mom, I graduated my last Lovely this past June, and all have moved on to either jobs and/or higher education. This means that most days only 1 of the Lovelies are home at any given time.
This changes our wood-stacking routine, to say the least. What used to be a 4-person job has now been “stream-lined” into a 2-person machine most days. Lovely #3 and I have been diligently working this week on getting the empty half of the shed filled up for winter. However, today being Saturday, she’s sleeping in, so I decided to go out by myself and get some more done.
Of course when I’m by myself, this gives me more time to talk to God. At these times, He usually gives me some little truth from His Word which relates to my task at hand.
What the heck can one learn spiritually from stacking wood?
Is 28:10 “For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, rule upon rule, rule upon rule; here a little, there a little.” (Amp. Bible)
Now this portion of Scripture is a bit sad, because it is really directed toward a lazy people and how they must learn, instead of entering into the rest that God wants for them (see verses 11 and 12). BUT, since all Scripture is profitable for instruction (II Tim 3:16), we can still glean something wonderful from this verse.
Just as my wood-pile is messy, and work is needed to bring some semblance of order to it in the form of the stacks in the wood-shed, so too is parenting. It’s line upon line, precept upon precept, over and over again until they grow up (and beyond?)
It can be messy and confusing at times; remember having your first baby and wondering how to stop her crying?
 |
| The messiness of parenting |
It seems tedious as your in the midst of it; reminders, warnings, and follow-throughs of consequences for little things like toys on the floor or arguing with siblings pay off in bigger dividends when they get to be teen-agers and adults and have to obey traffic laws or confront a co-worker.
It takes work to bring semblance of order; you need to be consistent and stop in your tracks when you see something that needs tweaking and deal with it right then. If you get into a habit of putting it off until “you have time” to deal with it, that day will never come.I know I am not finished in my parenting --I have read that in the Jewish tradition, parents do not fully release their children until they are 30. This makes a lot of sense; the 20’s can be the time when many adult mistakes are made and it would have been nice for The Bud and I to have had some parental guidance/mentoring. I see opportunities all the time for he and I to come alongside and cheer our Lovelies on and give them advice to help them make decisions. Yes, cheerleading from the sidelines now, but there’s still work involved in waving those pom-poms and doing those cart-wheels.
 |
| Some semblance of order in progress |
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Rainy Day Reflection
As I sit and write this on a rainy afternoon, I am reminded of my mother-in-law’s birthday. She turned 83 today. She’s lived through the Great Depression, WWII, the turmoil of the 60’s, Watergate, the advent of the Computer Age, Y2K, and the Internet. I found out recently that she’s had the same bank account for 60 years --not just the same bank, but the same bank account! That’s amazing to me.
But, what’s more amazing to me are the lives she’s seen grow up around her. She raised 6 kids and they all got married --so that’s 12 adults right there that she’s had influence over. Then each of those couples had kids of their own --13 altogether to be exact. She’s been able to see each of these grandkids grow into wonderful adults as well (the oldest is in her 40’s and the youngest is now 18!).
But, what’s more amazing to me are the lives she’s seen grow up around her. She raised 6 kids and they all got married --so that’s 12 adults right there that she’s had influence over. Then each of those couples had kids of their own --13 altogether to be exact. She’s been able to see each of these grandkids grow into wonderful adults as well (the oldest is in her 40’s and the youngest is now 18!).
But wait --there’s more! After seeing her grandchildren grow up, she’s also witnessed some of them getting married and having had kids of their own --16 great-grandchildren to be exact.
And just this last year she became a great-great-grandmother as well!
All 52 lives, influenced by her, at one time or another --what a legacy!
 |
| Us with the Grandmama |
As parents, sometimes we may think that our day-to-day efforts seem tedious, tiresome and never-ending. Those little times of tweaking that take place each day; times when we see a behavior pattern that needs to be re-adjusted, or choosing to sit and read a CS Lewis book out-loud to all your kids when your laundry and dishes are screaming for attention.
Rainy days are good for such reflection…….
We need to remember that we are laying a good foundation that will grow years and years from now. We have a huge influence over several generations to come; let’s take advantage of it, “redeeming the time” as the Word says.
Oh….and Happy Birthday, Mom….Mom-Mom….Grammy….Di-Di J
Friday, August 12, 2011
Daily Word for Your Everyday Nerd
Well, it's Friday morning! Getting ready for a nice weekend? I know we are; today is Lovely #2's birthday, so we're all going out tonight to celebrate. Tomorrow is a baby shower for my wonderful niece, and then of course Sunday is the Lord's day where we continue celebrating His greatness with everyone else.
Just to give you all a little laugh to start off your weekend, click on the link below. It should take you to a vlog featuring both Lovely #2 and #3. Hopefully they will be following up with more of the same --yes, this is how they are all the time.
Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fC_qvCHPSQ&feature=youtu.be
Just to give you all a little laugh to start off your weekend, click on the link below. It should take you to a vlog featuring both Lovely #2 and #3. Hopefully they will be following up with more of the same --yes, this is how they are all the time.
Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fC_qvCHPSQ&feature=youtu.be
Friday, July 29, 2011
Unattractive and Obsolete?
The other day, The Bud and I were taking a ride in his old truck. It’s a 1990 Ford F15 pick-up --with no A/C. And it was one of those muggy, hot, late-July days here in the Mid-Atlantic region --very soupy, to say the least! But the greatest thing about that truck is something we don’t even think about anymore with newer vehicles --air vents! You know, those little triangles at the front of the door windows. The kind you have to manually open and adjust? They were a godsend that day! We opened those babies up and pointed the air flow right into our faces for the entire ride --how wonderful!
I could begin second-guessing myself: Am I too old? Do I not have enough skills to make it in the “real” world? Did I not use the right lingo in the interview?
Can I get an amen? I see that hand :)
BUT, then I am reminded of who I am in Christ. I live in the blessing of Abraham, according to God. He is faithful and true to His promise and will not allow me to stumble. His banner over me is love. His will for me is good. THIS is how God sees me.
Ah…..that feels better :)
So, take heart, dear one! His plan for you is sure. You are neither unattractive, nor obsolete to Him. “He has made everything beautiful in its time” (Eccl. 3:11a) He will continue to work out His will in your life no matter what life throws at you or what you feel like --because “even when we are faithless, He remains faithful, because He cannot deny Himself.” (II Tim. 2:13)
Unattractive or obsolete? Pish-posh! Open that air vent, let that wind blow through your hair, and enjoy your day!
But, somewhere along the way, someone decided that air vents in windows were either unattractive or obsolete --or both. Look around at any new vehicle today --not one with a window vent. I personally think these added character, as well as a tangible benefit to vehicles, but I don’t work for a major automobile think-tank.
 |
| Ever feel like this looks? |
Ever feel unattractive or obsolete? Right now in my life, I could feel that way; I just finished 18 years of homeschooling all my children, my youngest just turned 18 which means all my Lovelies are now young adults, and I am waiting for the “next season” to start. I say “waiting” because I’m no longer homeschooling, but not yet working that illusive full-time job --I’ve put in lots of applications, had some interest, but nothing solid…..
I could begin second-guessing myself: Am I too old? Do I not have enough skills to make it in the “real” world? Did I not use the right lingo in the interview?
Can I get an amen? I see that hand :)
BUT, then I am reminded of who I am in Christ. I live in the blessing of Abraham, according to God. He is faithful and true to His promise and will not allow me to stumble. His banner over me is love. His will for me is good. THIS is how God sees me.
Ah…..that feels better :)
So, take heart, dear one! His plan for you is sure. You are neither unattractive, nor obsolete to Him. “He has made everything beautiful in its time” (Eccl. 3:11a) He will continue to work out His will in your life no matter what life throws at you or what you feel like --because “even when we are faithless, He remains faithful, because He cannot deny Himself.” (II Tim. 2:13)
Unattractive or obsolete? Pish-posh! Open that air vent, let that wind blow through your hair, and enjoy your day!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tis the Season.....for Spittin'???
Ah, summer…..that wonderful, lazy, hazy time of year when there’s an abundance of local produce for us to choose from --including watermelon! Gotta LOVE that! This year, we planted some of those smaller, personal-sized watermelons -I think they’re called “sugar babies”??? --anyway, I just can’t wait ‘til they’re ripe. Nothing better after a summer dinner than a cold slice of watermelon --it’s so refreshing after a hot, humid day.
“Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” --Luke 6:45
And what will your thoughts be the next time you slice open that red, ripe watermelon? Happy Summer!
And, of course, what goes along with eating watermelon? Why, the seed-spittin’ of course! How many of us have childhood memories of seed-spitting contests, pitting cousin against cousin, friend against friend? Who could spit their’s the farthest? Who could hit a paper-plate target? And of course you HAD to spit the seeds out; we were told that a watermelon would grow in our stomachs if we didn’t…wasn’t sure about that one, but didn’t want to find out…..;)
“Life and death are in the power of the tongue…” --Prov. 18:21“Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” --Luke 6:45
Our words can be looked at like those watermelon seeds. Sometimes they’re just spit out into the air in general, sometimes they have a direct target. But, in whichever case, our words do take root and grow something.
Are we being cautious of what’s coming out of our mouths? Do you speak with purpose? Jesus said to let our yays be yay and our nays be nay. Be succinct. Don’t just blather on, just to fill up space in the room. Be purposeful in your conversation. Do you find yourself just going on and on in a conversation, and in your mind you’re thinking, “why can’t I just stop talking?” Yes, I can be like that sometimes. But, my wise husband has taught me over the years to rein myself in --I do not have to fill up the room just because no one else is talking. And I don’t have to give complete explanations for why something is being done (or not done). Yes, that does mean that less conversations are taking place, but the ones that do are actually more edifying, encouraging, and helpful. Ephesians 5 talks about that.
And what about how we speak to people? Do you speak to build someone up? To encourage them? To help them through a crisis situation? That takes purpose of mind to do most of the time. Just throwing a platitude or an insult out into the air does not take much thought at all; but we then spend a huge amount of time trying to take back the hurtful word spoken, and restore a relationship. So much unnecessary “farming”…
What are your words growing?
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Out of the Ordinary
I consider myself a nice person. I try to be happy most of the time, it doesn’t take much to make me happy, and I don’t get all worked up that easily. I pride myself on being the one who doesn’t fly off the handle, who is understanding and patient when someone needs to talk, who--
Oops! Houston…..we have a problem….
I pride myself…..those three little words there. Yikes.
“Let him who thinks he stands, take heed, lest he fall.” --I Cor. 10:12
Last week, my husband began dealing with another bout of a recurring illness. At first we thought it was a side effect from a medication he is on for something else. We went to the doctors, got switched to a different medication, came home, but the symptoms got worse through the day and became exactly like those of his recurring illness. We are currently dealing with the problem from this angle now and things are (hopefully!) starting to move in a positive direction and we expect him to be feeling back to normal in a few days.
HOWEVER, the reason I bring this up is because of my own bout with a recurring “illness”: a lack of compassion. I don’t know what it is, but whenever my husband is dealing with an illness, you could take those first couple sentences up there at the beginning of this blog and change them around with negatives for positives, and THAT would be the real picture of me:
I am NOT a nice person. I am NOT happy most of the time, it takes A LOT to make me happy, and I get worked up VERY easily.
Ugh and grrr…..I hate that about myself. WHY oh why do I act like that each time? I keep telling myself, “you can do this --you can be a good caretaker”, and then I find myself bristling each time he lays on the couch asking for something or just showing the general malaise that comes with a recurring illness. I catch myself saying all the same things in my head each time:
“Men! They’re such babies when they’re sick!”
“Are you kidding me? Try having cramps each month!”
“Hello? Childbirth --me--three times”
“Ginger Ale? Sure….let me stop folding these clothes, cleaning the kitchen, etc.”
I think my response is because of both nature and nurture. “Nurture” because when I was growing up, my poor mom’s way of dealing with us when we were sick (she mustn’t have had a very good nursing example herself!) was to tell us to stay in our beds and not to come out all day. At some point throughout the day, she would come into our room and practically toss a Tupperware cereal bowl of soft-boiled eggs (yes, Virginia, I said soft-boiled!) at us and tell us to eat them --oh joy!
No, you didn’t really want to stay home from school --mission accomplished :) But this never really taught me compassion for the sick either.
And “nature” because I just am not a naturally “nursing-type” of a person. I see other people like this --my own Lovely #1 is a person like this --and I think, “Wow! There really are people who have a gift for taking care of others“ --so compassionate and caring, it’s a thing of beauty to see in action. God working through them so effortlessly; His hand reaching out and giving whatever a person needs to feel better --simply amazing!
“His strength is made perfect in my weakness” --II Cor. 12:9
Thanks be to God --I know that because the Lord’s mercies are new every morning (Lam. 3:23), I KNOW that I can get up today and make a fresh start. I know that I can try to be that nurse that my husband needs me to be at the moment, despite my inabilities.
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me" --Phil 4:13
Even nurse The Bud through an illness when my flesh is lazy? YES! Because I am not my own, I am bought with a price, the Holy Spirit lives in me to work out HIS good and perfect will, both in me and through me to others. So, He can give me His thoughts of compassion, His ideas on how to make my mate more comfortable in his recovery, and His will is done on earth as it is in heaven.
THAT’S definitely out of the ordinary!
I’d better go put my nurse’s cap on --I hear another request for Ginger Ale :)
Oops! Houston…..we have a problem….
I pride myself…..those three little words there. Yikes.
“Let him who thinks he stands, take heed, lest he fall.” --I Cor. 10:12
 |
| The Bud and I feeling just fine! |
HOWEVER, the reason I bring this up is because of my own bout with a recurring “illness”: a lack of compassion. I don’t know what it is, but whenever my husband is dealing with an illness, you could take those first couple sentences up there at the beginning of this blog and change them around with negatives for positives, and THAT would be the real picture of me:
I am NOT a nice person. I am NOT happy most of the time, it takes A LOT to make me happy, and I get worked up VERY easily.
Ugh and grrr…..I hate that about myself. WHY oh why do I act like that each time? I keep telling myself, “you can do this --you can be a good caretaker”, and then I find myself bristling each time he lays on the couch asking for something or just showing the general malaise that comes with a recurring illness. I catch myself saying all the same things in my head each time:
“Men! They’re such babies when they’re sick!”
“Are you kidding me? Try having cramps each month!”
“Hello? Childbirth --me--three times”
“Ginger Ale? Sure….let me stop folding these clothes, cleaning the kitchen, etc.”
I think my response is because of both nature and nurture. “Nurture” because when I was growing up, my poor mom’s way of dealing with us when we were sick (she mustn’t have had a very good nursing example herself!) was to tell us to stay in our beds and not to come out all day. At some point throughout the day, she would come into our room and practically toss a Tupperware cereal bowl of soft-boiled eggs (yes, Virginia, I said soft-boiled!) at us and tell us to eat them --oh joy!
No, you didn’t really want to stay home from school --mission accomplished :) But this never really taught me compassion for the sick either.
 |
| One of the most compassionate people I know |
And “nature” because I just am not a naturally “nursing-type” of a person. I see other people like this --my own Lovely #1 is a person like this --and I think, “Wow! There really are people who have a gift for taking care of others“ --so compassionate and caring, it’s a thing of beauty to see in action. God working through them so effortlessly; His hand reaching out and giving whatever a person needs to feel better --simply amazing!
“His strength is made perfect in my weakness” --II Cor. 12:9
Thanks be to God --I know that because the Lord’s mercies are new every morning (Lam. 3:23), I KNOW that I can get up today and make a fresh start. I know that I can try to be that nurse that my husband needs me to be at the moment, despite my inabilities.
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me" --Phil 4:13
Even nurse The Bud through an illness when my flesh is lazy? YES! Because I am not my own, I am bought with a price, the Holy Spirit lives in me to work out HIS good and perfect will, both in me and through me to others. So, He can give me His thoughts of compassion, His ideas on how to make my mate more comfortable in his recovery, and His will is done on earth as it is in heaven.
THAT’S definitely out of the ordinary!
I’d better go put my nurse’s cap on --I hear another request for Ginger Ale :)
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Wellness Wednesdays: Baby Steps; Finding Alternatives
Several years ago, I began a journey of bringing wellness into my life; spiritually, mentally, and physically. Along the way, I stumbled across several realizations about myself:
1. I like sweets
2. I REALLY like sweets
3. I LOVE sweets (did I mention that?)
Yes, I have a sweet-tooth. But, through reading and research, I found that it can be a vicious cycle; I like sweets, I eat sweets filled with white sugar, the white sugar wreaks havoc with my body and my emotional health, but leaves it wanting more the next time. On and on it goes…..somewhere along the line I had to break the cycle.
Part of the problem lies in the wonderful way we are created. Our bodies work much like a slow-burning wood stove. It processes food like that so we can be on an even keel throughout the day. It is designed to break-down materials we put into it and convert that material into energy (or stored energy for later). The “breaking down” part is the key. That’s why natural, whole foods are so much better for us --our bodies NEED to do the work of breaking down, digestion, and distribution in order for the system to work at its optimum level.
What happens when you put little twigs and leaves into a woodstove? They burn up immediately and disappear without adding to the heat-output of the stove.
Okay, so that’s what it’s like with white sugar (and white flour, btw!). White sugar has already been processed, broken down, REFINED. It goes directly into our blood stream and gives us a quick jolt of energy, sends our pancreas and adrenal glands into a seesaw operation and then we get the big “letdown feeling” from all that craziness! ……Until we drink that next soda, or eat that next candy bar, or two…..and then it starts all over again.
That was me --I was on a constant emotional roller-coaster and part of that was caused by my diet. I had to get off that ride and do something different. First, I took myself off ALL white sugar and white flour. I had nothing that contained either of those two ingredients for a period of time. I never felt so good! It was VERY difficult at first, but I wanted wellness more than anything, so I disciplined myself to do it.
But then, real life started to creep back in and I found myself slipping. Going out to eat, going to a celebration of some sort, not reading the label first; all these played into me not being able to live completely free of sweetness. There had to be another way of doing things!
I found that finding alternatives worked better for me than completely shutting off the world.
Finding alternatives allows not only is healthier, but also allows you to be in control of more of our eating habits and gives you a sense of empowerment. So…what are these alternatives I speak of?
Well, for starters, for white sugar, there is a natural alternative called STEVIA (also called “sweet leaf”). This is the Sweet Leaf plant whose leaves have been dried and crushed. Because of its super-sweetness, you don’t need as much as white sugar. And even though it has been processed, it will not change your blood sugar at all. You can buy stevia (it also comes in a brand name of “Truvia”) in bulk (for baking, etc), liquie, or in single packets --I like to carry around packets in my purse for when we go to restaurants, visit people, etc. This way I always have my “alternative” for drinks needing sugar. Another alternative for white sugar is natural unrefined cane sugar; most stores carry this now as more people are looking for alternative food choices. Honey is, of course, another great substitute; an added bonus for honey? If you buy local honey, it has anti-allergen properties to local plants which help with your seasonal allergies J
Next week --other alternatives to other favorites!
1. I like sweets
2. I REALLY like sweets
3. I LOVE sweets (did I mention that?)
Yes, I have a sweet-tooth. But, through reading and research, I found that it can be a vicious cycle; I like sweets, I eat sweets filled with white sugar, the white sugar wreaks havoc with my body and my emotional health, but leaves it wanting more the next time. On and on it goes…..somewhere along the line I had to break the cycle.
Part of the problem lies in the wonderful way we are created. Our bodies work much like a slow-burning wood stove. It processes food like that so we can be on an even keel throughout the day. It is designed to break-down materials we put into it and convert that material into energy (or stored energy for later). The “breaking down” part is the key. That’s why natural, whole foods are so much better for us --our bodies NEED to do the work of breaking down, digestion, and distribution in order for the system to work at its optimum level.
What happens when you put little twigs and leaves into a woodstove? They burn up immediately and disappear without adding to the heat-output of the stove.
Okay, so that’s what it’s like with white sugar (and white flour, btw!). White sugar has already been processed, broken down, REFINED. It goes directly into our blood stream and gives us a quick jolt of energy, sends our pancreas and adrenal glands into a seesaw operation and then we get the big “letdown feeling” from all that craziness! ……Until we drink that next soda, or eat that next candy bar, or two…..and then it starts all over again.
That was me --I was on a constant emotional roller-coaster and part of that was caused by my diet. I had to get off that ride and do something different. First, I took myself off ALL white sugar and white flour. I had nothing that contained either of those two ingredients for a period of time. I never felt so good! It was VERY difficult at first, but I wanted wellness more than anything, so I disciplined myself to do it.
But then, real life started to creep back in and I found myself slipping. Going out to eat, going to a celebration of some sort, not reading the label first; all these played into me not being able to live completely free of sweetness. There had to be another way of doing things!
I found that finding alternatives worked better for me than completely shutting off the world.
Finding alternatives allows not only is healthier, but also allows you to be in control of more of our eating habits and gives you a sense of empowerment. So…what are these alternatives I speak of?
Well, for starters, for white sugar, there is a natural alternative called STEVIA (also called “sweet leaf”). This is the Sweet Leaf plant whose leaves have been dried and crushed. Because of its super-sweetness, you don’t need as much as white sugar. And even though it has been processed, it will not change your blood sugar at all. You can buy stevia (it also comes in a brand name of “Truvia”) in bulk (for baking, etc), liquie, or in single packets --I like to carry around packets in my purse for when we go to restaurants, visit people, etc. This way I always have my “alternative” for drinks needing sugar. Another alternative for white sugar is natural unrefined cane sugar; most stores carry this now as more people are looking for alternative food choices. Honey is, of course, another great substitute; an added bonus for honey? If you buy local honey, it has anti-allergen properties to local plants which help with your seasonal allergies J
Next week --other alternatives to other favorites!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Too-Funny Tuesday
Here we are at another Tuesday. Blah. What.Ever.
So, again, I wanted to inject a little humor into the day by showing another funny video. I didn't have to look very far for this one --one of my own Lovelies put this together during last semester. She is an English major and became intrigued with the works of John Donne, a late-16th century poet. You really should read his works --they're beautiful. In fact, you may want to google this particular sonnet before watching the video --it is indeed very spiritually uplifting!
This video is actually a recitation of one of his more famous sonnets, "Death, Be Not Proud". The subject matter itself is quite stirring, when read in its intended seriousness, but Lovely #2 was at the end of a long semester and needed to do something to lighten things up a bit.
I can never watch this too many times --it cracks me up each time I watch it!
HAPPY Tuesday!
So, again, I wanted to inject a little humor into the day by showing another funny video. I didn't have to look very far for this one --one of my own Lovelies put this together during last semester. She is an English major and became intrigued with the works of John Donne, a late-16th century poet. You really should read his works --they're beautiful. In fact, you may want to google this particular sonnet before watching the video --it is indeed very spiritually uplifting!
This video is actually a recitation of one of his more famous sonnets, "Death, Be Not Proud". The subject matter itself is quite stirring, when read in its intended seriousness, but Lovely #2 was at the end of a long semester and needed to do something to lighten things up a bit.
I can never watch this too many times --it cracks me up each time I watch it!
HAPPY Tuesday!
Friday, July 1, 2011
A Great Read: The Glass Menagerie
A Great Read: The Glass Menagerie, by Tennessee Williams
As a post-homeschooling mom, I now find myself with extra reading time. For the last almost 20 years I have read many things. MANY things. But, most of them have been for not only my own edification, but also for the edification of others; be they my own children or other students I have taught in co-ops or umbrella schools. Most of the books have been either history or health related, as those were the two main fields of interest I taught, in addition to the “Three R’s”.
Apparently, there are other books out there? This is what I’m told, anyway.
Our Lovely #2, being the English major, has taken it upon herself to develop a reading list for me; a post-homeschooling reading list of sorts. She knows how I love various types of stories but have just not had time to read, just for the pleasure of reading! There are stories she’s been introduced to in her classes, as well as classics I’ve never had time to read --all of these are “going on the list”, she says J
My first one completed was not really a book at all; it was a play. Now, I have stayed away from reading plays since high school. I don’t even know why --I just always have had this notion that they were hard to follow since they were not in paragraph form, or some such nonsense. But, she convinced me to give them a second look.
So I did. Obedient mom that I am, I recently read The Glass Menagerie, by Tennessee Williams. First of all, if you’ve never read a play, I encourage you to just from the standpoint of how time-friendly it is in our fast-paced world. You can read this play in an afternoon; while the kids are out playing, while you’re at the beach, while your little ones are napping --whatever! Imagine how smart and how good you will feel, knowing you finished a “book” in one sitting! Well, at least that’s the way I felt J
The story is a bit melancholy, so get ready for that. But, the characters are each very interesting in their own ways, and you find yourself drawn into the storyline almost immediately. That’s another great thing about plays; whereas “books” take their time to lay out characters and backstory, plays do not. You are given the backstory and personality of each character up-front and you put it into drive and go. LOVE that!
There are only 4 main characters, so your brain doesn’t have to work very hard on remembering a lot of interweaving of story and personality, either. And I found that at various times in the story, each character would evoke the same emotion from me for different reasons: pathos, annoyance, anger, joy. Very cool.
So, if you want a quick, easy, summer afternoon read, I highly recommend The Glass Menagerie, by Tennessee Williams. Read it and let me know what you think!
As a post-homeschooling mom, I now find myself with extra reading time. For the last almost 20 years I have read many things. MANY things. But, most of them have been for not only my own edification, but also for the edification of others; be they my own children or other students I have taught in co-ops or umbrella schools. Most of the books have been either history or health related, as those were the two main fields of interest I taught, in addition to the “Three R’s”.
Apparently, there are other books out there? This is what I’m told, anyway.
Our Lovely #2, being the English major, has taken it upon herself to develop a reading list for me; a post-homeschooling reading list of sorts. She knows how I love various types of stories but have just not had time to read, just for the pleasure of reading! There are stories she’s been introduced to in her classes, as well as classics I’ve never had time to read --all of these are “going on the list”, she says J
My first one completed was not really a book at all; it was a play. Now, I have stayed away from reading plays since high school. I don’t even know why --I just always have had this notion that they were hard to follow since they were not in paragraph form, or some such nonsense. But, she convinced me to give them a second look.
So I did. Obedient mom that I am, I recently read The Glass Menagerie, by Tennessee Williams. First of all, if you’ve never read a play, I encourage you to just from the standpoint of how time-friendly it is in our fast-paced world. You can read this play in an afternoon; while the kids are out playing, while you’re at the beach, while your little ones are napping --whatever! Imagine how smart and how good you will feel, knowing you finished a “book” in one sitting! Well, at least that’s the way I felt J
The story is a bit melancholy, so get ready for that. But, the characters are each very interesting in their own ways, and you find yourself drawn into the storyline almost immediately. That’s another great thing about plays; whereas “books” take their time to lay out characters and backstory, plays do not. You are given the backstory and personality of each character up-front and you put it into drive and go. LOVE that!
There are only 4 main characters, so your brain doesn’t have to work very hard on remembering a lot of interweaving of story and personality, either. And I found that at various times in the story, each character would evoke the same emotion from me for different reasons: pathos, annoyance, anger, joy. Very cool.
So, if you want a quick, easy, summer afternoon read, I highly recommend The Glass Menagerie, by Tennessee Williams. Read it and let me know what you think!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Movie for the Weekend: True Grit
Movie for the Weekend: True Grit (2010 version, starring Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and introducing Hailee Steinfeld)
(each Thursday, I like to give a movie suggestion for the weekend. Why Thursday and not Friday? Because talking about it on Thursday gives you time to put it on your Netflix cue for Saturday, or to at least scour their streaming library or the video section of your local library for one of these great movies!)
So, I’ve been wanting to watch this movie for some time. Back when it was first coming out to theaters, I had heard an interview on NPR with one of its stars, Hailee Steinfeld. She was talking about the making of the film, her role as the lead-female, etc., and I was intrigued at how this new, young (14 at the time!) actress handled herself in the interview. That alone made me want to see the movie; she plays a central character, carries much of the movie and is in almost every scene. Could she pull it off?
Thankfully, yes. This movie is so good. It should be; it is done by the Coen brothers who always have something interesting to show us --“Raising Arizona“, “Fargo“, “O Brother, Where art Thou?” among others -- and is also starring Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon. And what the Coen brothers did most surprisingly was that they did NOT do a remake of the 1969 John Wayne version
--they went more with the original storyline of the 1968 serial written by Charles Portis. It tells the story of Matty Ross, a young upstart whose father is killed by an outlaw, and whose goal throughout the movie is to see that justice is served to this man. She employs the help of a codgy, grizzled old US Marshall (played by Jeff Bridges), and together (with the help of a somewhat pompous Texas Ranger, played by Matt Damon) they set out on across the western plains, tracking the outlaw, and running into various other ne’er-do-wells along the way. The title of the movie weaves its way through the storyline beautifully --I found myself looking for and finding “true grit” in various characters (even a horse!).
If you’re concerned about age-appropriate viewing, you can check out various websites to get the scoop on content, language, etc. When my girls were younger, I always checked things out on screenit.com before viewing it as a family or allowing them to see it at a friend’s house, etc. That website is still around (I checked!) but it looks like they now only give info on a “membership” basis (not sure if there’s a cost involved or not). You can always just check imdb.com --that is the place everyone goes to now to get the low-down on past, present, and future releases. It’s info is not as thorough as screenit.com, but it will usually tell you what you need to know.
True Grit, starring Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and Hailee Steinfeld is rated PG13. Watch it and let me know what you think!
(each Thursday, I like to give a movie suggestion for the weekend. Why Thursday and not Friday? Because talking about it on Thursday gives you time to put it on your Netflix cue for Saturday, or to at least scour their streaming library or the video section of your local library for one of these great movies!)
So, I’ve been wanting to watch this movie for some time. Back when it was first coming out to theaters, I had heard an interview on NPR with one of its stars, Hailee Steinfeld. She was talking about the making of the film, her role as the lead-female, etc., and I was intrigued at how this new, young (14 at the time!) actress handled herself in the interview. That alone made me want to see the movie; she plays a central character, carries much of the movie and is in almost every scene. Could she pull it off?
Thankfully, yes. This movie is so good. It should be; it is done by the Coen brothers who always have something interesting to show us --“Raising Arizona“, “Fargo“, “O Brother, Where art Thou?” among others -- and is also starring Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon. And what the Coen brothers did most surprisingly was that they did NOT do a remake of the 1969 John Wayne version
--they went more with the original storyline of the 1968 serial written by Charles Portis. It tells the story of Matty Ross, a young upstart whose father is killed by an outlaw, and whose goal throughout the movie is to see that justice is served to this man. She employs the help of a codgy, grizzled old US Marshall (played by Jeff Bridges), and together (with the help of a somewhat pompous Texas Ranger, played by Matt Damon) they set out on across the western plains, tracking the outlaw, and running into various other ne’er-do-wells along the way. The title of the movie weaves its way through the storyline beautifully --I found myself looking for and finding “true grit” in various characters (even a horse!).If you’re concerned about age-appropriate viewing, you can check out various websites to get the scoop on content, language, etc. When my girls were younger, I always checked things out on screenit.com before viewing it as a family or allowing them to see it at a friend’s house, etc. That website is still around (I checked!) but it looks like they now only give info on a “membership” basis (not sure if there’s a cost involved or not). You can always just check imdb.com --that is the place everyone goes to now to get the low-down on past, present, and future releases. It’s info is not as thorough as screenit.com, but it will usually tell you what you need to know.
True Grit, starring Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and Hailee Steinfeld is rated PG13. Watch it and let me know what you think!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Wellness Wednesday --Begin at the Beginning
Wellness in every area --mind, body, and spirit -- is God’s desire for us. But God is not a puppet-master, pulling our strings, making us do things that are good for us. He has given us a free will which then leaves a burden on us to look for ways to bring that wellness into our lives as much as possible. Through His grace and Holy Spirit, He gives us wisdom to seek out everything needful to bring wholeness and healing to our lives.
I know this to be true --it has happened in my own life. I am a completely different person than I was a decade ago. I was broken in all areas; mind, body, and spirit --and got sick and tired of being sick and tired in all those areas. God said He had a good plan for me and I wanted to find out what that really meant.
Through this seeking, I have found so many good ways to improve my life. God DOES indeed desire us to have a good life, full of health, vitality, and happiness! Hopefully, my goal for Wednesdays is to bring a little tip of info on improving each of the three areas that make up who we are: mind, body, and spirit. I do not claim to be a professional expert in any of these areas, but I will be able to tell you what has worked for me. I have made some mistakes, but have also seen some great results along the way in all areas of my life.
“Where sin abounds, grace therefore doth much more abound” --(Rom 5:20b)
Doesn’t matter what the Enemy may have in mind for us; God has a plan and it is SUPER-abounding! Let’s strive to find out God’s plan and work to line up with what the Word says is ours in Christ in each area of our lives: mind, body, and spirit.
So let’s start by establishing the fact that God does indeed want us to prosper in our lives. I began my search through the Scriptures by challenging what I had heard from other people: I went to Deuteronomy and saw the list of all the blessings (chapter 28). I was told that these were for us today. But how? We weren’t under the Old Covenant, we weren’t part of the followers of Moses; how could any of this really pertain to us, and if it was, isn’t it all kind of “iffy” anyway? “IF you diligently obey….THEN God will do such-and-such…” How did this work well for us, I prayed. Then the Lord directed me to the book of Romans. Romans 11:17 says that we (New Testament believers) are “a wild olive tree, grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the same root and fatness of the olive tree.” Ah, there it is! We have the same root and fatness of the olive tree (the Hebrew nation), and the finished work of Jesus means we don’t even have to work for it --it is ours through Christ!
Again….”where sin abounds, grace therefore doth much more abound” --SUPER-abounding!
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I know this to be true --it has happened in my own life. I am a completely different person than I was a decade ago. I was broken in all areas; mind, body, and spirit --and got sick and tired of being sick and tired in all those areas. God said He had a good plan for me and I wanted to find out what that really meant.
Through this seeking, I have found so many good ways to improve my life. God DOES indeed desire us to have a good life, full of health, vitality, and happiness! Hopefully, my goal for Wednesdays is to bring a little tip of info on improving each of the three areas that make up who we are: mind, body, and spirit. I do not claim to be a professional expert in any of these areas, but I will be able to tell you what has worked for me. I have made some mistakes, but have also seen some great results along the way in all areas of my life.
“Where sin abounds, grace therefore doth much more abound” --(Rom 5:20b)
Doesn’t matter what the Enemy may have in mind for us; God has a plan and it is SUPER-abounding! Let’s strive to find out God’s plan and work to line up with what the Word says is ours in Christ in each area of our lives: mind, body, and spirit.
So let’s start by establishing the fact that God does indeed want us to prosper in our lives. I began my search through the Scriptures by challenging what I had heard from other people: I went to Deuteronomy and saw the list of all the blessings (chapter 28). I was told that these were for us today. But how? We weren’t under the Old Covenant, we weren’t part of the followers of Moses; how could any of this really pertain to us, and if it was, isn’t it all kind of “iffy” anyway? “IF you diligently obey….THEN God will do such-and-such…” How did this work well for us, I prayed. Then the Lord directed me to the book of Romans. Romans 11:17 says that we (New Testament believers) are “a wild olive tree, grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the same root and fatness of the olive tree.” Ah, there it is! We have the same root and fatness of the olive tree (the Hebrew nation), and the finished work of Jesus means we don’t even have to work for it --it is ours through Christ!
Again….”where sin abounds, grace therefore doth much more abound” --SUPER-abounding!
So, that’s where we begin. At the beginning. Meditate on the goodness of God, how much He loves you, that He wants goodness super-abounding in your life. Next week will be our first tip on one particular area.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Too-Funny Tuesday
Tuesday. Meh.
Not quite the beginning of the week, and no where close to being towards the end of the week, so it can be a blah type of a day, am I right?
Well, let's shake things up a bit. Humor seems to always lighten the load a bit; the Word tells us that "a merry heart doeth good like a medicine" (Prov. 17:22), so I like to purposely look for things to laugh about if needed (or even if not!)
Our pastor showed us this video recently. It's hilarious! It's especially funny if you have a wonderful husband similar to one of the guys in this video --this video hit very close to home in the Dempsey household :)
Watch it and see if some of the items of clothing or other assorted items ring true to your man as well.....and remember to have a HAPPY Tuesday!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Sensitivity Training
I had just come in from doing some weeding in my front garden. While getting a drink of water, I felt something on the back of my neck. As I went to scratch it, I found a miniscule little tick --no bigger than the head of a straight pin. I was immediately (well, after I got rid of it!) struck by the wonderful ability we have as human beings; our ability to perceive something out of place on ourselves. The fact that out of every square inch of our bodies, we can tell when something so small is on us and that we can pinpoint its whereabouts and remove it. What an amazing thing skin is!
“I will praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, that I know full well.”
(Ps. 139:14)
Most of the time, this immediate reaction is a good thing. I was certainly glad I picked up quickly on the fact that I had a little hitchhiker on me. Being sensitive, in the natural, is a blessing from God. However, as usually happens, things in the natural are usually God’s way of pointing us into some direction He wants to talk to us about.
So, what can we learn from this sensitive skin that we’re in?
That we should NOT be sensitive --this is where being “thick-skinned” is a good thing. What is your reaction when people let you down? When something is said to you that is a little (or a lot!) hurtful? When you plan something and it doesn’t turn out the way you’d hoped it would? Do you immediately shut-down? Do you lash out with insult or a hurtful word as a coping mechanism? Or maybe just have a good old-fashioned pity party? Hey, we’ve all been there, but we should be constantly striving to fall into God’s will of conforming to the image of Christ (Rom 8:29). I can’t really see Jesus having done any of the other three J But the Holy Spirit can help us in our weaknesses and He can make us thick-skinned when we need to be. You see, I had a choice when I felt that little sniggly feeling on the back of my neck. I could have either reached back there and felt that something was there out-of-the-ordinary and picked it up, OR I could have chosen to ignore it, go along my merry way, and continue with life as usual. What did Jesus do the night he was betrayed by all his friends? He still loved them, spoke not a word against them, and carried out the Father’s will anyway.
--I Cor. 13:5 (b)
Friday, June 17, 2011
Reinventing the Wheel
Got into one of our “memory boxes” recently to gather some items for a display we’re putting together for Lovely #3’s grad party this weekend. In addition to pictures, some old artwork, and all kinds of greeting cards, I also stumbled across several old diaries of mine. I had started writing a diary when my oldest daughter was a baby; I wanted her (and any additional kids we might have had after!) to know what it was like to be a young mom, and to record various memories of living in the late 20th century and into the new millennium. I took a few moments a read some excerpts; I looked for dates close to when we had had our other children and was taken back in time to those precious years of young parenting. I also looked at September 11, 2001 and some days after to remind myself of that fateful time in our nation’s history.
It got me thinking; diaries are a wonderful way to capture time. And isn’t blogging and social networking sites just a modern way of doing the same thing? Don’t we love to write what’s going on in our lives and share the latest with everyone we know? Granted, bloggers love to use their creative side to write things in a more entertaining way than just a standard diary entry, but the effect is the same all over the internet. You get to peek into someone’s life to see what they’re doing, how they’re doing it, and hopefully glean a little insight for yourself --learn from someone else’s experiences (good OR bad!).
And then that got me further thinking; aren’t the Gospels kinda like that? Aren’t they little windows of time, recording the goings-on of one Man, told from various viewpoints? Don’t we get to peek into Someone’s life to see what He did, how He did it, and hopefully glean a little insight for ourselves?
Yeah, right…..a “little” insight….. :)
Can you just imagine how Matthew, Mark, or Luke would have used social networking today? They would be on the cutting-edge, I just know it. And don’t even get me started on John --he would have had the #1 blog on the internet; his creative spin on the story of Jesus’ life would be THE buzz of the internet, for sure.
Yes, yes, we living in the 21st century with all this “new” technology sure have it all figured out, don’t we?
…..we just came a little late to the party, is all…..
It got me thinking; diaries are a wonderful way to capture time. And isn’t blogging and social networking sites just a modern way of doing the same thing? Don’t we love to write what’s going on in our lives and share the latest with everyone we know? Granted, bloggers love to use their creative side to write things in a more entertaining way than just a standard diary entry, but the effect is the same all over the internet. You get to peek into someone’s life to see what they’re doing, how they’re doing it, and hopefully glean a little insight for yourself --learn from someone else’s experiences (good OR bad!).
And then that got me further thinking; aren’t the Gospels kinda like that? Aren’t they little windows of time, recording the goings-on of one Man, told from various viewpoints? Don’t we get to peek into Someone’s life to see what He did, how He did it, and hopefully glean a little insight for ourselves?
Yeah, right…..a “little” insight….. :)
Can you just imagine how Matthew, Mark, or Luke would have used social networking today? They would be on the cutting-edge, I just know it. And don’t even get me started on John --he would have had the #1 blog on the internet; his creative spin on the story of Jesus’ life would be THE buzz of the internet, for sure.
Yes, yes, we living in the 21st century with all this “new” technology sure have it all figured out, don’t we?
…..we just came a little late to the party, is all…..
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Quite Unconventional
A possible backstory of John the Baptist:
“Um…..you wanna do what?”
“Yeah, my plan is to go out to the wilderness and live there for a while. When I’m there long enough, people will start coming out to see why I’m there. Then I’m gonna--”
“But, but, your father --he’s a priest! You’re supposed to follow him in line --an angel visited us and told us!”
“But that’s what I’m trying to explain --I’m gonna let them know that they need to repent of their sins. I’ll give them an object lesson by pouring water over them in the Jordan River --it will like, let’em know that they’ve started fresh with God. --cool, right?”
“Yes, cool. But what will you eat? What will you wear when your clothes wear out? How will you survive?”
Ah, parenting. It’s great, no? I don’t think it’s changed much since ancient times; I’m sure that every parent wonders if all the stuff they’ve laid down in their kids while raising them will actually come to fruition when the time comes for those kids to start making life decisions on their own. I know I have.
We’ve raised our Lovelies to be out-of the-box thinkers, to be one to carve out her own way in the world. Their life decisions may not be the norm, they may not be what “looks” right to the rest of the world; but if I am truly wanting them to try out their wings and see what is the best that God has for them, then I must summon up the courage to stand on the sidelines and let them attempt flight.
The Lord reminded me recently that I am raising unconventional kids for an unconventional purpose. I cannot be concerned with what other people think, what it looks like, or when it will be “successful” in the eyes of the world. I have to be willing to live by one of the phrases I’ve given my girls over the years: “If it’s alright with you, and it’s alright with God, then it’s alright.” I guess that’s my paraphrase of Colossians 3:15:
“And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christs’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].”
….I wonder if Zachariah and Elizabeth ever had to remind themselves of this same thing…..
“Yeah, my plan is to go out to the wilderness and live there for a while. When I’m there long enough, people will start coming out to see why I’m there. Then I’m gonna--”
“But, but, your father --he’s a priest! You’re supposed to follow him in line --an angel visited us and told us!”
“But that’s what I’m trying to explain --I’m gonna let them know that they need to repent of their sins. I’ll give them an object lesson by pouring water over them in the Jordan River --it will like, let’em know that they’ve started fresh with God. --cool, right?”
“Yes, cool. But what will you eat? What will you wear when your clothes wear out? How will you survive?”
Ah, parenting. It’s great, no? I don’t think it’s changed much since ancient times; I’m sure that every parent wonders if all the stuff they’ve laid down in their kids while raising them will actually come to fruition when the time comes for those kids to start making life decisions on their own. I know I have.
We’ve raised our Lovelies to be out-of the-box thinkers, to be one to carve out her own way in the world. Their life decisions may not be the norm, they may not be what “looks” right to the rest of the world; but if I am truly wanting them to try out their wings and see what is the best that God has for them, then I must summon up the courage to stand on the sidelines and let them attempt flight.
The Lord reminded me recently that I am raising unconventional kids for an unconventional purpose. I cannot be concerned with what other people think, what it looks like, or when it will be “successful” in the eyes of the world. I have to be willing to live by one of the phrases I’ve given my girls over the years: “If it’s alright with you, and it’s alright with God, then it’s alright.” I guess that’s my paraphrase of Colossians 3:15:
“And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christs’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].”
….I wonder if Zachariah and Elizabeth ever had to remind themselves of this same thing…..
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same
At this writing, I am watching my 18 and 20 year old daughters play out a pen writing war --ya’ know those fights where one starts to casually write on the other one with a pen, and then lets things go a bit awry.
Oh, you don’t have those? Let me explain….. After things go awry, person #2 grabs the pen and pursues the other one out the door, across the porch, down the sidewalk, through the yard, finally ending somewhere in the grass, quickly scribbling as much graffiti on the other as possible before person #1 can get away.
Did I mention they were 18 and 20 years old? And daughters?
Well, this goes on for some time until they call a truce. They happily go raid the fridge together and regale each other with vivid tales of the epic battle that just took place.
Why do I mention this? Because it’s been quiet around here lately, with Lovely #2 away at school, Lovely #1 working each day, and Lovely #3 busily doing whatever on her own. But with summer, comes a little relaxing of the schedules and a revival of past noisy escapades with three young women in the house. The constant hum of back-and-forth banter, laughter, yelling, music, chatter, movie trailers, more laughter, etc. is a long awaited, and much missed sound.
Reminds me of the old days when every day was lived out like this…..
Summertime…..and the livin’ is easy….
Enjoy each day of this wonderful season and cherish the noisiness of it all!
Oh, you don’t have those? Let me explain….. After things go awry, person #2 grabs the pen and pursues the other one out the door, across the porch, down the sidewalk, through the yard, finally ending somewhere in the grass, quickly scribbling as much graffiti on the other as possible before person #1 can get away.
 |
| Best Buds at Lovely #3's recent graduation |
Well, this goes on for some time until they call a truce. They happily go raid the fridge together and regale each other with vivid tales of the epic battle that just took place.
Why do I mention this? Because it’s been quiet around here lately, with Lovely #2 away at school, Lovely #1 working each day, and Lovely #3 busily doing whatever on her own. But with summer, comes a little relaxing of the schedules and a revival of past noisy escapades with three young women in the house. The constant hum of back-and-forth banter, laughter, yelling, music, chatter, movie trailers, more laughter, etc. is a long awaited, and much missed sound.
Reminds me of the old days when every day was lived out like this…..
Summertime…..and the livin’ is easy….
Enjoy each day of this wonderful season and cherish the noisiness of it all!
Monday, June 13, 2011
'Dis Guy --The Ish to my Isha
(after writing my latest blog --btw, check it out from yesterday!--i was going back and re-reading several of my old ones, and found this one written almost EXACTLY 4 years ago, as it pertains to our wedding anniversary, coincidentally coming up this Monday --31 amazing and adventurous years with 'dis same guy.....)
So --'dis guy >>>
Who is this "man of mystery"? You may be asking yourself the same question about your own guy. Just when you think you've got him figured out, a new corner is turned and you learn something new about your "man for all seasons", am i right? Well, there's a good reason for that. And it all started way back in the beginning.....
When you read the Bible in English, you may not be reading it in full context. Many words have multiple translations in their original language. The most common example of this is the word "love". In the New Testament, the word that we see as the word "love" in different verses, can actually be several Greek words:
Στοργή - storge refers to the natural affection parents have for their children; ἔρως - eros is romantic love; φιλία - filia is friendship; and ἀγάπη - agape is unconditional love, the love God has for us.
http://biblescripture.net/Greek.html
Just as in the New Testament, the OT has some of those same types of issues when reading it in English. Did you know that the word for man has at least 5 different original translations? The two I'd like to concentrate on today are "Adam" and "Ish". In Genesis 1 and 2, the word "man" in our english Bibles is first used as the word "Adam" (meaning 'earth' or 'ruddy'). We see in Genesis 2 that God gives the man something to do after creating him:
"And the LORD God took the man ("Adam") and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and guard and keep it" (Gen. 2:15)
The idea here suggests a sense of a position of authority, duty, and responsibility seemingly grafted into the DNA of man --and when you think about it, isn't that part of who your husband is?
HOWEVER, there is also another translation for this puzzlement who is our spouse :) The word "man" was then secondly the word "Ish"; man --in contrast to a woman, and husband --in contrast to wife. The first use of another word for man other than "Adam"; and we find it in Genesis 2:23:
"Then Adam said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman ('Isha') because she was taken out of a man ('Is')"
Did you catch that? The man of authority, duty, and responsibility names this new creature. He recognizes her nature as being similar, yet different than his own. Wow! Ponder that for a bit.....it will blow you away :) This man of yours has multiple responsibilities with various terms; no wonder you may sometimes ask who is this guy I married? His mind seems to be in another place, thinking about something work-related, or some new project he's working on, or how to make something come to pass for you all as a family --I can finally see why....
One last thought to chew on: did you further realize that the word for "woman" AND "wife" has only ONE translation in the OT >>> that being "issa" --we complete him, ladies --no matter what role we are in!
This week, The Bud and I celebrate 27 years of being "ish and isha" --looking forward to many more years to come of unraveling that puzzle :)
 |
| The Bud and I on a recent motorcycle trip |
Who is this "man of mystery"? You may be asking yourself the same question about your own guy. Just when you think you've got him figured out, a new corner is turned and you learn something new about your "man for all seasons", am i right? Well, there's a good reason for that. And it all started way back in the beginning.....
When you read the Bible in English, you may not be reading it in full context. Many words have multiple translations in their original language. The most common example of this is the word "love". In the New Testament, the word that we see as the word "love" in different verses, can actually be several Greek words:
Στοργή - storge refers to the natural affection parents have for their children; ἔρως - eros is romantic love; φιλία - filia is friendship; and ἀγάπη - agape is unconditional love, the love God has for us.
http://biblescripture.net/Greek.html
Just as in the New Testament, the OT has some of those same types of issues when reading it in English. Did you know that the word for man has at least 5 different original translations? The two I'd like to concentrate on today are "Adam" and "Ish". In Genesis 1 and 2, the word "man" in our english Bibles is first used as the word "Adam" (meaning 'earth' or 'ruddy'). We see in Genesis 2 that God gives the man something to do after creating him:
"And the LORD God took the man ("Adam") and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and guard and keep it" (Gen. 2:15)
The idea here suggests a sense of a position of authority, duty, and responsibility seemingly grafted into the DNA of man --and when you think about it, isn't that part of who your husband is?
HOWEVER, there is also another translation for this puzzlement who is our spouse :) The word "man" was then secondly the word "Ish"; man --in contrast to a woman, and husband --in contrast to wife. The first use of another word for man other than "Adam"; and we find it in Genesis 2:23:
"Then Adam said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman ('Isha') because she was taken out of a man ('Is')"
Did you catch that? The man of authority, duty, and responsibility names this new creature. He recognizes her nature as being similar, yet different than his own. Wow! Ponder that for a bit.....it will blow you away :) This man of yours has multiple responsibilities with various terms; no wonder you may sometimes ask who is this guy I married? His mind seems to be in another place, thinking about something work-related, or some new project he's working on, or how to make something come to pass for you all as a family --I can finally see why....
One last thought to chew on: did you further realize that the word for "woman" AND "wife" has only ONE translation in the OT >>> that being "issa" --we complete him, ladies --no matter what role we are in!
 |
| Mr. and Mrs. Donald Dempsey June 15, 1984 |
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
A Few Choice Words
Okay, so now that I am a post-graduation parent of all three Lovelies, there are a few things I’d like to get off my chest. A few choice words I’ve been wanting to say for quite some time:
Me and her
Him and you
Them and us
You and me are going
Nope
Yup
Huh?
So what?
Kinda
Gonna
You’re never gonna use this
Yeah
Bet you thought it was going to be more profound, huh? Nope, not really. I was talking to a parent at a graduation reception the other night and found myself correcting my grammar mid-sentence, whereupon I stopped myself again and jokingly pronounced that I no longer HAD to do that, thanks be to God J
I have since had time to reflect on that incident; yes, I do that kind of thing for some reason --I’m sure God has something to do with it; He reminds me of little things like that to teach me something just a little more deep. I’ve come to the conclusion that even though I no longer have to watch what I say so that my children mimic correct grammar, I still should speak correctly because it is the right thing to do. I’ve always taught my kids that the definition of integrity is: doing what is right, even when no one is watching.
Our Lovely #1 was recently asked to be a bridesmaid in her friend’s wedding (so exciting!). In order for all of them to get to know each other, a suggestion was made to go see a movie together, etc. Now, Lovely #1 is a movie freak --she loves them all; old, new, epic, poorly made, you name it, whatever. However, this particular movie had some questionable content, and she made the decision to tell the bride-to-be that she really did not want to see the movie, gave her reasons in her kind way, and let the chips fall where they might. Thankfully, the b-t-b felt kind of the same way, so they all changed plans.
She is over 21, has a job, money, can basically do whatever she wants without mom and dad checking up on her, or little sisters around constantly to be an example to. Yet, she still chose the good thing. I can’t tell you how cool it felt when I heard about that. It was like an “A” on my own report card J
So, to all you moms out there still in the trenches of raising your family: take heart! Don’t lose sight of the big picture when you are tired of saying the right things, doing the right things, speaking correctly, and even holding your tongue. It will pay off in the end:
“Even a child is known by his doing, whether his conduct is pure and right” --Prov. 20:11
…oh, and sorry, Sister Bernadine Marie, my 5th grade math teacher, but I never did stop saying “gozinta”….you know, like “4 gozinta 8 two times”….there are just some things you're not gonna change J
Me and her
Him and you
Them and us
You and me are going
Nope
Yup
Huh?
So what?
Kinda
Gonna
You’re never gonna use this
Yeah
Bet you thought it was going to be more profound, huh? Nope, not really. I was talking to a parent at a graduation reception the other night and found myself correcting my grammar mid-sentence, whereupon I stopped myself again and jokingly pronounced that I no longer HAD to do that, thanks be to God J
I have since had time to reflect on that incident; yes, I do that kind of thing for some reason --I’m sure God has something to do with it; He reminds me of little things like that to teach me something just a little more deep. I’ve come to the conclusion that even though I no longer have to watch what I say so that my children mimic correct grammar, I still should speak correctly because it is the right thing to do. I’ve always taught my kids that the definition of integrity is: doing what is right, even when no one is watching.
Our Lovely #1 was recently asked to be a bridesmaid in her friend’s wedding (so exciting!). In order for all of them to get to know each other, a suggestion was made to go see a movie together, etc. Now, Lovely #1 is a movie freak --she loves them all; old, new, epic, poorly made, you name it, whatever. However, this particular movie had some questionable content, and she made the decision to tell the bride-to-be that she really did not want to see the movie, gave her reasons in her kind way, and let the chips fall where they might. Thankfully, the b-t-b felt kind of the same way, so they all changed plans.
She is over 21, has a job, money, can basically do whatever she wants without mom and dad checking up on her, or little sisters around constantly to be an example to. Yet, she still chose the good thing. I can’t tell you how cool it felt when I heard about that. It was like an “A” on my own report card J
So, to all you moms out there still in the trenches of raising your family: take heart! Don’t lose sight of the big picture when you are tired of saying the right things, doing the right things, speaking correctly, and even holding your tongue. It will pay off in the end:
“Even a child is known by his doing, whether his conduct is pure and right” --Prov. 20:11
…oh, and sorry, Sister Bernadine Marie, my 5th grade math teacher, but I never did stop saying “gozinta”….you know, like “4 gozinta 8 two times”….there are just some things you're not gonna change J
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Hark! Who Goes There?
“And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai” --Gen. 16:2b
Uh-oh…..Abram hearkened to the voice of his wife. Is this good or bad? For most of my Christian life, this verse has had a negative connotation to me; many times it was given as an example of wives usurping the husband’s role in the family structure, making decisions for him, etc. The consequences of Abram’s actions were “evidence” of the seemingly harmful effects of him listening to his wife’s advice.
Now in this specific incident, I will admit, Sarai is definitely giving some bad advice; it contradicts God’s word on the subject of marriage (Gen. 2:24), thereby replacing His will with her own, and generally messing things up for generations to come. But let’s not throw out the baby with the bathwater…..
God has given us wives a very special area of influence with our husbands that no one else has. Because we are one, our husbands should feel very safe in coming to us to “bounce things off” us and figure out life’s problems. What advice or counsel are you offering?
Are you speaking the will of God into your husband’s life? Are you seeking God through prayer and His Word, for you, your husband, and your family? Does what you say to him line up with God’s Word, thereby being sound counsel? If your answers are yes, then “_____________ (fill in husband’s name here) hearkened to the voice of ________________(fill in your name here)” is a good thing!
Let’s expand on this theme a little more; who else is hearkening to your voice? Your children? Their friends? Other moms? I’m not much of a math person, but I do like a good diagram every now and then; I see them more as pictures, so my mind can easily grasp the concept being explained. And I really get Venn Diagrams --the whole “what’s in common here” can be seen immediately. Your life is like one big, humongous Venn Diagram. You have several spheres of influence; various groups of people hearkening to your voice, counsel, teaching, etc. You are the common denominator in each of those circles. What are you saying to each of those spheres? Again, are you speaking the will of God into those people? Are you seeking God through prayer and His Word for each of those little circles?
And then, conversely, who are you hearkening to? First and foremost, you should be going to God and His Word, and allowing the Holy Spirit to “guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). Then, seek out a community of people who are also doing the same, and gain wise counsel from them (Prov. 15:22 and 24:6), either by just hanging around them or actually picking their brain about certain subjects.
We as women need to be reminded of our special influence over the people in our lives. Let us not forget the great responsibility that comes with this influence.
Hark! Who goes there? Oh --it's me!
Uh-oh…..Abram hearkened to the voice of his wife. Is this good or bad? For most of my Christian life, this verse has had a negative connotation to me; many times it was given as an example of wives usurping the husband’s role in the family structure, making decisions for him, etc. The consequences of Abram’s actions were “evidence” of the seemingly harmful effects of him listening to his wife’s advice.
Now in this specific incident, I will admit, Sarai is definitely giving some bad advice; it contradicts God’s word on the subject of marriage (Gen. 2:24), thereby replacing His will with her own, and generally messing things up for generations to come. But let’s not throw out the baby with the bathwater…..
God has given us wives a very special area of influence with our husbands that no one else has. Because we are one, our husbands should feel very safe in coming to us to “bounce things off” us and figure out life’s problems. What advice or counsel are you offering?
 |
| The Bud and his Three Lovelies |
Let’s expand on this theme a little more; who else is hearkening to your voice? Your children? Their friends? Other moms? I’m not much of a math person, but I do like a good diagram every now and then; I see them more as pictures, so my mind can easily grasp the concept being explained. And I really get Venn Diagrams --the whole “what’s in common here” can be seen immediately. Your life is like one big, humongous Venn Diagram. You have several spheres of influence; various groups of people hearkening to your voice, counsel, teaching, etc. You are the common denominator in each of those circles. What are you saying to each of those spheres? Again, are you speaking the will of God into those people? Are you seeking God through prayer and His Word for each of those little circles?
And then, conversely, who are you hearkening to? First and foremost, you should be going to God and His Word, and allowing the Holy Spirit to “guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). Then, seek out a community of people who are also doing the same, and gain wise counsel from them (Prov. 15:22 and 24:6), either by just hanging around them or actually picking their brain about certain subjects.
We as women need to be reminded of our special influence over the people in our lives. Let us not forget the great responsibility that comes with this influence.
Hark! Who goes there? Oh --it's me!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Freaky Friday
Today, Friday, marks the beginning of a new time in the life of the Dempsey Family. After this weekend, all three Lovelies will have made their way out into the world. Our baby, Lovely #3 graduates from high school tomorrow (today is the rehearsal), which means our life as a “homeschooling family” comes to an end and a new chapter begins. Lovelies 1 & 2 are doing their post-high school stuff already and now #3 joins them.
It’s hard to say goodbye to 18 years of a lifestyle. Homeschooling was not just an educational choice for us; it became who were as an entity, it permeated many areas of our lives: determining most of our friends, our financial status (one breadwinner in the family for 18 years? In this day and age? Whew!), and moved us into circles of influence we would never have had if not for making the decision to homeschool our Lovelies oh so long ago. I say “us”, but I also really mean “I”…… I’ve always said homeschooling was the best education this MOM’S ever had. J
But now the page has turned…. "Better is the ending of a thing, than the beginning thereof” Eccl. 7:8(a)
 |
| The Three Lovlies at Christmas |
It is now time for all those years of planting to come to fruition. All those times of leading our girls down the path of “who am I and why am I here?” Sometimes it was a struggle, but in the end I have to say it was worth all the sacrifice, tears (theirs AND mine…hey, math is HARD ;), and periodic self-doubt (mine). It was worth it to see them turning into the young women they are becoming today: independent, unconventional, out-of-the-box thinkers. Women who will make a mark in this world for Jesus Christ; determining their place in it, and how they can impact the world for Him. I can already see some of the effects --
>>Lovely #1, my compassionate people-person, always loved getting out her collection of old computer keyboards, telephones, and cash registers, pretending she was in an office or something. Today, she is an Administrative Assistant for a Voc/Rehab office, helping people make the sometimes-difficult transition into the working world.
>>Lovely #2, who always loved carrying around tablets and pens everywhere she went, is going to start her 4th year as an English major this fall. This summer she will be working as an intern at the university, where she will conduct research related to her life-time love of children’s literature and theater.
>>Lovely #3 --the little girl who once drew on walls and anything else her hand could reach, who found library books and taught herself how to draw, the teenager who one day just “decided” she could play the drums…and then the guitar…and then the piano --this fall she will combine all that creative ability into getting her cosmetology license. She will be able to use her artist’s eye and play with colors all day long, and use her musical skills on the side for who-knows-what?
“Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
So then, what does all that have to do with “Freaky Friday” you may ask? Well, just as I cannot remember the mom in that role-reversal movie, so it should be in life. My stint as star of this show will now start to fade into the background, and I now begin to move into a supporting-role for all three Lovelies. The Bud and I will now go from catching them when they fall, to just trying to make their landing a little softer. This new role is, in some ways, even more difficult because we now contend with semi-adults making decisions about adult things. Oi.
“And Jesus told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not to faint.”
Hehe…….
Luke 18:1--Prov. 22:6
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Of Ponderations and Musings
Luke 2:19: "But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart."
As I sit here pondering what to write for my first official blog post of my new blogsite, I am reminded of one of my favorite verses in the Bible. I can't tell you when this verse first jumped out at me; I'm sure I was a very young mom, trying to keep the house running smoothly, homeschooling a couple little ones, making sure my police officer husband was fed and out the door for another shift, while still trying to maintain (and hopefully, grow!) my relationship with God by trying to read His Word as much as possible amidst this wonderful melee :)
A daunting task, is it not?
I do remember, however, thinking how wonderful that phrase was, the first time I saw it: pondered them in her heart --and what a privilege Mary had to be able to ponder things in her heart about her son and her Savior. And then it hit me --I can do this very same thing! I can ponder things in my heart as well; things about my Three Lovelies and their growing up times, things about my marriage with The Bud and how to do my part to keep it fresh and alive, and ponder about how amazing my God is and how much He loves me.
Ponder: to weigh mentally; think deeply about; consider carefully (Webster's New World Dictionary, 2nd College Edition, 1986)
When Mary pondered things in her heart, these were no fleeting thoughts. She took in the events unfolding around her and turned them over in her mind, thinking deeply about them; their immediate meaning, their future implications, their effect on herself as well as others. Pondering takes time.
So then, to that end, this blogsite will (hopefully) cause you to ponder some things for yourself. Life stories, opinions on current events, encouraging thoughts from the Word; all of these will come across the page at one time or another.
Feel free to share your own "ponderations and musings" to keep things rolling....
As I sit here pondering what to write for my first official blog post of my new blogsite, I am reminded of one of my favorite verses in the Bible. I can't tell you when this verse first jumped out at me; I'm sure I was a very young mom, trying to keep the house running smoothly, homeschooling a couple little ones, making sure my police officer husband was fed and out the door for another shift, while still trying to maintain (and hopefully, grow!) my relationship with God by trying to read His Word as much as possible amidst this wonderful melee :)
A daunting task, is it not?
I do remember, however, thinking how wonderful that phrase was, the first time I saw it: pondered them in her heart --and what a privilege Mary had to be able to ponder things in her heart about her son and her Savior. And then it hit me --I can do this very same thing! I can ponder things in my heart as well; things about my Three Lovelies and their growing up times, things about my marriage with The Bud and how to do my part to keep it fresh and alive, and ponder about how amazing my God is and how much He loves me.
Ponder: to weigh mentally; think deeply about; consider carefully (Webster's New World Dictionary, 2nd College Edition, 1986)
When Mary pondered things in her heart, these were no fleeting thoughts. She took in the events unfolding around her and turned them over in her mind, thinking deeply about them; their immediate meaning, their future implications, their effect on herself as well as others. Pondering takes time.
So then, to that end, this blogsite will (hopefully) cause you to ponder some things for yourself. Life stories, opinions on current events, encouraging thoughts from the Word; all of these will come across the page at one time or another.
Feel free to share your own "ponderations and musings" to keep things rolling....
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