Hi Mommies
I need your help! I'm looking for some feedback on playdates.
For instance, what day of the week works best for you.
Also, do you prefer to go somewhere and do an activity or would you rather meet in homes? Would you be willing to host a playdate at your home?
Is cost an issue to you? I've been trying to pick places in the past that are free or relatively inexpensive because I want everyone to be able to join in if they want.
I'm hoping to create an atmosphere where we can meet new moms and our kids can have fun together. Please feel free to invite a friend or two to the playdates.
Please, please let me know your feelings on this. I want to make the playdates fun and enjoyable for everyone.
Thank you for your help!
Jamie :)
Friday, August 12, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
In the Most Delightful Way
This week my youngest son had to be put on some antibiotics for a sinus infection. He is normally a trooper when it comes to taking medicine.
The first night when I gave him his double dose, he kind of gagged and spit half of it back out.
The second night I enlisted the help of my husband and we held him still and tilted back to encourage the medicine to slide right down his throat. Yeah, that didn't work real well either.
Then I remembered something I had heard years ago with one of my other daughters. The nurse had told me to pour chocolate syrup in her mouth before and after giving the medicine. The chocolate syrup kills the taste of the medicine and works really well.
So on the 3rd night, I sucked up his medicine into the syringe and then poured some chocolate syrup onto a plate and sucked that up, too. I wasn't sure if it would work this way but I knew that trying to squirt chocolate syrup in his mouth straight from the bottle would be a disaster.
I gave him his medicine and he didn't even flinch. Big sigh of relief. I gave it to him again last night the same way and had success again.
I thought I would share that little tip with you in case you are ever in that situation - which I know is a desparate situation to be in.
I guess Mary Poppins was right - "just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down ..."
Poke Cake
Duncan Hines white cake mix
1 1/4 c water
1/4 c applesauce
3 egg whites
Prepare and bake following the directions on box except using ingredients above. Reduce baking time 1-2 minutes.
Let cake cool 20 minutes. With fork, poke holes every 1/2 inch across top of cake
Stir 2 (.3 oz) boxes of any flavor sugar-free Jello into 2 cups boiling water for 2 minutes until dissolved.
Pour evenly over top of cake.
Refrigerate 3 hours.
Top with Cool Whip free and enjoy!
This dessert is so cool and refreshing on a hot summer day!
1/12th of recipe = 5 points plus
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
A Few Matters of Business
I've added a new feature to the blog on the left. You can now sign up to receive posts by email.
Just put your email address in the box and click 'submit'. Then follow the directions and you should start receiving each post in your inbox. Lucky you! ;)
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One last reminder - our swimming playdate is this Friday at 10:00 am. Please let me know if you are planning on coming.
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Lastly, in case you weren't aware. On Tuesday nights at Chilis on Sunset Dr, kids eat free! For each adult meal, you can get 2 free kids meals. That's a deal!
I love Chilis! Yum! If you go, eat some chips and salsa and think of me!
Happy Wednesday!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
The Perfect Mom
On Being the Perfect Mom
August 3, 2011
Chosenfamilies.org
A little over three years ago, Ben’s seizures started escalating. “A seizure is a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain that usually affects how a person feels or acts for a short time” (epilepsy.com). Ben began having seizures monthly, then weekly, eventually ending up where he would experience multiple seizures each day.
Ben spent several years experimenting with new medication, side effects, and an ever increasing battery of hospitalizations and medical tests. I felt like I was measuring my weeks in doctors’ appointments and lab tests, continually relying on a handful of friends and babysitters to watch my three children.
One day I was talking with a friend whose husband was also struggling with serious illness. We started discussing all of the ways that we have “cut corners” as moms because our energies are so focused on our husbands.
“If life were different, we would …”
watch less TV.
eat less fast food.
have playdates at our house more often.
supervise our kids’ homework more closely.
have family devotions every day … or at least every week!
The list went on and on as we each talked about what it would look like in our homes if we were the Perfect Moms. We commiserated and laughed together, sharing an understanding that many women might not otherwise have.
Looking back, I think we missed the point. The truth is, we are the perfect moms for our children. We are parenting in the best possible way for the children that God has given us. Ben’s disability affects our entire family. The corners we cut and the accommodations we make are not God’s second best for us. These adjustments actually help our family not only to survive but to thrive. Eating fast food after a long day of dealing with unexpected seizures or watching TV together because Daddy and Mommy are too tired to play a game … these activities are not necessarily sin, or even second best. They are what our family needs to do to lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and to run with endurance the race that is set before us.
God has given our children a front row seat to His sanctification process in our lives. He graciously allows our children to watch us trust Him in the midst of difficulty and pain. In many ways, our children are learning about God much like Job: I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you. If our challenges bring us closer to God, then we are truly the perfect moms for our children.
~ Nancy
This post is written by a woman whose husband had a brain injury and lost his short term memory and struggles with seizures. This family deals with a lot!
After reading her post, though, I realized that all families have struggles and challenges at different levels. We may not all face the same ones but they are there. They may not be obvious to an outside person but it does not mean that we don't struggle with them. I could definitely relate to her list of "If life were different" things.
I thought this was a great post for any mom no matter what she is dealing with. We all get caught up in the way we think a "perfect mom" should be (I know I do) and don't realize that we are the perfect mom for our children. God planned it that way. I would not be the right mom for your children and I'm sure you would not be the right mom for mine.
Be the best mom YOU can be. That's all God is asking of us.
********************************************
"The purpose of ChosenFamilies.org is for families living with hidden disabilities to be fully incorporated into the body of Christ. Our mission is to provide resources, connections and encouragement to families with hidden disabilities and to educate and provide resources to religious leaders as they minister to families with these needs. ChosenFamilies.org is a community where people can exchange creative ideas to meet the challenges of living and prospering within a family with special needs. We will endeavor to inform, educate, inspire, motivate, and encourage families and churches in this vitally important mission."
Shannon Royce explains,
"As a mom of a child who has been diagnosed with a hidden disability, I know the challenges our families face. These hidden disabilities — Anxiety, Asperger, ADHD, Autism, Bipolar disorder, Depression, Learning disabilities, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Tourette syndrome, and others — are neurological disorders that affect every area of a child’s and a family’s life."
August 3, 2011
Chosenfamilies.org
A little over three years ago, Ben’s seizures started escalating. “A seizure is a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain that usually affects how a person feels or acts for a short time” (epilepsy.com). Ben began having seizures monthly, then weekly, eventually ending up where he would experience multiple seizures each day.
Ben spent several years experimenting with new medication, side effects, and an ever increasing battery of hospitalizations and medical tests. I felt like I was measuring my weeks in doctors’ appointments and lab tests, continually relying on a handful of friends and babysitters to watch my three children.
One day I was talking with a friend whose husband was also struggling with serious illness. We started discussing all of the ways that we have “cut corners” as moms because our energies are so focused on our husbands.
“If life were different, we would …”
watch less TV.
eat less fast food.
have playdates at our house more often.
supervise our kids’ homework more closely.
have family devotions every day … or at least every week!
The list went on and on as we each talked about what it would look like in our homes if we were the Perfect Moms. We commiserated and laughed together, sharing an understanding that many women might not otherwise have.
Looking back, I think we missed the point. The truth is, we are the perfect moms for our children. We are parenting in the best possible way for the children that God has given us. Ben’s disability affects our entire family. The corners we cut and the accommodations we make are not God’s second best for us. These adjustments actually help our family not only to survive but to thrive. Eating fast food after a long day of dealing with unexpected seizures or watching TV together because Daddy and Mommy are too tired to play a game … these activities are not necessarily sin, or even second best. They are what our family needs to do to lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and to run with endurance the race that is set before us.
God has given our children a front row seat to His sanctification process in our lives. He graciously allows our children to watch us trust Him in the midst of difficulty and pain. In many ways, our children are learning about God much like Job: I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you. If our challenges bring us closer to God, then we are truly the perfect moms for our children.
~ Nancy
This post is written by a woman whose husband had a brain injury and lost his short term memory and struggles with seizures. This family deals with a lot!
After reading her post, though, I realized that all families have struggles and challenges at different levels. We may not all face the same ones but they are there. They may not be obvious to an outside person but it does not mean that we don't struggle with them. I could definitely relate to her list of "If life were different" things.
I thought this was a great post for any mom no matter what she is dealing with. We all get caught up in the way we think a "perfect mom" should be (I know I do) and don't realize that we are the perfect mom for our children. God planned it that way. I would not be the right mom for your children and I'm sure you would not be the right mom for mine.
Be the best mom YOU can be. That's all God is asking of us.
********************************************
"The purpose of ChosenFamilies.org is for families living with hidden disabilities to be fully incorporated into the body of Christ. Our mission is to provide resources, connections and encouragement to families with hidden disabilities and to educate and provide resources to religious leaders as they minister to families with these needs. ChosenFamilies.org is a community where people can exchange creative ideas to meet the challenges of living and prospering within a family with special needs. We will endeavor to inform, educate, inspire, motivate, and encourage families and churches in this vitally important mission."
Shannon Royce explains,
"As a mom of a child who has been diagnosed with a hidden disability, I know the challenges our families face. These hidden disabilities — Anxiety, Asperger, ADHD, Autism, Bipolar disorder, Depression, Learning disabilities, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Tourette syndrome, and others — are neurological disorders that affect every area of a child’s and a family’s life."
Monday, August 8, 2011
Everything You Do
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEqdDdvFXZ0&feature=youtube_gdata_player
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEqdDdvFXZ0&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Friday, August 5, 2011
Consistency
The questions are different, but each answer is the same.
What will guard us against foolish extremes?
What characterizes those who are habitually successful in sports or sales or some skill?
What single quality in a business builds respect deeper than any other?
What brings security in relationships?
What makes us choose a particular brand name over all others?
What's needed most by parents in the home?
What draws you to the same restaurant time and again?
What do you want most from your paperboy ... or milkman ... or postman?
What will add more weight to your witness for Christ than anything else?
CONSISTENCY. That's the answer to all nine questions, and you know it's true. Steadiness. You can count on it. It'll be there tomorrow just like it was yesterday ... free from silly moods, sudden changes, or fickle fads. Early in the day or late at night, consistency stands firm. When pain or hardship bites, consistency doesn't bleed. When the majority is tired and irritable, consistency is stable and resilient. Not insensitive, boring ... but reliable, faithful. Not opposed to change or reason, but trustworthy. Not stubborn, but solid. Yes, that's it: solid.
It's the stuff most mothers are made of when their little ones get sick ... and missionaries who lose themselves in their labor even though it yields limited fruit. It reveals itself in faithful employees who show up on time, roll up their sleeves, and commit themselves more to doing the job than watching the clock. Diligence is its brother ... dependability, its partner ... discipline, its parent.
CONSISTENCY. A living model of patience, determination, and strength - regardless of shifty, rootless times. The blasts of ridicule and criticism may punch it in the face - but consistency stands and takes it as silently as a bronze statue takes the tempest. One poet calls it "a jewel," another "an anchor of iron." It knows little of ups or downs, highs or lows, blue Mondays or holiday hangovers. It hates tardiness and absenteeism. It thrives on sacrifice and unselfishness. It's an obvious mark of maturity. It's hanging in there day in and day out in spite of everything that could get you sidetracked.
In biblical terms, consistency is a subtle, supple thread woven into the fabric of scriptural truth. Paul had it in mind when he told Timothy to
"... be ready in season and out of season ... " (2 Timothy 4:2);
and when he exhorted the Galatians
"... let us not lose heart ... for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary" (Galatians 6:9).
James saw it as a stabilizing trait, which he called
"... endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect ..." (James 1:3b-4).
We are reminded that Abraham was consistent when it came to believing God's promise to him, because
"... he did not waver ..." (Romans 4:20).
But best of all,
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).
One of the most attractive, magnetic characteristics of Christ is His consistency. When you need Him, He is there. He's there even when you don't think you need Him! You're never too early or too late. He's never in a lousy mood nor will He ask you to call back during office hours. He's available ... because He's immutable. With Him, there's no new year or old year. He is "the same," regardless.
CONSISTENCY.
It's the jewel worth wearing ...
It's the anchor worth weighing ...
It's the thread worth weaving ...
It's the battle worth winning.
*Deepening your roots
~ Romans 4; 1 Timothy 4:15-16; Hebrews 6:1-12 ~
- Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life by Charles R. Swindoll
*************************************************************
I thought this was so good and it really gave me something to think about. I struggle with consistency. I don't know why but I know it is a problem I have. I get bored. I get antsy. I let my hormones rule my day (you know what I'm talking about).
As a parent, especially, consistency is so important. Kids need to know what to expect next. I wish my kids were more consistent. I feel like I never know what I'm going to be up against with them.
I'm going to start to work on my consistency. In my mood, my actions, my routine. And maybe, just maybe, by seeing me be more consistent, they will be more consistent in their moods and attitudes, too.
What will guard us against foolish extremes?
What characterizes those who are habitually successful in sports or sales or some skill?
What single quality in a business builds respect deeper than any other?
What brings security in relationships?
What makes us choose a particular brand name over all others?
What's needed most by parents in the home?
What draws you to the same restaurant time and again?
What do you want most from your paperboy ... or milkman ... or postman?
What will add more weight to your witness for Christ than anything else?
CONSISTENCY. That's the answer to all nine questions, and you know it's true. Steadiness. You can count on it. It'll be there tomorrow just like it was yesterday ... free from silly moods, sudden changes, or fickle fads. Early in the day or late at night, consistency stands firm. When pain or hardship bites, consistency doesn't bleed. When the majority is tired and irritable, consistency is stable and resilient. Not insensitive, boring ... but reliable, faithful. Not opposed to change or reason, but trustworthy. Not stubborn, but solid. Yes, that's it: solid.
It's the stuff most mothers are made of when their little ones get sick ... and missionaries who lose themselves in their labor even though it yields limited fruit. It reveals itself in faithful employees who show up on time, roll up their sleeves, and commit themselves more to doing the job than watching the clock. Diligence is its brother ... dependability, its partner ... discipline, its parent.
CONSISTENCY. A living model of patience, determination, and strength - regardless of shifty, rootless times. The blasts of ridicule and criticism may punch it in the face - but consistency stands and takes it as silently as a bronze statue takes the tempest. One poet calls it "a jewel," another "an anchor of iron." It knows little of ups or downs, highs or lows, blue Mondays or holiday hangovers. It hates tardiness and absenteeism. It thrives on sacrifice and unselfishness. It's an obvious mark of maturity. It's hanging in there day in and day out in spite of everything that could get you sidetracked.
In biblical terms, consistency is a subtle, supple thread woven into the fabric of scriptural truth. Paul had it in mind when he told Timothy to
"... be ready in season and out of season ... " (2 Timothy 4:2);
and when he exhorted the Galatians
"... let us not lose heart ... for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary" (Galatians 6:9).
James saw it as a stabilizing trait, which he called
"... endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect ..." (James 1:3b-4).
We are reminded that Abraham was consistent when it came to believing God's promise to him, because
"... he did not waver ..." (Romans 4:20).
But best of all,
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).
One of the most attractive, magnetic characteristics of Christ is His consistency. When you need Him, He is there. He's there even when you don't think you need Him! You're never too early or too late. He's never in a lousy mood nor will He ask you to call back during office hours. He's available ... because He's immutable. With Him, there's no new year or old year. He is "the same," regardless.
CONSISTENCY.
It's the jewel worth wearing ...
It's the anchor worth weighing ...
It's the thread worth weaving ...
It's the battle worth winning.
*Deepening your roots
~ Romans 4; 1 Timothy 4:15-16; Hebrews 6:1-12 ~
- Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life by Charles R. Swindoll
*************************************************************
I thought this was so good and it really gave me something to think about. I struggle with consistency. I don't know why but I know it is a problem I have. I get bored. I get antsy. I let my hormones rule my day (you know what I'm talking about).
As a parent, especially, consistency is so important. Kids need to know what to expect next. I wish my kids were more consistent. I feel like I never know what I'm going to be up against with them.
I'm going to start to work on my consistency. In my mood, my actions, my routine. And maybe, just maybe, by seeing me be more consistent, they will be more consistent in their moods and attitudes, too.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Chocolate Frosted Cupcakes
Another new, healthier recipe. I can tell you're excited.
I'm just finding that a treat doesn't always have to be decadent. It can taste good and not be all that bad for you. I am so impressed with how the lighter version of these cakes taste (using applesauce and egg whites) that I think I'm going to make all of my cakes this way. Shhh ... Don't tell.
The real problem lies in the frosting. That yummy deliciousness that is butter, crisco, and powdered sugar is not all that good for you. Surprise, I know. So, once in a blue moon, I'll partake. But when you have a family as big as mine with birthdays around every corner, you need to come up with a healthier alternative.
Here is my latest concoction. It tastes great on it's own, too! (1/2 cup = 2 points plus)
Chocolate Frosted Cupcakes
Cupcakes :
1 box yellow cake mix
1 cup water
1/3 cup applesauce
5 egg whites
"Frosting" :
Small container cool whip free
4 serving box chocolate sugar free pudding
Bake cupcakes according to package directions except using above ingredients. Decrease baking time by 1-2 min.
When cupcakes are cool, mix cool whip and dry pudding mix together. "Frost" cupcakes and enjoy!
2 cupcakes = 5 points plus
I'm just finding that a treat doesn't always have to be decadent. It can taste good and not be all that bad for you. I am so impressed with how the lighter version of these cakes taste (using applesauce and egg whites) that I think I'm going to make all of my cakes this way. Shhh ... Don't tell.
The real problem lies in the frosting. That yummy deliciousness that is butter, crisco, and powdered sugar is not all that good for you. Surprise, I know. So, once in a blue moon, I'll partake. But when you have a family as big as mine with birthdays around every corner, you need to come up with a healthier alternative.
Here is my latest concoction. It tastes great on it's own, too! (1/2 cup = 2 points plus)
Chocolate Frosted Cupcakes
Cupcakes :
1 box yellow cake mix
1 cup water
1/3 cup applesauce
5 egg whites
"Frosting" :
Small container cool whip free
4 serving box chocolate sugar free pudding
Bake cupcakes according to package directions except using above ingredients. Decrease baking time by 1-2 min.
When cupcakes are cool, mix cool whip and dry pudding mix together. "Frost" cupcakes and enjoy!
2 cupcakes = 5 points plus
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
School days, school days ...
Yesterday we went and took care of that dreaded task called "school shopping". As an adult it is way less fun than I remember it being as a kid. Mostly, I'm sure because I'm the one footing the bill.
The lists they give out don't help, either. Most of the time the lists are so specific that it is nearly impossible to find what they are asking for.
This year was better. The lists weren't as specific and I think I've loosened up a bit. I've realized that if I can't find yellow 1 1/2 x 2" post-its, multi-color 1 3/8 x 1 7/8" post-its will do. (Do you see how you could drive yourself crazy?)
Anyway, this year the girls were able to pick out any color notebooks and folders they wanted (instead of 1 yellow, 1 blue, 1 eggplant ...). This was exciting. It was even more exciting because at Wal-mart they have Dayspring notebooks, folders, binders, and pencil cases with Bible verses and Christian sayings on them.
I almost dropped over when I saw them mixed in with the other school supplies. How cool is that?? I think it's very cool.
I always feel like they are trying to push God out of schools. I was thrilled to see these simple school supplies promoting God's love and Word.
My kids thought it was pretty cool, too. They bought a couple of Dayspring items along with their sparkly unicorn, panda bear, and other fun, girly stuff.
Thank you, Dayspring, for helping my girls shine their lights a little brighter in their schools!
Go check it out, and buy some so Wal-mart knows we like it, we like it a lot!
**I also bought Soul Surfer on DVD yesterday. Check that out, too.**
Disclaimer: No one is compensating me for my opinion. I have no stock in Wal-mart, Dayspring or Soul Surfer. I only have stock in the kingdom of God.
The lists they give out don't help, either. Most of the time the lists are so specific that it is nearly impossible to find what they are asking for.
This year was better. The lists weren't as specific and I think I've loosened up a bit. I've realized that if I can't find yellow 1 1/2 x 2" post-its, multi-color 1 3/8 x 1 7/8" post-its will do. (Do you see how you could drive yourself crazy?)
Anyway, this year the girls were able to pick out any color notebooks and folders they wanted (instead of 1 yellow, 1 blue, 1 eggplant ...). This was exciting. It was even more exciting because at Wal-mart they have Dayspring notebooks, folders, binders, and pencil cases with Bible verses and Christian sayings on them.
I almost dropped over when I saw them mixed in with the other school supplies. How cool is that?? I think it's very cool.
I always feel like they are trying to push God out of schools. I was thrilled to see these simple school supplies promoting God's love and Word.
My kids thought it was pretty cool, too. They bought a couple of Dayspring items along with their sparkly unicorn, panda bear, and other fun, girly stuff.
Thank you, Dayspring, for helping my girls shine their lights a little brighter in their schools!
Go check it out, and buy some so Wal-mart knows we like it, we like it a lot!
**I also bought Soul Surfer on DVD yesterday. Check that out, too.**
Disclaimer: No one is compensating me for my opinion. I have no stock in Wal-mart, Dayspring or Soul Surfer. I only have stock in the kingdom of God.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
August Playdate
We're doing it again ...
Our August playdate will be on Friday, August 12th at 10:00 am at my parents pool!!
The pool is above ground and has a slight dip in the center. They have a few life jackets and baby boats but please feel free to bring your own if you have them.
Also, bring a lunch along and we can picnic in the backyard.
Let me know if you have questions. I will email my parents address and directions to their house when I find out whose coming.
This should be a lot of fun as long as the weather cooperates!
I hope you can all come!
Our August playdate will be on Friday, August 12th at 10:00 am at my parents pool!!
The pool is above ground and has a slight dip in the center. They have a few life jackets and baby boats but please feel free to bring your own if you have them.
Also, bring a lunch along and we can picnic in the backyard.
Let me know if you have questions. I will email my parents address and directions to their house when I find out whose coming.
This should be a lot of fun as long as the weather cooperates!
I hope you can all come!
Monday, August 1, 2011
Healing
Over the weekend I received an email from Hallie's teacher from the past two years. She is the woman who invited Hallie and I to the mother/daughter book club. I think the world of this woman. She is an amazing teacher and just a wonderful person. I look up to her and was absolutely thrilled when she wanted to include us in her group.
The email she sent me really took me back. She thanked me for a fun evening the other night. Then she said she thought I was so creative and her husband, who is not easily impressed, was impressed with all of my ideas and ended the email with calling me Oh Talented One.
I thought Wow, really? You really think that?
See, I have let the enemy tell me lies about myself pretty much my entire life. Lies concerning my body image and my talents, or lack thereof, and basically just my worth. These lies have robbed me of so many experiences and years of my life.
It doesn't help that I have a perfectionist mindset. It's all or nothing. If I can't be the best, then why try?
The combination has been deadly. Literally, it has killed relationships, as well as seriously hurt many areas of my life. As a result, I found myself in quite a mess.
Thankfully, God has been redeeming what has been lost and is helping me to heal and move on and slowly clean up the messes in my life.
I'm hoping to someday soon have a testimony post to fill you in on the amazing things God has been doing. But today I just want to encourage you to no longer listen to any of the lies that you have been told over the years.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
John 10:10 NIV
I have had a healing day. I've thought about different things that I have been told over the years and in turn thought about myself and I've given them to God. Some of them have brought me to tears which tells me that even though I may have heard it 25 years ago, the "wound" still hurts. I ripped off the scab and allowed God to apply His ointment to my wound so it can fully heal and no longer hurt me.
God wants to heal our hurts. He loves us despite our imperfections. He will use our imperfections to bring Him glory. Praise God!
Examine the way you see yourself. Is it how God sees you? I doubt it. Allow yourself to heal and live victoriously.
You are beautiful, talented, special, and worthy of God's love and mine!
The email she sent me really took me back. She thanked me for a fun evening the other night. Then she said she thought I was so creative and her husband, who is not easily impressed, was impressed with all of my ideas and ended the email with calling me Oh Talented One.
I thought Wow, really? You really think that?
See, I have let the enemy tell me lies about myself pretty much my entire life. Lies concerning my body image and my talents, or lack thereof, and basically just my worth. These lies have robbed me of so many experiences and years of my life.
It doesn't help that I have a perfectionist mindset. It's all or nothing. If I can't be the best, then why try?
The combination has been deadly. Literally, it has killed relationships, as well as seriously hurt many areas of my life. As a result, I found myself in quite a mess.
Thankfully, God has been redeeming what has been lost and is helping me to heal and move on and slowly clean up the messes in my life.
I'm hoping to someday soon have a testimony post to fill you in on the amazing things God has been doing. But today I just want to encourage you to no longer listen to any of the lies that you have been told over the years.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
John 10:10 NIV
I have had a healing day. I've thought about different things that I have been told over the years and in turn thought about myself and I've given them to God. Some of them have brought me to tears which tells me that even though I may have heard it 25 years ago, the "wound" still hurts. I ripped off the scab and allowed God to apply His ointment to my wound so it can fully heal and no longer hurt me.
God wants to heal our hurts. He loves us despite our imperfections. He will use our imperfections to bring Him glory. Praise God!
Examine the way you see yourself. Is it how God sees you? I doubt it. Allow yourself to heal and live victoriously.
You are beautiful, talented, special, and worthy of God's love and mine!
Friday, July 29, 2011
A Night at the Round Table
Well, I survived my night last night. I also wasn't overly embarrassed. I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. I apologize if you are looking for a tutorial in making a fool of yourself. I can give you the rundown of my night, though. **I apologize for the poor picture quality but you'll get the idea :).**
Hallie wore the dress my sister, Stacey, wore in my wedding. She was a beautiful princess. In fact, she received many comments as we made our way through the crowded restaurant. I had forethought and brought my dress with me and changed there. After seeing how crowded it was, I was very thankful I did. We meet at Sprizzos in downtown Waukesha in their upstairs room. They are so accommodating and the girls that work there are positively sweet. They really get into our book club night.
When we got upstairs, we set to work setting up. Our first order of business was to give our very square table an appearance of being round. I added my selfcut round table cloth - not exactly round but it worked. Do you know how hard it is to find a round plastic tablecloth?
Then we added our Sword in the Stone decorations. We cut up rectangular pieces of floral foam and made them look like big rocks. Then we spray painted them silver. We spray painted sword appetizer picks gold. Then glued all but one of the swords into their stones. We used hot glue but any glue plus foam does not work real well. Live and learn.
Next we added our Sword in the Stone poke cake. It was quite yummy and healthified, too. Watch for the recipe coming up in the near future.
At each place we put blank "scrolls" and pens so everyone could write down their question about the book. In the middle of the table, we put a silver platter to hold the scrolls. Hallie turned it into the "Round Table" by creating little knights made with beads she glued together. That girl is amazingly creative.
On the wall, we hung our Wheel of Fortune game. It ended up spelling out "Whoever shall pull their sword out from their anvil shall be the first to answer a question tonight". Unfortunately, the woman who guessed the puzzle, ripped her glued sword from the stone. And then a few others followed suit. The strength of these women, I tell you.
Back to setting up, we put out the hats, pearl "necklaces" (really headbands from the dollar store), and jeweled rings. We made the hats by rolling up posterboard into a cone. Then we hot glued satin material over the top. We glued ribbon around the bottom of the cone and glued a piece of fancy material into the tip of the cone. They turned out pretty neat and added just the right touch to all of the princesses.
Then it was time for me to get dressed. I ran downstairs to the restroom, put the dress on, and snuck upstairs. Hallie helped me put my hat on and then it was time to wait. A couple of the young waitresses came up to check out our costumes. They were very sweet and thought it was all such fun. That helped my nervousness.
Finally, the girls and their moms arrived. We had told the girls to dress up as princesses and they all did a great job. The moms were very nice and didn't make me feel like a fool at all. They seemed to really enjoy the night.
We all had a great time and I'm kind of glad I dressed up. I realized that it wasn't the end of the world to be a little bit different from everyone else. As long as it's all in good fun, we should all be able to laugh at ourselves from time to time.
Hallie wore the dress my sister, Stacey, wore in my wedding. She was a beautiful princess. In fact, she received many comments as we made our way through the crowded restaurant. I had forethought and brought my dress with me and changed there. After seeing how crowded it was, I was very thankful I did. We meet at Sprizzos in downtown Waukesha in their upstairs room. They are so accommodating and the girls that work there are positively sweet. They really get into our book club night.
When we got upstairs, we set to work setting up. Our first order of business was to give our very square table an appearance of being round. I added my selfcut round table cloth - not exactly round but it worked. Do you know how hard it is to find a round plastic tablecloth?
Then we added our Sword in the Stone decorations. We cut up rectangular pieces of floral foam and made them look like big rocks. Then we spray painted them silver. We spray painted sword appetizer picks gold. Then glued all but one of the swords into their stones. We used hot glue but any glue plus foam does not work real well. Live and learn.
Next we added our Sword in the Stone poke cake. It was quite yummy and healthified, too. Watch for the recipe coming up in the near future.
At each place we put blank "scrolls" and pens so everyone could write down their question about the book. In the middle of the table, we put a silver platter to hold the scrolls. Hallie turned it into the "Round Table" by creating little knights made with beads she glued together. That girl is amazingly creative.
On the wall, we hung our Wheel of Fortune game. It ended up spelling out "Whoever shall pull their sword out from their anvil shall be the first to answer a question tonight". Unfortunately, the woman who guessed the puzzle, ripped her glued sword from the stone. And then a few others followed suit. The strength of these women, I tell you.
Back to setting up, we put out the hats, pearl "necklaces" (really headbands from the dollar store), and jeweled rings. We made the hats by rolling up posterboard into a cone. Then we hot glued satin material over the top. We glued ribbon around the bottom of the cone and glued a piece of fancy material into the tip of the cone. They turned out pretty neat and added just the right touch to all of the princesses.
Then it was time for me to get dressed. I ran downstairs to the restroom, put the dress on, and snuck upstairs. Hallie helped me put my hat on and then it was time to wait. A couple of the young waitresses came up to check out our costumes. They were very sweet and thought it was all such fun. That helped my nervousness.
Finally, the girls and their moms arrived. We had told the girls to dress up as princesses and they all did a great job. The moms were very nice and didn't make me feel like a fool at all. They seemed to really enjoy the night.
We all had a great time and I'm kind of glad I dressed up. I realized that it wasn't the end of the world to be a little bit different from everyone else. As long as it's all in good fun, we should all be able to laugh at ourselves from time to time.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Tutorial Tomorrow!
No post today. But come back tomorrow for a tuturial on how to make a fool of yourself in front of your daughter's friends and their MOMS. This will not be a guest post as I am fully capable of doing this one myself.
Tonight, my daughter and I are in charge of our mother/daughter book club. Our book needed to be a legend and so we chose King Arthur (blech).
Anyway, we have a few fun things planned including some cone princess hats that we made. My daughter saw an old bridesmaid dress that I have that has a little bit of a medieval feel. Naturally, she wants me to wear it tonight along with one our princess cone hats ...
If you know me at all, you know that I embarrass easily. With that being said, I am going to muster up some knightly courage and take the plunge.
Don't worry, I'm sure there will be pictures. Not that I'll share them with you all ...
Seriously, pray for me?!?
Tonight, my daughter and I are in charge of our mother/daughter book club. Our book needed to be a legend and so we chose King Arthur (blech).
Anyway, we have a few fun things planned including some cone princess hats that we made. My daughter saw an old bridesmaid dress that I have that has a little bit of a medieval feel. Naturally, she wants me to wear it tonight along with one our princess cone hats ...
If you know me at all, you know that I embarrass easily. With that being said, I am going to muster up some knightly courage and take the plunge.
Don't worry, I'm sure there will be pictures. Not that I'll share them with you all ...
Seriously, pray for me?!?
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
What Does God Ask of You?
This passage really spoke to me this morning. Verses 12 and 13 especially stuck out to me. I don't know about you but I find myself trying to do too much. Even if I think it's a good thing or helping others, it doesn't necessarily mean I should do it. I felt like God was saying "Don't drive yourself so crazy. This is all I ask you to do, concentrate on this." Thank you, Lord, for Your word.
I hope this touches someone else today as well.
12 And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to observe the LORD’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?
14 To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. 15 Yet the LORD set his affection on your ancestors and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations—as it is today. 16 Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer. 17 For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. 18 He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. 19 And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. 20 Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. 21 He is the one you praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes. 22 Your ancestors who went down into Egypt were seventy in all, and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky.
Deuteronomy 10:12-22 NIV
I hope this touches someone else today as well.
12 And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to observe the LORD’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?
14 To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. 15 Yet the LORD set his affection on your ancestors and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations—as it is today. 16 Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer. 17 For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. 18 He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. 19 And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. 20 Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. 21 He is the one you praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes. 22 Your ancestors who went down into Egypt were seventy in all, and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky.
Deuteronomy 10:12-22 NIV
Thursday, July 21, 2011
I've got nothing ...
I've got nothing for you today. My kids have pretty much sucked the life out of me and my creative juices are not flowing. At least I know I'm not alone in this thing called motherhood.
Smile.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCbPqi3virQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Smile.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCbPqi3virQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Have No Fear
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." 1 John 4:18
One day in the mountain region of Scotland, a gigantic eagle snatched a little baby out of his crib and flew away with him. The people of the village ran out after the big bird, but the eagle perched itself upon a nearby mountain crag. Could the child possibly be resued? A sailor tried to climb the ascent, but he was at last obliged to give up the attempt. A robust Highlander, accustomed to climbing those mountains, tried next and even his strength failed. At last a poor peasant woman came forward. She put her feet upon one shelf of rock, then on the second, then on the third and in this manner she rose to the very top of the cliff. While all below held their breath for sheer fright, she came down step by step until she stood at the bottom of the rock with the child safely in her arms. Immediately shouts of praise arose from the crowd that had gathered.
Why did that woman succeed when the strong sailor and the experienced mountain climber had failed? Because that woman was the mother of the baby. Her love for her baby had given her the courage to do what the others had failed to do.
If the love of Christ is in your heart, you, too, will find that you will have the courage to do whatever he directs you to do.
-Henrietta Mears, from Women's Devotional Bible
One day in the mountain region of Scotland, a gigantic eagle snatched a little baby out of his crib and flew away with him. The people of the village ran out after the big bird, but the eagle perched itself upon a nearby mountain crag. Could the child possibly be resued? A sailor tried to climb the ascent, but he was at last obliged to give up the attempt. A robust Highlander, accustomed to climbing those mountains, tried next and even his strength failed. At last a poor peasant woman came forward. She put her feet upon one shelf of rock, then on the second, then on the third and in this manner she rose to the very top of the cliff. While all below held their breath for sheer fright, she came down step by step until she stood at the bottom of the rock with the child safely in her arms. Immediately shouts of praise arose from the crowd that had gathered.
Why did that woman succeed when the strong sailor and the experienced mountain climber had failed? Because that woman was the mother of the baby. Her love for her baby had given her the courage to do what the others had failed to do.
If the love of Christ is in your heart, you, too, will find that you will have the courage to do whatever he directs you to do.
-Henrietta Mears, from Women's Devotional Bible
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Strawberry Pie
For our Fourth of July celebration, I made a strawberry pie. I changed up my usual recipe a bit and made it lighter. Each piece (1/12 of 9x13) ended up being 2 points plus. Wahoo!
Crust
1/2 cup light butter
1 cup flour
2 tsp sugar
2 egg whites
Work together. Press into bottom of 9x13 pan. The dough will sticky and somewhat hard to stretch out to 9x13 but it will work.
Bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 min. I think I undercooked mine a little so make sure it is baked long enough.
When the crust is cooled, cut up strawberries to fill the pan. You can use as much or as little as you like. I filled mine about 2/3 full.
Make 1 large box (.6 oz) sugar free strawberry jello according to directions. Refrigerate for 1 1/2 hours. Pour over strawberries in pan.
Refrigerate for 4 more hours or until firm.
Top with fat free cool whip or light whipped cream.
Enjoy!
Crust
1/2 cup light butter
1 cup flour
2 tsp sugar
2 egg whites
Work together. Press into bottom of 9x13 pan. The dough will sticky and somewhat hard to stretch out to 9x13 but it will work.
Bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 min. I think I undercooked mine a little so make sure it is baked long enough.
When the crust is cooled, cut up strawberries to fill the pan. You can use as much or as little as you like. I filled mine about 2/3 full.
Make 1 large box (.6 oz) sugar free strawberry jello according to directions. Refrigerate for 1 1/2 hours. Pour over strawberries in pan.
Refrigerate for 4 more hours or until firm.
Top with fat free cool whip or light whipped cream.
Enjoy!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Letter of Apology
Dear former teachers of my younger self,
I just want to apologize for being such a smart alec to you. I'm sure there were times I made your job that much harder and probably ruined your lessons and train of thought. For this, I am deeply sorry.
My kids are always asking me to tell them stories from when I was younger and in the process, I've been reminded of what a brat I must have been.
Mrs. Schoenenberger (my 1st grade teacher), I'm sorry I would sit at the table for reading group and blow my whistle necklace while we were supposed to be working. (I mostly blame my food allergies and the fact that someone thought it was a good idea to give me a whistle necklace, but still - how naughty.)
Mrs. Scheffel (my children's church teacher), I'm sorry I would solve your hangman puzzles before we even started playing. I can only imagine how frustrating that was.
Moomes (my grandma and Sunday school teacher), I'm sorry for ruining your object lessons. Especially the time you were trying to teach us that it is better to be beautiful on the inside. You had wrapped up a shriveled orange peel in a box that was beautifully wrapped. You said to us girls "See how appealing that box was on the outside but inside it wasn't." And, of course, I raised my hand and said "Well actually, it is a peeling on the inside, too." I apologize, but I will say, that is one object lesson I never forgot.
I could probably go on and on but I won't. Now that I'm an adult, I feel terrible about the things I did. I'm sorry.
But don't worry, I have kids now, too, - 4 of them. They do the same things to me and I'm sure it will only get worse. I guess this is my punishment.
I hope you forgive me for my punky ways. I've mostly grown out of them.
Thank you for taking the time to teach me, it's helped a lot!
Love, Jamie
PS I take full responsibility for any and all gray hairs I may or may not have caused.
I just want to apologize for being such a smart alec to you. I'm sure there were times I made your job that much harder and probably ruined your lessons and train of thought. For this, I am deeply sorry.
My kids are always asking me to tell them stories from when I was younger and in the process, I've been reminded of what a brat I must have been.
Mrs. Schoenenberger (my 1st grade teacher), I'm sorry I would sit at the table for reading group and blow my whistle necklace while we were supposed to be working. (I mostly blame my food allergies and the fact that someone thought it was a good idea to give me a whistle necklace, but still - how naughty.)
Mrs. Scheffel (my children's church teacher), I'm sorry I would solve your hangman puzzles before we even started playing. I can only imagine how frustrating that was.
Moomes (my grandma and Sunday school teacher), I'm sorry for ruining your object lessons. Especially the time you were trying to teach us that it is better to be beautiful on the inside. You had wrapped up a shriveled orange peel in a box that was beautifully wrapped. You said to us girls "See how appealing that box was on the outside but inside it wasn't." And, of course, I raised my hand and said "Well actually, it is a peeling on the inside, too." I apologize, but I will say, that is one object lesson I never forgot.
I could probably go on and on but I won't. Now that I'm an adult, I feel terrible about the things I did. I'm sorry.
But don't worry, I have kids now, too, - 4 of them. They do the same things to me and I'm sure it will only get worse. I guess this is my punishment.
I hope you forgive me for my punky ways. I've mostly grown out of them.
Thank you for taking the time to teach me, it's helped a lot!
Love, Jamie
PS I take full responsibility for any and all gray hairs I may or may not have caused.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Oh, Be Careful Little Eyes What You See ...
I can honestly say this is the last thing I thought I would be blogging about today. I didn't really know what to blog about. So I prayed about it and here we are.
You all know how I feel about protecting our kids' mind, body, and spirit. They hold such an innocence and once it's gone, it's gone. You can't get it back.
As our kids start to read, this is made so much harder. I remember not too long after my oldest daughter started to read, I would catch her reading the covers of the tabloid magazines by the checkouts. That was when I thought "Oh my goodness, we are bombarded with smut, immorality, and just plain sin everywhere we go." Don't even get me started with Victoria's Secret stores ... My boys will be banned from malls soon. That's a whole other post.
What our kids read affect them, bottom line. Kids are impressionable and they don't always interpret things correctly.
Last year my oldest daughter was just told about a book called "How To Be Perfect in 3 Days" by a teacher. In the book, a boy is told all of these silly things to do in order to be perfect. One of the things was to not eat for a whole day. So my daughter comes home and tells me she wasn't going to eat for a day. Once I found out what was going on, I wasn't too thrilled with the teacher or the book. (I ended up reading the book and at the end the boy finds out that no one is perfect. That there is nothing you can do to be perfect. I still don't think they should have used not eating as one of the ways but that's my opinion.) My daughter interpreted that totally wrong and was going to try this out in order to obtain perfection.
Kids are willing to try things that sound cool and don't really think of the consequences. This is why we really need to be aware of what our kids are reading and watching and allowing into their minds.
With the new Harry Potter movie coming out, I thought I would share an interesting article that I found.
-The reading phenomenon known as “Harry Potter” is sweeping the globe, and it truly has an international presence as readers in 200 nations, in over 40 languages, indulge in this series. A U.S. consumer research survey reports that “over half of all children between the ages of 6 and 17 have read at least one Harry Potter book.” With the financial backing of Warner Brothers, Mattel, Coca Cola, and Scholastic, Inc., Potter is sure to be a force to reckon with for years to come. Public school educators and many parents in America are thrilled with a series that has captured the imagination of children like no other in history, prompting a revived interest in reading. Reading is a good thing, but not all is as innocent as Potter fans would have others believe.
This series of books by British author J.K. Rowling focuses on the plights of young Harry, who is selected to attend the prestigious 1000-year-old Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry himself is an orphan, his parents (practitioners of “white magic”) murdered by the evil Lord Voldemort (a master of the “Dark Arts”. But “when Lord Voldemort, the most powerful Dark Wizard for a century turned the curse that had killed so many witches and wizards on Harry Potter, it rebounded upon Voldemort, ripping him from his body, and his powers gone, barely alive, he fled.”
Children are understandably fascinated with the kind of power that Harry and others in his world possess. Author J.K. Rowling says, “The idea that we could have a child who escapes from the confines of the adult world and goes somewhere where he has power, both literally and metaphorically, really appealed to me.”
Certainly power is appealing, especially “white” witchcraft like this that is made to look so innocent.
Even some Christians leaders agree that it’s “just fantasy” and generally acceptable for the Christian reader, including Chuck Colson of Breakpoint, the editors of World Magazine, and Connie Neal (author of What’s A Christian To Do With Harry Potter?). However, occult experts, Marcia Montenegro of Christian Answers for the New Age and Caryl Matrisciana, author of Gods of the New Age, disagree with their Christian peers. Both have personal experience in the occult before becoming Christians.
... in the Potter series, the line is not so clear. The “good” guys practice “white magic”, while the bad guys practice the “Dark Arts”. Readers become fascinated with the magic used (explained in remarkable detail). Yet God is clear in Scripture that any practice of magic is an “abomination” to him. God doesn’t distinguish between “white” and “dark” magic since they both originate from the same source.
“There shall not be found among you anyone who …practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you. You shall be blameless before the LORD your God. For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the LORD your God has not appointed such for you.”
Deut. 18:10-14
The problem is, witchcraft is not fantasy; it is a sinful reality in our world.
“J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, has gone through an awful lot of research. She is very accurate (otherwise we would have witches all over the country and the world saying ‘this is not a true representation of our religion.’) This is a true representation of witchcraft, and the black arts, and black magic. And yet we have people that say this is merely fantasy and harmless reading for our children. Actually, what makes this more dangerous is that it is couched in fantasy language, and children’s literature, and made to be humorous, and beautifully written and extremely provocative reading. and it just opens up children to want to have the next one. This is what is so harmful.”
“Clara Sessoms, who manages Living Water Christian Books in Marion, Ind. [says] ‘I don’t think people fully realize what they’re dealing with, and I think anyone who knows anything about spiritual warfare knows those books can open the door to spiritual bondage.’ ‘And I think it’s worse that children are the target,’ said Jessica Ruemler, a buyer for Living Water. ‘It opens the doors for young minds. You put sorcery in, what do you expect to get out?’”
“With the growing popularity of youth-oriented TV shows on witchcraft—‘Sabrina, the Teenage Witch;’ ‘Charmed;’ ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’—a generation of children is becoming desensitized to the occult. But with Hollywood’s help, Harry Potter will likely surpass all these influences, potentially reaping some grave spiritual consequences.”
Parents, whether Christian or not, must take an active role in what their children are being exposed to and determine what is appropriate. Christians especially should be guided by God’s Word, the Bible.
Author Richard Abanes has written a book called Harry Potter and the Bible. He says that the movies and books not only teach anti-Christian lessons on the occult, but also moral relativism, and desensitize children to profanity and off-color humor.
So, what is a Christian to do? Ask, seek, and knock. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you lead your family in taking a biblical worldview of morality, seeking to please God (and not conform to man). Seek out what the Bible says about the occult (be sure to read our other articles) and how Christians are to react to it. And knock on the doors of your friends who may also be unsure what to do with Harry Potter. There is a useful video titled “Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged” to share with your family, your church, and others.-
**I shortened the article but you can find the full version at http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/harrypotter.html
You all know how I feel about protecting our kids' mind, body, and spirit. They hold such an innocence and once it's gone, it's gone. You can't get it back.
As our kids start to read, this is made so much harder. I remember not too long after my oldest daughter started to read, I would catch her reading the covers of the tabloid magazines by the checkouts. That was when I thought "Oh my goodness, we are bombarded with smut, immorality, and just plain sin everywhere we go." Don't even get me started with Victoria's Secret stores ... My boys will be banned from malls soon. That's a whole other post.
What our kids read affect them, bottom line. Kids are impressionable and they don't always interpret things correctly.
Last year my oldest daughter was just told about a book called "How To Be Perfect in 3 Days" by a teacher. In the book, a boy is told all of these silly things to do in order to be perfect. One of the things was to not eat for a whole day. So my daughter comes home and tells me she wasn't going to eat for a day. Once I found out what was going on, I wasn't too thrilled with the teacher or the book. (I ended up reading the book and at the end the boy finds out that no one is perfect. That there is nothing you can do to be perfect. I still don't think they should have used not eating as one of the ways but that's my opinion.) My daughter interpreted that totally wrong and was going to try this out in order to obtain perfection.
Kids are willing to try things that sound cool and don't really think of the consequences. This is why we really need to be aware of what our kids are reading and watching and allowing into their minds.
With the new Harry Potter movie coming out, I thought I would share an interesting article that I found.
-The reading phenomenon known as “Harry Potter” is sweeping the globe, and it truly has an international presence as readers in 200 nations, in over 40 languages, indulge in this series. A U.S. consumer research survey reports that “over half of all children between the ages of 6 and 17 have read at least one Harry Potter book.” With the financial backing of Warner Brothers, Mattel, Coca Cola, and Scholastic, Inc., Potter is sure to be a force to reckon with for years to come. Public school educators and many parents in America are thrilled with a series that has captured the imagination of children like no other in history, prompting a revived interest in reading. Reading is a good thing, but not all is as innocent as Potter fans would have others believe.
This series of books by British author J.K. Rowling focuses on the plights of young Harry, who is selected to attend the prestigious 1000-year-old Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry himself is an orphan, his parents (practitioners of “white magic”) murdered by the evil Lord Voldemort (a master of the “Dark Arts”. But “when Lord Voldemort, the most powerful Dark Wizard for a century turned the curse that had killed so many witches and wizards on Harry Potter, it rebounded upon Voldemort, ripping him from his body, and his powers gone, barely alive, he fled.”
Children are understandably fascinated with the kind of power that Harry and others in his world possess. Author J.K. Rowling says, “The idea that we could have a child who escapes from the confines of the adult world and goes somewhere where he has power, both literally and metaphorically, really appealed to me.”
Certainly power is appealing, especially “white” witchcraft like this that is made to look so innocent.
Even some Christians leaders agree that it’s “just fantasy” and generally acceptable for the Christian reader, including Chuck Colson of Breakpoint, the editors of World Magazine, and Connie Neal (author of What’s A Christian To Do With Harry Potter?). However, occult experts, Marcia Montenegro of Christian Answers for the New Age and Caryl Matrisciana, author of Gods of the New Age, disagree with their Christian peers. Both have personal experience in the occult before becoming Christians.
... in the Potter series, the line is not so clear. The “good” guys practice “white magic”, while the bad guys practice the “Dark Arts”. Readers become fascinated with the magic used (explained in remarkable detail). Yet God is clear in Scripture that any practice of magic is an “abomination” to him. God doesn’t distinguish between “white” and “dark” magic since they both originate from the same source.
“There shall not be found among you anyone who …practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you. You shall be blameless before the LORD your God. For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the LORD your God has not appointed such for you.”
Deut. 18:10-14
The problem is, witchcraft is not fantasy; it is a sinful reality in our world.
“J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, has gone through an awful lot of research. She is very accurate (otherwise we would have witches all over the country and the world saying ‘this is not a true representation of our religion.’) This is a true representation of witchcraft, and the black arts, and black magic. And yet we have people that say this is merely fantasy and harmless reading for our children. Actually, what makes this more dangerous is that it is couched in fantasy language, and children’s literature, and made to be humorous, and beautifully written and extremely provocative reading. and it just opens up children to want to have the next one. This is what is so harmful.”
“Clara Sessoms, who manages Living Water Christian Books in Marion, Ind. [says] ‘I don’t think people fully realize what they’re dealing with, and I think anyone who knows anything about spiritual warfare knows those books can open the door to spiritual bondage.’ ‘And I think it’s worse that children are the target,’ said Jessica Ruemler, a buyer for Living Water. ‘It opens the doors for young minds. You put sorcery in, what do you expect to get out?’”
“With the growing popularity of youth-oriented TV shows on witchcraft—‘Sabrina, the Teenage Witch;’ ‘Charmed;’ ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’—a generation of children is becoming desensitized to the occult. But with Hollywood’s help, Harry Potter will likely surpass all these influences, potentially reaping some grave spiritual consequences.”
Parents, whether Christian or not, must take an active role in what their children are being exposed to and determine what is appropriate. Christians especially should be guided by God’s Word, the Bible.
Author Richard Abanes has written a book called Harry Potter and the Bible. He says that the movies and books not only teach anti-Christian lessons on the occult, but also moral relativism, and desensitize children to profanity and off-color humor.
So, what is a Christian to do? Ask, seek, and knock. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you lead your family in taking a biblical worldview of morality, seeking to please God (and not conform to man). Seek out what the Bible says about the occult (be sure to read our other articles) and how Christians are to react to it. And knock on the doors of your friends who may also be unsure what to do with Harry Potter. There is a useful video titled “Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged” to share with your family, your church, and others.-
**I shortened the article but you can find the full version at http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/harrypotter.html
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Motherhood as a Mission Field
MOTHERHOOD AS A MISSION FIELD
by: Rachel Jankovic
As someone once said, “Everyone wants to save the world, but no one wants to help Mom with the dishes.” When you are a mother at home with your children, the church is not clamoring for monthly ministry updates. When you talk to other believers, there is not any kind of awe about what you are sacrificing for the gospel. People are not pressing you for needs you might have, how they can pray for you. It does not feel intriguing, or glamorous. Your work is normal, because it is as close to home as you can possibly be. You have actually gone so far as to become home.
If you are a Christian woman who loves the Lord, the gospel is important to you. It is easy to become discouraged, thinking that the work you are doing does not matter much. If you were really doing something for Christ you would be out there, somewhere else, doing it. Even if you have a great perspective on your role in the kingdom, it is easy to lose sight of it in the mismatched socks, in the morning sickness, in the dirty dishes. It is easy to confuse intrigue with value, and begin viewing yourself as the least valuable part of the Church.
There are a number of ways in which mothers need to study their own roles, and begin to see them, not as boring and inconsequential, but as home, the headwaters of missions.
At the very heart of the gospel is sacrifice, and there is perhaps no occupation in the world so intrinsically sacrificial as motherhood. Motherhood is a wonderful opportunity to live the gospel. Jim Elliot famously said, “He is no fool who gives up that which he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” Motherhood provides you with an opportunity to lay down the things that you cannot keep on behalf of the people that you cannot lose. They are eternal souls, they are your children, they are your mission field.
If you are like me, then you may be thinking “What did I ever give up for them? A desk job? Time at the gym? Extra spending money? My twenty- year- old figure? Some sleep?” Doesn’t seem like much when you put it next to the work of some of the great missionaries, people who gave their lives for the gospel.
Think about the feeding of the five thousand when the disciples went out and rounded up the food that was available. It wasn’t much. Some loaves. Some fish. Think of some woman pulling her fish out and handing it to one of the disciples. That had to have felt like a small offering. But the important thing about those loaves and those fishes was not how big they were when they were given, it was about whose hands they were given into. In the hands of the Lord, that offering was sufficient. It was more than sufficient. There were leftovers. Given in faith, even a small offering becomes great.
Look at your children in faith, and see how many people will be ministered to by your ministering to them. How many people will your children know in their lives? How many grandchildren are represented in the faces around your table now?
So, if mothers are strategically situated to impact missions so greatly, why do we see so little coming from it? I think the answer to this is quite simple: sin. Discontent, pettiness, selfishness, resentment. Christians often feel like the right thing to do is to be ashamed about what we have. We hear that quote of Jim Elliot’s and think that we ought to sell our homes and move to some place where they need the gospel.
But I’d like to challenge you to look at it differently. Giving up what you cannot keep does not mean giving up your home, or your job so you can go serve somewhere else. It is giving up yourself. Lay yourself down. Sacrifice yourself here, now. Cheerfully wipe the nose for the fiftieth time today. Make dinner again for the people who don’t like the green beans. Laugh when your plans are thwarted by a vomiting child. Lay yourself down for the people here with you, the people who annoy you, the people who get in your way, the people who take up so much of your time that you can’t read anymore. Rejoice in them. Sacrifice for them. Gain that which you cannot lose in them.
It is easy to think you have a heart for orphans on the other side of the world, but if you spend your time at home resenting the imposition your children are on you, you do not. You cannot have a heart for the gospel and a fussiness about your life at the same time. You will never make any difference there if you cannot be at peace here. You cannot have a heart for missions, but not for the people around you. A true love of the gospel overflows and overpowers. It will be in everything you do, however drab, however simple, however repetitive.
God loves the little offerings. Given in faith, that plate of PB&J’s will feed thousands. Given in faith, those presents on Christmas morning will bring delight to more children than you can count. Offered with thankfulness, your work at home is only the beginning. Your laundry pile, selflessly tackled daily, will be used in the hands of God to clothe many. Do not think that your work does not matter. In God’s hands, it will be broken, and broken, and broken again, until all who have need of it have eaten and are satisfied. And even then, there will be leftovers.
This came from desiringgod.org
by: Rachel Jankovic
As someone once said, “Everyone wants to save the world, but no one wants to help Mom with the dishes.” When you are a mother at home with your children, the church is not clamoring for monthly ministry updates. When you talk to other believers, there is not any kind of awe about what you are sacrificing for the gospel. People are not pressing you for needs you might have, how they can pray for you. It does not feel intriguing, or glamorous. Your work is normal, because it is as close to home as you can possibly be. You have actually gone so far as to become home.
If you are a Christian woman who loves the Lord, the gospel is important to you. It is easy to become discouraged, thinking that the work you are doing does not matter much. If you were really doing something for Christ you would be out there, somewhere else, doing it. Even if you have a great perspective on your role in the kingdom, it is easy to lose sight of it in the mismatched socks, in the morning sickness, in the dirty dishes. It is easy to confuse intrigue with value, and begin viewing yourself as the least valuable part of the Church.
There are a number of ways in which mothers need to study their own roles, and begin to see them, not as boring and inconsequential, but as home, the headwaters of missions.
At the very heart of the gospel is sacrifice, and there is perhaps no occupation in the world so intrinsically sacrificial as motherhood. Motherhood is a wonderful opportunity to live the gospel. Jim Elliot famously said, “He is no fool who gives up that which he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” Motherhood provides you with an opportunity to lay down the things that you cannot keep on behalf of the people that you cannot lose. They are eternal souls, they are your children, they are your mission field.
If you are like me, then you may be thinking “What did I ever give up for them? A desk job? Time at the gym? Extra spending money? My twenty- year- old figure? Some sleep?” Doesn’t seem like much when you put it next to the work of some of the great missionaries, people who gave their lives for the gospel.
Think about the feeding of the five thousand when the disciples went out and rounded up the food that was available. It wasn’t much. Some loaves. Some fish. Think of some woman pulling her fish out and handing it to one of the disciples. That had to have felt like a small offering. But the important thing about those loaves and those fishes was not how big they were when they were given, it was about whose hands they were given into. In the hands of the Lord, that offering was sufficient. It was more than sufficient. There were leftovers. Given in faith, even a small offering becomes great.
Look at your children in faith, and see how many people will be ministered to by your ministering to them. How many people will your children know in their lives? How many grandchildren are represented in the faces around your table now?
So, if mothers are strategically situated to impact missions so greatly, why do we see so little coming from it? I think the answer to this is quite simple: sin. Discontent, pettiness, selfishness, resentment. Christians often feel like the right thing to do is to be ashamed about what we have. We hear that quote of Jim Elliot’s and think that we ought to sell our homes and move to some place where they need the gospel.
But I’d like to challenge you to look at it differently. Giving up what you cannot keep does not mean giving up your home, or your job so you can go serve somewhere else. It is giving up yourself. Lay yourself down. Sacrifice yourself here, now. Cheerfully wipe the nose for the fiftieth time today. Make dinner again for the people who don’t like the green beans. Laugh when your plans are thwarted by a vomiting child. Lay yourself down for the people here with you, the people who annoy you, the people who get in your way, the people who take up so much of your time that you can’t read anymore. Rejoice in them. Sacrifice for them. Gain that which you cannot lose in them.
It is easy to think you have a heart for orphans on the other side of the world, but if you spend your time at home resenting the imposition your children are on you, you do not. You cannot have a heart for the gospel and a fussiness about your life at the same time. You will never make any difference there if you cannot be at peace here. You cannot have a heart for missions, but not for the people around you. A true love of the gospel overflows and overpowers. It will be in everything you do, however drab, however simple, however repetitive.
God loves the little offerings. Given in faith, that plate of PB&J’s will feed thousands. Given in faith, those presents on Christmas morning will bring delight to more children than you can count. Offered with thankfulness, your work at home is only the beginning. Your laundry pile, selflessly tackled daily, will be used in the hands of God to clothe many. Do not think that your work does not matter. In God’s hands, it will be broken, and broken, and broken again, until all who have need of it have eaten and are satisfied. And even then, there will be leftovers.
This came from desiringgod.org
Monday, July 11, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
Ice Cream in a Bag
I love Family Fun magazine. Have I ever mentioned that before?
In the most recent issue, I saw a recipe for Ice Cream in a Bag. It looks easy, it looks fun, it looks yummy! I'm always looking for activities that everyone can do and enjoy. I think even my two year will get into this.
Forget endlessly cranking the handle of an ice-cream maker. After combining the ingredients, each person can simply shake up his or her own pouch of soft serve--and it's done in just 5 minutes.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup half and half
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup salt (The bigger the granules, the better. Kosher or rock salt works best, but table salt is fine.)
Ice cubes (enough to fill each gallon-size bag about half full)
1 pint-size ziplock bag
1 gallon-size ziplock bag
Instructions
Combine the sugar, half and half, and vanilla extract in the pint-size bag and seal it tightly.
Place the salt and ice in the gallon-size bag, then place the sealed smaller bag inside as well. Seal the larger bag. Now shake the bags until the mixture hardens (about 5 minutes). Feel the small bag to determine when it's done.
Take the smaller bag out of the larger one, add mix-ins, and eat the ice cream right out of the bag. Easy cleanup too!
Serves 1.
We are going to try this this weekend! I'll let you know how it goes.
In the most recent issue, I saw a recipe for Ice Cream in a Bag. It looks easy, it looks fun, it looks yummy! I'm always looking for activities that everyone can do and enjoy. I think even my two year will get into this.
Forget endlessly cranking the handle of an ice-cream maker. After combining the ingredients, each person can simply shake up his or her own pouch of soft serve--and it's done in just 5 minutes.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup half and half
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup salt (The bigger the granules, the better. Kosher or rock salt works best, but table salt is fine.)
Ice cubes (enough to fill each gallon-size bag about half full)
1 pint-size ziplock bag
1 gallon-size ziplock bag
Instructions
Combine the sugar, half and half, and vanilla extract in the pint-size bag and seal it tightly.
Place the salt and ice in the gallon-size bag, then place the sealed smaller bag inside as well. Seal the larger bag. Now shake the bags until the mixture hardens (about 5 minutes). Feel the small bag to determine when it's done.
Take the smaller bag out of the larger one, add mix-ins, and eat the ice cream right out of the bag. Easy cleanup too!
Serves 1.
We are going to try this this weekend! I'll let you know how it goes.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Make it stop ...
This summer vacation I have heard more than my share of whining and I just can't take anymore. But what to do about it?
I found this resource on the iMOM website. I'm hoping this will help me in my quest to end the whines.
Whining: 10 Ways to Get Your Kids to Stop Whining
1. Ignore them
The vast majority of parents polled on this subject all say that ignoring a whining child is a great technique. This tends to come easier for women than it does for men. However, ignoring a whining child will eventually teach them that it gets them nowhere. As one mom said, "They stop when they see it's not working."
2. Leave the room
When your child begins to whine, simply leave the room. A parent explained, "I walk away from my 8-year-old to another part of the house. He eventually comes around to see if I will throw the baseball or whatever. I explain I'd love to if he loses the attitude!" Excellent advice.
3. Remove the cause
When it happens that your child is whining about a particular item, simply remove access to that item. For example: Your children are whining about a toy they both want. After giving them time to work it out themselves, and it gets to that point, take the toy and put it away.
4. Name it
A father notes, "I tell them I don't understand whinese. They know they won't get very far with me, so they check themselves." Using humor in this situation not only lightens the tension, it helps to bond with your kids.
5. Time Out
In cases of young children, the Time Out works for many different issues. This includes whining. An experienced babysitter stated, "Get down to their eye level and explain that you can see they are frustrated. Instruct them to go somewhere quiet and think about why they are upset. In about five minutes, they will come back changed for the better."
6. Watch your tone
Men tend to have very low tolerance for whining. It is a natural instinct to want to use intimidation to squash it usually by raising your voice to a high volume. However, this can lower your child's self-esteem, as well as make them fear you. Instead, try using a firm and strong voice, but in a calm manner.
7. Change the Subject
A parent notes, "With my 3 year-old, changing the subject has an 85% success rate. When he whines, I will ask him a completely random question he can answer. Then we just move on from there." Redirecting the attention of young children is always a great technique for many different situations. They are always eager to share their opinions!
8. The Whiny Jar
If your child receives an allowance, this is an outstanding technique. Whenever your child begins to whine, give them a warning. If it continues, they lose a portion of their allowance, and it goes into The Whiny Jar. When enough money builds up, have them earn back the lost cash with extra chores.
9. You are the role model
Whining is not exclusive to children. We all whine from time to time, and it does not go unnoticed by your kids. Be sure when you are around them to think about the things you say and how they are said. Your kids are learning how to behave from you. Everything starts at the top, so be a good role model, and you will see the results in your children.
10. Make sure your kids get enough sleep
The number one reason a child usually becomes whiny is a lack of proper rest. As one doctor puts it, "Parents usually underestimate the amount of sleep their children require to function at their best. Sleep deprivation puts children's brains in a stress mode that creates a constant state of irritability." Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep and it will help in every aspect of their life.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Pancakes
One of my favorite breakfast foods is pancakes. So yummy! I always make them from scratch because they are easy and I usually have all of the ingredients on hand.
Recently, I decided to try to lighten up my pancake recipe and see what happened. I substituted applesauce for vegetable oil and egg whites for whole eggs.
I made them for the whole family without telling them of the switcheroo. I held my breath as I served them to the pickiest eaters on the planet ...
They never said a word! They gobbled them down and were never the wiser. Yay!
I added blueberries to mine and sprinkled a little powdered sugar over the top. Who needs syrup? Delicious. The best part is that each 1/4 cup of batter is 2 points. That makes quite a large pancake, my friends. Happiness.
Try it out. Here's the recipe:
1 cup flour
1 T sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 egg whites
1 cup skim milk
2 T applesauce
Mix dry and wet ingredients separately. Add wet ingredients to dry and stir until combined.
Pour 1/4 cup batter for each pancake into a hot pan sprayed with cooking spray.
Flip when bubbles form.
Enjoy!
Monday, July 4, 2011
4th of July Quiz
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
George Washington
Thomas Jefferson
Abraham Lincoln
John Adams
How many men signed the Declaration of Independence?
10
115
56
78
Where was the Declaration of Independence signed?
Boston
Philadelphia
New York
Washington
These are the first words of the Declaration of Independence:
When in the course of human events...
Four score and seven years ago...
We have nothing to fear but fear itself....
The Congress shall make no law...
She sewed the first American flag:
Barbara Fritchie
Martha Washington
Victoria Woodhull
Betsy Ross
What was Paul Revere's role in American History?
First American President
British Army Officer
Wrote the Star Spangled Banner
Warned the Americans that the British were coming
This was Paul Revere's occupation:
Blacksmith
Baker
Silversmith
Candlemaker
The Fourth of July holiday celebrates the proclamation of:
American independence from Great Britain
British independence from America
Chinese independence from Great Britain
No taxation without representation
Where can you go to view the original Declaration of Independence?
Independence Hall in Philadelphia
The Oval Office at the White House
The National Archives Center in Washington D.C.
Brooklyn Museum in New York
Who was the King of England during the Revolutionary War?
George II
Charles II
George III
Henry VII
What year was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
1772
1777
1776
2001
Answers:
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
How many men signed the Declaration of Independence?
56
Where was the Declaration of Independence signed?
Philadelphia
These are the first words of the Declaration of Independence:
When in the course of human events...
She sewed the first American flag:
Betsy Ross
What was Paul Revere's role in American History?
Warned the Americans that the British were coming
This was Paul Revere's occupation:
Silversmith
The Fourth of July holiday celebrates the proclamation of:
American independence from Great Britain
Where can you go to view the original Declaration of Independence?
The National Archives Center in Washington D.C.
Who was the King of England during the Revolutionary War?
George III
What year was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
1776
Happy 4th of July!! Be Happy, Be Safe, Be Free!
George Washington
Thomas Jefferson
Abraham Lincoln
John Adams
How many men signed the Declaration of Independence?
10
115
56
78
Where was the Declaration of Independence signed?
Boston
Philadelphia
New York
Washington
These are the first words of the Declaration of Independence:
When in the course of human events...
Four score and seven years ago...
We have nothing to fear but fear itself....
The Congress shall make no law...
She sewed the first American flag:
Barbara Fritchie
Martha Washington
Victoria Woodhull
Betsy Ross
What was Paul Revere's role in American History?
First American President
British Army Officer
Wrote the Star Spangled Banner
Warned the Americans that the British were coming
This was Paul Revere's occupation:
Blacksmith
Baker
Silversmith
Candlemaker
The Fourth of July holiday celebrates the proclamation of:
American independence from Great Britain
British independence from America
Chinese independence from Great Britain
No taxation without representation
Where can you go to view the original Declaration of Independence?
Independence Hall in Philadelphia
The Oval Office at the White House
The National Archives Center in Washington D.C.
Brooklyn Museum in New York
Who was the King of England during the Revolutionary War?
George II
Charles II
George III
Henry VII
What year was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
1772
1777
1776
2001
Answers:
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
How many men signed the Declaration of Independence?
56
Where was the Declaration of Independence signed?
Philadelphia
These are the first words of the Declaration of Independence:
When in the course of human events...
She sewed the first American flag:
Betsy Ross
What was Paul Revere's role in American History?
Warned the Americans that the British were coming
This was Paul Revere's occupation:
Silversmith
The Fourth of July holiday celebrates the proclamation of:
American independence from Great Britain
Where can you go to view the original Declaration of Independence?
The National Archives Center in Washington D.C.
Who was the King of England during the Revolutionary War?
George III
What year was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
1776
Happy 4th of July!! Be Happy, Be Safe, Be Free!
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