To Be or not To Be- a Halloweener

Bruce, the pumpkin (by Aaron H.)

So is it cheating if I post an article from Scott Bennett that is posted on his wife's, Joy, blog???

Whatever. Here it is:

What are your plans for trick-or-treat this year? Will you lock the door, turn off the porch light and retire to the basement? Will you go shopping, or out to eat? Or will you embrace the reality that dozens of little lost souls are parading up to your front door with their hands out, asking you to give them something — anything?

For the first few years of our marriage, Joy and I were the former. To us, participating in any Halloween activity was an endorsement of the demonic. It meant we were OK with the fake human cadavers and the blood-soaked mock murder scenes up and down our street. To us, Halloween had gone way too far, and we were not about to participate. In hindsight, that was not a biblical response.

As years went by, we became convicted as we began to see that the Bible calls us to have a much different attitude toward society. Instead of burying our heads in the sand and plugging our ears, we are to be the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). Instead of turning our backs on what’s going on in society, we are to shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:15). Salt cannot have a seasoning effect if it is left in the cupboard. It must come in contact with blandness before its saltiness can be realized.

Not to mention the biblical commands to show hospitality (Romans 12:13; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8; 1 Peter 4:9). By holing up in our house, we were sending an unspoken message “not welcome” to our closest neighbors, many of whom we had never met — and many of whom probably didn’t know Christ.

We often think of hospitality as entertaining friends in our home for a meal. But the true definition of hospitality differs on three levels. First, hospitality doesn’t necessarily involve an invitation. Secondly, hospitality is extended to strangers, not friends. And thirdly, hospitality isn’t limited to your home.

If you want to get really technical, hospitality is making an uninvited stranger feel welcome in the space where God has placed you, no matter where that is. It can mean welcoming a stranger into your office at work. It can mean extending a warm greeting to a new face at church. It can mean putting your briefcase in your lap on the bus so someone can sit next to you. There are hundreds of other examples.

Halloween is a magnificent opportunity to show the love of Christ to strangers, which moves us much closer to the true definition of hospitality. Sure, these passing strangers are dressed funny and are lugging candy-filled pillow cases. But consider that no other 2-hour window during the year affords us such an obvious opportunity to reflect the glory of Christ to our community.

Joy and I still hand out candy like everyone else, but we include an invitation card to our church. It is subtle. But each time we drop one in a bag, we lift up a prayer that the card will make its way into a home that needs Christ, or that needs a church home. Our job is to plant the seeds and God will grant the fruit in His providence. You may want to use Gospel tracts. Either way, it’s a tremendous opportunity to reach out to the neighborhood with the message of hope.

It was only a few years ago that God helped me to see that as a believer, I had something of infinite value to offer to the witches, goblins, super heroes and scarecrows — and their parents — who graced our front door every year. And that removing myself from trick-or-treat was a terrible mistake. I was wasting our opportunity to simply show the love of Christ, drop an invitation to church into their pillow case — and who knows, maybe even start a conversation that leads to sharing the Gospel.

So this year, don’t retreat to the back bedroom or the basement. Turn on all the outside lights. Open your door and do everything you can to make your house an outpost of heaven — and your life a salty seasoning to your lost neighbors who need Christ. You won’t have this easy an opportunity until next year!

Here is my comment: 

I think that makes sense. I am sitting here in my house on Halloween, aka Reformation Day for we Germans out there, with no porch lights on and no candy or cards for the kiddos and their parents (who are gathered in each other's yards in chairs and around fire pits). And yet I do agree with your article. Really. I know I am missing an opportunity to hang with them. I had friends growing up that were witches, and they loved Halloween. They relished the evil that happens on it, the razors in the candy and so on. When I see fake decapitated heads and limbs hanging from trees, coffins in the yards, evil depictions, etc. I just shudder. I think Romans 1-3. I have absolutely no problem with others participating. None at all. I enjoy seeing the picts of the costumes, and hearing the stories, and buying the candy. I just am not free in my heart to actually participate tonight. The evil of tonight (well, and any night) pains my soul and I just don't want to be a part of it in any way. So I know I am free to take part (Romans 14-15), but my convictions do not allow me. Maybe I am wrong. Maybe I just missed a beautiful opportunity to mingle, but until I can clearly believe I am wrong I cannot deny my convictions. So have fun tonight. Check your candy. Eat gobs of it, and thanks for passing out invitation cards. May the Lord use your family tonight to be salt and light to a family in need of hope.

What do YOU think???

Ari's Philosophy of Counseling

Well, I finished it. The first draft anyway. I emailed it two pastors for their critiques. Now it is your turn. What do you think of "My Official Statement of Philosophy of Counseling"? I know it is not edited completely, but I am excited to be so close to finished with something! 

Counseling Philosophy for Arielle Corcoran

 

When man faces struggles, whether self-imposed or from external sources, deep at heart one must face God through His Scriptures and His Spirit, and come to peace with Him. Often we replace Him with wants that we over emphasize in our lives. Other times we struggle to trust Him in the midst of an ongoing hardship. Either way one needs to seek the truth about Who God is and what He has promised us, and rest in these. Then can the striving end and one return to obedience and peace of mind.

 

When people struggle with issues one needs to start at the circumstances and move deeper to the beliefs and wants they have about the issues at hand. This includes a look at their expectations about the circumstances and the people involved. At that heart level one can then go to the Scriptures and the Spirit and seek His guiding principles for changes, endurance, and for the hope needed to go on day to day.

 

Freeing and powerful change comes at the heart level through God’s Word and Spirit. Behavioral changes without addressing the beliefs and desires of the heart Scripturally cannot endure the messy ugly stuff of life.  Daily we have things that we need to submit to God. Sometimes we face something too large to tackle on our own, and our perspective is too wrapped up in emotion and circumstances to see God or His promises and commands to which we must cling. Often we need the counsel of another going with us to the Scriptures and in prayer helping us find life giving perspectives that return us to a strong relationship with the Lord, for His glory and our joy.

 

The church is the people of God. He has told us and equipped us to mentor /disciple one another. In times of crisis this one anothering is still appropriate and capable of bringing hope and change to others for the tools and the skills come straight from the love, grace and power of the Lord. A counselor is under the authority of the Lord, His Word and His Spirit. Practically speaking this takes place in a local family of Christ-followers under the authority of the elders of that group of believers.

 

Though it is helpful to use resources along with the Scriptures for the practical application of God’s principles one must handle these carefully. As a counselor of God’s Word I only use materials from authors that also believe the Scriptures are authoritative and inerrant. I would not want to use materials from authors that have their foundation in psychology, which does not have a godly foundation and often is at odds with the Lord and His Word. I believe what we have been given in the Scriptures is sufficient, “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Cor 12.8-10 There is power and promise in the Word of God. For you. “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him!” Ps 34.8

Political Activism-1

We heard Gov. Sarah Palin speak today. Wow! She is every bit as good as Obama on the stage. I was very impressed with what we heard. Very. Finally. Most of it anyway. She talked about balancing the budget in 4 years. FOUR. And she ended with a strong push to take care of disabled/handicapped children. Now I wish we had gone to hear Barack Obama last week as well. Great experience. Easy to get there, park and get out. Wow! 

The unprepared Boy Scout. It was cold out in the clouds and wind. Brrr.


Jaime and Abigail Schechter went with us. Hubby Andrew picked up the tickets yesterday and Abigail got us VIP entrance due to having a stroller. Thanks Abigail!!!  Note the freezing Alexes who did not bring a jacket or sweatshirt. Brr again!

People were hootin and hollerin most of the time. It was very energetic. The opening band was the Bellamy Brothers. They were good. It was country music though. Not very multi-culturally sensitive. Felt sorry for the brothers that were there.

What a neat experience. Isn't homescholing great? We got to GO TO government class today. Hands on Learning!

Learned Something New!

OK, I know that some of you are way past this level, but I just learned how to link a website to a word (i.e. in my Depression post Patiently Hope and Quietly Wait below, and also here, I linked the name Spurgeon to the actual site of his sermon- READ IT E & M). So now in my blogs you can just click on the word and go directly to the site. Cool. Thanks, Cynthia C. for teaching me how (and Keith C. for showing your dear wife!). Let's practice.

Did you know that if you sign up for Planet Smoothie's e-newsletter (OK, Mom & Dad, click on the words Planet Smoothie) you will get a free 22oz. smoothie for your birthday? I just had mine last week. Yum Yum!

Here's another one. A Child's Hope Intl. is trying to save the starving children in Africa, and also to get children adopted-locally or from over seas,  and also to get local children in foster care. Check them out!

That is all for now. But it is not all for good. I will be back! I still have that Tagged thing to do for Jaime, family picts to post....

See ya!

Faces of Rejoicing

Faces of joy.

http://jaimeschechter.blogspot.com/2008/10/grateful-friday.html

Another dear sister's blog has Grateful Friday posts. What at GREAT idea. Pun intended. :0)

When raising rowdy & rambunctious toddler boys I put a sheet on the fridge that was titled:

"Praise God for Positives".

Everyday I wrote down something positive that had occurred that day. In the midst of numerous "training" opportunities I would often assume nothing pleasant had occurred all day. That sheet helped me see I was wrong. Can you say "good counseling homework idea"?

I wonder now that I am raising two teen aged boys....

Palin Ponderings-Part Deux

ONE MORE MUCH SHORTER post put today on my friend's blog:

http://dea-frommyhearttoyours.blogspot.com/2008/09/vote-biblically-and-be-light-for-him.html

OOO, that was long. Um, sorry. But also, thinking big picture here... Wives are under the headship of their own husband, not anyone else's. Men in general have no authority over women in general- since we are all equal in God's sight. Men AND women are both under the leadership positions (elders/deacons) of the church. Plus, since Palin is a woman and FOR life and actually faced a pre-birth announcement of handicaps for her son yet chose to have him along with teenage pregnancy, and since she did not FORCE (as I have heard some democrats accuse) her daughter to choose life, but has stood by her all the way in the post-pregnancy hoopla, perhaps other women will hear her message of the sanctity of life. It may be that her message is a bit more tolerable for some women. Would that God would use her that way.  

So, what do you think?! See need for corrections?

Palin Politics-Women in Leadership

I entered this in the comment section of a dear sister's blog:

http://dea-frommyhearttoyours.blogspot.com/2008/09/vote-biblically-and-be-light-for-him.html

Tell me what YOU think about this issue...

OK, so I guess I will put in my two cents worth. Well, you can have it for free. :) You said you missed me.... I also see no evidence in the Scriptures that commands a woman may not work outside the house. I see lots of reasons why it is great for her to not have to do so. I see it more and more difficult in our culture to fellowship d/t the fatigue of the women (who tend to hold the "social" calendar-planning, cleaning, cooking for said fellowship times) and the fact that they are running to and fro taking care of so many diverse matters. I see how no one being home to take care of kids and chores etc means huge shifts in our culture that I don't like seeing. It is difficult to make a "lovely" and peace filled home when distracted by so much work and business. It is difficult to reach our kid's hearts and characters when away from them more hours than not most of their lives. Of course mothers being home all day doesn't guarantee perfect outcome either. All that comes under His sovereignty. But the verses that teach us to love our families, to have things in order at home, to be an excellent wife do not say-only stay home once you marry. The Proverbs 31 wife seems to be busy telling her servants what to do at her home all day while she is off buying, selling, trading. She DOES do many things for her family and things are in order- so to speak- at home, but she isn't sitting around the house all day doing it herself. It clearly shows her in commerce and the community as well as at home. Her HEART is turned home to her family and to quality care for them, but she is also out of the home busy as well. It seems that the Lord is concerned about her motives and her character more than where she is busy all day. The Scriptures also command women be taught. Well, why? So we can have book clubs at home with the other ladies around us (really difficult to find now a days cause they are all at work where we apparently should not be-so how to befriend them today?) and appear knowledgeable? Why teach them? Can't we just go to our husbands and church elders for information if we don't really need to be taught? Why homeschool my sons? I am just a woman. In the whole Bro/Sister thing of things- should I even teach them? Seriously. Think about that all the way through. As for voting, we are commanded to respect our government- even tho it is flawed. GOD puts the leaders in place. HE asks us to respect them even when clearly unrepentant sinners. OUR current system asks that we vote in leaders. I am not personally thrilled about any current Pres. candidate or the VP for that matter, but my current system asks me to pick one. So I will. Be they man or woman. I will pick what I think is the most Godly of choices and trust God with the outcome. Also I'll be praying. :0) Clearly in today's society we have few men seeking to be Godly leaders at home or in the country. They are not all evil, but not that great at leading or of strong character. Therefore I am not afraid of the Lord putting a woman in the office of leadership if no man is up to it at the moment. That is HIS choice. It is not a sin for a woman to lead the country or Deborah would have been an abomination to the Lord. Yet HE put her there. Yes, I know, she was the exception to the rule. I am not thrilled with women leaders as a whole- hormones and babies and homes make her a torn heart. Men do not seem to be wired to intentionally take care of all that unless pressed to when widowed or left by wives. But still, the Scriptures never say it was bad to be led by Deborah. I agree with women not teaching from the pulpit, but I have seen the Lord use some for His good and glory, and I struggle to call them apostate. I just want Jesus preached. It is all about Him and not so much about all this lifestyle stuff. Really. The heart matters more to Him than the externals. The externals DO testify to what is in the heart, but they are only a window to the soul- they are NOT THE testimony. Who Jesus is and What He did is the testimony. We need to respond with love and compassion and truth (about Him) and so forth. The color of your clothes, the beat of your music and whatnot do NOT save or even DRAW others to Christ. That is the Spirit's work. Again, we tend to put too much emphasis on our won works. Also she is not in sin with her own husband because HE has not asked her to step down. He is has freed her up by taking on some of the responsibilities at home. If this is OK with HIM, who are we to accuse her of disrespecting him? It is between them. Again Scriptures do not say that he can't help out at home. Please tell me you don't know of any verses that say so. :0) I understand your arguments. Really. I especially understand the heart behind them that truly loves her Lord, her husband and her son. I understand that you want to honor them all and glorify the Lord in your time on this earth. God is so good to us, Dea. It makes sense that you would want to sing His praises and be found faithful. I only caution you to read His Word carefully. There is very little in it about lifestyle and very much in it about our hearts and our character. Oh that we, His children and some of His visible evidence in this world, could but be humble, meek, loving and joyful creatures. Oh that we could be so in love with Him that those around us would see that they are missing something. Obama, McCain, Palin and that other VP guy. Does it really matter, in the big picture, which one the Lord puts in the white house? I will do my part and pay attention and vote for the one that I believe is most inline with a utopian America where God is valued. Then I will pray and trust the Lord for all the rest. As for calling Palin a feminist unChristlike woman: well, I can pray for her too and trust that the Lord is sovereign over her and her family as well. If He needs for her to make changes then He will make sure it happens. She needs our prayers not criticism. She gets enough of that from the world. We can off her something better- prayer and love.

Quick Updates

Hello All!

Today Alex and I and another Alex go to the Creation Museum, then run by the Boy Scouts store. 

Then I leave for a ladies' retreat where I get to lead us in prayer times- fun but scary!!!

Then Alex leaves to help cubbies on an overnight Cub Scouts camp. He gets to assist the reptile guy Saturday. You KNOW he's loving that!!!

Isaac has soccer on Saturday and he and Christopher are on their own tonight. Well, Phoebe will be with them. :0) Maybe they'll go to the double feature at the drive-in with the neighbor. Maybe stay in for pizza and a movie? Who knows. I am sure junk food will be involved!

KINDA nervous about Alex's first overnight in the big huge tent with NO ONE that we know. Will he be safe? Will he be nervous? Will he be a good and responsible helper? Will....

Praying Psalm 27 last night and tonight. 

1The LORD is my light and my salvation—
       whom shall I fear? 
       The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
       of whom shall I be afraid?

 2 When evil men advance against me 
       to devour my flesh, 
       when my enemies and my foes attack me, 
       they will stumble and fall.

 3 Though an army besiege me, 
       my heart will not fear; 
       though war break out against me, 
       even then will I be confident.

 4 One thing I ask of the LORD, 
       this is what I seek: 
       that I may dwell in the house of the LORD 
       all the days of my life, 
       to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD 
       and to seek him in his temple.

 5 For in the day of trouble 
       he will keep me safe in his dwelling; 
       he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle 
       and set me high upon a rock.

 6 Then my head will be exalted 
       above the enemies who surround me; 
       at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; 
       I will sing and make music to the LORD.

 7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; 
       be merciful to me and answer me.

 8 My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" 
       Your face, LORD, I will seek.

 9 Do not hide your face from me, 
       do not turn your servant away in anger; 
       you have been my helper. 
       Do not reject me or forsake me, 
       O God my Savior.

 10 Though my father and mother forsake me, 
       the LORD will receive me.

 11 Teach me your way, O LORD; 
       lead me in a straight path 
       because of my oppressors.

 12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, 
       for false witnesses rise up against me, 
       breathing out violence.

 13 I am still confident of this: 
       I will see the goodness of the LORD 
       in the land of the living.

 14 Wait for the LORD; 
       be strong and take heart 
       and wait for the LORD.

I'm Late. I'm Late, for a Very Important Date

Charity begins at home. Well before 10AM.

Up before the alarm. Coffee in the cup. Email and weather checked. Boys up and eating breakfasts. Load in the washer and their chores begun while I stumble downstairs for my 8+ miles on the bike and arm weights.

Listen to boys argue about each other's chores.
Down comes the dog to look for chewables left all over the basement floor (i.e. Legos).
Down comes son #1 to tell me I have 3 minutes before I need to leave.
Down comes son #2 to tell me he just needs to pack his lunch and then we need to leave.
Let sons know that I KNOW what time it is. Smile.
Struggling to breathe and mighty sweaty by now.

Put clothes in the dryer. Inform said boys that I will do Pilates before leaving, and that I will leave with plenty of time before school begins.

Sweat through Pilates. Listen to boys argue about whether the shoes are basketball court shoes or tennis court shoes. Face redder- not a pretty exerciser.
Stand up to get son for school and am told that it was about time and that he was about to come get me. More arguing between boys about the blasted shoes. Yell.

In the car. Driving and "reminding" son that I am sick of being surrounded by negativity and criticism. That I am trying to get a million things done in a timely manner (like all good Christian women) and that I don't need or appreciate their nagging and pestering. AND that I really don't want to be subjected to their constant bickering. Feeling guilty. So, tell him that this is not how I want to drop him off to begin his day at school (SO un-Christ-like but it IS their faults, right?). Blah, blah, blah. Or is that drip, drip, drip- Proverbs:19:13?

Home again. Put yet another layer of stain on the bookshelves. Have other son water plants outside. Take a shower. Cannot find new razor blades. Take another load downstairs for the washer. Finish loading the dishwasher and turn on. Wipe down kitchen. Begin school. And read these words...

"In the Christian community thankfulness is just what it is anywhere else in the Christian life. Only he who gives thanks for little things receives the big things. We prevent God from giving us the great spiritual gifts He has in store for us, because we do not give thanks for daily gifts. We think we dare not be satisfied with the small measure of spiritual knowledge, experience, and love that has been given to us, and that we must constantly be looking forward eagerly for the highest good. Then we deplore the fact that we lack the deep certainty, the strong faith, and the rich experience that God has given to others, and we consider this lament to be pious. We pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary, small (and yet really not small) gifts. How can God entrust great things to one who will not thankfully receive from Him the little things? If we do not give thanks daily for the Christian fellowship in which we have been placed, even when there is no great experience, no discoverable riches, but much weakness, small faith, and difficulty; if on the contrary, we only keep complaining to God that everything is so paltry and petty, so far from what we expected, then we hinder God from letting our fellowship grow according to the measure and riches which are there for us all in Jesus Christ."
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Life Together the Classic Exploration of Faith in Community

So there you have it. I was really feeling sorry for myself for all the ingratitude surrounding my ever so busy morning. The implication that I was not taking care of things well enough was grating on my stretched nerves. After all I spend so much of My time on Their stuff....

Anyway after reading that and more, I realized I had the wrong focus, AGAIN.

So, now, today, I am trying to only open my mouth in praise.

Patiently Hope and Quietly Wait

"One affords himself no pity when in this case, because it seems so unreasonable, even sinful, to be troubled without manifest cause. Yet troubled the man is, even in the very depths of his spirit. If those who laugh at such melancholy did but feel the grief of it for one hour, their laughter would be sobered into compassion."

At times all of life seems to be against you. It chews you up and leaves you in an exhausted heap on the floor. It does not make sense. An end is not visible. And you wonder, is it worth the cost? Does my breath make a difference?

Other times you go through things where you watch brothers and sisters hurt each other, and you know, you KNOW that is not what the Lord meant when He left us down here together. We were meant to live in grace, mercy, love. It is especially painful when hurt comes from our "family." And you wonder, does anyone see Jesus in all this?

Then there are times when you know you are on the edge of something. Some ministry. Some responsibility that you know you cannot meet. Not in your flesh. No Way. And that is scary.

What if one finds themselves facing all of those at once? What if the Accuser is reminding you of your past? What if the Author is showing you glimpses of your future? What if your Flesh is screaming for clarity in your today? Could one find themselves weary in heart, body, mind?

I think so. I know so. I've just come away from heart wrenching experiences with brothers and sisters behaving badly. I had no idea how much it saddened my soul. The disillusionment still not fully understood. I have gone through changes of jobs, schedule, church family, my neighbor just found out she may not have long to live- and she has young children, then there are the usual stresses, and on it goes. Now I am about to take the second and final level of the counseling program. It is intense. It forces you to take a good look at your heart. And I have been avoiding some things with the Lord that I will not be able to avoid much longer. Tell me how to be perky?

Last Sunday I was thinking that maybe God wants us to live in parallel worlds? One reality that is all the negatives that must be daily faced- world hunger, poverty, meanness, the budget; one reality that is all the positives that give us the ability to always rejoice, give thanks and sing with abandon. So now I wonder how to co-exist? How does one live in both? At one time, or in seasons of each? I don't want to pretend the one does not exist, but I do not want to wallow in sorrow either. What does this look like? Why is it so exhausting?

And then I figure something is just wrong with me, a defect. Why am I like this? I hear my mother telling me to quit being so dramatic. My father telling me to stop thinking so much- we never thought about these things. [The WE being that more enlightened generation from which he hails.] Smile. And I know I am a disappointment to my Father. A useless tool for the Spirit. A dismal picture of Jesus Christ. So I just sit on the deck watching the sun rise, drinking my coffee and wait to go Home. For I cannot possibly be any use here on this earth to my Lord .

And Then, a message from my Father....

Ah, Spurgeon. His sermon about depression and the spiritual man "just happens" to appear in my Inbox. He tells it like it is with no games and no confusion. He also tells it with power and purpose and praise. I have been down. Really down. The things that just were and the things to come occupying too much of my heart and soul. The Accuser reminding me of my failures every day. On top of that the complete weakness and uselessness of my flesh have weighed heavy on my heart lately. Waking up each day waiting for the night. Waiting for the rest, that never comes.

If you find yourself struggling with hearts- Gods', yours, others'. If you find yourself downcast. Read the sermon by Spurgeon in the above link. It is long. Very long. But therein you will find encouragement for your soul. Purpose for your pain. Strength for your walk. Are you tired? Read on. Are you disillusioned? Read on. Are you dull? Find the Reason to shine again. It is there. He is there.

Psalm 27:13-14

I am still confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the LORD

in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

"Set small store by present rewards, be grateful for earnests by the way, but look for the recompensing joy hereafter. Continue, with double earnestness, to serve your Lord when no visible result is before you.

Any simpleton can follow the narrow path in the light: faith’s rare wisdom enables us to march on in the dark with infallible accuracy, since she places her hand in that of her Great Guide. Between this and Heaven there may be rougher weather yet, but it is all provided for by our Covenant Head. In nothing let us be turned aside from the path which the divine call has urged us to pursue." All quotes -Charles H. Spurgeon

Ramblings

School is going well. It is over so very quickly each day. Then he is free to fill his time with things that truly matter in a young man's life: creatures from the creek, homemade parachutes, walking the dog. The things of life.

My younger one began 6th grade today in the public school system. His last year there, I hope. He is very excited to see old friends missed over the busy summer. I pick him up in an hour to hear about the fun things that he did today, his first day back.

I think the AC/furnace AND fridge are all about to go kaput. Oh, joy. I think I would rather spend the money on a trip to Hawaii. Is that an option? Jaime, we do not get to practice the nothing new for a month gig right now, bummer.

My hubby is traveling again. Eating at new restaurants and burning the midnight oil. He is missed.

The built-in bookshelves are still not built in. They are still in the garage. Every time I fix something a new problem arises. Now I get to sand them down- part of them anyway- and re-stain and re-polyurethane them. Oh, joy. Will they ever be finished?

Level two of the counseling program begins Monday. Then I will have a lot of my own homework to do each week. I really need to get those shelves finished!!!

Well, that's all that is going on at our house. Drop us a line and catch us up with yourselves!

Chivalry Is Dead?!

Question:
How many men does it take to jump start a car?
Answer:
None

It was rush hour when I stopped for gas. The lines a bit long because the price was really low for this area (I scope this out daily). Almost all the people filling up or waiting in lines were men.

Now let me preface this with the fact that I am not a feminist. Not at all. I do not want to be a man, nor do I worry about equality. We are both equal in God's sight. Good enough for me. I have nothing to prove.

That said understand I do appreciate a gentleman, but they are an endangered species. Is that just in the north, Cindi?! John C. Whitcomb is the epitome of a gentleman, but he is ancient and will probably not be on this tired earth much longer. Oh, I digress.

This evening the man in front of me had trouble pulling away from the pump because, he said after getting out to check, that the vehicle in front of him would not start and was blocking the way. So I offered to back up and the car behind me was gracious enough to back up and he left.

As I pulled up to his vacated spot the lady, with a car load of small children, asked me if I had jumper cables. Fortunately (did I just write fortunately!) my batter just quit a week ago, and my dear husband left the cables in my trunk (after buying me a new battery). So I gave them to her and proceeded to pump gas into my car which was behind her car. I could not get to her front to attach the cables and so I started the pump filling my car.

I then asked the 3 men around us, in their big, American made trucks, if they would quickly jump start her car as soon as they finished. They had all begun filling their tanks long before me. It would have taken them what, 2 minutes?!

They all said no. They all gave different answers:
1. I have a trailer and it would block traffic when I pull forward. I disagreed with him, but it was a no go. He barely wanted to look at me. He COULD have pulled forward and the vehicle behind still reach the pump.
2. I have to pick up my daughter from volleyball right now. I was amazed that he could not spare at most 2 minutes to start her car. The cables were mine to pack up when it was finished. Alas, it was a no way. He barely wanted to look at me.
3. It will mess up the electrical components on my truck. WHAT? WHAT? So I asked him if he was just going to leave her like this? Well, he LOUDLY informed me that he was not going to mess up his electrical. Again, WHAT? He really struggled to look me in the eyes as well.

Honestly, all three struggled to look me in the eyes. I loudly proclaimed that I guess chivalry is dead. At that point a woman, yes, a woman, in an old junker, pulled out of the spot behind mr. electrical concerns. She jump started the poor, downtrodden and discouraged lady's car. All of us were amazed that NONE of the three men would help, nor would any of the other men waiting in line come over and help. It took women to help this woman. All the men stood there or sat there and looked at the ground.

I don't know. Maybe it is just a chivalry thing, but she was of a certain culture as well. A culture different from all the men there. I wonder if she had been a blond bombshell in a swanky car if the men would have slobbered all over themselves to get to her.

I know, that sounds terrible. I was so mad I could yell. I was so disheartened that I barely stopped my tears. What a world.

Needless to say the boys were told under NO UNCERTAIN TERMS were they EVER to leave a lady stranded. EVER.

And color? Different colors just makes the world more beautiful. That's all there is about color. How boring if we were all the same?!

Signed, a disheartened and naive woman.

Who Am I?

So do you ever ask yourself that question? I know Whose I am, but who am I? 

So many things can make up a woman's life: Wife, Mother, Daughter of man, Daughter of The King, Friend, Sister, Neighbor, Employee or Employer, Athlete, Hobby Enthusiast, Servant, and on and on. 

So on which one does the woman concentrate? How does she do one well and keep up with the others? Does she just concentrate on all of them depending on which one is in the most need at the moment? You know, survival method. Can she be all that and simplify as well? Is she doomed to failure because so many things are pulling at her?

Some women (people) seem to be really good at one main thing in their life. How do you concentrate on one main thing? Who takes care of the rest?

What about passion, joy, intentionality?! Where do they fit in to it all?

What if the woman likes to do some things better than others, but has a responsibility to fulfill the other things as well? 

And then there is always the, "I'm a failure," thing that women seem to be drawn to- in numerous areas of their life.

Philippians 3:13-15

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.

So, Ladies, I don't know where you are in life: happy, content, at peace, encouraged, concerned, fearful, frustrated, exhausted. But I do know that there is an Ever Present Help, and He has promised that this is not the end but the road to the beginning of forever.

I may not know "who I am," and it may drive me nuts at times, but I know there is One that has a plan and a purpose for me. Day by day He is willing to lead me in it. So I may get discouraged or weary or even fearful, but as long as I know Whose I am- there is hope!!!

School Begins!

Alex and I begin homeschooling today. That meant getting up much earlier than usual for summertime. Isaac gets to begin his school schedule this week as well (tho he doesn't understand WHY). So I did let them sleep in until 7:30AM, but then it was up and at em! 

I am looking forward to this year. I have not had time alone with Alex for almost 12 years. I look forward to getting to know him better. Heart to heart. I pray that this year will be a time of renewal and of drawing our hearts to the Lord and each other in a deeper way. 

Of course I also want him to excel academically, but his heart and character matter more to me than just his mind. One of the challenges will be what to do with Isaac all day. :0)

If all goes well we get to go to a friend's house this afternoon. Lord willing!!!!

Oh did I mention that I still haven't figured out how to finish staining the built in book shelves- where all the homeschool stuff is supposed to go, and that Christopher left for Newark- he'll be there every week for 12 weeks? Oh well. Moving on....

A Cup of Tea and Thee

A cup of tea. A moment with you, and then a book. What a perfect moment.

This week I have had the privilege of teaching arts to 3rd-6th grade kids at Camp Harmony. While exhausting, it really has been a fun time. I have enjoyed doing the sculpting, grouting, baking, painting etc. with them, and their creativity astounds me. Not to mention their energy! Usually the evenings this week have found me seeking quiet after the melee of the days. :0) Tomorrow we will work with metal, and then wrap up the week on Friday with some sewing. These kiddos are adorable- and talented!

Isaac has not been in my classes, but I hear he is good at washing dishes! Alex has been helping the cooking classes and the music classes. They are also tired, but happy. Yesterday they went to Laser Craze with the Hinners, Beesons, and a Crull  and a Botkin, and had a buddy sleep over. Today they hung out at the Farmers all afternoon. What a busy and fun week we have had! All this after Alex JUST got back from the mission trip. More on that later.

Today, after camp, I have cleaned out the guest room and closet in anticipation of our dear friends and their 4 children visiting Sat/Sun. I had stored a lot of future yard sale stuff in the room, and the furniture was not put back after the new carpet installation. Needless to say I have spend the last few hours cleaning and straightening. 

Off to finish up some laundry and then the book. Hope YOU are having a fun and creative week as well! 

The Faces of Missions

My firstborn just left for his first mission trip. I am excited for him, and a tiny bit nervous. I guess it is a mother's right. I have some picts from the team getting ready to head off to The Happy Church. 

Here is their website:  http://www.thehappychurch.org/

Let me know if you want the Hope Church Jr. High Blog address.

Great friends giving Jesus to the wounded at heart!

Can you find yourself in these picts?!

Excited Kids...

Proud Parents....

No, really, WHERE are we going to put all this stuff?!?!?!

Our fearless nurse and leader, Nina.

We are SO excited, Jesus Rocks!!!!!

Um, is that holy laughter?

GO TEAM!!!

Praying...

Leaving!

Wait, is Nick screaming something?

May God go ahead of them and with them!