Couple time – reading together
January is nice for some specific reasons. The flurry of the holiday season is over, some of the kids are usually sick (not nice) but it means we are home more and they are in bed early, and there are a few less meetings at night. That means a little more…time.
So, often before bed, Jeff and I have been conducting our own nightly “Book Club.”
Right before Christmas he picked up the Ted Dekker/Frank Peretti thriller – titled House.
He reads me a chapter in the evenings while I finish up kitchen work. I usually beg like a child, “Oh please…just one more chapter?” or say, “That’s all you’re going to read?” Somehow, it makes the drudgery of picking through turkey bones or washing up stray dishes pass a little easier.
The book itself is rather strange (er…really, really, really strange), but I love sharing this time and hearing his voice. A book that is read aloud sounds different than one that is read silently. I find that I respond more – chuckle or grimace along with the inflections as he reads. He does “voices” and accents. He plays the big scary guy really well, but struggles with the role of self-centered country music starlet.
Perhaps, given time, he’ll grow into the role. 
Maybe your husband would like to do this too? Let him choose the book (!) and sit back and enjoy. Or – if like me you can’t sit still - clean up the kitchen or fold laundry or knit a baby hat. It’s just another way to spend time and grow together – and that’s always a good thing.
Moving yet again!
Yes, it is true.
You may find my new site, still called Seeking Faithfulness, just a click away.
I am so technoignorant, that when I set this place up I changed the names around so many times and ended up with a url and site name that didn’t match up. According to my wordpress search site, people have been having trouble finding me because of this…(what did she call that place again?) and so hopefully homogenization will help.
Anyway.
I have imported most of the archives over there – and look forward to developing that place futher as time passes. For those of you who just got around to adding me to your blogrolls, please forgive me. I will try not to mess you up again. I will get around to blogrolls at the new place, as soon as I can. I will leave this site up for a few weeks, to catch stragglers.
What are you waiting for? Hop on over and see me!
Things you don’t want to hear them say…
My 12 year old strolled past as I worked in the kitchen today. He casually called back over his shoulder, “Oh, Mom…if you happen to see a really Large, Dark Green, Thick, Slimy…..”
My ears leaned long to hear him…
“Bullfrog…just let me know.”
And he left the room before I could shriek – “IN THE HOUSE?”
He popped his head back around the corner to say, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, “Yeah. I had him in a jar, and didn’t realize he would jump out.”
Well, now he knows.
At least it wasn’t snakes. He brings me about 7 of those a day.
It’s a baby shower!
Come Right On In!
This is one shower that I am thrilled to take part in, along with my friends from the olden days at Choosing Home.
Following the loss of her first son, and then subsequent years of infertility following the birth of her daughter, our dear friend and former web mistress, Jenna, is expecting a baby. Jenna’s daughter, who is five years old, used to pray for another little baby every night. God has heard her cry, and those of her Mommy and Daddy, and has sent this new little one who is still growing on the vine. Isn’t God MARVELOUS! I am still just breathless at it all.
If ever a woman deserved a party – Jenna does.
It is just a joy to reunite, one more time, with the other gals from Choosing Home, and celebrate the Lord’s goodness to our dear friend.
Think of this as a multi-roomed party. Dawn kicks things off over at Choosing Home. Lynn will be sharing some recipes there as well. Molly shares some of Jenna’s story, Dawn gives Jenna (and you) some wonderful gifts of decorations for baby’s room and favorite books for little ones, Ann V. delights us with scripture, and me? I’m posting some of my very favorite links, custom assembled for Jenna.
Dive right in, enjoy the fun – and feel free to leave Jenna congratulations and prayers and well wishes in the comment section below. We love you, Jenna and family!
Jenna, Here’s a good link for baby names and their meanings. Isn’t it so much fun to search for just the right baby name?
And here’s my favorite place to buy maternity clothing. You can find ANYTHING here.
Jenna loves to work with yarn – so here’s a BUNCH of free patterns for baby items. And here’s some more. There are so many incredible yarns out there that are a pleasure to work with. Hey…that gives me an idea…. 
While we’re making something…how about the directions to make a wrap to carry baby in? It doesn’t get much more simple than this! Jenna can make just about anything with her hands.
And although this site is meant to help women who carry breech, this site taught me so much about how a baby lies within the womb, and how to help it get into position for birth.
Here’s a link to Super Baby Foods by Ruth Yaron – which is one of the things I’m going to be sending to Jenna while she waits on the little bean. It is THE BEST BOOK hands down on the issue of feeding a child for ANY mom!
Last, but not least…this is the neatest site about saving money and making homemade diapers out of just about anything. It’s called Frugal Diapering…and some of them are so cute!
Speaking of CUTE, you need to head over to Jenna’s site to see the ultrasound pictures of her ….well, go see for yourself! They are just posted today.
Thank you Jesus, for the work you are doing!
Delighting WITH all of you -
Holly
What then should a mother read?
I suspect the world is divided into book lovers and non – book lovers.
It is something we don’t seem to be ambivalent about. We either have a stack of books piled upon the side table or in every nook and cranny – or we could care less about reading and find fulfillment in other ways.
What SHOULD a mommy read? Should she even BE reading? I mean…there’s so much else she should be doing. Maybe she should feel guilty when she IS reading.
There’s lots of different thought on this. Some feel you aren’t intellectual if you aren’t reading. Some say you can’t read fiction. Some say you can only read if your house is spotless and you have a month of freezer meals tucked away. I have a friend who only allows herself to read in winter. Summer is for industry; winter is for reading. (Her home is always spotless, kids perfectly behaved and she’s gorgeous to boot. It stinks having her for a friend, let me tell you.)
Karen Andreola (author of the Charlotte Mason Companion) says that reading is vital to a mother. She says you should always have three books going on. (At least, Karen!) One should be to challenge you, perhaps dealing with meaty doctrinal subjects. The second should be an easy read….perhaps a biography. The third should be simply for pleasure, a book to transport you away.
If you like to read, I believe this is good advice. Even when you are a busy mommy.
Charlotte Mason advised replenishing the soul with a continual supply of ideas. “Never be without a good book on hand….Do not think this is a selfish thing to do, because the advantage does not end with yourself.”
It is not written anywhere reputable that in order to be a good mommy you must not take the time to read. All things in balance, you know. I’m sure there will be days and seasons where you are not able to read much…we all go through times like that.
But in general, when a mom tells me that she “loves to read, but just can’t find time” I feel a little sad.
Reading is the best way to keep from feeling that your intellect is rotting. When you crave adult conversation after days at home with the little people – a book is there to help you join in the “great conversation” of life. Some of you have mentioned sharing books with your husband. It gives you something to talk about. I like Karen’s advice on how to balance the reading. I’ve been thru phases where I’ve only read fiction. I’ve been thru phases where I’ve only read medical type books. Phases for current events, biographies, topics…
I’ve had days where the only reading I’ve been able to do have been while brushing my teeth before bed or a paragraph on the potty. Whatever works.
If you are neglecting your children and feeding them absolute junk so that you can read; then yes, you have issues that you need to deal with. J But otherwise – don’t feel guilty for a 10 minute break to feed your mind. You ARE what you read!
p.s. Disclaimer. For those who need to hear me say it…OF COURSE the Bible is the FIRST book you should be reading. That goes without saying. :)
Too cute felt crafts
I ran across these books for making felt items. Felt miniatures are just so cute, and so easy to make.
Last year my daughters loved making little people from beads and pipe cleaners, then had just a blast dressing them up in felt clothes and accessories. You can see examples here, at Hope Chest Legacy. Fun, fun, fun!
Tell me about where and how you worship…
I broke the last post into two questions. I realized that perhaps I was asking too much in one place. So go to the post below to tell me how you see God moving in this generation. And, in this comment box, I’d love to hear about your church gathering. Home church, Fundamental, Emergent, Emerging, Reformed, Wesleyan Armenian…tell me what’s good about your fellowship. (That’s for Molly. I’m trying to use up all of her descriptions.) If there’s nothing good…then you need to be finding a new fellowship! )
Let me tell you about my local Church body. My husband pastors a Missionary Church in Michigan. We are an evangelical denomination which focuses on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and living a life of holiness. We are not necessarily denominationally bound, it is just a good fit right now. From a practical perspective, the denomination is dedicated to church planting and world missions. A good percentage of our budget is dedicated to missions. It is a good, good, good group of people….not perfect people, but it is surely a place where I see people seeking God and striving to live out that faith in a real way. I see them reaching out both within the body and without. We are continually challenged to grow, to avoid complacency. The leadership works diligently to equip ALL believers to minister, in whatever way God has gifted them. The moral bar is set quite high, but with forgiveness easily extended and plenty of hands to help the fallen brother. Doctrinally, it is an interesting mix which is mostly left to the discretion of the local pastor. Some of our churches are very much in the Wesleyan Armenian camp, while some out West and in the Southwest are Calvanistic. Our services are mostly traditional, because that is how the body desires to worship.
Your turn!
Where do you see the Church?
We’re busy preparing for Sunday – there’s Worship and Sunday School to teach, and a missionary family will be visiting us for lunch. We’re rather excited, because they have 7 children, just as we do. I think we’ll have a house full!
Italian Beef for sandwiches is simmering on the stove, Amy’s Best Potato Salad in the World is in the fridge…and the cookies will be made tomorrow.
I’ll be finishing up the house in my remaining time, but I had some questions I wanted to ask you….something to think about for the weekend.
What do you think of the Church? How do you think that God is moving Her in this generation? As you look across the broad landscape – not only in America but across the globe – where do you see His hand?
I am a big trend watcher. By that I don’t mean “trendy things,” but rather patterns.
I’ll admit that there are times I can become weary and almost dismayed at the things I see in the Church today. There is everything from immorality in the pulpit to life long Believers who scarcely know who Jesus is to what seems like extreme hatred amongst Believers of differing theological persuasions.
But it strikes me that God isn’t done with the Church in our time. He remains. The Holy Spirit doesn’t pack up His bags and head home. He has a plan for you, for me, for all of us. What do you see Him doing in OUR time?
Helpmeets in Khaki and Camoflauge
Lessons Steve Irwin Style, Part 2 (Part 1 is just below)
I’ve been pondering men and women, and the roles each play within a marriage. You and I both know there are immense amounts of opinions and information available from both sides of the aisle.
Every once in awhile you run across a couple who perfectly complement each other, who beautifully portray the blending that God designed.
I spent time with my sister this past week. She and I live about 16 hours apart, so usually only see each other once a year. She is 8 years my elder.
She’s not had a perfect life – in fact, it has been filled with many painful things. And yet, I really enjoy watching her with her husband. He is an outdoorsman, to say the least. His walls are filled with “he-man” things…stuffed deer heads, geese, arrows carved by his own hand, sportsmanship trophies. He can cook anything Cajun, tan his own Buffalo hide, and made their bed from rough hewn logs. And yet, he cares for my sister tenderly and thoughtfully. If she needs anything – he makes it for her….from food to flower arrangements to a cheese press to etched plates for their anniversary.
And my sister. She is another “can do” soul. She wears camoflage and work boots most of the time – but she plays the piano and hand sewed her own velvet and satin wedding dress. She takes top honors at archery, but never brags. She can outfish most men, but I notice that she makes a point not to. She cooks, crochets, knits, cares for her grandbaby and dotes on her husband. When he cooked for the family this week, I observed that she paid careful attention – bringing him ingredients just as he needed them, grabbing the proper knife before he even asked. She even brought him tea while he chopped…with just the right amount of sugar for a southern boy. She’s his right hand.
But he honors and loves and serves her, too.
My brother in law, Terry, recently came through a frightening time with the skin cancer, Melanoma. He had a stage 4 tumor on his shoulder, and was told by the doctor that he had less than a year to live. We prayed, she stood by his side, and God healed. The melanoma never entered his lymph system and he has been given a reprieve. They are closer than ever, grateful for another chance, for more time. I’m pretty sure they’ve never studied the “way” things are supposed to be between men and women…they just do it. They live as individuals with strong interests; but totally for each other, and together for God.
Not to put too much emphasis on Steve and Terri Irwin – for they are simply humans – but while watching them on 20/20 last night I saw much of the same thing. Terri told how she had her own life before Steve…a wildlife rescue foundation. Her family was in Oregon. Her whole life was there. But when Steve asked her to marry him, she considered it all and said, “yes.” His life became hers. She didn’t shrink back and become less, her life became absolutely engulfed and wrapped up in his. Because of that, her life expanded, increased. She dove right in the mud with him – wore the same khakis and wrestled the same critters. She didn’t take over – but she certainly was his helper. Their relationship was beautiful to watch. She called him “my Prince.”
It was horribly sad to see this woman alone, without her mate. Her grief ran so deep, I could feel it in the pit of my stomach. Those who love much, grieve much. Those who have much to lose, value what they DO have, and mourn it when it is gone.
What I take from this is that our relationships won’t all look the same; and yet, as Christians, they can all be pleasing to God. They can be beautiful and a reflection of His glory whether wearing ruffles and lace or khaki and camoflauge. To be given the opportunity to walk alongside a good man and share his life and to sense his needs and to raise his children and be engulfed in his work is indeed a fulfilling, worthy thing. It is a blessed thing. If you have this, give it your best. Don’t take it for granted.
Wear khaki if necessary.
Lessons, Steve Irwin style
I caught Barbara Walter’s special on Steve Irwin last night, and I’m so glad I watched it. Jeff and I scarcely sit down to watch anything…perhaps a couple of times during the entire summer. But this was really good.
I’d only seen Steve’s show on the Discovery channel once or twice while in hotels; and we rented his full length movie a few years ago. I felt such an immediate appreciation for this guy who lived life with such gusto! Can you even imagine throwing yourself into the mud on top of a crocodile with such abandon? Stroking it’s snout and planting a kiss right on top of it’s warty nostrils? Totally oblivious to mud and muck and discomfort?
The man lived life. And then some. He was only given 44 years, but he wrung every last bit of life out of every split second. His wife Terri said that Steve had no “five year plan.” If he had a dream, a vision, he threw himself into it with complete and utter passion. “He was hard to keep up with sometimes,” she said.
If only I could tackle my laundry with the same passion. Roll in it, delight in it…give it a big ol’ loving kiss.
Or better yet – my husband, my children.
I have endeavored for some time to pare down the extraneous things of life. I am painfully aware that man is allotted only a certain amount of days…and each moment that passes means I have less time on this earth. Each activity is held up to scrutiny…”Is THIS how I want to spend my time?” For this reason I despise pointless meetings, worthless television shows, and fluffy books. I want the meat, the kernal, the core. I attempt to arrange my kitchen, my laundry area, my bathroom to save motion and steps – to cut out the time spent on the ephemeral. That’s why the food I cook needs to be nutrient dense - brimming with benefit in every bite. Why waste time on that which does not nourish? Curriculum choices, craft choices, extra clothing…it is all held up to the same lens. If it is worthy, it stays. If not, it is gone.
I have heard thru back channels that Steve Irwin was a Believer. Terri spoke of her Faith last night, as well. While I know that the state of a man’s soul is between him and his Maker – my heart was glad to hear this.
There is something in me that says THIS is how God made us to live…filled to the brim, running over, totally spent and used up to His Glory!
