I leave on my silent retreat early tomorrow morning.
I’ll be away all week.
I’m still apprehensive, but I’m more excited than nervous. I’m really looking forward to uninterrupted time to pray and simply be.
As my friend Ed has said before, this blog is like a hungry farm animal. Heck, my whole life is like a hungry farm animal. It will be good to step away for a time.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008
FEBO
My friend, PattyK, just launched a new blog. In the spirit of NaNoWriMo-whatever-that-thing-in-October-is, she is planning her own version of writing accountability––FEBO.
Interested in setting specific writing goals for the month of February and enjoying the camaraderie and accountability of other writers looking to do the same? Head on over to her blog and join the conversation.
And since we’re on the subject of writing, have you seen Mary Demuth’s new blog So You Want to be Published? It’s a treasure trove of valuable information for aspiring writers. Check it out!
And in other exciting news, I won my first blogging award. Thanks, Jenny!
Interested in setting specific writing goals for the month of February and enjoying the camaraderie and accountability of other writers looking to do the same? Head on over to her blog and join the conversation.
And since we’re on the subject of writing, have you seen Mary Demuth’s new blog So You Want to be Published? It’s a treasure trove of valuable information for aspiring writers. Check it out!
And in other exciting news, I won my first blogging award. Thanks, Jenny!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
apprehensive
I’m registered for a silent retreat next week. Five days of solitude and silence, prayer, and spiritual direction. I leave on Monday.
I’ve gone on silent retreats before, but never for this long.
I’m nervous.
No computer.
No phone.
No distractions.
Just me and God.
In her book Wilderness Time, Emilie Griffin observes:
Trust. Yes. This is where the apprehension is coming from. I am a Planner with a capital P. I don’t like leaving things up in the air or even up to other people––I like to take care of things myself. The ugly term for this, I believe, is––ahem––control freak.
But this retreat isn’t about my agenda. It’s about making space for God to work in my heart and life.
I’ve gone on silent retreats before, but never for this long.
I’m nervous.
No computer.
No phone.
No distractions.
Just me and God.
In her book Wilderness Time, Emilie Griffin observes:
“When we go on retreat we clear space for God’s action in our calendar… Making a retreat requires a certain kind of trust. We need to trust the Spirit. In contrast to vacations or holidays in which activities – planned sight-seeing, sports, entertainment, or events – are within our control, retreat leads us into a less predictable situation. We don’t know what God has in store for us, but we are willing to risk what we will find out.”
Trust. Yes. This is where the apprehension is coming from. I am a Planner with a capital P. I don’t like leaving things up in the air or even up to other people––I like to take care of things myself. The ugly term for this, I believe, is––ahem––control freak.
But this retreat isn’t about my agenda. It’s about making space for God to work in my heart and life.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
oatmeal - WFMW
My boys love oatmeal, especially the toddler, baby b. Not the instant stuff, but real old fashioned oats cooked on the stove with a little cinnamon and grated apple. (If you’re cooking for more than one, it really doesn’t take much longer to cook the real stuff and it tastes so much better!)
Recently I stumbled on the perfect way to cool it off––frozen blueberries. Baby b. loves to snack on frozen blueberries, so I threw some into his hot oatmeal. It cools it off, adds great nutrition, and he loves stirring the berries around to make his oatmeal purple.
Frozen blueberries. The perfect oatmeal cooling device. Works for me! Check out Rocks in my Dryer for more great tips!
Recently I stumbled on the perfect way to cool it off––frozen blueberries. Baby b. loves to snack on frozen blueberries, so I threw some into his hot oatmeal. It cools it off, adds great nutrition, and he loves stirring the berries around to make his oatmeal purple.
Frozen blueberries. The perfect oatmeal cooling device. Works for me! Check out Rocks in my Dryer for more great tips!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
books
I was recently tagged by my friend, Musing Mom, to list a few of my favorite books. For some of these, it’s hard to limit myself to just one, but here it goes!
1. One book that changed your life.
Other than the Bible, which seems like the obvious answer, it would have to be The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen
2. One book that you have read more than once.
Disappointment with God by Philip Yancey
3. One book you would want on a desert island.
The Bible
4. Two books that made you laugh.
The Sacred Diary of Adran Plass by Adrian Plass
At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon
5. One book that made you cry.
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
6. One book you wish you'd written.
Is Your Mama a Llama?
7. One book you wish had never been written. I can’t remember the title, but it was one by Bret Easton Ellis. When one of my college professors assigned the book, he looked right at me and said, “Some of you may find this book offensive. If you don’t want to read it, that’s fine. I’ll assign you another book and you can sit out on our discussions.” It felt like a dare, so I read the book. I wish I hadn’t.
8. Two books you are currently reading.
Before We Get Started: A Practical Memoir of the Writer’s Life by Bret Lott
Becoming a Woman of Grace by Ruth Haley Barton
9. One book you've been meaning to read.
Silence by Shusaku Endo
Usually I don’t tag people on these things, but given that it’s about books and I love to hear what other people are reading, I’ll tag: Raising Cain, MamaToo, Marmot Mom, Ellen, and Chosen Rebel.
No pressure to participate if you’d rather not, but consider yourself tagged!
1. One book that changed your life.
Other than the Bible, which seems like the obvious answer, it would have to be The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen
2. One book that you have read more than once.
Disappointment with God by Philip Yancey
3. One book you would want on a desert island.
The Bible
4. Two books that made you laugh.
The Sacred Diary of Adran Plass by Adrian Plass
At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon
5. One book that made you cry.
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
6. One book you wish you'd written.
Is Your Mama a Llama?
7. One book you wish had never been written. I can’t remember the title, but it was one by Bret Easton Ellis. When one of my college professors assigned the book, he looked right at me and said, “Some of you may find this book offensive. If you don’t want to read it, that’s fine. I’ll assign you another book and you can sit out on our discussions.” It felt like a dare, so I read the book. I wish I hadn’t.
8. Two books you are currently reading.
Before We Get Started: A Practical Memoir of the Writer’s Life by Bret Lott
Becoming a Woman of Grace by Ruth Haley Barton
9. One book you've been meaning to read.
Silence by Shusaku Endo
Usually I don’t tag people on these things, but given that it’s about books and I love to hear what other people are reading, I’ll tag: Raising Cain, MamaToo, Marmot Mom, Ellen, and Chosen Rebel.
No pressure to participate if you’d rather not, but consider yourself tagged!
Friday, January 18, 2008
surprise, surprise!
Well, technically they were following directions.
"Don't forget to put your toothbrushes away," I reminded the noisy boys before bed, sick and tired of cleaning up after them in the bathroom every night.
I didn't actually tell them where to put them.
I wondered why they were giggling when I put them to bed.
(And, yes. The lid was down. And yes, we have new toothbrushes without suction cups now.)
Edited to add LLama Papa deserves the photo credit on this. He originally spotted the toothbrushes and grabbed his camera. After reading all of your "Wow, what a fun Mom you are!" comments, he wants FULL CREDIT for being a super fun dad. Which he is. And the funny thing? I don't think the noisy boys were trying to play a trick on us or be particularly funny. They just thought that would be a good spot for their toothbrushes. These boys are a HOOT to live with, that's all I can say!!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Why does God care about me?
Does God care?
Don’t we all ask ourselves this question? In light of world hunger, raging wars, and child abuse, why would God care about me––an ordinary, middle-class suburban housewife?
The short answer is, it’s not about me. I'm not any more or less deserving of God’s love than the next person, but He offers it to me just the same. I just need to reach out and take it. Turn from my sin. Believe. It really is that simple.
But I’m guessing this question was asked from a heart filled with despair. A two-in-the-morning-God-has-forgotten-about-me despair we’ve all felt, if we’re honest.
The truth is, most of the time I don’t feel like God cares. But I know He does. I believe scripture is true, and because of this, I believe God loves me. This knowledge is rooted in fact, and not swayed by my day-to-day feelings. This knowledge allows me to trust God and build my life on a foundation of faith, regardless of my emotions.
It’s a leap of faith, I know.
But it’s one I’m glad I’ve taken. And once in awhile, I do have a moment of touchy-feely, God-is-real-and-He-cares-about-me clarity. In the meantime, I walk by faith, and not by sight.
And if you’re my middle of the night googler and you’ve come back again, please leave a comment or email me. My contact email is on the side of this blog. I'd love to continue this conversation with you.
Don’t we all ask ourselves this question? In light of world hunger, raging wars, and child abuse, why would God care about me––an ordinary, middle-class suburban housewife?
The short answer is, it’s not about me. I'm not any more or less deserving of God’s love than the next person, but He offers it to me just the same. I just need to reach out and take it. Turn from my sin. Believe. It really is that simple.
But I’m guessing this question was asked from a heart filled with despair. A two-in-the-morning-God-has-forgotten-about-me despair we’ve all felt, if we’re honest.
The truth is, most of the time I don’t feel like God cares. But I know He does. I believe scripture is true, and because of this, I believe God loves me. This knowledge is rooted in fact, and not swayed by my day-to-day feelings. This knowledge allows me to trust God and build my life on a foundation of faith, regardless of my emotions.
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with loving-kindness (Jer 31:3).
It’s a leap of faith, I know.
But it’s one I’m glad I’ve taken. And once in awhile, I do have a moment of touchy-feely, God-is-real-and-He-cares-about-me clarity. In the meantime, I walk by faith, and not by sight.
And if you’re my middle of the night googler and you’ve come back again, please leave a comment or email me. My contact email is on the side of this blog. I'd love to continue this conversation with you.
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