In looking back over this year, many things have changed for me.
In January, God convicted my heart about not reading Scripture on my own. I had to break down the barrier in my head that said I was too busy and that I got enough on Sunday. Thankfully, a professor from the college from which I graduated shared a wonderful system he created when he was a new believer 30 years ago. It opened my eyes to the closeness I was missing with God and am excited to continue.
In February, I found out I was pregnant with our second child.
March 4 was the anniversary of three years with Jeremy.
April contains the celebration of Passover and Easter. We celebrated a Passover Seder on our own this year and enjoyed remembering how God protected Israel despite their sin.
May was the first real year we celebrated Mother's Day... and I got tarps for my garden. Definitely not the most heartwarming gift, but definitely memorable and thoughtful.
In June, we found out that we were having another BOY!! At that time, we had picked out the name Jacob Mark and Rachel Beth-Moriah (if it was a girl). We also started a family tradition on Saturday mornings of riding our bikes together after breakfast (about 8 1/2 miles).
July was a very busy month with family visiting. It was a blessing to have Jeremy's parents for a week. They helped us with house projects and getting Jeremiah's new "big boy" room ready so we could have the nursery for our baby "Jacob", and I was able to get my gardens in order.
August was also very busy with doctor's appointments and dates and a trip to the State Fair. Someone had given us tickets for free... and we left them at home; but God provided us with the money to cover the tickets which we received when we checked the mail after we got home that evening.
September brought in the added busy-ness of library storytime for Jeremiah as well as Kindermusik and doctor's visits every other week.
In October, I turned 30 years old and was worrying about our baby arriving too early because of pre-term labor. I stopped riding my bike on doctor's orders.
November was Jeremy's birthday and hoping for a birthday baby. On the 16th, our son, JONAH MARK was born after a very short and easy labor.
December brings about the holiday season during which we were going to stay home and celebrate it on our own for lack of money for traveling to Pennsylvania like we normally do. The weekend before Christmas, though, we received two separate gifts of $200 each and we decided to make the trip after all. We were able to surprise Jeremy's family by landing on their doorstep Christmas Eve... and had a wonderful time!
God is faithful and God is good. It was a wonderful year... and I'm looking forward to what 2010 brings my family and me.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Family Photo Op
This last Saturday, we had family photos taken. It was a loooong process, but we got some good ones. Enjoy!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Turtle Pumpkin Pie
This pie is so decadent and lovely. It was shared by Linda Sey, master chef... not really. She found this recipe in Taste of Home magazine. It is so simple, it's ridiculous that it tastes so wonderful. Enjoy!
1/4 cup plus 2 TBSP Caramel Ice Cream Topping
1 Graham Cracker Pie Crust
1/2 cup plus 2 TBSP Pecan Pieces
1 cup cold milk
2 pkg (3.4 oz each) instant vanilla pudding
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tub (8 oz) cool whip, thawed and divided
Pour 1/4 cup caramel sauce into crust, spread evenly, then sprinkle with 1/2 cup pecans. In separate bowl, mix milk, pudding mixes, pumpkin and spices until blended. Stir in 1 1/2 cups cool whip. Spread into crust. Top with remaining cool whip, drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkled pecans. Chill and serve.
A New Chapter
This last weekend has been quite momentous for several different reasons. First, Jeremy got sick. That is "momentous" because Jeremy NEVER gets sick. He had a fever for two days and then got something akin to food poisoning on Saturday and even skipped work on Monday in order to fully recover.
Second, we had a date! I'm sure that's momentous for obvious reasons. We had a really nice time. Jeremiah had a "date" with Miss Lori from the church and it was Jonah-free. He needs a break just as much as we do. So, during our date, we went shopping for food and for underwear (trust me, you'll see the link soon), had lunch at Olive Garden and then went home to decorate our tree and surprise Jeremiah with it when he came home. All in all, a great day!
Third, our little boy started being potty-trained. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Jeremiah is now going potty on the toilet... some of the time. The underwear was for him (just in case you needed help with creating that link I talked about earlier). We started on Sunday and it was a terrible beginning. We found out that our son has no problem being nasty and dirty... he'll be dripping down his pants and when I ask "Are you wet?" he'll perkily say, "Nope!" And that obviously brings up other issues, such as lying and deceit. Several times, we'd find a trail of pee on the carpet... it definitely wasn't from the dogs as they were trying to track the scent. It would inevitably lead to an oblivious and ambivalent Jeremiah. He did go on the toilet twice on Sunday... but Monday was a much better training day.
We had Kindermusik in the morning like we normally do on Mondays... but since we had Daddy home, we decided to make a special stop at McDonald's to play on the slides and get ice cream. While we were there, I decided it was time for Jeremiah to try, try again. They have child-sized toilets in the play area bathroom, so while Jeremiah was "trying" I left briefly to get another pull-up (since he had gotten the other one dirty). When I came back, Jeremiah was hunched over himself looking at his "Peepee" marveling over the little drop that seemed to be hanging on with all its might.
As mothers ought, I got very excited and clapped my hands and said "Let it go in the potty!" Jeremiah tried to help it into the toilet by touching it, but I said "Noooo! Just let it drop in." So, he started furiously blowing on it to try and help get in the toilet faster. He had three more drips and ran outside to tell Daddy about his "drops in the potty."
As mothers ought, I got very excited and clapped my hands and said "Let it go in the potty!" Jeremiah tried to help it into the toilet by touching it, but I said "Noooo! Just let it drop in." So, he started furiously blowing on it to try and help get in the toilet faster. He had three more drips and ran outside to tell Daddy about his "drops in the potty."
We've had two days with successes in both of them. Jeremiah went potty three times on Monday and even told me (belatedly) when he had to go, so at least he's getting the idea and progressing positively.
This morning, he already woke up with a wet pull-up, but we'll just keep trying. He sat on the toilet for 5 minutes with no complaining.
I've realized that potty-time is a great time to just listen to my son talk about whatever he wants. Jonah has been a real distraction to all of us and now that we are working on a "no diaper" goal with Jeremiah, it is in my schedule to just sit down with him for 5 minutes while he is on the toilet. Don't get me wrong, I was spending time with Jeremiah before, but Jonah was still there. Jeremiah has been including Jonah in as many activities as he can. I think, though, that Jeremiah needs to know that it is okay to just be with Mama by himself. Since Jonah doesn't go in the bathroom with us, it has become part of our time together and Jeremiah is seeing that I don't always put Jonah first. Just as Jeremiah sometimes needs to wait for what he wants, so does his little brother. It's good practice for me to make good decisions on what my priority should be at any given moment. I'm sure this is part of what God is trying to teach me during this parenting time of life.
Monday, December 7, 2009
My Embarassing Moment
As the mother of a newborn, I am doing the BEST THING (as so many other mothers like to proclaim) and breastfeeding my child. Jeremiah was unable to latch when he was first born, so I took to pumping... every feeding for 8 long, milk-challenged months. When Jonah was born, I was pleased to find that he latched very easily and very well... however, I found that I am just not a "breastfeeder." I dislike the act of breastfeeding. It hurts. Yes, I have been told numerous times that the pain goes away, but apparently not quick enough to suit me... so I am back to pumping.
That's not the embarassing part... just wait. It's coming.
Since I am pumping again, obviously there are times when I am away from home for longer periods of time... such as Sundays, at church. Rather than suffering engorgement and the pain that comes with that, I opted for taking my pump with me. Our church prepared for having a newborn again by emptying out a room and making it a nursery with a partition for extra privacy. Well, yesterday (Sunday), I took use of this room in order to pump. All was well. All was calm and peaceful. Until....
a very zealous head-counting usher decided to see if anyone occupied the nursery. Never fear! I was behind the partition. That was the whole point of having it... extra privacy for those modesty moments. I heard a knock.. the door opened. "Is anyone here?" Now, the speakers from the auditorium were on so I could hear the service and it was pretty loud... and I barely heard his question. But I quickly answered... "Yes. I'm here. Just one" (hoping he would hear take my accurate number and leave). But, he didn't. He moved to cross the partition and I repeated "Just one! Just one!" and he appeared.
The shock on my face must have helped him more quickly register what he saw... a woman with her shirt pulled up around her neck completely exposing herself. What a lovely view!
Needless to say, he backed up pretty quick and I heard three quick "I'm sorry" 's before the door closed shut.
Mortification reigns!
Then I couldn't help but laugh... the irony of it all: I don't even allow my husband in the room while I'm pumping. I'm hoping that usher will pass along the wisdom of: "If you see the partition in the nursery pulled out... RUN AWAY!"
That's not the embarassing part... just wait. It's coming.
Since I am pumping again, obviously there are times when I am away from home for longer periods of time... such as Sundays, at church. Rather than suffering engorgement and the pain that comes with that, I opted for taking my pump with me. Our church prepared for having a newborn again by emptying out a room and making it a nursery with a partition for extra privacy. Well, yesterday (Sunday), I took use of this room in order to pump. All was well. All was calm and peaceful. Until....
a very zealous head-counting usher decided to see if anyone occupied the nursery. Never fear! I was behind the partition. That was the whole point of having it... extra privacy for those modesty moments. I heard a knock.. the door opened. "Is anyone here?" Now, the speakers from the auditorium were on so I could hear the service and it was pretty loud... and I barely heard his question. But I quickly answered... "Yes. I'm here. Just one" (hoping he would hear take my accurate number and leave). But, he didn't. He moved to cross the partition and I repeated "Just one! Just one!" and he appeared.
The shock on my face must have helped him more quickly register what he saw... a woman with her shirt pulled up around her neck completely exposing herself. What a lovely view!
Needless to say, he backed up pretty quick and I heard three quick "I'm sorry" 's before the door closed shut.
Mortification reigns!
Then I couldn't help but laugh... the irony of it all: I don't even allow my husband in the room while I'm pumping. I'm hoping that usher will pass along the wisdom of: "If you see the partition in the nursery pulled out... RUN AWAY!"
Friday, December 4, 2009
Hunting Tiger Woods by C.J. Mahaney
Tiger Woods wants his privacy back.
He wants the media entourage to disappear from his life.
He wants to be left alone so he can manage his personal problems in private.
Not a chance.
The story began unfolding in the early hours of last Friday when he crashed his Cadillac Escalade into a tree and a fire hydrant near his Florida home. He refused to speak with the police about the incident, raising curiosity about the circumstances. The story has now escalated into allegations of marital infidelity, and that generated a blog post from Tiger that stated, “I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart.” This statement by Tiger has led most to believe that the allegations of infidelity are true.
Hunted by the Media
As expected, the allegations of adultery involving a public figure are attracting a media pile-on. This is a big story with a big audience and it’s a story that will not disappear soon. Tiger Woods is being hunted by the media.
But let us make sure we do not join the hunt. A Christian’s response to this story should be distinctly different. We should not be entertained by the news. We should not have a morbid interest in all the details. We should be saddened and sobered. We should pray for this man and even more for his wife.
And we can be sure that in the coming days we will be in conversations with friends and family where this topic will emerge. And when it does, we can avoid simply listening to the latest details and speculations, and avoid speaking self-righteously, but instead we can humbly draw attention to the grace of God in the gospel.
Hunted by Sin
But Tiger is being hunted by something more menacing than journalists. Tiger’s real enemy is his sin, and that’s an enemy much more difficult to discern and one that can’t be managed in our own strength. It’s an enemy that never sleeps.
Let me explain.
Sin Lies
The Bible in general, and the book of Proverbs in particular, reveals an unbreakable connection between our character, our conduct, and the consequences of our actions. These three are inseparable and woven by God into His created order.
Deception is part of sin’s DNA. Sin lies to us. It seeks to convince us that sin brings only pleasure, that it carries no consequences, and that no one will discover it. Sin works hard to make us forget that character, conduct, and consequences are interconnected. And when we neglect this relationship—when we think our sins will not be discovered—we ultimately mock God.
Sin Hunts
We’ve all experienced it: Sin lies to us. We take the bait. And then sin begins to hunt us.
One commentator on Proverbs articulated this truth like this: “The irony of a life of rebellion is that we begin by pursuing sin…and end up being pursued by it!….You can ‘be sure your sin will find you out’ (Num. 32:23…).”* In other words, sin comes back to hunt us.
In light of this fact, sin is an enemy Tiger can’t manage. He can’t shape this story like he does a long iron on a par 5. Tiger doesn’t need a publicity facelift; Tiger needs a Savior. Just like me. And just like you. And if by God’s grace he repents and trusts in the person and work of Christ, Tiger will experience the fruit of God’s promise that “whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).
Conclusion
Tiger cannot intimidate this enemy like he can Pebble Beach or any of the field of professional golfers. And there is no privacy he can claim from this enemy, regardless of his resolve, his silence, or the name painted on his yacht. It’s likely Tiger only perceives the press hunting him out of a vain “curiosity about public figures.” But Tiger is being hunted and hounded by a far greater foe: the consequences of his sin.
And this story should humble and sober us. It should make us ask: Are there any so-called “secret sins” in my life? Is there anything I have done that I hope nobody discovers? Is there anything right now in my life that I should confess to God and the appropriate individuals?
And this should leave us more amazed by grace because there, but for the grace of God, go I.
-----------------
*John A. Kitchen, Proverbs (Fearn, Scotland: Mentor, 2006), 294–295.
Borrowed from C.J. Mahaney
He wants the media entourage to disappear from his life.
He wants to be left alone so he can manage his personal problems in private.
Not a chance.
The story began unfolding in the early hours of last Friday when he crashed his Cadillac Escalade into a tree and a fire hydrant near his Florida home. He refused to speak with the police about the incident, raising curiosity about the circumstances. The story has now escalated into allegations of marital infidelity, and that generated a blog post from Tiger that stated, “I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart.” This statement by Tiger has led most to believe that the allegations of infidelity are true.
Hunted by the Media
As expected, the allegations of adultery involving a public figure are attracting a media pile-on. This is a big story with a big audience and it’s a story that will not disappear soon. Tiger Woods is being hunted by the media.
But let us make sure we do not join the hunt. A Christian’s response to this story should be distinctly different. We should not be entertained by the news. We should not have a morbid interest in all the details. We should be saddened and sobered. We should pray for this man and even more for his wife.
And we can be sure that in the coming days we will be in conversations with friends and family where this topic will emerge. And when it does, we can avoid simply listening to the latest details and speculations, and avoid speaking self-righteously, but instead we can humbly draw attention to the grace of God in the gospel.
Hunted by Sin
But Tiger is being hunted by something more menacing than journalists. Tiger’s real enemy is his sin, and that’s an enemy much more difficult to discern and one that can’t be managed in our own strength. It’s an enemy that never sleeps.
Let me explain.
Sin Lies
The Bible in general, and the book of Proverbs in particular, reveals an unbreakable connection between our character, our conduct, and the consequences of our actions. These three are inseparable and woven by God into His created order.
Deception is part of sin’s DNA. Sin lies to us. It seeks to convince us that sin brings only pleasure, that it carries no consequences, and that no one will discover it. Sin works hard to make us forget that character, conduct, and consequences are interconnected. And when we neglect this relationship—when we think our sins will not be discovered—we ultimately mock God.
Sin Hunts
We’ve all experienced it: Sin lies to us. We take the bait. And then sin begins to hunt us.
One commentator on Proverbs articulated this truth like this: “The irony of a life of rebellion is that we begin by pursuing sin…and end up being pursued by it!….You can ‘be sure your sin will find you out’ (Num. 32:23…).”* In other words, sin comes back to hunt us.
In light of this fact, sin is an enemy Tiger can’t manage. He can’t shape this story like he does a long iron on a par 5. Tiger doesn’t need a publicity facelift; Tiger needs a Savior. Just like me. And just like you. And if by God’s grace he repents and trusts in the person and work of Christ, Tiger will experience the fruit of God’s promise that “whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).
Conclusion
Tiger cannot intimidate this enemy like he can Pebble Beach or any of the field of professional golfers. And there is no privacy he can claim from this enemy, regardless of his resolve, his silence, or the name painted on his yacht. It’s likely Tiger only perceives the press hunting him out of a vain “curiosity about public figures.” But Tiger is being hunted and hounded by a far greater foe: the consequences of his sin.
And this story should humble and sober us. It should make us ask: Are there any so-called “secret sins” in my life? Is there anything I have done that I hope nobody discovers? Is there anything right now in my life that I should confess to God and the appropriate individuals?
And this should leave us more amazed by grace because there, but for the grace of God, go I.
-----------------
*John A. Kitchen, Proverbs (Fearn, Scotland: Mentor, 2006), 294–295.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Instilling the Fear of the Lord
For all you parents out there, I am sure the discipline of your children has caused many conversations with your spouse and also many hours of study and seeking the Lord on how to best help your children grow and mature in the admonition of the Lord.Having a child who is 2 1/2 is certainly a new experience for us (this being our firstborn), but with each new age and stage we have encountered various heart attitudes that we have had to deal with and try to be godly as well as instructive to our little sinner.
Jeremiah's latest is lying and also pushing the limits with obedience (yeah, nothing new right? Only the exhibition of it). He is lying about not pooping in his diaper even when he is straining and pushing it right then. The one aspect of his 2 1/2 year old brain that is stretching Jeremy and I, though, is that when we ask him to do something we are training him that he has one time to obey and then comes discipline. But when we ask him to say "Yes, Mama" or "Yes, Daddy" he says it with an attitude and then adds "I did it!" (also with a rebellious attitude). We are constantly having to make him resay or redo whatever it was that we asked him first... but he counters with "I did it!" and we end up arguing over whether or not what he did was acceptable.
Needless to say, this is tiring and irritating for us (the parents) and is also, I'm sure, confusing and a struggle for Jeremiah as well. Some of it, I would guess, is Jeremiah figuring out what is acceptable and what isn't (for instance, if Daddy tells him to stand up while talking to Daddy, Jeremiah will stand on one leg and say "Is this standing?")... but the whole point is to have a respectful child who understands the importance of obeying because God says so... and also more than just saying "You disobeyed Mama and Daddy" it is more important to stress his sin that that he "Disobeyed God."
It is a major ordeal trying to figure out how all this talking and concepts fits into the discipline process. We, ultimately, are not looking for behavior modification (although, good behavior is much desired) but a child who desires to obey God and respects his parents as a result.
Much prayer and much consistency is needed... also encouragement. If any of you experienced parents have suggestions or admonition, I'd love to hear it!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Library Day
Our library is really good about having activities for each age group. This year, Jeremiah has been able to attend storytime pretty faithfully and he really enjoys it.
Last Tuesday, the library had a special Thanksgiving storytime (all about turkeys, instead of being thankful) and the librarian had special crafts to go along with it.
One of the crafts, since that is all I had the energy for, was to make a turkey hat. It was very creative and detailed. Jeremiah wanted to have a hat, so we made it... but having a two-year-old attention span, we only got as far as the turkey feathers. So, we call it a "feather" hat.
Jeremiah thought it was so groovy, he insisted his little brother get to have one, too.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Jonah Mark
We are pleased to announce that Jonah Mark has finally joined us.
He was born 11/16/09 at 11:11 pm. He was 8 pounds 8 ounces and 20 1/2 inches long.
Here is my newest cutie!
When I posted my last entry, I was in true labor... I just didn't realize it. Since it was rather sporadic (and, no, Ivana, I didn't feel like pooping or have diarrhea), I nearly didn't make the calls to get to the hospital. I was concerned with being embarassed if it was only a false alarm. Thankfully, God forced me to have a change of heart and made all the calls and I got to the hospital in time to find out I was dilating very quickly and the contractions were 1 1/2 to 2 minutes apart.
It was important that I leave for the hospital early enough because we live 45 minutes away. Jonah arrived 6 hours later. I did get an epidural... and will continue to get them with any future children. They are painful to get in, but so worthwhile for being able to rest rather than "labor" through contractions and then have the energy for the pushing to come. I ended up pushing for 30 minutes. The entire experience this time around was so different than what I had with Jeremiah. It sounded like a baseball or football game. My doctor sounded like the announcer telling what was going on in real time... Jeremy was counting through the contractions and telling me when to breathe... and the nurse had her pompoms and was the cheering section. It was absolutely hilarious. The atmosphere in the room was happy.
Maybe later I will get into the story of Jeremiah's birth. Suffice it to say, it was more oppressive the first time and definitely not a happy feeling.
So thankful it is over and to be back home getting on with life. Jeremy is staying home the rest of the week and he is pampering me very sweetly.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Soon and very soon!
I am now four days past my due date with Jonah. I have had contractions since Saturday and they are beginning to feel a little stronger... even had some full belly pains in the last half-hour. Of course, I have had signs before; but we'll just have to wait and see.
This is my last week as a pregnant lady.
While loading this picture, I just had another doozy. We'll see you on the other side!
This is my last week as a pregnant lady.
While loading this picture, I just had another doozy. We'll see you on the other side!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Crispy Garlic Bread
Makes 12 slices 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
4 garlic cloves, grated or minced
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
12 (1-inch) slices Italian bread
1. Make Paste.
Adjust oven rack to middle position, place rimmed baking sheet on rack, and heat oven to 425 degrees.
Using fork, beat butter, garlic, sugar, salt and pepper in small bowl until combined. Spread butter mixture evenly over both sides of bread.
2. Toast Bread.
Arrange buttered bread on heated baking sheet and bake until golden brown on first side, 8 to 10 minutes. Flip and bake until golden brown on second side, about 5 minutes. Serve.
Lasagna
Today, my husband Jeremy turned 34. Since he was raised by a half-Italian mother, he has begged and pleaded for me to make him some of his favorite dishes that his mother would make like manicotti and lasagna and spaghetti and meatballs. I have always refused to use his mother's recipes because I would inevitably hear the complaint, "It doesn't taste the same." So, if he wants his mother's recipes, he cooks or bakes it (as he does with her Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe... and (surprise!) it never tastes the same way twice. But at least it's not MY fault!).
Well, I am finally making a lasagna for his birthday dinner... but not his mother's recipe. Something almost as good, though, based on the ingredients and how it is made. I just thought I would share it with you.
You can find it here. But for ease, I will spell it out for you.
Serves: 12
Ingredients
1 pound of sweet Italian sausage
1 pound of ground beef
1/2 cup of chopped onions
2 cloves of garlic chopped
1 (28 ounce) can of crushed tomatoes
2 (8 ounce) cans of tomato sauce
2 (6 ounce) cans of tomato paste
1/2 Cup of Water
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon fennel seed
2 teaspoons fresh Basil leaves, chopped
4 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Italian
/2 teaspoon ground pepper
23 ounces of ricotta cheese
1/2 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
1 egg
1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 lasagna noodles
Start with the following in a pot:
1 pound of sweet Italian sausage, 1 pound of ground beef, 1/2 cup of chopped onions, 2 cloves of garlic chopped.
Brown the ground beef, Italian sausage, onions and garlic in a pot until they start to cook. It takes about 6 to 9 minutes to brown the meat. Drain grease, or not, your choice.
Add the following:
1 (28 ounce) can of crushed tomatoes, 2 (8 ounce) cans of tomato sauce, 2 (6 ounce) cans of tomato paste, 1/2 cup of water.
Gently stir this into the cooking meat.
Add the following:
2 tablespoons white sugar, 1 teaspoon fennel seed, 2 teaspoons fresh Basil leaves chopped, 2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley chopped, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper.
Gently stir these seasoning into the sauce.
Cover the pot and let the meat sauce simmer. Simmer on low heat for 1 hour and 30 minutes This is the ideal simmer time, but not mandatory. If you don’t have time it will still be great after one hour of simmering.
Soak 12 lasagna noodles.
The lasagna noodles need to be soaked in hot tap (or cold water, if you have "instant" noodles... cold water helps them cook evenly) water for 15 minutes.
While the noodles are soaking you can make the cheese filling.
Put the following in a mixing bowl:
23 ounces of ricotta cheese, 1/2 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg.
Grate fresh nutmeg over the Ricotta cheese.
Add the following:
1 egg, 2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley chopped.
Mix these ingredients together with a spoon
Now we start building the lasagna layers.
Use a 9×13 inch baking pan. Spread 2 Cups of meat sauce on the bottom of the pan.
Remove your lasagna noodles out of the water bath. Shake water off wet noodles.
Lay 6 noodles across the layer of sauce.
Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the layer of noodles.
Spread 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese over the ricotta layer.
Sprinkle half of the Parmesan cheese over the mozzarella layer.
Spread 2 cups of meat sauce over the cheese layer.
Lay down the next layer of noodles.
Spread the remaining ricotta mixture over noodles.
Spread the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses saving some cheese for the top of the lasagna.
Put the last layer of meat sauce on the cheeses.
Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
Cover with foil. Bake in preheated oven at 350 F for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for another 25 minutes.
Remove from oven and allow to cool for approximately 15 minutes.
Well, I am finally making a lasagna for his birthday dinner... but not his mother's recipe. Something almost as good, though, based on the ingredients and how it is made. I just thought I would share it with you.
You can find it here. But for ease, I will spell it out for you.
Serves: 12
Ingredients
1 pound of sweet Italian sausage
1 pound of ground beef
1/2 cup of chopped onions
2 cloves of garlic chopped
1 (28 ounce) can of crushed tomatoes
2 (8 ounce) cans of tomato sauce
2 (6 ounce) cans of tomato paste
1/2 Cup of Water
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon fennel seed
2 teaspoons fresh Basil leaves, chopped
4 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Italian
/2 teaspoon ground pepper
23 ounces of ricotta cheese
1/2 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
1 egg
1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 lasagna noodles
Start with the following in a pot:
1 pound of sweet Italian sausage, 1 pound of ground beef, 1/2 cup of chopped onions, 2 cloves of garlic chopped.
Brown the ground beef, Italian sausage, onions and garlic in a pot until they start to cook. It takes about 6 to 9 minutes to brown the meat. Drain grease, or not, your choice.
Add the following:
1 (28 ounce) can of crushed tomatoes, 2 (8 ounce) cans of tomato sauce, 2 (6 ounce) cans of tomato paste, 1/2 cup of water.
Gently stir this into the cooking meat.
Add the following:
2 tablespoons white sugar, 1 teaspoon fennel seed, 2 teaspoons fresh Basil leaves chopped, 2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley chopped, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper.
Gently stir these seasoning into the sauce.
Cover the pot and let the meat sauce simmer. Simmer on low heat for 1 hour and 30 minutes This is the ideal simmer time, but not mandatory. If you don’t have time it will still be great after one hour of simmering.
Soak 12 lasagna noodles.
The lasagna noodles need to be soaked in hot tap (or cold water, if you have "instant" noodles... cold water helps them cook evenly) water for 15 minutes.
While the noodles are soaking you can make the cheese filling.
Put the following in a mixing bowl:
23 ounces of ricotta cheese, 1/2 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg.
Grate fresh nutmeg over the Ricotta cheese.
Add the following:
1 egg, 2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley chopped.
Mix these ingredients together with a spoon
Now we start building the lasagna layers.
Use a 9×13 inch baking pan. Spread 2 Cups of meat sauce on the bottom of the pan.
Remove your lasagna noodles out of the water bath. Shake water off wet noodles.
Lay 6 noodles across the layer of sauce.
Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the layer of noodles.
Spread 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese over the ricotta layer.
Sprinkle half of the Parmesan cheese over the mozzarella layer.
Spread 2 cups of meat sauce over the cheese layer.
Lay down the next layer of noodles.
Spread the remaining ricotta mixture over noodles.
Spread the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses saving some cheese for the top of the lasagna.
Put the last layer of meat sauce on the cheeses.
Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
Cover with foil. Bake in preheated oven at 350 F for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for another 25 minutes.
Remove from oven and allow to cool for approximately 15 minutes.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Week 39
Today's doctor visit was very informative. I got checked and found that the dilation has progressed, but Jonah is still not "engaged"... he's still a floater. Next Thursday is the official due date and if nothing has happened by then, my doctor suggested making an appointment to get induced a week after the due date (so, November 19 would be the inducement date if things don't go naturally).
I really hope Jonah decides to get things going before then because we have Thanksgiving plans and a dinner at the church on November 21 where I have committed to making two pies. It would not be very polite if I backed out at the last second.
Jeremy is hoping Jonah will arrive by his birthdate... November 10. We'll just have to wait and see.
The good news is that Jonah is placed properly.. head down, butt up. Yea for small miracles. We'll keep you updated.
I really hope Jonah decides to get things going before then because we have Thanksgiving plans and a dinner at the church on November 21 where I have committed to making two pies. It would not be very polite if I backed out at the last second.
Jeremy is hoping Jonah will arrive by his birthdate... November 10. We'll just have to wait and see.
The good news is that Jonah is placed properly.. head down, butt up. Yea for small miracles. We'll keep you updated.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Apple Crisp
--Update 11/3/09... 2 a.m. --
I snacked a little bit on the apple crisp, since we didn't get around to eating dessert after supper.... it's not bad. I actually like the taste. Next time, I will probably add some extra spices (like ginger). I think it will add a little something special.
I found this recipe while looking for something to make with a bag of apples that were given to us... I made it just this morning and it smells heavenly, so I thought I'd share it. Obviously, a recipe for two wouldn't work for my family, so I doubled it. Let me know how it turns out for you, if you double or triple the recipe for yourself.
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Serves 2
Ingredients:
2 cups peeled, cored, and sliced apples
1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup oats
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 tablespoons soft butter
I also added about 1 cup of chopped pecans (since I had some leftover from another project)... purely optional.
Preparation:
Directions for apple crisp Place apples in a buttered 9x5x3-inch loaf pan. Combine brown sugar, flour, oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, and butter. Mix until crumbly; sprinkle over apples. Bake at 350° for about 30 minutes, or until apples are tender and topping is nicely browned. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped topping.
I snacked a little bit on the apple crisp, since we didn't get around to eating dessert after supper.... it's not bad. I actually like the taste. Next time, I will probably add some extra spices (like ginger). I think it will add a little something special.
I found this recipe while looking for something to make with a bag of apples that were given to us... I made it just this morning and it smells heavenly, so I thought I'd share it. Obviously, a recipe for two wouldn't work for my family, so I doubled it. Let me know how it turns out for you, if you double or triple the recipe for yourself.
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Serves 2
Ingredients:
2 cups peeled, cored, and sliced apples
1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup oats
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 tablespoons soft butter
I also added about 1 cup of chopped pecans (since I had some leftover from another project)... purely optional.
Preparation:
Directions for apple crisp Place apples in a buttered 9x5x3-inch loaf pan. Combine brown sugar, flour, oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, and butter. Mix until crumbly; sprinkle over apples. Bake at 350° for about 30 minutes, or until apples are tender and topping is nicely browned. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped topping.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Doctor Visit
My doctor visit went well, although I found out that my contractions (which have not really let up much since beginning on Saturday) are not strong enough to make any difference in the dilation progress. I am still 1cm dilated.
I have already asked Jeremy and despite the fact that I will complain and moan and groan and possibly even curse you for it later, I am asking that you also pray for stronger contractions that will actually do something. These naggy ones are merely preventing me from resting and being able to take care of Jeremiah and the other responsibilities I have. I figure, at this point, get Jonah here sooner rather than later.
Thanks for praying!
I have already asked Jeremy and despite the fact that I will complain and moan and groan and possibly even curse you for it later, I am asking that you also pray for stronger contractions that will actually do something. These naggy ones are merely preventing me from resting and being able to take care of Jeremiah and the other responsibilities I have. I figure, at this point, get Jonah here sooner rather than later.
Thanks for praying!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Getting ready
Have you ever heard of the nesting instinct? In my reading, I have been told of some rather strange impulses that pregnant women have before giving birth. One woman was completely obsessed with polishing all the doorknobs in her home. Bizarre and pointless.
My nesting instinct typically has to do with actual preparation, such as getting the nursery completed, one last housecleaning, and packing for the hospital trip. We finally completed all those tasks within the last couple of weekends. Saturday, I took the opportunity to pack for Jeremiah and myself to be gone for a few days, took a nap (because the activity wiped me out) and woke up with very strong contractions. Talk about timing.
My contractions lasted virtually all night, which didn't allow me to sleep much at all. Since they continued to be naggy, I visited the hospital after church and got checked out. The update is that my cervix is very soft and I am beginning to dilate. They are not certain when true labor will begin, but I just need to go home and deal with these pesky contractions until something stronger and more frequent occurs.
My next doctor visit is this Wednesday... we'll see if there is any progression then.
My nesting instinct typically has to do with actual preparation, such as getting the nursery completed, one last housecleaning, and packing for the hospital trip. We finally completed all those tasks within the last couple of weekends. Saturday, I took the opportunity to pack for Jeremiah and myself to be gone for a few days, took a nap (because the activity wiped me out) and woke up with very strong contractions. Talk about timing.
My contractions lasted virtually all night, which didn't allow me to sleep much at all. Since they continued to be naggy, I visited the hospital after church and got checked out. The update is that my cervix is very soft and I am beginning to dilate. They are not certain when true labor will begin, but I just need to go home and deal with these pesky contractions until something stronger and more frequent occurs.
My next doctor visit is this Wednesday... we'll see if there is any progression then.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Overature Center
Several weeks ago (yes, I know I am delinquent in posting this), we took a family outing to the Overature Center in Madison. They were having a 5-year anniversary celebration of their new building (more like raising awareness to try to pull in more people to pay it off). We decided to go because the event was free and there were some kids' activities we thought Jeremiah would enjoy.
Down in the kid's section, they had several musicians playing for kids who wanted to sing on a stage in front of the rest of us. Sort of like karoke, but with live musicians helping out where needed. Some kids' chose to sing "I like horses" for the duration of their proud moment in the spotlight, but the musicians made it hilarious to watch and helped the kids feel good about their efforts.
There was also a dress-up corner with costumes from the kid's theatre program. Where else did you think I found such a perfect hat for Jeremy?
Down in the kid's section, they had several musicians playing for kids who wanted to sing on a stage in front of the rest of us. Sort of like karoke, but with live musicians helping out where needed. Some kids' chose to sing "I like horses" for the duration of their proud moment in the spotlight, but the musicians made it hilarious to watch and helped the kids feel good about their efforts.
There was also a dress-up corner with costumes from the kid's theatre program. Where else did you think I found such a perfect hat for Jeremy?
Nicknames
Do you have strange nicknames for your children? I don't know where any of mine came from -- they all popped out all by themselves -- but Jeremiah has had quite a few. One is "Jew boy" (for obvious reasons), but rarely used. Usually it comes out when I'm trying to say something else. But ones that are commonly used in our house are "Lou" "Moo" and "Mr. Moo". Jeremy uses the familiar "Buddy".
When Jeremiah was first born, I called him "Hoover" sometimes (he sucked really hard), but it didn't stick longterm.
Now that Jonah is coming any day, I have been wondering what names will pop out of my mouth when talking to him. None of these seems calculated or makes sense in any way.
What are some names you've used for your kids?
The little boy with all the names... two years ago, that is.
When Jeremiah was first born, I called him "Hoover" sometimes (he sucked really hard), but it didn't stick longterm.
Now that Jonah is coming any day, I have been wondering what names will pop out of my mouth when talking to him. None of these seems calculated or makes sense in any way.
What are some names you've used for your kids?
The little boy with all the names... two years ago, that is.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
A Testimony
--Some of you, my readers, may think I share a little too much personal information. I do this for a reason. There may be someone out there that can benefit from what I have experienced and I wish to be a help. If my life has been an encouragement or "wise counsel" to someone, then I say "Praise God" and may my life (whether good or bad) continue to be passed around for others to learn from.--
Back in 2006, I became a member of the church Jeremy has attended since he moved here to Wisconsin. This following is my testimony that I shared with the church deacons.
In 1979, I was born to an unwed Jewish girl who gave me up for adoption. God chose to place me in a family that ended up adopting three children and brought them up in a Christian church. I learned about God and His Son, Jesus, when I was a child and even then, I desired to go to heaven. So I prayed that God would let Jesus live in my heart and help me to be good. I prayed that prayer every night.
As a child, I do not recall my parents ever talking to me about becoming a Christian or the need to be saved from sin... but somehow I still knew it was necessary. When I was almost 13, I heard a sermon about what Jesus went through before His death: the beatings and torture... and I realized that I had to personally surrender my life over to God rather than depend upon the fact that I got in less trouble than my brothers. That night, I confessed that I understood that all my sins, however minor, had caused Jesus the pain He suffered and asked Him to forgive me. However, after that night is where my story really begins.
I was trying to live my life in honor of the Lord, but my older brother was not. He got involved with some not-so-good friends at school and was upset with me for not following his example as I had always done before. My mother knew I had gotten saved and told me that because my brother and I were now on two separate paths, I should have nothing to do with him. On my mother's counsel, I did not spend time with or even speak to my brother for 11 years even though much of that time we lived in the same house.
A few years later, my brother professed faith in Christ, and still I had nothing to do with him because, according to my mother, he wasn't genuine or else he would have asked forgiveness for each specific sin he had committed against our family. Several more years after that, he moved out of my parent's home and never gave a forwarding address or phone number. We only heard about him through other people who had seen him and we continued to harshly judge him. He moved to Pennsylvania to be near the woman he ended up marrying and during that time wrote a letter of apology which he sent to each member of our family... and we judged him still more because he, again, did not name specifics and he only wrote the letter because it was a homework assignment from the pastor from whom he was receiving pre-marital counseling. According to my mother, he is still unsaved today.
From the time I repented and asked God to save me, I would periodically have severe doubts about my salvation which stemmed from observing the treatment my brother received after he got saved at 16. Any time I struggled with a particular sin, I was wracked with guilt and would secretly pray that God would save me again... and again... and again.
During my college years, my mom made constant critiques and shared doubts she had about my salvation. It wasn't until I graduated from college and was in my career job that these problems came at me full force. My parents chose who my first boyfriend would be. I was 22 and he had expressed interest to my parents and they approved... all done without my knowledge. So, out of the blue, some man with whom I was barely an acquaintance was all of a sudden my boyfriend and I had no say in the matter. This man ended up treating me badly for eight months before he, thankfully, decided I wasn't in God's will for his life.
During that relationship, I was depressed much of the time and my mother took the opportunity to take me aside and confront me on my lack of peace and trust in the Lord about it. She said this lack of faith caused her to have serious doubts about my salvation and that I should examine my heart to see if my faith was genuine. I cried and begged God to give me peace about my salvation or to save me if I was not saved. Looking back, I am amazed at how many times I prayed this desperate prayers of assurance or pleas for salvation.
After moving out of my parent's home at 22, I lived with some girls for a few months and then got an apartment by myself. That is when I started receiving letters from my mother about how she was so grieved that all three of her children were unsaved. During this time, I spent every evening with my married friend (who is a pastor's wife) and I still attended my parent's church. My mother saw me every Sunday. Her knowledge of how I lived my life did not mean anything... she was convinced about my spiritual condition and I could neither do nor say anything to change her mind. I spoke with her repeatedly explaining how I knew I was saved. "For whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." I even tried writing her letters, but to no avail.
After a couple of years, I caved into her words. I had received yet another letter harshly stating that I was damned to hell and that I was a foolish young woman; though she never did tell me what it was I had done wrong. I did not throw her letter away, but left it on the floor as a reminder and it plagued me. How could my own mother not see that I strive to live my life in honor and glory of the Lord? If she can't see it, I must be deceived in myself. Because parents try and want to believe the best about their children, don't they?
I opened my Bible and again fervently studied all the verses that explained the characteristics of a Christian--such as having love for God, repenting from sin, selfless love, spiritual growth and obedient living--to see how I matched up. It was so confusing because with my studies, I found no reason to say I wasn't saved... NONE. Certainly I wasn't perfect, but that wasn't a requirement. Despite the fact that the Holy Spirit and Scripture had proven I was saved, I refused to believe it because my mother didn't and wouldn't believe it.
As a result of so many destructive words, I became firmly convinced that I was not a Christian and never had been. I became depressed and hopeless about my condition. I knew what it meant to be a Christian and what people need to do in order to be saved. I remembered how I repeatedly cried out to God to forgive me and begged Him to save me.
If I knew all the answers and had done everything He required of me to be saved and He still wouldn't save me, I was lost. There was no hope. I wrote a letter of confession to my parents and to others that had been involved in my life, stating that even though I had made a profession of faith at 13 and even been baptized... it was all fake. I had deceived them all and I no longer wanted anything to do with Christianity. I announced my plan to move away so that children with whom I had an influence over in the past would not look at me and be led astray because of my bad example. I did not want them to end up like me... so I fled from everything.
The day I gave out that letter, my parents insisted I come over to their house to talk. When my mother opened the door, she gave me a hug (which rarely happened in my family) and her first words were, "I've known for a long time. I'm so glad God finally showed you the truth." That afternoon was spent with my parents calmly telling me all the consequences I would face as a pagan who lived an openly sinful life and proceeded to witness to me and tell me how to be saved. That day was the first time I ever remember hearing the words I had been longing to hear my whole life... "We are so proud of you..." Granted, with all these confusing words, this was the first time I could relax in front of my parents and not worry that every action or word was judged because they weren't about to make the mistake of expecting a pagan to act like a Christian.
So for the next several months and following, I completely gave up on God and lived my life as a pagan, not caring about consequences or how it would affect my life later on. As far as I was concerned, my life was over anyway and I wondered why I even bothered prolonging it. It would have been better to die because there was no way I could be saved with the knowledge I already had, since God had rejected me. At some point during these months, I called my brother and asked him why he left our family and never contacted us. He proceeded to tell me a very similar story to my own. We are now reconciled and are back in communication.
After moving to Kansas City, MO... I found a church where the people showed me what unconditional love was for the first time. They accepted me just as I was and recognized me for the crushed person I had become as a result of all these events. After talking with the pastor, he helped me realize that God hadn't abandoned me at all... and He most certainly hadn't rejected me. God has forgiven me of everything I did while I lived apart from Him. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." These life events I have shared with you are the reason I can sit solidly on my faith without wavering in doubt from anything... despite what anyone thinks of me.
Back in 2006, I became a member of the church Jeremy has attended since he moved here to Wisconsin. This following is my testimony that I shared with the church deacons.
In 1979, I was born to an unwed Jewish girl who gave me up for adoption. God chose to place me in a family that ended up adopting three children and brought them up in a Christian church. I learned about God and His Son, Jesus, when I was a child and even then, I desired to go to heaven. So I prayed that God would let Jesus live in my heart and help me to be good. I prayed that prayer every night.
As a child, I do not recall my parents ever talking to me about becoming a Christian or the need to be saved from sin... but somehow I still knew it was necessary. When I was almost 13, I heard a sermon about what Jesus went through before His death: the beatings and torture... and I realized that I had to personally surrender my life over to God rather than depend upon the fact that I got in less trouble than my brothers. That night, I confessed that I understood that all my sins, however minor, had caused Jesus the pain He suffered and asked Him to forgive me. However, after that night is where my story really begins.
I was trying to live my life in honor of the Lord, but my older brother was not. He got involved with some not-so-good friends at school and was upset with me for not following his example as I had always done before. My mother knew I had gotten saved and told me that because my brother and I were now on two separate paths, I should have nothing to do with him. On my mother's counsel, I did not spend time with or even speak to my brother for 11 years even though much of that time we lived in the same house.
A few years later, my brother professed faith in Christ, and still I had nothing to do with him because, according to my mother, he wasn't genuine or else he would have asked forgiveness for each specific sin he had committed against our family. Several more years after that, he moved out of my parent's home and never gave a forwarding address or phone number. We only heard about him through other people who had seen him and we continued to harshly judge him. He moved to Pennsylvania to be near the woman he ended up marrying and during that time wrote a letter of apology which he sent to each member of our family... and we judged him still more because he, again, did not name specifics and he only wrote the letter because it was a homework assignment from the pastor from whom he was receiving pre-marital counseling. According to my mother, he is still unsaved today.
From the time I repented and asked God to save me, I would periodically have severe doubts about my salvation which stemmed from observing the treatment my brother received after he got saved at 16. Any time I struggled with a particular sin, I was wracked with guilt and would secretly pray that God would save me again... and again... and again.
During my college years, my mom made constant critiques and shared doubts she had about my salvation. It wasn't until I graduated from college and was in my career job that these problems came at me full force. My parents chose who my first boyfriend would be. I was 22 and he had expressed interest to my parents and they approved... all done without my knowledge. So, out of the blue, some man with whom I was barely an acquaintance was all of a sudden my boyfriend and I had no say in the matter. This man ended up treating me badly for eight months before he, thankfully, decided I wasn't in God's will for his life.
During that relationship, I was depressed much of the time and my mother took the opportunity to take me aside and confront me on my lack of peace and trust in the Lord about it. She said this lack of faith caused her to have serious doubts about my salvation and that I should examine my heart to see if my faith was genuine. I cried and begged God to give me peace about my salvation or to save me if I was not saved. Looking back, I am amazed at how many times I prayed this desperate prayers of assurance or pleas for salvation.
After moving out of my parent's home at 22, I lived with some girls for a few months and then got an apartment by myself. That is when I started receiving letters from my mother about how she was so grieved that all three of her children were unsaved. During this time, I spent every evening with my married friend (who is a pastor's wife) and I still attended my parent's church. My mother saw me every Sunday. Her knowledge of how I lived my life did not mean anything... she was convinced about my spiritual condition and I could neither do nor say anything to change her mind. I spoke with her repeatedly explaining how I knew I was saved. "For whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." I even tried writing her letters, but to no avail.
After a couple of years, I caved into her words. I had received yet another letter harshly stating that I was damned to hell and that I was a foolish young woman; though she never did tell me what it was I had done wrong. I did not throw her letter away, but left it on the floor as a reminder and it plagued me. How could my own mother not see that I strive to live my life in honor and glory of the Lord? If she can't see it, I must be deceived in myself. Because parents try and want to believe the best about their children, don't they?
I opened my Bible and again fervently studied all the verses that explained the characteristics of a Christian--such as having love for God, repenting from sin, selfless love, spiritual growth and obedient living--to see how I matched up. It was so confusing because with my studies, I found no reason to say I wasn't saved... NONE. Certainly I wasn't perfect, but that wasn't a requirement. Despite the fact that the Holy Spirit and Scripture had proven I was saved, I refused to believe it because my mother didn't and wouldn't believe it.
As a result of so many destructive words, I became firmly convinced that I was not a Christian and never had been. I became depressed and hopeless about my condition. I knew what it meant to be a Christian and what people need to do in order to be saved. I remembered how I repeatedly cried out to God to forgive me and begged Him to save me.
If I knew all the answers and had done everything He required of me to be saved and He still wouldn't save me, I was lost. There was no hope. I wrote a letter of confession to my parents and to others that had been involved in my life, stating that even though I had made a profession of faith at 13 and even been baptized... it was all fake. I had deceived them all and I no longer wanted anything to do with Christianity. I announced my plan to move away so that children with whom I had an influence over in the past would not look at me and be led astray because of my bad example. I did not want them to end up like me... so I fled from everything.
The day I gave out that letter, my parents insisted I come over to their house to talk. When my mother opened the door, she gave me a hug (which rarely happened in my family) and her first words were, "I've known for a long time. I'm so glad God finally showed you the truth." That afternoon was spent with my parents calmly telling me all the consequences I would face as a pagan who lived an openly sinful life and proceeded to witness to me and tell me how to be saved. That day was the first time I ever remember hearing the words I had been longing to hear my whole life... "We are so proud of you..." Granted, with all these confusing words, this was the first time I could relax in front of my parents and not worry that every action or word was judged because they weren't about to make the mistake of expecting a pagan to act like a Christian.
So for the next several months and following, I completely gave up on God and lived my life as a pagan, not caring about consequences or how it would affect my life later on. As far as I was concerned, my life was over anyway and I wondered why I even bothered prolonging it. It would have been better to die because there was no way I could be saved with the knowledge I already had, since God had rejected me. At some point during these months, I called my brother and asked him why he left our family and never contacted us. He proceeded to tell me a very similar story to my own. We are now reconciled and are back in communication.
After moving to Kansas City, MO... I found a church where the people showed me what unconditional love was for the first time. They accepted me just as I was and recognized me for the crushed person I had become as a result of all these events. After talking with the pastor, he helped me realize that God hadn't abandoned me at all... and He most certainly hadn't rejected me. God has forgiven me of everything I did while I lived apart from Him. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." These life events I have shared with you are the reason I can sit solidly on my faith without wavering in doubt from anything... despite what anyone thinks of me.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Chapter 10 - Mom and Sisters
This chapter really opened my eyes to the importance of how a mother relates to her sons. In case you haven't noticed, boys and girls are different. A mother needs to have a close association with her husband while raising boys. My husband is responsible to help me understand my sons... and it is also his responsibility to teach my sons about their future wives through teaching them to honor me, their mother, now.
There are certain principles that a mother needs to know about her sons.
First, a mother needs to blend respect and toughness. Mothers with a critical or harsh spirit can certainly be hard on their sons, but it is a demeaning and emasculating hardness. And at the other end of the spectrum, mothers can be respectful of their sons in such a way that they never require anything of them. This kind of respect deterioriates into a mollycoddling mess. But a mother who approaches her son with wisdom is one who respects and consequently expects. When a wise mother sees insecurity in her son, the response should not be scorn, it should not be sympathy. The right response is respect. Boys can rise to respect, when they might crater under harsh pressure or puff up in response to excessive praise.
Second, a mother needs to see small boys as future men. The way boys learn to deal with their various immature "passions" will generally be the way they deal with adult passions. A boy who is not obviously learning self-control with regard to temper, his stomach, his video games, or his school work is a boy who will still lack self-control when sexual temptation arrives. Many times mothers unwittingly train boys to mistreat their future wives through sinful indulgence of boyish passions. It is important to distinguish between the godly service a mother is supposed to supply the household (like cooking the meals) and an ungodly catering that will help destroy her son (like cooking a second breakfast when her son gets up hours after everyone else, and for no good reason).
Third, a mother needs to learn that when a godly father is disciplining a boy, he is doing so while remembering. He used to think the way his son thinks; he used to receive what his son is now receiving; he used to connive the way his son is conniving. A mother can and should discipline her son, but she cannot do it while remembering. She therefore needs her husband's perspective in order to aim the way she ought. For her to have his perspective, he must talk about it with her, an dnot just assume that everyone in the world has the same memories and experiences he has.
Fourth, a mother needs to realize that when she gets exasperated or annoyed with her sons, she is helping them learn how to control or manipulate her. It usually goes like this: A son doesn't do what he was asked to do seven or eight times. Mom finally gets steamed and flares up over it. Mom has more of a tender conscience about her annoyance than the son does about his disobedience. She consequently apologizes and he magnanimously forgives her. The solution is for Mom to cheerfully require obedience from her sons long before annoyance is even a possibility.
And fifth, a mother needs to know that God has given her to her sons, and her sons to her, and that when the gift is received with wisdom, the blessings are tremendous and flow in both directions. But if the relation is foolishly embraced, the book of Proverbs poignantly prophecies a coming maternal grief.
Transitioning to another important aspect of raising boys is understanding that there is a type of toughness in discipline which must be built. Discipline is not limited to responses to disobedience and sin; discipline also includes patient instruction when a child encounters some of life's ordinary difficulties.
Instilling toughness in boys is very important. A masculine toughness is the only foundation upon which a masculine tenderness may be safely placed. Without a concrete foundation, thoughtfulness, consideration, and sensitivity in men is just simply gross. So mothers must take particular care against allowing some of their feminine strengths to be the occasion of stumbling for their sons.
First, a mother should talk regularly with her husband about her sons and her relationship to them. Any number of things may be happening which she does not see and concerning which her husband's advice would be invaluable.
Second, a mother must have the respect and obedience of her sons. The older and bigger they get, the more obedient they should be. A son who is a foot and a half taller than his mother should hear her with respect. Of course she should be careful not to issue needless requirements, but when she requires something, it must be cheerfully done. If it is not, then she should immediately involve her husband. The central issue is not the thing to be done, but rather teaching the son to honor his mother and to respect women generally.
Third, a mother must never subsidize her sons' laziness. Masculine inertia is difficult for anyone to deal with, and the aversion which many boys have to academic rigor is renowned. But educational laziness is the mother of poverty and sloth. The word that should characterize the academic activity of the home is industry. Boys can usually work much harder than they say they can. In all this, under the father's supervision, the mother can equip her sons to rise up and call her blessed.
Another aspect of this is the task of teaching sons how to treat their mothers, and this means instruction in manners. Boys have a need to be respected, but sometimes this need can be communicated in some strange ways. And because boys can gravitate toward such strange forms of communicating their boyhood, they may come to think that manners are for sissies. A well-mannered boy is not a boy who acts like his sister.
Manners for boys should be a means of disciplining and directing strength, and not a means of denying it. This means that boys need to be taught that manners are a means of showing and receiving honor. Honor is a concept which boys instinctively understand and love, but they still have to be taught to direct it with wisdom. Honor, in its turn, cannot be understood apart from authority and obedience.
Boys thrive under authority and are not threatened by it. At the same time, the authority must be of the kind which understands masculinity and nurtures it by hammering it. One of the "hammers" should be a short course in manners.
Boys should not be allowed to think that manners are something which women impose on men. Rather, they should see manners as something which men teach boys to do, for the sake of honoring and protecting women, and for the sake of living graciously with them.
A priority should be placed on those manners and customs which place a distinction between men and women. For instance, men seat women at the dinner table, open and hold doors, stand when a woman enters the room, walk on the sidewalk between a woman and the traffic, etc.
The next class of manners would focus on disciplining a young man to think of the comfort and possessions of others - not tipping back in chairs, not putting feet on the coffee table, and not bouncing the basketball next to the china cabinet.
A third category would be in the realm of personal presentation: not dressing like a slob, not scarfing food, not wearing a baseball cap indoors, etc. In this section, a boy is being taught to present himself as trustworthy in all the categories.
All these manners are a way of showing honor to others in areas which are not of cosmic importance. At the same time, because they are acts of love, even though they are live in trifles, God considers them important.
<"Future Men" by Douglas Wilson>
There are certain principles that a mother needs to know about her sons.
First, a mother needs to blend respect and toughness. Mothers with a critical or harsh spirit can certainly be hard on their sons, but it is a demeaning and emasculating hardness. And at the other end of the spectrum, mothers can be respectful of their sons in such a way that they never require anything of them. This kind of respect deterioriates into a mollycoddling mess. But a mother who approaches her son with wisdom is one who respects and consequently expects. When a wise mother sees insecurity in her son, the response should not be scorn, it should not be sympathy. The right response is respect. Boys can rise to respect, when they might crater under harsh pressure or puff up in response to excessive praise.
Second, a mother needs to see small boys as future men. The way boys learn to deal with their various immature "passions" will generally be the way they deal with adult passions. A boy who is not obviously learning self-control with regard to temper, his stomach, his video games, or his school work is a boy who will still lack self-control when sexual temptation arrives. Many times mothers unwittingly train boys to mistreat their future wives through sinful indulgence of boyish passions. It is important to distinguish between the godly service a mother is supposed to supply the household (like cooking the meals) and an ungodly catering that will help destroy her son (like cooking a second breakfast when her son gets up hours after everyone else, and for no good reason).
Third, a mother needs to learn that when a godly father is disciplining a boy, he is doing so while remembering. He used to think the way his son thinks; he used to receive what his son is now receiving; he used to connive the way his son is conniving. A mother can and should discipline her son, but she cannot do it while remembering. She therefore needs her husband's perspective in order to aim the way she ought. For her to have his perspective, he must talk about it with her, an dnot just assume that everyone in the world has the same memories and experiences he has.
Fourth, a mother needs to realize that when she gets exasperated or annoyed with her sons, she is helping them learn how to control or manipulate her. It usually goes like this: A son doesn't do what he was asked to do seven or eight times. Mom finally gets steamed and flares up over it. Mom has more of a tender conscience about her annoyance than the son does about his disobedience. She consequently apologizes and he magnanimously forgives her. The solution is for Mom to cheerfully require obedience from her sons long before annoyance is even a possibility.
And fifth, a mother needs to know that God has given her to her sons, and her sons to her, and that when the gift is received with wisdom, the blessings are tremendous and flow in both directions. But if the relation is foolishly embraced, the book of Proverbs poignantly prophecies a coming maternal grief.
Transitioning to another important aspect of raising boys is understanding that there is a type of toughness in discipline which must be built. Discipline is not limited to responses to disobedience and sin; discipline also includes patient instruction when a child encounters some of life's ordinary difficulties.
Instilling toughness in boys is very important. A masculine toughness is the only foundation upon which a masculine tenderness may be safely placed. Without a concrete foundation, thoughtfulness, consideration, and sensitivity in men is just simply gross. So mothers must take particular care against allowing some of their feminine strengths to be the occasion of stumbling for their sons.
First, a mother should talk regularly with her husband about her sons and her relationship to them. Any number of things may be happening which she does not see and concerning which her husband's advice would be invaluable.
Second, a mother must have the respect and obedience of her sons. The older and bigger they get, the more obedient they should be. A son who is a foot and a half taller than his mother should hear her with respect. Of course she should be careful not to issue needless requirements, but when she requires something, it must be cheerfully done. If it is not, then she should immediately involve her husband. The central issue is not the thing to be done, but rather teaching the son to honor his mother and to respect women generally.
Third, a mother must never subsidize her sons' laziness. Masculine inertia is difficult for anyone to deal with, and the aversion which many boys have to academic rigor is renowned. But educational laziness is the mother of poverty and sloth. The word that should characterize the academic activity of the home is industry. Boys can usually work much harder than they say they can. In all this, under the father's supervision, the mother can equip her sons to rise up and call her blessed.
Another aspect of this is the task of teaching sons how to treat their mothers, and this means instruction in manners. Boys have a need to be respected, but sometimes this need can be communicated in some strange ways. And because boys can gravitate toward such strange forms of communicating their boyhood, they may come to think that manners are for sissies. A well-mannered boy is not a boy who acts like his sister.
Manners for boys should be a means of disciplining and directing strength, and not a means of denying it. This means that boys need to be taught that manners are a means of showing and receiving honor. Honor is a concept which boys instinctively understand and love, but they still have to be taught to direct it with wisdom. Honor, in its turn, cannot be understood apart from authority and obedience.
Boys thrive under authority and are not threatened by it. At the same time, the authority must be of the kind which understands masculinity and nurtures it by hammering it. One of the "hammers" should be a short course in manners.
Boys should not be allowed to think that manners are something which women impose on men. Rather, they should see manners as something which men teach boys to do, for the sake of honoring and protecting women, and for the sake of living graciously with them.
A priority should be placed on those manners and customs which place a distinction between men and women. For instance, men seat women at the dinner table, open and hold doors, stand when a woman enters the room, walk on the sidewalk between a woman and the traffic, etc.
The next class of manners would focus on disciplining a young man to think of the comfort and possessions of others - not tipping back in chairs, not putting feet on the coffee table, and not bouncing the basketball next to the china cabinet.
A third category would be in the realm of personal presentation: not dressing like a slob, not scarfing food, not wearing a baseball cap indoors, etc. In this section, a boy is being taught to present himself as trustworthy in all the categories.
All these manners are a way of showing honor to others in areas which are not of cosmic importance. At the same time, because they are acts of love, even though they are live in trifles, God considers them important.
<"Future Men" by Douglas Wilson>
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Chapter 7 - Laziness and Hard Labor
Boys tend to be lazy. One of the central duties parents have with regard to their boys is the duty of teaching and instilling work ethic. "He that gathers in summer is a wise son: but he that sleeps in harvest is a son that causes shame" (Proverbs 10:5).
Work is not a result of the fall of Adam, but work goes the difficult way it does because of the fall. We were created for work. But when sin entered, Go saw that thorns and thistles were needed. In His grace, God cursed the ground. This is why boys need to be taught and disciplined in physical labor. Hard physical work is an important part of a boy's discipleship. He needs to know what it is like to be exhausted, to have callouses on his hands, and to work when his body does not really want to anymore. He needs this; God said so. He is a son of Adam.
A boy who learns to settle into his laziness is being prepared by his parents for a life of frustration. "The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat" (Proverbs 13:4). The fourth commandement has two parts which depend upon one another. One part, of course, is the day of rest, but the other part is the six days of labor. Without the labor, the rest is nonsensical. Without the rest, the work is slavery. Learned together, a boy comes to comprehend the dignity of labor that is offered up to God in the name of Christ.
<"Future Men" by Douglas Wilson>
Work is not a result of the fall of Adam, but work goes the difficult way it does because of the fall. We were created for work. But when sin entered, Go saw that thorns and thistles were needed. In His grace, God cursed the ground. This is why boys need to be taught and disciplined in physical labor. Hard physical work is an important part of a boy's discipleship. He needs to know what it is like to be exhausted, to have callouses on his hands, and to work when his body does not really want to anymore. He needs this; God said so. He is a son of Adam.
A boy who learns to settle into his laziness is being prepared by his parents for a life of frustration. "The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat" (Proverbs 13:4). The fourth commandement has two parts which depend upon one another. One part, of course, is the day of rest, but the other part is the six days of labor. Without the labor, the rest is nonsensical. Without the rest, the work is slavery. Learned together, a boy comes to comprehend the dignity of labor that is offered up to God in the name of Christ.
<"Future Men" by Douglas Wilson>
Chapter 6 - Secret Sin, Tolerated Sin
"But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out." Numbers 32:23
Boys need to grow up knowing that sin cannot ever be truly covered up. One of our regular prayers should be that God would give us (parents) any information we need to know in order to be good parents.
If young men begin to nurture secret sin in their lives, then they have forgotten (or perhaps have never been taught) certain basic truths from God's Word. "And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." (Hebrews 4:13)
Secret sin is only temporarily secret. God is not mocked, and a man reaps what he sows. Reaping is typically a very public matter. And God has promised to publicize things we would rather keep secret. As we know from King David in 2 Samuel 11, sin breeds sin and hidden sin breeds more hidden sin. But as sin accumulates, it becomes impossible for the sinner to "manage".
Individuals who hide their sin are often guilty of another sin as well -- the sin of individualism. They believe that what they do affects only them. This is false.
But, through all this, God is merciful. He will forgive young men who have been discovered in the grip of secret sin. The only solution to this is to want God's mercy so much that you are willing to do exactly what He says when you apply to Him for it. And that means full and honest confession. This does not mean that everything is automatically fixed through an act of "mental obedience" alone, but it does begin there.
<"Future Men" by Douglas Wilson>
Boys need to grow up knowing that sin cannot ever be truly covered up. One of our regular prayers should be that God would give us (parents) any information we need to know in order to be good parents.
If young men begin to nurture secret sin in their lives, then they have forgotten (or perhaps have never been taught) certain basic truths from God's Word. "And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." (Hebrews 4:13)
Secret sin is only temporarily secret. God is not mocked, and a man reaps what he sows. Reaping is typically a very public matter. And God has promised to publicize things we would rather keep secret. As we know from King David in 2 Samuel 11, sin breeds sin and hidden sin breeds more hidden sin. But as sin accumulates, it becomes impossible for the sinner to "manage".
Individuals who hide their sin are often guilty of another sin as well -- the sin of individualism. They believe that what they do affects only them. This is false.
But, through all this, God is merciful. He will forgive young men who have been discovered in the grip of secret sin. The only solution to this is to want God's mercy so much that you are willing to do exactly what He says when you apply to Him for it. And that means full and honest confession. This does not mean that everything is automatically fixed through an act of "mental obedience" alone, but it does begin there.
<"Future Men" by Douglas Wilson>
Sunday, September 27, 2009
The Blessings of Facebook
You know, I never thought I would say that something as frivolous as a site like Facebook would be a blessing... but God has been showing me otherwise. At first it seemed like a place to waste time... and it is (or can be). There are so many things to distract one from using their time wisely, like all the games it offers... or pointless exercises in "farming" (WHY??) and all those silly quizzes that have no idea what they're talking about.
The thing that is beginning to change my mind about Facebook is the fact that I have found so many people who were lost to me. I'm not talking about my first friend from grade school (though, yes, I did find her as well)... but family. I found my biological sister (a full-blood sister), and a half-sister that I didn't know I had. I also, through my half-sister, found my biological dad. These have been excellent uses of my time. I am forming relationships and finding out about my past as well as, hopefully, building a rapport that may bring these relations to Christ.
However, the more meaningful aspect of finding people came recently when I started reconnecting with people from my adopted family. My parents (yes, the story will be coming eventually) effectively cut out everyone from their families and we were raised without aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents because they were all "sinful", "unsaved", "didn't go to church"... blah blah blah. To me (at least now), that is no longer a valid reason to cut someone off from your life.
Today, the most encouraging one of all, I had a phone call from a cousin that I met when I was a child. He had a very rough childhood and yet God saved him through it all and he is a very gentle man and so kind and such a witness for Christ. He is passionate about serving the Lord in whatever he does and has always wanted to be part of a family. Since he was abandoned when he was a child, he has made do with creating his own family with his wife; but now that we found each other, we are forming a relationship that I am praying will be mutually encouraging and uplifting spiritually. We, through our talk this afternoon, found that we are kindred spirits in that our situations and experiences have been similar and God has protected us both through them. We can relate to one another and it is so relieving to knowthat at least one person in your family actually cares about you.
Well... that is my praise for today. Thank God for Sevrin (my cousin) and may he continue to be greatly blessed.
The thing that is beginning to change my mind about Facebook is the fact that I have found so many people who were lost to me. I'm not talking about my first friend from grade school (though, yes, I did find her as well)... but family. I found my biological sister (a full-blood sister), and a half-sister that I didn't know I had. I also, through my half-sister, found my biological dad. These have been excellent uses of my time. I am forming relationships and finding out about my past as well as, hopefully, building a rapport that may bring these relations to Christ.
However, the more meaningful aspect of finding people came recently when I started reconnecting with people from my adopted family. My parents (yes, the story will be coming eventually) effectively cut out everyone from their families and we were raised without aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents because they were all "sinful", "unsaved", "didn't go to church"... blah blah blah. To me (at least now), that is no longer a valid reason to cut someone off from your life.
Today, the most encouraging one of all, I had a phone call from a cousin that I met when I was a child. He had a very rough childhood and yet God saved him through it all and he is a very gentle man and so kind and such a witness for Christ. He is passionate about serving the Lord in whatever he does and has always wanted to be part of a family. Since he was abandoned when he was a child, he has made do with creating his own family with his wife; but now that we found each other, we are forming a relationship that I am praying will be mutually encouraging and uplifting spiritually. We, through our talk this afternoon, found that we are kindred spirits in that our situations and experiences have been similar and God has protected us both through them. We can relate to one another and it is so relieving to knowthat at least one person in your family actually cares about you.
Well... that is my praise for today. Thank God for Sevrin (my cousin) and may he continue to be greatly blessed.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Chapter 2 - Effeminacy and Biblical Masculinity
As we are living in a feminist and effeminate culture, most people are uneasy with true masculinity and are ignorant about how it should look. There are two directions a boy can take apart from biblical masculinity: effeminacy and macho-like counterfeit masculinity.
In taking the effeminate role, he is taking a set of virtues which are not supposed to be his. With the macho-like counterfeit masculinity, he is adopting a set of pseudo-virtues, practices which are not virtues at all.
Boys should not, as a rule, play with dolls... and those who do have a problem. Most boys naturally see effeminacy as "yuck". Instruction and correction is necessary since boys do not how to make the distinction between that which should be mocked in themselves and that which must be honored in the girls.
Rolling around in the dirt is not the only way to show masculinity... as we've already seen, boys should be studying to become wise, studying to be a sage when he is old. That is not the same thing as wearing a frilly apron. Men can work indoors helping and leading with many domestic duties, though their focus will be different.
Fathers who are domineering will browbeat their sons into a pattern of cowering submission which is effeminate and then wonder why their sons do not follow their example. The reason is that their father would not permit it. He was not training his son; he was sitting on him.
On the other side of unbiblical masculinity is the counterfeit masculinity. This is a problem which occurs when people "glory" in masculinity. This type of masculinity excels at making excuses. It is a matter of pride rather than humble acceptance of responsibility.
One thing that threatens pride is any kind of failure, and the way insecure males deal with this is through making excuses. True masculinity accepts responsibility, period. Boys don't just do this naturally, they also learn it from their parents. Children (especially as seen in sports) don't have to stand up for themselves and their mistakes, their parents are often modeling these behaviors when "explaining" why the coach was wrong in his decision about their son. Boys must learn to say that they were wrong when they were wrong, and that they were responsible when they were responsible.
<"Future Men" by Douglas Wilson>
In taking the effeminate role, he is taking a set of virtues which are not supposed to be his. With the macho-like counterfeit masculinity, he is adopting a set of pseudo-virtues, practices which are not virtues at all.
Boys should not, as a rule, play with dolls... and those who do have a problem. Most boys naturally see effeminacy as "yuck". Instruction and correction is necessary since boys do not how to make the distinction between that which should be mocked in themselves and that which must be honored in the girls.
Rolling around in the dirt is not the only way to show masculinity... as we've already seen, boys should be studying to become wise, studying to be a sage when he is old. That is not the same thing as wearing a frilly apron. Men can work indoors helping and leading with many domestic duties, though their focus will be different.
Fathers who are domineering will browbeat their sons into a pattern of cowering submission which is effeminate and then wonder why their sons do not follow their example. The reason is that their father would not permit it. He was not training his son; he was sitting on him.
On the other side of unbiblical masculinity is the counterfeit masculinity. This is a problem which occurs when people "glory" in masculinity. This type of masculinity excels at making excuses. It is a matter of pride rather than humble acceptance of responsibility.
One thing that threatens pride is any kind of failure, and the way insecure males deal with this is through making excuses. True masculinity accepts responsibility, period. Boys don't just do this naturally, they also learn it from their parents. Children (especially as seen in sports) don't have to stand up for themselves and their mistakes, their parents are often modeling these behaviors when "explaining" why the coach was wrong in his decision about their son. Boys must learn to say that they were wrong when they were wrong, and that they were responsible when they were responsible.
<"Future Men" by Douglas Wilson>
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Chapter 1 - The Shape of Masculinity
You've heard the adage, "Boys will be boys," so obviously there is the aspect of masculinity that is very different from our girls. The first thing to know is "what is masculinity?" and "what are we looking for when we describe manhood according to the Bible?"
First, our boys will be "lords". We know from Genesis 1: 26-28 that man was created to exercise dominion in the earth. Sin has certainly affected our ability to fulfill this command from God, but it did not remove the obligation placed on us by the command.
Another aspect of this command is seen in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20): disciple the nations and bring them to true submission to Christ. Boys want to conquer and subdue. The point of discipline with boys is to channel and direct their energy into an obedient response to the cultural mandate. It is not to squash that energy, destroying it or making it sullen. Boys, therefore, should be in training to become men who exercise dominion, they should be learning to be lords in the earth, and learning how to be adventurous and visionary.
Second, our boys will be "husbandmen." Man was created to make our world flourish. The dominion mandate, taken in isolation, could result in men trying to build a culture based on piracy. This second aspect means that men are created to conquer and subdue, and after that, to settle down. In Genesis 2:15, "God took man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it." Man doesn't just build, he must tend and oversee.
A rich farmer was once rebuked for having his sons work in the fields when they didn't have to. His reply to that was that he wasn't raising corn, he was raising boys. Boys, therefore, should be learning to be patient, careful, and hardworking.
Third, our boys will be "saviors". Men have a deep desire to deliver or save. The great example of a savior is, of course, Jesus Christ. His deliverance from the serpent (dragon) was promised to His people in the early chapters of Genesis. God promised a curse on the serpent, and in that curse we see the salvation of the world.
Men who follow Jesus Christ, the "dragon-slayer", must themselves become lesser dragon-slayers. This is why it is absolutely essential for boys to play with wooden swords and plastic guns. Boys have a deep need to have something to defend, something to represent in battle. The Christian faith is not pacifistic. The peace that will be ushered in by our Prince will be a peace purchased with blood. As Christ sacrificed Himself in this war, so must His followers learn to do. Boys must learn that they are growing up to fight in a great war, and they must consequently learn, as boys, to be strong, sacrificial, courageous, and good.
Fourth, our boys will be "sages". The sage is a man who is great in wisdom, and wisdom in Scripture is personified as a great lady. Sons are constantly exhorted to listen to her. Looking at Proverbs 1-9, we see that wisdom is a woman who disciplines boys. If he heeds wisdom in her role as the strict school-mistress, he grows up to a certain measure of wisdom.
We must, therefore, teach our boys the masculinity of study, of learning, of books, of intellectual discussion. Too often, boys drift into a situation where they pit one aspect of masculinity against another. For instance, a boy who loves the outdoors can too readily dismiss software programming as effeminate, or even worse, come to look down on poetry.
Intellectual discipline, or, as Peter put it, girding up the loins of the mind, is an important part of growing to manhood. Boys must learn to be teachable, studious, and thoughtful.
Finally, our boys will be "glory-bearers". This last aspect of masculinity is seen in the fact that men are the glory of God. "For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man" (1 Corinthians 11:3).
Boys must be instructed on how to grow up into glory and how to fulfill their responsibility to be representative, responsible, and holy.
In summary, we should want our boys to be aggressive and adventurous. They are learning to be lords of the earth. We should want them to be patient and hardworking. They are learning husbandry. We should want them to hate evil and to have a deep desire to fight it. They are learning what a weapon feels like in their hands. We should want boys to be eager to learn from the wise. They are learning to become wise themselves. We should want them to stand before God, in the worship of God, with head uncovered. They are the image and glory of God.
<"Future Men" by Douglas Wilson>
First, our boys will be "lords". We know from Genesis 1: 26-28 that man was created to exercise dominion in the earth. Sin has certainly affected our ability to fulfill this command from God, but it did not remove the obligation placed on us by the command.
Another aspect of this command is seen in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20): disciple the nations and bring them to true submission to Christ. Boys want to conquer and subdue. The point of discipline with boys is to channel and direct their energy into an obedient response to the cultural mandate. It is not to squash that energy, destroying it or making it sullen. Boys, therefore, should be in training to become men who exercise dominion, they should be learning to be lords in the earth, and learning how to be adventurous and visionary.
Second, our boys will be "husbandmen." Man was created to make our world flourish. The dominion mandate, taken in isolation, could result in men trying to build a culture based on piracy. This second aspect means that men are created to conquer and subdue, and after that, to settle down. In Genesis 2:15, "God took man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it." Man doesn't just build, he must tend and oversee.
A rich farmer was once rebuked for having his sons work in the fields when they didn't have to. His reply to that was that he wasn't raising corn, he was raising boys. Boys, therefore, should be learning to be patient, careful, and hardworking.
Third, our boys will be "saviors". Men have a deep desire to deliver or save. The great example of a savior is, of course, Jesus Christ. His deliverance from the serpent (dragon) was promised to His people in the early chapters of Genesis. God promised a curse on the serpent, and in that curse we see the salvation of the world.
Men who follow Jesus Christ, the "dragon-slayer", must themselves become lesser dragon-slayers. This is why it is absolutely essential for boys to play with wooden swords and plastic guns. Boys have a deep need to have something to defend, something to represent in battle. The Christian faith is not pacifistic. The peace that will be ushered in by our Prince will be a peace purchased with blood. As Christ sacrificed Himself in this war, so must His followers learn to do. Boys must learn that they are growing up to fight in a great war, and they must consequently learn, as boys, to be strong, sacrificial, courageous, and good.
Fourth, our boys will be "sages". The sage is a man who is great in wisdom, and wisdom in Scripture is personified as a great lady. Sons are constantly exhorted to listen to her. Looking at Proverbs 1-9, we see that wisdom is a woman who disciplines boys. If he heeds wisdom in her role as the strict school-mistress, he grows up to a certain measure of wisdom.
We must, therefore, teach our boys the masculinity of study, of learning, of books, of intellectual discussion. Too often, boys drift into a situation where they pit one aspect of masculinity against another. For instance, a boy who loves the outdoors can too readily dismiss software programming as effeminate, or even worse, come to look down on poetry.
Intellectual discipline, or, as Peter put it, girding up the loins of the mind, is an important part of growing to manhood. Boys must learn to be teachable, studious, and thoughtful.
Finally, our boys will be "glory-bearers". This last aspect of masculinity is seen in the fact that men are the glory of God. "For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man" (1 Corinthians 11:3).
Boys must be instructed on how to grow up into glory and how to fulfill their responsibility to be representative, responsible, and holy.
In summary, we should want our boys to be aggressive and adventurous. They are learning to be lords of the earth. We should want them to be patient and hardworking. They are learning husbandry. We should want them to hate evil and to have a deep desire to fight it. They are learning what a weapon feels like in their hands. We should want boys to be eager to learn from the wise. They are learning to become wise themselves. We should want them to stand before God, in the worship of God, with head uncovered. They are the image and glory of God.
<"Future Men" by Douglas Wilson>
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
"Future Men" - Introduction
I heard about this book from my friend, Ivana, who is about to have her third boy and I thought that it would be an excellent book for myself as well since I am going to have my second boy soon. We'll just start from the beginning and hopefully I'll be able to clearly explain what I've learned in each section and maybe even be a help to someone else who has "future men".
The introduction to the book essentially tells parents that they must have faith about our boys. Despite how they look now, they are our future lawyers, airline pilots, pastors, etc. Unbelief is always anchored to the present, while faith looks at that which is unseen. We, as parents, must have the "faith of a farmer, or a sculptor, or anyone else engaged in the work of shaping unfolding possibilities." A parent of faith looks at the present and sees what it will become-- through grace and good works.
Boys don't often think about the consequences before they leap into something, but it is our job to see the best and the virtues displayed in each of those "unwise acts" in order to make something good out of it. Unbelief sees the lack of wisdom that created a situation that could have been easily avoided; faith sees an immature masculinity that is starting to assume the burden of manhood. Unbelief squashes; faith teaches. It is important to take your boys aside and tell him that part of what he did was good, while that other part of what he did got in the way, "And this is how to do it better next time."
Faith is central in bringing up boys, but it is important to remember that the object of faith is not the boy. It is faith in God, faith in His promises, faith in His wisdom. Faith concerns the boy, and the boy can see that it concerns him. Parents are to believe God for their sons, which is a very different thing than believing their sons.
God is the one who places a specific boy in a particular home. And He does so in order that those parents who believe and obey Him might come to delight in a wise son, a son who is like Jesus Christ. "My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself; Yes, my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak right things..." (Proverbs 23:15-16).
<"Future Men" by Douglas Wilson>
The introduction to the book essentially tells parents that they must have faith about our boys. Despite how they look now, they are our future lawyers, airline pilots, pastors, etc. Unbelief is always anchored to the present, while faith looks at that which is unseen. We, as parents, must have the "faith of a farmer, or a sculptor, or anyone else engaged in the work of shaping unfolding possibilities." A parent of faith looks at the present and sees what it will become-- through grace and good works.
Boys don't often think about the consequences before they leap into something, but it is our job to see the best and the virtues displayed in each of those "unwise acts" in order to make something good out of it. Unbelief sees the lack of wisdom that created a situation that could have been easily avoided; faith sees an immature masculinity that is starting to assume the burden of manhood. Unbelief squashes; faith teaches. It is important to take your boys aside and tell him that part of what he did was good, while that other part of what he did got in the way, "And this is how to do it better next time."
Faith is central in bringing up boys, but it is important to remember that the object of faith is not the boy. It is faith in God, faith in His promises, faith in His wisdom. Faith concerns the boy, and the boy can see that it concerns him. Parents are to believe God for their sons, which is a very different thing than believing their sons.
God is the one who places a specific boy in a particular home. And He does so in order that those parents who believe and obey Him might come to delight in a wise son, a son who is like Jesus Christ. "My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself; Yes, my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak right things..." (Proverbs 23:15-16).
<"Future Men" by Douglas Wilson>
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Preterm Labor
That is the phrase the nurse and doctor used on me at the hospital last night. I have been experiencing "discomfort" since Friday and just tried to suck it up until Saturday night. I thought it was just Braxton Hicks contractions, but then remembered that BHC doesn't occur in one's back... so I called the hospital and after giving me an assignment to rehydrate while lying down to see if that decreased the contractions, had me come in because it didn't work.
I ended up arriving at Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital (45 minute drive from our home in Portage) at 9:00pm and left today (Sunday) at 8:30am after two shots of a uterine relaxer (don't really remember the name) which made me really hyper and shaky since the contractions were anywhere from 4 to 6 minutes apart. Thankfully, I can be home and do my normal activities MINUS bike rides and walks (according to the doctor). If I get anymore contractions, though, I'll have to go back in.
Week 34 may change all that. They are less likely to try and stop the contractions once you reach that magic cutoff because there is a higher chance of infection and less chance of the prevention actually working. I am in Week 32.
So, that is my weekend update.
In other news, I started a book (recommended by my friend Ivana) called "Future Men" which I hope to talk about on this blog. I read the introduction yesterday in my hot bath (while trying to minimize my contraction discomfort)... and I think this book review will be most profitable for all of us.
Until then...
I ended up arriving at Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital (45 minute drive from our home in Portage) at 9:00pm and left today (Sunday) at 8:30am after two shots of a uterine relaxer (don't really remember the name) which made me really hyper and shaky since the contractions were anywhere from 4 to 6 minutes apart. Thankfully, I can be home and do my normal activities MINUS bike rides and walks (according to the doctor). If I get anymore contractions, though, I'll have to go back in.
Week 34 may change all that. They are less likely to try and stop the contractions once you reach that magic cutoff because there is a higher chance of infection and less chance of the prevention actually working. I am in Week 32.
So, that is my weekend update.
In other news, I started a book (recommended by my friend Ivana) called "Future Men" which I hope to talk about on this blog. I read the introduction yesterday in my hot bath (while trying to minimize my contraction discomfort)... and I think this book review will be most profitable for all of us.
Until then...
Friday, September 18, 2009
Happy New Year!
Tonight (at sundown) is the start of the Jewish new year, called Rosh Hashana. Being born into a Jewish family (my biological family, that is), I have always been interested in finding out about my heritage and the traditions associated with it.
The history of this High Holy Day is really interesting, so I thought I would post it for you (as found here) so you can check it out for yourself in more detail.
Rosh HaShanah (ראש השנה) falls once a year during the month of Tishrei and occurs ten days before Yom Kippur ("The Day of Atonement").
Jewish tradition teaches that during these High Holy Days, God decides who will live and who will die during the coming year. As a result, during Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur (and in the days leading up to them), Jews embark upon the serious task of examining their lives and repenting for any wrongs they have committed during the previous year. Jews are encouraged to make amends with anyone they have wronged and to make plans for improving during the coming year. In this way, Rosh HaShanah is all about making peace in the community and striving to be a better person.
Even though the theme of Rosh HaShanah is life and death, it is a holiday filled with hope for the New Year. Jews believe that God is compassionate and just, and that God will accept their prayers for forgiveness.
Isn't it amazing to see the parallels that God made between His chosen people and how Christians live and believe today? Of course, there is only salvation and surety in Jesus Christ, the Messiah; but this tradition is an excellent way to begin to show my children the importance of confession and striving to live a holy life before God.
Have a blessed weekend... and remember that every day is a new day in Christ.
The history of this High Holy Day is really interesting, so I thought I would post it for you (as found here) so you can check it out for yourself in more detail.
Rosh HaShanah (ראש השנה) falls once a year during the month of Tishrei and occurs ten days before Yom Kippur ("The Day of Atonement").
Jewish tradition teaches that during these High Holy Days, God decides who will live and who will die during the coming year. As a result, during Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur (and in the days leading up to them), Jews embark upon the serious task of examining their lives and repenting for any wrongs they have committed during the previous year. Jews are encouraged to make amends with anyone they have wronged and to make plans for improving during the coming year. In this way, Rosh HaShanah is all about making peace in the community and striving to be a better person.
Even though the theme of Rosh HaShanah is life and death, it is a holiday filled with hope for the New Year. Jews believe that God is compassionate and just, and that God will accept their prayers for forgiveness.
Isn't it amazing to see the parallels that God made between His chosen people and how Christians live and believe today? Of course, there is only salvation and surety in Jesus Christ, the Messiah; but this tradition is an excellent way to begin to show my children the importance of confession and striving to live a holy life before God.
Have a blessed weekend... and remember that every day is a new day in Christ.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Forgiveness Don't Take a Thang
I have been pondering forgiveness the last several weeks. For those of you who don't know my family, my thoughts may seem a bit odd. But please hang in there... I am planning on filling in the details of my past in future posts.
Because of the situation with my parents, my thoughts have run the gamut of how I should respond from completely cutting them off from myself and my family (not that there is any relationship to cut off, you understand) to keeping things status quo and allowing them to stay abreast of my family activities through periodical updates and pictures that I choose to send them and cards for various holidays and special days. It has been a chore to figure out how to continue to "forgive" them when they don't even recognize that they have done so many things to offend and deliberately hurt me.
Should I expect an apology or some kind of recognition for the pain they have caused before I extend my forgiveness?
As a child, I was taught the proper formula for apologizing. This was not an option. This formula was mandated if we were to be forgiven. "Sorry" or "I'm sorry" was not good enough. We had to say "I am sorry FOR... [spell out the offense]." But it didn't stop there.... at the end of our detailed apology we had to ask "Will you please forgive me?" Verbatim. If we didn't go through each of those steps, it was not good enough.
Since this was drummed into my head, it crossed over into so many areas of my life as I have been able to see myself as an adult and how I respond to others. It affects my relationship with God and how I confess my sin, how I respond to my husband when he offends me, and especially now, how I am trying to deal with the situation with my parents.
For me, God was always a hard-nosed, unforgiving God... it was impossible to please Him. He was never satisfied and would never forgive or love me because I just couldn't live up to His standards and perform up to His expectations. I'll get into that story in a later post.
In my marriage, Jeremy and I don't usually have fights or disagreements anymore (at least not the violent kind); but when we have one of our rare spats and he's in the wrong (because he usually is), I can't move on until I hear the words "I'm sorry" proceed from his mouth. I am not someone who likes to drag things out and just hang onto the problem for days on end while we "work through the issues". I have to resolve it quickly because it plagues my heart and my mind.. but Jeremy has always been one to dismiss it and try to ignore it for as long as possible and "Just let it go, babe". But I can't. I HAVE to hear him say he's sorry.. it has to be those specific words. Otherwise, I can't believe that he actually means it or that he respects me or whatever it is my emotions are telling me at that specific time.
And now, with my parents, I am at a loss. I spoke with a good friend of mine who has been counseling me since I moved away from California to escape my parents and she reminded me of some things last night.
All of us know 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails..."
This kind of forgiveness and love I can certainly work on fostering with my husband... because I DO love him. He is a good man. An imperfect man, absolutely... but still a good man who loves me and doesn't deliberately try to upset me or offend me.
Regarding my parents, I am provoked by them. I don't believe the best about them... and I am certainly tired of enduring all things from them. How does this apply to my situation?
Proverbs 10:12 "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins."
Again... love. As much as I do not want to admit it, I do love my parents. I have hated my parents... I have hated what they have done to me. I have hated how they have treated me and persisted in trying to force me to "repent" of things that I haven't done or "recant" things that are true. How do I know I love them? It still hurts. I cry over it. I ache over the loss. If it didn't hurt, I would be free of love. My love can cover their stupidity despite the fact that they haven't asked for forgiveness. I should just do it.
That doesn't mean that I have to continue to open myself up for attack. Based on this last interaction with my parents, I may not continue to send updates. I haven't decided, yet; but the possibility is there that continuing contact may not be the correct course at this time. That doesn't mean that "no contact" means forever... but at least for this next step, it may be proper. I am still praying that God will give me peace about whatever decision He wants me to make concerning this situation. But one thing I do know for certain... I CAN FORGIVE. Can you?
Because of the situation with my parents, my thoughts have run the gamut of how I should respond from completely cutting them off from myself and my family (not that there is any relationship to cut off, you understand) to keeping things status quo and allowing them to stay abreast of my family activities through periodical updates and pictures that I choose to send them and cards for various holidays and special days. It has been a chore to figure out how to continue to "forgive" them when they don't even recognize that they have done so many things to offend and deliberately hurt me.
Should I expect an apology or some kind of recognition for the pain they have caused before I extend my forgiveness?
As a child, I was taught the proper formula for apologizing. This was not an option. This formula was mandated if we were to be forgiven. "Sorry" or "I'm sorry" was not good enough. We had to say "I am sorry FOR... [spell out the offense]." But it didn't stop there.... at the end of our detailed apology we had to ask "Will you please forgive me?" Verbatim. If we didn't go through each of those steps, it was not good enough.
Since this was drummed into my head, it crossed over into so many areas of my life as I have been able to see myself as an adult and how I respond to others. It affects my relationship with God and how I confess my sin, how I respond to my husband when he offends me, and especially now, how I am trying to deal with the situation with my parents.
For me, God was always a hard-nosed, unforgiving God... it was impossible to please Him. He was never satisfied and would never forgive or love me because I just couldn't live up to His standards and perform up to His expectations. I'll get into that story in a later post.
In my marriage, Jeremy and I don't usually have fights or disagreements anymore (at least not the violent kind); but when we have one of our rare spats and he's in the wrong (because he usually is), I can't move on until I hear the words "I'm sorry" proceed from his mouth. I am not someone who likes to drag things out and just hang onto the problem for days on end while we "work through the issues". I have to resolve it quickly because it plagues my heart and my mind.. but Jeremy has always been one to dismiss it and try to ignore it for as long as possible and "Just let it go, babe". But I can't. I HAVE to hear him say he's sorry.. it has to be those specific words. Otherwise, I can't believe that he actually means it or that he respects me or whatever it is my emotions are telling me at that specific time.
And now, with my parents, I am at a loss. I spoke with a good friend of mine who has been counseling me since I moved away from California to escape my parents and she reminded me of some things last night.
All of us know 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails..."
This kind of forgiveness and love I can certainly work on fostering with my husband... because I DO love him. He is a good man. An imperfect man, absolutely... but still a good man who loves me and doesn't deliberately try to upset me or offend me.
Regarding my parents, I am provoked by them. I don't believe the best about them... and I am certainly tired of enduring all things from them. How does this apply to my situation?
Proverbs 10:12 "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins."
Again... love. As much as I do not want to admit it, I do love my parents. I have hated my parents... I have hated what they have done to me. I have hated how they have treated me and persisted in trying to force me to "repent" of things that I haven't done or "recant" things that are true. How do I know I love them? It still hurts. I cry over it. I ache over the loss. If it didn't hurt, I would be free of love. My love can cover their stupidity despite the fact that they haven't asked for forgiveness. I should just do it.
That doesn't mean that I have to continue to open myself up for attack. Based on this last interaction with my parents, I may not continue to send updates. I haven't decided, yet; but the possibility is there that continuing contact may not be the correct course at this time. That doesn't mean that "no contact" means forever... but at least for this next step, it may be proper. I am still praying that God will give me peace about whatever decision He wants me to make concerning this situation. But one thing I do know for certain... I CAN FORGIVE. Can you?
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Our weekend
This weekend has not been very good for Jeremiah. My poor little boy has conjunctivitis in his eyes and the medicine we were using wasn't strong enough to kill the infection, so this morning I took him to Urgent Care instead of going to church.
He has been such a trooper. He was so excited to see the fish aquarium in the doctor's office and spent the time in the waiting room talking about all the fish and the colors and the one who was "eating the rocks"... more like eating the algae off the rocks.
Then when we were called in for his basic vitals and why we were there, the nurse was so kind to him and let him be involved in watching the buttons she pushed and all the "thinking" when he stood on the scale and she took his temperature and his blood pressure from a "bandaid on his finger".
After that, we had to go back into the sign in area and I was admitted into the hospital with an armband with all Jeremiah's information and the receptionist giggled when Jeremiah wanted to have his own bracelet... so she made him one, too. Jeremiah thought it was so cool, that he's still wearing it nearly eight hours later.
When we were finally called into a room to see the doctor, another nurse plied Jeremiah with stickers of dinasaurs and trucks which kept him busy the whole time. Usually, when we go to the doctor, Jeremiah isn't happy about all the instruments in his face; but we had talked during the drive in the car about how they were going to look at his eyes and he needed to keep them open for the doctor... and he did really well. He looked at the light and let the doctor stick things in his nose and ears as well, with no fuss.
That's my big boy! Now, he's outside with Daddy playing baseball with his whiffle ball and bat.
He has been such a trooper. He was so excited to see the fish aquarium in the doctor's office and spent the time in the waiting room talking about all the fish and the colors and the one who was "eating the rocks"... more like eating the algae off the rocks.
Then when we were called in for his basic vitals and why we were there, the nurse was so kind to him and let him be involved in watching the buttons she pushed and all the "thinking" when he stood on the scale and she took his temperature and his blood pressure from a "bandaid on his finger".
After that, we had to go back into the sign in area and I was admitted into the hospital with an armband with all Jeremiah's information and the receptionist giggled when Jeremiah wanted to have his own bracelet... so she made him one, too. Jeremiah thought it was so cool, that he's still wearing it nearly eight hours later.
When we were finally called into a room to see the doctor, another nurse plied Jeremiah with stickers of dinasaurs and trucks which kept him busy the whole time. Usually, when we go to the doctor, Jeremiah isn't happy about all the instruments in his face; but we had talked during the drive in the car about how they were going to look at his eyes and he needed to keep them open for the doctor... and he did really well. He looked at the light and let the doctor stick things in his nose and ears as well, with no fuss.
That's my big boy! Now, he's outside with Daddy playing baseball with his whiffle ball and bat.
Friday, September 11, 2009
I will never forget
A really great video/song tribute can be found here http://www.woodyulmer.com/prayer.html
Please remember to tell your children and grandchildren what happened on this day. Don't ever forget.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Making a change
My friend, Ivana, asked that I move my journaling from Xanga to Blogspot with her. Since it doesn't seem like anyone reads my rambling accounts anyway, I figured "what's the harm?" So, here I am.
My aim in this so-called journaling is to keep an account of my growing family. My husband, Jeremy, and I "met" back in September 2005. I was living in Missouri at the time and we were both utilizing a Christian website to find relationships since our respective churches didn't have anyone our own age to consider. We had both come to the end of searching, thinking that God must have singleness in mind when we found each other. Jeremy saw that I matched him 100% (I didn't show him anywhere on my "matching" radar having very strong opinions on skinny, short men) and decided to message me. He said he really liked my picture.
I thought he was nuts. But that's how our romance started. I figured anyone who actually "liked" my picture had to be just as quirky or eccentric as I was... and I was right.
Now, nearly four years later, we have almost* two sons: Jeremiah William (2 years, 4 months) and Jonah (who will be joining us in November) and two dogs:
My aim in this so-called journaling is to keep an account of my growing family. My husband, Jeremy, and I "met" back in September 2005. I was living in Missouri at the time and we were both utilizing a Christian website to find relationships since our respective churches didn't have anyone our own age to consider. We had both come to the end of searching, thinking that God must have singleness in mind when we found each other. Jeremy saw that I matched him 100% (I didn't show him anywhere on my "matching" radar having very strong opinions on skinny, short men) and decided to message me. He said he really liked my picture.
I thought he was nuts. But that's how our romance started. I figured anyone who actually "liked" my picture had to be just as quirky or eccentric as I was... and I was right.After chatting and talking on the phone for about two months, I drove to Wisconsin for a weekend retreat and met Jeremy in person. We decided, after that weekend, that barring an act of God we would get married. And we did... four months later.
Now, nearly four years later, we have almost* two sons: Jeremiah William (2 years, 4 months) and Jonah (who will be joining us in November) and two dogs:
Opie Dopie (my dog from before marriage) and Carlie Symon (a recent addition to our family).
My hope is that this new format will allow me to place my ramblings in a decent format in an easy manner (so far, the picture uploading caused me a bit of a headache trying to figure it out)... that I may even theologize or discuss books and recipes or anything else that pops in my head. But, I am going to give it my best effort. Love you, Ivana... just for you.
Well, let's forge ahead. I've got a busy day coming.
Well, let's forge ahead. I've got a busy day coming.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
