Fever. Raw throat. Muscle aches.
Being sick is no fun at all. Blah!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Julia Juggershnaut
Today in Kid's Connection, Ryan and I led the Jungle Room (2nd and 3rd grade) service. After worship, I put some crazy glasses on my nose, and transformed my personality into "Julia Juggershnaut," a geeky, clumsy girl who finally got the chance to put on her own show on the 'Food Network.'
So, I got up on stage and introduced myself to the kids, naturally drawing lots and lots of laughs at my crazy, clumsy, geeky character. Then, after choosing two volunteers from the audience, I went about teaching the kids how to make bread. We went thru the ingredients, taking a special moment to explain the yeast. As we mixed and kneaded the dough, I humorously explained how such a small amount of yeast will transform that dough into a large loaf of bread.
Afterward, Ryan came up and tied it all together with today's theme: that even a small amount of faith can be used by God to complete GREAT things! It was super fun. And the kids had a blast. Last week the lesson was about DIRT. This week it was about YEAST. Hmmm...wonder what they'll have us pull off next week. xoxo
So, I got up on stage and introduced myself to the kids, naturally drawing lots and lots of laughs at my crazy, clumsy, geeky character. Then, after choosing two volunteers from the audience, I went about teaching the kids how to make bread. We went thru the ingredients, taking a special moment to explain the yeast. As we mixed and kneaded the dough, I humorously explained how such a small amount of yeast will transform that dough into a large loaf of bread.
Afterward, Ryan came up and tied it all together with today's theme: that even a small amount of faith can be used by God to complete GREAT things! It was super fun. And the kids had a blast. Last week the lesson was about DIRT. This week it was about YEAST. Hmmm...wonder what they'll have us pull off next week. xoxo
Friday, November 14, 2008
This week...
This week was quite a roller coaster ride for Mommy and Daddy!
(Starting from the youngest) Little Marina learned that shoving mini lego pirates' gold pieces up her nose nostrils is very unpleasant, makes her nose hurt, and makes Mommy very upset and anxious. In the process, she also learned how to blow her nose, with her mouth shut. (Thank the Lord, that's all it took to get those things out!)
Sweet Reese learned how to write the letters 'z' and 'w.' He also learned that, if he pulls a chair from the table to the counter, he can climb onto the counter, stand up, and reach just high enough to pull the big blue bowl off the top of the refrigerator. (That is, the big blue bowl that holds the remaining Halloween candy). Hmm...little Sneak!
Marky-Mark has had the roughest week of all. On Wednesday, he fearfully came home and showed me a behavior slip that stated he was to serve a silent lunch the next day...for spitting from up on the monkey bars. Not a huge crime, but still disrespectful and against the rules. So he accepted responsibility and served his punishment. Thursday, he came home from school visibly shaken, with yet another behavior slip. This time, he did something much worse. In an effort to make kids laugh, he had held up his snow glove, and pushed all the fingers down except the middle. I had to read it a few times to let that one soak in. Not MY kid!!! Not at a CHRISTIAN school!!! I told Mark I was going to let Daddy handle this one when he got home from work. And Mark said, "Oh no! That's the worst!"
He started giving me excuses, but I cut him off right away, saying, "Mark, if you start making excuses, you are only going to put yourself in more trouble! You know you were wrong. Just accept responsibility, Man-up and serve your punishment, and then move on knowing that Daddy and Mommy still love you!" So he quietly endured the agony of awaiting Daddy's return home (and inevitable punishment).
Being the wise father he is, Ryan had a very good talk with Mark. We realize that Mark doesn't understand the gravity of what that gesture means. So, I guess you can add that to what Mark learned this week...that sticking up a middle finger is like swearing at someone. He looked appalled when we told him that! He'd known it was a bad gesture. But didn't know HOW bad. Then Ryan reminded him that everyone in the 4th grade will probably hear about this little stunt. And Mark was equally appalled (and humiliated). Today, Mark intends to go apologize to his teacher, as well as his circle of friends, for not setting a good example and for doing something so wrong.
And Mommy learned that she should never think, "My child would never...." because you just never know. What's most important to me is that my kids would know they can come to us when they screw up. Even when they screw up big time. And we will hold them accountable for their actions....but we will also stand behind them and love them no matter what. I hope this instance can be the beginning of that kind of relationship with our eldest son.
Phew! Thank goodness it's the weekend!
(Starting from the youngest) Little Marina learned that shoving mini lego pirates' gold pieces up her nose nostrils is very unpleasant, makes her nose hurt, and makes Mommy very upset and anxious. In the process, she also learned how to blow her nose, with her mouth shut. (Thank the Lord, that's all it took to get those things out!)
Sweet Reese learned how to write the letters 'z' and 'w.' He also learned that, if he pulls a chair from the table to the counter, he can climb onto the counter, stand up, and reach just high enough to pull the big blue bowl off the top of the refrigerator. (That is, the big blue bowl that holds the remaining Halloween candy). Hmm...little Sneak!
Marky-Mark has had the roughest week of all. On Wednesday, he fearfully came home and showed me a behavior slip that stated he was to serve a silent lunch the next day...for spitting from up on the monkey bars. Not a huge crime, but still disrespectful and against the rules. So he accepted responsibility and served his punishment. Thursday, he came home from school visibly shaken, with yet another behavior slip. This time, he did something much worse. In an effort to make kids laugh, he had held up his snow glove, and pushed all the fingers down except the middle. I had to read it a few times to let that one soak in. Not MY kid!!! Not at a CHRISTIAN school!!! I told Mark I was going to let Daddy handle this one when he got home from work. And Mark said, "Oh no! That's the worst!"
He started giving me excuses, but I cut him off right away, saying, "Mark, if you start making excuses, you are only going to put yourself in more trouble! You know you were wrong. Just accept responsibility, Man-up and serve your punishment, and then move on knowing that Daddy and Mommy still love you!" So he quietly endured the agony of awaiting Daddy's return home (and inevitable punishment).
Being the wise father he is, Ryan had a very good talk with Mark. We realize that Mark doesn't understand the gravity of what that gesture means. So, I guess you can add that to what Mark learned this week...that sticking up a middle finger is like swearing at someone. He looked appalled when we told him that! He'd known it was a bad gesture. But didn't know HOW bad. Then Ryan reminded him that everyone in the 4th grade will probably hear about this little stunt. And Mark was equally appalled (and humiliated). Today, Mark intends to go apologize to his teacher, as well as his circle of friends, for not setting a good example and for doing something so wrong.
And Mommy learned that she should never think, "My child would never...." because you just never know. What's most important to me is that my kids would know they can come to us when they screw up. Even when they screw up big time. And we will hold them accountable for their actions....but we will also stand behind them and love them no matter what. I hope this instance can be the beginning of that kind of relationship with our eldest son.
Phew! Thank goodness it's the weekend!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Reese's Prayer Tonight...
"Jesus...Have a good sleep.
And help us be safe...And Jesus is wiff us.
And we have school tomorrow. Amen!"
And help us be safe...And Jesus is wiff us.
And we have school tomorrow. Amen!"
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
The Aftermath
Romans 13:1
"Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."
Isn't it interesting that throughout the centuries of history God has allowed such a variety of leadership to take position? Even in biblical Israel...God's chosen nation. They had evil kings. And then they had kings that were considered righteous and would call the people's hearts back to the Lord. God knew. God foresaw. Nothing came as a surprise to Him. Yet, He allowed things to happen for a purpose. His divine purpose. Of that I am so certain.
Throughout this grueling election process, I've received all kinds of comments and emails and opinions from friends, strangers, and then of course there's the media. I'm surprised by some ideas but not at all surprised by others. The ones that surprise me the most are the emails that warn that Obama is the anti-christ. C'mon now. I'm not at all an Obama supporter, but I wouldn't go that far. Whatever the case may be, the fact is that God has allowed this man to be elected as president over our great nation. And God has not been caught off-guard by this unraveling of events.
I think we need to be careful of our words. Not speak out of fear. And instead, use this situation to show people our unwavering faith and security in the ONE who is always in control. People's emotions are highly sensitive at the moment. And I wouldn't want my words or my opinions to hurt someone that holds an opposing viewpoint. I don't think that would be productive. And I don't think that would be right.
If you are discouraged by the outcome of this election...just remember that it is not OUR agenda that should take priority in our minds. It is GOD'S. And think about it...even when His chosen people, the nation of Israel...were ruled by wicked kings, or even worse, were conquered by other nations and forced into slavery...even through all that, His plans were not deterred. His plan to send His Son to earth, to walk among us, to minister to the needy, and to ultimately take our place on the cross...His plan to save us from our sins...That plan wasn't shaken or changed despite the activity of man.
So, as we regroup and head into four years of this next presidency, let's remember that God is not yet finished working among us and His agenda is so much greater than man's. I'm not saying that Obama is a wicked leader. I don't agree with his policies, but I will pray that God will give him wisdom and that He will speak to his heart in the profound way that only the Holy Spirit can do. And as the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays approach, I will let this time of year be a reminder that God's plans have always prevailed and will continue to prevail, despite our feeble attempts in government.
xoxo
"Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."
Isn't it interesting that throughout the centuries of history God has allowed such a variety of leadership to take position? Even in biblical Israel...God's chosen nation. They had evil kings. And then they had kings that were considered righteous and would call the people's hearts back to the Lord. God knew. God foresaw. Nothing came as a surprise to Him. Yet, He allowed things to happen for a purpose. His divine purpose. Of that I am so certain.
Throughout this grueling election process, I've received all kinds of comments and emails and opinions from friends, strangers, and then of course there's the media. I'm surprised by some ideas but not at all surprised by others. The ones that surprise me the most are the emails that warn that Obama is the anti-christ. C'mon now. I'm not at all an Obama supporter, but I wouldn't go that far. Whatever the case may be, the fact is that God has allowed this man to be elected as president over our great nation. And God has not been caught off-guard by this unraveling of events.
I think we need to be careful of our words. Not speak out of fear. And instead, use this situation to show people our unwavering faith and security in the ONE who is always in control. People's emotions are highly sensitive at the moment. And I wouldn't want my words or my opinions to hurt someone that holds an opposing viewpoint. I don't think that would be productive. And I don't think that would be right.
If you are discouraged by the outcome of this election...just remember that it is not OUR agenda that should take priority in our minds. It is GOD'S. And think about it...even when His chosen people, the nation of Israel...were ruled by wicked kings, or even worse, were conquered by other nations and forced into slavery...even through all that, His plans were not deterred. His plan to send His Son to earth, to walk among us, to minister to the needy, and to ultimately take our place on the cross...His plan to save us from our sins...That plan wasn't shaken or changed despite the activity of man.
So, as we regroup and head into four years of this next presidency, let's remember that God is not yet finished working among us and His agenda is so much greater than man's. I'm not saying that Obama is a wicked leader. I don't agree with his policies, but I will pray that God will give him wisdom and that He will speak to his heart in the profound way that only the Holy Spirit can do. And as the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays approach, I will let this time of year be a reminder that God's plans have always prevailed and will continue to prevail, despite our feeble attempts in government.
xoxo
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Hitting the polls...
Tonight, exactly 44 minutes before the polls closed, Ryan arrived home from work, which allowed me to hop into the car and head to our voting location. I proudly exercised my right to vote. I am proud to be American. And proud to live in a free country. (Although those freedoms are severely threatened by certain politicians and certain litigations...but that's another discussion).
Ryan laughs at me sometimes...he thinks it's 'cute' that I'm so patriotic. I simply tell him, in a very serious, well-read, and intellectual tone...."Haven't you ever watched the movie 'The Patriot' with Mel Gibson? Look at all the heroes our country has sacrificed for our freedom!"
Okay...maybe Hollywood is not the best source for American history. But the fact remains, so many heroes have sacrificed blood, sweat and tears for the freedoms we enjoy today. That is what makes this nation so great. And knowing that this land is filled with hardworking moral people, yes, on both sides of the aisle, who are striving to keep this nation great...that's a cool thing.
I realize tonight's election in monumental. Yet, I'm not stressing over it. I think certain kinds of "change" will have disastrous effect on our economy, job future, and so many other issues. Yet, I know we Americans are so resiliant. And knowing that God has my future in His hands gives me so much peace. It really does. In other years, I've been brought to tears with fear during election times. But, as monumental as this one is, I don't harbor that same level of fear. Is it spiritual maturity? Learned life lessons? Or simply a choice to have childlike faith? I'm not quite sure. But I firmly believe He is in control, despite the outcome of tonight's election. He is in control. Thank you Jesus.
Ryan laughs at me sometimes...he thinks it's 'cute' that I'm so patriotic. I simply tell him, in a very serious, well-read, and intellectual tone...."Haven't you ever watched the movie 'The Patriot' with Mel Gibson? Look at all the heroes our country has sacrificed for our freedom!"
Okay...maybe Hollywood is not the best source for American history. But the fact remains, so many heroes have sacrificed blood, sweat and tears for the freedoms we enjoy today. That is what makes this nation so great. And knowing that this land is filled with hardworking moral people, yes, on both sides of the aisle, who are striving to keep this nation great...that's a cool thing.
I realize tonight's election in monumental. Yet, I'm not stressing over it. I think certain kinds of "change" will have disastrous effect on our economy, job future, and so many other issues. Yet, I know we Americans are so resiliant. And knowing that God has my future in His hands gives me so much peace. It really does. In other years, I've been brought to tears with fear during election times. But, as monumental as this one is, I don't harbor that same level of fear. Is it spiritual maturity? Learned life lessons? Or simply a choice to have childlike faith? I'm not quite sure. But I firmly believe He is in control, despite the outcome of tonight's election. He is in control. Thank you Jesus.
