After being in Colorado for a week, I have a new perspective on things here.
First, on being in Illinois:
I drove to Aldi the day after I got back and it was wonderful to drive straight on level ground - something I usually take for granted or even often find boring! I was also thankful for good soil and enough land to have a garden.
Second, I gained a new perspective with my kids. I made a point of sharing with Jacob and Kaitlyn and maybe Cameron, that God made them, He loves them, and He wants to help them do good things for Him. I need to say that to my kids more often instead of just correcting negative behavior.
I also took time to get to know my niece and nephews and enjoyed them thoroughly. I think I would enjoy my kids more if I took more time just to be with them instead of always trying to accomplish things with them.
Monday, August 18, 2014
Monday, August 11, 2014
Jacob
I have really enjoyed getting to know Jacob. He is a lot like Kristian, but not quite as loud. But we discussed the fact that he does not have to be. Cameron and Kaitlyn don't make a lot of noise compared to Mary Ann, Grandt, Julia, and Joseph.
Spending more time with Jacob has reminded me that a lot of these things are just typical boy-that-age behavior like the bringing up of random things out of nowhere. I went into Kaitlyn and Jacob's room to find out if they remembered the Owl City song from the Smurf movie and Jacob says, "I can actually tell what time it is! It's not midnight it's actually 10 o'clock! I'm not sure this is so typical of boys his age, but I love some of the big words that come out of his mouth. Aside from "actually" he has said a couple times today that Cameron was "antagonizing" him. Chris and Tonya tell me they will be watching a movie and he will ask if there is anything "inappropriate" in it.
We came home from church on Sunday and he asked me to read the story of Noah to him in his Beginner's Bible. I found out later they had talked about Noah in children's church that morning. We ended up reading it later out of The Big Picture Story Bible. He would start to get antsy and so I would ask him if he wanted me to stop, but he wanted me to keep reading. He's a smart kid and pretty cute too.
Spending more time with Jacob has reminded me that a lot of these things are just typical boy-that-age behavior like the bringing up of random things out of nowhere. I went into Kaitlyn and Jacob's room to find out if they remembered the Owl City song from the Smurf movie and Jacob says, "I can actually tell what time it is! It's not midnight it's actually 10 o'clock! I'm not sure this is so typical of boys his age, but I love some of the big words that come out of his mouth. Aside from "actually" he has said a couple times today that Cameron was "antagonizing" him. Chris and Tonya tell me they will be watching a movie and he will ask if there is anything "inappropriate" in it.
We came home from church on Sunday and he asked me to read the story of Noah to him in his Beginner's Bible. I found out later they had talked about Noah in children's church that morning. We ended up reading it later out of The Big Picture Story Bible. He would start to get antsy and so I would ask him if he wanted me to stop, but he wanted me to keep reading. He's a smart kid and pretty cute too.
Coffee with Tonya
Tonya and I went out for coffee yesterday at the Muddy Buck in Evergreen - photo of outside. It used to be the Evergreen Hotel - hotel sign. I ordered a double shot cappuccino and she ordered one with vanilla. We enjoyed our time together. We sat here (Tonya sat in the chair that the bald guy is sitting in and I in a chair next to her). We started out in the higher stools you can see in the picture in front of that counter (although I think they were actually higher chairs with backs on them) but moved because it was hard to hear.
I enjoyed my coffee, however it was not as good as the espressos Tonya's been making almost everyday. She bought an espresso maker as a thrift store for 5 bucks and learned how to use it on line. I'm gonna miss my daily afternoon joe when I'm back in Il.
I enjoyed my coffee, however it was not as good as the espressos Tonya's been making almost everyday. She bought an espresso maker as a thrift store for 5 bucks and learned how to use it on line. I'm gonna miss my daily afternoon joe when I'm back in Il.
Red Rocks
My posts have been a little serious lately, so I'm going to lighten things up a bit.
On this trip I found out that I am old. We went to Red Rocks (a natural outdoor amphitheater with a spectacular view - Red Rocks - scroll down to see the photo). They had some info on a nice display about altitude sickness. Apparently it is not a good idea to drink alcohol in the first 48 hours of your adjustment to the altitude. I blew that one when I found the wine of my dreams (Moscato - a sweet wine with a lower alcohol content - thus the sweetness) at Chris' company picnic at a hotel the day I arrived in Colorado. Maybe that is why I slept horribly the first night.
That part did not make me feel old however. It was the warning that if you are over 35, you should contact your physician before exerting yourself. I am quite a bit over 35, but I was not planning on over-exerting myself. The worst part of Red Rocks was the climb up the stairs from the lower parking area. Once I was in the amphitheater, I didn't have trouble. Maybe I was inspired by the number of people using it as their regular workout location - up the stairs, run across to the other side, up the stairs, etc.
To see more of Red Rocks, follow this link and click on the photo labeled amphitheatre.
photos
On this trip I found out that I am old. We went to Red Rocks (a natural outdoor amphitheater with a spectacular view - Red Rocks - scroll down to see the photo). They had some info on a nice display about altitude sickness. Apparently it is not a good idea to drink alcohol in the first 48 hours of your adjustment to the altitude. I blew that one when I found the wine of my dreams (Moscato - a sweet wine with a lower alcohol content - thus the sweetness) at Chris' company picnic at a hotel the day I arrived in Colorado. Maybe that is why I slept horribly the first night.
That part did not make me feel old however. It was the warning that if you are over 35, you should contact your physician before exerting yourself. I am quite a bit over 35, but I was not planning on over-exerting myself. The worst part of Red Rocks was the climb up the stairs from the lower parking area. Once I was in the amphitheater, I didn't have trouble. Maybe I was inspired by the number of people using it as their regular workout location - up the stairs, run across to the other side, up the stairs, etc.
To see more of Red Rocks, follow this link and click on the photo labeled amphitheatre.
photos
Sunday, August 10, 2014
The Audience of One
I started fasting to lose weight. Then I was convicted that I should do a spiritual fast - fast and pray. I started reading John Piper's A Hunger for God: Desiring God Through Fasting and Prayer to encourage me in this. I have found it both incredibly encouraging and convicting.
This morning, on the deck in Colorado with my fleece and sweatpants and the birds chirping (and my coffee), I started chapter 3 and read, "Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance in order to be seen fasting by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full." Matthew 6:16. Piper points out that it does not say if you fast but rather "when you fast".That is also consistent with what Jesus states in Matthew 9:15, "The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast."
As far as being "seen fasting by men", I have been tempted many times to somehow let people know I am fasting on the day of my fast. An interesting thing is that I have thought of scenarios where I felt I may need to inform someone that I am fasting, but those things never seem to happen. I rarely am put in a situation on the day of my fast where I feel it would be awkward to not admit that I am fasting. I see this as God's way of encouraging me to keep my fast between me and him, and not letting my fast be "seen by men". I know that I care way too much about what people think of me instead of having my eyes fixed on "The Audience of One". The Audience of One
This morning, on the deck in Colorado with my fleece and sweatpants and the birds chirping (and my coffee), I started chapter 3 and read, "Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance in order to be seen fasting by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full." Matthew 6:16. Piper points out that it does not say if you fast but rather "when you fast".That is also consistent with what Jesus states in Matthew 9:15, "The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast."
As far as being "seen fasting by men", I have been tempted many times to somehow let people know I am fasting on the day of my fast. An interesting thing is that I have thought of scenarios where I felt I may need to inform someone that I am fasting, but those things never seem to happen. I rarely am put in a situation on the day of my fast where I feel it would be awkward to not admit that I am fasting. I see this as God's way of encouraging me to keep my fast between me and him, and not letting my fast be "seen by men". I know that I care way too much about what people think of me instead of having my eyes fixed on "The Audience of One". The Audience of One
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Lunch with Jacob and Kaitlyn
Before I cane to Colorado I had decided I wanted to spend individual time with each person. I took Kaitlyn(10) out to lunch yesterday. She picked Sushi which was fine with me. Here in Evergreen they have a Sushi place in a gas station. We found out it was closed until Monday so we went to Sushi Win here in town. She wanted crunchy shrimp and I got cucumber and avocado with eel sauce. She told me her dad got some eel sushi before and that he likes to get weird stuff. We shared both and they were very good. I don't think Kaitlyn had any wasabi and she didn't think she would like the ginger, but she tried it and decided it was ok. I had hot ginger tea (which I didn't think through with having the pickled ginger, but it had a little honey in it so it worked). Kaitlyn ordered an apple iced tea. It came in a clear stemmed glass with 3 apple slices. It was not overly sweet and had a slight cinnamon flavor. We had a good lunch and good conversation. I found out she likes math, but doesn't like music class because they just do kid songs. She had started playing violin and seemed excited about that. Her favorite special was art. She loves drawing and coloring like some other girls her age that I know :).
I had taken Jacob(5) out the day before and shared with both of them (reminded them really) that God made them and loved them and had things he wanted them to do - " For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10.
Jacob and I went to Subway and he got a kids meal with ham, Doritos, and chocolate milk. He wanted ketchup and mustard on his sandwich, but they don't have ketchup. As part of the kids meal he got to pick out a "Guardians of the Galaxy" backpack-pretty cool! He was excited about that and wanted to use it as a lunch bag this year (but he's only going to be there for a couple of hours a day). I got my favorite- the sweet onion teriyaki chicken. He was enjoying his chocolate milk so much, I decided I had to have one also. I had told him that I like to shake up my milk to get foam (or bubbles as he called it). When Tonya picked us up, I had just finished shaking up mine, and proceeded to drip it all over one of my favorite t-shirts. Hopefully it won't stain.
I had taken Jacob(5) out the day before and shared with both of them (reminded them really) that God made them and loved them and had things he wanted them to do - " For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10.
Jacob and I went to Subway and he got a kids meal with ham, Doritos, and chocolate milk. He wanted ketchup and mustard on his sandwich, but they don't have ketchup. As part of the kids meal he got to pick out a "Guardians of the Galaxy" backpack-pretty cool! He was excited about that and wanted to use it as a lunch bag this year (but he's only going to be there for a couple of hours a day). I got my favorite- the sweet onion teriyaki chicken. He was enjoying his chocolate milk so much, I decided I had to have one also. I had told him that I like to shake up my milk to get foam (or bubbles as he called it). When Tonya picked us up, I had just finished shaking up mine, and proceeded to drip it all over one of my favorite t-shirts. Hopefully it won't stain.
Friday, August 8, 2014
Rocky Mountain High
Here I am in Evergreen, Colorado at my brother Chris' house. I was sitting on their deck, having some quiet time. I was wearing sweat pants, a fleece and sweatshirt and was considering getting a blanket for my legs. A bird fluttered up to the deck and came so close to me, I thought it might land on my head. I was enjoying my coffee and tried to see my breath to no avail.
I was reading "The Practice of the Presence of God" after reading Psalm 44. I wanted to write out and reflect on some of it and decided to share it here (I didn't bring a notebook with me).
"That our sanctification did not depend upon changing our works, but in doing that for GOD's sake, which we commonly do for our own. That it was lamentable to see how many people mistook the means for the end, addicting themselves to certain works, which they performed very imperfectly, by reason of their human or selfish regards.
That the most excellent method he had found of going to GOD, was that of doing our common business without any view of pleasing men, and (as far as we are capable) purely for the love of GOD."
I have found this book very helpful in thinking about how we can "pray without ceasing". I know I too often do things with man in mind instead of God. I am also guilty of thinking that the "spiritual" things I do please God more than just trying to seek and please him in my "common business".
Another quote,"That we ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of GOD, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed."
Don't we all want to do something "great" or significant or think that our life means something? Isn't it satisfying to know that we can achieve something "great" in God's eyes just by seeking and loving him in our everyday "business"?
I was reading "The Practice of the Presence of God" after reading Psalm 44. I wanted to write out and reflect on some of it and decided to share it here (I didn't bring a notebook with me).
"That our sanctification did not depend upon changing our works, but in doing that for GOD's sake, which we commonly do for our own. That it was lamentable to see how many people mistook the means for the end, addicting themselves to certain works, which they performed very imperfectly, by reason of their human or selfish regards.
That the most excellent method he had found of going to GOD, was that of doing our common business without any view of pleasing men, and (as far as we are capable) purely for the love of GOD."
I have found this book very helpful in thinking about how we can "pray without ceasing". I know I too often do things with man in mind instead of God. I am also guilty of thinking that the "spiritual" things I do please God more than just trying to seek and please him in my "common business".
Another quote,"That we ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of GOD, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed."
Don't we all want to do something "great" or significant or think that our life means something? Isn't it satisfying to know that we can achieve something "great" in God's eyes just by seeking and loving him in our everyday "business"?
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Out of the Mouth of Babes...
Joseph was reading the notes from Pastor Greene's sermon today. "Grace, mercy, echinacea goldenseal." Can you tell we've been sick lately?
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