1 - the "top rack only" setting on our dishwasher
2 - a dishwasher!
3 - the suggestion on the Fisher Price website to clean & sanitize toys in the dishwasher
4 - simple meals
5 - spaghetti sauce in the crockpot (makes enough to freeze some extra)
6 - breadmaker
7 - a husband who does the grocery shopping!!!!!!
8 - nieces who are eager to help
9 - quick, single-serving treats (cinnamon sugar toast, chocolate chip cookie in a mug, etc.)
10 - Kindle & a stockpile of "free for Kindle" books
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Eating local ... in your local church
Have you eaten in a farm-to-table restaurant? They seem to be growing in popularity, and usually advertise that their food comes within a 50-mile radius or so.
While I enjoy the availability of eating any type of fresh fruit or vegetable from the grocery store at any time of the year, I cannot deny that fresh food in season and which has not spent time on a truck or boat or airplane getting from there to here tastes best!
Recently someone asked me what shocked me most about returning to the U.S.A., and I said, "Pre-packaged Bible studies."
During our church search a couple years ago, we noticed one church that had great attendance in adult Sunday School classes as well as a plethora of such classes to choose from. It did not escape our attention that there were many qualified men in the church who were teaching the Bible in those classes, and by "teaching the Bible," I mean just that; they were not facilitating a book or DVD written by someone else. They were studying God's Word and then teaching it to others. We were surprised because that was not the norm in other churches we visited.
This year our church Women's Ministry chose a daily devotional book by a well-known author. Over 100 women bought the book and agreed to read it throughout the year. The Women's Ministry team set up a blog, and about once a week one of a number of women from the church expands on that day's devotional or shares how it convicted her. She always ends by asking a few thoughtful questions, so that the conversation can continue in the comments.
I must confess that (especially with our life turning upside-down in a good way!) I have not been faithful to read the devotional book each day, but even when I do, I am much more interested in reading what a woman from our church has written on the blog about the passage of Scripture in that day's devotional.
How does this connect to pre-packaged Bible studies? I think that when we hear God's Word explained or when we hear someone share the conviction that God's Word brought them, we connect with it on a deeper level when we know the person. There's a greater possibility I know what's going on in her life and the trials that she has walked through, and I've watched her life over time and in many circumstances. She is not an anonymous person or a "superstar" Bible study teacher featured in churches all over the country. I have not built her up in my mind as someone more spiritual than human. She's real!
I wonder if when Paul wrote Timothy, "what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also," if he meant, "Teach other men whom you know... ."
What do you think? Am I the only one who prefers local teaching in a Bible study? What would have to happen in your church for that to become the norm?
For further reading: 7 Mistakes We Make in Women's Bible Studies
While I enjoy the availability of eating any type of fresh fruit or vegetable from the grocery store at any time of the year, I cannot deny that fresh food in season and which has not spent time on a truck or boat or airplane getting from there to here tastes best!
Recently someone asked me what shocked me most about returning to the U.S.A., and I said, "Pre-packaged Bible studies."
During our church search a couple years ago, we noticed one church that had great attendance in adult Sunday School classes as well as a plethora of such classes to choose from. It did not escape our attention that there were many qualified men in the church who were teaching the Bible in those classes, and by "teaching the Bible," I mean just that; they were not facilitating a book or DVD written by someone else. They were studying God's Word and then teaching it to others. We were surprised because that was not the norm in other churches we visited.
This year our church Women's Ministry chose a daily devotional book by a well-known author. Over 100 women bought the book and agreed to read it throughout the year. The Women's Ministry team set up a blog, and about once a week one of a number of women from the church expands on that day's devotional or shares how it convicted her. She always ends by asking a few thoughtful questions, so that the conversation can continue in the comments.
I must confess that (especially with our life turning upside-down in a good way!) I have not been faithful to read the devotional book each day, but even when I do, I am much more interested in reading what a woman from our church has written on the blog about the passage of Scripture in that day's devotional.
How does this connect to pre-packaged Bible studies? I think that when we hear God's Word explained or when we hear someone share the conviction that God's Word brought them, we connect with it on a deeper level when we know the person. There's a greater possibility I know what's going on in her life and the trials that she has walked through, and I've watched her life over time and in many circumstances. She is not an anonymous person or a "superstar" Bible study teacher featured in churches all over the country. I have not built her up in my mind as someone more spiritual than human. She's real!
I wonder if when Paul wrote Timothy, "what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also," if he meant, "Teach other men whom you know... ."
What do you think? Am I the only one who prefers local teaching in a Bible study? What would have to happen in your church for that to become the norm?
For further reading: 7 Mistakes We Make in Women's Bible Studies
Friday, March 21, 2014
I am spoiled
Whenever I'm tempted to complain, I need to remember: I am spoiled!
Even when the dirty laundry is piled up, I have clothes to wear (even if they aren't my favorites).
We had people bring us meals three times a week for a month after we came home.
Even though we don't live near many restaurants, we have take-out and convenience food options. Case in point, a church less than a mile away serves a delicious Monday night soup meal in January, February and March. I'm more than happy to spend a few dollars to have a hot meal to pick up! Also bagged salad is a great invention, and they sell it at IGA!
I have a husband who comes home for lunch most every day, providing me some interaction with a grown-up and either mail delivery or the option for me to run to the post office sans baby to pick up the day's mail.
Having the post office, library and IGA within a mile of our house (and with no traffic lights and very little traffic between here and there), makes it very do-able to run errands with a baby when I need to.
Bonus: the postal clerks, the librarians, and the IGA cashiers take great delight when I bring the baby with me! The other day, the IGA cashier even carried my bags to the car for me, while I carried the infant seat.
If you need help with contentment, this book {Contentment: A Godly Woman's Adornment} is on sale now for Kindle for 99 cents through March 23rd.
Even when the dirty laundry is piled up, I have clothes to wear (even if they aren't my favorites).
We had people bring us meals three times a week for a month after we came home.
Even though we don't live near many restaurants, we have take-out and convenience food options. Case in point, a church less than a mile away serves a delicious Monday night soup meal in January, February and March. I'm more than happy to spend a few dollars to have a hot meal to pick up! Also bagged salad is a great invention, and they sell it at IGA!
I have a husband who comes home for lunch most every day, providing me some interaction with a grown-up and either mail delivery or the option for me to run to the post office sans baby to pick up the day's mail.
Having the post office, library and IGA within a mile of our house (and with no traffic lights and very little traffic between here and there), makes it very do-able to run errands with a baby when I need to.
Bonus: the postal clerks, the librarians, and the IGA cashiers take great delight when I bring the baby with me! The other day, the IGA cashier even carried my bags to the car for me, while I carried the infant seat.
If you need help with contentment, this book {Contentment: A Godly Woman's Adornment} is on sale now for Kindle for 99 cents through March 23rd.
Monday, March 17, 2014
1000 Gifts, Vol. 4, #74.
751. God's sustaining grace
752. a patient husband
753. ...who let me sit through the sermon yesterday!
754. special music of a violin & piano playing, "Day by Day"
755. I’ve no cause for worry or for fear
756. He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure
757. Gives unto each day what He deems best—
758. Every day, the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour;
759. writer's cramp from writing thank you notes (We are blessed!)
760. bright sunshine despite blustery winds
752. a patient husband
753. ...who let me sit through the sermon yesterday!
754. special music of a violin & piano playing, "Day by Day"
755. I’ve no cause for worry or for fear
756. He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure
757. Gives unto each day what He deems best—
758. Every day, the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour;
759. writer's cramp from writing thank you notes (We are blessed!)
760. bright sunshine despite blustery winds
Monday, March 10, 2014
1000 Gifts, Vol. 4, #73
741. 56* temperature today!!
742. the hope of spring
743. cute baby smiles
744. quiet moments when the baby sleeps for more than 30 minutes at a time :)
745. time to enjoy this time of serving him
746. so many people who are praying for him ~ and for us!
747. supportive community (from the cousins at a family gathering yesterday to the members of our small group last night to the family friend who sent the most adorable card today to the lady at the post office who is jealous that the man who works there has seen the baby and she hasn't yet!)
748. the church that serves a Monday night meal (and offers takeout) - yum!
749. a husband who is a good shopper (I can't recall the last time I was in a grocery store)
750. a husband who pulls more than his fair share of caring for the baby AND caring for his wife
742. the hope of spring
743. cute baby smiles
744. quiet moments when the baby sleeps for more than 30 minutes at a time :)
745. time to enjoy this time of serving him
746. so many people who are praying for him ~ and for us!
747. supportive community (from the cousins at a family gathering yesterday to the members of our small group last night to the family friend who sent the most adorable card today to the lady at the post office who is jealous that the man who works there has seen the baby and she hasn't yet!)
748. the church that serves a Monday night meal (and offers takeout) - yum!
749. a husband who is a good shopper (I can't recall the last time I was in a grocery store)
750. a husband who pulls more than his fair share of caring for the baby AND caring for his wife
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Wise words
If I had margin, I'd preface this with a descriptive paragraph of our days, or even of a 2-hour slice of time this morning! Lacking that, I will only quote from an e-mail we recently received. Good, wise words!
We hope and pray that you are both doing well in adjusting to new routines and schedules. We well remember how exhausting those early days of parenting can be. We have prayed that God would supply all that you need and give you peace and joy in serving {your son} during these days when his needs are almost constant.
Monday, March 3, 2014
God's Word in this season
I have a friend who is fond of saying, "The past 50 years were my preparation for this [Bible study, meeting, seminar, etc.]."
A friend encouraged me today that the past x years of my life are my preparation for this season, and that I have a deep reservoir of reading & studying God's Word and experiencing God's mercy & love to drink from during this season of interrupted sleep and little free time.
I was planning to read through the Bible in 90 days this winter. Alas, the best laid plans of mice and men!!
I am learning that I need to follow the read the Bible for 90 seconds plan!
Another option for me (and maybe for you) is to listen to the Daily Audio Bible. I'm having some technological issues with uploading to my mp3 player, so I really like that you can just go to the website and click "play."
You can listen to today's 35 minute selection or you can choose today's selection from Psalms or from Proverbs. You can even listen in Spanish or Japanese or other languages!
Any other creative ideas for getting in God's Word (and getting it in me) during this season???
A friend encouraged me today that the past x years of my life are my preparation for this season, and that I have a deep reservoir of reading & studying God's Word and experiencing God's mercy & love to drink from during this season of interrupted sleep and little free time.
I was planning to read through the Bible in 90 days this winter. Alas, the best laid plans of mice and men!!
I am learning that I need to follow the read the Bible for 90 seconds plan!
Another option for me (and maybe for you) is to listen to the Daily Audio Bible. I'm having some technological issues with uploading to my mp3 player, so I really like that you can just go to the website and click "play."
You can listen to today's 35 minute selection or you can choose today's selection from Psalms or from Proverbs. You can even listen in Spanish or Japanese or other languages!
Any other creative ideas for getting in God's Word (and getting it in me) during this season???
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