Grace Full Days

Wanderlust

2012-01-10T23:59:00.001-06:00

This photo was taken at my folks' farm by my niece, Merideth Powers. Heart!

The Father's Love

2011-12-03T05:34:00.003-06:00

Source: Uploaded by user via Melissa on Pinterest

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Absolute Love

2011-12-02T01:09:00.005-06:00

Tonight as we got you in your jammies, you asked me if I was absolutely 978, 763, 679 bazillion percent sure that I love you. ABSOLUTELY! I wonder sometimes how you can doubt it or maybe you just like throwing around those BIG numbers. =) Even if you ask me 978, 763, 679 bazillion times, I will always say yes. The answer is always yes.

Here it is a few hours later and you are sweetly sleeping after some really cozy snuggles, hugs, and kisses. I love the smell of your hair and how ticklish you are on your neck, sweet girl. You are my sunshine and so much more.

I love your giggles and your sense of humor - your use of humor. Oh, how you try to make me laugh in every situation (they are not all laughing matters, but you don't need to know that right now). I love how you are so helpful to others, in little things and big things. You are so quick to offer up your piggy bank for every need noticed or perceived (like when I wanted to go to Uncle Tommy's funeral - oh, my heart hurts) or how you wrote those sweet notes to Abbi & Grandma Contino. You think of others and that's just how God wants us to be. God reminds me through you that He is a creative, loving, gracious, and generous God. You are surely precious in His sight because He loves you even more than I do and that's quite alot of love.

I know you can't stop growing. Like you say, "God made me to grow, Mama." I wish time would just move a bit more slowly so I can soak in these sweet moments. I love you, Gracie Cakes. I found this little heartfelt saying a bit ago. It really captures what my heart is singing tonight. Here's to you - from my heart to yours~

To My Sweet Daughter:

Your wee little life has changed me. The day you were born was a new beginning for me, too; a change that will forever lay soft on my heart. Everything in my life is sweeter because of you. The days and fleeting moments with you are only a breath in time. They linger briefly and fly away on the wings of tomorrow. You are precious in every way; the sunshine of my day. You are the joy in my soul and the love of my life.
Love you forever and more,
Mama

by Patsy Gaut - though the love you forever and more part is all mine =)

On The Radio

2011-12-01T23:50:00.002-06:00

We love Shine 89 radio. It gets us going in the morning and keeps us singing until we say our best, worst, and prayers at bedtime. Truth is, Shine is usually always playing. I just love that our home is bathed with good stuff; stuff that makes heaven smile and let's the enemy know he is on fighting ground. We are to create a place for Christ to dwell and our worship invites Him to abide. Then there is the part how we just love Christian music. Shine keeps us covered in more ways than one.

Now that the alarm wakes us up before the sun, we are loving the Early Morning Show with Kurt Wallace (Go CARDS). The Gracie girl LOVES that Birthday game. We called in this morning and Grace made her radio debut. Sweet...my goodness, that girl sounded so sweet over the airwaves; but I digress.

You can play the birthday game if a family member is born in the designated month. She has a papa in the month they called out and was invited to tell why she loved her papa. It made my heart all melty when she talked about why she loved her papa. I think Kurt (Go CARDS!) was more bummed than Grace when the birthday wheel landed two days away from papa's birthday. He said he almost moved the wheel back just so she could win just because she was too cute. That guy is full of integrity so no cheating, but we did win a cool Matthew West CD AND there may even be an extra something else in that Shine package for Gracie. That is just cool, I tell you.

Shine 89, WE LOVE YOU!
AND big news for mom. I submitted my application for graduation! YEAH me!! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Aug 5th! Long road, but worth it. That's my faith talking. =) It's well past the best, worst & prayer time. Got to go to BED! Night folks.

PS - I recorded Gracie's radio shout out, but it didn't take. Wonder if I can get a hold of that clip somehow?? Would be a sweet addition to the Grace FULL Days blog, don't you think?

Down on Papa's Farm

2011-11-25T00:35:00.002-06:00

Momenti-di-Cattura with Merideth Powers

Gracie takes control of the wheel - photo by Merideth Powers, Momenti di Cattura

Photo by Merideth Powers, Momenti-di-Cattura

Photo credits to Merideth Powers, Momenti-di-Cattura

Grace

2011-11-21T04:34:00.001-06:00

Grace - this is for you; just so you know how much you mean to me:

Hokey Pokey - That's What It's All About!

2011-10-03T05:46:00.000-05:00

From the first day I brought Grace home from the hospital, I sang the Hokey Pokey song when I changed her diaper or clothes. She learned her body parts early. Just think how many times she heard the song by the time she was one year old? Quite the motivating song, we sang it as she learned to dress herself. It's so endearing song. When mother's have little one who aren't yet talking, I encourage them to sing songs with repetitive lines -- a song easily incorporated into their daily routine. Guess what song fits the bit perfectly? YES, it's the Hokey Pokey! I giggled this morning when I saw this Hokey Pokey button on Facebook. Giggled out loud. =) This belongs on Pinterest for sure!

Resolution

2011-09-02T08:44:00.000-05:00

I resolve to...

read something
write something
work something
pause somewhere
sing something
call someone
pray often
and love constantly

every day

by Tony Hill

2011-08-31T15:00:00.000-05:00

I've been ~~posting~~ pinning over on Pinterest about lots of things, among them- wisdom. Don't ask me how I got there, but I stumbled upon a blog post over at StickyJesus.com all about wisdom in a mere three words; an entire post of 3 bite bits of wisdom. I have to share the whole thing, because it is going to help me say more with less. I hope it is also helpful to Grace FULL readers now and later, down the road awhile. Here goes:
“. . . God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” ~Eccl. 5:2

by Toni Birdsong
In the abbreviated world of social networks, we attempt to share the depths and riches of God’s word in status updates, comment boxes, and 140 character tweets.

To get your creative muscle amped, we’d like to get you thinking in even shorter bursts of truth. Here’s a list of 100 Three-Word Power Posts. All express God’s word.

Remember, living out your faith online isn’t about how much scripture you can wallpaper onto the web. It’s about you being in such exciting fellowship with God that the notes from that conversation easily fall onto the pages of every other conversation you hold.

Feel free to cut and paste these posts for your own tweets or status updates.

You might be surprised how just three words can minister to others—when those three words are scriptural. Be sure to bless us with your own Three-Word Power Posts in the comment section—after all it is potluck Friday!

Share Christ
1. He. Turns. Tides.
2. God. Fills. Gaps.
3. His. Hands. Hold.
4. God. Is. Love.
5. Be. Still. Know.
6. God. Is. Bigger.
7. Therefore. Be. Holy.
8. He. Is. Able.
9. God. My. Portion
10. God. Whispers. Grace.
11. Fixed. On. Heaven.
12. Ransomed. By. Love.
13. God. Hears. You.
14. God. Patiently. Waits.
15. Make. Christ. Known.
16. Christ. My. Portion.
17. God. Of. Everything.
18. His. Love. Rescues.
19. Seek. Him. First.
20. Yes. God. Can.
21. God’s. Love. Pursues.
22. God. So. Loved.
23. In. His. Keeping.
24. Come. Follow. Me.
25. He. Fails. Not.

Share Grace
1. Allow. For. Imperfection.
2. Extend. Astonishing. Grace.
3. Drop. Your. Net.
4. Mercy. Never. Leaves.
5. Beauty. For. Ashes.
6. His. Anchor. Holds.
7. Be. Not. Afraid.
8. Prayer. Changes. Everything.
9. Forgive. The. Unforgivable.
10. Pray. Don’t. Pace.
11. Surrender. Your. Past.
12. I’m. His. Beloved.
13. Love. Children. Unconditionally.
14. Grace. Is. Enough.
15. Pursue. God’s. Heart.
16. Holy. Spirit. Come.
17. Relationship. Over. Religion.
18. One. Empty. Tomb.
19. Fear. No. Evil.
20. My. Cup. Overflows.
21. Jesus. Loves. Anyway.
22. God. Dwells. Here.
23. Christ. My. Rock.
24. Express. Joy. Fiercely.
25. Give. Yourself. Grace.

Share Hope
1. Live. With. Compassion.
2. Pray. Through. Doubt.
3. Out. Pray. Fear.
4. Advance. Through. Fear.
5. Trust. God. Infinitely.
6. Invest. Time. Generously.
7. Speak. God’s. Word.
8. Share. Christ. Abundantly.
9. Echo. Love. Loudly.
10. Enjoy. God. Forever.
11. War. Like. David.
12. Lazarus. Come. Out!
13. God. My. Fortress.
14. More. Than. Conquerors.
15. Anchored. To. Heaven.
16. Be. Not. Afraid.
17. Take. Thoughts. Captive.
18. Yet. I. Praise.
19. Pray. Down. Walls.
20. Shine. Your. Light.
21. Live. In. Peace.
22. Exalt. Him. Together.
23. Show. Yourself. Faithful.
24. Give. Honest. Answers.
25. Plant. Joy. Liberally.

Share Love
1. Love. Even. Though.
2. Love. Covers. Sin.
3. Unleash. Crazy. Love.
4. Love. Never. Fails.
5. Love. The. Unlovable.
6. Love. Is. Kind.
7. Love. One. Another.
8. Let. Love. Rule.
9. Love. Conquers. All.
10. Love. Your. Enemies.
11. Let. Striving. Cease.
12. Labor. In. Love.
13. Extend. Indestructible. Love.
14. Relieve. Your. Brother.
15. Feed. My. Sheep.
16. Wash. Their. Feet.
17. Salt. And. Light.
18. Love. Like. Crazy.
19. Surrender. To. Love.
20. Love. Heals. Deep.
21. Speak. Love. Always.
22. Love. Without. Condition.
23. Love. Breaks. Chains.
24. Forgive. Them. Anyway.
25. Love. Always. Wins.

What’s God stirring in your heart today? Share it in 3 words (as many as you’d like!) . . .

Rules of the Road

2011-08-24T18:23:00.001-05:00

It's so simple people. Drive right, pass left

Drive right, pass left is the law in Germany; yet, another thing I love about Deutchland. =) Just do it! Photo shared by Val from FB poster, Cheri Peters Lee, who likely poached from someone else. Nonetheless, this truth must be shared.

New Beginnings

2011-08-22T19:49:00.000-05:00

Gracie is off and running in Second grade. New school, new friends, new routines. After a lengthy discussion about whether she wanted me to take her to school or ride the bus, she went to bed a car rider the night before and woke up a bus rider. =) A girl's prerogative is to change her mind. So, cutie Gracie rode the bus to school for the very 1st time. Now, she hasn't ridden the bus to or from since, but that's fodder for another blog post. Happy school year, little Miss Grace. You are my pride and joy. I just can't smile big enough to express my delight in the charming young lady you are growing to be.

Gracie ist ausgeschaltet und läuft in der zweiten Klasse. Neue Schule, neue Freunde, neue Routinen. Nach längerer Diskussion etwa ob sie wollte mich zu ihrzur Schule nehmen oder reiten den Bus ging sie ein Auto rider der Nacht vor bed and wachte einen Bus rider. =) Ein Mädchen das Vorrecht ist es, sie umzustimmen. So ritt Cutie Gracie dem Bus zur Schule für die sehr 1st time. Nun hat sie sich nicht mit dem Bus zu oder von da geritten, aber das ist Futter für dieanderen Blog-Post. Glückliche Schuljahr, kleine Miss Grace. Sie sind mein ganzer Stolz. Ich kann einfach nicht lächeln groß genug, um meine Freude in die charmante junge Dame, die du immer sein werden auszudrücken.

Baby Love & Then Some

2011-08-05T22:48:00.003-05:00

Gracie is vacationing with friends who love like family in Kentucky and Missouri while I prepare yet again for qualifying exams in a couple of weeks. She held her own for the first three days, keeping our conversations very brief and mostly on the topic of the care package. =) Last night, she called all weepy. She realizes now how much she misses me and promises that she does not want to leave me again. All future vacations will be together she declared. Also, she has lifted the ban on Baby Love, a pet name I swiped from Auntie Nae. On her 7th birthday she announced I could no longer call her Baby Love, nor could I sing the song that typically follows the sweet name calling. Devastation. Yes, I was devastated. Oh, and if I slipped up - she called me out on it. Sadness~ Well, happy days are here again because I can once again call her Baby Love. I sung her to sleep last night. Tonight she called up with a request to read a book. She picked one and so did I. She chose "Puppies, Puppies, Puppies," by Susan Meyers. I picked "You Are My I Love You," by Maryann Cusimano. Grace was enthralled with that sweet book and here is a bit of the why:

I am your parent; you are my child. I am your quiet place; you are my wild.
I am your calm face; you are my giggle. I am your wait; you are my wiggle.
I am your carriage ride; you are my queen. I am your push; you are my swing.
I am you audience; you are my clown. I am your London Bridge; you are my falling down.
I am your carrot sticks; you are my licorice. I am your dandelion; you are my first wish.
I am your water wings; you are my deep. I am your open arms; you are my running leap.
I am your way home; you are my new path. I am your dry towel; you are my wet bath.
I am your dinner; you are my chocolate cake. I am your bedtime; you are my wide awake.
I am your finish line; you are my race. I am your praying hands; you are my saying grace.
I am your favorite book; you are my new lines. I am your night-light; you are my starshine.
I am your lullaby; you are my peekaboo. I am your good-night kiss, you are my I love you.

Isn't that the sweetest book? Gracie added a couple more lines and then sang a song. I wish I could remember more of her sweet refrain.

You are my dream. I am your wish. You are the one I love most of all. We can always snuggle, both big and small.

Song: When I see you, you were there for me. I only look into you. You were always there for me. You were the one I trust the most. You were the one I loved because, you are loved so much. You were the one who made me. Say it together, you were the one that made my little body. You are the one who makes me come alive.

I have the sweetest girl EVER! Can't wait to hug that Baby Love!

CATS

2011-08-02T17:42:00.001-05:00

Gracie recently wrapped up a 7 week summer enrichment program drama camp with the local high school performing CATS, the Musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Talk about hard work...play, work, and learn. What's not to love? Five days a week; four to seven hours a day of singing, dancing, makeup, acting, and just hanging with the big kids was pure joy for the Gracie girl. Two weeks into the program, Gracie asked me to go ahead and take money out of the bank to pay for next year's camp. She's THAT into it. =)

At the end of the first week, I peeked in for a few minutes. "Now, don't be afraid, mom. When the show starts, they will pull the house lights down and it will get dark. The house lights are the lights where the audience sits." That's right, they learned even theater lingo and technical terms. In fact, the children were involved in every aspect of the production from makeup, choreography, set design, vocals, lighting, costumes...the whole nine yards. What an experience! In fact, upon leaving the set for the last time, Gracie thanked Mr Thorsky, program director, for the "glorious" experience.

Preview Gala

As a mother, I finally felt the thrill and pride my mom must have experienced as she watched her kids involved in something worthwhile and fun. Mom was usually involved in whatever we were doing; volunteering in some way - scouts, cheerleading, etc. She was so proud and supportive of our efforts. I know what she was feeling; now I understand her joy.

I just can't say enough good about the summer enrichment program and the drama camp. It made me want to invest my time and energy beyond multiple trips to the theater. I wanted to dive in head first and support the kids. I recently saw this somewhere and it fit the situation: Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer. =) So, I earnestly helped with tickets and organized the cast party to show my appreciation for the efforts of the children and those involved in making the camp a success. Can't wait til next year. Annie, here we come!

Grace & the cast of CATS

Heavyside Layer

Bustopher Jones. Gracie loved hanging out on the car.

Fifi and Old Deuteronomy

Fifi and the Great Rumpus Cat

Munkustrap and Fifi

Skimbleshanks, Fifi, and Rum Tum Tugger

Gus, the theatre cat, Skimbleshanks, Fifi, and Rum Tum Tugger

Jennyanydots and the lady bug bunch

Fifi with the triumphant Siamese Kittens bringing Growltiger to justice!

Ballet teacher, Ms. Teresa, came out to support her dancer girls in CATS!

Every Blooming Thing

2011-07-31T18:15:00.000-05:00

That blog post sounds familiar. Hope I didn't use it before. =) Just wanted to post some recent pictures from my little garden spot. I'm loving it. Not digging the cutie chipmunk tearing up and tunneling in my geraniums, but I'm loving the colors of summer blooming in my yard.

2011-07-22T08:01:00.000-05:00

I don't have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness - it's right in front of me if I'm paying attention and practicing gratitude. Brene Brown

Wanderlust

2011-07-21T13:01:00.000-05:00

Force yourself to wander off the beaten path and see what you find. Dare to be delighted in a place you've never known before. Quote of my own, inspired by folks at The Happiness Project

Popsicle Relief

2011-07-19T16:33:00.000-05:00

Whew, it's hot outside. With the heat index, we are well over 100 moisture laden degrees. I see at least four Popsicle sleeves/tubes. It's a Popsicle free-for-all kind of day. Scooby Doo is playing in the background while Grace works on some crafty thing with both fans circulating a bit of relief. Pardon me, a pink Popsicle is calling my name. =) Happy sunny summer day!

Thank FULL

2011-07-19T07:49:00.001-05:00

I happened upon these quotes over at Families That Stick . I want to forever remember them, so I'm writing them down here. I'm sure this blog--this record of my thoughts, will be here forever. =) Where I forever want to find it, is in my heart and the heart of my Gracie girl. Beeee thankFULL! I'm not sure if thankfulness is taught or caught, so I need to tackle it both ways...to practice and to preach.

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.

Gilbert Keith Chesterton

When I started counting my blessings,

my whole life turned around.

Willie Nelson

I See No Stain On You, My Child

2011-07-19T07:27:00.003-05:00

I woke up this morning singing a powerful line from a favorite song, My Beloved, by Kari Jobe. "I see no stain on you, my child." When He washes us, we are clean. Simply put. I am clean. If only I could get it out of my head and into my heart. He has covered me, my mistakes and even my misgivings. I am clean. And then there's the singing over me. Isn't it a wonder, this love of our God? He sings over us with delight; with songs of peace. Peace. As I live and breath, I inhale His peace. I rest in Him. I rest in you, Lord. I am your beloved and you are mine.

You're my beloved, you're my bride
To sing over you is my delight
Come away with me my love

Under my mercy come and wait
Till we are standing face to face
I see no stain on you my child

You're beautiful to me
So beautiful to me

I sing over you my song of peace
Cast all your care down at my feet
Come and find your rest in me

I'll breathe my life inside of you
I'll bear you up on eagle's wings
And hide you in the shadow of my strength

I'll take you to my quiet waters
I'll restore your soul
Come rest in me and be made whole

You're my beloved, you're my bride
To sing over you is my delight
Come away with me my love

Kari Jobe - My Beloved

Don't You Quit

2011-07-13T07:21:00.002-05:00

From the God at the Movies series @ CLCtoday.org and Jerry Mcquay, this familiar poem was the cheer squad/coach/mom in your face chant I needed to hear:

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about,

When he might have won had he stuck it out;

Don’t give up though the pace seems slow–

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than,

It seems to a faint and faltering man,

Often the struggler has given up,

When he might have captured the victor’s cup,

And he learned too late when the night slipped down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out–

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems so far,

So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit–

It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.

Wherever I Am, I'll Praise Him

2011-07-12T07:32:00.001-05:00

I found myself in a precarious situation yesterday evening; an unexpected and unwelcome place. The song that made it's way through my head and out my mouth was an old chorus we sang in church. Simple, but as someone said, "Sometimes only an old song will tie it together."

Wherever I am, I'll praise Him. Whenever I can, I'll praise Him for His love surrounds me like the sea. I'll praise the name of Jesus. Lift up the name of Jesus for the name of Jesus lifted me.

Despite our circumstances or where we might end up for a moment, day or a season; our hearts are still secure in the palm of His hand. Focus on that truth will carry us through our Paul and Silas moments with a song of peace resounding in our soul.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

2011-07-11T14:29:00.000-05:00

Summer is in full bloom and I'm enjoying my little garden spot. Zinnias, geraniums, lavender, poppies, peppers, sweet peas, sweet potatoes, and a variety of heirloom tomatoes. I'm beginning to see some fruit of my labor and God's handiwork. He really deserves more credit than I, but it does take a partnership nonetheless.

Fun zinnias and colorful seed geraniums

This heirloom boasts 16 little pieces of scrumptious tomatoes.
Can hardly wait until they are ripe from the summer sun

Grape tomatoes - just the right size for snacking

Mini multicolored sweet bells in the making

Mama said...

2011-07-08T08:10:00.002-05:00

Despite her Having Fun shirt in one of the most FUN places (Dollywood, 2006),
Grace was not happy about having her picture taken.

Mama said there'll be days like this...some days are just harder than others. You just get back up, dust yourself off & keep on going. Yes, mama said there'll be days like this.

Rough day. It began before I got out of bed with this horrible dream where it was all my fault. Then off to work. My job is great in so many ways, but some days, I work hard for the money. This was one of those days. Drama practice (for real) was great, but then we got tangled up at the library. With some tears & then hugs, we headed to the pool because water play helps crabby apple pants marshmallow sweetie pies find their smiles again. We unexpectedly intersected by friends who were delighted to see us & pleaded to take Gracie cakes to play. Even better!! Nothing makes you feel better than three giggly girlfriends begging you to come play. That makes a mama feel better, too. So, they played & mom had some time to catch up on some needful things for an hour or so.

It got even better. Mom had some chat time with the sweet mother of the squealy girls. =) I needed that. I really needed that fresh perspective & voice of faith that reminded me that God is a very present help in time of need. Breathing easier...no more crabbies.

We got home just in time to read a few verses from Gracie's new bible. Here's what she found: But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run & not grow weary. They will walk & not faint. Isaiah 40:31

That's encouraging!

This is what I read: But as for you, Israel (Carmen & Gracie), my servant, Jacob (Carmen & Gracie) my chosen one descended from Abraham my friend; I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, "You are my servant." For I have chose you & will not throw you away. Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you & help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Now that's REALLY encouraging!

Mama said there'll be days like this. So glad our Father in heaven has a remedy for days like this. So glad.

They Grow So Fast

2011-07-07T07:42:00.000-05:00

We had a beach day yesterday at the request of the Gracie girl. Something about the warm sand & splash of the waves soothe my soul. I do believe Grace is her mother's daughter. =) They grow so fast. This forever sweet video reminds me they grow so fast.

When I Grow Up...

2011-07-03T13:33:00.002-05:00

Grace under the influence of Barney Fife, Andy Griffith Show:

When I grow up I want to be a barrel racer; but when I REALLY grow up, I want to be a cop. Then I can arrest people when I need to and when I want to.

These Boots...

2011-06-30T13:19:00.000-05:00

Getting ready for drama camp this morning, Gracie came out in her cowgirl boots. "Honey, it's going to be close to 100 degrees today. You sure you want to wear those boots?", I asked. She replied in classic Grace fashion, "It's never too hot to wear boots." So it begins: fashion over comfort.

2011-06-29T10:28:00.000-05:00

I'm posting this here because I want to remember it:
There are only 24 hours in a day, and I have decided not to fill that time being frustrated by other people and negative situations that are out of my control (again, assuming nothing really bad is occurring). I barely have the energy to do all of the things I want to do, and giving people the benefit of the doubt helps me to stay in control of my emotions and time.

from Uncluttered.com

Birthday Month Continued: Strawberry Fields Forever

2011-06-18T10:18:00.000-05:00

Luscious strawberry goodness! You just can't beat this. Yum!

June packs so many birthdays. Feels like we celebrate the entire month. This week, we took the party to the strawberry patch to celebrate Em's birthday. What a great idea for a party. I'm all about exposing kids to new experiences & this certainly provided that opportunity for most of Em's party girls. The strawberries were so plenteous; plants heavy laden with fruit. Picking was easy. AND talk about tasty! This fruit is good & will be yummy in some strawberry jam. Just have to make time in all the party going to make it. Oh, yes. We are headed to B's 3rd birthday party today! What a month!! Happy Birthday, girls!

My Strawberry Shortcake. Now that's what I call sweet. =)

Fresh Strawberry Pie

Girls Rule - Boys Drool

2011-06-17T10:58:00.001-05:00

After a fun filled afternoon & evening at friends, Gracie fell asleep in the car on the way home. Groggily, & with some help, she made her way into the house. She crawled into bed & said, "Maybe it's true that boys rule/girls droll, 'cause I was falling asleep in the car & I think there was a little bit of drool coming out of my mouth." =)

Celebrating Seven

2011-06-14T06:15:00.072-05:00

Jazzy joins the birthday fun...like she has a choice. =)

We celebrated Gracie's 7th birthday a few days ago at Monee Reservoir with a fishing theme. It was simple, outside, and loads of fun. Despite the little mist for a bit, some of us played the day away until 5 pm. What's the rush? The kids are playing today - good clean fun, so to speak. We did take dirty kids home, but they washed up nicely. =)

Seven years old came too quickly, but here we are. They grow so fast. Now I understand that line. They grow so fast. I treasure the moments and the memories. I'm proud of who Grace is and who she is becoming. She is kind, clever, adventurous, daring, and brave (except after watching Scooby Doo). She is fun, friendly, confident, creative, compassionate, and conscientiousness. I love that Gracie Cakes. I love that she loves to sing, dance, snuggle, travel, explore, create, be outside, make up songs, write books, draw pictures, make new friends, include others, tell jokes, tries to trick me (every day is April Fools Day) & worship God. She is such a treasure. She is my treasure.

Seven came too quickly. She tells me now I can't call her "Babele" - I got that cutie name from my friend, Nae. In my mind, it is short for Baby Love. I have a song that goes with it nicely, but that's over now she said. Can't call her that or sing the song. She's too big. I hope she forgets she said that. I hope she changes her mind. =) In the meantime, I have a plethora of other names I call her with permission and love songs I can sing.

Here are a few fun pics of the birthday fun.

Gracie snags a lily pad

Gracie and friends

Gracie finally gets her gun...did I mention she has a good memory? She's wanted this pink gun/holster since she was 3 years old.

wet sponge relay - the teams race to see who can transfer the most water using big sponges

cooperating - I love it!

sizing up the lake & preparing to fish

Birthday Month

2011-06-05T07:05:00.055-05:00

Gracie is turning 7 soon. A special request was made by the girl herself to take her bestest friends to Key Lime Cove to celebrate her birthday. We scored a deeply discounted stay at the resort; and I do use that term loosely, but that's another post. So, making some calls or sending some texts rather, we invited C & E, along with A. Whooo, C &E were THRILLED beyond belief. We found a weekend that worked for us. A was unable to join us, but I saved that sad piece of info for the very last moment. In doing so, Grace was already in the midst of bliss with her other two besties to fret much. Good call, Mom.

The car ride up to Key Lime Cove was NOISY to say the least. Who knew happiness, joy, & giggles could get to deafening levels so quickly? ACK! None was so happy to arrive at the resort (again, loose interpretation of the word). Those girls were splish splashing & slip slidin within the hour. I did a bit of birthday decorating when Gracie wasn't looking & viola - it's a birthday party!

The girls swam the evening away, as well as the next day! Whoo hoo! To celebrate the birthday, we dove head first into a gargantuan sundae called the kitchen sink sundae with elaborate toppings and spectacular mini fireworks - all served in a small kitchen sink! It was amazing & sooo much ice cream, we didn't even make a dent! It was indeed fun trying. =)

On the ride home, I asked the girls what there favorite part of the weekend was. Each replied, "Being funny together." True. True. I've never heard so many knock knock jokes before in my entire life. However, the joke that garnered the most giggles was this one: Hey, what's that under there? Under where? HA! I made you say "underwear"!!! Hilarious, even the 100th time. =)

Ready to ride!

Splash!

BFFL

Birthday Girl Surprise

Gearing up for a good day

Say you're surprised

Kitchen Sink Sundae

So hungry they could eat a kitchen sink!

Fireworks

Birthday glow

Traveling Tutelage

2011-05-31T18:00:00.002-05:00

I love traveling with Grace. On the return trip from Missouri Memorial Day visits, Grace and I filled our driving hours talking, singing & story telling. Winding away the the miles, we talked about the story behind the Star Spangled Banner and why I often cry when we sing it. I explained why grace and mercy are my most favorite words. We decided friends should be chosen based kindness, not the color of their skin, how they look, or how well their body works or doesn't work. Grace wants to visit the place where Jesus died for our sins. She wants to see His body. In her disappointment and tears that even if we go to Israel (and we will go), she won't see His body; but rather an empty tomb because He rose from the dead. We talked about heaven and how we will see Jesus, face to face; and that He knows her name. This is how we teach them; day in and day out,how we teach them. This is how we live our faith, passing it from one generation to the next.

Memorial Day

2011-05-31T04:02:00.000-05:00

We headed home for the long weekend to be with family. We also caught some time to visit with a dear friend, Val, on the way back to Chi-town. Always good to visit friends who love like family, or fremly, as some say. Aunt Helen was tearing down a house. We helped out, mostly by keeping out of the way. Auntie Val was moving the office. We helped out, mostly by keeping out of the way. =) Just kidding, we did help really. Thinking it was actually Labor Day weekend, instead of Memorial Day.

The weekend was hot, full of work, beds were sparse & the air wasn't working. Ah, but I'm not complaining. The kids played, explored, rode horses, climbed on tractors, swam, played with puppies/kitties, and visited Grandma's grave to say, "We love you." It was a bit emotional. Gracie laid down on Nana's grave, cried, & prayed. I love her tenderness. We bought flowers to put at her headstone, but Gracie willed hers to Haddon to place. She said it hurt her heart to go back so soon. Sigh~ I know.

Chicago Turkish Festival 2011

2011-05-27T14:16:00.001-05:00

What an opportunity to experience other cultures right in your own front yard?! Gracie and I visited the Turkish Festival downtown. Though it was chilly (we had to buy a little coverup for Grace), we enjoyed meeting new friends, as well as the tastes and sounds of Turkey.

Eager for a hands on experience, Grace made a gorgeous print using a paper marbling technique. Forget the flowers, butterflies, stars and such; Gracie wanted a horse. There's a first, according to the master painter. It was a fascinating process indeed. What a great way to experience the other side of the world right here in our own front yard. It'll do until we can get there in the flesh. =) After all, we have an Uncle Volky and his sweet pea to visit first chance we get.

Bathtized

2011-05-12T11:11:00.000-05:00

Gracie was recently baptized on Mother's Day. She calls it "bathtism" for obvious reasons. I think it's because we are washed from the inside out! It was the most amazing gift! They say joy shared is twice as nice. Thanks for celebrating with us.

I'm so far behind I think I'm ahead...

2011-04-07T11:24:00.001-05:00

Geez, Louise! I haven't posted since February & that was a post from last year! Needless to say, life has been a-changing since I last visited blogspot....not that the days have been any less FULL! Indeed, we have moved to the country, lost two more teeth, survived a computer crash (laptop should be back by Monday), resurrected a desktop 14 months dead, & thoroughly enjoyed another Spring Break at Auntie Val's in the big MO! I'll put up a few pics from her country adventures.

It is true, I am at the library attempting to study (cough, spit, sputter). Actually, my first priority this morning is to finally pull all pertinent data off my laptop hardrive that's conveniently nestled in a smooth, shiny case at my side. THEN, I can take the laptop down to this GREAT place in Manteno for fixing up! So excited! What I'm not excited about is returning to T-Mobile (boo, hiss, & more spitting) to get ANOTHER web stick; hoping my first one isn't the culprit of my crashed computer. I can't go through this again. Sigh~

So not much time to update, but I want to record this loving moment before I forget it. Actually, I don't think I could forget it as it's written on my heart. Several weeks ago, Gracie woke up singing a little song she made up. "Sing it with me, mama." She sang it again & I was supposed to catch on THAT quick, but alas my tongue was tripping over that little praise melody. "I need to hear it a few times & then I'll get it for sure." Frowning at my request, she jumped up & now standing on the bed, runs her fingertips to the tippy top of her curly mass all the way down to those tasty toes. "Look," she said, "I've got songs from here (curls) to here (toes) just waiting for words." I suppose she meant that we really didn't have time to dawdle over this one because there are dozens more to be sung. So sweet, I could just eat her up toes & all!

Country Girl City Talk

2011-02-08T10:25:00.000-06:00

Last April Grace spent spring break with some friends who love like family. Auntie Val hosted the little miss so mom could concentrate on final exams and such. The absence of any postings from that time might indicate that I indeed was engrossed in study. Au contra ire~ But, it's over & done with, but here is an exchange with the Gracie girl worthy of a few giggles & grins.

Grace enjoyed fun filled days of horse riding, puppy loving, cake baking, tea party going, runway stomping, trampoline jumping, bubble blowing, running, swimming, park & Barbie play in the country. However, the nights brought sadness as mama's lullabies just weren't the same via T-Mobile. Taking the party on the road, the grand adventure took her from southeast Missouri to Kentucky for a Sweet 16 celebration like none other at Auntie Mel's house. Yes, more friends that love like family. I heart my college roommates.

After catching up with my friends & recovering from the sugar (SWEET 16, did I mention?), we were on our way back home & back to normalcy. Though ready to come back home, she was not ready to go back to school. Grace, then a kindergartner, had already begun with the "I don't wanna go to school" bit about an hour into the journey.

We took a potty break just before crossing the Kentucky/Indiana border. It was quite the quaint little town at a decent enough looking gas station. The attendant's accent was very thick, but then again it doesn't take much communication finesse to score the key when the girl is clearly doing the potty dance.

Once inside the tiny, yet clean, bathroom Grace indignantly said, "I can't wait to get out of this country & back to the city where people speak our own language."

And we went glee, glee, glee all the way home where we all speak "city".

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TWO-gether is Better

2011-02-06T23:22:00.000-06:00

What a lovely weekend after surviving the blizzard this week. We enjoyed a snowy play date with one of our BFF. Gracie was much for snow play until we got to Em's house. Indeed two are better than one! The girls didn't last long in the cold, but managed to pack in dozens of giggles while climbing, digging, sliding and sledding.

Discontent that school resumes tomorrow, Gracie complained of a "tummy ache" that may certainly keep her home. I confidently reassured her the tummy ache was likely due to the super bowl snacks and she WILL return to school to which she replied, "Well, at least then I might just need a wheelchair tomorrow." =)

Blizzard 2011

2011-02-02T20:28:00.001-06:00

We're all snowed in here in the southland. Folks are calling it Snowmageddon 2011 or the 2011 Blizzard. It's pretty snowy out there with drifts quite high. School is canceled the rest of the week. We are making the best of things by baking some of our favorites: chocolate chip cookies & brownies. I have ribs cooking in the oven now. They smell sooo good. Yum! We gathered some fresh snow for snow cream from a recipe I solicited from friends on Facebook. Would love to have mom's old recipe. =) This tasted like snow cream I remember, but I might be willing to try another recipe.

Snow up 1/2 up the back door

It's a snow day

Ready to make fresh snow cream

Mixing in the cream


Scooping up the snow cream

Inspiration

2011-01-29T22:29:00.004-06:00

Rushing in to rehearsal Wednesday evening, Gracie slowed to take a peek at something or another. "Don't dawdle, Gracie. We have to get inside quickly." Unruffled, she replied, "I'm not dawdling mom, I'm finding inspiration."

That's my girl.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-27T13:31:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year!

I'm only 27 days late in such greetings & salutations. Hope it's off to a great start for you & yours - dreams, aspirations, resolutions & such.

I must say things have calmed down quite a bit since my last post on December 9th. Seriously. Life was just spinning out of control as I tried to keep my head about water with obligations, responsibilities & commitment. I think I regarded too lightly when my mother used to say she was having a nervous breakdown. There is a reason folks say that. I was struggling to breath, hoping to emerge with some semblance of a smile & my sanity intact.

I love the light at the end of the tunnel. I love that all things work together for good to those who love God & who are called according to His purpose. I love that He has a plan; a plan to prosper & not to harm; plans for hope & a future. I love. Even when I want to hate, I love. Even when I hurt, I love. Even when I'm confused, I love. Even when I'm tired, I love. Even in my questions, I love.

He loves. Even when I want to hate, He loves. Even in my hurt, He loves. Even when I'm confused, He loves. Even when I'm tired, kicking & screaming; He loves. Even in my questions, He loves. That is the bigger thing. He loves. Always. End of story. Really. It is the story, the beginning to the very the end of the story. He loves. There's nothing bigger or better that that. I'm so thankful.

I'm going to write a little here & there. I'll not worry about catching up under the guise of leaving the past behind me & moving forward. However, for Gracie's sake I must update this journal of Grace Full Days of our 1st lost tooth, ballerina dances & such.

Happy 2011! It's off to a great start. My vision is fresh. My strength is renewed. My feet are steadfast. It's going to be a good year.

Tooth Fairy Fun

2010-12-17T07:00:00.003-06:00

Believe it or not, Gracie LOVES her dentist! LOVES going! Good thing, because we had an appointment yesterday. =) Yeppers! The front teeth are on their way out. We lost our first tooth shortly after that dentist appointment! Look at that charming bag. I'm surprised the tooth fairy didn't take that little cutie thing, but she's a honest girl. =) Cute little thing left pixie dust on the window sill. She thinks of everything. =) Grace was thrilled to say the least. Did I mention how much I love baby toes? Well, they aren't so babyish anymore, but I still take a tiny bite from time to time.

On Papa's Farm

2010-12-09T13:44:00.001-06:00

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Christmas Grace

2010-12-08T20:25:00.001-06:00

Charming Gift Wrap Christmas 5x7 folded card

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You are Good - Gateway Worship

2010-11-20T06:32:00.000-06:00

Dreaming...

2010-11-17T23:08:00.002-06:00

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Harvest Happenings

2010-11-11T06:51:00.000-06:00

My Gracie Pirate Girl

Busy, busy harvest season here round this Grace FULL household including, but not limited to, harvest parties at church & school. Yes - I AM the room parent! Yeah - it was great with lots of parent help besides me. That was NICE! They kids loved the games - pumpkin cakewalk, pumpkin relay & candy cone BINGO! The relay was HILARIOUS. Originally intended to sweep the pumpkins with brooms, the brooms were forgotten by busy parents other than me. So we improvised. The teams rolled the itty bitty pumpkins with their noses. I'm talking FUNNY!

Spider bites for treats at the 1st grade Harvest Party. Brought to you by Shorty Cakes!

1st horse ride. Oh, he's smiling here, but let me tell you...

The Harvest festival at CLC was great. We took a little friend from school. Highlight of the day, "Is that horse really REAL?" This youngster had never seen a real horse or pony in the FLESH! I managed to get him on the horse with the help of the wonderful horse people, but little N was quite fearful the entire time. Kids should definitely experience real animals as often & early as possible. Gracie was, you know she was so "I got this." lol - almost indignant about her peer's inexperience with the animals. It's not funny. I'm sorry. The screeching in the petting zoo with the cows, bunnies, goats, llamas...NOT funny. Really. giggle giggle. After we managed to get the screeching boy OUTSIDE the fence, he thought he really might want to touch the pig. Uh-uh. I don't think so. Just look from here. =) Great time indeed! Bouncy things, face painting, coloring contests (I don't really like those, but the kids do =/), decorating cupcakes, carnival games & oh, the CANDY! Lots of CANDY!

Gracie & friend chowing on cupcakes they decorated! AND the proceeds went to dig clean water wells in Peru. How GREAT is THAT? Fun for a good cause!

If you can imagine MORE fun than that...we dropped off little N & hit the trick or treat trail sponsored by the park district. Let me tell you, we have the BEST park district EVER! This was quite fun & in such a charming setting.

Halloween actually fell on Sunday, so we worshipped at CLC. Front line privilege PLUS a special speaker was on tap so we were there for a longggggggggggg time. Let's see. Gracie was in the kids town/Sunday School thing for 5.5 hours. 5.5 hours of singing, dancing, worshiping, & learning about Jesus. FUN & exhaustion. Plus, there were treats for every service - treats X3. SUGAR!!! Actually, I don't know what they served but we could say she was more than jazzed for Trick or Treating with Uncle BOB! That was fun, but she pooped out early. Could be because my pirate princess RAN from house to house for about three blocks. Could be, huh?

We filled her princess Easter basket now Trick or Treat pail to the brim AND all pockets AND her pirate hat. That was a ton of candy! More than enough. PLENTY! Bring on the Kit Kat bars for mama! Oh, butter..right. =)

To wrap things up, we stopped by the Deer Creek Trunk or Treat extravaganza just to bounce in the JUMBO Jet & slide down that MOUNTAIN of a parrot. Hit a few trunks on the way to our car & then to the BIRTHDAY party of our little neighbor friend. Talk about wired for sound. They had a not-so-haunted house in their basement which was still fun after 3 times. They bobbed for apples & played all sorts of fun games with CANDY prizes. YEAH CANDY. Seriously. Pizza (finally - real food =)

To be honest, it was a great weekend. I can't believe she made it into bed by 9:00 pm. I can't believe I survived. =)

Here are some photos from other Harvest Happenings this Fall. We've been busy, but I said that already. As much as I dread Fall (because of what burr cold comes afterward), some of our favorite activities are during this time of year. =)

Pumpkin patching with good friends!

Hayride fun!

County Line Orchard fun in the hay maze

Apple Orchard fun making & EATING s'mores by the campfire

Celebrate!

2010-11-11T05:54:00.002-06:00

60 sticks of butt-er

Just a bit of FUN. Check out my video made by way of Lenovo.

2010-11-10T13:07:00.001-06:00

Lenovo's What is your idea of fun USA

Miss you like crazy

2010-10-10T09:33:00.000-05:00

It's been five years...some days I wonder how the time has flown by; other days it just drags. There's rarely a day goes by that something doesn't remind me of you - some fragrance or a song. Perhaps it's the way Gracie claps her hands together all excited like you used to do or it's the smell of those nut goodies. Today it was peanut butter. Crazy. I'm glad to say that finally...finally the smiles out number the tears. When things were raw & the loss was fresh, I often worried because I could only see you in those last months - the very sick you. What frailty & brokenness. But now my vision has cleared & I see you in your smiles, thoughtful ways & tenderness. I miss you still, but I'm so glad that joy is more than the sorrow. Miss you like crazy, mom. Love you always & forever; to the moon & back again. We're throwing kisses to heaven!

ThoughtFULLness

2010-09-30T04:27:00.001-05:00

Snuggling with me one morning last week, Gracie told me know how lucky I am when she sleeps with me. "Well, you have me so close to snuggle AND you don't have to get up in the middle of the night to come close to me when I'm scared. I'm RIGHT here." She has a point. =) I love that girl in all her sweetness. =)

Drinking From My Saucer

2010-09-23T05:43:00.006-05:00

The birthday was yesterday. What a great day indeed. Gracie had the perfect gift for mama. She's been itching to give this lusciously wrapped gift since returning from shopping with cousin Mimi. I had to close my eyes, hold out my hands while she crooned happy birthday in that sweet, sweet voice (vibrato & all). She grinned from ear to ear while I opened up her thoughtful gift. =) We ended the day with more cutie things crafted by her little hands -- a picture she drew of our full-of-love family, as she called it. I like the sound of that. =) I told her my best gift was Grace - she is best gift & I'm so blessed to have her every day.

So many wishes, blessings & birthday salutations came from friends & family via Facebook. Some phone calls came in from the nearest & dearest friends; they began at 6 AM but I didn't answer until 7 AM. It took me about an hour to say "thank you" to each one of those delivering birthday greetings. Saying "thank you" made me even more thankful - for so much more than a date on a calendar.

Gracie said I'm the best mom she ever had. Rhonda said I was her best childhood camping buddy. Cindy said I was one of the happiest persons she'd ever known. Pam & Sonny were wishing I'd come back out to California to visit. I'm so going once this degree is finalized! I was sent lots of love & blessings from all over the world - literally. I'm blessed to have friends near & far, some long time friends & some as new as the last 24 hours.

This morning as I enjoy the scent of cinnamon n sugar waft through my kitchen, I'm counting my blessings. I've got so much for which to be thankful. I'm getting healthier with every stick o'butter melting off my behind (three this week). My daughter is smart, healthy & loves to learn. I am loved by my family & though I miss my mom muchly on days like these, memories of her make my heart smile.

My life is full of goodness. Someone said that way before me in a near-cheesy poem that circulated years ago when forwarding bites of wisdom via email was still cool. I pulled it up to read, re-read & share because it just sums it up so nicely. I'm reaping better than I sowed. Not sure about the grammar, but is sure echos my heart today. Drinking from my saucer...

DRINKING FROM MY SAUCER

I've never made a fortune and it's probably too late now,But I don't worry about that much I'm happy anyhow.And as I go along life's way I'm reaping better than I sow,I'm drinking from my saucer 'Cause my cup has overflowed..Haven't got a lot of riches and sometimes the going's tough,But I've got loving ones around me and that makes me rich enough.I thank God for his blessings and the mercies He's bestowed,I'm drinking from my saucer 'cause my cup has overflowed..O, Remember times when things went wrongMy faith wore somewhat thin,But all at once the dark clouds brokeand sun peeped through again.So Lord, help me not to gripe about the tough rows that I've hoed,I'm drinking from my saucer "Cause my cup has overflowed".If God gives me strength and courageWhen the way grows steep and rough,I'll not ask for other blessings I'm already blessed enough.And may I never be too busy to help others bear their loads,Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer"Cause my cup has overflowed."
John Paul Moore

Great Forest Park Balloon Race

2010-09-20T17:21:00.002-05:00

Always a good time at the Great Forest Park Balloon Race! Quick trip down and back in the SAME day. Some mystery sickness was making the rounds at Aunt Tracy's house, so no fun with family outside our own full-of-love circle. Gracie is a journalistic as part of her 1st grade routine. In the picture above, you see she chronicled her Great Balloon experience. She's dreaming of a ride in the big balloon. That's my girl. =)

Less of Me

2010-09-17T10:56:00.007-05:00

Started something new & needful last week. There is less of me today...24 sticks of butter LESS of me. =) Yeah! Gracie thinks there's already more room on the couch for her. hee hee! Actually, she's right. Think about how much room 6 pounds of butter takes up on the couch. Not that we allow butter on the couch. No, we don't.

I must pause to give credit to my friend, Cylinda Shirley Nickel over at Because Life is Like a Bowl of Marbles, for her "sticks 'o butter off my butt" analogy. =) Inspiring, indeed. Well, giggling does indeed add up to activity points. =)

I've got some new shoes...made for walking. Well, they are really made for running, but we are wogging (the walk-jog combo) for now. =) And I've got this great book by John Bingham, Courage to Start. I'm feeling pretty well equipped.

Not only did we buy new shoes for our wogging to running journey to Nashville, but we also invested in a blender. Yes, we are now a smoothie making family. =) Gracie is thrilled. Yes. However, I am under strict orders NOT to sneak celery in her smoothie. "OHhhhhh, that's what those stringy things were. MOM!" So now I know just not to tell her I put sweet potatoes & red pepper in yesterday's blend. Scrumptious with all those raspberries, strawberries & bananas. That's what I call "Deceptively Delicious." To be honest, that's what Jerry Seinfeld's wife calls her cookbook...I love the book, the idea & just plum plagiarized the title. Except that now I've just given her credit, so no plagiarizing going on here. Thanks to Uncle Randy & Auntie Em for the cookbook. =)

So here we go....oh, the we part. I could use some cheerleaders here & not the kind that bring cookies. =) Except I can have cookies. Just have to figure out how many points are in those Shorty Cake kind. =)

Goal for this week: journal every bite

Actually, that was my goal for my 1st week. Journal every bite = SUCCESS! Plus, I totally resisted SODA while down with the family in MO. I survived a family reunion with a 24 stick loss. I even ate the peach cobbler, roasted pork loin, potato salad and some other goodies. I did, however, spit out that bite of cinnamon chocolate roll. Not good; not good at all. =/ JOURNAL EVERY BITE!

Bis spater...

For the Love of Reading

2010-09-01T22:00:00.001-05:00

September is Library Card Month. Whoo hooo! Gracie got her first library card today with her very own 5 year old signature. =) Oh, happy day! She was so proud. They took her picture and put it on the bulletin board designed to celebrate young readers. She got busy picking out her very own books, insisting that she carry them to the desk by herself. Indeed, it was a great day for 5 year old Grace! She's growing up too fast. =)

Turkey Feet

2010-08-26T06:18:00.006-05:00

Excited to wear her new school clothes even before school began, Gracie asked me if she could wear her "skirt with the turkey feet."

Turkey feet skirt...huh?

"You know, the one that has all the circles with turkey feet in them."

=) Still giggling.

Turkey feet be with you~
Turkey feet out~
Give turkey feet a chance...John Lennon (well, kinda)

Summertime, Summertime

2010-08-23T19:00:00.001-05:00

Great day at the beach~

“Don't grow up too quickly, lest you forget how much you love the beach.”

-- Michelle Held

Double Grace

2010-08-21T23:55:00.000-05:00

Double the fun with Grace and Grace at the Mokena Farm Festival. They enjoyed horse ride, face painting, singing, dancing, and sheep shearing fun! Ok, not so much sheep shearing fun. It looked a bit painful. Good thing sheep are docile creatures or we might not have much experience with wool. =)

2010-08-19T19:49:00.002-05:00

Backseat singer song writer aboard. She's working up a little ditty about burning flame love.

Looking Back

2010-08-17T19:24:00.006-05:00

This moment brought to you by Facebook with a new feature that lets you look back at what you said last year on this same date; couple that with blogspot's feature of backdating your posts and viola~ This is what Gracie said on August 17, 2010:

Guess what, mom. Did you know chewing gum is the most best for making your teeth get all wiggly to fall out?

August 17, 2010 at 7:24pm via Facebook Mobile · Privacy: · ·

Kat Frazier, Margie Sugg Moore, Patricia Dominguez Grinker and 3 otherslike this.
- Kelly Awww, that's so cute!
  August 17, 2010 at 8:29pm ·
- Carmen She's been crunching apples like crazy since finding out another pal lost a tooth eating an apple.
  August 17, 2010 at 8:38pm ·
- Cammy I remember losing a tooth in Sis Gunn's kindergarten class, apple and a snickers I think. Yup, I was eating them both at the same time!
  August 17, 2010 at 10:42pm ·
- Melanie That girl is like a children's book come to life! Love her!!
  August 18, 2010 at 8:04am ·
- Carmen Yes, reminds me a bit of Junie B Jones. =)
  August 18, 2010 at 4:44pm ·
- Renee Dawling, she has Eloise in her! I just love, love, love her!
  August 18, 2010 at 5:47pm ·
- Carmen and yes, Eloise. I can see that. =)
  August 19, 2010 at 5:07pm ·
  
  Further discussion led to a list of methods by which her pals lost teeth:
  Caitlyn: apple
  Annie: pizza
  Hannah: wiggling
  Haddon: biscuit with peach jelly Grace: 1st tooth: rice crispy treat and wiggling it with her finger
  Gracie further reported the loss of her 2nd and 3rd tooth came at the end of school one day: "I stepped into the bathroom and saw it was halfway out. I twisted out and my friends helped my find it when it fell. I lost two in one day and the tooth fairy left $9 for me."

Change for a pie?

2010-08-15T15:19:00.005-05:00

The computer is on vacation in Temple, Texas for repair. Gee, I miss that guy. Didn't realize how tied at the hip I am to that thing, but given I can't bill for ANY of my work without computer access...I'm hopelessly devoted~ I'm on borrowed time here. Gracie is playing over with her cutie little Sophia friend. Those girls are absolutely CRAZY together & I need to take a turn wrangling the team. Her folks are absolutely WONDER full AND they garden. Oh, yes...a lovely garden indeed. AND they share with their friends. Oh, yes they do. I feasted on some First Light tomatoes from that gorgeous Eden spot. TASTY! Borrowed time..right.

So, yesterday Grace & I went shopping for school clothes - the ALL day kind of shopping that only happens ONCE a year. Thank His holy name. =) We were at Kohls by 7:30 AM & walking out the doors at 9 AM as the crowd thickened. Famished, we stopped in Round the Clock for some breakfast. Mind you, this is no Lumes or Essenhaus by far; but we did enjoy a sit down breakfast with waffles, whipped cream & simply delicious syrup. Approaching the cash register to pay, I handed Grace a five, asking her to get change so I could leave a tip. "Please ask for change for a five." We paid the bill & began our retreat to the car for more adventures in spending when Grace inquisitively asked, "Where's the pie? You forgot the pie." Huh? "Mom, you told me to get change for a pie. Where's our tasty pie?" hee hee...well, the girl wasn't laughing when I told her there was no tasty pie, I wanted change for a five. =) I'm still laughing~ STILL. She is STILL not laughing. Guess my articulation was not as crisp as it should have been. =)

AND before I close (I am on borrowed time, remember?). This Grace FULL moment to share: Climbing in the car this afternoon, Grace was singing a little tune with all the Mary Poppins' British-ness she could muster. "Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down...the medicine go down...the medicine go down." I love a British accent. Ahh, who am I kidding...I swoon at any accent. =) Happy day, friends!

Families that Stick: DO: Engage, don't entertain

2010-07-30T02:48:00.004-05:00

Hey, you know I always say "Joy shared is twice as nice." Well, some wonder FULL folks I know are doing a blog right over at Families that Stick! Check it out at the link below & tell Kristen I sent you!

Families that Stick: DO: Engage, don't entertain
THIS I just had to share, borrowing it right from fresh pages over at Families that Stick:

For a few ideas on simple play, the ABC's by Jill Rigby:
(hint: these are ideas for YOU to do with your kids)
A - Always smile
B - Blow bubbles
C - Color in a coloring book
D - Draw a self-portrait
E - Eat a PB & J
F - Finger paint
G - Goofy faces
H - Hide and seek (surprise your kids by asking them first!)
I - Ice cream cones
J - Jump rope
K- Kick the can (down the street)
L - Look up and watch the stars or the clouds
M - Musical chairs after supper
N - NO TV - please.
O - Old-fashioned hopscotch
P - Paper airplanes
Q - Questions - ask silly, silly ones
R - Race around the block
S - Scissors, paper, rock
T - Take your family for a walk (no phones allowed!)
U - Uncontrollable laughter
V - Ventriloquism
W - Walk barefoot in the grass
X - Xylophone
Y - Yodel
Z - Zoo animal sounds

Enjoy some play time...it'll do YOU good too!
Kristen

Super Sleuths, Grace & Haddon, at the STL Science Center

Gracie putting out fires for CPD at Chicago Children's Museum

Mac & Cheese climbing at Navy Pier

Loving her Mac & Cheese

BBQ sweet treat we took to the big BBQ at Annie's house

BBQ friends: Annie, Grace & more Grace

Summer Shine

Ice cream anyone??

Gracie making her own whale song at the Children's Museum

Pecans & Croutons

2010-07-23T01:52:00.005-05:00

Life is moving forward & we are thoroughly enjoying these Grace FULL days of summer with lots of swimming & friend play with a bit of travel. Boy, I have thought about blogging here & there. Sigh~ But I'm here now with a moment I want to remember.

Grace & I were enjoying a tasty Cone Cottage treat this week. With her participation in the summer reading program at the library, Grace scored a free ice cream cone. Not that we need a coupon to lure us into that sinfully delicious place, but....free is nice. =) Grace ordered up a lemon-lime twisty cone, while I savored a pecan pie blaster. Scrumptious doesn't EVEN capture it. Seriously.

After about 5 bites or so of my pecan laden delight, Grace asked "Why do I always want what you order?" Order envy. She comes by it honestly. Good thing we don't mind sharing. That's what good friends do in my book. A couple more bites of just the pecans & she declared while rolling her eyes heavenward, "I just love croutons." hee hee - "No, honey, those are pecans." She stumbled over it a few more times, landing somewhere between the two words before she finally got it. Hilarious. I was laughing out LOUD. Thankfully, she was as well. She can be a bit sensitive about the laughing...especially if it's at her or WITH her, rather. I wish I had a picture of that sweet face as she grappled with her expanding expressive lexicon. She's heard both words, croutons & pecans; the stumbling came in using them. =)

Then, of course, we talked about how folks say it differently; but the correct way is with the emphasis on the "can" (sounds like "don" rather than "Dan") part of pecan instead of an emphasized "pe" with a long, drawn out peeeeeeeeeeecan. It's kind of like the pop/soda thing. :o)

She's laying on couch at present - it's 2:36 AM - sick with an upset tummy. We emptied out dinner & then some. Bless her heart. We've got a system down though as we've slept with the little purple & pink bucket this week...far more than her share. Sigh~ I keep her hair pulled back & a washcloth on her neck. Poor baby. She has enjoyed more 7-UP than a six year old should. In Jesus' name. Ssssssomebody!

Trusting God

2010-07-08T01:48:00.007-05:00

The Mom Standard posted a perfect pair of songs from Twyla Paris - The Warrior is a Child & Do I Trust You, Lord. Wow! Takes me back to a time of broken pieces, trusting a faithful God to mend & make whole. He did & He continues to renew; to restore me each and every day. I'm thankful. We battle, mustering every ounce of strength. Yet inside, we are but wee ones wielding the sword of King. How heavy the armor seems at times, though it protects our heart...our head. The warrior is a child. We may not see the road ahead or what lies around the next bend; but this we do know, He holds us. He guides us as we lean on His everlasting arms. We just have to look with our eyes of faith. We can trust Him.

Love Yourself??

2010-06-16T06:45:00.005-05:00

"Loving God and others - is there anything else?"

Many thanks to Mark Wilson for this confirming I-couldn't-say-it-any-better-myself post. =)

Why does the bible say to love yourself?

Posted on 11 December 2006 by Mark Wilson

“Love yourself”. Did you get a negative reaction inside yourself? Did the word “egotistical” come to mind?

I didn’t mean be self-centered, I meant: respect yourself, protect yourself, care for yourself. And do you know what? It’s OK!

The bible says to love yourself:

Leviticus 19:18 (OLD Testament)
“Never seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone, but love your neighbor as yourself.
Matthew 19:19
Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’ “
Matthew 22:39
A second is equally important: `Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Mark 12:31
The second is equally important: `Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
Luke 10:27
The man answered, ” `You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, `Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
Romans 13:9
For the commandments against adultery and murder and stealing and coveting–and any other commandment–are all summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Galatians 5:14
For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
James 2:8
Yes indeed, it is good when you truly obey our Lord’s royal command found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Hurt people, who have had little or no love in their lives sometimes read the bible and see only the anger of God, or they see the self-depreciating language and then decide that it was God’s will that they were not loved and that somehow a God of love thinks it’s ok that they were disrespected in their lives.

I remember clearly when the truth fell “into” me and I suddenly understood that my parents were meant to love me – that was their role in my life. Because they didn’t fulfill their role properly DID NOT mean that God thinks it’s ok for me to go through life without love.

I cried, because I understood that so much of my self-awareness and awareness of God was flawed – I had discovered that He loves me and He wants the best for me… and that my past experiences were not what He had in mind for me. Nor for you!

Some people might think that we should love others and we should quietly disrespect ourselves. If we do this, what message would we send to the people around ourselves… that they should disrespect themselves? But I thought we were loving them and building them up?

How can we have love for them if we do not respect ourselves?

Do you know these sayings?

If a child grows up in an environment of criticism, the child will learn to criticize.
If a child grows up in an environment of hate, the child will learn to fight.
If a child grows up in an environment of shame, the child will learn to feel guilty

If you are critical, if you’re ready to fight, if you always feel guilty… then those saying can give you an insight into what your home life might have been like.

But it’s not all lost. There is still time to grow and heal… these sayings might give you an insight into how to go forward in your life:

If a child grows up in a praising environment, the child will learn to appreciate.
If a child grows up in an encouraging environment, the child will learn to be confident.
If a child grows up in an environment of understanding, the child will learn to be patient.
If a child grows up in a just environment, the child will learn to be fair.
If a child grows up in a secure environment, the child will learn to trust.
If a child grows up in an approving environment, the child will develop self-esteem.
If a child grows up in an environment of acceptance and friendship, the child will learn to find love in people.

If you already have those characteristics in your day to day life, then that’s wonderful. But for the rest of us, we can think about how to change our environment and then see ourselves change.

Is it too late? Are we too old? No. Inside of us we might actually be feeling and behaving like lost children – so it’s not too old to grow up into strong men and women of God who have kindness and trust and love to give to the people around us!

If we will love ourselves, if we create in our world a feeling of praising, encouraging, understanding, security, approval, acceptance and friendship – then it makes sense that as we grow up into our manhood or womanhood… then we will in turn become appreciative, confident, confident, fair, trust, we will have good self-esteem and we will be able to find love in the people around us and TO GIVE LOVE to the people around us.

So then, in order to love those around us, we must first love ourselves. In order to recover and heal, we must love ourselves.

This is the very first place you can begin to find love: yourself.

When you have begun to respect yourself, have good boundaries for yourself, when you get to know what you like and enjoy and DO those things – that’s when life get’s a whole lot easier… and that’s when you can turn to another hurting person and lead that person to heal and life.

If you want to read more, I recommend these posts as well

God bless you! I hope you leave a comment and share yourself, learn from others and grow.

Extra! (2 June 2010)

There is a wonderful debate in the comments section below. I love hearing from people when they share. Together we can develop a rich understanding of the bible by hearing each other’s point of view. So let me share another scripture with you which shows how you are meant to be treating yourself…

For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and carefully protects and cherishes it… – Eph 5:29

ARE you nourishing and carefully protecting and cherishing your own flesh – your body? Paul absolutely expects you to be taking care of yourself. He says “no man” would hate himself.

And the reason we are to nourish our own bodies, is so that we (men) can love our wives.

Even so husbands should love their wives as [being in a sense] their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and carefully protects and cherishes it, as Christ does the church – Eph 28-29

The expectation that Paul has is that you ALREADY nourish yourself, and he wants you to nourish your wife. And the expectation in those 8 verses I quoted at the beginning of this article, is that you already love yourself (nourish, cherish, protect) and now God wants you to do the same for others.

But some people were not taught by their parents to nourish themselves. Perhaps they suffered abuse and no longer value themseves, perhaps some people hate themselves after that kind of experience.

No. God expects you to be “above only and not beneath” and the head and not the tail, and to love yourself and Paul expects you to nourish, cherish and protect yourself… and ALSO to do the same for others.

Remember the parable of the talents? If we use what we have received, He gives more. So AS you love yourself, go ahead and love others. A recent study shows a 40% decline in emphathy… what that means is that modern people have harder hearts than people living 20 years ago. So we have less to give.

But that is not God’s plan. Don’t use drugs, don’t go to churches where you feel controlled, don’t let people speak badly of you. Instead. Nourish yourself, cherish yourself, protect yourself… and then do the same for others.

God bless you on your journey to being the head and not the tail, to nourishing and protecting yourself! Hallelujah!

Preparing for Grace

2010-06-14T08:34:00.004-05:00

Where has the time gone?? Wishing my darling daughter, Grace, a very happy and wonderFULL 6th birthday! I'm reminded today of what a treasure she is and a marvelous gift from God. I'm also reminded of the mandate and responsibility I own to raise her to know/love God, herself and others. What a mandate! But, I don't have to do it alone. God has partnered with me to accomplish this massive undertaking. It started before she was born, built on a foundation recognizing Him as her creator and a beat in His heart before she was even conceived. Here is the prayer we prayed over her during her actual birth and first moments of life:

With the combination of waterworks & my handwriting, it's a wonder how my sister, Tracy, even made it through the prayer- some parts are just plain hard to read.

Father, thank you for your presence; for being here to welcome baby Grace into the world. Your word says that you are her creator. She was in your care even before she was born this day. Long before she was conceived in my womb, she was conceived in Your mind and in Your heart. You planned her though I did not. You thought of Grace first. It is not fate, nor chance, nor luck, nor coincidence that she is breathing this very moment. She is alive because You wanted to create her.

Lord, You said, "I will fulfill My purpose for Grace." God, you prescribed every single detail of Grace's body. You deliberately chose her race, color of skin, her hair and every other feature. You custom made her body just the way you wanted. You've determined the natural talents she will possess and the uniqueness of her personality. Your word says that You know her inside and out. You know every bone in her body. You know exactly how she was made, bit by bit; how she was sculpted from nothing into something.

God, because You made Grace for a reason, You also decided when she would be born and how long she will live. You've planned the days of her life in advance; choosing the exact time of her birth and even her death. Your word says You saw Grace before she was born and scheduled each day of her life even before she took this first breath. Every day was recorded in Your book.

God, you also planned where Grace would be born and where she will live for Your purpose. Her race and nationality are no accident. You left no detail to chance. You are not surprised. In fact, you expected it. You have welcomed her into this world. You are her Father to love, care for and provide for her. Cover her with your love. Give her a supernatural awareness of your presence. Call her. Prepare her. Give her health and instill an ability to trust You in all things. Guide her. Fashion her with spiritual blessings. Just as the handmaiden Hannah lent her child for Your service, so I offer Grace to You, Lord. You are her salvation.

Treasured friend, Sarah, and my fun niece, Merideth, read the following scriptures & sang songs while Grace was being born & getting her first bath:

Psalm 139:14-15 Oh, yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thak you , High God--breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration--what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; you know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, the days of my life all prepard before I'd even lived one day.

Psalm 22:9-10 And to think, you were my midwife at my birth, setting me at my mother's breast! When I left the womb You cradled me; since the moment of birth you've been my God.

Psalm 71:6 I've hung on you from the day of my birth. You took me from the cradle; I'll never run out of praise.

Isaiah 49:1, 5 Listen far flung islands, pay attention, faraway people: God put me to work from the day I was born. The moment I entered the world He named me. He said to me, "You're me dear servant, Israel (Grace), through whom I'll shine."

Luke 1:41 You are blessed and the babe in your womb also blessed.

Matt 19:14 One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: "Let the children alone, don't prevent them from coming to me. God's kingdom is made up of people like these."

Eph 1:3-6 How blessed is God! And what a blessing He is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in Him. Long before He laid down earth's foundations, He had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love, to be made whole and holy by His love. Long, long ago He decided to adopt us into His family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure He took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of His lavish gift-giving by the hand of His beloved Son.

I Samual 1:28 I prayed for this child, and God gave me what I asked for. And now I have dedicated him (her) to God. She's dedicated to God for life." Then and there, they worshiped God.

I also found a note written by Tracy or Sarah that they sang "Jesus Loves Me" over Grace while she was being born and bathed.

Chasm Chat

2010-06-04T09:21:00.005-05:00

Just thinking this morning; trying to encourage someone going through one of those time like each of us do. We all experience those seasons & we just "grow" through them. It's the enemy's job to cloud our vision, stir up our emotions & focus on what wrong in our lives - all the time pointing up at God as if He's responsible. There are times when a great chasm exists between what we feel & what we KNOW in our knower is true about God - His faithfulness, His ability to work all things for good to those who love Him, that He has our best interest at heart...

So those chasm times...we wait for our feelings to come in line with our faith. We wait, yet work & partner with God as He fulfills His purpose in our lives. "We get back in line with the calling He has placed on our lives" according to Leo Croft.

Wow! He has great confidence in you!

Wishing

2010-05-31T21:45:00.002-05:00

Despite not going home to Missouri for the holiday, we had a great weekend 'round here - piddling, staying out, sleeping in, cuddling, moving watching...relaxing much more than usual. Sunday brought a great time in worship & teaching with our CLC family. Out to a yummy lunch with Uncle Bob, then off to Chicago for some Jazzy puppy play, park & beach fun.

While lunching with UB, Gracie was reviewing her list of special treats she will soon enjoy as the birthday girl. Her party just days away, she is reveling in the those things in which she alone will partake. Things like the unique birthday cup she asks for every hour; the lovely hula skirt & lei top piece thing; the colorful flower clip to adorn her hair and finally, six swipes at the birthday pinata - it's a poor fish this year taking a beating...

As Grace basked in anticipatory glory as Queen of the Birthday Day, UB reminded her that as the special birthday girl she gets a birthday spanking of six swats from each guest. She lost all eloquence & simply replied "I wish I was turning three." =) Yes, every year older brings its own pain.

We Remember

2010-05-31T10:31:00.003-05:00

With grateful hearts...

Muchness

2010-05-17T05:09:00.004-05:00

Good morning, Sunshine. I always loved that greeting. It's 5 AM & I'm waiting for the sun to rouse it's sleepy head. Been up since 3 AM studying for an exam in Dysphagia or swallowing disorder. Sounds scary, eh? It is scary actually. It's a physiologic change in the muscles for swallowing. It's a symptom, rather than a diagnosis itself.

Lest, I be distracted with studying- which is, after all, why I've embarked on a blog post a mere 4 hours before my exam; I am resigned to post something.

Mother's Day came & went. Emotional, yes; but I survived. Grace & I spent the day doing girly things & just had fun. Following worship at CLC, we ate a scrumptious lunch - though my sleepy brain can't remember WHERE we ate lunch; then we indulged in mommy & me manicures & pedicures. Gracie's toes were this fresh pattern of orange & red with white flowers. Sweet & edible, I believe. I still love her tasty toes & it still gets quite a giggle from the girl. Following the painting festivities, we enjoyed Alice in Wonderland. All mothers were admitted free of charge with free popcorn & soda..oh, did I say SODA in the land of pop? I did indeed. SODA! Back on track...and we were also treated to a fine complimentary (AKA - FREE) mother/daughter portrait...our first. I love it!

Alice in Wonderland - a few of my favorite quotes:

The Mad Hatter: Have I gone mad?
Alice Kingsley: I’m afraid so. You’re entirely bonkers. But I’ll tell you a secret. All the best people are.

Alice Kingsley: Sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.

The Mad Hatter: [to Alice] You used to be much more…”muchier.” You’ve lost your muchness.

This idea of muchness deserves a blog post in and of itself. She finds it, by the way...Alice finds her muchness again & is the hero Wonderland..or Underland awaited. I wonder who is awaiting my muchness? Or yours. I love the ending...geez, if you haven't seen the movie - STOP READING HERE: SPOILER ALERT!

So, Alice is finally moved to don the armor & defend Wonderland. In the words of Larry the Cucumber, "I am that hero." She comes into her muchness & defeats the Jabberwocky. I really liked...seriously loved the ending. Grace & I have watched it twice. Both times I've had thus rush - this girl, thrust into chaos, fulfills her purpose & rising to the occasion out of adversity to defeat the enemy, not just for herself - but the good of the kingdom. Read more here.

ok..enough now. Must return to my studies, or could I perhaps sneak a hour of sleep in here somewhere?

Before I go, a reminder list for myself:

breathing again...a good thing
new friends - worth the drive
party coming soon
Good Foundations - online & all
"I'm worthy", birthday princess & party planning

Pneumonia & Pointy Crayons

2010-05-02T23:26:00.002-05:00

Gracie, recovering from pneumonia, finally had a good night's sleep. She woke up all excited, "Mom, I had the BEST dream! Everyone gave me their best work papers AND all their pointy crayons!" Now that's a good dream. =)

Many thanks to those who have prayed, consoled, encouraged & otherwise loved on our sick family lately. You are Jesus with skin on!

Held

2010-04-16T02:21:00.002-05:00

I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy... Ezekiel 22:30 Thanks to Greg for sharing.

Naked no more

2010-04-09T14:48:00.004-05:00

Ok, so I'm really getting good stuff over at that new place I've recently discovered, Stuff Christians Like with Jon Acuff. Check it out. There is a piece on church parking lot etiquette that is hilarity incarnate. I'll share it later...in the meantime, I'm reposting a message on shame & grace. It left me undone...naked no more, but undone.

Thinking You're Naked by Jon Acuff
Easter is about grace. And when I think about grace, one of the things that stops me short of believing in it is shame. This post, written last year, is about shame and grace and the reason we’re not naked.

I don’t want to brag, but I’m pretty awesome at applying band-aids. And make no mistake, there is an art. Because if you go too quickly and peel them the wrong way, they stick to themselves and you end up with a wadded up useless mess instead of the Little Mermaid festooned bandage your daughter so desperately wants to apply to a boo boo that may in fact be 100% fictional.

Half of the injuries I treat at the Acuff house are invisible or simply wounds of sympathy. My oldest daughter will scrape her knee and my 3-year old, realizing the band aid box is open will say, “Yo dad, I’d like to get in on that too. What do you say we put one on, I don’t know, my ankle. Yeah, my ankle, let’s pretend that’s hurt.”

But sometimes the cuts are real, like the day my 5-year old got a scrape on her face playing in the front yard. I rushed in the house and returned with a princess bandage. As I bent down to apply it to her forehead, her eyes filled up with tears and she shrunk back from me.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“I don’t want to wear that band-aid.” She replied.

“Why? You have a cut, you need a band-aid.” I said.

“I’ll look silly.” She answered.

Other than her sister and her mom, there was no one else in the yard. None of her friends were over, cars were not streaming passed our house and watching us play, the world was pretty empty at that moment. But for the first time I can remember, she felt shame. She had discovered shame. Somewhere, some how, this little 5 year old had learned to be afraid of looking silly. If I was smarter, if I had been better prepared for the transition from little toddler to little girl, I might have asked her this:

“Who told you that you were silly?”

I didn’t though. That question didn’t bloom in my head until much later and I didn’t understand it until I saw God ask a similar question in Genesis 3:11. To me, this is one of the saddest and most profoundly beautiful verses in the entire Bible. Adam and Eve have fallen. The apple is a core. The snake has spoken. The dream appears crushed. As they hide from God under clothes they’ve hastily sewn together, He appears and asks them a simple question:

“Who told you that you were naked?”

There is hurt in God’s voice as He asks this question, but there is also a deep sadness, the sense of a father holding a daughter that has for the first time ever, wrapped herself in shame.

Who told you that you were not enough?

Who told you that I didn’t love you?

Who told you that there was something outside of me you needed?

Who told you that you were ugly?

Who told you that your dream was foolish?

Who told you that you would never have a child?

Who told you that you would never be a father?

Who told you that you weren’t a good mother?

Who told you that without a job you aren’t worth anything?

Who told you that you’ll never know love again?

Who told you that this was all there is?

Who told you that you were naked?

I don’t know when you discovered shame. I don’t know when you discovered that there were people that might think you are silly or dumb or not a good writer or a husband or a friend. I don’t know what lies you’ve been told by other people or maybe even by yourself.

But in response to what you are hearing from everyone else, God is still asking the question, “Who told you that you were naked?”

And He’s still asking us that question because we are not.

In Christ we are not worthless.

In Christ we are not hopeless.

In Christ we are not dumb or ugly or forgotten.

In Christ we are not naked.

Isaiah 61:10 it says:

For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness.

The world may try to tell you a thousand different things today. You might close this post and hear a million declarations of what you are or who you’ll always be, but know this.

As unbelievable as it sounds and as much as I never expected to type this sentence on this blog:

You are not naked.

When We Miss the Golden Eggs by Jon Acuff

2010-04-07T09:41:00.007-05:00

When we miss the golden eggs @ Stuff Christians Like
~totally borrowed and definitely worth sharing

A few days ago, a friend asked me about an experience that made me want to throw up.

The event was something that happened a year ago. I’ve written about it before but his question sparked something new.

We were at an Easter egg hunt at my in-law’s country club. We go every year and this is no minor hunt. The main difference is that in each field of eggs, they hide a few golden ones. If you find a golden egg you can turn it in and get a massive Easter basket with candy and toys and stuffed animals.

So while we were waiting for the host of the event to blow the horn and let my then five year old daughter L.E. run into the field, I spotted a golden egg about 15 feet away. I pointed it out to L.E. and told her that when the horn sounded she should run at it. She was really excited and focused all her bubbling pre-school energy on getting that egg.

Unfortunately, so did another little girl.

When the horn sounded, L.E. took off, and she was almost there, but she was half a step too slow. She slipped, fell in the mud and watched as the other little girl got the egg.

She got up and collected a few regular eggs half heartedly. When it was all over, she took a look at the other girl’s family celebrating their golden egg and then collapsed in my arms and started weeping.

Do you know what I did in that moment? Do you know what I told her?

I told her I didn’t want to hold her. I told her that she had failed and that she had to fix the situation before I would look at her again. I told her I was disappointed that she was constantly making the same mistakes over and over again and that she needed to live with the consequences of her actions until she figured out how to fix things.

OK, that’s not what I told her at all.

I held her close and let her cry. I told her it was OK. That she was special and beautiful and that we can get mud out of Easter dresses. I told her it was going to be alright.

That was my reaction when L.E. fell. That was my reaction when L.E. failed. So why do we think God will react differently?

Why when we fail, why when we fall into the mud and miss the target, do we think God is angry at us? That he pushes us away and wants us to buck up and clean up before we try to come back into his presence?

What if we’re wrong about God? What if He’s a better father than Jon Acuff is? What if his heart breaks when we fall down, not out of disappointment, but shared sadness with us? What if weeping on his shoulder is all we need to do today?

You could argue that L.E. missing the egg wasn’t a sin and I’d agree. But the times when she does break a rule at home, the times when she lies, the times when she does willfully step away from some family agreement, I don’t tell her to fix herself before she returns. I might discipline out of love, but I never push her away or lock her out of the house or shut her out of my heart until she’s made the situation right.

And I’m just a human father! A broken, prone to stumble father. Imagine how beautiful our God’s reaction is. Christ touches on this in Luke 11:

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

I don’t know where your life is right now. I don’t know if you’re in the middle of a divorce or mountain of credit card debt or had a dad that would have yelled at you for missing the golden egg. I don’t know how muddy you are or how many times you’ve fallen this year or this life. But I do know one thing, we serve a God who we are told longs to show you compassion.

A God who holds muddy kids.

A God who wants to hold you.

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Everything I Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten

2010-04-06T07:26:00.002-05:00

My facebook & college friend dreamed she was back in kindergarten. I was trying to pull out of my head that piece by Robert Fulghum about the life long lessons learned at the beginning. Here it is - worth posting, worth sharing & remembering again:

All I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sand pile at school.

These are the things I learned:

Share everything.

Play fair.

Don't hit people.

Put things back where you found them.

Clean up your own mess.

Don't take things that aren't yours.

Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.

Wash your hands before you eat.

Flush.

Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.

Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.

Take a nap every afternoon.

When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.

Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.

Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we.

And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK.

Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and equality and sane living.

Take any one of those items and extrapolate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your family life or your work or government or your world and it holds true and clear and firm. Think what a better world it would be if we all - the whole world - had cookies and milk at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon and then lay down with our blankies for a nap. Or if all governments had as a basic policy to always put things back where they found them and to clean up their own mess.

And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out in the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.

[Source: "ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN" by Robert Fulghum. See his web site at http://www.robertfulghum.com/ ]

Vine Dresser, Part II

2010-04-05T20:36:00.003-05:00

He is never so close as when He is pruning us...
Pastor Bob, HBC

An Invitation Requires Preparation

2010-03-29T08:04:00.007-05:00

My church celebrated our 20th anniversary yesterday with a blowout ONE family service requiring a convention center to hold the entire CLC family from all 5 campuses - including pastors & some guests from our CLC campus in Davoa City, Philippines. It was truly phenomenal and emotionally charged as we recognized our pastors and others who've faithfully served this past 20 years.

Serving with the praise team, I left the platform following worship to fulfill other responsibilities for another part of the service. Knowing I must eventually return to the platform for the final song, I simply sat near the stairs to enjoy the rest of the service while my crowded Servants of Praise members remained seated on the platform.

Dave & Nicole Binion were providing special music midway through the service & then again at the close for the final song - Heaven on Earth. When the Binions took the stage, my section leader motioned for me to come up to the platform. I suspect she thought we may be singing...standing up to sing. However, we were not called on to sing; thus, remained seated. Now, here I am...coming up to an already full platform of people - crowded, but comfortably seated. Though called to join them, there was no room for me. So, I discreetly sat down on the riser steps. NOT comfortable. Not feeling very discreet. Feeling very conspicuous & out of place. Didn't take long until I made my way back down the stairs to an empty seat to comfortably enjoy the remainder of the service.

Not sure at what point the thought came to me...doesn't really matter; but this is what I heard:

When you invite His presence & power into your life -- into your circumstances, you must make room. He is a gentleman & will not crowd nor force His way. He comes into that place prepared for Him.

Of course, now I must ponder...does God have room in life? Am I making a place for Him among in my schedule? In the business of living my life - living for Him - have I prepared a place for Him to settle? Or is He patiently waiting for me to clear out some of my stuff so He can really work?

Hmmmm....something to think about. Is my invitation null and void without proper preparation? I want God in the middle of who I am...in the middle of my circumstances, situations, though life, home life, work habits, study habits, service...oh, me. I have some preparing to do; clean up, clear out & make room for my Savior.

You Are Good

2010-03-24T07:42:00.002-05:00

Everyday I'll awaken my praise; pour out a song from my heart...
You are good. You are good. You are good & Your mercy is forever.
Your kindness is forever. Your goodness is forever. Forever.

Wouldn't Take Nothing For My Journey Now

2010-03-22T08:21:00.004-05:00

There's an old song we used to sing...or maybe I was singing along as someone else sang it; but it went like this: "I wouldn't take nothing for my journey now..."

I don't really remember the rest, but was pondering this morning just how blessed I am; not that things have been perfect or even remotely turned out how I dreamed or planned, but I would take nothing for my experiences & life to this point. :o) God is good. I trust Him. That thing He says about "all things work together for good to them who are called according to His purpose." I really believe that- lock, stock & barrel~

Or I could sing this old song...that's the thing about us music loving singing folks - we think in song -- either one we know or making up our own as we go along. So there's this one I've tooled around with this morning: "I am blessed. I am blessed. Every day that I live I am blessed. When I wake up in the morning, til I lay my head to rest...I am blessed. I am blessed." God is really good & I bask in the overflow of that goodness. He fills my cup to the point of spillage & I often sip from the saucer.

In the getting to know you stage with this new friend, I woke up thinking I misspoke during our last conversation. I love the life I've lived. Got a few dreams still tucked away waiting to burst forth...but overall, I am very satisfied with how things have played out. I have far more things checked off my life's to do list than things remaining. My passport is full & I've started a new one. No regrets, really...unless it would be - no, really - none. Life has been colorful - just plain FULL & I'm thankful. THANK FULL! Thankful & looking forward to what's around the bend or even just what's right there in front of me waiting for me to notice.

Bring it on. :o) Now, enjoy this little ditty. It's chanky chank, but it fits today.

Hearts A-Plenty

2010-02-03T19:21:00.002-06:00

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Power of a Praying Child

2010-02-01T05:42:00.004-06:00

21 days of prayer & fasting culminated last night in a powerful prayer & celebration service. The most spectacular thing happened. Pastor called forward the children participating in the fast. Gracie was diligent in her fasting efforts; giving up sweets and videos/tv. The children lined the front, facing the congregation. Then a call was for people who didn't necessarily hear a specific word from God during the fast or still yet, wanted to hear something more. The children prayed for these individuals. It was so powerful..there was an incredible break in the spiritual realm. More & more adults responded, coming forward so the children could pray for them. Then the children were arranged in two rows - a prayer line was made & the entire congregation walked through that burgeoning army of prayer warriors. Then entire congregation - singers, musicians, nursery workers, pastors....they prayed for each on of us, laying hands on us as we worshiped & wept our way through the prayer line. Words just can't describe it~

Evotional.com

2010-01-18T09:02:00.000-06:00

Evotional.com Borrowed entirely from Mark Batterson
A few years ago I read a book by Arthur Gordon titled Wonder. I actually remember where I was when I was reading. Lora and I were on the Island of Capri celebrating an anniversary. My favorite chapter is titled The Night the Stars Fell.

Arthur Gordon was a small boy. His family was staying at a seaside cottage during the summer. And late one night his father came into his room where he was sleeping. He woke him up by picking him up in his arms. Then he carried his son outside. Down the porch. Down to the beach. Then his father told him to look up into the night sky and watch. Just as his father said it, a streak of fire blazed across the sky. Then another. And another. Arthur asked his dad what they were. He said, “Shooting stars.” He explained that every year on certain nights in August, the sky would put on a shooting star show.

Arthur never forgot that night.

"No doubt in my childhood I had the usual quota of playthings, but these are forgotten now. What I remember is the night the stars fell, the day we rode in a caboose, the time we tried to skin the alligator, the telegraph we made that really worked...father had, to a marvelous degree, the gift of opening doors for his children, of leading them into areas of splendid newness...he believed that a new experience was more important for a small boy than an unbroken night of sleep."

I love that. I want to be like that!

"This, surely, is the most valuable legacy we can pass on to the next generation: not money, not houses or heirlooms, but a capacity for wonder and gratitude, a sense of aliveness and joy."

Ardent

2010-01-16T07:26:00.002-06:00

It is not enough to say a prayer, but we must pray in prayer. Our thoughts must be fixed, our desires firm and ardent, and our graces in exercise; and, when we thus pray in prayer, we shall speed in prayer. Elijah prayed that it might not rain; and God heard him in his pleading against an idolatrous persecuting country, so that it rained not on the earth for the space of three years and six months. Again he prayed, and the heaven gave rain, etc. Thus you see prayer is the key which opens and shuts heaven. To this there is an allusion, Rev. 11:6, where the two witnesses are said to have power to shut heaven, that it rain not. This instance of the extraordinary efficacy of prayer is recorded for encouragement even to ordinary Christians to be instant and earnest in prayer. God never says to any of the seed of Jacob, Seek my face in vain. If Elijah by prayer could do such great and wonderful things, surely the prayers of no righteous man shall return void.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on James 5

Yield

2010-01-15T08:16:00.004-06:00

Jam 3:17

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere.

–verb (used without object)

8.	to give a return, as for labor expended; produce; bear.

9.	to surrender or submit, as to superior power: The rebels yielded after a week.

10.	to give way to influence, entreaty, argument, or the like: Don't yield to their outrageous demands.

11.	to give place or precedence (usually fol. by to): to yield to another; Will the senator from New York yield?

12.	to give way to force, pressure, etc., so as to move, bend, collapse, or the like.

Synonyms:
1. furnish, supply, render, bear. 3. abandon, abdicate, waive, forgo. Yield, submit, surrender mean to give way or give up to someone or something. To yield is to concede under some degree of pressure, but not necessarily to surrender totally: to yield ground to an enemy. To submit is to give up more completely to authority, superior force, etc., and to cease opposition, although usually with reluctance: to submit to control. To surrender is to give up complete possession of, relinquish, and cease claim to: to surrender a fortress, one's freedom, rights. 6. render. 10. give in, comply, bow. 14. fruit. See crop.

Antonyms:
4. resist.

The Mystery of the Empty Stomach by Joey Bonifacio

2010-01-14T05:06:00.004-06:00

“Fasting is associated with desperate situations. Through the centuries, people fasted mostly when they found themselves in tight spots. Jesus, on the other hand, was espousing a new and higher motivation to fast – not one borne of desperation, but out of devotion.”

“We fast not to twist God’s arm so he will pay attention to us. We already have his undivided attention. We don’t fast in order to make ourselves worthy of his acceptance. We already have his unconditional love.”

“We fast not so he will hear us, but for us to hear him.”

“The Pharisees’ idea of fasting was to deprive the flesh in order to strengthen the spirit. They were focusing on the wrong thing. Jesus was telling them that fasting was not about depriving yourself. Rather, its about desiring the Bridegroom.”

So today as we deny ourselves our necessary food, may we hunger even more for a closer walk with our Bridegroom!

This, brought to you by Pastor Jerry McQuay at Between Sermons regarding great excerpts from Joey Bonifacio’s book, “The Mystery of the Empty Stomach” with thoughts of encouragement through this churchwide 21 day fast. For more devotions from the network of churches fasting with us, click here.

The Vine Dresser

2010-01-13T00:01:00.003-06:00

Our vine dresser, God, is perfect. So when He prunes us, He doesn't make mistakes.
Pastor Bob, Harvester Baptist Church

prune² (prōōn)
v. pruned, prun·ing, prunes

v. tr.

To cut off or remove dead or living parts or branches of (a plant, for example) to improve shape or growth.
To remove or cut out as superfluous.
To reduce: prune a budget.

v. intr.
To remove what is superfluous or undesirable.

[Middle English prouinen, from Old French proignier, perhaps from Vulgar Latin *prōretundiāre : Latin prō-, in front; see pro-¹ + Latin rotundus, round (from rota, wheel; see ret- in Indo-European roots).]
prun'er n.