I am starting to think that I am in the minority when it comes to being snowed in. I continue to be amazed at the number of people I am encountering who, upon being asked what they are doing out in this mess, say "I had to get out of the house! I'm going crazy cooped up with the family.".
I have enjoyed every minute of the time I have been "cooped up" with my family. Am I the only one out there that has a family they don't mind being with 24/7? Is it me?
Or, is it them? Have they loaded their lives up with so much activity and so many obligations that they have forgotten how to just sit and be with the people they love? Is their home not a haven? My home is my favorite place to be.
There are countless things to do while home: reading, tv and movie watching, napping, cooking, baking, cleaning (yuck), game playing, talking.......you just won't run out of things to do. So, from where exactly does this boredom and cabin fever come?
I see these times as a chance to reconnect, to just be a family not going in fifty million directions. We stay too busy, do too much and spread ourselves too thin. It's a gift, in my opinion, to have no other choice but to be together. Sometimes we need a "time out".
As far as boredom, my mom used to say that a person isn't bored, they're boring. I think she was on to something. Speaking of my mom reminds me of something else I have realized. To all the kids and young people out there who think one more day with their family is just too excruciating to comprehend: one day they will be gone and, trust me, you will not regret spending TOO much time with them. You will only wish you had spent more.
So, please, enjoy this time. Don't wish it away. Don't whine and complain. Thank God for the gift of family.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
New Testament Challenge
Since January 23rd I have been a part of the New Testament Challenge. By Easter Sunday I will have read the entire New Testament. Here are a few things I have taken from my reading so far:
1. The story NEVER gets old! Reading accounts of the birth, life and ministry of Jesus does not evoke a "been there, heard that" response. I am amazed at how fresh the story seems though it is familiar.
2. I can still learn from the text: I was struck by something while reading in Luke 5. After having quite possibly the most successful day of his professional life, Jesus asks Simon Peter to give it all up and to follow Him. Most of us would view success as God's way of saying "This is what you should be doing. This is your calling." But, Simon Peter's real calling had nothing to do with his job experience.
3. Community is important. I like knowing that there are others out there reading the same passages on the same days, all of us reflecting on them together. I enjoy reading their comments and seeing how the text is impacting their lives.
3. Discipline is my friend. I need structure when it comes to study. I like having a plan to follow and a goal for which to reach.
It's not too late if you want to join the challenge.
href="http://www.mountaintopchurch.com/pages/page.asp?page_id=137890">
1. The story NEVER gets old! Reading accounts of the birth, life and ministry of Jesus does not evoke a "been there, heard that" response. I am amazed at how fresh the story seems though it is familiar.
2. I can still learn from the text: I was struck by something while reading in Luke 5. After having quite possibly the most successful day of his professional life, Jesus asks Simon Peter to give it all up and to follow Him. Most of us would view success as God's way of saying "This is what you should be doing. This is your calling." But, Simon Peter's real calling had nothing to do with his job experience.
3. Community is important. I like knowing that there are others out there reading the same passages on the same days, all of us reflecting on them together. I enjoy reading their comments and seeing how the text is impacting their lives.
3. Discipline is my friend. I need structure when it comes to study. I like having a plan to follow and a goal for which to reach.
It's not too late if you want to join the challenge.
href="http://www.mountaintopchurch.com/pages/page.asp?page_id=137890">
Monday, January 24, 2011
One Thousand Gifts
55. Phone calls from my sisters.
56. Clearance items in the school and office supply section of Walmart! Woohoo!
57. That my 13 year old still snuggles up to me on the couch.
58. Friends and family who encourage me when I am feeling insecure.
59. Quilts. They make me think of my childhood.
60. My sweet, ornery, good, faithful and funny husband.
61. Second chances..........getting them AND giving them.
62. People who love my kids and let me love theirs.
63. More wealth and health than most of the world will ever know.
64. People who look up to me........it keeps me on my toes.
56. Clearance items in the school and office supply section of Walmart! Woohoo!
57. That my 13 year old still snuggles up to me on the couch.
58. Friends and family who encourage me when I am feeling insecure.
59. Quilts. They make me think of my childhood.
60. My sweet, ornery, good, faithful and funny husband.
61. Second chances..........getting them AND giving them.
62. People who love my kids and let me love theirs.
63. More wealth and health than most of the world will ever know.
64. People who look up to me........it keeps me on my toes.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Challenge Accepted
Tomorrow I start a new challenge. It's called the New Testament Challenge. I was invited to participate in this by a man I met many years ago who was involved in ministry to young people-Tony. Tony made an impact on a couple of boys who mean the world to me-my son Aaron and his dear (and my dear) friend Luke. What fun times ensued when these three were together!
So, knowing and trusting Tony as I do, I was more than ready to take up the challenge. The church he attends is going to be reading through the New Testament together. The reading schedule starts tomorrow and goes through Easter. I can't wait to see what new things I learn from this exercise.
You can also listen to a podcast daily of the scriptures for that day if you prefer.
I hope to have some insights to share with you as I read through this timeless story.
Here is the link to the challenge:
http://www.mountaintopchurch.com/pages/page.asp?page_id=137890
So, knowing and trusting Tony as I do, I was more than ready to take up the challenge. The church he attends is going to be reading through the New Testament together. The reading schedule starts tomorrow and goes through Easter. I can't wait to see what new things I learn from this exercise.
You can also listen to a podcast daily of the scriptures for that day if you prefer.
I hope to have some insights to share with you as I read through this timeless story.
Here is the link to the challenge:
http://www.mountaintopchurch.com/pages/page.asp?page_id=137890
Monday, January 17, 2011
One Thousand Gifts
46. Skinny Vanilla Latte creamer.
47. My children. I have already used that one but today I am reminded of how precious they are and how much my life is richer because of them.
48. Early mornings when I get to spend time reading my Bible and praying.
49. New recipes that turn out well----White Chicken Chili.
50. The longer days now that we are into the month of January.
51. Coffee.
52. Good books.
53. A car that runs and gets me where I need to be.
54. Friends who encourage me and stand in my corner.
47. My children. I have already used that one but today I am reminded of how precious they are and how much my life is richer because of them.
48. Early mornings when I get to spend time reading my Bible and praying.
49. New recipes that turn out well----White Chicken Chili.
50. The longer days now that we are into the month of January.
51. Coffee.
52. Good books.
53. A car that runs and gets me where I need to be.
54. Friends who encourage me and stand in my corner.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Momma's Kitchen
(When we were kids we loved for Momma to give us a piece of potato when she was peeling them for supper. It was a treat! I wrote this little piece for a writing class when asked to fictionalize a memory from childhood. Some of it rings true. I won't tell you which parts.)
I stand beside Momma waiting. She peels the potato in short, quick strokes with the sharp paring knife. I'm not allowed to use that knife. I can use the butter knife, though. It doesn't cut my skin. I ran it across the palm of my hand one time just to test it. It didn't hurt a bit. I keep waiting. I hope my little sister doesn't come in and start begging. That will just ruin it. I like for it to be just me and Momma. I pretend that she is all mine and I don't have to share with anyone. My friend Darlene doesn't have to share her mother with sisters. And I've got four of them.
Momma turns to me and smiles. She has the prettiest smile. I wish my eyes were brown like hers instead of watery blue. Nobody ever says that I look like Momma. They say that about my little sister. Never about me. That makes me jealous and makes me feel bad at the same time.
"Well, Miss Priss, I suppose this is what you've been waiting for so patiently?" Momma hands me a thick piece of potato. I bite into the crunchy wedge and nod my head. She laughs and turns back to the sink. "There's another slice on the counter for Vicki. Would you take it to her please?"
"Yes, ma'am." I sigh and reach up slowly for the chunk of potato. Momma puts her hands on my shoulders and turns me around. "Is there something wrong, Verla? "
I stand with my head down, embarrassed to look at her. How do I tell her I don't want to share with Vicki? That something as simple as a slice of potato while she cooks supper makes me feel special? How do I say it and not sound like a baby? I look up and shrug. "Nothing. Nothing's wrong."
Momma pulls out a kitchen chair and sits down. Lifting me onto her lap, she hugs me tightly. I can smell her perfume. I snuggle in closer and lay my head on her shoulder.
"I know you get tired of being the big sister," she says, "And little sisters aren't always fun to have around, but she loves you so much. Is it that hard to share a little piece of potato with her?"
"Oh, Momma, it's not the potato! She can have all the potatoes and I wouldn't care." My voice quivers and I feel tears start to slip out of the corner of my eye. I reach up and brush them away. I am not a baby.
Momma leans back in her chair. Lifting my chin, she turns my face so that we are eye to eye. She brushes a tear from my nose and presses her lips to my forehead. "Oh, Verla, if it's not the potato, what is it?"
I put my head back down. I can't look at her. "It's you, Momma. I don't want to share you."
I stand beside Momma waiting. She peels the potato in short, quick strokes with the sharp paring knife. I'm not allowed to use that knife. I can use the butter knife, though. It doesn't cut my skin. I ran it across the palm of my hand one time just to test it. It didn't hurt a bit. I keep waiting. I hope my little sister doesn't come in and start begging. That will just ruin it. I like for it to be just me and Momma. I pretend that she is all mine and I don't have to share with anyone. My friend Darlene doesn't have to share her mother with sisters. And I've got four of them.
Momma turns to me and smiles. She has the prettiest smile. I wish my eyes were brown like hers instead of watery blue. Nobody ever says that I look like Momma. They say that about my little sister. Never about me. That makes me jealous and makes me feel bad at the same time.
"Well, Miss Priss, I suppose this is what you've been waiting for so patiently?" Momma hands me a thick piece of potato. I bite into the crunchy wedge and nod my head. She laughs and turns back to the sink. "There's another slice on the counter for Vicki. Would you take it to her please?"
"Yes, ma'am." I sigh and reach up slowly for the chunk of potato. Momma puts her hands on my shoulders and turns me around. "Is there something wrong, Verla? "
I stand with my head down, embarrassed to look at her. How do I tell her I don't want to share with Vicki? That something as simple as a slice of potato while she cooks supper makes me feel special? How do I say it and not sound like a baby? I look up and shrug. "Nothing. Nothing's wrong."
Momma pulls out a kitchen chair and sits down. Lifting me onto her lap, she hugs me tightly. I can smell her perfume. I snuggle in closer and lay my head on her shoulder.
"I know you get tired of being the big sister," she says, "And little sisters aren't always fun to have around, but she loves you so much. Is it that hard to share a little piece of potato with her?"
"Oh, Momma, it's not the potato! She can have all the potatoes and I wouldn't care." My voice quivers and I feel tears start to slip out of the corner of my eye. I reach up and brush them away. I am not a baby.
Momma leans back in her chair. Lifting my chin, she turns my face so that we are eye to eye. She brushes a tear from my nose and presses her lips to my forehead. "Oh, Verla, if it's not the potato, what is it?"
I put my head back down. I can't look at her. "It's you, Momma. I don't want to share you."
Monday, January 3, 2011
One Thousand Gifts
35. Thankful for my other bloggy friends whose posts reminded me to continue my thankful list.
36. A husband who had dinner almost ready when I got home from work tonight.
37. Quiet weekends and evenings at home with my family.
38. Countdown to NG8 - my annual retreat with my sisters. Only 100 more days.
39. Food magazines and the recipes enclosed.
40. Monday night television - The Closer and Castle.
41. My job. Yes, my job-the one that frustrates me, stresses me, upsets me, drains me........I am thankful for it just the same.
42. My Kindle.
43. Fuzzy socks.
44. The time I spent with the Lord this morning.
45. Answering machines and caller ID. hee hee
36. A husband who had dinner almost ready when I got home from work tonight.
37. Quiet weekends and evenings at home with my family.
38. Countdown to NG8 - my annual retreat with my sisters. Only 100 more days.
39. Food magazines and the recipes enclosed.
40. Monday night television - The Closer and Castle.
41. My job. Yes, my job-the one that frustrates me, stresses me, upsets me, drains me........I am thankful for it just the same.
42. My Kindle.
43. Fuzzy socks.
44. The time I spent with the Lord this morning.
45. Answering machines and caller ID. hee hee
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