The other night our family played hide-n-seek.
My children kept looking for me in the washer and dryer.
I guess I can take it as a compliment that they think I'm small enough to fit in there...
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Monday, January 30, 2006
Best friends
Aimee is a very special lady who has so much patience. She has been through much in her life, surviving cancer, two miscarriages, and having 4...soon to be 5...children. She is one of the most giving people I know. Even in times of her own need, she is giving to others, whether it be food, time, or free babysitting. She has testimony after testimony of God's grace and healing and I feel privileged to call her my friend. A beautiful lady with a heart of gold...
I would invite you to read her latest post David and Daisy-A Good Name. I know you will be blessed by it.
I would invite you to read her latest post David and Daisy-A Good Name. I know you will be blessed by it.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Camping in
Last night we camped in my son's bedroom for family night. We drank hot chocolate and read stories by flashlight. Our tent was a parachute that hung suspended from curtain rods, a basketball hoop stand and closet shelves. Four stories and about an hour of wiggling later, we were all asleep...except for me. I admit, I couldn't handle being pinned between my daughter and the wall. I went and slept in my own comfy bed. I hope they aren't scarred for life.
This morning the children were still carrying their new Dollar Store flashlights with them wherever they went. I overheard my son whisper to my daughter after they got up, "Let's go back in my room and see if the tent is still there!"
Today we plan to do some sledding down the back hill.
Fun days...
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
The things they do
The other day my son rummaged through some boxes in the garage and walked into the house with my snowmobile helmet that has been packed away for years. He now won't take it off. He wants to take it to bed with him.
When I saw him wearing it while riding his bike on a warm January day, my initial thought was, "That's kind of overkill for a bike helmet." My next thought was, "No, it's perfect for him."
By the way, those are MY boots...but at least they match this time.
When I saw him wearing it while riding his bike on a warm January day, my initial thought was, "That's kind of overkill for a bike helmet." My next thought was, "No, it's perfect for him."
By the way, those are MY boots...but at least they match this time.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
He doesn't do dishes but...
I have a wonderful husband that helps me quite often with my household duties. He will vacuum, pick up toys and make beds...but he doesn't do dishes. That is a task that he just can't stand. If he's been home alone with the children all day and I come home to dishes washed, I know that he has done a true sacrifice for me.
In fact, when Keith first owned his own house, dishes would stack up on the counter for days he tells me. Finally one morning all the dishes were dirty and laying everywhere in the kitchen. Being fed up with the notion of having to do dishes, he went out and bought a dishwasher, took out the base cabinet, installed the dishwasher and washed all the dishes that night...quite pleased with himself, I might add.
Needless to say, I have never had to live without a dishwasher during my married life for more than a couple months this summer during our move!
I really like having a clean kitchen and a clean vehicle...another trait that I think I inherited from my mother. With my husband starting to work at home fixing other's vehicles, we have a large shop and a pressure washer. It feels like quite a luxury to just back the truck down the hill, drive into a heated shop and wash it. The only thing that I don't like about washing our truck is wrapping up the hose afterward. It's nothing like a regular water hose, although I don't like wrapping them up either. It is so stiff that you have to twist and turn it over and over so it makes the nice round loops that keep it usable for the next time.
Well, I finished washing the truck and I was becoming more and more frustrated with this hose that I was wrestling with. Keith was in the shop working on setting up his second hoist, quite engrossed in the project. Finally, my exasperated self asked, "If you don't do dishes, can I not do pressure washer hoses?"
He laughed and said, "Yes".
I have a wonderful husband.
In fact, when Keith first owned his own house, dishes would stack up on the counter for days he tells me. Finally one morning all the dishes were dirty and laying everywhere in the kitchen. Being fed up with the notion of having to do dishes, he went out and bought a dishwasher, took out the base cabinet, installed the dishwasher and washed all the dishes that night...quite pleased with himself, I might add.
Needless to say, I have never had to live without a dishwasher during my married life for more than a couple months this summer during our move!
I really like having a clean kitchen and a clean vehicle...another trait that I think I inherited from my mother. With my husband starting to work at home fixing other's vehicles, we have a large shop and a pressure washer. It feels like quite a luxury to just back the truck down the hill, drive into a heated shop and wash it. The only thing that I don't like about washing our truck is wrapping up the hose afterward. It's nothing like a regular water hose, although I don't like wrapping them up either. It is so stiff that you have to twist and turn it over and over so it makes the nice round loops that keep it usable for the next time.
Well, I finished washing the truck and I was becoming more and more frustrated with this hose that I was wrestling with. Keith was in the shop working on setting up his second hoist, quite engrossed in the project. Finally, my exasperated self asked, "If you don't do dishes, can I not do pressure washer hoses?"
He laughed and said, "Yes".
I have a wonderful husband.
Monday, January 23, 2006
I don't get it
This is what I found my son wearing on his feet the other day.
I really don't get it. We have tried telling him over and over to wear two of the same shoes. I can accept him wearing shoes on the wrong feet, he's 3 after all, but what is the logic? I know, I know, there is no logic, he's 3 after all.
The other day, I was horrified to realize, as I was getting the three kiddos out of the truck and into Walmart, that he had on one church shoe and one rubber boot. I was hoping that I was in enough of a hurry at the store that people didn't have time to notice.
Later when we were at a friend's house and she took a double-take at his feet, I saved her words for her and said, shaking my head, "I know... I know."
Is my son alone in this interesting shoe-matching skill? Maybe I don't want to know.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Beulah
We have a song in our old hymnal called Is Not This The Land of Beulah. The first time we sang it, it resonated with my spirit and it has been a favorite ever since.
So what is Beulah anyway? It's only found once in Scripture.
The closest that I can come up with, after using our handy dandy PC Study Bible, is that Beulah means "to be married", "ownership" and "rule over". So, the land of Beulah is the land of my Savior, my eternal Husband. I long to be in heaven with my Lord and this song conveys my thoughts and feelings well.
I've wanted to try this for some time, but I'm a bit technically-challenged, so this has taken some doing...but here is my husband's and my first attempt at uploading me singing. This is not a professional recording by any means, and wasn't intended to be. I pray that those whose names are in the Lamb's Book of Life can join me in visualizing standing in Gloryland with our Groom and singing:
Click here to be taken to the URL where this is saved and click on whether you want it played by streaming or if you want to download it.
I would be very interested to know if anyone has difficulty listening to the song or has any better ideas for me on how to do this sort of thing. It's 2.3 MB, the smallest size in mp3 I could make.
I have called CCLI regarding copyrights and there is no copyright information available. If anyone knows if this is not public domain, please contact me.
So what is Beulah anyway? It's only found once in Scripture.
Isa 62:4
Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzi-bah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.KJV
The closest that I can come up with, after using our handy dandy PC Study Bible, is that Beulah means "to be married", "ownership" and "rule over". So, the land of Beulah is the land of my Savior, my eternal Husband. I long to be in heaven with my Lord and this song conveys my thoughts and feelings well.
I've wanted to try this for some time, but I'm a bit technically-challenged, so this has taken some doing...but here is my husband's and my first attempt at uploading me singing. This is not a professional recording by any means, and wasn't intended to be. I pray that those whose names are in the Lamb's Book of Life can join me in visualizing standing in Gloryland with our Groom and singing:
Is not this the land of Beulah
Blessed, blessed land of light,
Where the flowers bloom forever,
And the sun is always bright
Click here to be taken to the URL where this is saved and click on whether you want it played by streaming or if you want to download it.
I would be very interested to know if anyone has difficulty listening to the song or has any better ideas for me on how to do this sort of thing. It's 2.3 MB, the smallest size in mp3 I could make.
I have called CCLI regarding copyrights and there is no copyright information available. If anyone knows if this is not public domain, please contact me.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Birthday Party
What a special birthday party we had for my daughter last week! We don't do many big birthday parties at our house, but turning 5 is a milestone of sorts, so we took the plunge. Despite all that was going on, she was a real trooper in being flexible about when the party would happen and who could come. We've been working on accepting that "plans change". I think she takes change better than me now.
Keeping 8 girls of different ages busy with group activities can be challenging, but it went well. We started out with making picture frames and door hangers from foam templates, foam shapes of stars, hearts, bugs, and flowers and glitter glue. Keith took a group picture that we printed off to put in the frames. They had a blast with this.
I had to do "pin the nose on the snowman" because I can't draw donkeys!
Keeping 8 girls of different ages busy with group activities can be challenging, but it went well. We started out with making picture frames and door hangers from foam templates, foam shapes of stars, hearts, bugs, and flowers and glitter glue. Keith took a group picture that we printed off to put in the frames. They had a blast with this.
I had to do "pin the nose on the snowman" because I can't draw donkeys!
I found this snowflake craft project here. Some of the older children at the party particularly loved this!
Here was the decisive blow of the piniata.
Decorating cupcakes is always fun too.
She was given some very special gifts...one was a homemade quilted baby blanket for her dolls from her grandmother.
All in all, it was a memorable time.
My baby is growing up! *sad sigh*
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Comfort
Ann at Holy Experience wrote this last week. It fit my feelings so well as we were preparing for Krystal's funeral.
I also wanted to share the following that was handed out at the visitation last weekend:
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs just where sea and sky mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says: "She is gone!"
"Gone where?"
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side, and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminshed size is in me, not in her. And just at that moment when someone at my side says: "She is gone!" there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: "Here she comes!"
And that is dying.
Anonymous
I also wanted to share the following that was handed out at the visitation last weekend:
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs just where sea and sky mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says: "She is gone!"
"Gone where?"
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side, and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminshed size is in me, not in her. And just at that moment when someone at my side says: "She is gone!" there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: "Here she comes!"
And that is dying.
Anonymous
Monday, January 16, 2006
Amazing Week- Part 2
Thursday was a busy day preparing for my daughter's birthday party. I will write a separate post later this week with pictures.
Just as a disclaimer, I have been given permission by the family to share details of the weekend...
Friday was filled with preparing for 3 couples staying in our home for the weekend. I tell you, we cleaned areas that hadn't been cleaned for some time!
Friday night we drove to the visitation. The line wrapped around the sides of the largest church in our area to see Krystal's body and talk with the family. In the back were pictures of Krystal and her family, including pictures of their two children that passed on to Gloryland before her. Out in the foyer was another table with pictures and notes of love and encouragement that she had written to her children over the years.
Over the weekend, I was amazed at this ministry of Krystal's. She wrote notes of encouragement to adults, youth and children alike, students from the Bible school, friends and family. She had a way of making each person feel special and cherished. When children came and stayed overnight in her home, she prayed for each one before bed just as though they were her own. She celebrated life with those around her, feeling it a privilege to go to a dog show, a concert or event just to convey their worth and value.
Krystal had two funerals...one out East and one here in Minnesota. Her mother told me of the 900 people that came to the visitation out East, a line that stretched outside...people waiting for two or more hours to see the family.
Inside the booklet that we were handed at the visitation, among so many other endearing memories were notes to Krystal from each member of the family, thanking her for her strong love for the Lord and all that she was to them. All three of Krystal's daughters wrote of her as their best friend. The family's love for this gift from heaven held no inhibitions. They held her hand and caressed her hair, over and over. Her watch was upside down, because the limitations of time are no longer.
Krystal wore a white dress. Though she often wore dark colored dresses, she loved the symbolism of the earthly wedding and marriage to our future wedding and marriage with our Savior, as the Bride of Christ. And in God's divine plan, Krystal died as she was entering a wedding ceremony. As a deacon said, "Krystal thought she was walking into Evie's wedding, when in fact she was walking into her wedding with the Lord Jesus Christ."
Krystal said, "We need to fully accept pain before we can fully feel joy." This has spoken much to me over the years. She did not diminish her pain and discomfort. She accepted it and accepted the Lord's strength to endure it. And because she did, she could experience deep-seated joy, relishing each precious moment on this earth.
The funeral was full of joy and weeping, song after song ministering to hearts in ways that words cannot express. A heart gripping song that was sung by an 80+ member choir at the funeral out East was played at this funeral. "We are not alone, our God is with us forever and forever..." A message outlining the various ways people view eternity...some know they are going to hell and don't care...some hope they will get to heaven...some think they are going to heaven because "a benevolent God wouldn't send someone to hell"...and some KNOW that they are going to heaven with a peaceful sense of assurance, drawing them closer to Him. Krystal knew she was going to heaven and lived it. In fact, about a week before she died, she was walking in a nearby woods. She came back with a radiant face and exclaimed, "I was practicing for the rapture!"
And then the burial. It was cold and damp, but an estimated 200 people came to the gravesite. The plain, but beautiful wood casket was rested on planks and after songs, Scripture readings and prayer, the pall bearers gently lowered her body into the grave with straps. The box was sealed, and the pall bearers each took a shovel to fill the hole. The disturbed earth had a frozen crust and as the men chipped away at the hardness of life, the rest of us sang. We sang every song that came to mind of God's faithfulness, goodness and the promise of heaven. Tears came with each shovelfull placed over her. Then Krystal's son came and took his turn with the shovel...then her husband...then her other son...tears streaming down their cheeks and ours. Before we were done, men and women alike took turns lifting the crusted earth and covering the grave. It was a beautiful sight. A labor of love.
Saturday night the family was provided supper at our church. A very gifted lady of our church drew an incredible picture of Krystal in heaven and made a wedding cake for them.
Last night was a time for the family and our church family to share memories, pray and spend time together, saying good-bye as the family is returning East until the end of the Bible school year.
Every once in awhile, in private fellowhip time with each other, someone would say, "...at the wedding yesterday...I mean the funeral..." Oh, yes.
One person told of the time when Krystal was in the hospital preparing for the birth of their youngest child. She was on heart monitors and if her heart started pumping irregularly, nurses from ICU would come running. Krystal welcomed any pastor to come a pray with her and, just like Krystal, she would never think of interrupting a pastor that was praying. So, as one particular pastor was praying, her heart started beating irregularly and alarms at the nurses station went off. Even though she was in much pain and discomfort, she would not say a word. The nurses came in, also without a word, and started wheeling her cart out of the room. The pastor opened his eyes to Krystal being halfway out the door!
Another told of staying at Krystal's home and in the morning, walking past the open-door bathroom, saw Krystal braiding her daughter's hair, singing over her and telling her how much her mommy loved her.
Again, song after song was requested and sung amongst memories shared.
The evening concluded with all of us standing in a circle around the perimeter of the church sanctuary, praying for the family. Krystal's husband requested that we all sing, "When We See Christ". I couldn't help but cry... again... as I looked over to see the family with eyes closed and outstretched hands lifted to the Lord in worship and surrender as they sang.
Amen.
Just as a disclaimer, I have been given permission by the family to share details of the weekend...
Friday was filled with preparing for 3 couples staying in our home for the weekend. I tell you, we cleaned areas that hadn't been cleaned for some time!
Friday night we drove to the visitation. The line wrapped around the sides of the largest church in our area to see Krystal's body and talk with the family. In the back were pictures of Krystal and her family, including pictures of their two children that passed on to Gloryland before her. Out in the foyer was another table with pictures and notes of love and encouragement that she had written to her children over the years.
Over the weekend, I was amazed at this ministry of Krystal's. She wrote notes of encouragement to adults, youth and children alike, students from the Bible school, friends and family. She had a way of making each person feel special and cherished. When children came and stayed overnight in her home, she prayed for each one before bed just as though they were her own. She celebrated life with those around her, feeling it a privilege to go to a dog show, a concert or event just to convey their worth and value.
Krystal had two funerals...one out East and one here in Minnesota. Her mother told me of the 900 people that came to the visitation out East, a line that stretched outside...people waiting for two or more hours to see the family.
Inside the booklet that we were handed at the visitation, among so many other endearing memories were notes to Krystal from each member of the family, thanking her for her strong love for the Lord and all that she was to them. All three of Krystal's daughters wrote of her as their best friend. The family's love for this gift from heaven held no inhibitions. They held her hand and caressed her hair, over and over. Her watch was upside down, because the limitations of time are no longer.
Krystal wore a white dress. Though she often wore dark colored dresses, she loved the symbolism of the earthly wedding and marriage to our future wedding and marriage with our Savior, as the Bride of Christ. And in God's divine plan, Krystal died as she was entering a wedding ceremony. As a deacon said, "Krystal thought she was walking into Evie's wedding, when in fact she was walking into her wedding with the Lord Jesus Christ."
Krystal said, "We need to fully accept pain before we can fully feel joy." This has spoken much to me over the years. She did not diminish her pain and discomfort. She accepted it and accepted the Lord's strength to endure it. And because she did, she could experience deep-seated joy, relishing each precious moment on this earth.
The funeral was full of joy and weeping, song after song ministering to hearts in ways that words cannot express. A heart gripping song that was sung by an 80+ member choir at the funeral out East was played at this funeral. "We are not alone, our God is with us forever and forever..." A message outlining the various ways people view eternity...some know they are going to hell and don't care...some hope they will get to heaven...some think they are going to heaven because "a benevolent God wouldn't send someone to hell"...and some KNOW that they are going to heaven with a peaceful sense of assurance, drawing them closer to Him. Krystal knew she was going to heaven and lived it. In fact, about a week before she died, she was walking in a nearby woods. She came back with a radiant face and exclaimed, "I was practicing for the rapture!"
And then the burial. It was cold and damp, but an estimated 200 people came to the gravesite. The plain, but beautiful wood casket was rested on planks and after songs, Scripture readings and prayer, the pall bearers gently lowered her body into the grave with straps. The box was sealed, and the pall bearers each took a shovel to fill the hole. The disturbed earth had a frozen crust and as the men chipped away at the hardness of life, the rest of us sang. We sang every song that came to mind of God's faithfulness, goodness and the promise of heaven. Tears came with each shovelfull placed over her. Then Krystal's son came and took his turn with the shovel...then her husband...then her other son...tears streaming down their cheeks and ours. Before we were done, men and women alike took turns lifting the crusted earth and covering the grave. It was a beautiful sight. A labor of love.
Saturday night the family was provided supper at our church. A very gifted lady of our church drew an incredible picture of Krystal in heaven and made a wedding cake for them.
Last night was a time for the family and our church family to share memories, pray and spend time together, saying good-bye as the family is returning East until the end of the Bible school year.
Every once in awhile, in private fellowhip time with each other, someone would say, "...at the wedding yesterday...I mean the funeral..." Oh, yes.
One person told of the time when Krystal was in the hospital preparing for the birth of their youngest child. She was on heart monitors and if her heart started pumping irregularly, nurses from ICU would come running. Krystal welcomed any pastor to come a pray with her and, just like Krystal, she would never think of interrupting a pastor that was praying. So, as one particular pastor was praying, her heart started beating irregularly and alarms at the nurses station went off. Even though she was in much pain and discomfort, she would not say a word. The nurses came in, also without a word, and started wheeling her cart out of the room. The pastor opened his eyes to Krystal being halfway out the door!
Another told of staying at Krystal's home and in the morning, walking past the open-door bathroom, saw Krystal braiding her daughter's hair, singing over her and telling her how much her mommy loved her.
Again, song after song was requested and sung amongst memories shared.
The evening concluded with all of us standing in a circle around the perimeter of the church sanctuary, praying for the family. Krystal's husband requested that we all sing, "When We See Christ". I couldn't help but cry... again... as I looked over to see the family with eyes closed and outstretched hands lifted to the Lord in worship and surrender as they sang.
Amen.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Amazing week-part 1
Krystal's death, along with other planned events, has made this a full, but blessed week so far, hence the "part 1". This is a bit of a hodgepodge. I hope you don't mind.
My husband surprised me with a fun evening out with friends on Monday night for my birthday. Yesterday, some other friends came and made flatbread and lefse. We had been trying to get together for weeks, so I wasn't going to cancel again! It was wonderful. We are planning a birthday party for our daughter for tomorrow night, friends and all. And preparations for Krystal's funeral continue. Japheth's blog has the funeral information, pictures, etc.
How do I describe the preparations for a funeral that seems so different from all that I am familiar with? For our small congregation, it has seemed to be a monumental task at times, but the drawing together of our members, friends of the family from the community, and fellow churches in the area, has been awe-inspiring. I have attended, and even participated in, a few funerals in my life, including my grandpa's. They have all been very honoring to the one that passed away, done in excellent taste, and in a way that fit the family and circumstances at the time. So why does planning for this funeral seem so different?
The Sunday night service was devoted to dividing out tasks and organizing responsibilities. On Monday morning, one of Krystal's sister-in-laws emailed some families from church and included in her note a prayer for this week that children would be peaceful, sleep would be multiplied...check-out lines would be short...and that God would lift our hands and hearts. Later on Monday, I was ushered into an empty check-out line at Walmart.
Yesterday, I filled the freezer with prepared food, ready for the weekend. I was blessed that my children were so helpful- stirring, pouring, and getting items out of the refrigerator.
Some of the men hand-dug the grave yesterday. It's ready for the burial on Saturday.
Everyone that is able is opening their homes to never-met-before weary, grief-stricken travelers.. feeding them, sharing with them, crying with them...building friendships that may not have happened otherwise.
Someone from the church built the plain, wooden casket and someone else is making the box to put it in. (Some things are allowable in rural areas that aren't in other places.)
Another person donated his time and plane to fly the family from Pennsylvania to Minnesota.
So many are donating food and time for the day of the funeral. Of course this is the one thing that I am familiar with. The difference this time is the number of people that we are planning for. How many 18-quart roasters of food do you think it takes to feed 500 people? Please pray that we figured right...or that God will multiply it like the loaves and fishes.
Preparation of the body is the only thing that I know of that is being hired. Everyone is pulling together, doing whatever they can with their abilities and talents, giving of their heart, spending time on their knees...supporting Krystal's family. It is something that I will never forget...and it seems the perfect way to honor Krystal.
My husband surprised me with a fun evening out with friends on Monday night for my birthday. Yesterday, some other friends came and made flatbread and lefse. We had been trying to get together for weeks, so I wasn't going to cancel again! It was wonderful. We are planning a birthday party for our daughter for tomorrow night, friends and all. And preparations for Krystal's funeral continue. Japheth's blog has the funeral information, pictures, etc.
How do I describe the preparations for a funeral that seems so different from all that I am familiar with? For our small congregation, it has seemed to be a monumental task at times, but the drawing together of our members, friends of the family from the community, and fellow churches in the area, has been awe-inspiring. I have attended, and even participated in, a few funerals in my life, including my grandpa's. They have all been very honoring to the one that passed away, done in excellent taste, and in a way that fit the family and circumstances at the time. So why does planning for this funeral seem so different?
The Sunday night service was devoted to dividing out tasks and organizing responsibilities. On Monday morning, one of Krystal's sister-in-laws emailed some families from church and included in her note a prayer for this week that children would be peaceful, sleep would be multiplied...check-out lines would be short...and that God would lift our hands and hearts. Later on Monday, I was ushered into an empty check-out line at Walmart.
Yesterday, I filled the freezer with prepared food, ready for the weekend. I was blessed that my children were so helpful- stirring, pouring, and getting items out of the refrigerator.
Some of the men hand-dug the grave yesterday. It's ready for the burial on Saturday.
Everyone that is able is opening their homes to never-met-before weary, grief-stricken travelers.. feeding them, sharing with them, crying with them...building friendships that may not have happened otherwise.
Someone from the church built the plain, wooden casket and someone else is making the box to put it in. (Some things are allowable in rural areas that aren't in other places.)
Another person donated his time and plane to fly the family from Pennsylvania to Minnesota.
So many are donating food and time for the day of the funeral. Of course this is the one thing that I am familiar with. The difference this time is the number of people that we are planning for. How many 18-quart roasters of food do you think it takes to feed 500 people? Please pray that we figured right...or that God will multiply it like the loaves and fishes.
Preparation of the body is the only thing that I know of that is being hired. Everyone is pulling together, doing whatever they can with their abilities and talents, giving of their heart, spending time on their knees...supporting Krystal's family. It is something that I will never forget...and it seems the perfect way to honor Krystal.
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Krystal
Today a precious sister in the Lord is able to see Jesus face to face. This is a lady that had learned to live in each moment, having lived with the reality of the frailty of life for many years. I feel honored to have known Krystal, having experienced the blessing of gleaning from wisdom that God generously gave her, and in turn that wisdom effortlessly flowed out of her being to those around her.
I wrote of one such gleaning here.
I remember a day this last summer during church campout in which people were meandering around, enjoying the afternoon. Someone was also celebrating a birthday and those "party blowouts" that children (and adults) enjoy for birthday parties and to celebrate the New Year, were found lying around. Krystal decided that she wasn't going to let only the children have fun. She took hers and went up behind a child and blew it right next to them, hitting them in the head with the unrolling paper. She received a few looks of amazement from onlookers and many laughs, likely from those that desired to have such a carefree and celebratory attitude at their ages as well. Krystal celebrated life. She loved life.
She talked of learning to live in wonder, as a child, amazed at God's magnificent handiwork all around her.
One of the last times that I talked with Krystal was when we had them over for supper before the family left for their annual 8 month residence in Pennsylvania, helping administer a Bible school. In response to my questions, she talked of the heartache of loosing two children when they were young. One to SIDS and the other to epilepsy. Yet her steadfast trust in God's sovereignty never wavered. Now she can see them again.
I think of her husband and 5 children, knowing that they have been through much in their lives, seeing Krystal near death at various times over the years. Even though thoughts of "How do our lives go on from here?" have been rehearsed many times, this time it's for real. How hard it is to explain to my children that "_______'s mom died today" and look the picture of their family over and over .
After many miraculous recoveries from heart ailments allowing her to stay with loved ones on this earth a bit longer, she experienced the best miracle today...the miracle of eternal life with her Lord and Savior. Through tears for myself and Krystal's family and friends, I am reminded over and over that there is a time to weep with those that weep and rejoice with those that rejoice. And while I weep for our loss, I rejoice with Krystal. She fought the fight of faith and won. Today, she is receiving the blessings of a life lived for God's glory and in His strength.
I can't wait to see you in heaven, Krystal.
I wrote of one such gleaning here.
I remember a day this last summer during church campout in which people were meandering around, enjoying the afternoon. Someone was also celebrating a birthday and those "party blowouts" that children (and adults) enjoy for birthday parties and to celebrate the New Year, were found lying around. Krystal decided that she wasn't going to let only the children have fun. She took hers and went up behind a child and blew it right next to them, hitting them in the head with the unrolling paper. She received a few looks of amazement from onlookers and many laughs, likely from those that desired to have such a carefree and celebratory attitude at their ages as well. Krystal celebrated life. She loved life.
She talked of learning to live in wonder, as a child, amazed at God's magnificent handiwork all around her.
One of the last times that I talked with Krystal was when we had them over for supper before the family left for their annual 8 month residence in Pennsylvania, helping administer a Bible school. In response to my questions, she talked of the heartache of loosing two children when they were young. One to SIDS and the other to epilepsy. Yet her steadfast trust in God's sovereignty never wavered. Now she can see them again.
I think of her husband and 5 children, knowing that they have been through much in their lives, seeing Krystal near death at various times over the years. Even though thoughts of "How do our lives go on from here?" have been rehearsed many times, this time it's for real. How hard it is to explain to my children that "_______'s mom died today" and look the picture of their family over and over .
After many miraculous recoveries from heart ailments allowing her to stay with loved ones on this earth a bit longer, she experienced the best miracle today...the miracle of eternal life with her Lord and Savior. Through tears for myself and Krystal's family and friends, I am reminded over and over that there is a time to weep with those that weep and rejoice with those that rejoice. And while I weep for our loss, I rejoice with Krystal. She fought the fight of faith and won. Today, she is receiving the blessings of a life lived for God's glory and in His strength.
I can't wait to see you in heaven, Krystal.
Friday, January 06, 2006
Happiness is not a right
It seems as though there is a growing theology of sorts..."You have the right to be happy." It is heard everywhere.
"Whatever makes you happy, honey."
"All I want is to be happy."
"God would want you to be happy."
What??
In my search to understand God's view on happiness, I have found a few Scriptures.
It seems that happiness has nothing to do with getting what we want in this world. Happiness is a byproduct of holiness, of righteousness, of suffering in the name of Christ. Sure, God may genuinely want us to be happy, but not at the expense of holiness.
A.W. Tozer noticed the same obsession for happiness. and on page 37 of a collection of his essays titled The Price Of Neglect, he writes:
As I seek happiness, I find despair, disappointment and an unquenchable thirst for more happiness. It becomes a drug, requiring more of whatever I perceive will bring relief for my lack of happiness and a hatred for those that I feel are hindering my ability to aquire it. If I think a new dress will make me happy, I am soon unsatisfied with it and think that I need a new sewing machine instead...and woe to the one that hints that I don't need one. If I was convinced that being married or having a child would bring lasting happiness in and of itself, I would be sorely disappointed. If I thought that I would be happy if everyone agreed with me and shared my viewpoints, I will soon faint from exhausion from trying and become embittered by my "right to be understood". Our society is full of such scenarios, full of disillusionment, heartache, and a trail of pain. Out entitlement society is poisoning Christ's Bride, feeding us a line that we "deserve more"...more respect, more comforts, more pats on the back, more money, more security. Satan is loving it.
As I seek Christ, His righteousness, His holiness, and obedience to His Word, happiness, deep joy and peace come regardless of my circumstances in this world. I could be the poorest person on earth with no socks for my feet, no pot to cook in and no roof over my head, being hunted because of my faith and still be thankful and content knowing that God will never leave me nor forsake me and this world is not my home. My focus is not on me, it is on HIM. That is where I long for my focus to consistently be.
"Whatever makes you happy, honey."
"All I want is to be happy."
"God would want you to be happy."
What??
In my search to understand God's view on happiness, I have found a few Scriptures.
Job 5:17
Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:KJV
John 13:16-17
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.KJV
James 5:10-11
Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure.KJV
1 Peter 3:14
But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;KJV
It seems that happiness has nothing to do with getting what we want in this world. Happiness is a byproduct of holiness, of righteousness, of suffering in the name of Christ. Sure, God may genuinely want us to be happy, but not at the expense of holiness.
A.W. Tozer noticed the same obsession for happiness. and on page 37 of a collection of his essays titled The Price Of Neglect, he writes:
On page 38 of the same book:"The doctrine of man's unalienable right to happiness is anti-God and anti-Christ."
"How far wrong all this is will be discovered easily by the simple act of reading the New Testament through once with meditation. There the emphasis is not upon happiness but upon holiness. God is more concerned with the state of people's hearts than with the state of their feelings. Undoubtedly the will of God brings much final happiness to those who obey, but the most important matter is not how happy we are but how holy."
As I seek happiness, I find despair, disappointment and an unquenchable thirst for more happiness. It becomes a drug, requiring more of whatever I perceive will bring relief for my lack of happiness and a hatred for those that I feel are hindering my ability to aquire it. If I think a new dress will make me happy, I am soon unsatisfied with it and think that I need a new sewing machine instead...and woe to the one that hints that I don't need one. If I was convinced that being married or having a child would bring lasting happiness in and of itself, I would be sorely disappointed. If I thought that I would be happy if everyone agreed with me and shared my viewpoints, I will soon faint from exhausion from trying and become embittered by my "right to be understood". Our society is full of such scenarios, full of disillusionment, heartache, and a trail of pain. Out entitlement society is poisoning Christ's Bride, feeding us a line that we "deserve more"...more respect, more comforts, more pats on the back, more money, more security. Satan is loving it.
As I seek Christ, His righteousness, His holiness, and obedience to His Word, happiness, deep joy and peace come regardless of my circumstances in this world. I could be the poorest person on earth with no socks for my feet, no pot to cook in and no roof over my head, being hunted because of my faith and still be thankful and content knowing that God will never leave me nor forsake me and this world is not my home. My focus is not on me, it is on HIM. That is where I long for my focus to consistently be.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Fancy family night
We have started to implement family nights into our schedule. My 4-year old daughter had noticed our "fancy" dishes in the cupboard and wanted to use them for the next family night meal. So I thought I would show you a picture of what our meal consisted of.
We don't drink any alcohol around here and these glasses have never been used (a wedding gift). What good are glasses in the cupboard? Let me tell you, my 3 and 4 year olds LOVED drinking ginger ale out of these.
We had one of our favorite hotdishes along with fresh (well, as fresh as you can get in December in Minnesota) green beans. I never got a name for the recipe when I was given this concotion, but it could probably be called "zucchini, carrot, stuffing and hamburger hotdish". It is a good way to conceal zucchini-otherwise known as the imfamous hotdish stretcher.
The desert was my children's doing. I had given my daughter a cookbook last year called Mother's Little Helper Cookbook. It's a neat collection of simple recipes for children ages 2-6. There is a page for what the mother is to do and a corresponding page for what the child is supposed to do. She wanted to make the honey peanut butter balls this time. The recipes are quite healthy, but of course we had to put them in heart-shaped pans and cover them with "sprinkles". You can see the final result on the right side of the above picture.Zucchini, carrot, stuffing and hamburger hotdish
2 quarts sliced or diced zucchini
1 large onion-chopped
1 cup sliced carrots
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1-7 oz package seasoned crouton (I use a 14 oz bag of stuffing)
dash of poultry seasoning
dash of thyme
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 can cream of chicken soup (I use cream of mushroom and add chicken broth powder)
1 cup sour creamGrease a 4 quart cassarole dish and set aside (I use a regular 9 x 13
pan)Cook zucchini, carrots and onion in small amount of water til zucchini
changes color. Drain and reserve liquid.Brown the ground beef with salt and pepper
Prepare stuffing- I pour the stuffing into a bowl, sprinkle the poultry seasoning and thyme over it and then pour the melted butter and 1 1/2 cup of reserved zucchini liquid over it all. Mix lightly.
Combine soup and sour cream and fold into zucchini, carrots and onions.
Layer it all in pan with ground beef on the bottom, then stuffing and pour zucchini mixture on top.
Place in oven at 350 degrees until hot all the way through, maybe 30-45
minutes.
After the meal, we assembled a birdhouse and a bird feeder from two simple pre-made packages that I had purchased. We were able to relate it to spiritual truths such as...Just as we need to follow directions in constructing things, we also need to obey the Bible as it gives us instructions/directions for life.
The next morning, the new additions for our birds were added to the pole just outside our dining room window. They were delighted when they saw the birds eating out of the new bird feeder.
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