Mayflowers

I love it when the mayflowers are out. We walk through the woods gasping, "Oh! There's some more!" Spring really is here.

Conflict

I have debated today about what to write about. Should I write of the continuing education course that I took this weekend on low back pain in order to maintain my occupational therapy license? How about the horrible traffic that reminded me again of one of the reasons that I am happy to live in a rural setting? Then there was the 10ish year old boy with a sweatshirt jacket on, hood up, standing over his bike, who bluntly asked me as I was leaving a store, "Are you Amish?" and "Do you try to live a simple life?" I don't get as flustered by such questions anymore.

I settled on the energetic conversation that my husband and I had with another couple on Saturday. What began as an apparent deep difference in theological stances, ended as a realization of a misunderstanding from 2+ years ago. We actually are on the same page and view things quite similarly. Ah, what a blessing! It has been amazing to me to ponder this conversation and realize again how people can be looking at the same principle and view it from such different angles. It is ripe for misunderstanding, but if discussed respectfully, the discussion can be immensely valuable.

Of course conflict does not always resolve itself as this one did. Over the years, there have been many instances in which our decisions and views have not been popular and have been misunderstood. We have been accused, labeled and ridiculed. For one such as me that grew up cringing at the hint of conflict, it has not been the most comfortable thing to take the stances that we have. Yet, I will have to say that it has strengthened me beyond what I ever thought possible. No longer does it work to explain our decisions as, "Just because." We have studied, prayed, sought counsel and prayed some more. We don't have to have an opinion on each and every topic out there, but the ones that we do, we have done some homework. So, when someone comes with a different perspective, we have something to add to the conversation. At other times, the Holy Spirit's still, small voice has prompted us to not speak.

My view of conflict has changed over the years. I now try to see it as a positive exercise. You see, if my husband and I truly love the Lord more than being "right", we will want Truth more than anything else. As we are challenged on something, it causes us to draw closer to Him, study the Word more, talk to each other and PRAY. In this way, the challenges or accusations, as they may be, will either strengthen us in our convictions or change us more to His glory. Either way, it's good.

This is not to say that I never get a knot in my stomach, but I will say that the conversation that we had this weekend was one of my favorite moments of the entire weekend. I was thrilled that we could converse about apparent opposite viewpoints respectfully and learn about each other. I felt like we all grew a bit during the process.

Inevitably, there are times when it is best to simply agree to disagree. Being at peace in such as instance in a gift in and of itself.

I am learning to rest in Him more and more during times of conflict, trusting in Him and not the wisdom of this world. To hide under the shadow of His wings... there's no better place to be.

Ps 63:7

Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy
wings will I rejoice.

KJV

Away from computer

I was hoping to have time to write before we will be out and about for a few days, but you know how it goes. :) See you next week!

Blessings!

Celebrating Easter

I have fond memories of Easter while growing up and can now appreciate even more the efforts of our Lutheran congregation leadership to make Easter a meaningful time. As part of the youth group, I participated in the Easter play, which were short dramas done in segments on Wednesday evenings during Lent.

Good Friday was a very solemn time. The service was in the early afternoon. This was when in small towns such as ours, businesses still closed down from 12:00 to 3:00 in the afternoon so anyone who wanted to could attend the Good Friday church service of their choice. Windows were covered, the alter and lectern were covered in black. If I remember correctly, the large cross on the wall behind the alter was also covered in black or had a black cloth draped over it. The sanctuary was bare of anything extra. Everyone was quiet and the songs were slow and mournful. After the service, no one was ushered out. Everyone got up and left the service when they wanted to and without a word to those around them. Even in the fellowship hall, any talk was limited and in hushed tones.

I remember having a sinking feeling in my stomach on Saturday, which must have been a small taste of what the disciples felt after Christ died. What now? Emptiness.

Then Sunday morning! Easter lilies were everywhere. The church was bright and members of the church that could play brass instruments (trumpet, trombone, french horn, etc) joined the choir in a very enthusiastic and majestic joint effort of "Christ the Lord is risen today, Ha-le-lu-iah!!!" My heart still skips a beat thinking about it.

Of course there are other parts to my memories like participating in the kitchen as part of the youth crew that served Easter breakfast. Every year we tried to figure out a way to have scrambled eggs in big roasters and keep them from turning green. I don't think it every happened. It just added to the memories.

These days we have started our own traditions. Not that it is better or worse then memories of years past. Just different.

We have made this for two years now. I don't even know what to call it exactly.

Here my children are forming the rice krispie "cake" into a "hill" on a large serving plate. I've been told that some people make a chocolate cake and bake it in a bowl instead.

Form a small tomb on one side of the hill and mix green food coloring with coconut for grass.

I made frosting and colored 1/2 green and the other half I mixed in some cocoa powder to make it brown. We then frosted the tomb half of the hill and the corresponding rest of the plate with green frosting and the other half with the brown. The green side then gets the green coconut for grass and cake decoration candies for flowers.

Our crosses are made of popsicle sticks and we made the path to the crosses with brownie crumbs. You could also use chocolate chips or something else too.

The stone over the tomb opening is supposed to be a cookie, but since I didn't have one for the event, I printed off a picture of a boulder from MS Word's clipart and laminated it.

Sunday morning Keith and I got up at 5:30 AM, "rolled" the stone away and woke up the children. With squinting eyes, they looked at the empty tomb as we explained the Jesus was not there. He had risen from the dead!

We got ready for 6:30 AM sunrise service at church. After the service, we got into vehicles to go Easter caroling. The recipients of such caroling absolutely love it and we all had a wonderful time. Then we returned to the church for Easter breakfast.

After going home, we went on a bike ride and then made a big meal. Then naptime and being invited over with friends for a campfire picnic supper with singing and fellowship...

As long as the joy and awe of Jesus dying on the cross and being raised from the dead as the final sacrifice and completed payment for our sins in proclaimed, Easter can be celebrated a variety of different ways. May Christ be glorified!

Worship

Last night we went on our first bike ride of the season. Using a bike trailer, co-pilot (a bike "extension" with an extra wheel and seat for a "junior" rider) and a bike with training wheels (yes, we're back to that) we were able to pedal with our brood the 1/2 mile or so to the beaver dam.

Those beavers are hard at it again this year as evidenced by strategically placed branches across the only breach in their barricade. We didn't see them this day as our children's constant chatter warned them as a blaring siren to stay hidden, but as my husband and children returned, I lingered and kept thinking that I saw the water move from a beaver that was anxious to get back to the work ahead.

The effects of the dam are amazing. Water is rising up tree trunks and may soon die from being submerged. Many people become quite disgusted with this creature for the damage they cause and every once in awhile a minor explosion can be heard as the beaver's masterpiece is destroyed.

Even though I can understand why it must be done, destroying a beaver dam is sad to me. The beavers are simply doing what they were created to do...and in so doing, are worshipping God.

Ps 66:4
All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah. KJV

How can the earth worship other than doing what it was created to do? It lives, breathes, nurtures, and grows. When you see a small tree desperately trying to grow in the midst of a rock, it demonstrates the persistence at which God's creation strains to live, to worship.

In a similar way, we too worship God when we do what we were created to do. At this point in time, one of the things I was created to do is serve my family. Each meal that is made, each dress that is sewn, each diaper that is changed, each floor that is scrubbed, and each book that is read, if done with the right attitude, is an act of worship to my Creator.

Using this definition, Christ lived a life of complete worship. He did what He was sent to earth to do each and every moment. On this day, "Good Friday", we especially remember the the willing obedience, the ultimate sacrifice and act of love...the pinnacle act of worship to the Father.

As my husband sat on the couch this morning with a child on each side, he read from Arthur S. Maxwell's children's Bible the events that happened on the day of Christ's crucifixion. With tears, he explained that though the criminals hanging on either side of Christ were reaping the consequences for their sin, Jesus had done nothing wrong. What love for us! It was a precious moment.

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood:
Sealed my pardon with His blood;
Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

verse 2 of: "Hallelujah! What a Saviour!" written by Philip P. Bliss, 1838-1876

This thing called parenting

Addendum: As I completed writing this, my 15 month-old toppled the stacked recycling bins over onto himself. Imagine broken jars and strewn...everything else. Praise the Lord he's not hurt, just startled. Then, my two older lovely children decided to make lemonade and while pouring it, the entire pitcher was dumped on the floor and into large drawers under the counter. I was keenly aware that it was an opportunity for me to put into practice that which I have written.

There is an excellent discussion following a very well written post over at Choosing Home about parenting and child training. I know only bits and pieces of the Pearl's teachings and so I cannot intelligently enter the disussion. I do know some families that have been especially blessed by what the Pearl's have had to say. I am gleaning much from those who are voicing opinions about parenting and disciplining styles and convictions.

When I would ask people about child training techniques as a new mother (I still feel very new at this thing called parenting!), some would simply say, "PRAY!" Inside I was thinking, "Yeah, I KNOW I need to pray, but where is the 3-step process? Where is the manual that I can follow?" I am realizing more and more that they were exactly right and I'm growing to appreciate the individuality of my children who don't fit into a 3-step mold.

The other thing that I am appreciating in the discussion is the emphasis by Ann, who wrote the post, and subsequent commenters, on the importance of loving on your children, making sure that they know that they are an integral part of the family, and that they are fun to be around. I recently read a snipet of some advice online about parenting and one phrase spoke to me in which I will paraphrase as: Laughing with your children is an important and vital step toward closeness and bonding with them. I want to laugh with them more.

Ann wrote a week or so ago on "Whatcha Looking For?" She quoted Proverbs 11:27

"If you search for good, you will find favor, but if you search for evil, it will find you!"

If we look for ways that our children or others are irritating or disobeying us, our responses to them will be harsh and unloving. If we look at them as God's precious children, we will encourage and gently guide them. I pray that I look for good in my children. Yes, there are times to discipline, but disciplining will have much more effect in the context of love and acceptance.

Yesterday was a beautiful day here. My children and I took a bit of time to sit next to the pond/swamp and listen to the frogs. I relished that moment with them and I think they liked it too.

I'm going to go laugh and play with them now...

Fire drills and eternity

Recently we learned about fire safety. After getting new fire detectors that detect different kinds of fires (i.e. smoldering fires and hot, flaming fires), putting a fire extinguisher in the master bedroom as well as the kitchen, and getting carbon monoxide detectors, we thought we had better practice getting out of the house. We were shown how important real-life fire drill practice is during a presentation we attended.

Last evening we had the children lay down in their beds as though they were sleeping, sounded the fire alarm with the test button and had them unlatch their windows and escape. We had set up a meeting place for everyone outside. We also practiced running out the front door if the fire was in the garage for example. Of course they wanted to keep practicing the window escape over and over. We had to put a stop to the drills after five times or so, but I think that they got the idea. Now we need to practice surprise fire drills...

Here is my son going out his window. That black fur is the dog who had to get in on the action.

Here they are running to the meeting area outside.

I pray that we don't ever need to escape our home because of a fire, but if we do, I'm glad we've practiced how to get out.

Even though a physical fire would be horrible to experience, it is absolutely nothing compared to the spiritual fire of eternal judgment. I pray much for the salvation of my children's souls. May they come to realize the sinful nature within them that needs a Savior. May they be willing to believe and repent. I pray that they will have hearts that are soft toward the Lord, a desire to serve Him with their whole hearts no matter what the cost, and a steadfastness of unwavering devotion to the One who died for them. May the fire of the Holy Spirit burn brightly within giving wisdom, perseverance and enthusiasm to walk out their Faith with integrity and consistency.

And then this verse:

Heb 12:28-29
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be
moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.KJV

Lord, may the fire of Your spirit consume us, molding us into Your image. We are not our own. We were bought with the precious blood of Jesus. What can we do but serve You?

Spring is here and a calendar to prove it

The last two days have been wonderfully pleasant outside and the children in our household are absolutely loving it. They must have gotten gardening genes because yesterday I found them cultivating the driveway and planting dogfood seeds.

We are getting ready to build some raised-bed gardens. We have almost all the building materials now and will start on it as soon has we have a chance. Seeds are ordered and I can hardly wait to eat fresh raw peas, lettuce and green beans. Not to mention *real* tomatoes.

Here is a calendar that I made as part of our homeschool activities. I started it last fall. I was frustrated with how most calendars have only five rows requiring doubling up on the bottom row for some months. Is that confusing for new calendar readers or what? It seems to me that it's just a way for calendar makers to save a penny. Anyway, I decided to make my own version and this is what I came up with. After making the initial board with grid lines and days of the week, I brought it in to have it laminated. I also laminated the numbers and used poster tape (non-permanent) to hold them on for the month.

The moveable border is a small piece of black vinal with stencil plastic on the back for reinforcement. Just a little Exacto knife work is all. Then I got some poster puddy to hold it in place. The children enjoy moving it onto the next day each morning.

Here are my other month labels along with some decorations that we have made for various months. Some months we don't get anything else put up, but then again, there's always next year! Those interesting "people" under the February hearts are part of the multitude of angels that proclaimed the Christ's birth during December. I tell you what, the children had a ball decorating the paper and doily angels with glitter glue and cotton ball hair! I hope to make some umbrellas and raindrops for this month.

In the meantime, we are enjoying the singing birds, the sunshine and mud (uh, the children are).