Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Good News Bad News

When I was a child, I had a book titled Good News Bad News or something like that.  It was a tale of ups and downs - bad news, I fell out of a plane, good news there was a haystack below me, bad news there is a pitchfork in the haystack, good news I missed the pitchfork, bad news I missed the haystack.

That sort of thing.

That is how my morning is going.

Bad news - the man of the house is sick. Again.  That poor man has had a rough winter.  I think he picks up every bug that floats around church.  More bad news - the boys and I were supposed to go to the symphony and zoo today, but I am not comfortable leaving him all day, so we cancelled.

Good news - my friend Angel took the ticket and will take care of herding our crew.  Other good news, Grandma and Ben got to go on an outing today that they'd had to cancel yesterday (when Grandma was sick).

Bad news - we are supposed to have our science co-op at my house tomorrow, so if he is still sick, we can't have all those kids here.  Good news, one of the other moms said we can have it at her house.

Really good news - my friend Angel (who is a REALLY good friend!) just called and said they won a year family membership to the Creation Museum, but they just went this year.  So.....they are blessing us with it.  How is that for cool!

Other really good news, actually the very best news of all - The Lord is sovereign.  He is in control.  I can rest in this.  He has provided me a whole, unplanned day to take care of Nevin, and to get some things done around the house. He provides sisters in Christ to step in and help out.  He has provided for us that I AM home, so that there is no huge conflict of having to be at work somewhere instead of being able to be here.

Would I prefer that Nevin was not sick, that all our plans for the day (and he had plenty for today, too - one drawback of being self-employed, no calling in sick and someone else taking the work!) were not changed, that I didn't have to erase the list in my planner (it is always in pencil)?  Absolutely - especially the part about him being sick.  But can I rest knowing that God has it all in the palm of His hand?  Yes, most gloriously yes.  There is such a peace in knowing this sovereign Lord.

Edited, later that same day....
I wanted to add this text from my friend Cyndi.  She said the things I meant to say about God being sovereign, in response to a whiny text from me.

"Concerning joy - I have to constantly remind myself that our omniscient God predetermined all that takes place would happen exactly when it did, as it did and NOTHING could have changed it!  And your omnipotent Father will no doubt empower you with all you need for this day!  He always does - I know you know that, but it's nice to be reminded!!"

That was what I meant to say.  Good news - that the Lord has blessed me with such friends today.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Goal #7

"Have more families over for fellowship at our house."

This is really not a difficult one at all.  I do have people over all the time - but it is mainly moms and kids from our homeschool group.  I really enjoy getting together for playdays, and we usually host things like the book club, board game days, etc. at our home.  We don't have a big house, but it is pretty open and we have room upstairs and downstairs, so it seems like we can fit a lot of people.  We do have a great yard, though - we are out in the country and have wooded acreage, plus the requisite trampoline, giant wooden playsets, tree fort, creek, etc. 



As long as it isn't raining and we can make the kids eat outside, I am open to having lots of folks over.  I think our max was 55 at the book club last September.

Where we fall short, however, is on having families (ie, dad too!) over in the evenings and on weekends.  We are getting better, though.  We had families over for 4th of July, we have been having a few families at a time over to eat, toast marshmallows, just hang out, watch football and we have both sides of our family over for Easter and Thanksgiving.  I enjoy having people over - I hate to admit it, but if we never had company, my house would not get a good cleaning very regularly!  Company always motivates me to vacuum under the furniture! 

I have learned not to stress on the cleaning too much, though.  I used to not have people over because it was so much work - super cleaning.  Now I do want things picked up and tidy, but I am not insane about it.  I don't have any hesitation to just make sure the bedroom doors are all closed.  As long as it is picked up, and the bathrooms and kitchens are clean, we are good.  When I go to someone's house, I am just delighted to be invited - I don't spend any time checking out baseboards.  I assume others are the same.  Let it be known, though - anyone who comes over and comments on my baseboards.....doesn't get invited back!

Keep it casual, keep it fun, don't stress out - get a set of folding chairs and a couple tables some time on sale and have a party!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Now THAT Was A Party!

Last night I attended the annual Twin City Home Educators Mom's Christmas Party.

Is was, indeed, the party-to-end-all parties.

Fourteen of us braved the cold, dark night to drive wayyyyy out to Suzy's farm.  Okay, so it wasn't that cold, and some were very familiar with the road, but for those of us who had only been there once before (last year's party) and who have nightblindness (didn't mention that to the women riding with me) finding a mailbox on the side of a country road can be an adventure!

All was well until we came to the gate.  We knew we were in the right place, vividly remembered coming down the hill and over the little bridge last year.  But yet we sat in the middle of the drive, staring at this closed gate, wondering what to do.  Why would a gate be closed on the night of a party?  Were we in the right driveway?  We could see the lights of the carriage house through the trees, this must be it.  For whatever reason, three grown women could not decide to open the gate.  So we started making calls.  Susan, in her most patient voice, said, "Just get out and open the gate, it is closed so the animals don't escape."  Oh.  About that time another car pulled in behind us, so Elizabeth hopped out and opened the gate, we all drove through, she closed the gate and we headed to the party!  We were not, btw, the only ones to face uncertainty at the gate.  Angel got to the gate, couldn't get anyone to answer their cells, and turned around and started for home.  We managed to persuade her to come back and spend the evening with us, to everyones' benefit.  I had to call Betty and tell her I had given her poor directions.  But, we all made it to the carriage house.

The carriage house is like stepping into a Christmas card - it is rustic and charming, beautifully decorated with country antiques.  Every luxury, from coffee to an assortment of teas and cocoas was assembled.  No detail forgotten, down to the bowl of marshmallows by the cocoa.

We all brought food, and we laughed and ate.  You would think we were starving from the cheers that went up when Debi arrived carrying the boxes from Pizza Hut!  Never was a pizza guy so greeted!

After we ate, we had a time of devotion and prayer.  So many joys were shared, so many concerns.  As homeschool moms, so much of the focus on any of our gathering is our children.  Prayer requests for sons in the military, those leaving for new duty stations, for adult children and their families, for direction with children at home, prayers for young mothers with small children, for our husbands, our friends, for those who could not be with us.  Praises sang out for Debi, who announced at the party two years ago that she had breast cancer.  Yep, the same Debi who after chemo, surgery, and reconstruction was bringing us pizza.  And with a full head of her own hair, at that.  For Lettie, who will "bring forth" her third son next week (and yes, there were jokes about her being "great with child").  And a wonderful reading from Sheila, from her blog, Sheila's Dots and Daisies.

And then, after we cried out to the Lord....we open presents.  I always think this is funny, to go from meaningful readings and prayer to a raucous game of stealing, shaking and occasionally sniffing wrapped gifts.  But last night I saw it for what it was.  We come together, these sisters, in prayer, in sorrow, in joy, and most especially, in laughter.  The fun of stealing a certain wrapped package and seeing the games that are played, the strategies worthy of Survivor, to get a box that has appealed to you - with no idea what is inside.  And then, at the end, for everyone to declare they got the most perfect gift for them.

I got a beautiful baking cookbook - tell me God was not at the party with us last night!

After the game, more snacks, more coffee.  I so enjoyed watching the ladies move about from group to group.  No one was left out.  Friends who had not seen each other in a year quickly caught up.  A small group was laughing out loud...a few feet away two women were hugging and there were tears..I got to spend an hour in conversation with my dear friend who also has four boys, and whose steps I follow in so many ways.  I watched a younger mom just looking at everyone and taking it all in, and I remember the first few years that I was in this group.  I watched the "old timers" who had been there for more than a decade already, and I saw their interactions, heard their stories, and knew that this was a place I wanted to belong. 

And I do.  From the very first night, when Anita was talking about cooking the natural way in relation to learning problems and Debi was discussing the price of wheat grinders (to grind your own wheat for flour, can you imagine!) and Betty was nursing Connor, I knew that this was the place for me.  Some faces have changed over the years, some have moved, gone on as their children have grown up.  We have some mothers in our group whose own mothers and mother-in-laws are also in the group - I pray that someday I will be sitting in the group with my daughter-in-laws, listening to them wonder how to teach math to one, reading to another and keep the baby occupied at the same time.  And we will share how we did it.  How we do it.  With much prayer, with God's mercy on our endeavor.  Wavering, but always coming back to the vision that God placed on us.

I got home about 2:30 a.m.  I was unable to sleep (3 cups of coffee after 11 p.m. will do that to you).  I looked over the pictures that were taken, laughed again at the ones of the mom modeling the bright pink Snuggie she received as a gift (I did promise not to post those pictures, so you will just have to use your imagination).  And I looked at our group shot - another year, so many of the same faces, newer faces as well.  And I thought of those regulars from the group that could not be there this night because of things that could not be changed; family obligations, or illness.  I missed them. 

For many of us, this is a night that we try to never miss, for whom this night is a "night of all nights" - one to look forward to all year, one of the highlights of the Christmas season.  I am one of these.  I am so thankful for a husband who understands this need, for sons who don't fuss about being handed a pizza and being told to put their own pepperoni on - because it is Mom's night, and she is heading out to the Homeschool Mom Christmas Party.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

On Accountability and the Friendship of Women

This post is in honor to my mom, Mary Katherine H., Andrea C., Tammy M., Laura A., Julia D., Becky H., Susan V., Angel B., Sherri E., Faith S. and the long list of women (not all of whom were older, a nod to Angel!) who have walked, and continue to walk, with me. Thank you for your friendship and your honesty.



Who do we choose as our closest friends? Do we choose those who lift us up, challenge us to be our best, and admonish us when we sin? Or do we take the easy route – find casual companions with whom we can be our “worst”? Do we choose to spend our time with those who by their participation encourage us in gossip, complaining, coveting or any other sin? Well?

There is a difference between friends and acquaintances. By friend, I do not mean Facebook Friend. While those lists may contain your close friends, I do not believe that anyone has over 400 people that they can share their hearts with. Most of us are lucky to have two or three our entire lives.

A true friend should be the ones who are willing to gently admonish you when they see you falling into a sinful pattern. But – they should not leave it there. It is no service to a sister to point out the specks (or logs) in her eye and then leave her to her sin. A true friend then encourages, uplifts, and covers you in prayer.

If I am in a friend relationship with someone who encourages me in sin, then I need to examine that. If this is someone that I consider a close friend, then I have made a poor choice in friendship. If it is a casual relationship, then I need to be on-guard and aware. I need to make an effort to lead all conversations to areas that are encouraging and Christ-honoring.

I would also recommend having a woman in your life that you can be held accountable by – someone that you respect enough to go to and to LISTEN to. If you are in a situation where you do not have such a person, you may want to examine that.

Are you in a church/faith family where you have no one that you would be willing to be held accountable to? Why?

Is there no one among your acquaintances that you respect enough to be held accountable by? Why not? Who are you surrounding yourself with?

And I hate to say it, but…….if you cannot find anyone that you respect enough to hold yourself accountable to them, are you perhaps esteeming your own self too highly? Surely there is someone out there who knows more than you and can teach you.

While my mother has been my guide, especially when I was a child, I have gone through several stages of accountability in my adult life. I have had several Godly women who took me under their wing when I was saved in 1993. They taught me how to live, how to love and respect others, how to follow God’s leading. Later, when I found how lacking I was in Bible knowledge, God led me to a lady who became a dear friend and who also taught me how to read the Bible, starting with baby steps. I had another dear lady who taught me about Biblical scholarship, the need to study and learn, to know my Bible and doctrine, preparing myself not to be puffed up with knowledge but to be able to teach when called.

Later, there have been others. There are women who have gone before me in child-rearing and homeschooling, whose example I have followed, and whose phone lines I have burnt up in distress. I have seen those women with God-honoring marriages, who speak respectfully of their husbands, never with put-downs or coarse jokes. These I have watched and try to emulate. And now there are those, as I approach (okay, as I have entered!) mid-life, who are gently leading me to my own role as the older woman, that I may be an encouragement to others. It is so humbling to see my sins become apparent, but so gracious of God to provide those who will hold me accountable in that, who are willing to say things that I may not like. Who are willing to give of their time (a precious commodity) and serve their Lord by instructing me and others.

So, what is a friend? Who do you call friend? And more importantly – who out there can call YOU friend?


That's right - a true friend challenges you on all sorts of levels!
Love you, Betty!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Giving Facebook one.more.try!

I am going to give Facebook one more try - but if it turns into a problem again, I will delete my account.  This time I just deactivated it, which leaves everything "as is" but invisible.  If it takes over my time/life, though, it will have to go for good. 

After a month, though, why come back?  Well, the easiest and most obvious answer is that I miss people.  I do manage to stay in touch with most of my friends pretty regularly, but I was missing some of the social interaction.  We'll just have to see, though.  If it gets stressful, we'll know the experiment failed.

I have been enjoying keeping this blog updated, so hopefully that will continue. 

It was interesting (at least to me) that the day I decided to go back to Facebook (Thursday) was also the day our Hughesnet satellite went out.  It took me a day to accept it, and then get the dial up set back up.  So, for now (at least until Monday, according to the helpful Hughesnet rep!) I am back on dial up.  Which means it takes so long for anything to load that I can get my laundry folded while I wait! 

Today, besides playing on the computer, I am attempting to clean out the toy area in our family room.  A major disaster, and probably a poor choice of way to spend my day!  But, it needs to be done, and no time like the present. 

So, break is over - back to work!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

It's always something, you know....

Today is simply filled with adventures.  We got up this morning with several of us hacking and coughing, so we decided it was "school by video" day - we watched a dvd on government and part of a science video, then just did some reading and read aloud stuff.  Tomorrow will be better.  I hope!

Joe and Henry were in a turmoil because a couple of the chicks were getting pecked.  For those who are not hip to chicken behavior, occasionally a couple chicks will get pecked on their rears until it draws blood, and then the rest of the flock will jump in on it.  This can really injure, even kill, a chick.  It was recommended that I put axle grease on the wound, so it would taste bad.  I don't think I have any of that.  Vaseline?  No, not that either.  But ......to the rescue, that fabulous product with now a million and ONE MORE uses - Mary Kay Extra Emollient Night Cream!  Washed them off, rubbed it on their little behinds, and no more pecking.

And they smell nice and will have just the softest behinds!

We are now getting ready to process the three deer The Hunter got last weekend.  Some friends are coming by to learn how to process deer, and just to share in the general merriment.

Life around here is something different every single day!