I love you!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Tea Time
Seriously, when was the last time I had enough consecutive free minutes to sit and enjoy a cup of Bigelow Vanilla Chai? Such blessings in the smallest things.
Plus it's rainy outside. Perfect weather for tea, slippers, and a smile.
Plus it's rainy outside. Perfect weather for tea, slippers, and a smile.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Laundry
My hat is off to the person who implemented ski week. Having a week off for winter break is absolutely ingenious! Here I am, smack-dab in the middle of five full days of me-time. It has truly been delightful thus far, as I spent Monday and Tuesday sleeping in, shopping, cooking, getting a much needed haircut, and generally relaxing.
And then Wednesday hit. The middle of the week, over-the-hump day that propels you toward the weekend. Normally I enjoy Wednesdays, but somehow the feeling has faded since I'm already on vacation. Now the onset of the weekend is no longer the beginning of a rest but the end of a week of bliss! What kind of a person am I? Who doesn't look forward to the weekend?!
So today I decided that I would do all the things I would do regularly if I didn't have a full time job. Well, all the things might be stretching it a bit... there are still only twenty-four hours in the day. To start, I folded a basket of clean laundry that must have been sitting in our bedroom for about two weeks. Now when I say a "basket," I do mean one basket... but definitely not one load of laundry. I define a "basket" by the amount of clothes one can stuff into it without too much overflow. That being said, this folding task lasted all the way through three Tivo'd episodes of 30-Minute Meals.
Why stop there? I also had to deal with the piles of dirty laundry that had accumulated in the closet. These went load by load into the washer and then the dryer... and then more dreaded folding. I seriously don't understand how two people can generate so many dirty clothes! What will my life be like when I have kids?!
Now that the last load is in the dryer, I do feel a sense of satisfaction. But there is still a dishwasher to unload, reload, and run, pots to be washed, dinner to be made...
I'm looking forward to Monday.
And then Wednesday hit. The middle of the week, over-the-hump day that propels you toward the weekend. Normally I enjoy Wednesdays, but somehow the feeling has faded since I'm already on vacation. Now the onset of the weekend is no longer the beginning of a rest but the end of a week of bliss! What kind of a person am I? Who doesn't look forward to the weekend?!
So today I decided that I would do all the things I would do regularly if I didn't have a full time job. Well, all the things might be stretching it a bit... there are still only twenty-four hours in the day. To start, I folded a basket of clean laundry that must have been sitting in our bedroom for about two weeks. Now when I say a "basket," I do mean one basket... but definitely not one load of laundry. I define a "basket" by the amount of clothes one can stuff into it without too much overflow. That being said, this folding task lasted all the way through three Tivo'd episodes of 30-Minute Meals.
Why stop there? I also had to deal with the piles of dirty laundry that had accumulated in the closet. These went load by load into the washer and then the dryer... and then more dreaded folding. I seriously don't understand how two people can generate so many dirty clothes! What will my life be like when I have kids?!
Now that the last load is in the dryer, I do feel a sense of satisfaction. But there is still a dishwasher to unload, reload, and run, pots to be washed, dinner to be made...
I'm looking forward to Monday.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Christmas
Yes, I know that Christmas was two weeks ago, but I just saw this on Darren and April's blog and just have to save it for future laughs. Enjoy!
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Funny eBay Auction
This auction ended in August, but it's so darn hilarious, it's worth a read. While I'm not a mother yet and don't particularly plan on having six children one day, Adventures in Grocery Shopping definitely made me laugh!
(If for some reason that link doesn't work, check the author's blog for a reposting.)
(If for some reason that link doesn't work, check the author's blog for a reposting.)
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Quote from Gunner
"We expend so much energy dreaming about doing great things and so little energy doing the small things that God calls great."
- Gunner Gundersen
- Gunner Gundersen
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Satisfaction
I finally stopped at the grocery store today on my way home from work, after about a week of complaining that I didn't have any of the ingredients to make anything decent for dinner. So after an hour in Safeway, I made three trips from the car up to our third story apartment (yeah, I got my stairs in today!). Then I realized that our refrigerator was full of leftovers that should have been tossed eons ago, so I had to spend a while cleaning everything out. Another hour later, I have a clean and freshly-stocked fridge, the trash has been taken out, and I even made a special trip to the recycling bins. This, my friends, is satisfaction.
Friday, October 19, 2007
A Prayer for Our Church
Often, John Piper says exactly what my heart needs to hear...
"O Lord, by the truth of your Word, and the power of your Spirit and the ministry of your body, build men and women at Bethlehem . . .
Who don't love the world more than God,
who don't care if they make much money,
who don't care if they own a house,
who don't care if they have a new car or two cars,
who don't need recent styles,
who don't care if they get famous,
who don't miss steak or fancy fare,
who don't expect that life should be comfortable and easy,
who don't feed their minds on TV each night,
who don't measure truth with their finger in the wind,
who don't get paralyzed by others' disapproval,
who don't return evil for evil,
who don't hold grudges,
who don't gossip,
who don't twist the truth,
who don't brag or boast,
who don't whine or use body language to get pity,
who don't criticize more than praise,
who don't hang out in cliques,
who don't eat too much or exercise too little;
But
who are ablaze for God,
who are utterly God-besotted,
who are filled with the Holy Spirit,
who strive to know the height and depth of Christ's love,
who are crucified to the world and dead to sin,
who are purified by the Word and addicted to righteousness,
who are mighty in memorizing and using the Scriptures,
who keep the Lord's Day holy and refreshing,
who are broken by the consciousness of sin,
who are thrilled by the wonder of free grace,
who are stunned into humble silence by the riches of God's glory,
who are persevering constantly in prayer,
who are ruthless in self-denial,
who are fearless in public witness to Christ's Lordship,
who are able to unmask error and blow away doctrinal haze,
who are tough in standing for the truth,
who are tender in touching hurting people,
who are passionate about reaching the peoples who have no church,
who are pro-life for the sake of babies and moms and dads and the glory of God,
who are keepers of all their promises, including marriage vows,
who are content with what they have and trusting the promises of God,
who are patient and kind and meek when life is hard.
Pressing for all there is in Christ,
Pastor John"
A Prayer for Our Church
"O Lord, by the truth of your Word, and the power of your Spirit and the ministry of your body, build men and women at Bethlehem . . .
Who don't love the world more than God,
who don't care if they make much money,
who don't care if they own a house,
who don't care if they have a new car or two cars,
who don't need recent styles,
who don't care if they get famous,
who don't miss steak or fancy fare,
who don't expect that life should be comfortable and easy,
who don't feed their minds on TV each night,
who don't measure truth with their finger in the wind,
who don't get paralyzed by others' disapproval,
who don't return evil for evil,
who don't hold grudges,
who don't gossip,
who don't twist the truth,
who don't brag or boast,
who don't whine or use body language to get pity,
who don't criticize more than praise,
who don't hang out in cliques,
who don't eat too much or exercise too little;
But
who are ablaze for God,
who are utterly God-besotted,
who are filled with the Holy Spirit,
who strive to know the height and depth of Christ's love,
who are crucified to the world and dead to sin,
who are purified by the Word and addicted to righteousness,
who are mighty in memorizing and using the Scriptures,
who keep the Lord's Day holy and refreshing,
who are broken by the consciousness of sin,
who are thrilled by the wonder of free grace,
who are stunned into humble silence by the riches of God's glory,
who are persevering constantly in prayer,
who are ruthless in self-denial,
who are fearless in public witness to Christ's Lordship,
who are able to unmask error and blow away doctrinal haze,
who are tough in standing for the truth,
who are tender in touching hurting people,
who are passionate about reaching the peoples who have no church,
who are pro-life for the sake of babies and moms and dads and the glory of God,
who are keepers of all their promises, including marriage vows,
who are content with what they have and trusting the promises of God,
who are patient and kind and meek when life is hard.
Pressing for all there is in Christ,
Pastor John"
A Prayer for Our Church
Rejoice
Our pastor said on Sunday that joy doesn't always equal happiness. The joy of the Lord is something that we as Christians can experience and count on even in times of pain and sorrow. Our joy comes from the assurance that the suffering of this life is only temporary, and we can look forward to spending eternity in Paradise with the Lord. The struggles of my day-to-day life pale in comparison to the trials of others, yet I find myself becoming laden with the pressures that creep in every day. Paul tells the Phillipians in chapter 4, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (vs. 4) It is so important to constantly live in the joy of the Lord that he even repeats himself, in case we didn't get it the first time. I often need this reminder.
Rejoice always... rejoice!
Rejoice always... rejoice!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Summer 2006 - Rome, Italy
The last six days of our vacation in Italy were spent in Rome. These are just a few of the many pictures we took...
Piazza Navona at night
The Pantheon
We had dinner at Original Alfredo's - where fettuccine alfredo began!
The Forum
.JPG)
A gladiator and me outside of the Colosseum
Piazza Navona at night
The Pantheon
We had dinner at Original Alfredo's - where fettuccine alfredo began!
The Forum
.JPG)
A gladiator and me outside of the Colosseum
Summer 2006 - Venice, Italy
Venice was by far our favorite city in Italy. The three days we spent there were fabulous and relaxing like none other.
While I didn't particularly like the pigeons in Piazza San Marco...
While I didn't particularly like the pigeons in Piazza San Marco...
...Ben made several new friends!
View from the Bridge of Sighs
View from the top of the Campanile
We took the obligatory gondola ride on our last night... so worth it!
Summer 2006 - Florence, Italy
Florence - Duomo
Florence - View from Michelangelo's Lookout
Florence - Ponte Vecchio
Florence - View from Michelangelo's Lookout
Florence - Ponte Vecchio
Our First Year in Pictures
August 8, 2003 - Our Wedding
Honeymoon in Kauai - at Waimea Canyon
The Borders Family visits in October - at the Crazy Hat Shop on Pier 39 in San Francisco
Our first apartment decorated (however so sparsely!) for Christmas
Honeymoon in Kauai - at Waimea Canyon
The Borders Family visits in October - at the Crazy Hat Shop on Pier 39 in San Francisco
Thanksgiving in Lancaster - with the Borders Family
Our first apartment decorated (however so sparsely!) for Christmas
Starting Over
So I have this blog here... and I haven't posted on it for nine months. How pathetic is that? Now that I have a couple of friends who have linked their current blogs to it, I really feel the need to update. But something about the fact that there are six or so posts prior to this one bogs me down... so consider this a new beginning!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Laughter
Who was it that said that laughter was the best medicine? Well, right now I tend to agree. There's just something about letting go and laughing from deep within that lifts my spirits and gives an extra boost to my day.
If you feel like laughing (or just wrinkling your brow in confusion), check out www.foundmagazine.com. It's an online collection of notes that have been found in random places all over the country. Some of the notes remind me of ones that I have confiscated from students.
On a more sobering note, www.postsecret.com is a website that anonymously posts secrets. I often wonder if one of the notes could have been written by someone I know who needs help. It also reminds me that the little things we do and say for people can make such a difference in their lives. We never truly know what someone else is going through or when our words can have a huge impact.
So today, laugh with someone. Share a smile and know that God loves us enough to give us laughter.
If you feel like laughing (or just wrinkling your brow in confusion), check out www.foundmagazine.com. It's an online collection of notes that have been found in random places all over the country. Some of the notes remind me of ones that I have confiscated from students.
On a more sobering note, www.postsecret.com is a website that anonymously posts secrets. I often wonder if one of the notes could have been written by someone I know who needs help. It also reminds me that the little things we do and say for people can make such a difference in their lives. We never truly know what someone else is going through or when our words can have a huge impact.
So today, laugh with someone. Share a smile and know that God loves us enough to give us laughter.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Arrows
Today I had 145 new sixth graders come through my classroom. Most were petrified, some were fairly nervous, and a few were trying to prove that even though they are now at the bottom of the junior high food chain, they were still just as cool as ever. It made me chuckle when my first class sat in their assigned seats and stared at me, waiting for me to say something, anything, to break the ice.
I chose Hebrews 10:24 as my class verse this year, which says, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." As I was urging my students to encourage each other instead of relying on the sarcasm that so often accompanies junior high insecurities, I began to think about all those people in my own life that encourage me. When I first met my husband, he used a phrase that soon became part of our vocabulary together. He told me that he wanted to be "an arrow to Christ" for me, so that every time I looked at him, I would be pointed to the Lord. In this way, Ben has shown me over the years how to be a woman of God. Now I have another nine months to work with these particular students and be an arrow to Christ for them. I pray that as they learn to encourage one another that I would be the example that they can count on.
My parents have also been arrows for me, and I have realized this especially in the past few years that I've been away from home. I am so thankful for their wisdom and instruction, and for their friendship in recent years. My sister, while younger, is an incredible example of kindness and compassion that I look to for guidance. Even my younger brother who is growing in his faith has given me the opportunity to seek Christ with a more fervent passion. I am so blessed to have these people and more in my life that I want to be sure that I'm not just absorbing. I need to be squeezed on occasion to spread the encouragement to others. Some of my students come from Christian homes, but the majority are at the school just to get a solid education. What an opportunity I have to share the love of God! My goal this year: to be an arrow to Christ for my students.
I chose Hebrews 10:24 as my class verse this year, which says, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." As I was urging my students to encourage each other instead of relying on the sarcasm that so often accompanies junior high insecurities, I began to think about all those people in my own life that encourage me. When I first met my husband, he used a phrase that soon became part of our vocabulary together. He told me that he wanted to be "an arrow to Christ" for me, so that every time I looked at him, I would be pointed to the Lord. In this way, Ben has shown me over the years how to be a woman of God. Now I have another nine months to work with these particular students and be an arrow to Christ for them. I pray that as they learn to encourage one another that I would be the example that they can count on.
My parents have also been arrows for me, and I have realized this especially in the past few years that I've been away from home. I am so thankful for their wisdom and instruction, and for their friendship in recent years. My sister, while younger, is an incredible example of kindness and compassion that I look to for guidance. Even my younger brother who is growing in his faith has given me the opportunity to seek Christ with a more fervent passion. I am so blessed to have these people and more in my life that I want to be sure that I'm not just absorbing. I need to be squeezed on occasion to spread the encouragement to others. Some of my students come from Christian homes, but the majority are at the school just to get a solid education. What an opportunity I have to share the love of God! My goal this year: to be an arrow to Christ for my students.
The Mundane
I started this blog several months ago, and as evidenced by my lack of postings, I have neglected it. Why? Not necessarily because of lack of time, or even for lack of material. I guess when it comes down to it, lately I just don't feel like I have anything profound to say. I know others who have struggled with the concept of blogging because they feel it is a waste of time. Others say that if they are going to spend time blogging, they need to have a theological point or spiritual challenge to make it worthwhile. I am not against this; I enjoy reading the thoughts of those brilliant minds and I am encouraged to live daily for my Lord. But I must admit, I'm often intimidated. I tend to be wordy when I write, though I'm always telling my students to be more concise. At the root of it, I'm afraid I'll be seen as mediocre. Not that it should matter; I don't live my life for others. Nor do I even write for them. I write because I enjoy it, and I know I can use it to glorify God. Even when I have nothing to say, words can be powerful.
Friday, February 17, 2006
Rain
It is raining.
And I don't just mean a light Bay Area sprinkle. No, it is absolutely pouring outside. And it's freezing. Like if you breathe in too deeply your lungs will turn to ice. I know that after making the walk to my car, I will be completely drenched for the drive home.
And yet...
I love it. I don't know if it has to do with the fact that I will always be a Pacific Northwest girl at heart, so the rain is comforting and reminds me of home. Or maybe I'm just looking for a good excuse to curl up on my overstuffed couch with a steaming cup of hot chocolate and a good book, with the shades wide open so I can better hear the raindrops on the windowpanes. Either way, it doesn't matter.
I am so thankful for the changes in weather. Having lived in California for the past 12 years, I have definitely acclimated to the sunshine, but the rain and clouds remind me that there are seasons of life. Not every day can be exactly like you planned it. I love being able to wear sundresses and drink lemonade in the summer, but without the winter, would I enjoy it as much? And without the scorching heat of August, would I still appreciate the winter rains? God knows so much more than we do. The fact that he controls how many drops of rain fall to the ground and how many gusts the wind is allowed to blow amazes me. What a powerful God we serve!
And I don't just mean a light Bay Area sprinkle. No, it is absolutely pouring outside. And it's freezing. Like if you breathe in too deeply your lungs will turn to ice. I know that after making the walk to my car, I will be completely drenched for the drive home.
And yet...
I love it. I don't know if it has to do with the fact that I will always be a Pacific Northwest girl at heart, so the rain is comforting and reminds me of home. Or maybe I'm just looking for a good excuse to curl up on my overstuffed couch with a steaming cup of hot chocolate and a good book, with the shades wide open so I can better hear the raindrops on the windowpanes. Either way, it doesn't matter.
I am so thankful for the changes in weather. Having lived in California for the past 12 years, I have definitely acclimated to the sunshine, but the rain and clouds remind me that there are seasons of life. Not every day can be exactly like you planned it. I love being able to wear sundresses and drink lemonade in the summer, but without the winter, would I enjoy it as much? And without the scorching heat of August, would I still appreciate the winter rains? God knows so much more than we do. The fact that he controls how many drops of rain fall to the ground and how many gusts the wind is allowed to blow amazes me. What a powerful God we serve!
Thursday, February 09, 2006
The Sixth Grade
There was an article in the paper the other day, in a sort of advice-column format, that addressed the upcoming holiday that those who are in love, LOVE, and those who aren't in love, pretend to hate. Yes, the almighty Valentine's Day. In this particular article, "Wondering in Wilmington" asked if the signs her guy friend was sending indicated that he was indeed interested in pursuing more than just a friendship with her. Since marrying my husband two and a half years ago, I no longer look for these signs, yet with so many single friends, I hear about them frequently. Because of this, I was intrigued by the answer to "Wondering." The columnist responded with dogged determination that when it comes to pursuing women, men never mature beyond the sixth grade. The same signs that a boy liked you back then, the teasing, the shoulder-punching, the stealing-of-the-notebook... they mean the same thing now that they did once upon a time. Apparently, the only difference is that by the time these men reach their 20s and 30s, they think that all their experience since the sixth grade has made them better at it.
Aside from the fact that I am lucky enough to be married to a man who is among the minority (you know, those who matured beyond junior high), I must admit that this made me chuckle. I can't count the times that friends have come to me asking, "Did your husband do (insert aforementioned sign here) to you before you started dating to show that he was interested?" because they have been the unfortunate recipients of a salt-instead-of-sugar prank.
I have 135 sixth graders pour into my classroom each day, and it is interesting to see them interact with one another. However, if what the newspaper columnist said is true, my job is going to mean more than just making sure they understand the difference between predicate nominatives and direct objects. I need to be sure that they understand that the world gives them little credit for who they can become. It is easy to be part of the status quo, especially when the expectations are so low. And I'm not just talking about the ways that the boys treat the girls when they like them... I mean the way their minds function when they interact with others in general. My hope is that by the end of the year they will have learned more than just grammar and literature and vocabulary...
I hope they will have learned to be seventh graders.
Aside from the fact that I am lucky enough to be married to a man who is among the minority (you know, those who matured beyond junior high), I must admit that this made me chuckle. I can't count the times that friends have come to me asking, "Did your husband do (insert aforementioned sign here) to you before you started dating to show that he was interested?" because they have been the unfortunate recipients of a salt-instead-of-sugar prank.
I have 135 sixth graders pour into my classroom each day, and it is interesting to see them interact with one another. However, if what the newspaper columnist said is true, my job is going to mean more than just making sure they understand the difference between predicate nominatives and direct objects. I need to be sure that they understand that the world gives them little credit for who they can become. It is easy to be part of the status quo, especially when the expectations are so low. And I'm not just talking about the ways that the boys treat the girls when they like them... I mean the way their minds function when they interact with others in general. My hope is that by the end of the year they will have learned more than just grammar and literature and vocabulary...
I hope they will have learned to be seventh graders.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)