Day 2-- Created to Give Life

...A peaceful, clean home :)



Yesterday was very productive and I am proud to say that I chugged along the day doing chores and paying bills with joy knowing that I am doing a work that will result in a fruitful produce! This morning I woke up to a clean home and was encouraged to know I had endured in my work, finishing the tasks I had made for myself.

                                            And today’s challenge is to become a life-giver!

“All women are life-givers… Life-giving is raising life above the level of mere existence.”

I think this challenge needs to be looked at with more depth as well.

First off, where do we get life?

Jesus tells us we get life from one source alone: Himself (John 14:6—‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.’) So our life comes from Christ’s sacrifice we celebrated on Sunday!

Secondly, how to we have it?

Since he now lives in us through the Spirit, he empowers us with this true life. We get it by relying on His work and sacrifice rather our own work. He depend on him for meaning and purpose that makes life make sense.

Thirdly, what do we do with it?

There are many ways! Once we realize where our life-giving is coming from, we can use it in:

• Our Words

• Our homes- decorating, meal prep, a peaceful atmosphere, hospitality, etc

• Education- our children, ourselves, and others

• Church—utilizing our gifts

• Socially— in our circles of friends, those we come in contact with, those we serve

• Heritage and traditions- enriching lives around us

“Who is woman? She is the redeemed life-giver, enlivened by the love of Christ and continuously renewed by Him as she nurtures others”—Barbara Mouser (Five aspects of a Woman)


As we get nearer daily to the time we will greet our little girl, I realize just how much I want to just give her life to the fullest, in our home and in Christ! I want her to have the most joy possible by realizing she has hope for the future when she puts her trust in Him who can be trusted.


My challenge today is to look around my home (sphere of influence—I like that! Haha) and see what I can bring to life for my family. Ironically, I have already started as I am building furniture! I have many plans for my home (as it will morph slowly into a personalized homey domain), but right now my focus is on the two places people will see most: our den and kitchen. I feel like making furniture that reflects our personalities and our preferences really makes our home feel like, well, home! Plus it has started to form in me a sense of hard work, endurance and appreciation.

Every time I work on my projects, I try to do it as carefully as possible with the resources I have been given, knowing that God took his time too and created something beautiful when He created us. It is a good simile to remember each time I pick up a project from where I left off. I can’t wait to tell my family about all God taught my heart through this trade!

Today I do have quite a busy day so I really need to get going and get into God’s word before it takes off on me!


Oh, an Andrew update: He was supposed to be in Singapore last night (just so you know, I told most of you all he was going to the Philippines when it instead is Singapore!), but because of maintenance issues, it only got to Kadena Air Base in Japan. I don’t know what the plan will be from here, but be praying that whatever happens, the crew gets safely to their next destination.


That’s all for today: Be blessed and may He be glorified in the way you give LIFE!



Day 1: Why do I want a clean house??

Messy, cluttered table...

..and even messier living room with a dirty dog who just tracked mulch and dirt all over the kitchen/living room after getting into our garden for the second time in the last two days...

...Sigh..

So why do I want a clean house?

Hmm.. Not intended to be a deep question, but let's look at that question in a more thought provoking angle.

(However, the pictures should be enough for you to wonder why I should even start contemplating such a simple question instead of cleaning my messy home!)

The challenge today was to think of WHY I clean my house and to make a mission statement with supportive bible verses to encourage me in this very undesirable task.

Here is what I came up with:

"To manage a place of peace and sanitation to better acutely tend my family's needs and not hesistate to invite guests into our home; to form a sense of diligence and build up endurance by creating a sense of belonging in the work of creating a 'home' in our military lifestyle; and finally, strengthening  my ability to be content and grateful in any circumstance, thus filling my heart with joy, a deeper sense of purpose, and greater ambition."

The verses I used to support my mission statement are Phillipians 4:11-13, Proverbs 31 and Titus 2:4-5.


I am not only excited about getting to work this morning, but encouraged that I am doing this with a purpose that is deeper than just sanitizing my living place for the second time this week (though that is enough of a reason to get me going!).

Looking forward to praying more about this throughout the day!

Until then, time to get to work in the kitchen before Andrew gets on Skype to chat a while from Japan.

"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know howto abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret to facing plenty, hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." --Phil. 3:11-13

The 31 Day challenge

Happy ACTUAL Easter day!

I hope your day has been encouraging as you celebrate our freedom in Christ!

And yes….. my blog is going through an OBVIOUS identity crisis! HA!

However, I am going to stop piddling around and leave it like this for a while (love it or not). I have other things I need to devote my time instead of my blog look—how superficial!! ;)

“Look carefully to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16

That is what I intend to do—starting this week! I have talked about evaluating my life to see how this will later affect the way I parent or even TEACH my children by the example I set, but it is time to get to work! Yet the main question remains: where to start??

First, an observation of myself:

* I work around the house a lot, and I get fussy when things look out of sorts/unclean.

* Though I have a good work ethic, I am a very poor endurance runner without someone/something keeping me accountable.

* My time management skills are not very good (even though I plan a lot!).

* I am a sucker for trends—not fashionably speaking (and those who know how I dress can testify truth to that statement!), but organizational/diets/exercise/etc.

* Very ADD with a special touch of perfectionism, based on a visionary goal (which is most of the time is very unrealistic!).

There is the first part… And it looks as if I need a lot of help! ... HELP!!

And praise the Lord! I think I found something to motivate/help: How about a challenge in the form of a devotional? I LOVE IT!

For the next 31 days, I will be taking the challenge. I found a book called 31 days to Clean: Having a Mary house in a Mary way” by Sarah Mae. Here is a description of what it is about:

“31 Days to Clean is about the “why” and the vision and the heart for taking care of our domains. Each day I encourage you with some thoughts and ideas, and then we put those ideas to action.

After each days reading, you will be given two challenges:

• The Mary Challenge -Something you do that encourages/engages your heart

• The Martha Challenge – Specific cleaning tasks”

–a book summary 

There is a group challenge taking place on a blog called “Joyful Mothering” and on Twitter (I will probably review the chapters during the challenge, but since I probably won’t be able to go the full 31 days in May, due to deployments and traveling, I am going to start tomorrow).

I really do look forward to what I will learn about my life in these next 31 days and how to use my days to God’s joy rather my own petty, unidirectional attempts! I know it will serve not only my own soul, but my husbands, the relationships around me and my soon-to-be little girl. What a motivation!

Pray for me to endure this challenge (I will be blogging a bit more just to keep myself focused since I don’t have my wonderful hubbie around for the time being).

Speaking of clean, time to go clean my dirty puppy....

... Sigh....

..But gotta love him, huh?

 
Until tomorrow,


Blessings!



Happy Easter (A day early) !!

Yes Indeed! I know I am posting this a day early, but my Andrew leaves for a week long trip tomorrow (his FIRST trip! EH! I have so many mixed emotions about it-- mostly good emotions thought!) and I thought we could just celebrate a day early!

Thus, we are celebrating with a couple of new traditions and a little fun :)

Like the Easter eggs with verses and visuals (I didnt have time to search out all of the visuals but next year, I will fulfill that last part!). Each egg has a verse that leads up to the resurrection (where the last egg is left empty to symbolize He has RISEN!). I thought it was a great family tradition to start that my family did when I was younger. Next year, I might hide the eggs or just have them opened every evening at dinner time....So much potential!

 And I really had fun with making a meaningful centerpiece for our dinig table as well. I have enjoyed having the symbols of spring and life in the place Andrew I go most often-- the kitchen!!

 Here is my pretty Easter Lily! Yes, I paid WAY too much for it, and my husband is suffering from the pollen you can see is hanging from it, but I personally have enjoyed these beautiful flowers!!

 As always, we have Easter baskets! I made this one for Andrew (and Eli!):

 I found this cheap little chick at Walmart... and I couldnt resist!

 The booties were to remind him that we have a special treasure from God on the way. He said he was going to take them on the trip just to remind him to pray for our little girl while he was away. I am really glad he is!

 Love this card (thanks Dad and Mom!)-- it really reminded us each time we were at the sink what this week is all about.

 Here are the contents of the basket:

...Lots of chocolate eggs and yummy sweets....

 ...a pretty tissue flower...

 And a jar of Easter S'mores, just awaiting to be made!! MMM...

 Ok, so here is how you make your own (these make great gifst as well!) :


1. Crush 1 sleeve of graham crackers into crumbs & dump into the bottom of a canning jar.


2. Place your Peeps (or bunny-mallows since I hate Peeps!) in the jar – against the side.

3. In the center of the Peeps/Marshmellows place 1/3 cup of brown sugar. Then place 1 1/4 cup of M&Ms/Hersey chocolate eggs on top & you’re almost done!


4. Print off the sheet of how to make your Yummy Easter S'mores and include as a gift tag on your jar.

Like this:

Here is the gift label I designed you can print out and use for the baking instructions:

 I also had some spare time to make my hubbie a scrapbook card. He really enjoyed it!

(I hope I have time to do this again someday!!)

 Last, but not least, we celebrated with a Easter brunch!

Carrot cake muffins



 Eggs
 (that have Lecithin all over them from the cast iron skillet-- o brother. I will get this down someday!),
 an orange,
and yogurt with strawberries!!

Eli really enjoyed his treat as well:

 Yes, he LOVES his chick-a-dee!!

 Ok, tips for making these S'mores:


1. REALLY distribute your Mellows and chocolates. If not, you will just end up with a sugary mess instead of a marshmellow square!


2. Consider using foil or really greasing your pan down well to you can get the S'mores OFF the pan! (As you can tell from the snapshot, I could have used these tips. LIVE and LEARN!)

ANYWAYS, that is our Easter adventure thus far! Andrew has been packing for his trip during this time, but he is preparing our bikes for a ride later tonight after we get out of our movie (we are going to the Bear's Tooth for "The King's Speech"). The best part about this fun little gig is they serve dinner WITH the movie! It will be very interesting, but I am just excited to spend some time with my hubbie before he leaves.

Speaking of which, I have got to go help him! I will write more about the week and all God has been teaching me after he leaves, but until then, I will leave you with a note my husband's grandfather sent his family. I thought it was very thought provoking and encouraging (more tips/thoughts for our child training!). Enjoy and Happy Easter!

A few thoughts as I sat in front of the cross this early morning,

Are we really connected as a people, are we dedicated to serving each other as Christ has served us. Yesterday was Maundy Thursday and as we washed each other’s feet, I wondered why Jesus preformed this loving act on his disciples. What was his purpose, why was this done as he prepared himself for his impending suffering and death? He was scolded by Peter, who said to Jesus, “I will not allow you to wash my feet, but I shall wash yours.” Jesus admonished Peter and said “If you do not let me wash your feet, you cannot follow me.” Then Jesus washed all his disciple’s feet. He excluded no one, nor did he wash one’s foot better than the next.

I wonder if that offer would be made today in our competitive unconnected society, how it would be received? Would we scramble to see who could be first, or would we help the poor, the afflicted, and the less fortunate to the basin before we insisted that our feet be washed? Would we be concerned about how our feet looked before we dare show them to Jesus? Would we offer to wash someone’s feet to help handle the crowd?

We learn our competitiveness at an early age. When we were quite young and played organized team games, very little attention was paid to the less athletic players on our team, score was kept so we would know who won and how many times have you asked your children, after a game WHO WON? In school we competed for grades, attention from our teachers and professors, acceptance from our peers, being too fat, to skinny, having a hooked nose, wearing glasses to see, to short, to tall, ad-infinitum. Then we grow up and we compete in the market place for just the right job, or we are forced into a position of toil without an opportunity for growth. We must outwork the next guy if we want to get ahead, and forget the consequences to family, God, ourselves in the process. Can you imagine the corporate executive that would inform his board and stockholders that we shall forgo a profit this year because we have a few feet to wash that belong to our neighbors? Better yet, could you imagine a group of stockholders deciding to forgo a dividend this year because in doing so they can solve the hunger problem in East Africa. Would we complain that their leaders will just steal the money? Could we skip the new car this year and help the less fortunate realize just one of their dreams?

I think this is what Jesus is calling us to do. We must have a new awareness of each other and our needs. We must be willing to be available to one another, to build each other up, to sharpen each other so we may serve as He intend us to serve. This life is not a competition; we cannot earn Christ’s love. He already loves us in ways we cannot understand. His love is perfect, He extols us to love him with our whole heart, mind, and soul, and our neighbor as ourselves. Let us greet Him on Easter Sunday as He rises with a new determination to serve. Let us pick up the towel and the basin.

Bob



How will your pet respond to a crying baby??

Have you ever wondered how your pet will react to the new little baby you will bring home??

I have. Never really worried about it, but I have always wondered how Eli is going to react to tiny socks and screaming babies (we have already witnessed how he reacted to the toys after he got a hold of Alyssa's-- the little girl I used to babysit--stuffed unicorn and little plastic toys... lets just say, torn to pieces!). Thus, I decided to try something one of the girls from my pregnancy class suggested: let Eli hear a screaming newborn baby!

And without further delay, here is a hilarious clip of Eli in reaction to a YouTube video of a crying baby:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sqWMmfs8Xo

As you might have guessed, I am not wondering anymore. Nor am I worried. Just merely entertained!

I have more to write about... but since this post took so long, it might have to wait a couple of days.

Until then, happy Friday!

The Latest: Hikes, Cars and Yummy Salmon!!!

Well good morning world (in Alaska world that is)!

Yes, I changed my blog’s look once again (as much as I loved the last one, it was just SLIGHTLY too colorful for us—but since we ARE having a girl, I left some girlie touches!)

Oh, this is a brag post for Andrew as well: Our latest salmon! MMM!!! 

This one was a deliciously made cedar plank salmon (for the recipe, go to food network and look up cedar plank salmon). This was his pride and joy, and the best part was we got to share it over a meal with friends! So much fun—great conversation and good food: does it get any better than that??

Onwards!

The week has begun, but before I start on what I have this week thus far, I wanted to share some weekend goodies with you: our latest hike!

After church on Sunday, we drove to a place called Aleyska. It’s a popular area for those who just want to get away from Anchorage once in a while and enjoy skiing, good food and ritzy hotel (it kind of reminds me of Townsend TN a bit with all the bike riding trails we found there and the amazing scenic beauty that surrounded us—except instead of TN rednecks, you have AK hippies. But I’m not complaining: at least hippies make good coffee! Haha!)


Our plan was to hike a trail that would lead us to a hand tram (a little basket you get in and pull yourself over to the other side in; very neat!). So after exploring the resort a bit, we got directions to the trail and headed out. The trail was VERY icy and almost dangerous (thus, take the advice of the hiking books and go at the recommended times in the summer months! This was crazy!), but we were absolutely determined to get to that hand tram!

 The hand tram!!

Well, three miles later we got to it… and someone had severed the rope!!! Punks L

We were so disappointed. At least we brought a little cheer me up in the form of pretzel M&Ms! (Thanks mom and dad! We have cleaned them off—they were DELICIOUS!!). Afterwards, we hiked back with the goal to hike it again soon…. Once the ice melts away that is! 

We also changed our tires out for the summer months (I guess it’s a law here to have them off by May 1^st). I had brought Eli for a walk, but when I got back, I ended up helping Andrew with the last tire a bit. So I put him in the car, haha!

Hello up there Eli!! (Let’s just say he was ready to be lowered off of those jacks and get out of the car once we were done! What a funny pup).

Andrew and I have also been super convicted lately of the way we do life. It’s not like we do anything bad or our lifestyle is sinful, but you start to think about how you do life a little more when you have a little one on the way. You want to raise them right and do what is best for them. You want to train and discipline them in the way of the Lord and see their lives blossom in the joy as God intended them to! Yet how do you do that when your own life is not consistent in the way you want to lead them? How do the blind lead the blind (Luke 6:39)? Thus, this week, I have been praying God open my eyes to the way we DO life and how certain things in our life (whether its diet, sweets, poorly managing time, being distracted, not intentional in our marriage, etc). The more I contemplate these train of thoughts, the more I will ask you what you think or what you would suggest to us soon-to-be parents, because we need ALL the advice we can get!

Well, time to take my other responsibility on a walk ;)

But today, I will be in a more cautious mode than I have on our last walks:

Be praying for us! HAHA!

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Therefore, no fear, only prayer and discernment. This is my new life afterall!!

Until next time….