Jill of Most Trades: Blog

Attention Orlando Moms

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 02:28:25 GMT

I received an email today about a unique consignment concept that Orlando moms have the chance to participate in. Boutique for a Week is similar to traditional consignment except that it's a temporary shop with a somewhat higher return. From the BfoW website:

At Boutique for a Week:

You earn 2/3 of the selling price of every item you consign.
Hundreds of shoppers look at your items in a week’s time.
Boutique for a Week takes care of the all the advertising – TV, Newsprint, Radio, Community Updates, Children’s Publications, etc.
You set the price of your items.
Shoppers enjoy a climate controlled environment.
At the end of the week, when the sale is done, you pick up your check

I am hoping to participate in the Boutique scheduled for the end of October. It would be great to do it with some friends. Take some time now to get familiar with the concept and the process. Some of it seems a little complicated on paper, but I think the application of it will work great. Let me know what you think!!

Thanks to Virginia Knowles for the tip!!

Technorati Tags: reasale,Orlando,consignment,children

Olympic Dreams

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 01:51:50 GMT

Of course The Olympic Games pretty much steal the spotlight right now. Randy Alcorn has a terrific post about the conflict between supporting the Olympics generally and disdaining China's human rights record. I always find his perspectives to be balances and Biblical.

In our own Olympic news, the kids are loving The Games. Jason was running sprints in the back yard today. And they have been pretty impressed with gymnasts so we figured it wouldn't be too early to start them training for the 2020 Olympic team.

They actually might be more likely to go out for cycling. Family bike rides are turning into The Big Thing around here. Here are 3/4 of us getting ready to for an evening ride.

Don't you love the pink??

Technorati Tags: Olympics,bicycles,kids,gymastics

Problem

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:13:56 GMT

Is is a problem if I open Google Reader and have +200 unread articles?

Technorati Tags: blogs,busy,reading

Timely conviction

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 15:19:16 GMT

I get a daily email from The Generous Wife. It contains "ideas geared to bless your husband (a mix of practical, romantic/sexual and spiritual). [The author suggests you] use the ideas that will work for you and use the rest to spark your imagination in looking for ways to bless your husband." This morning's suggestion was very timely. Some excerpts:

"I see a disturbing lack of compassion in marriages, and it seems to be getting worse over time. A total lack of compassion will kill a marriage very quickly, but even a minor lack of compassion will cause significant damage over time. In fact, having compassion but not enough, or only having it some of the time, is destructive.
Some folks are just lacking in compassion, but much of the time a lack of compassion is a side effect of some other issue. When we are stressed, tired, worried, hurried or otherwise not at our best it is far more difficult to care, to show compassion.... Figure out the the reason, and then deal with that reason.
...It's hard to care about others when you are tired and overworked... The solution starts with healthy self care, then moves through to some very hard thinking about priorities and ends in some very hard choices about time use. We can not do it all. We must simplify our lives so that we have the time and energy to care about those around us and do the things in life that are really the most important to us.
If you want to be compassionate and caring toward your husband (and others), you have to shape your life so that you have the personal/emotional energy and the time to do so. It's likely to mean some very tough choices.
Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired. Mother Teresa"

Wow. Like I said, Timely. This morning I am wiped out. Yesterday I got up super early (for me) to celebrate a friends birthday over pancakes at Bob Evans and then spent the morning on the garage sale circuit. The whole day was packed (with good things) and ended LATE after a movie-in-the-park with some girlfriends and the kids. Since Joel was gone for the evening at a birthday party, I put the kids in bed, caught up on some emails and then at 12:00 sat down with a fascinating book. Sometime after 1:00 AM I finally pulled myself off the couch and stumbled back to bed. And the result this morning: A groggy momma who can't manage, let alone love or train, her children very effectively. That makes for a grumpy momma who doesn't end up being a very good wife later in the day.

Hmm... "When we are stressed, tired, worried, hurried or otherwise not at our best it is far more difficult to care, to show compassion... The solution starts with healthy self care, then moves through to some very hard thinking about priorities and ends in some very hard choices about time use. We can not do it all."

For me, this mostly means going to bed EARLIER. Which means giving up some reading or browsing or TV. Those are hard to give up. I suppose those things can be worked in at other times, but
1) if being the wife my husband needs is my first priority after my relationship with God, and
2) that depends on me having the energy to properly manage and train our children (and keep our house in reasonable shape - not my strong point) then
3) I need to prioritize sleep appropriately.

"It's likely to mean some very tough choices."

Timely.

Technorati Tags: Marriage,generous wife,parenting,sleep,Joel,reading,priorities,conviction

A few thoughts on Thriftiness

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:01:11 GMT

I really appreciated my friend Sarah's thoughts on Doing without. So I'm thinking more about using what I have instead of just running to the store all the time.

I have been using The Grocery Game off and on for well over a year. There has been some reduction in our overall grocery budget, but I'm not sure how much comes from the TGG savings (on stuff that I *might* not normally buy) or from the fact that TGG provides a list for me to shop from (and you tend to spend less when you have a list). Overall I am trying to be more intentional with our groceries.

The Sentinel has had a good series on cutting your food budget and I have been trying to apply some of their suggestions along with practicing Sarah's challenge to just use what I have in the pantry (always cheaper to use what you have instead of buying something new). Also in an effort to better understand and pay attention to the cost of groceries, I started writing the unit price with a magic marker on a number of groceries (especially the jumbo size things of PB or cheese that I buy at Costco). I want to see if that helps me grasp our food budget better.

I am REALLY looking forward to the opening of our very own local Aldi grocery this fall. Can't wait to see what sort of saving that brings. Might totally reorient my grocery plan!

On a somewhat related note, I read last night that US households contain, on average, 52 unused or unnecessary items worth an average of $3100. That's about $60 per item (not $600 with which my faulty initial read of $31000 equated!) which is no shabby number. I could do a lot with an extra $3100 and would love the extra space that comes with clearing out stuff. Even before I read that statistic, I started posting some of our miscellaneous stuff on our local Craigslist and I'm loving the results!! Since Friday, we've sold a mattress set, 2 bed frames, a trolling motor and a kids train/play table through Craigslist. Love the new space! Love the extra cash!

Of course there are many more thrifty ideas to discuss but I only intended this to be a brain dump of some of the particular ideas bumping around in my brain today. I've been reading a few other sites that have some thrifty tips which you may find helpful:

http://motherhood-moment.blogspot.com/
http://www.debtproofliving.com/
http://www.moneyrulesdebtstinks.com/
http://bargainshopperlady.com/
http://www.thriftymommy.com/

Have fun saving!

Technorati Tags: thrifty,grocery,craigslist,aldi,links

Miscellaneous

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:08:07 GMT

In the vein of being faithful with little things... (that actually aren't very little)...

Nothing boosts my faith like seeing (or reading) about others who's faith is tested and they continue to trust the Author and Perfector of our faith. My friend Emily is one such example as her family faces many difficult circumstances through her son Grant's illness. I don't even know how to explain his situation. All I can say is, RUN, DON'T WALK - metaphorically :) - to their site!!!

I've been thinking a lot about Chinese Believers, especially in light of the upcoming Olympic Games. Our connect group spent a little time this week learning more about their situation and praying for the Church in China. "The Voice of the Martyrs, in partnership with China Aid Associates, has accepted that call and has produced the Olympic Prayer Band. We would like to invite you to request one to wear during the Olympics. Similar prayer bands will also be distributed to house church Christians in China and they will be praying for you as well." I will be placing an order for these probably with in the week. If you live in the Orlando area and want to wear a band during the Olympics, let me know ASAP so I can order one for you too. This is a very important topic that I would like to write more about soon. In the mean time, here are a few helpful links for more information:

http://www.persecution.com
http://operationworld.org
http://www.hrw.org
http://www.christianpersecution.info
http://www.amnesty.org

Finally, our pastor started a new series last week titled "Bread" about finding our nourishment in the Word. This weeks study guide has focused on John 6:1-15, 25-58 and boy, has it been good. Among other things, Isaac encouraged us to read the passage in several different versions and The Message version really spoke to me. Perhaps I'll write more on it later, but I just wanted to encourage you to check that out.

Well, I'm off to Closing Ceremonies for VBS. My kids have been loving the fun activities and songs that help them learn the truth about Jesus more and more. And the break for me has been wonderful too.

Technorati Tags: Summit,persecutuion,VBS,faith,Deglers,China,olympics

Dilemma

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 02:47:23 GMT

Cora comes around the corner with a somewhat guilty look on her face and a pair of scissors in her hand. My mind instantly recalls the begging from yesterday (and every time "the boys" get their hair cut) that led to me cut her bangs.

Do I even need to go any further with this???

"Mommy, I wasn't cutting my hair, I was...", she trails off.

Hmm, what would be a good alibi??

She did receive discipline for lying to Mommy. But I had a hard time keeping a straight face. She actually did a pretty good job. I know some pretty trendy teens with a similar cut. Not that I'm ready for my baby to be trendy, but it's better than it could have been...

Technorati Tags: Cora,hair cut,discipline,trendy

Today, Happiness Is…

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:33:16 GMT

Rules of this tag: Share five things in your life that make you happy! Go back and link your post on The Bargain Shopper Lady’s blog, even if she was not the friend who tagged you! After you are finished, tag five more friends! Let’s see how many moms we can get to participate!

Eating home made ice cream straight out of the bucket with my kids in the middle of the morning.
Finding hand written letters in my mailbox
Learning to be faithful with little things
Discovering obscure treasures at garage sales
Reading to my children as they drift to sleep (Sleep? Right - who am I kidding!?!) the beautiful lines that Pa sang to his girls By The Shores of Silver Lake:

It is not much the world can give
With all its subtle art;
And gold and gems are not the things
To satisfy the heart;
But Oh, if those who cluster round
The alter and the hearth
Have gentle words and loving smiles
How beautiful the earth

I am tagging Mary, Lauren, Anne, Grateful Heart, and Virginia.

REALLY?

Sun, 25 May 2008 03:30:44 GMT

Has it REALLY been 5 months since I posted anything here??? Wow. I am SUCH a slacker. No, I really am. Almost everyday, things happen that I think about writing about here. And do I do it? No.

So, now what? Should I even continue with this page?

Facebook is a problem. Most of my Internet communication happens there for several reasons. Most of my friends are there. And it offers a great platform for keeping up with the pictures, articles and events that your friends post. It's easy to comment on each other's items. Which provides instant affirmation and connection with your "readers". Not something I often get with items posted here. It seems like everybody has Facebook. But fewer people seem to have the log-in necessary to post comments on this site. So I end up missing out on the comments and interaction if I only post something here. It seems redundant to post pictures in both places. But if I don't post something here, my (few) non-facebook friends miss out. Also, even though fb has a feature for importing blog content (say from here to there so I don't have to double post) the formatting always gets messed up and I don't like the way it looks. Who knows maybe that's been fixed since the last time I posted something, oh 5 months ago. Guess we'll see in a minute, won't we?

Other factors. Joel is working mostly from home now. Which is great most of the time. But if I come into our office where he is working, to try to do something on the computer, the kids inevitably follow me in and end up disrupting his work time. Can't have that happen, so I rarely have extended time at the computer. Not that I was writing tons of posts before he was working at home this much, but the change in my available computer time has had an affect on the number of blog posts that I put out.

Another thing. In preparation for homeschooling, I got the idea to try to keep a record page/ blog of what we've been doing, just for my own personal accountability. Not for public consumption. So far that hasn't been going so hot. But it's something that's going to take away from blogging here. Hmm.

Let's see. There are probably more reasons I rarely post here. But I can't think of them now. It seems like the conflict with facebook is a major factor at this point. I'd love to hear some feedback from you on this!! Should I continue this? Are there people who read this who don't use facebook? Is there a reason you're not on facebook (other than being a nonconformist)? Just kidding.

Not sure what to do.

1 Corinthians 13 For Christmas

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:59:49 GMT

An interesting adaptation of 1 Corinthians 13 for Christmas. Enjoy.

If I speak in the tongues of Christmas materialism and greed but have not love, I am only a tinny Christmas song or an out-of-tune choir.

If I have the gift of knowing what Aunt Agatha will give me this year and can even understand last year's present, and if I have the faith that I won't get yet more socks and ties this year but have not love, I am nothing.

If I clear out the house and give everything to charity and my credit cards are snapped in half but have not love, what can I possibly gain?

Love is patient when the fourth store you've tried doesn't have a bottle garden.

Love is kind and lets the couple with only a few items go in front of you and your bulging shopping cart.

Love does not envy your friend who gets mega-presents from everybody.

Love does not boast about the expensive bike, the PlayStation 3, the TV, VCR, and computer your dad gave you.

Love does not attempt to out-buy, out-wrap, and out-give the rest of the family just to impress.

Love doesn't cut Aunt Flo off your Christmas card list because she forgot you last year.

Love is not self-seeking and leaves a copy of your Christmas list in every room of the house.

Love is not easily angered when the young girl at the checkout takes forever because she is just temporary staff.

Love doesn't keep remembering how many times your mom forgets you don't like Brussels sprouts.

Love does not delight in the commercial bandwagon but rejoices with the truth of a baby born in the stable.

Love always protects the family from Christmas hype.

Love always trusts that the hiding places for presents will remain secret for another year.

Love always hopes that this year more neighbors will drop in to your open house coffee morning.

Love always perseveres until the cards are written, the presents all bought, the shopping done, and the Christmas cake iced.

Toys may break, socks wear thin, but love never fails.

Where there is the feeling of the presents to guess their contents, and Mom going on about being good so Father Christmas will come, and searching through the cupboards to find your hidden presents, they will all stop.

For we think we know what we are getting, and we hope we know what we are getting, but when Christmas Day arrives, all will be revealed.

When I was a child, I talked with big wide-open eyes about Christmas, I thought that Christmas was all about me, I reasoned that Jesus should have been born more often. When I became an adult, I forgot the joy, wonder, and excitement of this special time.

Now we just hear about the angels, shepherds, and wise men; then we shall see them all the time. Now I know as much as the Bible says about the first Christmas; then I shall know just how many wise men there were and where they came from.

Now three things remain to be done:

- To have faith that the baby born in a stable is the Son of God.

- To hope that the true message of Christmas will not get discarded with the wrapping paper and unwanted gifts.

- And the most important, to have a love for others like the one that God has for us.

Permission is granted to send this to others, but not for commercial purposes.

(Minor edits by GCFL.net)

Where I'm at

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 03:13:41 GMT

Listening to tonight: Anchored in Love: A Tribute to June Carter Cash

ToDo tonight:

finish supper dishes
keep sorting toys on the patio
catch up on Advent posts at our family site.
go to bed early and try to kick this sore throat
figure out what to put in the Advent box to illustrate icing cookies and drinking eggnog

ToDo soon:

write our end of the year letter
finish my list of 8 prayer requests for 2008
Call/write a few dear friends
get to the bottom of the pile on my desk

Recently acquired books that I have no idea when I'll read:

Books I am actually reading right now:

Technorati Tags: lists,books,ToDo

Rannebarger Blog Back in Business

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 21:58:50 GMT

Just a quick note to let you know that I have resumed blogging at www.rannebarger.net and wanted to invite you to follow along on our Advent Adventure. Experience tells me not to promise a daily post, but since I do have an easy (and daily) subject, that is my goal for the month of December. I also have a bunch of pics to post from our 2007 Stockdale Thanksgiving gathering in MO. You can look forward to those too.

And I look forward to your comments on anything on our site. Who doesn’t love feedback on their stuff?!?!

Technorati Tags: Blogging

Something

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 05:21:51 GMT

After so many months of nothing here, I just have to put up Something.

This is probably not the best evening for me to resume blogging. I feel tired (up late last night stalking Tupperware on eBay), ineffective (relatively trashed house), frustrated with the kids (what's with the YEAR of potty training?), overwhelmed by the Christmastime to-dos (The kids just don't get this - Is it Christmas yet or isn't it???) and rather worthless. Just so you know.

Since the minute I posted my last blog entry I have been composing new entries in my head. Some really challenging, heart warming, insightful stuff. But you haven't seen any of it. What a slacker I am. Yes, I know I have two kids and all that. But is many ways, it all boils down to me just being a slacker.

Ooooohh. Galatians 6 comes to mind. Yes, Dad, I know the New Living Translation is the unauthorized version, but the Lord keeps using it in my life. Like right now.

4) Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5) For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

Ya. Need to meditate on this some more.

And I need to go to bed. Tomorrow will be no different if I don't get the rest I need. See you soon.

I hope.

Women Worth Reading

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 02:35:47 GMT

I just have to highlight two women who's blogs are well worth reading.

MotherMary is a pastor's wife in Minnesota who recently endured the year-long treatment for Hep-C. Her blog is a great mix of random personal stuff and really-basic-but-profound truth that God is teaching her. The style can be a little jittery but I am continually challenged by her humble heart. Recent fantastic posts include thoughts on Psalm 142:5 and a tribute to Ruth Bell Graham.

You know when the title of her blog is "And I shall yet praise Him" that there is a depth of faith in Carol Feistel's soul. She and her husband Malcom were missionaries for some time in Taiwan. I stumbled across their blog just as Malcom was entering his last days on earth before passing into the presence of his Lord Jesus Christ June 22, 2006. Her writing since that time has been a tremendous example of fidelity of faith ("faith toughened by testing"). I am at a loss to express how much her faith has challenged my heart. Recent fantastic posts include Submission and Words of song to fill my heart.

It's so easy to get sucked into the zillion interesting (and gazillion worthless) blogs out there. It has been good for me to pare down the material I read. These two heroes of the faith are going to be staying on my permanent blogroll.

May I follow in their faithful footsteps.

Sexuality and Spirituality - So What?

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 04:08:26 GMT

One of my favorite bloggers is an acquaintance who lives in Amsterdam. I say acquaintance because we've probably only met once or twice. But there are some similarities, and reading someone's blog can make you feel like you really know them. For instance, we're the same age and each have a firstborn son and a #2 daughter. Our father's have pastored churches and church planting is in our blood. All that aside, the thing I have appreciated most about Eric's writing is how graciously and frequently he shares Truth: uncompromising truth from the God's Word in accessible, compassionate language for the world I live in.

Most recently he dove into a sticky subject with a series titled Sexuality and Spirituality. I urge you to take some time to read through the seven posts and digest what he brings to light. In someway, nothing new, but something about the way he put it all together made me want shout out 'This is it!' Read his closing challenge:

"When the people of Communist countries renounce the god of their culture -- namely, the government -- in favor of the true God of the Bible, we cheer them on. Even in the eyes of the secular West, these people who are willing to go against the flow are appreciated. We cast them as heroes, freedom fighters, and martyrs... When the people of Muslim countries renounce the god of their culture -- namely, Allah -- in favor of the true God of the Bible, we cheer them on. Perhaps it's not quite as politically-correct to pit Islam against the other major faith systems of the world. But again, even in the eyes of the secular West, there is an implicit affirmation and appreciation of those willing to diffuse dogma and swim upstream against their culture. We cast them as free-thinkers, true seekers, and martyrs... So why should it be any different for people in the West who renounce the god of our culture -- namely, love, sex, and romance -- in favor of the true God of the Bible?"

I would love to hear what you think about Eric's series.

One Giant Step

Thu, 10 May 2007 20:34:32 GMT

One of the things I really enjoy is reading to the kids some of the books I read as a child. Recently I was reminded of Kenneth N. Taylor's fantastic books for children and requested them from our library. The colored pencil illustrations and short lessons in rhyme with accompanying questions, prayer and Bible verse are perfect reading for the many sessions of potty-sitting that have been happening at our house during Corrie's training. Which are numerous and never ending. But I digress.

Today we were reading GIANT STEPS for little people and found immediate application for the following page:

God wants you to share with others/ All he's given you./ So give your money cheerfully,/ And share your playthings too.

Store treasures in heaven where they will never lose their value, and are safe from thieves. Matthew 6:20

The illustration showed boys and girls and teddy bears bringing cans and boxes for a food drive. Several kids are helping stack and prepare the food to be given to children who are hungry. I took the opportunity to share how some children don't have enough to eat and they are hungry when they go to bed. One of the ways we show our love for God is by helping others. (Thanks, Boz!)

I asked the kids if they would like to share some of our food with kids who might be hungry and Jason got very excited. He quickly went to put on his shoes so we could take our food to a boy just like him. My heart just melted. I tried not to be too teary as I showed him the flyer we received yesterday from the National Association of Letter Carriers.

This Saturday, May 12, is their Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. You simply place some non-perishable food items in a bag and place it by your mail box. Your letter carrier will pick it up and deliver it to local food banks. I told the kids that we could fill up a plastic bag with food and our mail carrier would take it to the boys and girls who don't have enough. We went over to the pantry to select items for out bag.

Like many families, not only do we have our regular kitchen pantry filled with food, but we also have a spare pantry with a variety of items tucked away, perhaps purchased 2-for-1 or in a multi-pack at Sam's Club. Our spare pantry is full with everything from extra boxes of cereal to cans of soup. And not just the basics either, but yummy sweet-treats too. And here lay the real lesson. As Jason stood on the step stool to peer into the pantry and select some items for the bag, his little heart, like all hearts, began to reconsider.

"Mom, we can give them this (a soup that he really doesn't like) but not this (a particularly sugary treat)."

Ah ha. Sacrifice that costs us something personally is not as easy as giving away our cast-offs. I guess that's why it's a called a sacrifice. I had a good opportunity to talk with Jason about how it pleases the Lord to give not only of the excess of our lives, but of the things that are most dear to us. Sugar, in his case. I think he understood a little when we looked through the pantry again and I helped him to choose a few of his favorite things for a boy just like him, who would be so excited to open a bag and find those very same items.

As I write I am reminded of the things our pastor shared on Sunday. He talked about David exemplifying holiness in his own life, even after the Lord rejected his offer to build a permanent home for Him. (David's son Solomon was chosen by God for that task.) Instead of sitting on his laurels, David led his people in providing the resources for his son to use, not only from the national treasury but from his own personal stores. He then invites the people to participate with him: "Who is willing to consecrate himself to the Lord?"

David understood that a sacrifice that cost him nothing was worthless. The benefit of true sacrifice is not merely the satisfaction of some legalistic decree, but the acknowledgement of a very basic truth: where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Hopefully Jason got a little taste of what this means in his almost-4-year-old world.

And that is one giant step.

Family update

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 04:25:46 GMT

Visit our family site for new pictures and a update (finally) on Rannebarger-life.

See you there!

New Life Campus Fellowship at VTech in the news

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 20:56:40 GMT

One Pastor's Prayer Vigil

Pastor: Words to Comfort Families Would Be 'Trite'

New Life Campus Fellowship

see also: The [nlcf] Manifesto

Thanks to those praying for [nlcf] and the campus. Please post public encouragement, prayers, or condolences here

Virginia Tech

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 22:50:32 GMT

Please pray for the believers at New Life Campus Fellowship to experience and share the grace of our Creator at this time.

Also, thanks to JR Woodward for the heads up that Jim Pace, NLCF pastor, will be appearing on Larry King Live TONIGHT, Monday, April 16, 2007 at 9:00 PM EST.

5 Links

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 21:24:38 GMT

I am forever adding links to my favorites as a way to remember to read through them more thoroughly. Some are for my personal encouragement, others basic resources, and some are just quirky items of interest. In an attempt to clean out some of the 89 "favorites" listed in my "new" folder, I will list an assortment here for your perusal.

Come to think of it, having 89 "favorites" seems a little like an oxymoron.

Moron.

MotherMary writes one of my favorite blogs. Nothing fancy, Xanga at that. She has been battling Hep C for the past year or so, enduring the treatment meds with humility, grace, and wisdom. I have so much to learn from her. Several times recently she has mentioned how much she has been blessed by the songs from Hillsong United. I need to listen to these more.
I love putzing around with genealogy stuff and have found this dictionary helpful for translating things from Czech (for info related to my paternal grandmother's Bohemian ancestors.)
In that vein, one of these clays I want to get back to the William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum in Canton, OH which houses several items owned by my great-great-grandfather, Charles Fiala, who was President McKinley's band leader during his campaign.
An interesting article on Whole Foods. I'm trying to figure out where I stand with the whole organic issues. And other food related trends too. Too much to process right this moment.
A helpful website for questions and info relating to tropical plants, which includes most houseplants and landscape plants here in Orlando.

Distinguishing

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 18:42:32 GMT

I am frequently torn in how to perceive American Christianity. Watching my parents spend their lives on the mission field of Poland calls me to no longer consider myself an American Christian but just a Christian. And then this, from a critique of Douglas Sweeney's The American Evangelical Story:

"But when evangelicalism began reaching out from its American context, Sweeney argues that the movement lost some of its integrity in translation: "Many patriotic Christians who loved the American way of life-and who prided themselves on the blessings of their nation's 'righteous empire'- often neglected the crucial task of distinguishing biblical Christianity from the rest of American culture."

God, I believe You ordained that America would be my birthplace and earthly home. Yet I also see You calling me to be more than "just" an American Christian. You just want me to be a follower of Your Son. Please help me to follow Him alone and to make You my heart's real home. ~ Amen~

Able to preserve and deliver you

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 02:02:16 GMT

Has anyone seen the new movie Amazing Grace? I can hardly wait to see it! It tells the true story of William Wilberforce who fought for and won an end to the slave trade in England in 1807.

This article from Christian History and Biography on Wilberforce's correspondence with John Newton (author of the hymn, Amazing Grace) was particularly challenging. Newton's encouragement to the young legislator especially spoke to me:

"It is true that you live in the midst of difficulties and snares, and you need a double guard of watchfulness and prayer. But since you know both your need of help, and where to look for it, I may say to you as Darius to Daniel, 'Thy God whom thou servest continually is able to preserve and deliver you.'"

Bullet points are better than nothing

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 02:44:08 GMT

A glimpse at the thoughts bouncing around in my head....

My new favorite website is a must for anyone who likes to read. Or who tends to accumulate things to read that they no longer want or need.
Jason named the Queens Tears Bromeliad starting to bloom in my kitchen "Cloud of the Garden". I love it!
"Then everyone went to bed, except Piglet, who wouldn't leave the light of the fire, and Pooh, who wouldn't leave his friend..."
This CD has become the soundtrack for our evenings. Hopefully Cora will eventually get the picture that she ought to stay in bed and enjoy it instead of getting out of bed and getting into trouble.
I am really enjoying Summit Church, which we have been visiting the past few weeks. Deciding on a church is a challenging process and I have lots of mixed feelings.
I like Facebook much better than MySpace.
"Mommy, I yuv mine pink goggie."
Estate sales are my new pastime. A great way to spend a weekend morning, when I have one to spend. Thanks, Honey for the Friday mornings off!!!!!!!!!

Intrigued by Obama

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 04:26:55 GMT

The following essay by Daniel Wunderlich was published in the Orlando Sentinel column, New Voices: A Forum for Readers Under 30 on Saturday, February 24, 2007. I agree with what he's saying. I'm not saying that I'm voting for Obama or even really leaning toward any candidate at this point, but I agree with Wunderlich's basic premise. What do you think?

"I think I am sort of the stand-in right now for the American people being interested in a different kind of politics."

Sen. Barak Obama made this statement in early December 2006 while appearing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. It is very perceptive and very honest. For someone riding a wave of publicity and popularity to admit that perhaps he himself is not actually what the people love is bold.

This level of genuine humility is not something we are used to in Washington politics, and that's the point. Nothing about Obama is anything we are used to in politics (except perhaps his being a Democrat criticizing the war). I don't need to list what makes him different, for far smarter and more informed writers than myself have done so. Even other candidates with momentary mental lapses have done so as well.

Yet what Obama essentially seems to have said back in December can't be missed, and can't be underestimated. Perhaps people like the idea of Obama more than they like Obama himself.

Commentators for MSNBC asked shortly after his announcement on Feb. 10 whether he could "live up to his story," referencing his unique and inspiring background. Yet, I think the question has to go deeper: Can Obama the man live up to Obama the superstar?
I do not doubt his charisma, his honesty and his commitment to "a different kind of politics." I have to admit that I myself like the idea of Obama. For someone to be this far into the political landscape and still be able to make believable idealistic speeches, the kind one makes in a first run for local or state government, is amazing. I like his stand against underhanded and negative practices, which is just as pointed at members of his own party as those "across the aisle."

Yet, at the end of the day, when we have to cast our votes, are we not in actuality voting for the man or woman? I agree with the statement during his announcement that campaigns built solely upon the promises of an individual without the support and commitment to the same values by the American people are doomed to fail to deliver the promised results. However, it is still the individual who has to make the actual decisions.

His great sense of humor, incredible ability to communicate, and engaging smile can win American hearts easily enough. But can they build a bridge with the president of Iran or North Korea? He may put them at ease, which is a huge step forward, but it is the ideas and the plans that the other leaders of the world have to agree to. They sign peace treaties, not smiles.

It can be argued that by not voting for him, we would only prove to the other politicians that taking this stance isn't ultimately worth it because it doesn't win the votes. I sometimes wish that we could cast two different votes -- one for the person to supply the ideas and the other for the person to deliver them.

I want to see a change in the way politics is run as much as anyone else, but are his policies and plans worth this kind of vote? So far, he has played things fairly close to the vest. He is much like a new recording artist who gets only one shot at a debut album. Obama and his advisers have decided that his music is ready for the charts, and it looks like it is going to debut high. But we need to hear the other songs before we can decide to buy the whole album, as opposed to simply the single off iTunes.

We must remember in the midst of our political daydreams, that if we cast our vote for the idea of Obama in 2008, we are going to get the real, live Obama as president. I don't know yet whether I think that would be good or bad. Only the coming year and a half of debate will determine that. Yet, I get the feeling that his campaign is going to be a benchmark and case study on a variety of fronts. It is my hope that whether the man Obama succeeds or falls short, the other current and aspiring politicians would take note of what many Americans have fallen in love with. Because honestly, you don't have to be the man to embody the idea.

Daniel Wunderlich, 23, attends Asbury Theological Seminary's Orlando campus.

Sometime in her cooking career, every cook...

Wed, 21 Feb 2007 23:12:10 GMT

will want to serve Scalloped Cauliflower. This 1949 Home Ec film on Cooking Terms says so.

Not likely in my house.

HT to Barbara at Count It All Joy.

No Kidding

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 14:51:36 GMT

Sexual Images Psychologically Damaging Young Girls

Doctors and Corporate Giants

Fri, 09 Feb 2007 04:17:25 GMT

I took the kids grocery shopping recently. At ages 2 and 3, they can be a bit of a handful, especially just before nap time. But today things were going fairly well. Shortly after we got started, Jason announced he had to go potty, so we trotted across the store, parked the half-full cart, pulled Cora out of her seat and took Jason's hand to march into the restroom at Publix.

Of course public restrooms are never the greatest, especially for little boys who are easily distracted from the task at hand, but again, they both did well. Jason did his business in the handicap stall with me and Cora standing there instructing him and redirecting his wayward attention. At some point I realized that someone else had come in the restroom and was in the next stall so I tried to tone down my instructions to Jason... stop touching things, Jason... ok now pull up your pants... yes jason that one is the hot water... argh, no soap... ok dry your hands...

It was impossible for us to be completely unobtrusive, especially as we fumbled with the door to the stall. We ran straight into the path of the older lady coming out of the stall next to us. It can be hard to tell what sort of response you're going to get from a person in a situation at a time like this. But I had no clue what was coming.

She was terribly gracious. Oh let me help you with the door... I can get that one too... what beautiful babies you have... just the perfect number... I bet you just love them... no more, of course, these are perfect...you only want two...

At this point I realized that behind her designer gym clothes and painted-on eye brows, this lady had an agenda.

Only two, right... promise me that...

What should I say??? Oh yes, I said, we just love these two... So thankful we have them... I trailed off as she interrupted again.

Really, you don't need more than two, trust me... This is the best... After all you want them to become Doctors and Corporate Giants...

I was almost in tears at this point. It's a good thing we were to my cart and she faded back into the store. She was about to get more than an ear-full from me.

Doctors? Corporate Giants? I would be thrilled if God led one of my children to serve Him in those capacities. But would they be less valuable if one becomes a carpenter or a perhaps a teacher? What about a grocer or an artist or a pastor? Or an accountant, or a chemist or a mommy...

And I'm failing them by having any more children because that will eliminate the opportunity for them to achieve their highest possible potential? Like what - the potential for them to be spoiled, and self-absorbed? To have every possible opportunity handed to them on a silver platter but to miss out on the joys and character lessons that come from sharing a bedroom with a younger sibling, and helping a little one tie his shoes? What about learning to put another persons needs before their own and pitching in on family chores for the common good?

I have no idea how many children we will have. I'm not even 100% sure Joel and I are on the same page about the whole thing. But I do know this: anyone who believes that a life is not worthwhile unless they can become a Doctor or a Corporate Giant is wrong.

Welcome, 2007!

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 05:32:49 GMT

“The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul" - G. K. Chesterton

I am full of hope.

50 Questions

Sun, 31 Dec 2006 20:14:40 GMT

I can't believe I only got 62% correct on the MSNBC 2006 Year in Review News Quiz. At least I got the important ones right. Who really cares where Madonna adopted from?

What was your score?

Christmas Lists

Thu, 21 Dec 2006 03:22:25 GMT

Package Destinations

Ohio
Minnesota
Missouri
Poland (via Ohio)

Things to Finish

Buckeyes and other treats for local gifts
Christmas photos
Helping kids with their gifts
2006 Year in Review Letter
Find stocking stuffers for my family

Christmas Breakfast Menu

Fruit Salad with green sugar
Scrapple (Yeah, Publix!)
Cinnamon Rolls (from a can this year. I had to say no to something)

Christmas Dinner Menu

Cranberry Pepper Pork Loin
Sweet Potato Souffle
Croissant Rolls
Cranberry Relish

My Christmas Soundtrack (Thanks, Napster!)

The Darkest Night of the Year by Over the Rhine
Snow Angles by Over the Rhine
These Are Special Times by Celine Dion
The Promise by Michael Card
Christmas Trilogy by Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Christmas Offerings by Third Day
All I Really Want for Christmas by Steve Curtis Chapman
A Christmas Album by Amy Grant

Things I'm looking forward to

Christmas Eve at Northland with good friends
Enjoying my children with their amazing Daddy on Christmas morning
Hearing how the grandparents like their gifts from Jason and Cora
Celebrating the birth of our Savior
2007 - I am full of Hope

Project Homeless Connect

Sat, 02 Dec 2006 02:41:24 GMT

During the week of December 4, cities across the country will join together for National Project Homeless Connect Week. Volunteers will join with nonprofits, corporations, government agencies, faith-based organizations and homeless service providers for a one-day, one-stop shop to offer a variety of services. People experiencing homelessness will be connected with benefits, medical care, employment opportunities, substance abuse and mental health counseling, social services, food, housing and shelter.

In Orlando, you can help on Friday, December 8 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shifts are available from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Orientation will be provided for all volunteers. Project Homeless Connect is being held at the City of Orlando Downtown Recreation Center on 649 W. Livingston Street. To volunteer contact Traci Blue at 407-246-2082 or at traci.blue@cityoforlando.net or Sally Lassalle at 407-836-5819 or at sally.lassalle@ocfl.com.

Kindness

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 03:39:21 GMT

by Chris Tomlin

Open up the skies of mercy
And rain down the cleansing flood
Healing waters rise around us
Hear our cries Lord, let 'em rise

It's your kindness Lord
That leads us to repentance
Your favor, Lord, is our desire
It's your beauty Lord
That makes us stand in silence
And Your love,
Your love Is better than life

We can feel
Your mercy falling
You are turning our hearts back again
Hear our praises rise to heaven
Draw us near Lord
Meet us here

It's your kindness Lord
That leads us to repentance
Your favor Lord, is our desire
It's your beauty Lord
That makes us stand in silence
And Your love,
Your love Is better than life

God and undergrads at Harvard

Fri, 10 Nov 2006 21:07:49 GMT

Interesting.

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
         It will not return to Me empty,
         Without accomplishing what I desire,
         And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:11

Attention FL Drivers

Tue, 31 Oct 2006 21:34:09 GMT

Make sure you all do this.

You can now go online and enter two (2) emergency contacts on your Florida Drivers License (electronically) which can only be retrieved by a police officer. This came about as a result of one woman's teenage daughter being killed in a car accident and it taking over 5 hours to locate the mother to inform her.

Now if you are in an accident, the police can run the drivers license and have the emergency info ASAP!!! This is through the DHSMV Website. It is a good safety-net just in case anything happens.

Baseball

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 04:12:01 GMT

MotherMary had a great post recently about listening to baseball on the radio. I just had to respond and thought I'd expand on it here...

I remember listening to Cards games too... although Jack Buck will always be the voice I remember. But mostly I remember listening to Indians baseball all the way out in MO. My dad would pace by the kitchen radio late into the night, fiddling with the dial to tune in the WWWE broadcast from Cleveland. Some nights it was a clear as a bell even though we were hundreds of miles away. Then with 5 brothers who ate and drank baseball, there was really no escape. Now, my husband isn't into baseball, my son is just 3 years old, and we live in a baseball-less city in a state where no one really seems to care. But baseball is in my blood.

Pick up games in the back yard. Run-down. Five Hundred. And dozens of dusty gloves carted off to every outing, just in case.

Mosquitos at little league games. Big League Chew. T-Ball, pitching machine, coach pitch, and then finally, the big time.

Hotdogs. Bleacher seats. Peanuts. Busch Staduim. Mark MacGuire and Sammy Sosa.

Bob Costas calling the Indians first American League Championship in forty-one years. On my dad's 41st birthday.

Sometimes, especially if I'm really missing my dad, I’ll find a game on the radio and just let it fill the room and my heart. The team really doesn't matter. But the sounds of baseball will, for me, forever mean home. And lots and lots of Love.

I love you, Dad! Long live the Tribe!

(And Go Cards!)

President G.W. Bush on loving people

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 02:15:39 GMT

"Secondly, it's really important... that people not think government is a loving entity. Government is law and justice. Love comes from the hearts of people that are able to impart love. And therefore, what Craig [Scott] is doing is -- he doesn't realize it -- he's a social entrepreneur. He is inspiring others to continue to reach out to say to somebody who is lonely, I love you. And I'm afraid this requires a higher power than the federal government to cause somebody to love somebody. And therefore, it's a -- (applause) -- and therefore, one of the things we can do, though, is to call upon people -- we've got the USA Freedom Corps Initiative, for example, that calls on volunteers to take active participation in their communities."

- Excerpt from President Bush's participation in a Panel on School Safety, Tuesday October 10, 2006.

On your marks, get set, pack your shoe boxes!

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 03:33:56 GMT

This might be the first year that I've actually started to think about and PLAN for Christmas earlier than, say, December 1. While I am really trying to keep from plugging in the Christmas Machine here, planning can be a useful tool for me. And one thing I plan to do is pack shoe boxes with my kids for Operation Christmas Child.

Opperation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan's Purse, a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan's Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God's love through His Son, Jesus Christ.

At Christmas one of the ways they do this is to deliver millions of shoe boxes, packed with gifts and supplies and love by countless families and individuals, to children in every corner of the world. Last year over 7.6 million boxes were delivered to children in 95 countries. And there were many more children who missed out because there just weren't enough boxes. That's where you can help.

Visit the Operation Christmas Child website and read the getting started section to find out how to pack your box and where you can drop it off in your local area. The national collection week is November 13-20. Be sure to give yourself enough time to get familiar with the project, go to the store to select your gifts, pack your box and drop it off in time.

I remember going to the store with my parents to spend my own quarters to buy Christmas gifts for less fortunate kids, probably in cooperation with Angel Tree. Picking out cool toothbrushes and coloring books and toys that I would have liked to have, just to wrap them up for some kid I never met had a lasting impact on me. In some ways it's a small thing, but it wasn't small to me. And I doubt it was small to the kid who opened my gift.

Please join me in planning ahead so this amazing opportunity doesn't pass us by. Your most important Christmas shopping could be done by the middle of November. Mine will be.