Lesson 153: Reflections from 2013

For the first half of 2013, I was wrapped up in the seminary world, writing papers, reading books, dialoguing about the church and ministry. Tunnel vision was set. The goal was ahead of me. All of my being was poured into finishing.

After graduation, in a way, I experienced a sense of loss, a loss of purpose. How could my life possibly have meaning without seminary in it? I had always been a stay-at-home mom as well as a student. How was I going to survive if I lost one half of my identity? What in the world was I going to do with all that free time?

Of course, this sounds ridiculous from the outside, but the focus was so consuming for such an extended period of time, that the fear seemed entirely legitimate. I lost many a good night's sleep over this. 

However, after spending four years devoting almost all my time (and energy) to studying Scripture and teaching others, I took a break and gave attention to normal pursuits. For the past six months, I have learned about gardening, finances, minimalism, baking, saving, photography, and interestingly, the piano. I've learned about blogging and small businesses. I've taken a class on public speaking. I've also been blessed with the opportunity to serve and volunteer in a number of ways. I've taken over the majority of the household responsibilities of laundry, doing dishes, cleaning, and meal planning. I take a walk outside most days.

That sounded quite triumphant. The switch did not flip that easily.

In a counseling class this summer, Dr. Tim Lane posed this question. "When was the last time you did something that you did not want to do, but you did it anyway, because you knew it was the will of God?"

Immediately, all my efforts of seeking the Lord in finding contentment in homemaking raced through my mind. I don't ever want to clean the house, but I pray and the Lord gives me strength to pick up the next toy. I don't want to figure out where all our money is being spent, but I pray and the Lord grants me patience to proceed.

Oh, I thought (feeling kind of miserable), there are a million times a day this has happened lately. A million and one even. But, it all feels so useless in the grand scheme of things.

Dr. Lane looked us straight in the eye and said, "You can be confident the kingdom of God is advancing."

Every time you say no to your own selfish desires, to your own agenda, and say yes to the will of the Lord, you are growing in grace, regardless of who is around to see.

It has been wonderful to realize for myself, not just in theory, that the work of the kingdom looks different at different stages of life and that's ok. Making my bed for my husband has become a holy endeavor, a way to serve and love Jesus. Faithfully washing, folding, and putting clothes away has given me a chance to grow in my trust of the Lord. Taking care of my home and family, welcoming people in, giving of our resources, is kingdom work!

I am hopeful that I will be able to utilize my seminary degree in a formal setting someday. In fact, I'll let you in on a little secret. I'm praying that 2014 would include some additional training, in the direction of Biblical Counseling.

But for now, as cliche as it sounds, 2013 was a year of discovering joy in the mundane, purpose in the everyday, contentment in the simple. The Lord has been so gracious.

For this lesson, I am grateful.


Lesson Learned: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-11 "Now concerning brotherly love ... we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you."

This post is linked up to a collection of other wisdom, end of the year posts. Find those posts HERE!

Lesson 151: Christmas in Clover

Looks like ...

Sunsets.

Snuggles on strolls.

Snacks.

Silliness.

Set-ups.

 Celebrations.

Supper.

Surprises.

Lesson Learned: A simple time at home with family is a beautiful way to spend Christmas.

Lesson 139: Eggos and Ice Cream (Loving Children Well)

I come from a long line of people who love children. My dad is one of seven, my mom is one of five. Including my siblings, I have 32 cousins (and brothers), who have added 10 significant others to the family, and 13 littles. (Only 13 of us are over the age of 25).

The matriarchs of my family: Marie Manning and Virginia High are women who love children. The patriarchs of my family: Richard Manning and Robert High are men who love children. Throughout the course of my life, these people have been faithful, consistent, loving ... and creative!

They tailored their homes and our holidays to welcome children and make children feel loved!

Today, you are lucky, I am going to give you some of their secrets. Oh these aren't the typical "love kids well" suggestions. These are ideas that are funny, quirky, and totally kid-appealing. They are ideas that will make kids feel included, make kids laugh, and ultimately, make kids feel cared for.

These are not just suggestions for grandparents, but for anyone who has children within their sphere of influence. If you are a parent, an aunt or uncle, a friend of someone with a kid, a neighbor, a church member, or of course, a grandparent, these are suggestions for you. 

Without further ado:

THE SECRETS OF BEING AWESOME WITH KIDS 
(IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)

1. Dollar Bill Holiday Cards: Every holiday, each of us received a themed card with a crisp dollar bill. Receiving mail makes a child feel important. 

2. Eggos and Ice Cream: The breakfast of champions at my grandmothers house. In fact, so memorable was this delicacy, that I chose it as a dessert option at my wedding. She was unable to attend, but the waffles and ice cream reminded me of her playful spirit. 

3. Saving Up Snowballs: My grandmother took the older cousins outside on a snowy day, formed snow balls and stored them in a newspaper wrapping in the freezer. This made winter last through summer. (Note: The snow turns to ice, so it's not actually a good idea to have a fight with these.)

4. Fools Gold Hunt: Before we arrived, my grandmother would scatter fools gold on her pebbly driveway. Hours were spent on expeditions to find it! (Alternative: As my brother goes about his yard work, he gathers up cool rocks, shells, and other items that he finds and puts them along a specific bank. When kids come over, he directs them to explore that area.)

5. Special Sleepovers: Two-inch think, stripped floor mattresses were rolled out in the family room every time we came to stay. There were enough for all the cousins. We'd snuggle in, watch the same three movies over and over again, and eat freeze pops. Which leads me too ...

6. Super Snack Stash: My grandmother kept a freezer stocked with freeze pops and soft pretzels. She also always had Club Crackers for making peanut and marshmellow fluff sandwiches. These treats were reserved for grandmother's house! We never had them at home. 

7. Christmas in July: As everyone grows and moves on, it's become harder for our family to all be together at major holidays. My grandpa instituted Christmas in July as a family tradition. It's hosted at an aunt's pool, but there is Christmas music, Santa's hats, and presents, presents, presents. 10 a piece to be exact. If you bring a friend last minute, don't worry, they get 10 presents too!

8. Mamie: Mamie was my grandmothers donkey. Mamie seemed to live forever and ever. We'd feed Mamie, pet her, and occasionally ride her. (Mamie did not in fact live forever. Rather, when one Mamie died, they would purchase another donkey and christen her with the same name.)

9. The Spaghetti Grinder: Yes, my grandmother taught me to turn an imaginary crank (located next to my ear) and to systematically spit out my mouthfull of spaghetti back onto the plate. Gross, yes. Hilarious, yes. 

10. Beautiful Books as Gifts: My mom has handed over my collection of children's books as I've had my own children. Every time I open the cover, I see that the book was a gift from an aunt, a great-aunt, a grandparent, an uncle. It seems as if everyone always gave us books! 

11. Curiosity collectors: Both sides of grandparents collected interesting items. Buckets of beautiful seashells, donkey figurines from all over the world, keys, hats, canes, pipes, artwork, Coca-cola products, and so many other things. Items were put out on display for us to marvel at, pick up, play pretend, providing endless amounts of fun and intrigue. 

12. A Winter Wonderland: Every year at Christmas, my grandma would set up a full town of winter magic. She had hotels, houses, shops, ice skating ponds, carriages, and so much more. Everything about the scene made us feel like we were in another world. 

13. Trips: Whether to an amish shop, a railroad station, Colonial Williamsburg, or London, my grandparents took us on adventures. On such trips, we literally had to read every single historical plaque. We were encouraged to ask questions and learn history. Our grandparents were intent on opening the world up for us. 

14.VBS at the Beach: My grandmother and aunts would bring leftover Vacation Bible School supplies on beach trips. During down time (when we weren't searching for shells, feeding the seagulls, or playing board games), we would learn Bible stories and do crafts. 

I could go on and on. 

A Comm Professor from seminary talks about the importance of "getting your mind in their mind." He's speaking of an audience when preparing a talk, but I think the principle is transferable. If you have children in your life (in any capacity), try for a second to think like they do.

What pleases them?

What makes them giggle? 

What would be interesting or engaging for them? 

What stimulates their creativity or imagination? 

What did you enjoy when you were their age? 

What makes them feel special or loved or cared for? 

The results are wonderful. Their eyes light up, the gears in their brain start turning, and a sweet connection is made. 

I wonder, what simple, engaging ideas have your gleaned from your elders? I'm all ears!

Lesson Learned: Who knew that eggos and ice cream could be a legacy?

Lesson 104: Guess Who Passed His Ordination Exams Today!

This guy.

Guess's who's excited about it?!?

This girl.

He's really, totally, 100%, completely, fully, without a shadow of doubt, no stone left unturned, done, done, DONE!!!!!!!!

We couldn't be happier!

Lesson Learned: The Lord is good. Duh. But it bears repeating ... the Lord is Good!

Lesson 100: Post ONE HUNDRED - An Important One!

Today I would like to tell you arguably the most important story of my life.

Does it have a beginning? There's a simple answer and a complicated, but true answer.

Simple: July 3, 1984.

Complicated, but true: The foundations of the earth.

If you've been reading this blog, you'll know by now I have a thing for the divine sovereignty of God.

In fact, this story is about God. It is the story of how I have come to love and trust in God.

Lesson 53: Content with Today

I used to be a person who traveled.

A lot.

Within the years of 2005 - 2009, I was not once within the continental United States on March 10.

2005 - Italy / Greece
2006 - Panama
2007 - China
2008 - Ireland
2009 - Switzerland

Of these five years, I spent a total of two overseas.

I have visited 27 countries, and have spent more than a month in China, Afghanistan, Switzerland, and Ireland.

I first kissed my husband in Paris.

He proposed to me in Dublin.

After we got married, we spent four months in Switzerland.

Occasionally, I look at our pictures and think, "wow, our life used to be cool."

This morning, I took care of five poop-covered bottoms before 12:30, all belonging to people other than myself.

Lesson 46: Wednesdays

My house is quiet.

I'm simply sitting on my couch drinking a hot cup of coffee and thinking.

A few questions may arise. Why is your house quiet, and isn't coffee usually hot?

My house is quiet, because it is Wednesday and Wednesday is my day off.

Day off? Mama's get a day off?

Lesson 45: Spinning, Laughing, Dancing

There was a season in life when Norah Jone's Come Away with Me played on repeat in my cd player. How could it not? Her smooth voice and powerful lyrics set the perfect scene for a senior in college.

Did I just date myself?

My favorite song on the album was "Seven Years."

The second I heard it I felt instantly as though it was describing me.

"Spinning, laughing, dancing to
her favorite song
A little girl with nothing wrong
Is all alone
Eyes wide open
Always hoping for the sun
And she'll sing her song to anyone
that comes along
Fragile as a leaf in autumn
Just fallin' to the ground
Without a sound
Crooked little smile on her face
Tells a tale of grace
That's all her own
Fragile as a leaf in autumn
Just fallin' to the ground
Without a sound
Spinning, laughing, dancing to her favorite song
She's a little girl with nothing wrong
And she's all alone"

I have always loved to spin and twirl. From the time I was young, standing on my dad's feet ... right up to the present. Mark will hold out his finger and spin and spin and spin me around. Yes, I love to spin.

Thus, when I heard this Norah Jones song, I listened to it and imagined my most innocent self joyfully and abundantly spinning and enjoying life!

I got pregnant when I was 25, and you may or may not know this ... but my pregnancy was horrific.