Just a woman in it for the long haul of marriage, gaining humility thru this parenting gig and slinging hope and humor to those around me.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Popcorn Prayer
In Psalms 70 David starts with "MAKE HASTE O GOD!" This Psalm is short and to the point. David was in need and didn't have time to say much.
In Matthew 14:30 Peter cries out the shortest prayer in the Bible, "Lord save me!" And Jesus immediately reached out a hand and saved him.
There are several prayers in the Bible that teach us how to pray and why. The prayer of Jabez, The Lord's Prayer, A.C.T.S. and several of these little Popcorn Prayers. So if a need arises quickly know that you can send it on just a quickly, it doesn't always have to be formal, it just always has to be heartfelt.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
That's My Boy
One day my dad watched Brian for me, for just a little while for me to run to the store. When I got home my dad asked, "Did you get any green paint?" I told him, "No. Was I suppose to?" Then it hit me, "Whyyyyy? What happened?" My dad informed me, "Brian came and asked me if he could trick out my tractor and he had a small wretch in his hand and figured he couldn't do anything too bad, then all of a sudden I smelled something funny and I go over to check on him and he spray painted red flames on my John Deere."
In Brian's defense, he did ask and he told papa he wanted to "trick it out."
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We had a puppy show up Tuesday that we would have kept if she didn't run away on Thursday. She must not have liked her food or pan I bought her. But Brian brings her inside and tells me, "Mom, look how good a dog she is, you can pull her tail and she won't even bite you or bark."
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"Mommmmmm! Wyatt's jumping on the trampoline. Naked. With the dog.
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"Mommmmm! Wyatt's naked peeing on the kitchen floor! (I think we have a streaker)
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Brian wiped out on some wet floor in the kitchen (not pee). "Brian, you OK? Are you suppose to be running in the house?" He corrects me, "I wasn't running, I was jogging."
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And my favorite. Last night we had fish for supper and Allen was looking in the frig and asked, "Do we have any tartar sauce?" And without missing a beat Brian pipes up, "Nope, but we have some retarter sauce for you."
Saturday, August 29, 2009
To Be or Not To Be, That Is The Question.
Right before I was awoken, in my dream, I was having a discussion with some lady that was being extremely rude (don't know where this came from ) but I said, "We are Christians." And to my surprise to replied, "So am I." I remember feeling angered and told her that just believing in God and being a Christian, I believe, are 2 different things. That if she is going to wear the title of "Christian" than she needs to be clothed in the character of Christ, and that mercy and kindness were just some of those. I also informed her that she may be the only Jesus that some people ever see and I had yet to see those qualities in her. This is how you know I was dreaming because I'm not that bold.
But I thought it was amazing that in the very moment that I was telling her these things, Joel was putting aside his own time and to-do list to serve our family. He is not a Christian by profession only but by the works of his hands.
I looked up in the dictionary this morning and found a couple of definitions for a Christian:
Manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus; Christlike.
Christian - Noun
1. a person who believes in and follows Jesus Christ
2. Informal a person who displays the virtues of kindness and mercy encouraged in the teachings of Jesus Christ
I am a far cry from perfect and there are probably others who at times wished I wasn't proclaiming that I was a Christian. I think it just goes along the same lines of: just because you are in a locker room, doesn't necessarily make you a player. May we all put our actions were are words are. Lord allow my life to speak of you even for those who never hear me. Help me to remember that by proclaiming my association with you that there are others watching at all times. Help me to live in a way that will not make others stumble. Thank you for a gift this morning. May you return multiple blessings to this man and his family.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Opposites Attract
But Gabby asked, "How did he go from being a black man to a white woman?"
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Beauty From the Inside Out
I'm speaking tomorrow night for the MUMS ministry and finding myself confused over wording and decided to type it out here. I'm a much better writer than speaker. They should have wrote on the flier, "Suzanne is speaking, come at your own risk." But oh no, there is a nice little resume sorts of my past events. Oh the pressure is on. This is the 1st meeting of the year. I pray that I set a fun tone for the meetings for the rest of the year rather than me being the only one there from now on.
I also pray that beyond my own fears of making a fool or nuisance out of myself that I'll keep the goal in mind before me and that the women that come will leave changed in knowing that they are not just some planned or accidental byproduct of the parents DNA, but that God formed, designed, created them individually with all their strengths and weakness alike.
So who is it we are trying to impress with our beauty? Are we trying to land that modeling job? Magazine ad? Win a man's heart? Or please our Lord?
I'm telling you right now that I do not foresee me landing a modeling job or an advertisement unless it's for representing women on the verge of insanity. Even then I would hate to put my picture out into the hands of millions to critic my every flaw, including the ones I'm not even yet been made aware of.
What if we are trying to win a man's heart? Do we want to be loved for physical attributes that may never be the same over childbirth? From the time I met my husband he was very complimentary on my looks, which made it hard to not worry that I had disappointed him when the face and body of the 20 year he fell in love took on the face of a tired mom and the body of "heavy girl" as my OB nurse so graciously pointed out.
What if we are trying to please the Lord? From everything in the scripture anytime the Lord has spoken of outward beauty He has coupled it with instruction for inward beauty. God is focused on what is inside, man is concerned with what is outside.
So how can we please the Lord with our inside beauty? By filling ourselves with Him so he can fill us in return with the fruits of the spirit. By studying His word so we have wisdom, understanding, discretion and behavior that is honoring to Him. By being set apart and shining brightly in this dark world.
2 Corinthians 4:16 tells us "Therefore, do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."
In the story of Esther we see a young woman that is beautiful on the inside and out by God's and the world's standards. It reminds me of the cleaner version of Pretty Woman. An outcast young girl, just shows up out of nowhere, wins the heart of the King, triumphs over the enemy, is loved by all and lives happily ever after in the palace. Esther showed us wisdom and patience in a terrible situation, all the while dealing with a difficult husband. Maybe that's why I like Esther, we have at least something in common. :)
So what about the outside? We are woman, this is a concern of ours. Is it wrong to beautify ourselves? Is it wrong to want to be pretty?
I do not believe that is what the scriptures tell us. The 1st verse of opposition I'll rope right out of the gate is 1 Peter 3:3-4 "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair, wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." On many occasions as I've been studying I found myself confused as to why something so seemingly innocent could be wrong. Much as with this verse. It is not saying that braided hair is wrong, or that jewelry or nice clothes are wrong. During the time of this statement women wore their wealth. They dressed excessively to show everyone they were of value. They wanted to stand out and be set apart as more important. This verse was stating the heart issues were wrong. It was wrong to think they were beautiful because of their outward attention. It was wrong to that they were being prideful. Proverbs 27:19 "As water reflects a man's face, so a man's heart reflects the man."
What about the women of all women, THE Proverbs 31 woman? vs 22 tells us "She was dressed in fine linen and purple." This statement didn't show any condemnation over the fact that she dressed nicely and purple was the most expensive of garments at that time. Then in verse 30 the scripture states, "Charm is deceptive and beauty if fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."
Esther spent a year of her life at the palace spa. Can you imagine?! Esther 2:12, "For the days of their beautification were completed as follows; six months with oil and myrrh and six months with spices and cosmetics." I could go for that!
God is the master artist of beauty. I believe He appreciates and loves beauty more than anyone. He could have made only a few of each tree, flower, insect,...women. But just as each sunrise and sunset is filled with amazing detail and so are we. God is the creator of feminine beauty. Most times in the scriptures, only when someone had established themselves in spiritual truth in relation to God does its beauty become meaningful. Something is beautiful because it is pure and not praised because it is beautiful.
But it is all in how and why we use our beauty that can make it a blessing or a sin. If we are using our beauty to entice someone or manipulate, than we have crossed the line. 1 Corinthians 10:32, "Do not cause anyone to stumble, for I am not seeking my own good but the good of many so that they may be saved." And 1 Tim 2:9-10 "I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety." There is a place for dressing provocatively and that place is behind closed doors.
As in any area of our life, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. 1 Corinthians 10:31 "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." Do you spend as much time in the Word as you do on your appearance each day?
In my LBK (Life before kids) one of my most rewarding careers, was working with women. I had acquired my certification in wardrobe, beauty and makeup consultation. I have since sold makeup for 3 different companies, just because I honestly thrived on helping women see themselves as beautiful. But I'm not a good sales person and did not like having to keep up my quotas when all I really wanted was to change these ladies lives. I used to shop just for the fun of it and teach other ladies how to also.
In my LAK (Life after kids) I am just pleased to get a shower daily and have a bra on before someone drops by unexpectedly. Now my clothes shopping is often completed at the same time as the grocery shopping.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Shameless Advertising
Here are some pictures of some of my cakes and my new little venture: Sugar and Spice
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
My Hubby
I'm so thankful that while there are times when he gets frustrated at me, he is for the most part very understanding when I make mistakes. I don't know if I would have reacted the same. I offered to load the kids up and go myself this morning, but he wouldn't even consider having me do it. Had the entire situation been the other way around, I am almost sure I would have been irritated that I lost the sale because of someone else's irresponsibility or if I did drive over to pick up so I could fix the problem, I am sad to say I probably would have felt irritated with the lost 3 hours of driving and felt justified with my lack of sleep to be a little grumpy and made it known. Lord forgive me for my past wrongs, give me grace and allow me to continue to grow in the areas of humbleness and love for others. Help me to give as much understanding to others especially my family as I would hope to receive myself. Thank you for a husband who is so giving in so many ways.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Kid Funnies
Me: A Sasquatch?
Makensie: Ya.
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Brian and his friend were having a serious conversation
Brian: When I grow up I'm going to be Batman.
Matthew: What?! Batman isn't real!
Brian: Oh. So what are you going to be?
Matthew: A Pirate.
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A couple of weeks ago I was driving by the Fayetteville Mall. We don't go to the mall, not because we are boycotting or anything, it just doesn't happen. I said, "There's the Mall." I was looking out the left window and I heard the girls in the back, "oh...clothes...shoes...purses...yeah, the MALL" and as I looked into the rear view mirror, I realized they were gazing out the right window oogling the large dentist office.
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Gabby: Some day if I ever have to live in a van...
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While we haven't been to the Mall, I did take the girls to Old Navy recently.
Makensie: Oh my gosh! They spent so much money on buying all these clothes for this place, they didn't have enough money left to finish the floor. It's just concrete!
Friday, August 07, 2009
I don't have a title
I am filling the Elementary Coordinator for the next two years, unless I get impeached before then, for our homeschool group. I'm really enjoying this so far. I like event planning. When I worked at the state headquarters for Kansas Farm Bureau, it was one event after the other. Then when I worked for LaZBoy it was a lot of the same. This stuff comes easily for me. People. Get togethers. Parties. It is good timing. I will have 3 in elementary this year. We have 30 new families that joined CHESS this year. I am guessing we will have around 120 families total, maybe more. My heart is to welcome these new families in and hopefully for them to feel that they are not an island by themselves but that especially in the community we live in that there are plenty of others out there that can offer wisdom, advise and most of all compassion and understanding.
I've been working on putting together some things for the fall and are praying they will not only be learning opportunities but ones to build relationships and memories. So far, there is a tour and game planned for The Naturals and a tour of Prairie Grove Battlefield that I've been working on. There is a lot of interest in the Keepers of the Faith program this year. I would like to start with something I feel comfortable teaching on and pray that other families will volunteer and follow suit. I think I'll start with a cake decorating class since this has been my latest skill I've learned. And it's fun.
Speaking of cakes. I've had orders for 4 cakes now. What a blessing!
I am going to be speaking at the first MUMS meeting of the year. (This is our group of homeschool moms that get together monthly.) I've tried not to think about it too much yet, as I know what I'm sharing and feel good about that. It's just a lot of responsibility to share with ladies anytime. I want my message to be uplifting and encouraging in all ways. It is also a little unnerving because it seems like there is a larger crowd the first couple of meetings. Hopefully I won't go blank or worse black out!
Other than that, life as normal as you can get with 4 kids and a business in your home and trying to homeschool continues. I'm still striving to make noticable progress on that list of things I want to see improved upon. :)
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