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More Thoughts On Being Blessed

Feb 24th, 2010 by Amy

2 Corinthians 9:15

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

 

A few months ago, I hammered out my thoughts on being blessed.  “What does it mean to be blessed?” was my question.  Revisiting the post, a wave of “writer’s remorse” washed over me.  The thought seemed unfinished, but I needed more time to process and more time in God’s word.  This is what I have since discovered in my quest to understand God’s blessing: 

 

There are different kinds of blessings.  In this post, I am going to touch on the following:  Covenantal blessing, material and spiritual blessing, the blessedness of Christ and grace, and the cup of blessing. 

 

On the Covenant Blessing:

 

The covenant blessing signified God’s promise and favor over His people (Deuteronomy 28:1-14).  This favor that God extended to His people was evidence of His graciousness towards them – a sign of His endless mercy and goodness.  At the same time, God’s blessings were oftentimes contingent upon man’s obedience to His laws as were His cursings a result of disobedience (Deuteronomy 30:15-20). 

 

There is also the covenant blessing God made to Abraham in Genesis:

 

Genesis 15:5

And He took him outside and said: “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.”  And He said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

 

God made a pact with Abraham, being nearly one hundred years old, with no offspring of his own.  God took him outside, pointed to the vast and ominous heavens filled from one end of the sky to the next with stars, and promised Abraham that his offspring would be as many.  Abraham believed in the Lord.

 

Again in Genesis 17, God established a covenant between Himself, Abraham, and Abraham’s descendants.

 

Genesis 17:7-8

I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.  The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.

 

On Material versus Spiritual Blessing:

 

In the Old Testament, material blessing was a result of God’s favor upon His people and also their obedience.  God’s hand of blessing and favor can be seen from the moment of creation.  He looked at what He had made, and He saw that it was good.  It was pleasing to Him.  He created man in His image, and again, He was pleased.  Then came the fall of man – disobedience - and the divine curse.  This curse not only touched the lives of man, but also that of God’s creation entirely.  It is only because of God’s graciousness and mercy towards man that restoration of relationship could be made.  Still, in order to live under that blessing, there had to be obedience.

 

While we do not live under the Old Testament law today, we can draw much from this example.  In the Old Testament, material blessing was the evidence that signified God’s hand and favor on His people.  Today, while God may bring material blessings our way, the actual blessings a believer receives in return for their obedience, are spiritual.  A blessed life comes from the inside out, not the outside in.  God’s hand and His favor are found most heavily upon those whose lives are fully surrendered and sacrificed to God.  It is not about those things that glitter and shine and please the physical eye, but what shines out from our innermost beings- who we are, not what we have.

 

The Blessedness of Christ:

 

And then, there is the blessing of Christ.  God gave us the gift of His Son, Jesus, which far surpasses any blessing that we could ever imagine.  “Thanks be to God for this indescribable gift!”  The treasure we have in salvation is more than we can fathom.  I know I look for validation of God’s blessing in material things.   I, too, fall into the trap that financial success and wealth are a reflection, or result of, spiritual depth and closeness to God.  Because I don’ t have that, I question whether or not I am living under God’s favor.  Am I missing something?  Yet, looking at God’s word, rediscovering the gift that takes the words right out of my mouth, I realize it has nothing to do with stuff, and everything to do with the blessing of God’s Son.  Because of Jesus, I can be forgiven of my sins and no longer live under a curse.  Because of Jesus, even in suffering I know a peace that passes understanding.  And because of Jesus, I, in turn, can bless others.  There is nothing magical about God’s blessing.  It is simply His grace poured out lavishly upon us.

 

Which brings me to my final thought:  The Cup of Blessing:

 

The ancient Jews had a custom in which they would conclude their meal with a prayer of thanksgiving over a cup of wine – “the cup of blessing”.  In doing so, they acknowledged God as the Giver of all good gifts. 

 

As I have reflected upon this, my thoughts have been drawn to my family.  What cup of blessing am I passing down to my children?  Do they see God’s blessing as superficial as a brand new toy, or lunch out at a fun restaurant?  Or am I teaching them the beauty of God’s blessing from the inside out?  I see this cup of blessing as something that each generation passes down to the next.  My parents, godly and wise, raised me to know God, love God, and see His handiwork in every aspect of our lives.  My husband, as well, was raised in a home where godly principles and instruction were taught and modeled.  From one generation to the next, we pass the cup.  We pass the gift of Jesus down to our children, pray that they will receive this gift, and in turn pass it on to their children.  With the cup of blessing in hand, we are unshakable.  We know who we are.  We know to Whom we belong.  We understand profoundly who provides our daily bread, the roof over our head, the clothes on our backs.  We give thanks to the One who gave us breath and life.  Oh, what a blessing that is!  What a blessed life we have!  All those outward things can fade away, but the gift of Jesus Christ remains forever.  And that, more than riches and wealth, is the inheritance I want to pass on to my children and the generations to follow.  

 

Jesus is the blessing, and the blessing I long to hold on to all of my days.

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Posted in Faith | 1 Comment »

“It’s Not About Me”

Feb 22nd, 2010 by Amy

“It’s not about me.”

If I had a quarter for every time I’ve heard that statement – whether from notable church leaders, speakers, bloggers or just super gifted every-day people – I’d be a millionaire.  I caught myself today, as I was praying, saying that very same thing, “Lord, it’s not about me.”  (I, by the way, am not any of those things I just mentioned…just so we’re clear.)

You see, tomorrow morning I will be speaking to our Ladies’ Bible Study.  There are about one hundred or so women in this group.  For me…it might as well be a thousand, a million, or a trillion – you get the picture.  I’m nervous, excited, filled with anticipation and terror.  I believe God has dropped a very meaningful word into my heart to share with these women; however, because the vessel (that would be me) that God has chosen to use is flawed, prideful, insecure, and weak, I have serious doubts that I will be successful in the delivery.

And here is where the rubber meets the road.  As much as I want to be available, real, and obedient to God, regardless of how “well” I do, there is a very real part of me that wants to do a good great job.  I don’t want to get up there and flop, mostly because, well, my human nature kicks in and starts believing that it is about me.  I don’t want to look silly standing up there at the microphone, lose my place in my notes or say, “Um, um, um” one too many times.  To say, “Oh, it’s not about me” is not being completely altruistic.  And I would venture to say that this is a struggle for many people in leadership roles.

There is also a part of me that longs for the affirmation post-speaking.  If I share what the Lord has laid on my heart, that should be enough, right?  Yet here I am wrestling down the flesh in me that wants to flare up and take credit for anything that comes out of my mouth while at the same time not wanting it to be about me.  It’s a battle.

Here’s the thing – I really can’t take any credit for what God has placed on my heart OR the way in which He chooses for me to convey the lesson.  As I have been preparing, every bit of creativity, every deep point, and every “a-ha” moment in the message came directly from God…not my own resources.  This is where I can honestly say, “It’s not about me.”  God is allowing me to utilize certain gifts and abilities in the delivery, but the content?  All that came from Him.  Do I care if I mess up, fumble my words, or realize afterwards that my zipper was down the whole time?  You bet I do!  Why?  Because I’m human.  I’m just a woman full of insecurities and dysfunction.  I’ve got a long way to go.  And maybe someday I won’t measure my success in how well I deliver the message, but if I simply delivered what God asked me to.

I believe true humility is not cowering or walking around slump shouldered, but it is being no more and no less than, the person God created me to be.  So, today I am praying with all my heart that when I get up to speak tomorrow that I will humbly recognize that it is not about me but about Him.  I pray that He will get the glory, even if I don’t.  I pray that my heart will stay in check.  And I’m praying, also, for confidence and peace that I am doing what I was created to do, and love every minute of it.  (And please, Lord, don’t let me trip on the way up to the platform or lose my place in my notes – humility…not humiliation!)

No, it’s not about me.  But it is about Him working through me, and what a marvelous opportunity to get to participate in something like that!

Posted in Faith, Ministry | 5 Comments »

Friday’s Free Advice

Feb 19th, 2010 by Amy

And my Friday’s Free Advice for the day is…(drum roll please)…

 

Pursue your passions!

 

Yikes!  What the heck does that mean?  (Seriously, we could go in several different directions with this.  Especially since I just got home from MomsConnect, and the topic of discussion was “ways to spice up your marriage”.)

 

Allow me to clarify: find out what your God-given passion is, and then pursue it with all of your heart.

 

My first and foremost passion is God: 

 

Deuteronomy 6:5

Love the LORD your God with all your heart (passion) and with all your soul and with all your strength.

 

My second passion is for my husband:

 

Genesis 2:24

A man will leave his father and mother and be united (cleave) to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

 

Thirdly, I am passionate about raising my children to know and love God, each other, and live lives of integrity.

 

Proverbs 22:6

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

 

Beyond these first three priorities in my life, I believe God created me for something very specific.  In fact, I truly believe each and every person on the planet was created and designed for a purpose tailor-made just for them.  God has plans for us, my friends!  That excites me!  Does it excite you?

 

Sometimes the challenge comes, not from whether or not we believe we were created for a purpose, but from not having a clear picture of what that purpose is.  My $.02 for you today?  Do everything you can to uncover and discover all that God has intended for you.  A good place to start is by going through the book SHAPE, by Erik E. Rees.  (I took a class based on this book through my church recently – it was a powerful journey, let me tell you!)

 

Once you have a clear idea of what you are passionate about (and you may already know what that “thing” is but perhaps have been too afraid to declare it or step out and try it) I would encourage you to do two things:

 

  • Find a mentor (someone you trust, respect, admire, and who’s walking a few steps ahead of you in the journey) -  Have them coach you through the process of discovery.

 

  • Look for ways to put your passion to practice. – I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again, and again, and again (you get the picture); writing is my passion, and that is why I have this silly, little blog.   I am also passionate about working and investing in the lives of other women, thus why I am active in the women’s ministry at our church.  I’m learning to put my passion into practice. 

 

By doing these two things, it is really hard to tell what doors God will open up to you next.  “Do not despise the day of small beginnings,” Zechariah 4:10 (paraphrased).  Where once there was a tiny seed, there will, one day, be a giant oak tree. 

 

Don’t be afraid to step up and out. 

 

Seize your moment…

 

Give God your life…

 

And pursue your passions with all of your heart!

Posted in Fun Stuff, Life | 1 Comment »

Culture Shock

Feb 17th, 2010 by Amy

I’m a mom, and I blog, but I wouldn’t call myself a “mom blogger”.

 

About three years ago, a friend of mine shared a little secret with me.  Her secret?  She had started a blog.  (I vaguely remembered another friend, several years prior to that, telling me the same thing, although I believe she had referred to hers as a website.)  In any case, I did an internal roll of the eyes and tuned her out.  I tried to put on my best listening face, but I’m sure the fuzzy glazed look in my eyes was all too obvious, because my dear friend never brought up her blog again.  Who knew that a few years later I would start my own (maybe my blog should be named “Humbling…me” rather than “Simplifying…me”)? 

 

In any case, one statement that stuck with me from our brief “blogging” conversation was that through her blog she had discovered an entirely new culture of people out there in the web-o-sphere.  Blogging was more than just writing and pasting pictures on a website, but was an actual way of life for multitudes of people – specifically, moms.

 

After doing this blogging thing for almost a year, I’m beginning to see what my friend was talking about: the culture of the mom blogger.  I’ll be very frank here: as much as I enjoy writing and pouring out from both deep and shallow ends of this brain pool, I don’t see myself as a blogger, and I often feel that I am experiencing a type of culture shock. 

 

Growing up in Kenya, I was an American living in Africa.  With as much exposure I had to the culture of that country, I was never a Kenyan.  When we returned to the States, my homeland, I could relate to a small degree with peers my age, but felt like a duck out of water 90% of the time. 

 

When I moved to France, I really wanted to immerse myself in the culture.  I wanted to become as French as I possibly could without becoming weird.  I did well my first six months, diligently working on language skills and French etiquette.  Then, one day I woke up, looked in the mirror at my American frame, tired eyes and greasy hair (I had been asked to refrain from showering every day as it was seen as a waste of water…not kidding here!), and realized I was French-fried.  I’d had it.  I was done with stinky armpits and unmanageable hair.  I was sick and tired of sitting down to dinner at eight or nine o’clock at night, only to spend the following thirty minutes talking about the food rather than eating the food (can we dig in already…I’m starving!).  As much as I wanted to be European chic, it just wasn’t in me.  I came to grips with my American/African/wanna-be-European-ness and decided to be myself: wearing GAP, shaving my legs, and washing my hair every day. 

 

Yet, here I am again, feeling like a duck out of water.  In my pursuit of chasing the blog dream, I have been confronted with the realization that – unlike a large percentage of mom bloggers – I don’t home school; I don’t have 10+ kids (that might be a slight exaggeration, but not too far from the truth); I don’t have a home business; I’m not frugal (although I’m growing in that area); and my internet proficiency goes as far as “cut, paste, e-mail and send”.  I blog to write.  That’s it. 

 

I see the importance of networking, but I find myself unable to relate to all these mom bloggers out there.  (Twitter is going to be my undoing for certain!)  There are groups and lingo, hashtags and conferences and multiple posts uploaded all day long, and I don’t have the time to read, comment, follow, carpool, manage children, cook dinner, do ministry prep, keep a house clean and a hubby contented all at the same time.  I wonder…are these women wearing their computers in a baby sling so that they can tweet every other minute while searching for “hot deals” and recipes online, blog about their lives, while changing diapers, teaching arithmetic and producing Martha Stuart-like snacks to their wee-ones? 

 

Before I burn any bridges and hurt feelings, let me stop right here.  It may seem that these women and I share little to no common ground.  I have three kids, and I feel like I’m managing Noah’s ark.  My children go to school outside the home.  My husband is a pastor, and I feel immensely blessed to partner with him in this calling.  My cooking skills leave much to be desired, but as my hubby puts it, “Hey, I’m not complaining because I didn’t have to make it.  It’s food.  That’s all that counts.”  (Thumbs up to the best and skinniest man in the whole world!)  I abhor doing crafts (too messy for me), and I’m not all that thrifty.  Still, I do believe I share something special with all of the supermom-bloggers out there.  We are kindred in our desire to raise responsible children, to love and support our husbands, pursue our passions, steward our money wisely, and reach out to other moms all over the country/world.  Can we relate 100% with each other?  No.  But in matters of the heart and values that truly count- yes, we can. 

 

This culture shock and my own insecurity might always be there, but at least I can appreciate the beauty around me, just as I learned to do with my life in France.  I lived in France, but I wouldn’t call myself “French”.  I’m a mom, and I blog, but I wouldn’t call myself a “mom blogger”.  However, I am open and willing to learn, grow, and make some new friends in this vast, sub-culture world of the blogging mom.

 

What about you?  Do you blog?  Are you a blogging mom?  Are you fully immersed in the blogging culture?  Or are you like me…standing with one foot in and one foot out?  Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter.  We may actually have something in common!

Posted in Life, Writing/Blogging | 10 Comments »

Stop And Enjoy The Potty Stops

Feb 15th, 2010 by Amy

Last week I was one twitch away from losing my sanity when, as I was driving to pick Sydney up from school, Brooklyn piped up from behind me, “I need to go potty.”  Which triggered something in Jackson and he echoed her plea, “I need to go potty, too!”  Even with the destination two minutes away, they ruthlessly insisted that they could not hold it…they needed to go “noooowww”.

 

After I scrunched up my mouth, producing what can only be called the “Ugly Mommy Face”, I exhaled loudly and began searching for a feasible pit stop.  Nothing.  We continued driving.  The full bladder cries from the backseat intensified.  I kept driving, stressed out, darting my eyes here and there searching for a McDonald’s or Burger King…anything.  We made it to Sydney’s school parking lot where I parked the car and unloaded my two potty-dancing monkeys in the pouring rain.  They laughed, cheered, and thought this was the best adventure they’d ever had.  I, on the other hand, wanted to get inside the school building and find a bathroom before an “Oops!  Potty-in-the-pants” moment occurred.

 

When we made it back to the car, empty bladders and happy faces with 30 minutes to spare before Sydney would be let out of school, I sat back in my seat and thought further about this little adventure.  Why do I always feel like I’m in a hurry?  Why is my life a constant frenzy of panic and worry that I’m going to miss out on something or be late?  How is it that my children can turn a potty stop into Disney World bliss? 

 

Here’s why.  Children know how to live in a perpetual state of joy.  Every little thing in their lives is a reason for celebration.  Putting pee-pee in the potty, tying shoes, making beds, dressing themselves, cracking the eggs for the cookies we make, picking up their toys, and watching the neighbor walk his dog are all reasons to get down and shake their booties.  I wish I could look at life that way.  I wish I could pay my bills with a smile on my face and thanksgiving in my heart that we have the ability to pay them rather than grumble and grunt my way through.  Or twirl and sing when I’ve successfully folded a mountain of laundry, cooked a homemade meal, and swept the floors.  I think I am sorely deficient in celebrating the little things in life.

 

In the book, “The Life You’ve Always Wanted”, John Ortberg writes:

 

“God is the happiest being in the universe.  We will not understand God until we understand this about him.  God also knows sorrow and grief.  But the sorrow of GOD, like the anger of God, is his temporary response to a fallen world.  The sorrow will be banished forever from his heart on the day the world is set right.  Joy is God’s basic character.  Joy is his eternal destiny.  And God’s intent was that his creation would mirror his joy.”

 

I am challenged to stop hurrying my way through life, and take time to stop and enjoy the potty stops.  With my children as an example, who are experts at celebrating the little things, I want to grant myself permission to relish in the joys of motherhood, pat myself on the back once in a while for cleaning toilets and cooking dinner, and not allow myself to get bent out of shape when I hear “I need to go potty” from the backseat of the car.  Rather, I want to rejoice in the fact that I don’t change diapers anymore (which is cause for celebration for sure).  I want to sing in the rain (with a good, sturdy umbrella) and bask in the rays of pure joy. 

 

We have so much to celebrate – too many blessings to count.  I want to remember that life is a gift; life is about embracing the good and bad as whole, and remembering the One who holds me tightly in His grasp.  I want to be a mirror’s reflection of the One who takes joy in me. 

 

Psalm 28:7

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.

Posted in Faith, Life, Motherhood | 4 Comments »

Friday’s Free Advice

Feb 12th, 2010 by Amy

Read a book.

 

That’s it.  Read a book. 

 

Oh…perhaps I should be a little more specific. 

 

Read a good piece of fiction. 

 

I like to read.  In fact, I like to read a lot.  Before I was married and had children, I was always reading something.  I wouldn’t classify myself as a bookworm, but I definitely take great pleasure in soaking up great literature.  My life as a mom has limited the scope of my reading.  These days I find myself flipping through the pages of Dr. Dobson’s “Strong-Willed Child” and “Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood”,  both of which I highly recommend.  And, if my nose isn’t in one of those books, you can easily find me sniffing away through one of several spiritual growth and leadership development books.  Between my job as a mom, my role as a wife, my passion for ministry and deep desire to grow in all three of these areas, by the time my kids are down for the night I don’t have very many active brain cells left.  I’m pretty much tapped out.

 

Last spring I challenged myself to read Tolstoy’s “Anna Karenina”.  I didn’t care how long it took me to read it.  I was determined to plow my way through.  In the past I have felt guilty granting myself permission to read something simply for the fun of it.  I mean, really.  Who has the time?  Then I realized something quite simple.  I have to make the time, and stop feeling guilty about it. 

 

It took me four months to read “Anna Karenina” (even admitting how long it took me to read this book is a tad bit humiliating, to say the least).  There were some days I could only get through about two pages.  My eyes would start criss-crossing and the next thing I knew I was drifting off to “la, la land”.  Still, I tried to read a little bit every day. 

 

For me, thrusting myself into a great story is a form of pampering.  I absolutely love to get caught up in characters and plot, suspense and intrigue, lapping up and chewing on the rich words of the storyteller.  It takes me away, causes me to use my imagination and stretches out the tired muscles in my head. 

 

My advice, read a good fictional piece of literature.  Be good to yourself.  Enjoy thirty minutes of a good story. 

 

I know it can appear unproductive and wasteful, but let me give you something to think about for a minute.  We’re all about balance these days, right?  We work hard to prioritize, juggle, multi-task, etc., in order to attain a semblance of balance.  In my opinion, a balanced life knows how to play too.  It knows how to take care of itself so it doesn’t burn out.  For me, and perhaps for you too, reading something for the pleasure of reading is how I keep a little balance in my life. 

 

I just finished “The Lovely Bones”, by Alice Sebold, and I’m currently looking for my next fictional read.  My goal is to incorporate four fictional pieces of literature into the mixture of other books I am reading through the year.  Maybe you’ve already learned how to strike a balance in this.  I know I tend to be a slow learner.  So, tell me, what books are you reading right now?  Have you read anything good lately?  Is there something you would recommend?  Feel free to share it…I would love to hear your feedback.

 

In the meantime…read on, my friends.

Posted in Books, Fun Stuff | 1 Comment »

Distracted

Feb 10th, 2010 by Amy

I knew something wasn’t quite right when I heard Jackson squealing with unabashed delight from the other room.  My first mistake was being in the other room.  My second mistake was allowing myself to be distracted by the ever-important task of plucking my eyebrows.  Realizing the inspiration for Jackson’s joy couldn’t possibly be the zillionth re-play of “Dora’s Search For Squeaky”, but had to be something potentially dangerous or illegal (as in, illegal in the Slater home), I dropped the tweezers and ran.

 

Sure enough, I was welcomed into the playroom with a white carpet entrance brought to me by Jackson and two completely unraveled rolls of toilet paper.  Not a happy moment for Mommy.  Toilet paper is a precious commodity at chez moi.  Taking a deep, deep breath, I exhaled and, in good Love and Logic fashion, began singing, “Uh-oh” (picking Jackson up), “so sad” (keep breathing, Amy), “I guess we need a little bedroom time” (more for Mommy’s sake than yours right now, little buddy).  I plopped him, kicking and screaming, into his bed.  “When you’re sweet (and after I’ve recovered), you can join us in the playroom.”  Lesson learned:  I will not allow myself to be distracted by unruly eyebrows ever again.

 

As I was re-rolling toilet paper (like I said, TP is a precious commodity) to the sound of Jackson’s cries for mercy from his bedroom, I recalled another time when this good intentioned Mommy was distracted, and the mayhem that followed. 

 

The house was suddenly very quiet.  My (then) three-year-old and two-year-old were nowhere to be seen or heard.  My distraction this time was nursing infant Jackson.  Wearing my son, literally, I went in search of where the silence was coming from.  Calling to the girls, I tracked them down by their giggles.  (Giggles coming from behind a closed door is never a good sign.)  When I opened their closet door, I was welcomed, again, by something white.  This time, there were white clouds of baby powder billowing and falling like snowflakes in the air.  Sydney had stripped down to her panties and proceeded to shake the Costco-sized bottle of baby powder all over herself, her sister, and every other poor, unfortunate object in their closet.  Brooklyn’s face was a mask of white. 

 

What’s a mom to do?  I put Jackson down, reached for my camera, and took a snapshot for posterity sake. 

 10-16-2006-42

Truth be told, I get distracted a lot.  I start getting into decorating mode and lose myself to tweaking my knick-knacks and Pottery Barn catalogs.  I jump on the computer to look for a recipe, read a blog, or see what my Facebook friends are up to, and I end up sucked in to the ways of the web.  I go to my closet to find something to wear…and I never come out because…I’m still trying to find something to wear.  The distractions are endless, and my kids know this.  They have a sixth sense about these things, and intuition tells me that they live for these distracting moments. 

 

Distractions can be our undoing.  Whether they are in parenting, in our relationships, or even in our pursuit of God.  It is too easy to get sidetracked and eventually knocked off track all together.

 

How do we keep ourselves from falling victim to distractions?  I can’t say that I’m an expert on this; however, one thing I know for sure, starting the day with time alone with God does wonders in keeping life on track.  I’m also learning that having a clear and specific goal in mind helps me to stay on course because I know where I’m headed.  Additionally, I believe it’s important to allow myself time to do random, time-wasting activities (but not when Jackson is awake, as evidenced by the toilet paper incident this morning). 

 

I realize, however, that some distractions are unavoidable.  Life happens, right?  Another key thing that I am learning is to roll with the punches.  I do the best I can with what I have before me.  Like I am trying to teach my kids, you don’t have to be the best, just do the best you can.  Set the goals, make appropriate choices, give yourself a break every now-and-then, and leave a little wiggle room for whatever life happens to throw your way.

Posted in Life, Motherhood | No Comments »

Morning Rejoicing – My Brookie

Feb 8th, 2010 by Amy

“Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” – Psalm 30:5

Brooklyn is the rejoicing that comes in the morning.

brookcrop

As the sun wakes up and ushers in the dawn, my little Brookie’s eyes pop open with a twinkle and a smile.  She is love and hugs and a kiss on the cheek before the words “good morning” leave her mouth.  She twirls through life, as though there is perpetual music playing in her head all day long.  She is my cuddle bug, my “Oh Mommy, you’re loo-lee-ful (beautiful)”, my twenty questions throughout the day, my hot cocoa addict and my big, brown-eyed darling wrapped up in a fuzzy purple robe.  She is a treasure.

I lost a baby in February 2004.  I was heartbroken, as only those who have lost a baby can truly understand.  I wanted that baby so much.  I wanted to know why God would allow a pregnancy to end after ten weeks.

Three months later we were expecting once again.  Our due date was February 2005.

Brooklyn Ava-Marie was born on Tuesday, February 8, 2005.

Picture 311

Brooklyn’s full name means: “beautiful waterfall; running stream; giver of life; bitter sea”.  In the midst of a bitter season in our lives, this beautiful, life-giving stream was born into our family.  For five years she has blessed us with hugs, kisses and unconditional love.  My morning of rejoicing.

10-16-2006-13

Brookie, I am captivated by your wide-eyed innocence, your love for babies and puppies and early morning songs.  That you know the words to “Pocket Full of Sunshine” by heart is no surprise to me.  I am so grateful that God gave you to our family.  I am so blessed beyond my wildest hopes and lifelong dreams to get to see your sweet smile every day.

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You are my precious girl, and today I celebrate your life!

Posted in Motherhood | 6 Comments »

Friday’s Free Advice

Feb 5th, 2010 by Amy

I love to be pampered.  Let me repeat myself: I love to be pampered.  I can’t think of any better gift than a spa package, complete with massage, facial, mani, pedi, an “I can’t get my nose out of this” kind of book, and a venti something in my hand.  Stuff like this makes me giddy, and by nature, I am not a girl that gets “giddy”.  However, putting my feet up and allowing someone to rub my worries away for sixty minutes, is the quickest way to my heart. 

 

It didn’t take too long for my husband to figure this out.  When, after one gift-giving mishap, he gained significant insight into what makes me tick, and he hasn’t let me down since.  Now, while I love a good massage, things like bills, groceries, gas money, (you get the picture) seem to take a financial priority to that of spa days and pedicures.  Still, I have these needs.  I can’t help myself.  So, what’s a girl like me to do?

 

Well, I have learned the art of self-pampering.  I do believe that it is possible to carve out time amidst piles of laundry, dusting, vacuuming, nap times, snack times, sibling rivalries, writing, and dinner making.  Some days it is as simple as making myself a hot cup of coffee or tea in the afternoon, and pausing for five or ten minutes.  Anything to bring myself back into focus – centered, rejuvenated - and ready to keep plowing through the never-ending list of chores and motherly responsibilities.

 

I can’t claim to be an expert, by any means, but because of my love for pampering, I have come up with various and creative ways to make sure this need of mine gets met.  Thus, I have decided to make Fridays my Free Advice days.  You can take it or leave it, it’s up to you, but I’m going to throw my two cents out there anyway (does that still make it free?).

 

My first Friday Free Advice is communicating to your spouse, significant other or a family member, what makes you tick – what replenishes you and fills your love tank.  In order to successfully do this, you need to know what your love language is.  And you can find that out by taking this test.  It can be completed in about five minutes, or less.  Next, share your results.  Your husband may want to take it too.  Believe me, discovering our different love languages (I highly recommend “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman), revolutionized my marriage.  Suddenly, we knew how to love each other in the unique ways we receive love.

 

In any case, sometimes the first step to successful pampering, is to know what it is you need, and then communicate it (appropriately) with those closest to you.  When I’ve had a bad hair day, the best thing my husband can do for me is wrap me up in his big, strong arms and hold me for a while, no words necessary.  

 

Have fun discovering your love language, and don’t forget to share it!

Posted in Fun Stuff | 4 Comments »

Hard Things

Feb 3rd, 2010 by Amy

I’ve done one or two difficult things in my life.  And by difficult, I mean, things that pushed me beyond my comfort zone and meant taking a risk.  I moved to France in August of 1999.  I lived with a woman who spoke zero English (nada, zilch…not one word of my native tongue).  I bought a wedding dress before I even had a steady boyfriend (call me crazy…I’m sure lots of people did).  I’ve climbed a mountain (okay, it was a small mountain, but it still counts because when I looked down into its crater and felt my stomach swirl and flop there was no questioning we were at a much higher altitude than your average, run-of-the-mill hill).  I’ve done a little public speaking (which I have recently learned that 95% of public speakers experience nervousness and anxiety to some degree).  And I birthed my last child sans drugs.  It was completely au natural, and I remember it like it was yesterday, believe me. 

 

Like I said, I haven’t done too many hard things, which really only means I’ve been playing it safe my whole life.  Too safe.  I’m not an adventure seeker, and you will never see me on Survivor, Amazing Race, or hanging out with the likes of Bear Grylls and the National Geographic crew.  You can forget about that.  I’m not one looking for the next thrill, but I am one who wants to live a thrilling life.  I want to be one who lives out her faith and is willing to take the chances that God brings my way.  I could easily stay on the sidelines and enjoy the comfort and security of where I am currently, but I believe if I want true blessing and an extraordinary life, then I need to start stepping out and doing a few difficult things.

 

Sunday was our missions faith-promise Sunday.  Each person/family was challenged (but not obligated) to commit a certain amount of money each month, throughout the year, for missions.  In addition to that, we were given the opportunity to participate in planting 250 churches in Ethiopia.  And in addition to that, we were given a challenge to participate with Convoy of Hope and bring one day’s salary as an offering on Easter Sunday that will go towards “One Day To Feed The World”.  Wow.  As I sat in my seat that morning, I could feel the wrestling match going on in my head and in my stomach.  “But God…it’s been such a hard year.  You can’t really be asking us to do all this?”  “God, I’m not sure I have enough faith.  I believe you can do anything, and I believe you can supply, but…this?  Really?”

 

And then something else happened.  As clear as day, I recalled what I sensed God whisper to me in the wee hours of that same morning, “Amy, trust me.  Amy, stop worrying about tomorrow.  Take care of today.  Focus on today.  Trust me with the tomorrows.”

 

And suddenly, I knew.  We couldn’t sit on the sidelines and simply watch while others stepped out in courageous faith.  We had to step out too.  We had to place all of our fears and uncertainties and, “how are we going to do this?” questions on the altar along with our faith promise commitments. 

 

This was one of those hard things.  Hard, as in, “God you have called us to do this, to step out in faith, and now we surrender to you…to the unknown path we walk.”

 

On the way home from church, Sydney called to me from the back seat, “Hey Mom! Would you break my piggy bank when we get home?”  

 

“Why, Honey?”

 

“I want to give all my money to help the people in Haiti.”

 

My heart melted.  And I realized something very profound: if Joel and I want to raise children with hearts for giving, then we must model giving.  For Sydney, this was so simple…nothing hard about it at all.  In fact, to her, giving is a delight.  Even for myself, giving this time was a joy, even though it was a step of faith.  I truly felt what it means to be a cheerful giver.

 

My family is on a mission: a mission to change the world, one small step at a time.  We will not shy away from the difficult tasks, but we will accept the challenges God brings our way and live lives with purpose and courageous faith.  We will do the hard things.

Posted in Faith, Ministry | 7 Comments »

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