Recurring theme lately:
The Masterpiece Theater complete Jane Austen series which began last Sunday night.
Everyone is talking about it. I got Charles to set up our DVR to record it. (the first time we've used it successfully!) So if you like Jane Austen stories, you're only a week behind if this is news to you!
January 17, 2008
Sick
I stayed home sick today. At church last night I started a dry, itchy cough, then my chest got feeling heavy by the time we got home, I was achy and started losing my voice! Woke up the same way. It was just so sudden...very strange.
So anyway, Charles called me in sick this morning, but then I had to go to the school (which is where I work and called in sick from!) about 10am because Maggie threw up in class, then outside, then 3 times in the nurse's office. She did it again a few times since we got home, but now has kept some gingerale down for about 20 minutes.
SUCH a weird morning!
So we came home, cleaned her up and did laundry (her jacket got hit) and are on the couches with blankets watching an old vhs tape a friend in New Jersey had recorded for me of Shirley Temple movies from TV long ago. (That would be your mom, Meggan) Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm is playing now.
I wrote this earlier today and since then we watched Captain January and are now on The Little Colonel and Maggie has eaten some crackers and soup.
So anyway, Charles called me in sick this morning, but then I had to go to the school (which is where I work and called in sick from!) about 10am because Maggie threw up in class, then outside, then 3 times in the nurse's office. She did it again a few times since we got home, but now has kept some gingerale down for about 20 minutes.
SUCH a weird morning!
So we came home, cleaned her up and did laundry (her jacket got hit) and are on the couches with blankets watching an old vhs tape a friend in New Jersey had recorded for me of Shirley Temple movies from TV long ago. (That would be your mom, Meggan) Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm is playing now.
I wrote this earlier today and since then we watched Captain January and are now on The Little Colonel and Maggie has eaten some crackers and soup.
January 15, 2008
Wordless Wednesday: New 'do for the new year
We took the old pup in for her first pro grooming and we think we brought back a different dog. She has the same smile and same nose though.
***To see more entries or to join in and do your own, go to Wordless Wednesday or 5 Minutes for Mom.***
The aloof and the brokenhearted, a lesson forced upon me
One of my favorite tools on the internet is Bloglines, where you can put in the addresses of your favorite blogs and see when they are updated. That way, I don't have to check 60 pages on the internet every day. I would probably have given many of them up by now since they post sporadically. But Bloglines makes checking updates easy. When there is a new post, that blog in the list is highlighted.
One of the blogs I love to read is by Beth Moore, Bible teacher and women's ministry encourager. She is usually hilarious, very personal and honest and often has profound things right in the middle and woven all through her entertaining writing. Today she asked us who are regular readers to check in and give our age, denomination and our favorite 'truth' right now from the Bible. So that got me remembering all the things God's been showing me lately.
I have felt burdened in the past few months to put myself 'out there' more for people. I usually operate under the protection of a certain distance between my heart and other people. It is one of those things that most pastor's wives learn early on, usually after being hurt by the people we let close, just because of human nature and how we're all jerks sometimes. And although it is not right, it is a defense technique that we learn very well. And it is partly my personality to be just a little bit aloof in my relationships. My friends (and family) who read this blog are surprised by how open and personal I am on here because I don't usually do that in person. I feel like I can here because it's not one on one, it's out there to a group and I am not accountable to one person, to remember to connect with them regularly. This sounds really hideous now that I am putting it into words, but I have to be honest to make the point. I love people. I love the people at our church and where I work, but whenever I make the step closer to someone, I usually disappoint them in a number of ways and the distance is protection from that. I am just here and there in my attachments because I like contact with a lot of people and you just can't be BFF's or counselor or comforter to a lot of people.
But here is the thing....the point rather.....God puts up with that only so long before you get a friendly little shove towards someone. And then you find that it is not as hard on you as you thought and you don't tend to think about the disappointing people thing as much as when you were more aloof. So I got my shove and God is starting to give me the words for the people He is putting alongside me....because it is not from me. People who needed a connection and a friend. People who needed spiritual advice or comfort.....and prayer. I can't tell you how many people I have pulled aside and prayed for lately and it has really blessed them to be cared for like that. (by God, not me) And then the answers! There they come....very faithfully. God is amazing and although I may disappoint people in things like not remembering birthdays *cringe* or forgetting to call them when I should, but God never disappoints. I am usually a goofball and not a "Let's talk about that" kind of person. That always scared me off in the past, I think because of my personality. But God, who gives us inborn personalities, also equips us with supernatural gifts of the Spirit just when we need them. Because like I said, it was not my choice to go deeper. These people sought me out or were brought to my attention by the Lord.
I had to learn that it is not me who is the true Friend. It's Jesus. And we need to let Jesus care for people who are disconnected and lonely, overwelmed or hurting through us. And no, I just can't do it....but HE can....and He does. And i just wanted to share that in case you are needing to put yourself 'out there' a little more for others. Because, as Psalm 34 says,
17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
And often, He wants to use US to be His hands and feet in drawing close to those brokenhearted.
And to be 'aloof', we would just be 'a fool' when God gives the shove. (I'm really wanting to say 'from above' here but will refrain since this is supposed to be serious.)
One of the blogs I love to read is by Beth Moore, Bible teacher and women's ministry encourager. She is usually hilarious, very personal and honest and often has profound things right in the middle and woven all through her entertaining writing. Today she asked us who are regular readers to check in and give our age, denomination and our favorite 'truth' right now from the Bible. So that got me remembering all the things God's been showing me lately.
I have felt burdened in the past few months to put myself 'out there' more for people. I usually operate under the protection of a certain distance between my heart and other people. It is one of those things that most pastor's wives learn early on, usually after being hurt by the people we let close, just because of human nature and how we're all jerks sometimes. And although it is not right, it is a defense technique that we learn very well. And it is partly my personality to be just a little bit aloof in my relationships. My friends (and family) who read this blog are surprised by how open and personal I am on here because I don't usually do that in person. I feel like I can here because it's not one on one, it's out there to a group and I am not accountable to one person, to remember to connect with them regularly. This sounds really hideous now that I am putting it into words, but I have to be honest to make the point. I love people. I love the people at our church and where I work, but whenever I make the step closer to someone, I usually disappoint them in a number of ways and the distance is protection from that. I am just here and there in my attachments because I like contact with a lot of people and you just can't be BFF's or counselor or comforter to a lot of people.
But here is the thing....the point rather.....God puts up with that only so long before you get a friendly little shove towards someone. And then you find that it is not as hard on you as you thought and you don't tend to think about the disappointing people thing as much as when you were more aloof. So I got my shove and God is starting to give me the words for the people He is putting alongside me....because it is not from me. People who needed a connection and a friend. People who needed spiritual advice or comfort.....and prayer. I can't tell you how many people I have pulled aside and prayed for lately and it has really blessed them to be cared for like that. (by God, not me) And then the answers! There they come....very faithfully. God is amazing and although I may disappoint people in things like not remembering birthdays *cringe* or forgetting to call them when I should, but God never disappoints. I am usually a goofball and not a "Let's talk about that" kind of person. That always scared me off in the past, I think because of my personality. But God, who gives us inborn personalities, also equips us with supernatural gifts of the Spirit just when we need them. Because like I said, it was not my choice to go deeper. These people sought me out or were brought to my attention by the Lord.
I had to learn that it is not me who is the true Friend. It's Jesus. And we need to let Jesus care for people who are disconnected and lonely, overwelmed or hurting through us. And no, I just can't do it....but HE can....and He does. And i just wanted to share that in case you are needing to put yourself 'out there' a little more for others. Because, as Psalm 34 says,
he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
And often, He wants to use US to be His hands and feet in drawing close to those brokenhearted.
And to be 'aloof', we would just be 'a fool' when God gives the shove. (I'm really wanting to say 'from above' here but will refrain since this is supposed to be serious.)
January 14, 2008
A hard night's day...
Our burglar alarm went off at 4:30am. NO ONE in my house woke up except for me!! I had to pound on my husband to wake him up! We went running around looking for the open window or door, then push the button on the system that says which sensor went off (like smart people that we are, after running around the house looking) It was the back sliding door and when we looked, the sensor had fallen off. My adreneline was pumping so hard I could feel it moving like waves through me and my heart was beating so HARD I though I was going to have a heart attack.
It fell off again while I was at work and our 17 year old had turned on the alarm and left the house. So the police came, etc. just after I got home. (she leaves 15 minutes before I get home) It made me shake all over again just to have to talk to the police, show my ID, tell them why the alarm went off, etc. I'm so stressed out....bet I have several more gray hairs after today. It reminded me too much of last summer when I scared a burglar out of our house when I pulled up in the driveway.
I can see how people would have stress reactions and anxiety attacks after traumatic events if such small things make my system react like it did.
It fell off again while I was at work and our 17 year old had turned on the alarm and left the house. So the police came, etc. just after I got home. (she leaves 15 minutes before I get home) It made me shake all over again just to have to talk to the police, show my ID, tell them why the alarm went off, etc. I'm so stressed out....bet I have several more gray hairs after today. It reminded me too much of last summer when I scared a burglar out of our house when I pulled up in the driveway.
I can see how people would have stress reactions and anxiety attacks after traumatic events if such small things make my system react like it did.
January 11, 2008
Questioning Authority
Carol, at She Lives wants your opinion on a new movie. It hits the theaters in February and will either be shuffled over, cause a controversial stir, or it could open people's minds to questioning modern science propaganda and go on a journey of finding the truth to how our world began.
I had kind of heard about this project, but not enough to really examine it. After watching the trailer, I am excited about it! My husband was a biology major in college, taught science in a Christian high school for 5 years and talks about scientific things in his sermons often. Plus my dad was a Christian with very strong scientific leanings. So this is right up my alley! Ben Stein is a very talented guy. He just cracks me up on the Wonder Years and other movie bits. It is cool to see him doing something so meaningful, although he's been doing this a while....it's just now being brought to our attention.
I do not think scientists will be flocking in to see it, but everyday people will be....and those are the people who need to understand that scientific education and research in this country is largely filled with propaganda for an unproven theory.
The truth (in most areas) will set you free. Propaganda just leads you around by the snout. ;)
Now, there are a lot of scientists who do not put stock in Darwin's theory. None of it has actually ever been scientifically proven. And just because someone is exploring intelligent design does not mean they are a seeker of Christ or of religion at all....people just want truth and all of the scientific evidence and discoveries keep pointing to a purposeful design in the universe. There are also a lot of Christians who believe in a form of evolution, and that God is the one who got the ball rolling. So we can't generalize, but it doesn't really look like he does in the movie.
It looks like Stein simply wants to be heard....to provide a whisper in the public ear of questioning the authorities that be and not be afraid to explore other possibilities.
I have to be honest. I do hope that this movie will help spur people on to seeking God....seeking ultimate Truth. But I have always been irked by science books, television shows and some, but not all teachers trying to shove Darwinism down our minds. I would really love to see the scientific world FREE to explore all the possibilities, not just their personal leanings.
Oh yeah, so go over and tell Carol what you think and watch the trailer.
I had kind of heard about this project, but not enough to really examine it. After watching the trailer, I am excited about it! My husband was a biology major in college, taught science in a Christian high school for 5 years and talks about scientific things in his sermons often. Plus my dad was a Christian with very strong scientific leanings. So this is right up my alley! Ben Stein is a very talented guy. He just cracks me up on the Wonder Years and other movie bits. It is cool to see him doing something so meaningful, although he's been doing this a while....it's just now being brought to our attention.
I do not think scientists will be flocking in to see it, but everyday people will be....and those are the people who need to understand that scientific education and research in this country is largely filled with propaganda for an unproven theory.
The truth (in most areas) will set you free. Propaganda just leads you around by the snout. ;)
Now, there are a lot of scientists who do not put stock in Darwin's theory. None of it has actually ever been scientifically proven. And just because someone is exploring intelligent design does not mean they are a seeker of Christ or of religion at all....people just want truth and all of the scientific evidence and discoveries keep pointing to a purposeful design in the universe. There are also a lot of Christians who believe in a form of evolution, and that God is the one who got the ball rolling. So we can't generalize, but it doesn't really look like he does in the movie.
It looks like Stein simply wants to be heard....to provide a whisper in the public ear of questioning the authorities that be and not be afraid to explore other possibilities.
I have to be honest. I do hope that this movie will help spur people on to seeking God....seeking ultimate Truth. But I have always been irked by science books, television shows and some, but not all teachers trying to shove Darwinism down our minds. I would really love to see the scientific world FREE to explore all the possibilities, not just their personal leanings.
Oh yeah, so go over and tell Carol what you think and watch the trailer.
January 9, 2008
List of the week
Okay, well you know when I said I was going to try to post on this blog on weekdays and not weekends? Eh....not so much lately.
I'm pooped and although there are blogables here and there, I just can't get the brain to put words down.
Here are some things that have happened lately. I could blog on them, but I'd better just give them a mention and spark your curiousity and creativity with filling in the details.....
1. School's back in, so I am working every day again. I was MISSED. Yes, I think the littles like having me back. It's nice to be missed.
2. Maggie switched schools and is now going to school around the block, where I work. She likes it. She was very excited today to report to me that she did NOT get 'invited' to come to the tutoring program. lol
3. Ladies' kick off night for our winter Bible studies, beginning next week. It was good food, very nice and easy fellowshipping and a really positive, inspiring speaker. More on that later I am thinking.... because it got ME thinking.
4. My feet do not like my work shoes. They ache. And I do a lot of standing, walking and milling about keeping kids in line at work.
5. I like playing cards...real cards that you have to shuffle, moving them around with your hands instead of clicking on them....with real people....in groups, with partners. My kids like it too.
6. Going to bed at 10pm again after staying up until the wee sma's during Christmas break is hard. Getting up at 6am is harder.
7. My dog likes me best....I kind of like it but it's kind of annoying too. My husband is jealous.
I'm pooped and although there are blogables here and there, I just can't get the brain to put words down.
Here are some things that have happened lately. I could blog on them, but I'd better just give them a mention and spark your curiousity and creativity with filling in the details.....
1. School's back in, so I am working every day again. I was MISSED. Yes, I think the littles like having me back. It's nice to be missed.
2. Maggie switched schools and is now going to school around the block, where I work. She likes it. She was very excited today to report to me that she did NOT get 'invited' to come to the tutoring program. lol
3. Ladies' kick off night for our winter Bible studies, beginning next week. It was good food, very nice and easy fellowshipping and a really positive, inspiring speaker. More on that later I am thinking.... because it got ME thinking.
4. My feet do not like my work shoes. They ache. And I do a lot of standing, walking and milling about keeping kids in line at work.
5. I like playing cards...real cards that you have to shuffle, moving them around with your hands instead of clicking on them....with real people....in groups, with partners. My kids like it too.
6. Going to bed at 10pm again after staying up until the wee sma's during Christmas break is hard. Getting up at 6am is harder.
7. My dog likes me best....I kind of like it but it's kind of annoying too. My husband is jealous.
January 6, 2008
Word of the Year
Get ready...click the link...Chris Rice gave us a heads up on the announcement of the Word of the Year!
January 2, 2008
TA DA!
We had to play around with various settings to get this video the correct size to upload it. One of the settings we changed was the picture quality and it can't be redone without going back to the original camera downloading and then editing, adding music, etc processes. So here it is in low quality!
As you can see, this is after Maisy gotshaved by a maniac groomed, so all her nice ringlets are gone. At the end of the movie, they are snuggling and this is exactly what happens when you tuck Maisy under your neck. She gets limp and very sleepy! It's so funny.
As you can see, this is after Maisy got
Making movies
Well, I took a little break there, didn't I? i have been kind of busy, but doing fun stuff, so it's okay. The other day I was enjoying a nice warm day, sitting out on the porch swing with Maggie and our dog, Maisy playing in the grass. I took advantage and ran in to get the camera....and decided to try out the video mode of the camera. It worked great! I took a short movie of them playing, then I worked for a couple of days in my spare time trying to add music and title page to it. Then it took about 3 more days to figure out how to CUT off the music that lagged for 2 minutes past the movie's end. I was soooo happy to figure it out.
But now I can't seem to upload it to either photobucket or youtube. I am so perturbed! So if I finally ever get it uploaded, i will post it here. It's very cute....just an experiment. And if i don't smash everything with a hammer before figuring it out, I may do more of this later.....
Maggie is off for 3 days to our former town with some friends of ours. It is eerily lonely here....although I'm sure I could get used to it for 3 days only.
But now I can't seem to upload it to either photobucket or youtube. I am so perturbed! So if I finally ever get it uploaded, i will post it here. It's very cute....just an experiment. And if i don't smash everything with a hammer before figuring it out, I may do more of this later.....
Maggie is off for 3 days to our former town with some friends of ours. It is eerily lonely here....although I'm sure I could get used to it for 3 days only.
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