October update

We have been spoiled this October!  Last October 13th, our first snow fall was ushered in.  This year, we have had beautiful leaves and the weather to match as further enjoyment.  Opposed to each of us battling a 24 hour bug, we are delightfully enjoying as much outside time as possible. 

Lynn is doing great in her new school!  With far more challenging home-schooling material, holding Lynn back in Kindergarten has proven to be a wise decision.  She desperately needs an outside activity to burn off some energy and get some additional socialization.  Minnesota has shown us to be a spotty place of hospitality.  Where we find warmth, we grab it with both hands. 

Gideon is turning 6 months on the 25th!  He is hardy boy who loves to squeal! 

Jeremy’s job is the same as usual.  He has put his resume in for contracting jobs.  There is nothing offered so far that is worth moving for.  I am thankful he has a steady and well paying job at this point.  Being on the prayer team at church is a reminder of how many people are losing their jobs and homes and how thankful we should be. 

As for me, I am blessed not to have to work outside the home.  I continue to make myself available each week to serve the people in my church body as I am lead.  My weeks look different and I like it.  My prayer ministry only increases and the Lord knows I don’t have a job to go to, so he gets me up at all hours for prayer.  I am perfect for the job, but coffee is more than essential to start my day.  One great perk for me is that I have become so good at hearing God’s voice and allowing Him to stop me dead in my tracks.  Presently, He has me on a special assignment of prayerfully building walls of unity and order within the church plant.  I am lead to an intense study on Nehemiah.  I find he and I have many similar qualities, but the job of building walls is overwhelming.  I could use all the prayer I can get if you feel prompted 

We have been spoiled this October!  Last October 13th, our first snow fall was ushered in.  This year, we have had beautiful leaves and the weather to match as further enjoyment.  Opposed to each of us battling a 24 hour bug, we are delightfully enjoying as much outside time as possible. 

Lynn is doing great in her new school!  With far more challenging home-schooling material, holding Lynn back in Kindergarten has proven to be a wise decision.  She desperately needs an outside activity to burn off some energy and get some additional socialization.  Minnesota has shown us to be a spotty place of hospitality.  Where we find warmth, we grab it with both hands. 

Gideon is turning 6 months on the 25th!  He is hardy boy who loves to squeal! 

Jeremy’s job is the same as usual.  He has put his resume in for contracting jobs.  There is nothing offered so far that is worth moving for.  I am thankful he has a steady and well paying job at this point.  Being on the prayer team at church is a reminder of how many people are losing their jobs and homes and how thankful we should be. 

As for me, I am blessed not to have to work outside the home.  I continue to make myself available each week to serve the people in my church body as I am lead.  My weeks look different and I like it.  My prayer ministry only increases and the Lord knows I don’t have a job to go to, so he gets me up at all hours for prayer.  I am perfect for the job, but coffee is more than essential to start my day.  One great perk for me is that I have become so good at hearing God’s voice and allowing Him to stop me dead in my tracks.  Presently, He has me on a special assignment of prayerfully building walls of unity and order within the church plant.  I am lead to an intense study on Nehemiah.  I find he and I have many similar qualities, but the job of building walls is overwhelming.  I could use all the prayer I can get if you feel prompted.

Can you see the storm trooper?

No pressure… cut 10% of your carbon footprint or get blown up….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhLw6py869c

Tappy shoes

These shoes are nothing but trouble in my home.  They’re cute, right?  Not when your daughter refuses to wear nothing but these shoes!  They arrived one day while my mother was visiting and we stopped by a yard sale.  She successfully talked grandma into buying her these shoes for $1.00. She calls them her “Tappy” shoes.  They were too small at the time she bought them, but even to this day, she persists in squeezing them on just one more time.  I kept insisting that she understand that these shoes were much too small for her and she needed to get rid of them.  With each request, the more bent she became on keeping those shoes!  Finally, I figured it out.  Each time I put on my high heels, she put on her shoes.  They have enough of a heal and make the same noise as my high heels.  She wanted to dress like mom.  I realized…. for these shoes to go, they need to be replaced.  I guess she was too embarrassed to tell me she wanted to look just like me.  I am thrilled to buy her a new pair….for as long as she still looks up to  me!

Social Justice: Why leave government do it or over influence?

Jeremy and I have become acquainted with a couple whose lives have faced a head on collision due to circumstances beyond their control with a local single mother.  She is 33 years of old and has lived off welfare since she became pregnant at the age of 14.  She is an expert at working the system and obtains high dose pain killers for next to nothing.  The state has agreed to transporting and granting her an elective surgical procedure at no expense to her, just the tax payer.  She had thoughts of relocating to Michigan, but discovered that the welfare in Minnesota was far more superior and changed plans.  Is this social justice?  Is her life being enhanced by unlimited government welfare?

In the matters of social justice, I find myself with more questions than answers.  Influences around me demand I choose an answer as a rule of thumb concerning social justice.  Christians who side conservatives or liberals allow division to creep in based on their interpretations of the scriptures.  It appears all agree that justice is to be brought, but “how” is under hot debate.  Both sides desire a consistent answer to turn to.

Within the political arena, conservatives wish to believe in the individual and believe that what is best for success is offer the tools and teach the individual how to fish… so to speak.  Liberals wish to create programs to help the unfortunate and give for as long as they have need.  In my observations, the attraction to either party rests within the individual.  If you are someone who enjoys strategy and long term results, conservatism is your bent.  If you are someone who enjoys immediate gratification and rarely notices long term effects, liberalism is your bent. 

Should we as Christians have a bent politically?  What does godly justice look like?  I find myself frustrated with both sides.  To my conservative friends, I wish for them to stop chanting that freedom isn’t free.  I realize this to be true in respect to our military forces, but the freedom we are to dwell on is free!  Also, giving financially is wonderful, but don’t let it be the only thing you do.  To my liberal friends, Christ did encourage the rich to sell everything and graciously give to the poor, but he did not encourage his disciples to steal it from them nor encourage them to shame others into giving or shame them for having wealth.  I struggle to see the glory given to God by enabling idle hands.  To both, I believe the church should take a more active role in social justice and not leave it to government.  Despite my criticisms, I am aware are limited to only 31 years of experiences and bias influences.  I am open to being wrong. 

I find it difficult to choose because I see God in both sides.  We need each other.  We need the analyst.  We need the spontaneous.  We need those willing to dive in and live among the poor.  We need the one of wealth to fund those in the trenches.  We all need to be servants and willing to get on our knees to wash one another’s feet.  We need to stop looking horizontal for uniformity, but look vertical for unity. 

The couple I mentioned before became acquainted with the single mother due to an unplanned pregnancy between her daughter and their son.  The daughter has only known how to manipulate the system to get what she needs.  Jeremy and I were given the opportunity to give many of our early baby items to the young couple.  She was overwhelmed with our generosity.  His parents insisted we ask for some sort of payment.  We have asked their son to help us with some work we are doing for a friend in exchange.  Should I feel guilty for not just giving graciously with nothing in return as some liberal Christians might feel?  I shouldn’t.  Earning something brings a sense of pride and accomplishment.  Our witness is not ruined, but enhanced.  We get an extra day to witness to this young man.  Should we feel justified in asking them to work because of their foolish actions as some conservative Christians might feel justified? Absolutely not!  Granting judgment free interactions should be giving without limit.  To me, that is godly justice.  Grace, respect, and time to show love.

Victory Academy!

This year Lynn is going to a brand new school called, Victory Academy!  We are all a bit nervous because the school is not just new to us, but new to the town of Red Wing.  The school has many wrinkles to iron out and desperately needs parents to actively participate!  Today, I volunteered for my first friday of lunch duty.  I signed up to go every friday.  So far, all is going good and Lynn loves her new school.

Big sister introduces the park

The Brunette Superhero

The brunette superhero has caught my attention lately.  Angelina Jolie is staring in a new movie entitled, “Salt”.  I can’t help but wonder why there appears to be a captivating fascination with the intelligent, tough, and shapely brunette woman.  Wonder woman, Zena warrior princess, Tomb raider, etc.  Are there brunette superhero women among us?  Honestly, I believe there are.  In my opinion, I would venture to suggest two of these women are women like Michelle Bachmann or Sara Palin.  As far as I can see in their personal lives, they appear to be women of noble character.  Both have a high regard for life and give their husbands something to be proud of.  In their jobs, they display courage, integrity, and an ability to respectfully speak their mind.  Regardless of their points of view, shouldn’t these women be celebrated?  Sadly, these women are the object of ridicule by media, feminist organizations, and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who disagree with their words or conduct.  Women who are praised by these groups are women like Oprah or Hilary Clinton.  Oprah is a wonderful example of what a woman can accomplish and graciously gives of her wealth, yet lacks true morality and the intellect to properly explore deep issues of content.  Hilary is another wonderful example of what a woman can accomplish…. If accompanied by the help of a man.  Hilary gave up the opportunity to rally women of every political affiliation behind her by standing on her own against her husband’s infidelity.  Instead, she remained by his side as a crutch for her career.  OH! Let’s not forget she had a statue done of her from the breasts up. Yes, the legacy I hope to leave is a mold of my breasts!  These women are the great feminists of our day.  I find feminism is not to promote the progress of women.  It is a means of women using and abusing men to get ahead and/or what you want from them.  Other women are not exempt from abuse if they get in the way.  Needless to say, courage, respect and integrity are not highly regarded and strongly opposed by male and female feminists.  Some male feminists appear to me to be men who couldn’t quite make it among real men so they join the weaker sex as a place to successfully dominate.  It is no wonder the real life brunette superhero is so demonized!  She is not easily dominated and puts them to shame.  So, where does she fit in society?  For some, they wish for her to remain in comic books, movies, and fantasy.  As for me, stay strong brunette superhero!  There are plenty of men who are sure enough of themselves to handle you and women who long to find someone worth admiring!

Inside the Holy of Holies

Ten weeks ago, the Lord led me to do an in-depth study of the Old Testament tabernacle.  As I combed diligently through Exodus 21-40 studying each color, fabric, skin, ritual and pieces of furniture in detail, I often wondered why did the Lord find this necessary for me at this time?  I am reminded that each time I choose faithfulness above reassurance of my steps; I am richly blessed and filled with joy at what is at the end of my journeys.  Plus, how can one gain nothing from studying any part of God’s word?  The last three years, I have gained great strides in my prayer life.  My first study was on spiritual warfare, followed by a study on the songs of ascent (Psalm 121-134).  The more ground I covered, I found myself more and more appreciative of Christ and the Holy Spirit.  How much I take full advantage from morning to night that I have full access to God’s thrown.  I wasn’t aware of how much until I had reached the end of my study.

Jeremy shared with me that at the end of my study, he planned to take me to visit the life-sized replica of the tabernacle on display in Hudson, WI.  I was thrilled!!!….Now that I had become so scholarly about this amazing structure.  We planned our trip for Friday after looking at a couple of schools for Lynn.  After a weary and frustrating time looking at schools, I was dying to be in the Lord’s presence!  I couldn’t wait to go before the Holy of Holies and be reminded that all would be well…. in my soul.  Upon our arrival, our plans were brought to a screeching halt because we had not made an appointment to go on the tour.  I walked out of the building livid.  Lord, I want to feel closer to you today by going in your tabernacle.  How dare they tell me I can’t it!  I was so angry, I couldn’t speak almost the whole way home.  I didn’t want to talk to anyone.  I WANTED TO SEE A PIECE OF MY GOD!!

Later that night, I finally gave opportunity for the Lord to speak to me.   He told me, “I am excited for you to see the tabernacle and see what my dwelling place looked like, but I also want you to experience having to come before me my appointment only.”  I was stunned.  Wow.  Don’t be shocked when the Lord has something special for you and He chooses to add some additional drama to be sure it sticks.  As a prayer warrior, I burst straight through that curtain that was torn from top to bottom many times a day without a thought.  I made my appointment for today.  I took my family and my visiting in-laws to see His tabernacle.  Oh… was it worth the wait.  To my fellow prayer warriors: when you come before His thrown in spirit as you pray, visualize the Holy of Holies and what it represents.  It will fill your heart with joy with each prayer that follows, even the little ones.  At His feet, before the thrown of grace once a year feels too hard to bear.  As I continue to absorb all that I have seen, heard and read, I am ecstatic to obtain a new visual of Christ’s sacrifice.  May this experience cause me to no longer take my precious moments in prayer for granted. 

I’m sorry there are no pictures of my visit.  We were instructed not to take any pictures of the tabernacle.  I bought some pictures that were for sale.  Ask me when you see me if you would like to see them.  If you would like to schedule your own tour, click here for details.

YMCA Day Camp!

Lynn spent a fun-filled week at the YMCA day camp!  She learned new games and songs, made crafts, and went swimming every day!  I wasn’t sure if she would be too shy to meet new friends and participate.  I think she held back a little, but had a great time.  I thought, for sure, she would be completely exhausted each day I picked her up.  She was, but of course, she fought with everything she had to stay awake and got herself so excited about the next day, she struggled to fall asleep at night.  It was nice having something for her and getting time to myself.  Next week starts another week of…. summer.  Only a month and a half until school starts!

Happy 4th of July!