By Anna Hamman
Check it out.
Note: This is an Australian recipe, so 60 grams of butter is just over half a stick of butter and 200’ C is about 350’ F.
Jun 30, 2011
Don't waste any more bananas with this chocolate chip banana muffin recipe
Check it out.
Note: This is an Australian recipe, so 60 grams of butter is just over half a stick of butter and 200’ C is about 350’ F.
Jun 29, 2011
That’s Not Fair!
By Julie Wilson
Editor's Note: To go alongside Katharine's "World of No" post from Tuesday, here's Julie's take on telling teens no.
If you are a parent, more than likely you have heard your child say to you, “That’s not fair!” If you have not heard those words, I can almost guarantee at some point that you will. I recently heard them from my teenage daughter. She wanted to stay after school for an event, but we did not give her permission to do so, and so she uttered those words out of frustration.
To a teenager, not getting permission to do what he or she wants can seem like the end of the world. Believe me, I remember! But as a parent of a teenager, I now understand how critical it is to have those boundaries in place. When my daughter complained about it not being fair, she really was just upset that she was not getting her way. Is life fair? No, of course not. What would life be like for our children if they always got what they wanted? I don’t want to find that out.
Our children may not always understand or agree with our decisions as parents, but it is our duty to raise them in a way that is most honoring to God. If that means telling them no sometimes, then don’t be afraid of their complaints. My daughter may not have been happy about the fact that we did not grant her permission to do what she wanted, but she trusts and loves us, and knows we are only thinking of what is in her best interest.
Children need limits. It is up to us as their parents to have clearly defined limits, so that children know what is expected of them. Regardless of the ages of your children, do not be afraid to tell them no. You may get a response like I did---“That’s not fair”---but you are teaching them a valuable lesson. You will be helping to shape him or her into an unselfish, respectful child of God. So keep saying, “No!”
Editor's Note: To go alongside Katharine's "World of No" post from Tuesday, here's Julie's take on telling teens no.
If you are a parent, more than likely you have heard your child say to you, “That’s not fair!” If you have not heard those words, I can almost guarantee at some point that you will. I recently heard them from my teenage daughter. She wanted to stay after school for an event, but we did not give her permission to do so, and so she uttered those words out of frustration.
To a teenager, not getting permission to do what he or she wants can seem like the end of the world. Believe me, I remember! But as a parent of a teenager, I now understand how critical it is to have those boundaries in place. When my daughter complained about it not being fair, she really was just upset that she was not getting her way. Is life fair? No, of course not. What would life be like for our children if they always got what they wanted? I don’t want to find that out.
Our children may not always understand or agree with our decisions as parents, but it is our duty to raise them in a way that is most honoring to God. If that means telling them no sometimes, then don’t be afraid of their complaints. My daughter may not have been happy about the fact that we did not grant her permission to do what she wanted, but she trusts and loves us, and knows we are only thinking of what is in her best interest.
Children need limits. It is up to us as their parents to have clearly defined limits, so that children know what is expected of them. Regardless of the ages of your children, do not be afraid to tell them no. You may get a response like I did---“That’s not fair”---but you are teaching them a valuable lesson. You will be helping to shape him or her into an unselfish, respectful child of God. So keep saying, “No!”
Jun 28, 2011
the world of no
by Katharine Grubb
Before I was a mother or many, I did temp office work all over the city of Boston. Often, these jobs were dull, and I would spend my day flipping through magazines. One day I came across an article about the actor Kevin Costner. While I don’t remember the name of the magazine or the exact title of the piece, I believe it was called something like, The World of Yes.
The article was about how, as a result of Costner’s success, he was able to get away with things that he never would have been allowed to as an obscure nobody. He made it clear in the article that he enjoyed it. The author described one anecdote: Costner was at a state dinner in which Raisa Gorbechev, the Russian Prime Minister’s wife, was seated next to him. After dinner, Costner, with the full attention of Mrs. Gorbachev, reached over and ate her dessert instead of his. According to the article, Mrs. Gorbachev found it funny.
Maybe it is. But let’s step back a minute here. Kevin Costner stole the dessert of a world leader’s wife. In some circles this would have been a huge offense. Not that many years ago, this could have started a war. At my table, I would have been astonished, but because he was famous, because he lived in the world of yes, he didn’t expect to have any trouble. And he didn’t.
My point in bringing up the article is this: What kind of world do our children live in? Is it a world of yes? Or is it a world of no?
I would like to suggest that we start teaching our children, as early as we can, that their world is a world of no.
When I say “no,” I mean that we communicate early to our child, that their world is one of restriction.
We do not say no to be mean. We do not say no to stifle their character, their creativity or their childhoods. We say no to keep them safe - You may not climb on the bookshelf. We say no because we have a long-term interest in their welfare - You may not have a cookie a half hour before dinner. We say no for the betterment of the whole family - You may not have a treat every time we go to the grocery store.
Mothers of infants, start saying no now. Say it in the exact same tone and inflection every time so that your infant is familiar with that word and understands the authority behind it. As a baby learns to explore their world, say no a lot - to opening cabinet doors and pulling down books and chewing on inappropriate items. As you are baby-proofing your home, rethink each security device. Is it there to really keep them safe, or is it there so that you don’t have to be the bad guy and say no. Could you install fewer clasps and be a little more vocal with no instead?
Mothers of toddlers, it feels like “no” is all you say. Nothing is more exhausting than chasing that little ball of energy around the house and saying no. It is far, far easier to just give up and give in and say yes. But there is no other age when no is more important. Your toddler needs to hit four years old fully aware of who is in charge. If it is not his parents, then the rest of his childhood will be far more difficult.
Mothers of younger elementary kids, this is where you start seeing the payoff of no. Our children’s character is often set at age five and re-learning inner discipline and inner restriction gets even harder. For more on this, read Dare To Discipline, by Dr. James Dobson.
What I noticed with my own children is this - they don’t really get tired of no. They might whine a little and even pout from time to time, but it’s a very short-term reaction. They understand that a no from me means that I am protecting them, I have their best interest in mind and that I love them.
Proverbs 19:18 says, Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death. It’s a sobering thought, moms, but if we are not teaching our children, from the earliest days, how good the world of no is, then we are setting them up for future harm, future embarrassment and future failure.
And then, sometimes I get to say yes. When I do, there is delight, gratitude and joy. My children, because they have lived a life in the world of no, are humble and content around others. It is far more fun and far easier to go from a world of no to a world of yes than the other way around. This is the long-term goal for my children, that, as they go into adulthood, they have inner self-discipline and can apply it in all they do.
And if they ever sit next to a prime minister’s wife at a state dinner, and they really, really want her dessert, they will at least ask first.
Before I was a mother or many, I did temp office work all over the city of Boston. Often, these jobs were dull, and I would spend my day flipping through magazines. One day I came across an article about the actor Kevin Costner. While I don’t remember the name of the magazine or the exact title of the piece, I believe it was called something like, The World of Yes.
The article was about how, as a result of Costner’s success, he was able to get away with things that he never would have been allowed to as an obscure nobody. He made it clear in the article that he enjoyed it. The author described one anecdote: Costner was at a state dinner in which Raisa Gorbechev, the Russian Prime Minister’s wife, was seated next to him. After dinner, Costner, with the full attention of Mrs. Gorbachev, reached over and ate her dessert instead of his. According to the article, Mrs. Gorbachev found it funny.
Maybe it is. But let’s step back a minute here. Kevin Costner stole the dessert of a world leader’s wife. In some circles this would have been a huge offense. Not that many years ago, this could have started a war. At my table, I would have been astonished, but because he was famous, because he lived in the world of yes, he didn’t expect to have any trouble. And he didn’t.
My point in bringing up the article is this: What kind of world do our children live in? Is it a world of yes? Or is it a world of no?
I would like to suggest that we start teaching our children, as early as we can, that their world is a world of no.
When I say “no,” I mean that we communicate early to our child, that their world is one of restriction.
We do not say no to be mean. We do not say no to stifle their character, their creativity or their childhoods. We say no to keep them safe - You may not climb on the bookshelf. We say no because we have a long-term interest in their welfare - You may not have a cookie a half hour before dinner. We say no for the betterment of the whole family - You may not have a treat every time we go to the grocery store.
Mothers of infants, start saying no now. Say it in the exact same tone and inflection every time so that your infant is familiar with that word and understands the authority behind it. As a baby learns to explore their world, say no a lot - to opening cabinet doors and pulling down books and chewing on inappropriate items. As you are baby-proofing your home, rethink each security device. Is it there to really keep them safe, or is it there so that you don’t have to be the bad guy and say no. Could you install fewer clasps and be a little more vocal with no instead?
Mothers of toddlers, it feels like “no” is all you say. Nothing is more exhausting than chasing that little ball of energy around the house and saying no. It is far, far easier to just give up and give in and say yes. But there is no other age when no is more important. Your toddler needs to hit four years old fully aware of who is in charge. If it is not his parents, then the rest of his childhood will be far more difficult.
Mothers of younger elementary kids, this is where you start seeing the payoff of no. Our children’s character is often set at age five and re-learning inner discipline and inner restriction gets even harder. For more on this, read Dare To Discipline, by Dr. James Dobson.
What I noticed with my own children is this - they don’t really get tired of no. They might whine a little and even pout from time to time, but it’s a very short-term reaction. They understand that a no from me means that I am protecting them, I have their best interest in mind and that I love them.
Proverbs 19:18 says, Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death. It’s a sobering thought, moms, but if we are not teaching our children, from the earliest days, how good the world of no is, then we are setting them up for future harm, future embarrassment and future failure.
And then, sometimes I get to say yes. When I do, there is delight, gratitude and joy. My children, because they have lived a life in the world of no, are humble and content around others. It is far more fun and far easier to go from a world of no to a world of yes than the other way around. This is the long-term goal for my children, that, as they go into adulthood, they have inner self-discipline and can apply it in all they do.
And if they ever sit next to a prime minister’s wife at a state dinner, and they really, really want her dessert, they will at least ask first.
Jun 27, 2011
summer get-to-do list
By Karen Brown
This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. - Psalm 118:24
One of the things we are going to try this year is the “Summer Get-to-Do List.” I love the idea of it being a “get to” list as opposed to a “have to” list. Our list might include: places we are blessed to live near and can visit, fun activities we can do as a family on a whim, things to make and create together, etc. I love including the kids in the planning of moments and memories we want to have this summer. Some things on our list have become tradition, and it would hardly feel like summer if we didn’t do them. Some are new things we hope to try, but might not if we don’t plan them out a bit. My hope is that, as a family, we can really seize and enjoy each summer day together.
Does your family make a summertime list? What are you most looking forward to?
Jun 24, 2011
Fountains and the Beauty of Water
By Anna Hamman
Now that it is warmer in Boston, there are many water activities that one can do at home with small children using few resources.
Recently my 13-month-old and some of her buddies have been discovering the joy of fountains. On a hot day, I pack an extra set of clothes, sun-cream and a towel and walk to a water fountain in a park to play. For my daughter, sometimes watching and listening to the water and observing other children playing in it is as much part of the learning experience as actually getting wet. This is all part of the process of learning about the world around you as a toddler.
Here are three great child friendly fountains we have enjoyed in Boston that you might like to visit on a hot day. Some of them have rubber underneath to prevent slipping and all are pretty safe in that they are built to have the water drain away immediately. On a hot day, I have seen older kids play in them for hours.
•Dana Park (Cambridge)
•Park on the corner of Hingham St and Memorial Drive (Cambridge)
•Park on the corner of Milk Street and Atlantic Avenue (Boston)
Jun 23, 2011
For the locals...Boston Harbor Islands
By Karen Brown
Now that school is out, our family is getting ready to make our Summer Get-to-Do List. We have found that if we aren’t intentional in how we spend our time together creating memories, the summer blows past us and we are back to school before we know it. (More coming soon on creating your own summer list!) One activity we are sure to add is visiting the Boston Harbor Islands.
If you are local to the Boston area, this deal would be a great way to spend to spend some family time together hiking, fishing, swimming, camping, or just relaxing on the beach. Travelzoo is offering half-price ferry rides to Spectacle and Georges islands through the end of the summer.
This deal must be purchased by Monday, June 27 at 8pm. Check it out here!
Jun 22, 2011
peacemaker
By Julie Wilson
This year, my son has ridden the bus to school, which at times has made me a little apprehensive. When you watch the news and hear about all the bullying and fights that happen on school buses, it makes me nervous. But throughout this school year, he has felt safe and we have had no reason for alarm, until last week. My son left the house last Wednesday at the same time he always does to catch his bus. I got a phone call from him five minutes after he had left. He had forgotten to have me sign his progress report and was in a panic about what to do. He knew that if he showed up at school without me having signed it, he would get automatic detention. As he was on the phone with me a boy on his bus kept trying to yell into his phone. This boy kept getting in my son’s face and just started messing with him.
My son kept telling the boy to stop but he didn’t. So, out of frustration my son pushed the boy to get him out of his face. The boy tripped, fell, and got up extremely mad. He came up swinging and hit my son in the side of his head. The boy kept trying to punch my son, and my son was just trying to block the punches. Earlier I had told him to get off the bus at the next stop and I would come pick him up, sign his report, and then just take him to school. I had no idea all this was happening while he was on the phone with me.
Needless to say, when my son told us about what had happened on the bus we were extremely upset. We talked with him on Thursday morning about what he was going to do on the bus with this kid around. He seemed anxious before heading out the door, so my husband and I prayed with him before he left. My husband talked with him about being a peacemaker and reminded him that that is what Jesus would want him to be. Throughout the day I kept praying for my son and was trying not to worry, but I was extremely nervous about him being back on the bus with that kid on there.
When my son got home from school I immediately started asking questions. He was very calm and relaxed, so I began to lighten up a bit. He said nothing bad happened on the bus that day. When the boy got on the bus that morning, my son went right over to him and apologized for pushing him. He told the boy he was frustrated with him but that he should not have pushed him. He then stuck his hand out for them to shake hands. The boy accepted his apology, shook hands, and then apologized himself for having hit my son. I was so proud of him in that moment. He said, “I just kept thinking I needed to be a peacemaker and so I did what I thought would keep the peace.”
Am I still a little apprehensive about my son riding the bus to school? Yes, of course! But knowing that he is trying to live a life that honors Christ, and live out the message of Matthew 5:9 helps me to be more at peace myself.
This year, my son has ridden the bus to school, which at times has made me a little apprehensive. When you watch the news and hear about all the bullying and fights that happen on school buses, it makes me nervous. But throughout this school year, he has felt safe and we have had no reason for alarm, until last week. My son left the house last Wednesday at the same time he always does to catch his bus. I got a phone call from him five minutes after he had left. He had forgotten to have me sign his progress report and was in a panic about what to do. He knew that if he showed up at school without me having signed it, he would get automatic detention. As he was on the phone with me a boy on his bus kept trying to yell into his phone. This boy kept getting in my son’s face and just started messing with him.
My son kept telling the boy to stop but he didn’t. So, out of frustration my son pushed the boy to get him out of his face. The boy tripped, fell, and got up extremely mad. He came up swinging and hit my son in the side of his head. The boy kept trying to punch my son, and my son was just trying to block the punches. Earlier I had told him to get off the bus at the next stop and I would come pick him up, sign his report, and then just take him to school. I had no idea all this was happening while he was on the phone with me.
Needless to say, when my son told us about what had happened on the bus we were extremely upset. We talked with him on Thursday morning about what he was going to do on the bus with this kid around. He seemed anxious before heading out the door, so my husband and I prayed with him before he left. My husband talked with him about being a peacemaker and reminded him that that is what Jesus would want him to be. Throughout the day I kept praying for my son and was trying not to worry, but I was extremely nervous about him being back on the bus with that kid on there.
When my son got home from school I immediately started asking questions. He was very calm and relaxed, so I began to lighten up a bit. He said nothing bad happened on the bus that day. When the boy got on the bus that morning, my son went right over to him and apologized for pushing him. He told the boy he was frustrated with him but that he should not have pushed him. He then stuck his hand out for them to shake hands. The boy accepted his apology, shook hands, and then apologized himself for having hit my son. I was so proud of him in that moment. He said, “I just kept thinking I needed to be a peacemaker and so I did what I thought would keep the peace.”
Am I still a little apprehensive about my son riding the bus to school? Yes, of course! But knowing that he is trying to live a life that honors Christ, and live out the message of Matthew 5:9 helps me to be more at peace myself.
Jun 21, 2011
couponing
By Karen Brown
Have you seen the new show Extreme Couponing on TLC? It chronicles families who have taken couponing to a whole new level and are saving an unreal amount on their grocery bill. While I don’t see myself subscribing to all the practices I have seen on the show, it is more than a little intriguing and has me wondering how I can be more fiscally responsible with what God has entrusted to us.
I am all for frugality, but am maybe a little uneducated in how to go about it. Don’t get me wrong, our family does Google searches for promo codes when ordering online, utilizes sites like Groupon, Livingsocial and Restaurant.com, but we don’t get the paper and rarely search online for grocery coupons. Watching the show a couple times and checking out the links to coupon sites on their website has me excited to try my hand at clipping!
Do you use coupons to save your family money? What tips and tricks have you found most useful in stretching your grocery budget dollars?
Jun 20, 2011
Why You Are So Good At What You Do
By Katharine Grubb
When did it first occur to you that you were responsible for another person? Was it while you were pregnant for the first time? When you were awakened in the night by a hungry baby? When your sweet bundle of joy vomited on the floor and you realized that no one else was going to clean it up?
When we feel the enormity of this job, sometimes we get a little shaky in our Uggs. This is scary. We have to make all the right decisions, we have to understand their needs, we have to be there. It’s no wonder that we often feel overwhelmed or panicky or completely insufficient for the monumental task of raising a healthy, happy child.
Was it an accident that we’re doing this job? (Don’t answer that publicly.) Was it some cosmic joke that put a helpless infant in the arms of a woman who may, at times, be scatterbrained or obsessive or fearful or anxious or overly emotional?
God says no. No accident. God put this baby and this mother together for a reason.
Psalm 139:13, 15-16 says: For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
This is the amazing part, that He knows all about your weaknesses and gave you the baby anyway.
This has two serious implications for us as mothers.
First: Our strengths and weaknesses are exactly right for mothering this particular child. That’s really hard to believe when you and the willful toddler are fighting round six hundred and twelve, but it’s true. Some of us are detail conscious and our children will learn how to do tasks well through us. Some of us are whimsical and creative and this too will bless our children when they need a story told, or a great birthday party or a truth illustrated to them. Some us are great with people and our children will learn compassion from us. Some of us are leaders and our children are our first followers.
I think that some of us restrict our gifts to those things that are measurable, like how good a seamstress we are or whether or not we can cut our kids’ hair, or what we studied in college. But I think our gifts are bigger and broader than that---like how we view holidays, or our love of books or what makes us laugh. We are bigger and better than what we see.
But when our children see us, they don’t see a college degree, qualifications, or bundles of weaknesses and insecurities (at least not until they’re teenagers). They see comfort and safety and life. Our children see in us what God put there to bless them. We are stronger and more effective and better at our jobs than we think.
Take comfort in this, Mom. God always knows what He’s doing, even when we don’t. The second implication is this: we can always ask for help. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says this: But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
That means that God longs to pour His strength into our weak lives. When we feel like we can’t face another sleepless night, when we’ve lost our tempers with our child again, when we feel overwhelmed or panicky or completely insufficient, we can ask for strength. We can ask for solutions. We can ask for rest. God will pour out on us His strength so that we fulfill our destinies just as He planned all along.
We are mothers not by accident (regardless of the circumstances), not by careful planning, nor not by simple biology. We are mothers because God blessed us with the gift of children so that He can glorify himself.
Take comfort in this, Mom. God always knows what He’s doing, even when we don’t.
When did it first occur to you that you were responsible for another person? Was it while you were pregnant for the first time? When you were awakened in the night by a hungry baby? When your sweet bundle of joy vomited on the floor and you realized that no one else was going to clean it up?
When we feel the enormity of this job, sometimes we get a little shaky in our Uggs. This is scary. We have to make all the right decisions, we have to understand their needs, we have to be there. It’s no wonder that we often feel overwhelmed or panicky or completely insufficient for the monumental task of raising a healthy, happy child.
Was it an accident that we’re doing this job? (Don’t answer that publicly.) Was it some cosmic joke that put a helpless infant in the arms of a woman who may, at times, be scatterbrained or obsessive or fearful or anxious or overly emotional?
God says no. No accident. God put this baby and this mother together for a reason.
Psalm 139:13, 15-16 says: For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
This is the amazing part, that He knows all about your weaknesses and gave you the baby anyway.
This has two serious implications for us as mothers.
First: Our strengths and weaknesses are exactly right for mothering this particular child. That’s really hard to believe when you and the willful toddler are fighting round six hundred and twelve, but it’s true. Some of us are detail conscious and our children will learn how to do tasks well through us. Some of us are whimsical and creative and this too will bless our children when they need a story told, or a great birthday party or a truth illustrated to them. Some us are great with people and our children will learn compassion from us. Some of us are leaders and our children are our first followers.
I think that some of us restrict our gifts to those things that are measurable, like how good a seamstress we are or whether or not we can cut our kids’ hair, or what we studied in college. But I think our gifts are bigger and broader than that---like how we view holidays, or our love of books or what makes us laugh. We are bigger and better than what we see.
But when our children see us, they don’t see a college degree, qualifications, or bundles of weaknesses and insecurities (at least not until they’re teenagers). They see comfort and safety and life. Our children see in us what God put there to bless them. We are stronger and more effective and better at our jobs than we think.
Take comfort in this, Mom. God always knows what He’s doing, even when we don’t. The second implication is this: we can always ask for help. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says this: But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
That means that God longs to pour His strength into our weak lives. When we feel like we can’t face another sleepless night, when we’ve lost our tempers with our child again, when we feel overwhelmed or panicky or completely insufficient, we can ask for strength. We can ask for solutions. We can ask for rest. God will pour out on us His strength so that we fulfill our destinies just as He planned all along.
We are mothers not by accident (regardless of the circumstances), not by careful planning, nor not by simple biology. We are mothers because God blessed us with the gift of children so that He can glorify himself.
Take comfort in this, Mom. God always knows what He’s doing, even when we don’t.
Jun 17, 2011
sing along
By Anna Hamman
I recently started taking my baby daughter to the Cambridge Public Library. If you live in the area, or even if you don’t but want a nice morning out, Cambridge Public Library is great for kids. There is a large newly-renovated floor dedicated to kids, a mat for babies and several free sing along and story times that are designed specifically for young kids and babies too. I really enjoy taking my daughter to the “Lapsit” class (for not yet walking-aged children) where you and your baby sing nursery rhymes with actions. There are free classes for toddlers and preschoolers, too.
The library is a really nice space to hang out in and read some new books. It also has a park in the front if you need some gross motor action in between reading sessions. I have found that there is a nice community of parents there, some of whom I have continued to catch up with outside of the library. Check it out!
The library is a really nice space to hang out in and read some new books. It also has a park in the front if you need some gross motor action in between reading sessions. I have found that there is a nice community of parents there, some of whom I have continued to catch up with outside of the library. Check it out!
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Jun 16, 2011
Father's Day Inspiration: For Dad, With Love
By Karen Brown
With Father’s Day weekend upon us, I thought I would take a minute to poll some of our dads and see what might be on their wish lists for Father’s Day. Maybe these ideas will inspire gifts for the husbands and fathers in your life. Enjoy the time set aside on Sunday to honor, love and appreciate dads!
• “Something that promotes relational time as a family would be awesome. Maybe an outdoor game like Baggo. Or a tent would be great and then we could plan a family trip this summer.”
• “An afternoon nap.” (Consider making some coupons to be redeemed when needed by dad.)
• “We have a tradition where my wife takes the kids to the paint-your-own-pottery place to make me a new mug, or gift of their choosing. My wife gets a date afternoon with the kids, the kids get a totally fun art project, and I get some time to myself.”
• “I would love a donation to an organization like Living Water in my name. For like $40, you can provide clean water for a year.”
How does your family celebrate Father's Day?
• “Something that promotes relational time as a family would be awesome. Maybe an outdoor game like Baggo. Or a tent would be great and then we could plan a family trip this summer.”
• “An afternoon nap.” (Consider making some coupons to be redeemed when needed by dad.)
• “We have a tradition where my wife takes the kids to the paint-your-own-pottery place to make me a new mug, or gift of their choosing. My wife gets a date afternoon with the kids, the kids get a totally fun art project, and I get some time to myself.”
• “I would love a donation to an organization like Living Water in my name. For like $40, you can provide clean water for a year.”
How does your family celebrate Father's Day?
Jun 15, 2011
Nipping It In The Bud: How and Why We Celebrate Friends, Not Toys, At Our Birthday Party
By Katharine Grubb
A few years ago, my oldest decided she wanted to have a birthday party and invite all of her new friends over. Nine comes only once, after all. We counted up all the names, added in her two cousins, her seven-year-old sister, and her two little brothers and we came up with a list totaling twelve. Twelve! Up until that spring, the biggest celebration we ever hosted involved two friends, not counting Grammy and Grampy.
I could have been a wet blanket and refused to meet her desires. After all, the expense and effort of a birthday party will fall upon me, her mother. On the other hand, all of us had prayed for more relationships for our girls, and now we had them. A celebration would be a good and happy thing. So she and I started planning.
I am naturally lazy, so I can certainly see the appeal of letting some “Party Planner” at Chuck E. Cheese or Celebration Station do all the work. For the sake of this article, I investigated how much Chuck E. Cheese would charge for the same number of guests. I nearly fell off my chair when I read $168! This includes, for each child of course, 2 slices of pizza, 1 piece of cake, several game tokens, a soft drink and atmosphere that I would compare to a G-Rated Las Vegas. Oh, and someone else cleans up.
As I got over my shock and got back in my chair, I realized that for me, frugality always trumps laziness. How interesting. I didn’t know that virtues like thrift would be my companions in this party planning business. Oh dear. If I plan this party underscoring restraint rather than excess, gentleness over obnoxiousness, and things of beauty over things of molded plastic from Toys R Us, then we’re going to be different. My daughter will be different.
Can she and I handle it?
What is a mother to do?
My daughter, being eight years old, naturally wanted a horse party. I understood this meant horse-themed games, not a real pony for rides at $100 an hour. But while we were gardening together one day, I had an idea. I gently suggested to her that instead of a toy, perhaps her little friends could bring her a perennial for our, I mean her, garden? Could we do horses and flowers?
She loved the idea.
We would still have our horse-themed activities, but her gifts, the ones that were her heart’s desires would come from the people who loved her most: her parents and her grandparents.
She happily agreed and that week, as she drew out her little homemade invitations, inside I wrote: "please bring a contribution for our perennial garden so that we can remember this happy day with our friends for years to come."
So far, so good.
Despite this very virtuous beginning, I began to have doubts about the flower thing. I really wondered what these moms would think, some of whom we didn’t know very well at all. So, over the course of the next few days, I mentally made a list of the benefits of this little idea and I was surprised at how encouraged I was.
Perhaps this little flower alternative would:
1. Bless busy moms. I would imagine digging up a lily from your backyard is infinitely easier
than second-guessing yourself at your local Wal-Mart’s toy department. Also, two of our
guests are from families of six children. Their moms need less to do, not more.
2. Minimize comparisons. Not everyone can bring a $40 chemistry set. Flowers have a way
2. Minimize comparisons. Not everyone can bring a $40 chemistry set. Flowers have a way
of equalizing the whole matter.
3. Avoid the Bratz doll disaster of Christmas 2006. All I’m going to say about this is that the
look of shock on my face nearly ruined my relationship with our generous, although
misguided, Auntie June.
4. Subtly encourage other moms toward restraint, although I probably have an over-inflated
perception of my trend-setting abilities.
5. Save space. I have absolutely no room for ten new toys.
6. Minimize attitudes of entitlement. I am not planning on raising a spoiled princess.
7. Set precedents. I have four children younger than the birthday girl. The other children
need to know how our family handles these types of situations.
8. Draw a line in the sand for me. If I lead in the area of contentment, then hopefully, we’ll
never see the need to go completely overboard at Build-A-Bear, even if we can afford it.
9. Make us a little more immune to the influences of pop culture.
I reassured myself with this conclusion: My family culture is important to me. I am willing to be creatively sacrificial for the sake of our character, no matter what others think.
The party was scheduled for Sunday, May 27 from 3:00-6:00. All across our backyard, a dozen 5-9 year olds, galloped, whinnied and reared while I instructed them in guessing games, variations of tag, a relay race, and a modified board game. We beat that homemade carrot-shaped pinata for a good half hour before we gave up and ripped into it. Then we ate watermelon, horse-shaped PBJ sandwiches, sorbet and horse head shaped birthday cake. All of the children were delightful and had a grand time. The mothers were all grateful and happy about our request. Some did spend a lot (in my opinion) on their gifts, others just dug up what they had available. My only regret was that each guest didn’t plant his or her flowers with my daughter. But by the time the cake was passed out, I nearly was too.
And our expenses? We spent $11 on ordinary white bags (on which my daughter drew pictures of horses), bouncy balls, unicorn pencils (the store was out of horses), Blow-pops and homemade bookmarks for each guest. We bought the jumbo bag of candy (about $10) at Costco for the pinata and everything else came from things already in our house. (Except for the chocolate licorice whips which is a must, since there has to be a mane on the horse head cake.)
The next day, my daughter and I spent the afternoon deciding where her beautiful flowers- the phlox from Iris, the Black-Eye Susan from Naomi, the rose from Anna, the lilies-of-the -valley from the other Anna, the poppies from Isabella, the daisy from Alyssa and the peony from Lucie -should be planted.
I asked her, “Did you enjoy your party?”
“Oh, Mommy!” she said dreamily. “I loved every second of it!”
Despite the hard work, the organizing, the baking and the worrying, I whole-heartedly agreed with her.
I loved every second of it too.
I held my head up high and walked into the kitchen and suggested to the first child I saw, “How about on your birthday we have a mystery party! We divide up into teams, collect clues to solve a theft or something! All your little friends could bring you a Nancy Drew or a Hardy Boys book?”
My child looked up at me, took a long sip of lemonade and frowned.
“Nah. Don’t want to. “
Oh well. Humility is a needed virtue too.
Jun 14, 2011
Last-Minute Teacher Gift Ideas
By Karen Brown
Our kids are in the countdown to the last couple weeks of school. In the midst of all the end-of-the-year activities and events, I haven’t had much time to come up with something creative to give teachers as a “thank you for loving on my kid” gift. Even though the gift is likely to be something small and inexpensive, I want my children’s teachers to always feel honored and cherished by our family. I will certainly have each child write their own notes and then include something below.
Here’s a web roundup of ideas to inspire you:
•This is a great subway art-inspired poster for the classroom (or your own home!)
•These wise little owls would be adorable filled with a note, a giftcard, or maybe a homemade treat like these amazing sea salt caramels. My daughter would love to make these with me.
•These fun paper clips would be sweet or these thumbtacks. I could see these packaged up in little glassine bags tied up with ribbon.
•Consider making a donation in a teacher’s name to Living Water to provide clean drinking water to school children in developing countries. Many children cannot attend school due to lack of sanitation.
What are some of your favorite ways to appreciate others...especially those who teach and mentor kids?
Our kids are in the countdown to the last couple weeks of school. In the midst of all the end-of-the-year activities and events, I haven’t had much time to come up with something creative to give teachers as a “thank you for loving on my kid” gift. Even though the gift is likely to be something small and inexpensive, I want my children’s teachers to always feel honored and cherished by our family. I will certainly have each child write their own notes and then include something below.
Here’s a web roundup of ideas to inspire you:
•This is a great subway art-inspired poster for the classroom (or your own home!)
What are some of your favorite ways to appreciate others...especially those who teach and mentor kids?
Jun 13, 2011
a lesson from the coach
By Julie Wilson
This spring, all four of my kids are in baseball or softball. Needless to say, this has been a very busy time for our family. Almost every night we are headed out the door to someone’s game or practice. It has been a lot of fun, but also hectic at times.
Last week Jonah and Andie were at their practice and I stayed in the van to catch up on some phone calls I needed to make. I was telling my sister how crazy our schedule was and that we had to go from the girls’ practice straight to my oldest daughter’s game when Jonah ran up to the van and said, “Mom, my coach wants to talk to you. Can you come here?” So, I got off the phone and went down to the field thinking, “I hope this doesn’t take too long, we need to get to Alex’s game.”
As I approached the girls’ coach she had a huge smile on her face. She just wanted to tell me what a joy it was for her to have my girls on her team. She said, “Your girls are so respectful, and polite. They are so sweet and I love having them on my team.” She went on to say that she could tell the girls were being raised with Christian values. She then said, “Seeing them act and behave the way they do makes me want to be more like that, and be more like a Christian.” Wow, was I surprised by what she had said! I felt guilty that I was hoping the conversation wouldn’t take too much time out of my busy schedule that night.
The coach’s words really made me stop and think about the impact of her statement. I never want to be too busy to miss a moment like that. Even amidst our crazy schedule right now, God showed me in that short conversation what is really important. Did it really matter if we were late to the next game? Of course not. If one person can be inspired to change and be more like Christ, then we’ll be a little late! And I know my daughter will understand.
Last week Jonah and Andie were at their practice and I stayed in the van to catch up on some phone calls I needed to make. I was telling my sister how crazy our schedule was and that we had to go from the girls’ practice straight to my oldest daughter’s game when Jonah ran up to the van and said, “Mom, my coach wants to talk to you. Can you come here?” So, I got off the phone and went down to the field thinking, “I hope this doesn’t take too long, we need to get to Alex’s game.”
As I approached the girls’ coach she had a huge smile on her face. She just wanted to tell me what a joy it was for her to have my girls on her team. She said, “Your girls are so respectful, and polite. They are so sweet and I love having them on my team.” She went on to say that she could tell the girls were being raised with Christian values. She then said, “Seeing them act and behave the way they do makes me want to be more like that, and be more like a Christian.” Wow, was I surprised by what she had said! I felt guilty that I was hoping the conversation wouldn’t take too much time out of my busy schedule that night.
The coach’s words really made me stop and think about the impact of her statement. I never want to be too busy to miss a moment like that. Even amidst our crazy schedule right now, God showed me in that short conversation what is really important. Did it really matter if we were late to the next game? Of course not. If one person can be inspired to change and be more like Christ, then we’ll be a little late! And I know my daughter will understand.
Jun 10, 2011
8 shocking things that i've never done for my kids: here is where you judge me
By Katharine Grubb
This is a true confession. Like all of us, I don’t do everything perfectly as a mother, but I believe I’m a great mother anyway. I'm confessing this simply because I want you to see that we don't have to do it all. Doing stuff isn't what makes a mom great, it's being comfortable with who you are.
This is a true confession. Like all of us, I don’t do everything perfectly as a mother, but I believe I’m a great mother anyway. I'm confessing this simply because I want you to see that we don't have to do it all. Doing stuff isn't what makes a mom great, it's being comfortable with who you are.
So, here's my list. And judge away!
1. I never had an elaborate bedtime ritual. No read aloud books. No songs. Just a hug, a kiss and a prayer. This works for us. If I did a whole dog and pony routine with five kids, it would seriously intervene with my alone time. I really like my alone time.
2. We never did anything at all with lost teeth. No tooth fairy. No present. No cash. This is what it looks like: "Mom! I lost a tooth!" "Okay, rinse out your mouth, throw it away. Now, go watch a video." I know this is shocking. I might be disowned if my own mother heard this, but even under conservative circumstances, say $1 per tooth, times five kids, times 20 teeth = A LOT OF CASH!
3. We never took our kids to studios to get their yearly portrait taken. In my hometown of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, this is almost as bad as blasphemy. I'd rather have nice, casual shots, and with our computers, we can do all these fun effects. Also, it’s cheaper and way less stressful.
4. We never did anything but Baby Jesus at Christmas. Santa is a happy idea, but he's not what Christmas is about. We tell our kids, "God loves us so much, He gave us the best gift of all, Jesus! In the same way, Daddy and Mommy love you too, here are your presents from us." Don't think they missed out on anything.
5. We never took a million videos. I don't know why. Okay, I think I do, I think I did it to rebel. My mom is extremely sentimental and when, as a teen, I watched my baby movies (back when there was no sound) she would get all emotional and start blubbering, "Where did my babies go?!" Instead, I'm taking the position of enjoying the present. I say to my kids, "You were so cute as a baby, you did this, this and this. But you are great today, just like you are!"
6. For this reason, I never scrapbooked. Plus having five babies in eight years kinda kept me busy.
7. I never got all fastidious about our diets. We already have this dairy allergy for one kid that keeps me alert, but honestly, I find that keeping up with every single potentially harmful additive exhausting. Instead, I monitor my family's foods with broad strokes: fresh fruit (but I don't go out of my way to buy organic), whole grains (make all my baked goods from scratch, thank you very much), less meat, less sugar, and few processed foods. This is all I want to worry about.
8. I never - and this is hard to admit - dedicated my last three kids at church. Will they go to hell for this? Uh, no. Will I? Also, no. My reasoning was out of fear. If I held a baby dedication, then my parents would have to come from Oklahoma to attend. And they would, most certainly, do something embarrassing and self-serving in front of my whole congregation, like they did at my older child’s dedication. So, I'll just play the grace card on this one. I wish now I had worked around it.
So, that's it. My big confession. If I were reading this list, I would conclude that my home life might be a bit dreary and dull. But, with five loud kids, it is far from that. My home is free of condemnation, mostly at least. I am happier because I've decided where I want to put my memories, my traditions and my concerns.
And no matter how you judge me, I know I’m still a great mom!
Jun 9, 2011
craft hope
By Karen Brown
“Craft Hope is a love inspired project designed to share handmade crafts with those who need them. It is our hope to combine our love for crafting and desire to help others into a project to make a difference around the world.” From Craft Hope.
If your family is like mine, we are always on the lookout for ways to teach our children about compassion, social justice and love for all, in age-appropriate and relevant ways. Well, Craft Hope is making this easy with Project 12: Orphan Outreach. Through projects like this, Craft Hope seeks to empower a generation to change the future. Project 12 is about making bracelets for orphans living in a crisis center in Leningrad as a way to tangibly show them His love.
Bracelets. That’s it. Just bracelets. I can make bracelets and so can my kids. And so can the kids at REUNION and maybe their parents and friends can too. Check out the details via the link above and then get busy creating!
If your family is like mine, we are always on the lookout for ways to teach our children about compassion, social justice and love for all, in age-appropriate and relevant ways. Well, Craft Hope is making this easy with Project 12: Orphan Outreach. Through projects like this, Craft Hope seeks to empower a generation to change the future. Project 12 is about making bracelets for orphans living in a crisis center in Leningrad as a way to tangibly show them His love.
Bracelets. That’s it. Just bracelets. I can make bracelets and so can my kids. And so can the kids at REUNION and maybe their parents and friends can too. Check out the details via the link above and then get busy creating!
Jun 8, 2011
Pavlova: An Aussie/New Zealand Dessert
By Anna Hamman
However, there are a few gems that we claim as uniquely Aussie foods and this recipe is one of my favorites. Both Australia and New Zealand lay claim to the dessert, but for arguments sake, let’s just say we invented it together. In 1926, it was created and named after a famous Russian Ballerina Anna Matveyevna Pavlova (1881-1931), who toured New Zealand and Australia in 1926. I love being able to share a piece of my culture and roots through cooking, because it reminds me of how vast and diverse God’s world is.
Pavlova is very easy to make. The passion fruit is one of my favorite parts about the dessert because the sour taste of the fruit offsets the sweet meringue. You will find it hard to find canned passion fruit pulp or fresh passion fruits out of season in Boston---I know because I searched everywhere this winter to find some---but you can definitely substitute passion fruit with berries or canned mango.
Jun 7, 2011
come to mommy!
By Katharine Grubb
Our new home’s back yard had only a fenced perimeter and an old oak tree. My one-year-old daughter, Ariel, was like a newborn colt, jumping and running in unhindered joy, despite the fact that she had no toys, no sandbox, no playmates.
As an insecure Mommy, I was often baffled at my responsibility for her. And today, I fretted over the barren yard. How do I entertain a toddler without toys, swings or a sandbox? How do I frolic with her when I tire so easily? I watched her, helplessly slumped into a lawn chair, five months pregnant with her sister.
I had an idea. I told her to stand along the chain link fence, facing me. I lazily sat in my chair and shouted to her, waving my arms in an air traffic controller fashion.
I shouted, "COME…TO…MOMMY!"
Giggling, she ran toward me and crashed into my arms. I scooped her into my lap, covering her with kisses.
"Let’s do it again!" Her smile spoke volumes.
So we repeated the whole game. Back to the fence. Wait for the signal. Listen. Take off running. Crash! Hugs! Kisses! A tickle this time! Off we go to do it again!
I didn't think much about the game after that day. But as the summer progressed, we played it often. She could have played it for hours.
Two summers later, when baby Miranda was walking, she joined in the fun. I was stronger and able to do far more, but that didn’t matter. The swings could wait. Come To Mommy was preferred.
Two summers later, their little brother Corbin toddled into the game. When we played this time, each child had to take a turn. The combined force of three kids could have knocked me off my lawn chair. When it was all said and done, I had five little ones scrambling to be next in line.
What I didn’t know was that this was far more than a game. This was a built-in training device, a signal that told them it was time to come. This was the signal that told them it was time to obey. When the children grew, and I took them to more adventurous places than our backyard, I could wave my arms in the same pattern and everyone would know it meant Come to Mommy now! This was a practical tool in my mommy arsenal; it worked everywhere. I was astounded by my own brilliance. I was managing my brood with something fun.
Moms of toddlers, you can do this too! Practice at home, in the living room or in the backyard, and train your little ones to run into your arms with a signal. Don’t forget the hugs, kisses and tickles once they get there. Then, when you’re at the playground and the other moms are screaming for Junior to come, all you have to do is wave your arms.
"COME…TO….MOMMY!”
And your well-trained toddler will run to you.
And hopefully line up to play it again.
Our new home’s back yard had only a fenced perimeter and an old oak tree. My one-year-old daughter, Ariel, was like a newborn colt, jumping and running in unhindered joy, despite the fact that she had no toys, no sandbox, no playmates.
As an insecure Mommy, I was often baffled at my responsibility for her. And today, I fretted over the barren yard. How do I entertain a toddler without toys, swings or a sandbox? How do I frolic with her when I tire so easily? I watched her, helplessly slumped into a lawn chair, five months pregnant with her sister.
I had an idea. I told her to stand along the chain link fence, facing me. I lazily sat in my chair and shouted to her, waving my arms in an air traffic controller fashion.
I shouted, "COME…TO…MOMMY!"
Giggling, she ran toward me and crashed into my arms. I scooped her into my lap, covering her with kisses.
"Let’s do it again!" Her smile spoke volumes.
So we repeated the whole game. Back to the fence. Wait for the signal. Listen. Take off running. Crash! Hugs! Kisses! A tickle this time! Off we go to do it again!
I didn't think much about the game after that day. But as the summer progressed, we played it often. She could have played it for hours.
Two summers later, when baby Miranda was walking, she joined in the fun. I was stronger and able to do far more, but that didn’t matter. The swings could wait. Come To Mommy was preferred.
Two summers later, their little brother Corbin toddled into the game. When we played this time, each child had to take a turn. The combined force of three kids could have knocked me off my lawn chair. When it was all said and done, I had five little ones scrambling to be next in line.
What I didn’t know was that this was far more than a game. This was a built-in training device, a signal that told them it was time to come. This was the signal that told them it was time to obey. When the children grew, and I took them to more adventurous places than our backyard, I could wave my arms in the same pattern and everyone would know it meant Come to Mommy now! This was a practical tool in my mommy arsenal; it worked everywhere. I was astounded by my own brilliance. I was managing my brood with something fun.
Moms of toddlers, you can do this too! Practice at home, in the living room or in the backyard, and train your little ones to run into your arms with a signal. Don’t forget the hugs, kisses and tickles once they get there. Then, when you’re at the playground and the other moms are screaming for Junior to come, all you have to do is wave your arms.
"COME…TO….MOMMY!”
And your well-trained toddler will run to you.
And hopefully line up to play it again.
 |
| Anna Hamman |
Jun 6, 2011
God’s Garden
By Julie Wilson
My family and I have recently been volunteering with a community garden. About a month ago, we helped get all the beds ready for planting. We pulled weeds, picked out trash, and shoveled in compost. Then we planted carrots. This last week when we went back, the girls got to see the carrots starting to grow and they also helped plants herbs.
For us, living in an urban city has many advantages. But one disadvantage is that we do not have a yard to plant a garden. Being able to help our neighbors plant fresh food for those not able to grow produce on their own has been a joy for us. Last year, the majority of the food from this community garden was given away to the Greater Boston Food Bank and other non-profit organizations for those in need. This has been a great opportunity for my “city” kids to be a part of producing and cultivating a garden that they would not otherwise be able to experience.
If you live in an urban area I encourage you to find ways to have fresh produce. See if there is a community garden that you can volunteer at. Or try growing in pots or a small, raised bed. As we continue to help at the garden I hope this will teach my children about God’s goodness and His plan. God’s plan of creation and His design are amazing. It is incredible to think how God can take a tiny seed and grow it into a large, beautiful plant. He is the ultimate gardener!
My family and I have recently been volunteering with a community garden. About a month ago, we helped get all the beds ready for planting. We pulled weeds, picked out trash, and shoveled in compost. Then we planted carrots. This last week when we went back, the girls got to see the carrots starting to grow and they also helped plants herbs.
For us, living in an urban city has many advantages. But one disadvantage is that we do not have a yard to plant a garden. Being able to help our neighbors plant fresh food for those not able to grow produce on their own has been a joy for us. Last year, the majority of the food from this community garden was given away to the Greater Boston Food Bank and other non-profit organizations for those in need. This has been a great opportunity for my “city” kids to be a part of producing and cultivating a garden that they would not otherwise be able to experience.
If you live in an urban area I encourage you to find ways to have fresh produce. See if there is a community garden that you can volunteer at. Or try growing in pots or a small, raised bed. As we continue to help at the garden I hope this will teach my children about God’s goodness and His plan. God’s plan of creation and His design are amazing. It is incredible to think how God can take a tiny seed and grow it into a large, beautiful plant. He is the ultimate gardener!
Jun 3, 2011
“Anonymous. Jesus’ hidden years and yours” (A book by Alicia Britt Chole)
By Anna Hamman
I recently finished reading the book, Anonymous. Jesus’ hidden years and yours.
This book took me some time to read---not because it’s long, but because it is full of truth that I found I needed to mull over one piece at a time. It is the kind of book that I could read several times and still find it teaching me and reminding me of how to realign my focus. I found it particularly applicable to me as a new mum, having moved from a busy working life, to now full-time parenthood, where most of my time is spent at home and sometimes wondering about my identity and what I should be doing next.
Essentially it is about the seasons in our life when we are not in the public eye or as “ successful,” where we find ourselves in a quieter less “celebrated” season---and what we can learn during these times. The author suggests that these can be rich seasons in which we grow closer to God and stronger in character.
Alicia Britt Chole looks at Jesus’ “hidden years” and how he handled temptations, challenges and trials over many years of anonymity, which helped him be obedient even unto death in order to save us and to please God.
She uses the analogy of the iceberg.
“Through chattering teeth, arctic scientists inform us that only one-eighth of an iceberg is visible. As much as 90 percent is submerged in the unseen. Because of their enormous mass, with that proportion, icebergs are virtually indestructible.
10% visible + 90% unseen = indestructible life
The most influential life in all of history reflected the iceberg equation. Ninety percent of his life on earth was spent in obscurity. Ten percent of his earthly life was spent in the public eye. And all of his life was and still is absolutely indestructible”
Alicia discusses in depth the temptation of Jesus in the desert and how he responds to it. She refers to Deuteronomy 8:2-5, taking ideas straight from that scripture. She says that God sometimes leads us into deserts:
This is not a gripping novel or a “make you laugh” read, which is why I usually never choose to read a book like this. I usually run from titles like this and others such as “ Celebration of Discipline” etc. Most often I like to escape from my life rather than face it and be challenged to work on areas, however something drew me to this book and I found truth in it. It isn’t written in a judgmental or condescending way but rather a reflection on Jesus’ character and how we can learn from him. I feel like I have a long way to go in learning and growing the patience, self control and trust in God that Jesus has, but this book helped me look at my more anonymous season as a time to work on these things. And for that I am strangely thankful.
I recently finished reading the book, Anonymous. Jesus’ hidden years and yours.
This book took me some time to read---not because it’s long, but because it is full of truth that I found I needed to mull over one piece at a time. It is the kind of book that I could read several times and still find it teaching me and reminding me of how to realign my focus. I found it particularly applicable to me as a new mum, having moved from a busy working life, to now full-time parenthood, where most of my time is spent at home and sometimes wondering about my identity and what I should be doing next.
Essentially it is about the seasons in our life when we are not in the public eye or as “ successful,” where we find ourselves in a quieter less “celebrated” season---and what we can learn during these times. The author suggests that these can be rich seasons in which we grow closer to God and stronger in character.
Alicia Britt Chole looks at Jesus’ “hidden years” and how he handled temptations, challenges and trials over many years of anonymity, which helped him be obedient even unto death in order to save us and to please God.
She uses the analogy of the iceberg.
“Through chattering teeth, arctic scientists inform us that only one-eighth of an iceberg is visible. As much as 90 percent is submerged in the unseen. Because of their enormous mass, with that proportion, icebergs are virtually indestructible.
10% visible + 90% unseen = indestructible life
The most influential life in all of history reflected the iceberg equation. Ninety percent of his life on earth was spent in obscurity. Ten percent of his earthly life was spent in the public eye. And all of his life was and still is absolutely indestructible”
Alicia discusses in depth the temptation of Jesus in the desert and how he responds to it. She refers to Deuteronomy 8:2-5, taking ideas straight from that scripture. She says that God sometimes leads us into deserts:
- To humble us
- To test us
- To know what is in our hearts
- To see if we will keep his commands
- To teach us to depend on him, and
- To discipline us as children
This is not a gripping novel or a “make you laugh” read, which is why I usually never choose to read a book like this. I usually run from titles like this and others such as “ Celebration of Discipline” etc. Most often I like to escape from my life rather than face it and be challenged to work on areas, however something drew me to this book and I found truth in it. It isn’t written in a judgmental or condescending way but rather a reflection on Jesus’ character and how we can learn from him. I feel like I have a long way to go in learning and growing the patience, self control and trust in God that Jesus has, but this book helped me look at my more anonymous season as a time to work on these things. And for that I am strangely thankful.
Jun 2, 2011
God's goodness journal
By Phil McArdle
This past Christmas, my wife came up with some really incredible gift ideas for our kids. One of them was a journal in which our whole family would collaboratively write with the theme of recognizing God’s goodness in our day-to-day lives.
In practice, it’s very simple. Each night as we settle into the dinner table, Alexis (age 9) pulls out the God’s Goodness Journal and writes each of our names leaving a few blank lines before the next. We then take turns mentioning good things that happened throughout our day. It might be a compliment someone gave me, a fun activity at school, another new client at my wife’s business, a fabulous story we heard from a friend or a new word Skylar (18 months) learned to say. We come up with good things that happened in our own days and good things we experienced as a family.
My wife found the idea and started our journal, and Alexis pulls it out the majority of the time. But I think I’m the one who would miss it the most if we stopped. It’s great that something so simple could impact our family in so many ways. Time around the dinner table is pretty solid to begin with, but this journal definitely takes it up a notch. With the help of this journal, our new routine is discussion about positive things we are each excited about and connecting all of it to God’s movement in our lives and world.
It’s subtle, but I can definitely see how our time writing in our God’s Goodness Journal is not only giving us a better picture of who God is, but is also helping form our attitudes as we focus on the good around us.
This past Christmas, my wife came up with some really incredible gift ideas for our kids. One of them was a journal in which our whole family would collaboratively write with the theme of recognizing God’s goodness in our day-to-day lives.
In practice, it’s very simple. Each night as we settle into the dinner table, Alexis (age 9) pulls out the God’s Goodness Journal and writes each of our names leaving a few blank lines before the next. We then take turns mentioning good things that happened throughout our day. It might be a compliment someone gave me, a fun activity at school, another new client at my wife’s business, a fabulous story we heard from a friend or a new word Skylar (18 months) learned to say. We come up with good things that happened in our own days and good things we experienced as a family.
My wife found the idea and started our journal, and Alexis pulls it out the majority of the time. But I think I’m the one who would miss it the most if we stopped. It’s great that something so simple could impact our family in so many ways. Time around the dinner table is pretty solid to begin with, but this journal definitely takes it up a notch. With the help of this journal, our new routine is discussion about positive things we are each excited about and connecting all of it to God’s movement in our lives and world.
It’s subtle, but I can definitely see how our time writing in our God’s Goodness Journal is not only giving us a better picture of who God is, but is also helping form our attitudes as we focus on the good around us.
Jun 1, 2011
shooting miranda
By Katharine Grubb
This is dedicated to my daughter, Miranda.
Miranda is eleven, the second child and the second daughter. She probably gets the least attention around here. The reason for that is this: she isn't full of the witticisms and writing passions of her older sister, she isn't the math whiz her brother is, she's not the cute little penguin her other brother is, and she's not the baby. She is laid back and easy going. She wants to please me, so she isn't corrected. She is contrite when she is corrected, so we don't spend a lot of energy on bad attitudes. So, when it comes to reporting the daily drama to Daddy, Miranda is often omitted just because she's generally calm and obedient.
Because of this, I've noticed, that she's a little frustrated. She's been comparing herself to her sister and coming up short. Ariel's talents are obvious. They are big and loud and visual. Miranda's though, are quieter, like the fact that she is a favorite assistant in church nursery, or that she can memorize lists in an instant. I've spent a lot of time praying for her because I want to point out her strengths to her. I want to be able to say to her, "You're good at THIS! Go in THIS direction! No one can do THIS the way you do."
Slowly, the beautiful blessing of who she is is being revealed to us. In one way, she's shown a profound interest in music; she’s a mimic and can easily memorize. She learns audibly, so as of this week, we've just let her sit with a CD player and headphones, listening to anything she wants, because she really digs using her ears to learn. Last week, she spent hours looking at a dictionary. Then today, I picked up our Greek and Latin root word cards (you know, the kinds with prefixes and suffixes on them) to drill the kids. She lit up. She knows them better than anyone at the table. She doesn't want to stop when I get to 20, she wants to keep going.
Then all of a sudden it hit me - LANGUAGE! Miranda is perfectly suited for learning language! The audio learning, the memorization, the fascination with words and their meanings, God's plan for her must have something to do with language! Not necessarily creative work, but for the purpose of teaching it perhaps, or speaking it, or traveling or interpretation. This is who she is. These are her strengths.
We spent some time this morning speculating on what precise occupations would need an expert in languages and the more I talked about this, the more excited she became. And I saw it, the verse from Psalm 127:
3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.
5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.
I'm telling all of you this because all of you need to be shot. Okay, that was poorly said. I mean, you need to know who you are, and then be launched out into the world to do great things.
You, like Miranda, are gifted very specifically. You have strengths that might be a little mysterious. Rest-assured, they look nothing like your neighbors’ or your siblings’. You are designed for a complete and perfect assignment, be it writing or be it something else.
If you don't already know what you were designed to do, take heart. For one, it is never too late to find out. Additionally, you are not a creation of your own making, you were made by a loving Creator who wants to shoot you, in a good way. I really, really love my daughter, but how much more God loves you! I can communicate these truths to my daughter and help her succeed in life, but HOW MUCH MORE does our Father love you and want to help you! I want to encourage all of you to seek God and ask him what your strengths are.
And you will be a great asset to the Family of God. Just like Miranda.
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| http://library.duke.edu/digitalcollections/hasm_b0950/#info |
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