offline
I am taking a break from my computer for the next week. The boys and I have a lot we’d like to accomplish this week and I have books to read and studying to do. I am taking a break to get refocused and re-prioritize.
Be back in seven days…..
February 22nd, 2009
February 14th, 2009
February 10th, 2009
Almost Perfect But Not Quite
“Almost perfect… but not quite.”
Those were the words of Mary Hume
At her seventh birthday party,
Looking ’round the ribboned room.
“This tablecloth is pink not white–
Almost perfect… but not quite.” The Babysitters hd“Almost perfect… but not quite.”
Those were the words of grown-up Mary
Talking about her handsome beau,
The one she wasn’t gonna marry.
“Squeezes me a bit too tight–
Almost perfect… but not quite.”“Almost perfect… but not quite.”
Those were the words of ol’ Miss Hume
Teaching in the seventh grade,
Grading papers in the gloom
Late at night up in her room.
“They never cross their t’s just right–
Almost perfect… but not quite.”Ninety-eight the day she died
Complainin’ ’bout the spotless floor.
People shook their heads and sighed,
“Guess that she’ll like heaven more.”
Up went her soul on feathered wings,
Out the door, up out of sight.
Another voice from heaven came–
“Almost perfect… but not quite.”– Shel Silverstein
Before the boys went to bed tonight we each took turns reading poems from A Light in the Attic and Where the Sidewalk Ends. For some reason this poem just got to me. I felt some conviction about my own dissatisfaction with things that are mostly good—just not quite perfect. I am so thankful that even though I am ungrateful at times and even though I can be critical—when God sees me He won’t say, “Almost perfect…but not quite”. Instead He’ll say “I love you and welcome home”.
January 8th, 2009
my favorite flood picture
I found this one today in Bellingham Hearld’s image gallery.
I feel so sad for all the families who’s homes are being wrecked and for all the businesses that will be affected. Tomorrow I am going to look into finding some way to help at a shelter or with donations or just anything. Situations like this remind us that we are not in control of much of anything. I am quite sure many people are wondering, “Okay, God–where’s the rainbow?”
October 10th, 2008
“Fight Gone Bad” III
Here’s what I did the day before the half-marathon:
More background here: Athletes for a Cure—Fight Gone Bad Challenge
August 16th, 2008
starting a new year
What did I do this year? Last year I posted “30 things to do while I’m 30“. As I look back over the list I am pleased that I did accomplish quite a bit. I’ll have to think about what my goals will be for this year. Here is my updated list:
- pursue knowing God better everyday
- pray for Cam more frequently
- play with Sean and Caleb
- take a photography class (I know what class I want to take, maybe this year?) Closing the Ring divx
- go to a concert (going to Jars of Clay on 8/24/08)
- be involved in a bible study all year
- take a painting class (I will do this or maybe I’ll just start painting and see what happens)
- create something at least once a week (see above)
- wake up earlier
- make a new friend
- learn something new everyday
- go to a play
- be a good teacher to Sean & Caleb
- get a bike to ride with the boys
- pick at least 3 books –challenging ones, and read them (I only read two “challenging” books)
- don’t let laundry pile up
- learn some new recipes (I got a subscription to Cooking Light– does that count?)
- organize my photos (we got a HUGE external hard drive and backed everything up)
- be a good aunt
- be less selfish
- plan our 10th anniversary
- have a Fred Astaire marathon
- watch less meaningless TV
- download new music more often
- post photos and updates on our blog more frequently
- learn to love things that are healthy, like exercise (I don’t love it but I am doing it regularly)
- be grateful instead of complaining
- do at least one productive thing everyday
- find an organization strategy for scrapbook stuff that works
- be a good example
June 19th, 2008
Bible study
With the study, A Woman’s Heart: God’s Dwelling Place
XXx: State of the Union ipod , ending I am really thankful to be starting a new study already. It’s always sad for me when a good thing comes to an end. One thing that makes this transition a bit smoother is that the majority of our table group is continuing on with a new study together, No Other gods, by Kelly Minter. Summer School move Steel Magnolias movie Lonely Are the Brave download
Our group is joining thousands of women around the US and the world who are taking time every other Tuesday to meet together and study God’s word throughout the summer. Beth Moore and her team at Living Proof Ministries have organized this unique study. Each time we meet together we will share what God is teaching us through His word. We will share prayer requests, snacks and we will work together on memorizing our summer verses. Beth challenged us to memorize Jude 1:24-25 The Last Winter movie download .
No Other gods challenges us to “confront our modern-day idols”. In the introduction to the study Kelly says:
A few years ago I was feeling stuck. Stuck with God, people, career, living space, finances, convictions. I constantly cried out to God, “Please deliver me.”….. I was not ready for the simplicity of God’s remedy; He wanted to be God in my life.
Though somewhat unaware, I had been depending on false gods that were at the bottom of much of my pain. They were taking up room in my heart– room God desired to occupy. Through this process I became desperate to discover who the true God was in all of His glory so as not to return to the lesser and baser things. These idols could only offer temporary relief– promising what they could never deliver. How relieved I’ve been to find that through the dismantling, God has planted, built, restored, and redeemed. He has done nothing short of miraculous.
Idols are objects of worship and can be anything that we spend more time thinking about, interacting with or trusting more than our God. The subjects of idolatry and worship have been reoccurring themes recently and for me this means–God is speaking, pay attention! Pastor Mark Driscoll preached a fantastic message on the subject of worship. Mark teaches that whatever our issues may be, all our strongholds and addictions all boil down to having a worship problem. I highly recommend checking out that message, it’s one of the best I’ve heard on the subject.
This last season of Bible study has been life changing. The studies, the decisions, the clarity that came and life experienced throughout this spring will be one of the stones of remembrance
in my life. Studying the Tabernacle, God’s presence, His glory and His plan for our salvation all the way back to Genesis has been indescribable. God has drawn near and I am forever changed. I am so grateful for His faithfulness and the journey He continues to call me to take with Him. Following God is exciting, challenging, refining, peaceful, restoring, and so much more. I just love Him.
