New Web Site
>> Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Okay, I'm a fickle creature. My new website is Ciao Yellow Bird. Click here to go there. Hope to see you there!
Read more...LIttle Girls and Lip Gloss
>> Saturday, February 20, 2010
I go back and forth with the lip gloss. She loves it. Especially Bonnie Bell. We've got Dr. Pepper, 7Up, Coca Cola. All shiny, all lip-smacking yummy. And I had them growing up, so what's the big deal? She likes them in her stocking at Christmas, as a surprise after a trip to Target, as a treat for completing a special job she was asked {or not asked} to do. It's something I really never gave a second thought to. Until she asked to wear some to the park the other day. Hmm, what to do. Using it when you're playing dress up is one thing, but walking out the door with it on is entirely different. Perhaps I'm overly sensitive in this area, but because we {our society} sexualize little girls younger and younger, I am overtly protective of my child's innocence, of her childhood. I want to guard her eyes, her ears, her mind, her heart. Until she is old enough to approach modesty with godly wisdom. Until then, I will guard her with the wisdom God has mercifully given me. If we have a young plant, tender and unseasoned, wouldn't we shield it from harsh weather until its roots were strong? We'd be wise to do that, I think. And our little ones are tender, aren't they? The condition of my daughter's heart is so much more important to me than her outside, but that's not to say that the outside isn't important. It is, oh it is. It is.
We live in a culture that glorifies sex, pushes sex at every turn. We can't get away from it, try as we may. It's everywhere. And unfortunately, this means it's everywhere for our kids too. I do not take Grace to the mall with me unless I absolutely have to. I think she has been to the mall once in two years. And it was a quick visit. Now, I'm not condemning moms who take their kids to the mall. That's not what this is about. But for me, keeping those outside influences away from her is something I feel led to do at this point in her life. I remember having to stop there for a product that I can only pick up at a kiosk in the middle of the mall. Grace was with me. To get to the kiosk, we had to walk past a lot of stores and, of course, huge honkin' signs outside the stores. One was Victoria's Secret. Another was Abercrombie & Fitch. I knew I needed to address what she was seeing. And I did. And we got it all ironed out. That's it's not okay to show certain parts of our body to anyone. That how we dress is a reflection of our respect for and obedience toward God. That it's okay to look cute and pretty {I didn't think she'd understand the word 'trendy'} while still being modest. I'm sure we'll have that conversation again. But for now, we've got it worked out.
Book Review - Thin Places: A Memoir
>> Monday, February 08, 2010
As my close friends will tell you, I'm something of a bibliophile. I love to read. Books are my great weakness. And I love words. They're lovely, haunting, poetic, able to send us to the moon with happiness or to the floor in a heap of despair. They change men's lives, sometimes for the better, sometimes not. I can't imagine a world without books. And recently I read one that rocked my world. Actually, it took me back to a time I would rather forget, a time that I consciously try to push way back deep. Too painful, too hard, too late.
Had I known the content of Thin Places, I honestly don't think I would have read it. Just catapulted too much "stuff" to the surface. I don't like to dredge up the pain of my childhood. Long time gone, and really, I'm 40 now. I should be over all that. And I thought I was. Until I read Mary's book, and I knew I still have a long road ahead of me.
No spoilers here. Thin Places is a poignant memoir. It's raw and and it's real. It's not for the faint of heart. Truly, there were incidents that were disturbing, especially now that I'm a mom. But for all the darkness in it, there are equal amounts of redemption, grace and the astounding reality of Christ's ultimate sacrifice for our broken, shallow lives. Mary is a masterful storyteller, and I was riveted to the very last page.
I know, I'm being vague. Because I want you to read this book. Let your guard down, whatever your "thing" is, and let this book speak into the dark places in your life that have yet to be surrendered to Christ. I believe you can meet Him in your thin place too.
Disclaimer: I was provided a review copy of this book by Mary's publicist.
Read more...
The Best Job in the World
>> Tuesday, February 02, 2010
I have the best job in the world. I'm a stay-at-home mom. It's a job I never in a million years saw myself in. But I love it, and I can't imagine doing or being anything else.
I am fully complete in my role as wife and mother, and anything on top of that is just icing.
Ready for the driving range
Looks like someone is using my Happy Light!
School at the table (and in a leo, as usual)
My attempt at homemade Hostess cupcakes (thanks for the guide, Ruthanne!)
Read more...
Just a peek at my stay-at-home day. It may be dull, but it's all mine. {wink}
The 10/40 Window
>> Friday, January 29, 2010
No, we haven't adopted. But I wanted to share with you our "other" little girl. We sponsor her through an amazing organization, which I highly recommend if you are looking to sponsor a child in need, Gospel for Asia. I first heard of them when I read its founder, Dr. K.P. Yohannan's, book entitled Revolution in World Missions. This book is a must-read! I can't say enough good things about GFA. Their financial accountability is exemplary {in case you were wondering}. Here is a short blub off their web site:
Today the reality is that 97 percent of the world's unreached lives in the 10/40 Window, a rectangular shaped area on our globe extending from West Africa to East Asia, from 10 degrees north to 40 degrees north of the equator. In this part of the world, millions live with little or no chance of ever hearing the Gospel. The Window also encompasses the majority of the world's Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists. The darkest of all areas within the 10/40 Window is Asia. Over 80,000 die every day in Asian countries without knowing about the love of Jesus Christ. 500,000 villages in India alone have never heard the Gospel.
I knew I wanted to get involved in whatever small way I could. So we prayed about it and began sponsoring this precious little one. Here is Monika. Isn't she sweet? She's a little older than my daughter, and I think they'd just love each other.
Sanctity of Human Life Week
>> Monday, January 25, 2010
Yesterday began Sanctity of Human Life Week. It marks the 37th anniversary of the United States Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade. The decision was made on January 22, 1973. I was 3 years old and could not have known the untold millions who would be murdered in the wake of this monumental decision. I encourage you to read this most excellent post by Randy Alcorn. He puts into words so succinctly what my heart knows to be true about abortion. Click here to read it in its entirety.
Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee... Isaiah 44:2 Read more...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
