Through the Seasons…

Wow!  It has been awhile, hasn’t it?  I can’t even believe how quickly the time has gone!  Since my last entry, we have changed seasons three times – plants have budded, blossomed, and withered.  Spring brought fresh air and cool nights; summer was full of carefree days of swimming, sports, and travel; autumn has brought fabulous color and daily routine to life.

For us as a family, this autumn brought a new ‘season’ of life.  All four of my children are now in school all day.  What a change that has brought to this home and to me, personally!  Gone are the days of having to attempt to get household chores and projects done while changing diapers, reading A-B-C books, taking morning walks, preparing lunches, getting home in time for afternoon naps, etc.  But then again, maybe not…

 

The Juggling Act

I am sure that most of you look as happy as this woman as you juggle all of life’s things from day to day 🙂 …

….but, I have to admit, there are a number of times when I feel like this woman as I attempt to balance all that life has for me…

One day at a time, sweet Jesus!

Know that you are not alone in your quest to juggle and balance all that life has to offer.  May you be encouraged that He will not give you more than you can handle.

Let me encourage you (and me!) to give everything to God each morning.  He is faithful to help us to prioritize and handle each one.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

 

Oppression

I just read this paragraph that came from our denomination’s weekly world missions online newsletter:

[Our] Asia Area Director called from India on Tuesday, November 4, to report that a Free Methodist pastor was recently beaten to death in front of his family because he would not renounce his faith. Also, five other Free Methodists were badly beaten and had to be taken to the hospital. The doctor’s life was threatened if he treated their injuries, so they were refused treatment. These attacks took place in a state which neighbors Orissa State where Christians have been facing severe persecution. Please pray for the victims’ families. Also pray for 300 refugees from Orissa who have fled…

I try to stop and imagine but I just can’t.

This is not a story from centuries ago – it’s not the retelling of the Biblical story of Stephen or Paul.

This is happening today.

Please be in prayer… even right now.

 

“Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.”

John 15:20 (NIV)

 

A Noble Woman

I just finished reading through the book of Ruth in the Bible and was struck by a short, simple yet profound verse.  Actually, it is only one sentence that is found in chapter three, verse eleven:

All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character.

noble (Oxford American Dictionary) – having or showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles and ideas

As I read the story of Ruth once again, not once did I think of her as an outgoing person or an extrovert. On the contrary, I considered her quite meek and mild-mannered – one that went about her business without much conversation, debate, or uproar. She did not seem to try to draw attention to herself.

So, if my assumptions about her are accurate, how would “all the…townsmen” know of her “fine personal qualities and high moral principles”?

She led a simple life of quiet servanthood. A life that spoke volumes.

 

Anticipation

My mom always said, “Anticipation is almost better than the event itself!”. Well, if you saw our children (and, admittedly, even Max and me) during these last few days, you would probably agree with that statement.

We are all really looking forward to this week of family vacation. It was promised to our children that our computers would be closed for the next 5 days. (I can’t believe how hard it was to promise that! Whether it is Facebook, emails, or even our family calendar, the computer has become such a part of our daily lives.) It will be good to “pull the plug” together for a few days.

Our plans do not include any extra-special trips or expensive excursions, but, nonetheless, we are all excited to just hang out and spend some relaxing time together. So… we will probably find out who the latest Jr. Scrabble winner is in the home and/or compete for the title of “McGinnis Wii Champion”. Most likely, we will continue our experience of watching the Olympic games. We are looking forward to painting a few rooms together, having quiet reading times, and maybe taking a family bike ride or two. We hope to cook a few s’mores over the campfire and maybe sleep in the tent out in the backyard.

Thank you, Lord, for family vacation!

Genesis 2:2 (NIV) By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.

Your turn to share: Tell us about your latest family vacation.

 

Words of wisdom for the bride-to-be

In the last few weeks, I have attended two bridal showers. At each one, the host asked for each attender to share some words of wisdom with the bride-to-be. Many pieces of advice were offered, including

don’t go to bed angry

pray together daily

and continue to date your spouse

Please take a moment to pray with me for these couples as well as the many other couples that are getting married in these summer months:

“Lord, I pray for each couple that is getting married. May you bind them together as one. I ask that you would reveal to them the sweet joy of knowing another person so intimately. Use them for Your glory each moment of every day.

I also ask, Lord, that you would be with each marital couple that is represented in this group. We pray that our marital relationship is pleasing in Your sight. Continue to work in us, both as individuals as well as a couple. May You be glorified!

In Jesus’ name we pray–“

Genesis 2:24 (NIV) For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Your turn to share: What words of wisdom would you share with a bride-to-be?

 

Army Wife

As I was reading this morning in second Thessalonians, I felt led to pray this benediction for my younger sister, Tricia, who is a single mom (of two precious princesses) right now while her husband is serving overseas:

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.   —2 Thessalonians 2:16,17 (NIV)   

 

 

Ahhh… They’re back!!

For the past two years, we have not had the opportunity to bite into a soft, delicious, homemade chocolate chip cookie made using the recipe that has been passed down in my family – at least they never tasted the way they used to.  Sure, we attempted many times, and, thinking that it was because of the shortening, we even had friends send down some Crisco or pack some in their luggage when they came to visit… but to no avail.  The cookies just did not come out the same as when we made them here.

 

Our First Fire

One of the things that excites us about living in this parsonage is the fact that there is a fireplace for us to use and enjoy.  Last week, chimney sweepers came and cleaned out the chimney.  (In fact, they provided great entertainment between the use of the chimney vaccuum cleaner and the infamous chimney brush – “Hey, mom, that looks just like from the movie, Mary Poppins!”  We asked the guys if they would sing the song made famous by Dick Van Dyke but they said that would cost us extra:-)

Then, last night, Max brought home a grate, screen, and wood to have our first fire!  Everyone helped with scrunching up newspaper, gathering sticks from the pile in the garage, and taking things out of the boxes. 

 

Family Movie Night

Every couple weeks or so, we try to have a family movie night.  Because Dad’s day off is on Friday (and the kids are still on “summer vacation” from their Chilean school year), we chose to have our first family movie night at our new house after soccer practice this past Thursday evening.

Instead of making homemade pizza, I decided to try the deep fryer that someone gave to us.  (Never having used a deep fryer before, I was a bit nervous with all the warnings that are printed on the machine, but, thankfully, nothing happened!)  We ate chicken fingers dipped in Frank’s Buffalo Wing Sauce along with some carrots, celery, and blue cheese.  Wow, it was all so good!!  We are definitely having that meal again!

 

The Mountains

We may have left the Andes Mountains, but there’s one mountain we didn’t leave… 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making a list, checking it twice…

Be sure to visit our SK Christmas list and add your suggestion(s) and/or stories.  I am going to head there right now and add another idea: listen to your favorite Christmas music while you are working around the house.  (One of my favorites is my Messiah CD.)

 Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.              

 Your turn to share:  I am looking to purchase some new Christmas music – what song(s) and/or CD would you suggest?

 

“I Am More Important”

In my time of silence today, I sensed the Lord speak to me.

He said, “I am more important.”

As I reflected upon that, I began to put His words in front of my day’s list-of-things-to-do:

I am more important than home schooling your children.
I am more important than helping Max with his travel preparations.
I am more important than setting up the new blog that you have been asked to help out with.
I am more important than preparing the meals for the day.
I am more important than answering the emails that are still in your inbox.
I am more important than the heavy decisions that need to be made in your life.
I am more important than driving Felicia to gymnastics class.
I am more important than preparing another entry for your SK blog.

 

Being Honest

(I am sorry that I am late in posting this week’s Bible study. These last few days, I have been helping Max with preparations for his trip and presentations.)

Thank you SO much for your thoughts and prayers while Max is away from us for these next six days.

I want to be honest with you. Have negative thoughts crept into my mind at times, with the thought of Max being so far away? Yes. Have feelings of fear snuck up with regard to being in a foreign country with my four young children, having all the responsibility and decision-making falling solely on me? (If an accident occurs, what hospital do we go to? How do we get there? What if the car breaks down on the way to soccer practice with my four children in tow, in the middle of rush hour traffic? What if the kitchen sink’s leak gets worse, what do I do?…etc.) Has fear snuck in at times? Yes.

 

Appliances

Just this morning, I was reminded again of the difference in use of certain appliances and housing utilities here in Chile versus the States. It is amazing what you just get used to. (Once again…”it’s not better, it’s not worse, it’s just different!”):

1. The definition of “dishwasher” has taken on a whole new meaning. I grew up having a machine in my house and had one in almost all the houses that Max and I lived in. Now, “dishwasher” means the person that is standing at the sink with hands full of soapy water and a scrubber.
2. Since it takes our clothes dryer about 2 hours to dry just one load of laundry, we have learned the art of hanging our clothes on the clothesline in the backyard. Thankfully, here in Chile, there are 8 months of bright sunshine and decent temperatures. I love the fresh, clean scent it gives to my wardrobe!



3. We do not have a bread machine, but that doesn’t bother us one bit since we can get fresh, (cheap!) bread every day at the bakery down the street.
4. On the weekends, while taking a shower, be prepared to have to hold the shower knob in place with one hand because the water pressure is so low due to the fact that everyone is home using it at the same time. (SUGGESTION: Most people sleep in, so if you give up your extra hour of sleep and get in early enough, you won’t have to hold the knob!)