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My little 5 yr. old Caleb is one remarkable kid. Today he finished building a complex, steering-controlled Hummer with a Legos set rated for ages 8-12. I think he was as amazed as we were. Soon after the Hummer was completed, Caleb asked to draw a picture of his creation for his grandma in California who purchased the set for him at Christmastime. It never occurred to him that we could just take a photo…but then again, can it get any sweeter than this?
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Our family took a morning’s reprieve and enjoyed what is most relaxing for my husband—a brisk nature hike in the Sandia foothills. As with many fine moments in our family, nobody remembered to bring a camera or camcorder to document the amusing insights and impressive feats that accompanied our family-of-five journey up the mountainside. The weather was perfect for just such an outing. Where we live every juniper, cactus, and piece of granite one might find off the beaten path looks different in various times of day. Clear skies, bright sunshine, and morning dew brought out the detail and deliciousness of the desert-scape. Our middlest took notice (as he is a multi-sensory, aesthetically-sensitive child). Unlike his older brother, he’s not the fastest, or the most coordinated; but Number 2 is the most enthusiastic. Bless his heart, our little 3 yr. old is a walking affirmation junkie. Not only does he […]
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“What must I have for life to be meaningful or happy?” Elyse Fitzpatrick poses this question in the first chapter of her book, Idols of the Heart: Learning to Long for God Alone. The ladies group from church met last night to discuss Chapter 1. How timely this book is for the current condition of my heart. Though my momentary idols are not that of material comfort or notable prestige, they are those that clamor for my heart’s affections in more subtle ways. Could it be that my desire for an easy, well-rested, quiet, burden-free, unemotionally-taxing life has rivaled my love for my Father, however costly? Would I rather have a simple life of “collecting seashells” than one that is bruised and broken serving on the battlefield? My heart says no, but my actions often say otherwise. “If you’re willing to sin to obtain your goal or if you sin […]
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Chicken noodle soup, chicken pot pie, mashed potatoes, mac n’ cheese. All these come to mind when searching for the perfect comfort food…in America. It’s all what was comforting to you as a child, I suppose. Consequently, cuisines that top my comfort menu would include: rice porridge with preserved duck egg, egg and oyster omelettes, jiaozi, and Chinese beef and carrots stew. Somewhere between my middle school social crises and current homeschooling-parenting-ministering-houseworking-crafting-wifery fatigue, I’ve altered this childhood meal to reflect my love for Vietnamese cuisine as well. The best way to learn how to make this dish is to come over for an afternoon visit of simmering, savoring, and soaking in the warming vapors of ginger, star anise, cinnamon, and cloves….comfort. But, if you can’t make it by, here are the basics…roughly: 1 pound beef stewmeat, cubed 1 pound carrots, cut into 1 inch chunks 1/2 cup soy sauce 1/8 […]
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Sometimes we find ourselves in a season of discouragement…heaviness of heart, perhaps, or disillusionment. To summon the right words to describe it even feels too great a task. No one seems to know, but the Lord…and that’s okay. Yet, when you stumble upon words that seem to have flowed from your own lips–the lips of faith you fight to keep, and not despair, you remember that God does know, and He provides. When The Saints Lyrics by Sara Groves Lord I have a heavy burden of all I’ve seen and know It’s more than I can handle But your word is burning like a fire shut up in my bones and I cannot let it go And when I’m weary and overwrought with so many battles left unfought I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars And when […]
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There seems to be a special meal in every culture (and every family) that invites all hands on deck and all hearts open to meaningful conversation amidst the preparation. For the Chinese side of our family, laughter and unity is shared around the making of jiaozi (known as gyoza in Japan and mandu in Korea), or Chinese dumplings. You may recognize its mainstream, pan-fried alias, the potsticker. Chinese families gather around the kitchen table at New Year or birthdays to participate in the lovingly laborious task of making jiaozi from scratch. My parents taught me to cook using no measurements excepts that of memory, taste, and intuition; but, our recipe looked something like this one here. Growing up, my brother and I would watch in amazement as the grownups swiftly rolled out the dough with one hand while deftly spinning the the disks of dough with the other hand, sculpting […]
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My love turns thirty five today. He is currently in Spain, spending his birthday planning and ministering on behalf of our church with hopes of starting some ministries there this summer. While absence forges the heart fonder, the many would-be hours spent with the one you love quickly converts to thoughts upon thoughts of him, and only him. Here are thirty five reminders (in no particular order) of why I love my husband. Happy birthday, babe. 1. He shows his love for Jesus in practice. 2. He gives THE best massages. 3. He reads The Chronicles of Narnia to the boys even when he’s tired. 4. He helps with dishes even when he’s tired. 5. He listens to my concerns, even when he’s tired. 6. He honors his parents, and my parents too. 7. He loves to read history. 8. He actively participates in homeschooling. 9. He loves to study […]
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Happy 3rd day of the new year everyone. Perhaps you’ve already spent time reflecting on 2007, while looking ahead to 2008. I personally have never been one to start new diets or regimes January 1 for fear of failing to complete the resolution. Yet, last new year’s day, while nervously making plans to read through my Bible in 2007, my sweet husband delivered a thought that has stuck with me: It is not the success of the resolution, but the process of striving every day that matters. We may not stay perfectly on schedule or make it completely through the regulations on mildew in Leviticus, but the goal is to be regular in the Word…not for performance but for pleasure. So, I’ve started over this year. Clean slate, new motivation, desire to be more, to live more, to love more. Anyone want to join me? You can find a downloadable […]
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