• 03.31.2009 While You Were Writing A Sermon
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    My dear friend from college and I started a new activity this last Saturday night.  Though “While You Were Writing A Sermon” is not as ambitious as TLC’s “While You Were Out,” the idea is the same: improve a space by totally making a mess–then, clean it up before your spouse finds out. Saturday night can be a lonely night for me, as Troy puts in time to write the final installment of his message for the following morning.  He holes himself up in the bedroom and meditates on his passage, while praying through all that he has studied during the week.  I hang out with the kids, and consequently, rarely entertain any social invitations. My girlfriend’s a sport to keep me company on occasion…and to clean and organize on a Saturday night, no less. The kitchen was our target.  I wish I had remembered to take “before” shots of […]

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  • 03.28.2009 Lil' Birdie
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  • 03.24.2009 the choy of presentation
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    This is just my opinion, folks… But, if you are going to serve up a green leafy cabbage like bok choy to your family at dinnertime, I humbly suggest putting thought into your presentation, even if it is just your hubby and the kiddos. As it is with many other aspects of life, conventional wisdom teaches that something (green and leafy) is often received in the manner in which it is presented. We wrap presents, dress for special occasions, and smile sweetly when asking for forgiveness. You get the idea. So it is with leafy, green veggies of the Asian persuasion. It takes but an additional moment, but the piqued interest may be the difference between Hmm? and Mmm…

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  • 03.22.2009 Caleb's 7th
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  • 03.19.2009 Letter To My 7 Year Old
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    Dear Caleb, Seven years ago today, I experienced the greatest miracle on earth as you were born into this world.  I really had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I knew you were a gift from God.   For the first time in seven years, I am really feeling the full import of your birthday– that you are growing up, never to return to that of a little child. You are so big this year. You make conversation, you do dishes, you change diapers, you make real choices, and you apply God’s Word! You came in last night before bed, and gave me my “last six-yr. old hug,” and rather than feeling loss for the time that is passing so quickly, I was challenged to make every day I continue to have with you count.   There have been many days that Ma Ma has wasted, focusing […]

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  • 03.17.2009 MAN
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    The boys’ made-up game: “MAN” No. 1: “Hey, Liam, you wanna play “MAN?” No. 2: (In a 40 yr. old-GI Joe-with a Texas accent voice) “Yeah, Man, let’s play.” No. 1: “Man!-what are you doing?” (Now, also sounding like GI Joe) No. 2: “There some bad peoples chasing us!” No. 3: (As gruff as a two-yr. old can muster) “MAN! MAN!” No. 2: “VROOM…GRR…” No. 1: “C’mon MAN!” No. 3: “MAN! MAN!” No. 2: (Back in his normal squeaky voice) “Let’s go inside and say ‘hi’ to Stone.” No. 1, 2, and 3: (Talking like Minnie Mouse) “HI, Stone. You wanna play ‘MAN?’”

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  • 03.15.2009 what you hear at our house…
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    We love music. There is always constant stream of music throughout our house, from room to room, hour to hour. Breakfast is usually accompanied by the Man Of The House’s favorite genre–celtic/ americana/bluegrass. (Though alternatively, funk/jazz, gregorian chant, 80s rock, theological rap, and Switchfoot may also be heard.) I usually have some sort of worship or folky music coming from my computer. And..the boys, they have two cd players, one in each room. If the sound of four boys singing and laughing and stomping around to upbeat music is a joyful noise. there is a lot of joy at our house…um, er…or, noise. May I introduce you to their preferred selections: First thing in the morning: The Word and Song Bible   Getting dressed and cleaning room soundtrack: Go Fish- “Snazzy” Background music during school: Steve Green- “Hide ‘Em In Your Heart” In the car: Shai Linne- “Atonement” Lego playing soundrack: […]

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  • 03.09.2009 Great Unexpectations
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    A week with one girlfriend, no husbands, and 7 children (under six) hardly seemed like a vacation when we planned last week’s trip, especially when Number 3 still wakes up from night terrors, and Number 4 isn’t yet sleeping through the night.  Also, have I mentioned that Number 3 has been obsessed with his daddy since the arrival of Number 4? My expectations: exhaustion, chaos, disobedience from the kids, lots of crying, and a “make the best of it” kind of trip… And yet, while Troy was at Shepherd’s Conference the whole week, refueling for the call on his life, the kids and I had an unexpected reprieve that not only knit our hearts together, but recharged my batteries as a wife and mother. As the saying goes: Sometimes when you are squeezed, you find what you are really made of. Of course it was challenging to take all the […]

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