I've read a lot of descriptions for introverts over the years, but this one caught my eye because it was so accurate though concise. Along with being introverted, I am analytical, so I have always loved researching and studying personalities. One time my dear friend, Joanna, who also happens to be introverted, explained us as arttroverts. I love it. I found this on Pinterest {swoon}.
This just made me smile. I am still learning how to not make my introversion an excuse not to have real authentic relationships. It's the 's' on that that really trips me up, but God is good and gracious. Jim and I have talked about this extensively (as he is the exact opposite), and Jo and I have talked as well. Where Jim feels energized after being with and around people; I feel depleted. I re-energize in solitude - with my pen or keyboard and my thoughts and quiet. It is only then that I am really able to enjoy people for a bit again. Jim on the other hand re-energizes with people around - and the more the merrier, and then he is able to withstand solitude again. Makes for some interesting dynamics in our marriage, but I would never change it. He pushes me where I need to be pushed.
This other little nugget I found this weekend, and I feel like wearing it as a sign around my neck! It is so, so true.
Without a pen in my hand I am dull and uninteresting, and not able to think. Put a pen in my hand or keys under my fingers, and I come to life. What a unique Creator we have.
Continuing on with our week of school. I am thinking about doing a 2-3 week recap now. I think the every week re-cap would be kind of boring even for me to look back on in the future. Things are going well. I am learning to teach with a needy toddler attached to my hip, and to not react when our schoolwork is done and Scotty has completely rearranged our house! {grin}
Praying for strength, grace, and patience this morning. I was up all night with my youngest. Going to the Children's Hospital really set him back. It seems we are almost at square one again with night time stuff. He could use prayer as we battle through the fear and try to find healing once again.
The other night we had one of Jim's old college friends, from Ohio, over for dinner. I heard Jim talking to him about this blog. He explained why I started it, and why I write. Jim spoke my love language that evening. He gets me. He really gets me, and he understands this passion that God gave to me. Jim has always encouraged my writing and blogging from the beginning. He is really good about encouraging me to carve out time for this.
Long after the conversation from that night,I was thinking over what he had said, and it renewed in me the original purpose of this blog - to cherish the moments with my family, while my children are still little. This blog has morphed so much as God continues to orchestrate our family and change Jim and I into what I pray are people who look more like Jesus, but at the center of the blog I want my original purpose to still be found. Sometimes it is easier to pick out and remember the hard moments, to tick them off one by one and to grow weary, but it is healing refreshing and necessary to take the time to notice and thank God for a moment cherished.
Today I am clinging to and nurturing this moment.
Cadi read Luke 1:5-25 to me today out of her glittery, pink princess Bible. She read about Zechariah ("Zechamiah" according to her) and Elizabeth's longing for a son. Cadi's beautiful, soft, girly little voice read the big Word of God, and it washed over me and pillowed its way into my heart.
This, this is why I taught her to read and to love reading.
Sometimes I forget how truly blessed I am to have such godly women in my life. It seems as if some of the dearest women in my life are spread all over this country, but still I am extremely blessed because of the impact they have had on my life (and thankful for facebook to help us stay connected!).
Joy.
I met her when I was sixteen years old. It was my first time away from home for an extended period. I was working at a Christian summer camp cleaning bathrooms, setting tables, and junior counseling. I can still remember walking into our little cabin - what would be my home for eight weeks - and meeting Joy. She was hanging curtains in our cabin that her grandmother had made, and her smile immediately put me at ease and stopped the butterflies from dancing in my stomach. Her name fit her perfectly, and it still does to this day. She immediately made me feel at home, and not like the squirrely highschooler that I surely was. She was the counselor in that cabin, and I her junior counselor. She had just finished her freshman year at Bible college, and I my junior year of highschool. She immediately treated me as an equal, and I immediately had respect and admiration for her.
The summer was filled with fun memories. Joy was an amazing counselor. She was FUN - so, so fun. She made me laugh at her outrageous antics. We were so different. She was loud and lit up a room as soon as she entered. I was quiet, and tried my best for no one to notice me enter a room. But we clicked. She gave me advice as I began to date Jim that summer. She listened to me swoon about him. She prayed with me, and she encouraged me in my relationship with God.
Two years later I went off to attend college. Guess who was in my dorm on my floor? Joy! A year later she was my RA. Joy mentored me the two years that we attended school together. She spent countless hours pouring into my life. I have vivid memories of the two of us sitting together in the lounge. She was the one who really taught me how to study the Bible. She taught me how to use my Strong's Concordance while I studied the Bible. We memorized Romans 12 together, she was my accountability partner and oversaw what ministries I was part of in college. She invited me to her church my freshman year. She looked out for me, took me to the hospital when I had bronchitis my sophomore year, and became the best biblical example of a mentor that I had ever had in my life.
Joy pushed me to be the person that God created me to be. She saw past the shy, introverted girl, and challenged me to go beyond myself and rely totally on God in me. Joy pushed me into leadership positions in college that I would have never pursued on my own or thought myself capable of.
I believe with all of my heart that my college experience was a positive and spiritually growing time for me because God put Joy in my life.
And with knowing Joy brings joy.
That has not changed. A week ago, I was able to visit with my sweet friend after not seeing her for a few years. We actually met up at the camp we first worked together at. It was exactly how I remembered being with her to be - a time of sweet fellowship filled with joy.
Joy, I love you. I love how God knitted our friendship together 14 summers ago. You are probably not even aware of how you have helped shape so much of the woman that I am today. Thank you. I count you as one of my most treasured friends. Looking forward to sharing eternity with you, and laughing over shaving our campers. {grin}
Joy and I with our babies. Our boys are almost exactly the same age - I believe just a day or two difference.
Don't forget to enter my give away! Saturday is the deadline.
All I know is what we have been told, and that has really been very little.
I look at him, and he looks so normal, so healthy, so gorgeous, and happy.
But we have been told that he is not normal and not healthy.
There is a war raging inside of our son's body. And I have no idea what that means.
On Monday morning we will begin test after test at a children's hospital with a pediatric neurologist, a pediatric endocrinologist, and a pediatric opthamologist. I want these appointments, and I dread them at the same time. In some ways it have been rather blissful to live in the unknown since receiving Jamesy's diagnosis. In other ways it has been the most agonizing weeks of my entire life.
First - before you read another word - check out these amazing t-shirtsmy brother and sister-in-law are selling to raise funds in order to bring home their Ethiopian babies! (Yes, Jamesy is going to have Ethiopian cousins!! {squeal})
Second - while my friend JO and I were having one of our marathon conversations the other day we started talking about our go-to summer recipes. Mine is pesto. Hers is Tabouli. I had heard of it, but I had never eaten it or made it. She told me what was in it, and I decided we had to try it! Yesterday my mom brought me a ton of fresh chocolate mint, so today I threw it together for dinner. It smells amazing! Joanna uses toasted pine nut couscous made by Near East, and so did I. I believe she also puts cucumbers in her salad. I did not today, because I did not have any on hand.
What is your summer go-to recipe? Share below in the comments with us!
Third - my sister shared with me a website that sells absolutely adorable {modest} tankinis and swim suits. I do not think I can reconcile buying one at this time. {bummer} (Unless I return that Land's End one from two years ago..... Is that ethical? Probably not.) But I had to pass this site along. They do have clearanced items! Check out Lime Ricki Swimwear(I am not getting paid or receiving anything for sharing this. I just thought my readers would love the swimwear as much as I do!)
Lastly - I am taking a brief blogging time out. I will definitely be back next Wednesday for Wedded Wednesday, but probably not before then. Cadi finished kindergarten on Friday, and we are officially on Summer Break! Although everything is more relaxed now, it will still take us time to acclimate to a different routine. Plus today is over 90 degrees, my kind of weather, and I want to spend every moment under the sun!
Wouldn't you with this cutie pie??! I cannot resist!
As a newly wed, desperately trying to acclimate myself to the mysterious – in my mind - roles of homemaker and wife, I would shudder at the mere mention of hospitality. For my introverted and mostly private personality the thought of opening my home to others was not appealing. It has taken me several years feeling my way through these roles to learn what hospitality is not.
Hospitality is not showing off a perfectly kept home.
Hospitality is not about showcasing my Food Channel Network capabilities.
Hospitality is not serving guests with fine china and crystal goblets.
Hospitality is not only for people with big houses.
Hospitality is not about being an excellent conversationalist.
Hospitality is not about having a big budget.
Hospitality is not always written into the calendar.
Hospitality is not synonymous with entertaining.
The Bible has a very different definition of hospitality and tells us exactly what hospitality is.
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. 1 Peter 4:8-10
The biggest challenge that God has lain upon my heart through my journey to understand what hospitality is and is not, is that hospitality does not ask me to be impressive - with my home, with my food, with myself. Lay the measuring stick of perfectionism aside, and open your doors wide. Simply share with others what God has blessed you with – no matter what that is or looks like. When we choose to practice biblical hospitality we will soon learn that it is a lifestyle that spills from our heart.
Hospitality, just like all areas of our life, is an opportunity to be an example to our daughters. I do not believe that every area of homemaking has to be formally taught, we can just live it out in front of our children – our daughters, including them along the way. (I think it is best when it is caught rather than taught most times.) That is what I do with my five year old Cadi. It means that when a play mate is coming over, she helps me prepare her toy room, and we do so joyfully. I include her in preparing our home and food for our guests. Yes, this takes extra time, extra patience, extra diligence – we must be intentional. But if I am doing a biblical job in my modeling, she will not really be modeling me but rather Jesus Christ. After all He is whom I desire for my daughter to look like – not me.
Simply stated hospitality is loving people. When we welcome people into our home, when we serve them, when we delight in their presence, we are showing the world that we love people. While welcoming people into our churches is good; when we welcome people into our home we are welcoming them into a sacred, intimate part of our life. We are showing them love without expecting a reciprocal invitation. We are not performing. We are simply sharing our home, our food, and most importantly, we are sharing our lives.
[This post was reprinted from the archives. It was first published last year when I was a contributor at Raising Homakers. True, biblical hospitality is an area that I have grown a lot in since first being married, but I am constantly having to remind myself what hospitality is and isn't.] Subscribe in a reader
Upon seeing Jamesy in the bath Cadi exclaims Look Jamesy's chocolate doesn't wash off!"
And here's a photo until I can form a real post. We have completed week two of our cocoon, and I enjoyed my first week on my own with my three children! Everything is going better than we had ever hoped. God's hand has been over our family.
I've been busy here at home trying to figure out what day of the week it is! Ha! It has been so long since we have gotten away during the week that I am a bit confused. I tried catching up on laundry yesterday, and our washer broke. {bummer} Praying about that one.
I have a lot of thoughts tumbling around in my head, but I am having trouble deciphering which ones to share. Jim and I had some great conversation while traveling this week. We of course talked of adoption and also James 1:27 and advocating for orphans. I think we both are feeling tugged by the Holy Spirit to advocate for fatherless children. You can read my hubby's thoughts on that here.
I guess I am just not sure how to go about it. I know that I need to be gracious and humble, but at the same time I need to speak truth. I guess the key is to speak the truth in love. I need to work on that. This journey that we have been on has just exploded in ways that I could have never imagined, and it is my heart's desire to share this with others. I don't want anyone to miss out.
In October God tugged at us to leave camp ministry.
Sometime in the fall we started reading Francis Chan's Crazy Love.
In January Jim resigned from camp.
In January we started Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover.
In January we were first confronted with adoption thoughts.
In March Jim got voted in as the associate pastor of our church.
In March we decided to sponsor a 4 year old Philippine girl, whose daddy died last year.
In April we could no longer pretend that sponsoring a child was enough and continue to ignore the ministry call of adoption in our life. So we plunged ahead applying to AWAA.
And I remember thinking, wow, this is it. This adoption is why God has been working so hard in our lives the past few months. But now here I sit in July and am realizing more and more that adoption is not the answer or the solution. It is a part of it, but this is bigger. This call on our lives is bigger. I have no idea what the future holds, what this all entails, but for now we continue to work towards getting our sweet Ethiopian baby home and raising awareness for all of the fatherless children everywhere - not just in Ethiopia. Maybe God will call us to adopt many, many children, or maybe this will be it. Maybe we will eventually foster children. Maybe not. Maybe God will call us to begin a James 1:27 ministry, or maybe He really will move our family to Africa. I would have trembled with fear at that sentence only a year ago. Not anymore. God works in such mysterious, exciting ways!
I don't know what lies ahead for our family, but I know that my life is completely different. I am completely different. I am bothered by global things now, where as before I turned a blind eye. I am bothered by our lackadaisical approach to the commands given in the Bible for every believer. I am passionate about lives that only months ago were not even on my radar.
With all these thoughts swirling it is a wonder that anything gets done around here! Just look at my night stand. One of my goals for this summer was to read and read and read.
When you give your life away, particularly in a global setting, you see God in the right size. You realize God is not trapped in a cul-de-sac. God is not limited. You discover a right idea of God, an idea of Him that is unbelievably large. You will find the God of Scripture: King of Kings, Mighty One, Alpha and Omega, Creator, All-sufficient One, All-powerful One, One and Only! A right idea of God is spectacular. Give your life away. Go and let God fill you with wonder. He is so much bigger than you've ever imagined. p.74
I have also been planning out Cadi's kindergarten year! I have planned out our first semester calendar.
And have started some block plans.
The weather has been gorgeous here this week! High 90s and low 100s. This is what I expect from summer, but I am trying to keep my littles cool. I am thankful for the pool at my parents' home!
Cadi and I have been devouring the American Girl series this summer. We read one book a week and are on our fourth now.
And I am waiting for the phone call from my sister saying that this little guy in her belly is ready to make his debut!
And for the day when my sweet baby can wear this. (LOVE outlet shopping where it is perfectly normal to find clothes as low as $2.99!!)
If you have not done so yet, please enter the Parlee Pocket give-away. If you do not have a little girl this would make a great baby shower gift for one!! I will announce the winner after 3:00 PM today! See you then! Subscribe in a reader
Homeschooling. More pencil practice and focused much of our morning on prayer in honor of today's National Day of Prayer. Our school year is rapidly coming to a close. I cannot believe how quickly Cadi's preschool year flew by. Sad. I have soooooo many photos from this year. A big chunk of them I have never even shown. They sit inside my computer.{sigh}I think I need to start investing in photo books. I think I would have to fall into a large inheritance for that. I am rather addicted to my camera.
Letting my {nearly} 21 month old son run around sans pants. He keeps removing them today. I finally decided it was not a battle worth fighting. He seems to be enjoying the freedom of letting his diaper hang out! And if I get over my perfectionistic tendencies, it is rather cute.
Seeking and finding joy in the everyday. Yes, that is her lunch on her face. See I really am working on perfectionism!
Giggling. Cherishing their childhood, and finding the things they find funny to be funny myself.
Learning and understanding their unique personalities. Their individualism. (This photo was taken to accompany my first Raising Homemakers article.)
Oh, if you are wondering where Cadi's glasses are....Scotty snapped them in half last week. Yup. They were supposed to be in Tuesday. Yes, it is now Thursday.
It has to be business as usual around here, or I would just burst with this major secret that is threatening to ooze out at any moment. Ug. It's killing me.
Subscribe to me here if you want to know the moment I spill the beans! {grin}
This blog is my story - well God's story - of how He is taking a scared, shy girl on the adventure of a life time. He is writing a story over me that I didn't ask for, but it is more breath taking that I could have imagined. This is where I pen my story - all for God's glory. You are welcome here. The ending of this story will be a surprise for us both.
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