Extreme Adventures in Motherhood (and life and knitting and photography and trying to keep a house with 3 boys from smelling like a locker room!)

You can find me at the CWO team blog today!;)

1. The same boys who put WORMS in my refrigerator, (tucked into the back, and then forgotten) will find bras hanging to dry in the laundry room disgusting.
2. Boys know what mold tastes like. (I don’t want to know)
3. Boys think underwear is reversible, for extended wear.
4. To boys-socks that are “crunchy” but sitting on the table, are not dirty, they are being “aired out” and will be fine to wear, by morning.
5. Boys that are the size of men, may be thrown into a pool, but, they will hurt their fathers later, for doing it. The father won’t admit to being injured, but he will be.
6. Boys eat things after they’ve been on the floor… while mumbling something about a 20 second rule.
7. For boys, punching DOES solve problems.
8. Boys think that food is anything you can put in your mouth.
9. For boys, clean has nothing to do with an absense of dirt, it has everything to do with reaching a limit of desired effort. (It’s clean- cause I’m done cleaning it)
10. Boys KNOW they are not supposed to take glasses of “stuff” into their rooms, but they are compelled to use their “space” for experimentation, in at home penicillum production. It’s genetic.
11. Boys know that creating disgusting smells can be a sport.
12. Boys may be tempted to write “can belch the alphabet” on their first job application under “skills”
13. Boys think one pair of shorts a pair of underwear and 2 shirts is enough to pack for a weeks vacation. They don’t need socks, they’ll be barefoot. Things to sleep in? Duh, that’s what the extra underwear are for.
14. Boys use the area under their bed, for composting.
15. Boys throw rocks, so do men. and old men. They also skip rocks. They also try to BREAK rocks by throwing rocks at big rocks. I don’t get it. They just do it.
16. Boys can remember every statistic for every player of every sport, but they will forget what you told them to do, AS YOU ARE SAYING IT.
17. Boys do not know what they want, when going “back to school shopping” but it will certainly NOT be, whatever Mom picks out.
18. Boys will always laugh when someone passes gas.
19. Boys will always laugh, when someone passes gas.
20. Unless it’s Mom, then it’s “Disgusting”

I love my boys. I don’t understand them, but, I love ‘em.

Todays Food for Thought :

8/24/2006

I am the Lord thy God…which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. (Isaiah 48:17b)
______________________

Read Isaiah 48 along with us today ———–

I envy my kids. No, really- sometimes I do. Not in the “I wish I had it so bad… you have so few responsibilities.. you’re life is so rough” sort of way…(OK, sometimes that way too ;) But that’s not my point.

Sometimes I envy their trust in their Father. This picture just captures it for me. Noah and Dad, sitting and discussing the world, planning their journey of exploration across the beach.

“Come on, Noah, We’re going for a walk.”

That’s all it takes. Noah is ready to go, where ever his Daddy will lead him. He asks questions as they walk, but not usually about WHERE their going or what ROUTE they will take… just about “stuff” as Daddy calls it, when he’s telling me about their talks and walks.

We’re getting ready for a car trip this weekend, it’s a journey we’ve made time after time. The 5 hour (ummm or longer if we need to stop at the outlet mall) ride, is peppered with questions. Yes- all three kids ask the ubiquitous question “Are we there yet?” And, the ever annoying “How much longer?” But I don’t remember them EVER asking.. “Dad, are you sure you know where you’re going?” or “Dad, I really doubt we’ll get there this way” or even “Dad, are you driving in circles?”

My kids- even my teenagers (!), trust their Dad’s leading.

You’d think, that after all these years of exploring God, I’d trust Him enough to just follow His lead, without doubting He knows how to get where He’s taking me. Without asking questions like these:

” Lord- I know you SAID we’re traveling in this direction… but I just don’t see us getting there from HERE!” (I remember praying that question specifically, when we were totally convinced that we were to buy our first house.. but had no money for a down payment…God had a differnt method than I suggested…)

“Lord, I know you SAID you’d complete the good work you began in me….. but it looks like you stalled on the job” (I remember praying this when struggling through some marriage issues..God had even bigger plans in mind than what I thought needed to change..)

“Lord, I don’t get it- you SAID you were restoring the years the locusts had eaten… but now this loss? The way your taking me isn’t going to get us to your promise!” (It is)

When I look back- at my path, I can always see God’s wisdom in routes. He’s always had so much more in mind than I could understand.

But in the middle of the following? I question. Because, sometimes, God’s leading doesn’t make sense. (not to me, anyway)

See, I have issues. I think each path should be planned out for maximum effeciency. I Leave my house-planning to make the “loop”… I drive down one route- because I can make “all my stops” without back-tracking and wasting time. I multi-task. (you can see my post the yesterday- about how that works for me;)

If I’m I’m, in the livingroom, and I need to go to the bathroom, I know I have to pass through the kitchen, so I look around to see if I there are any dirty cups or dishes or garbage to take into the kitchen on my way. Maximizer Maximus.

(Or maybe I’m lazy, and don’t want to go out of my way, later;)

In my journey with God? Let’s just say The “way I shouldest go” may not be a straight line. But, a straight line is the shortest route between two points! Told you- it doesn’t make sense.

Sometimes I feel like it’s a walk in the desert. Everything looks the same, and it’s hot and exhausting. Sometimes He leads me on a meandering beach walk. Picking up sea shells of truths, without really noticing what direction I’m going. Just walking.

Then there are times, when I feel like I’m holding God’s hand through a frightening dark maze.

All the while… I’m asking my questions.

Am I old? Am I jaded? (maybe) Or am I just human? Maybe I have “father issues”… (well, yeah I suppose I do. How can you not when you grow up with pot (ocassionally) growing in your back yard, and it belongs to your dad? My Dad struggled with substance abuse until 17 years ago)

I’m not sure. But I’ll tell you this, sometimes I envy my kids, I envy their trust in their Daddy’s leading.

A father once asked Jesus to heal his son, “if He could” …….(click the Mark 9 below to read the rest..)

Mark 9
23″ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”
24Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

The man had faith-(or he wouldn’t have asked) he believed- yet he admits to struggling. How did Jesus respond? Jesus healed his son.

Dear Lord- I see myself in this father… believing, yet struggling. I pray the words of the father “God I believe, help me overcome my unbelief” especially when the paths that you lead me in don’t “make sense” to me. I know that your way is the way I should go- I love you Lord- and I trust you! Help me to be more like my boys- and follow where ever you lead! amen

Up at 5:30, meeting at the High School at 7:00 a.m. CWO Team blog post written in advance, laundry in process for upcoming vacation… packing already started… it was only 8:30 a.m. “I’m on a roll” I thought.

I decided to start dinner in the crock pot, while the next load of laundry started, the dishwasher ran and I checked my e-mail. Noah helped prep the veggies, and coat the beef with seasoned flour, then I tossed it in the pan to brown. We were making: Beef stew. (ummm yes I know it’s August, but I’m thinking fall;)

We ended up with melted spatula fondue.

Oops. While the meat browned, the dishwasher ran the washer and dryer whirred, I logged in…. BIG MISTAKE. I couldn’t hear the meat sizzling. I umm… must have lost track of time. Until I noticed the faint scent of burning plastic.

I left the spatula in with the meat. The second pic shows how my spatula responded to the browning process. It didn’t enjoy it.

Multi-tasking is no longer just a buzz-word. It’s a life style. I’ve been known to have every appliance I own working at the same time, while I listen to podcasts, check my e-mail and knit while things update and load. This leads to ocassional “meltdowns.”

Like my spatula, I don’t always respond well to the heat, of multi-tasking. Details are missed, and I endup overheated and exhausted. Worse, I sometimes end up like my spatula, melted down and curling up at the edges, cranky and frustrated.

It’s important to slow down. (I’m learning this the hard way, of course;) How can I be effective in my home, my family ministry and life, if I’ve got every burner cranked to “high” and I’m melting like a spatula in a hot pan?

I need to cool off. For the next 24 hours, I am going to focus on one task at a time. ONE. I wonder if the world will fall apart? I wonder if necessary things won’t get done? To be honest, the whole idea makes me a little nervous.

But- in order to avoid a bigger meltdown- I’m willing to give it a try;)

Will you join me?

Dear Lord- Please help me to focus, first on you, then on each task as it needs to be done. I ask you to help me to prioritize my objectives, and honor you with each task- Help me to learn from my spatula drama, and not over-do the multi-tasking! I love you Lord- Amen!

Deuteronomy 2:7 The LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast desert. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.

Colossians 3:23And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Ps— no worries- dinner is in the crock pot- the plastic didn’t touch the beef;)

Although, maybe we should go out;)

Todays post is not about MEAT, or barbecue. Though if the weather holds out maybe tomorrows will be;) but it is about being a HELP MEET, you can find it at Missional Mom.

Enjoy;)

Here is whats ON and off my knitting needles…. Clockwise:
Top: My KSKS Bag in process….I promise it’s prettier in person…. I’m, thinking chocolate colored silk lining… it will be Mint Chocolate chip by the time I’m finished;)

Right- the grey is Kid Silk Haze in a pretty silver… for YES another Kiri. On my Knit picks Options…. working beautifully. I’m on repeat 12…. Bottom: Knitty.com’s “Hedera” in Claudi handpaint….Next.. tiny socks for Noah In Regia. Noah socks are just plain cute. I must say. Besides, they’re FAST.;) Finally….Koigu thoughtless socks for me… just something to knit at stop-lights;)

Here are the pics of my terrific

Close up of Kiri
Pal gifties I mentioned the other day! Top is my SP8
pile…. I forgot to mention the “Piddle loop* bag that I
had already tucked into my knitting bag!

Bottom… my Knit Sock Kit Pal Bags abd yarn… my
needles are on a project.. the candy was eaten by
male vultures… well.. and me;)

Top Left… is my Beautiful One Skein reveal pkg
A gorgeous Colinette Spiral bag.. and SOCKS THAT
ROCK…. In MIST. Oh I love it all!!!!!

Thnx again to my pals!

If you’re looking for non- knitting content…. Visit The CWO Team Blog for my Post today on Prayer…

Or over to Missional Mom to find out if my neighbor is a terrorist……

later;) ts

New post at Missional Mom….I haven’t forgotten…;)

And a post at the CWO Team blog too;) I better get back to the laundry!

13+ years. At that point, over a third of my life! A “boss” I loved, a team that “worked” and had become a family. A calling that was holy. It was hard, exhausting, heart wrenchingly wonderful ministry. A place to dream and see dreams come true. A place where people were challenged and grew. A place where God worked in hearts and lives. A place where people met God. A place of connection. I loved it. I’d have stayed forever.

Then, everything changed. Why it changed, isn’t as important to the story, as that it had. It wasn’t good. But, I loved my people, my team, and I’d have stayed forever. Even though it was breaking my heart. Even though, ministry had become about pleasing a person, not pleasing God. And the person? Well, the person just wasn’t going to be pleased.

I remember coming home from a terrible meeting one day, a meeting that made it evident that the ministry was over. I was sitting in the car, in the garage. Tears streaming down my face. Not the silent tear stained face cry, this was “the ugly cry”. The red, swollen eyes, sobs and sounds you can’t control, cry.

As I prayed and cried out to God, this song played, and my heart sang it as a prayer:

Ffh Lyrics - Lord Me Or Move Me Lyrics

I can’t find the words to pray, I’m a little down today

Can you help me? Can you hold me?

I feel like a million miles away And I don’t know what to say

Can you hear me anyway? What I need is for you to reach out your hand

You have taught me No matter what you’d understand

CHORUS:

Lord move in a way, that I’ve never seen before

Cause there’s a mountain in the way and a lock on the door

I’m drifting away, waves are crashing on the shore

So Lord move (move), or move me.

I’ve look every where to find

A simple peace of mind I can’t find nothing on my own

So I got to leave myself behind

Take up this cross of mine Give away everything I hold onto

Lord I know the only way is through this

Lord I know I need you to help me do this

CHORUS

Lord move in a way, that I’ve never seen before

Cause there’s a mountain in the way and a lock on the door

I’m drifting away, waves are crashing on the shore

So Lord move (move), or move me.

Out of this place of complacency To a place of fellowship with thee

Cause I am weak but Lord you are so strong

And you know it’s been way too long (been way too long)

Lord move in the way, that I’ve never seen before

Cause there’s a mountain in the way and I’ll knock on the door

I’m drifting away, waves are crashing on the shore

So Lord move (move)…CHORUS

God moved. But, not in the direction that I had hoped. (I was kind of going for the “God makes the light go on, people change, and there is a happy ending way….”)

Instead, we left. I hadn’t just left a “job” or a “ministry” It was our home church. The place where I had grown up, spiritually. (well- as grown up as I was at that point, anyways;) It was the only church my kids had ever been to. It was my safe place. I knew the people, the people knew me.

Now, three years later, I can look back and see how “Stuck” I was. I have typed the words “I would have stayed forever” over and over, because I would have. The truth is- On my own? I couldn’t leave. Like a tree whose roots dig deep to reach water, I was not going anywhere. I was stuck.

Once it was “over” and God had moved us, I was so broken. I was confused, and angry. I felt like my dreams had been stolen. The dreams of doing more for God, the vision for ministry that I had, was snatched away. I was broken for the people who I could no longer help. I knew God would send others, but what about me? There were times I thought about going back.

It must have been how the Israelites felt, when they started to get hungry, and could no longer see Egypt. In the wilderness.

That’s where I was too. In the wilderness. The wilderness was scorching and grief filled. I took time to do nothing, but cry. I knew it was necessary. I had lost so much. It didn’t HAVE to be this way. My daily life changed virtually over night. Relationships that were so strong changed, they had to be navigated in new ways. We had to “church shop.” Yuck. I HATE church shopping, I’m about being a part of a body, not checking out new ones to graft onto.

The dreams in my heart started to feel like a pregnancy 3 weeks past it’s due date. All I wanted was to “get back to work”. But there was nowhere to go. I cried. I hate to cry.

Then, slowly, God opened up new opportunities. Opportunities I NEVER would have had, had I “stayed there forever”. Opportunities I had never even would have THOUGHT of. Opportunites like, a new position in a ministry that I had been involved with, a position that would allow for greater impact on leaders, not just locally. An opportunity to try a new ministry and find out I loved it. Opportunities to stretch and grow, and to be with my family. And, the opportunity to write. Maybe, even have a few people read it;)

These were all things, I would have been too busy for. Things I was too stuck for.

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity .~ Albert Einstein~

Dear Lord- I thank you for growing me in this desert time, I thank you for continuing to work in through and around me, I thank you God- for moving me, when I couldn’t move myself- I love you Lord- and, where ver you call, I’ll follow- even where it looks like a desert, because I know- that in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity- with YOU! amen.

Are you stuck? I’m praying that God moves, or moves you. You won’t like it at first- but God will complete the work He has started in you…. He promised!