S Club Mama

Selflessness has never been a strong point in my character. I am often preoccupied about my schedule, my kids, my time, my appearance, etc. That's not a beautiful thing in the Kingdom of God. Not to say I don't need to take care of myself (we all do - oxygen masks first before putting it on a child), but I don't need to think of myself as highly or often as I do. So I try to better myself by reading God's Word and godly books pertaining to selflessness. "Generous Love" by Becky Kopitzke is just one of those godly books. Oddly enough, just after I started reading this book, a dear friend gifted me with another of Kopitzke's books "The SuperMom Myth," which I am excited to read because I am exhausted when I think of all of my friends and myself trying to be all and do all for our children. But that's another post for another day (when I find the time to read the book). image via Barnes & Noble Back to selflessness and "Generous...

God has really been speaking to my heart in the past year or two, showing me how self-centered I have become. And it's easy to do that when you have gone through a crisis as we have and having a new baby. But He really is calling me to "other center in living in a self-centered world." That is the subtitle of "Listen Love Repeat " by Karen Ehman.  image via Proverbs 31 ministry I found great practical advice in this book. How to listen for the "heart drops" that other people leave in every day conversation. We must listen for things such as their favorite childhood toy, their favorite drink, a hardship they are going through, something they are celebrating, or of many various other things. We can you and then use these things to come alongside them in their sorrow or joy or reminiscing. Other-centered living seems like it would take a lot of work, but I believe that it takes one very precious thing: time. Time is a precious commodity in th...

"Jesus loves me. This I know, for the Bible tells me so..." Many of us are familiar with these lyrics. Yet, does the Bible tell us this is true? It does! Jennifer Rothschild's "66 Ways God Loves Me" is a wonderful book that goes through each book of the Bible (hence the 66 ways) and tells us how each book shows God's love for us. Each chapter has a title page that says something like "In Genesis God Fashions Me with His Hands" or "In Micah God Invites Me to Walk Humbly with Him." This title page is followed by 2-3 pages explaining His love. It's not hard to understand but it is deep, just as His love is. image via Amazon.com I read an article recently about how Jesus is not our cheerleader and this is not a book like that. This book is not telling you how you are loved so go dream big and make your dreams come true! It's building a foundation for you like the Bible says in Ephesians 3:16-19, " I pray that out of his g...

I read a whole lot of books of varying genres. My favorite non-fiction books are the ones that read like fiction, like you're actually talking with the author. That is what it's like to read a book by Annie F. Downs. She's like your best friend, mentor, and big sister rolled into one. You laugh with her and cry and go "oh" at deep thoughts. Her new book, "Looking for Lovely" has not disappointed me in this aspect. I've enjoyed every second of reading through. image via Amazon There were many times in the book when I starred a paragraph or dog-eared a page or underlined a sentence or two. And not only things that resonated with me, but things I think may resonate with my loved ones. When she wrote "I grew up with a lot of shame...Satan started early with me, whispering into my ear that things were my fault, that I should be so embarrassed when I made a mistake, that I wasn't good enough or strong enough to be who everyone else thought I...

My friend Evi has been so challenging, convicting, and heart-wrenching in my life. I love her so much and wish I saw her more. And now she's challenging me to be more grateful through her blog, Gratitude Gal . It's fabulous; she has a wonderful writing style that makes me jealous. Her post today was about how she's had a rough week but found some highlights, like Michael Keaton's Golden Globe acceptance speech (watch from 2:13). Then she put a few dares on her blog for us/me. I'll answer one today. Dare Choice 1:  Write down three things that have deep meaning in your life.  When something goes wrong today (as it probably will), shift your thoughts back to your list. Dare Choice 1: #1: Redemption: I could have nothing else and only have redemption from Christ's sacrifice on the cross. That would be enough. When I leave this world, I am going to heaven with my Father. When I truly let this sink in....truly, then what else can I complain about?  ...

10 years we've been together. Through a wedding, child rearing, job gains and losses, moves to and fro, pounds gained and lost, several pairs of running shoes, house buying, many vehicles, beards and haircuts. I love you more today than I did when we wed. I pray I love you more tomorrow than today. Thanks, Lord, for my amazing husband! I hear the best is yet to come, yet I can't imagine anything better than today. Happy dating anniversary - 10 years.

 8 years ago today, this kid and this kid decided to say yes. Yes to love. Yes to commitment. Yes to God. They didn't know the trials and struggles that awaited them. The job losses, the sleepless nights of parenting, the arguments over stupid things forgotten, the times of sickness and health, of running 10 miles together in horrible heat and humidity. They only knew the feel of butterflies, the soft kisses, the sweet nothings, the small palm held in the big palm. They only knew their dreams.  They didn't know those dreams would be dashed for better ones of God's planning. If they'd known then what they knew now, would it be worth it?  The hard times? The tears? The fights (and yelling)? Would he have asked? Would she have said yes? Would they have said 'I do'? I sure hope so. Had they not, they would have missed out on so much. God's blessi...

That day is on his birthday, which is today. So I like to leave him a little love letter. Here it goes:  I am so blessed to be called your wife. You cook, clean, take care of bills and cars, play with the boys (take them camping and fishing and for walks and bike rides), love me even when I'm not lovable, you lead us toward the Lord, you make each day special. I love you. I don't care what your facial hair looks like or how awfully you match (or don't) any more than you care my body size or about my stretch marks. I love you for who you are, not what you look like. Although, I like your outside, too (those eyes have been my favorite focal point for almost 10 years now).  You are the quintessential family man: you love your sons - playing Legos, assistant coaching t-ball, passing on your love of Husker football. You love your nieces and nephew, even showing them your awesome tricks on the trampoline. And you love me, taking the time on your day off to com...

Another tale from Women's Encounter and what God told me there. Read Parts 1 and 2 if you missed them. My legalism lead to self-righteous judgmental hypocrisy. Well, that lead to pride (perhaps pride lead to all of those but it circled back around). One thing we were told before we left was to share our testimonies (not necessarily our conversion stories but what God has told us recently). A testimony is a witness of God - of His work. I have known for a looooooong time that I have troubles sharing with others about the Good News of Jesus Christ. I have prayed about it. I have read books on evangelism (which is fancy terms for telling that Christ died for your sins - and mine - upon a cross, paying our debt of sin so that we can reunite with God in Spirit and later in heaven). I do a great job in my head of playing out conversations. They get insane in there; things people would NEVER say to me come out in my head. I am my own worst condemner. Well, this affects my sharing t...

Bear with me as I share with you all that God showed me at Encounter . I don't know how many posts this will take! God also showed me that, spiraling from my legalism, I have become self-righteous and judgmental. I have become a hypocrite. Again, a Pharisee (so thankful for spell-check because I can never seem to get this right on the first typing). Those that the Lord and John the Baptist had some pretty strong words about. *sigh* I have looked down on those who have less. Romans 11:9-10 says, "Likewise, David said,    'Let their bountiful table become a snare,     a trap that makes them think all is well.   Let their blessings cause them to stumble,     and let them get what they deserve.'" I'm not even rich (in worldly standards), so imagine if I had more physical blessings how blinded I'd have been. Maybe you are rich and you are intimate with Christ, but beware your comforts. Sometimes in America we are so rich, we are blind to our ri...

I went this past weekend to this mysterious event called Women's Encounter down near Augusta, KS. I wasn't really excited to go because I couldn't really get out of anyone what would happen there. No schedule. No checklist (not even for packing really other than a tip to bring a sweater). No account of "oh you do this first and then this happens...." Nothing. Have you noticed I like lists? Checklists, to-do lists, honey-do lists, instructions, guidelines, plans. That's me: Miss Type A personality. Which is really weird considering I'm not that great at organizing things (seriously, you should see our closets). Anyway. I went because Big A came home from a Bible study and said we should sign up. Ok. Done. However, once things got rolling down at Wheat State Camp, I understood the mystery. It's not mysterious to scare anyone or to keep secrets (there is no Kool-Aid) but because when you are off-guard, sometimes that is when God can really talk to y...

Six years. Holy buckets! How does six years slip by? 2006 We said 'I do' a half a dozen years ago. It's been a rollercoaster made so much better with God in the driver's seat cuddling next to you in the backseat. 2007 Thanks for putting up with me (you know you do!) and loving me at my worst (and fattest! ha) and my best (and thinnest). 2008 I know that "submit" is a scary word in the world, but I know that submitting to you is something I gladly do when you have my best interest at heart. 2009 2010 I know we're a team, a family. I wouldn't have it any other way. 2011  I love you, Big A! 2012

Over the weekend, Japan was wrecked by an earthquake and a tsunami . So many are lost. Most are searching for dead, burying dead, or trying to avoid death. Something so many of us won't ever have to think about for ourselves. However, something that I've been thinking about is that on a normal day, 55,000 people die without hearing the gospel . Now, factor in all the natural disasters in the past month, year, decade. How many of those people died without hearing the Good News of Jesus Christ? I realize there isn't a lot that many of us can do about reaching people outside of our hometown, home state, home country (besides, of course, financial aid which is always a huge missionary outreach - don't underestimate the power of your dollars at work, especially if your heart is in the right place reaching out). So focus inward. Does your family know that Jesus died for them? Do your neighbors know that Jesus paid the price for their sins? What about your church? Is the...

I love that my boys, especially Moose, love music. Squirt has recently started to dance - SO much fun! Moose has really good pitch when he sings and loves guitars & drums. Squirt likes to hit things so he's a natural drummer. What a joy this is for a mama who also loves to sing.

My Love,  Seriously? Six years we've been together? We've been married four years? It's hard to believe that I can feel like I just met you yesterday and also feel like I've known you my whole life.   No one has ever known me the way you do. No one has ever cared for me the way you do. No one has ever pursued me like you have. No one has ever stuck with me like you have. You know all my faults and everything about my past - yet you love me. You have always loved me.   I know that so many women say "I'm the luckiest woman ever," but they are wrong. Because I am. You are the perfect husband and the perfect father. You are the perfect man: brains, brawn, and a big heart. Not to mention those awesome baking skills! How ever did I get this blessed? And our boys are so blessed, too; not many fathers even today are as hands on as you are. No "baby-sitting" here.  I thank God for you but not nearly often enough. I can't repay Him for the bless...

There are times when humility is forced upon you - you're proven wrong or God really speaks to a sin in your life and knocks you on your tush. And then there are times when your heart is just humbled by the people you are in contact with. Recently my Facebook page has been bombarded by such sweet comments in regards to this picture. I don't know that anyone thought I looked really bad before, but I've heard "you look great" and "hot mama" a lot this week. Makes me blush. I appreciate that - who doesn't want friends to think you look nice? And the fact that I feel good about myself means so much in this circumstance.  I can say 'thank you' when someone compliments me and actually believe them. How often, as a woman, does that happen? I have been asked numerous times in the past few weeks for running advice. Me? Running advice? It's very humbling to have someone ask for your help, especially in an area where you never thought you...

Wishing you a very happy birthday, Big A! Big A, I know you say that you don't want a big deal made out of your birthday but you need to understand the blessing that is today. God brought you in to this world today. If He hadn't, I wouldn't have you. So I count this day as one of the biggest blessings in my life. I couldn't do this without you.  You are such a great daddy. Those two little boys just light up when they see you (so either they love you or they think you always have food around - possibly both). You are so wonderful with them: playing and teaching and loving and leading.  I couldn't ask for a better husband. You work hard and allow me to stay home to raise our boys. You put up with my "clothes tantrums" and send me out to take time for myself. You help me with dishes more often than not and cook us some yummy meals now and again. I can't express how much I appreciate you, but I can say thank you and happy birthday! Love you, Your...

Moose,  You have been such a joy since you were born (after that delivery, that is). At 9lbs. 8oz. you were our Moose; a big boy by any standards but still a little baby to us.  It was as though you wanted to be as sweet as pie after putting me through such pain to get you into this world! You made your own routine quickly, eating every few hours (whether food or bottle). You were routine in so many ways: rolling over, walking, talking, teething. God knew that I needed someone laid-back while I finished school.  You have always adjusted well to life. Whether going to college activities with me, switching day care, staying home with me, moving to Virginia, moving back to Nebraska, getting a new baby brother, moving again. Always it's seemed that you say, "whatever" to everything life throws at us.  You have always been so sensitive, getting upset when I cry (or when another kid at the park is getting yelled at). You love fiercely (sometimes too fiercely when it co...

Squirt has a fond appreciation (or possibly an obsession) with trying to get the most used devices in our home: i.e. computer keyboard, cell phones, remote controls, Wii controlers, and the toilet flusher. Generally speaking, I don't allow him any of this because it does become an obsession when he gets it (just like when Moose was littler). However, at their birthday party a few weekends ago, I gave up momentarily. Big A was sick so I was handling the children (and hosting the party) by myself. So when his Auntie Alyson gave him her cell phone, I was like "whatever." And he was ecstatic! Moose is a ladies' man. Always has been (despite old people constantly mistaking him for a girl - btw that's a BIG girl, people). Here are a few of his crushes of late. Miss J, of course. He has had a love affair (or possibly just a BFF affair) with her since...he started walking, I'd say. He loves her mom and dad (which is good), her siblings don't really seem t...

are weird... but oh, so cute, too! I'm a sucker for those baby blues (in all three of my boys)!! And check out the yummy cupcakes I made (oh and they were yummy)!! this post brought you to you by: Angie's Wordful Wednesday hosted by Seven Clown Circus