Through the years our family has had a tradition of having hot cakes and bacon on Sundays. This started when we were a family of 5 and still living in Florida. Every Sunday we would have blueberry pancakes and bacon for brunch. We made the pancakes Swedish style meaning quite small and thin. The kids would have a blast betting how many they could eat, setting new records, etc.
This tradition was put on hold for a couple of years when we first moved to South Carolina. When it did come back it was moved to the evening meal, but still on Sundays. Well, the older kids were older, tastes had changed, the games were gone, we were out a lot on the weekends, and a lot of Sunday evenings came and went without the blueberry pancakes.
Well we've decided that it's time to bring back hot cakes and bacon on Sunday evenings. Abbey and Christopher will resume 'Kids Praise' beginning in February but we'll just have to work around it. The tradition has had its starts and stops but it's a tradition we want to keep.
Pass the syrup, please?
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
Falling In Love
Christmas Eve -
He was there - sitting nearby, often involved in conversation. A joyous occasion with food, family, the excitement of children, the cries of sleepy infants, joking from the teens, and laughter from the adults.
It was funny - sitting there watching him - I was struck by the blue of his eyes, the play of expressions that crossed his face. His smile was warm and relaxed. He was sitting forward a bit in his seat, taking everything in. The scene was one of happy chaos.
He was there - sitting nearby, often involved in conversation. A joyous occasion with food, family, the excitement of children, the cries of sleepy infants, joking from the teens, and laughter from the adults.
It was funny - sitting there watching him - I was struck by the blue of his eyes, the play of expressions that crossed his face. His smile was warm and relaxed. He was sitting forward a bit in his seat, taking everything in. The scene was one of happy chaos.
- Presents being opened by young and old.
- New parents aglow in experiencing their child's first Christmas.
- Parents and Grandparents sitting back and watching their offspring while mentally replaying visions from so many Christmas' past.
- Children eager for the next package!
- Lots of mini-conversations all around. Talk of gifts, schools, SAT's, restaurants, bbq equipment, 'High School Musical', 'Star Wars', babies, the rising cost of health insurance, recipes, church politics, etc.
My eyes were drawn back to him. He has a strength of character I admire and integrity I have great respect for. He loves his family dearly and I watch him as he watches his children and their children, his mother, his siblings and their children. The banter among everyone is easy and comfortable.
It is heartwarming to see his eyes light up as he watches the kids open presents and listens to their thoughts on Santa and just when he'll arrive at their homes.
Talk of duct tape and wrapping paper is plentiful. Large boxes containing small gift-cards and lots of filling are opened and and I listen, amused, as he shares with us that presents really should be wrapped using two or more types of Christmas wrap!
Through all of this I am certain of one thing in particular - I am in love!
At this moment, as in many others before, I say a quiet prayer of thanks to the Lord above for this special man - thankful that he is my dear husband. Thankful, too, for the love he gives me in return. Thankful for the years we've spent together, and looking forward to the ones yet to come.
Most of all though, thankful we fell in love.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Gotta Keep Swingin'
Some find it surprising that the best baseball players in terms of hits, homeruns, rbi's, etc, also have the highest number of strikeouts. How is it that a player so skilled in batting would also be a leader in strikeouts?
Easy...they're not afraid to swing.
By overcoming the fear of swinging at the pitch, they get a lot of hits. They also strike out a lot. Strikeouts or not, they're way ahead of the player who won't take a swing.
This is the analogy I used with a wonderful young man this evening, my 10-yr old son, Christopher. It seems a certain young lady caught his attention, and, being the type of young man who tends to be the 'all or nothing' sort, he fancied himself head-over-heels. Summoning all the courage he could muster (for he was very nervous), he shared his heart with the sweet and very pretty young girl - in public - in front of her friends. Being very typical young girls, they did what typical young girls do - they laughed. Somehow the young man failed to see the humor in the situation and instead received a hefty dose of humiliation.
But you know what? He'll be fine. I know this because I've seen over and over again that he's not afraid to swing.
Take a moment to hug your MVP and remember that even the pros have coaches.
Christmas is filled with love and wonder...
may you have an
over-abundance of both!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Borrowed Entry...
The following landed in my email box a couple of days ago. I know our family is struggling this Christmas and apparently a lot of other folks are, too. Here's one woman's thoughts on this Christmas...
December 4, 2008
Credit Crunch or Christmas Contentment?
By Lynn Cowell
“Owe no one anything except to love one another for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8 (NKJV)
Devotion:
The TV blared the news: the economy is tightening and a credit crunch will definitely affect Christmas spending this year.
Credit card companies are lowering credit limits and raising interest rates. Gone are the days of zero percent interest for your first few months on a newly opened card. As I watched the news, I imagined many families would share similar concerns of mine. Will we have enough money to celebrate and give Christmas gifts? Can we be content with less than usual? Is there any possibility this could be a good thing?
Overspending during the holiday season winds up being a joy-robber. Many of us spend our December evenings and weekends searching frantically for that perfect gift or worrying over keeping everything “equal” (this is my personal worry with my three kids). The more I shop, the more I spend, and the less joyful I become. Sometimes, I find myself wishing the holidays would hurry up, get here and get over! There has got to be a better way to celebrate the birthday of Christ. Isn’t there?
Yes, there is! Romans 13:8 encourages us to owe no one anything except love. This verse brought to mind my sister’s special Christmas last year. Her family practiced the very gifts of love this verse speaks about. They all chose one family member to buy a gift for. In addition to this gift, they wrote a letter of love to the receiver. Their letters included words of encouragement and appreciation. They asked for forgiveness of past wounds and sought renewed relationship with one another.
My sister told me that reading these letters outloud before they opened gifts brought tears of love, healing, and restoration. She never gave the gifts a second thought after this wonderful experience. As the tears flowed from her family, in her heart she celebrated their best Christmas. The boxes may have been the fewest ever, but the love was the most! She was content.
My sister inspired me. How can I encourage my family to focus on spreading God’s love to each other and those we come in contact with this holiday? How can I encourage others not to “keep up with the Joneses,” but instead to “keep up” with Jesus’ idea of extravagantly given love?
How about your family as this Christmas season approaches? Is the tight economy exactly what your family needs to prompt you to rein in your traditional spending and refocus this year? I know it is for me and my family.
Dear Lord, may the tough times so many of us are experiencing financially, point us back to You. Help me hear Your voice this season and truly demonstrate what this precious holiday is all about. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Celebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas by Sharon Jaynes
Pampering Gifts: Crafting a Ministry of Treating People Well for Less by Lara Krupicka
See Dave Ramsey’s website for sound financial advice.
Application Steps:
Sit down with your spouse and make a strategy for staying within a budget this Christmas. Check out financial expert Dave Ramsey’s website. Follow this link and scroll down to find special savings on his “Budgeting Bundle.”
Can you plan one gift for each of your children that costs very little, but says so much about how you love them?
Sit down with your kids and set the expectation for this Christmas if it is different than what your family has experienced in the past.
Reflections:
What motivates me to give at Christmas more than I can afford?What is one thing I would like to receive this year that money can’t buy? Is this something I can give to another?Power Verses:
1 Timothy 6:6, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (NIV)
Proverbs 19:23, “The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.” (NIV)
Job 36:11, “If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.” (NIV)
© Lynn Cowell 2008. All Rights Reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
December 4, 2008
Credit Crunch or Christmas Contentment?
By Lynn Cowell
“Owe no one anything except to love one another for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8 (NKJV)
Devotion:
The TV blared the news: the economy is tightening and a credit crunch will definitely affect Christmas spending this year.
Credit card companies are lowering credit limits and raising interest rates. Gone are the days of zero percent interest for your first few months on a newly opened card. As I watched the news, I imagined many families would share similar concerns of mine. Will we have enough money to celebrate and give Christmas gifts? Can we be content with less than usual? Is there any possibility this could be a good thing?
Overspending during the holiday season winds up being a joy-robber. Many of us spend our December evenings and weekends searching frantically for that perfect gift or worrying over keeping everything “equal” (this is my personal worry with my three kids). The more I shop, the more I spend, and the less joyful I become. Sometimes, I find myself wishing the holidays would hurry up, get here and get over! There has got to be a better way to celebrate the birthday of Christ. Isn’t there?
Yes, there is! Romans 13:8 encourages us to owe no one anything except love. This verse brought to mind my sister’s special Christmas last year. Her family practiced the very gifts of love this verse speaks about. They all chose one family member to buy a gift for. In addition to this gift, they wrote a letter of love to the receiver. Their letters included words of encouragement and appreciation. They asked for forgiveness of past wounds and sought renewed relationship with one another.
My sister told me that reading these letters outloud before they opened gifts brought tears of love, healing, and restoration. She never gave the gifts a second thought after this wonderful experience. As the tears flowed from her family, in her heart she celebrated their best Christmas. The boxes may have been the fewest ever, but the love was the most! She was content.
My sister inspired me. How can I encourage my family to focus on spreading God’s love to each other and those we come in contact with this holiday? How can I encourage others not to “keep up with the Joneses,” but instead to “keep up” with Jesus’ idea of extravagantly given love?
How about your family as this Christmas season approaches? Is the tight economy exactly what your family needs to prompt you to rein in your traditional spending and refocus this year? I know it is for me and my family.
Dear Lord, may the tough times so many of us are experiencing financially, point us back to You. Help me hear Your voice this season and truly demonstrate what this precious holiday is all about. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Celebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas by Sharon Jaynes
Pampering Gifts: Crafting a Ministry of Treating People Well for Less by Lara Krupicka
See Dave Ramsey’s website for sound financial advice.
Application Steps:
Sit down with your spouse and make a strategy for staying within a budget this Christmas. Check out financial expert Dave Ramsey’s website. Follow this link and scroll down to find special savings on his “Budgeting Bundle.”
Can you plan one gift for each of your children that costs very little, but says so much about how you love them?
Sit down with your kids and set the expectation for this Christmas if it is different than what your family has experienced in the past.
Reflections:
What motivates me to give at Christmas more than I can afford?What is one thing I would like to receive this year that money can’t buy? Is this something I can give to another?Power Verses:
1 Timothy 6:6, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (NIV)
Proverbs 19:23, “The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.” (NIV)
Job 36:11, “If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.” (NIV)
© Lynn Cowell 2008. All Rights Reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org
Thursday, December 11, 2008
These Dreams...
Ahhh...sleep. My entire life I have used sleep as an escape from stress, worry, depression, and anxiety. It was a safe and comfortable place. Lately, though, that's all changed. For several months now I've had dreams disturbing my once comfortable place.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about nightmares; nothing frightening. Just dreams dealing with people I knew 30 years ago. Yes, thirty! 3-0. I'd like to think I'm too young to have dreams dealing with things from thirty years ago, but hey, that's another blog entry!
No, these dreams are often in current, real-time settings, but once I'm awake, I find myself drifting back to difficult and painful times.
The dreams are vivid and detailed with the same main characters but a variety of story lines. People important to me for a season, little more. So why are they back now? This occurs a few times each week. There are times I even awake from a dream, get up, use the restroom, go back to bed, and the same people will be back in a continuation of the previous dream or in a new setting.
Once up for the day, the dreams stay with me - almost like a physical thing carried around with me. They can feel so real that they seem more like something that actually happened than something that was only in my dreams.
I'm perplexed. I'd like my peaceful sleep back. I'd like nutty, wacky dreams back. Silly, crazy ones - or at least ones that I don't remember when I wake up.
I love my life. I have good friends and am blessed to be making new ones. My family is wonderful and I'm very happy where I am.
So, dreams, go away. It's Christmas and there's much to be done!
Sweet Dreams, Everyone!
Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about nightmares; nothing frightening. Just dreams dealing with people I knew 30 years ago. Yes, thirty! 3-0. I'd like to think I'm too young to have dreams dealing with things from thirty years ago, but hey, that's another blog entry!
No, these dreams are often in current, real-time settings, but once I'm awake, I find myself drifting back to difficult and painful times.
The dreams are vivid and detailed with the same main characters but a variety of story lines. People important to me for a season, little more. So why are they back now? This occurs a few times each week. There are times I even awake from a dream, get up, use the restroom, go back to bed, and the same people will be back in a continuation of the previous dream or in a new setting.
Once up for the day, the dreams stay with me - almost like a physical thing carried around with me. They can feel so real that they seem more like something that actually happened than something that was only in my dreams.
I'm perplexed. I'd like my peaceful sleep back. I'd like nutty, wacky dreams back. Silly, crazy ones - or at least ones that I don't remember when I wake up.
I love my life. I have good friends and am blessed to be making new ones. My family is wonderful and I'm very happy where I am.
So, dreams, go away. It's Christmas and there's much to be done!
Sweet Dreams, Everyone!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Random Thoughts
I have a lot of random thoughts from time-to-time. The only problem is that when I start to write about them I tend to write a lot - and not just the random thought. So, for what it's worth, I'm going to give it another try...
Random Thought #1 - My GPS unit is smart - I'm just glad it doesn't tell me how stupid I can be! Particularly when Darrell and I are using it to get somewhere and still refuse to do what it says (but should have!).
Random Thought #2 - Abigail is a little girl with a purpose. She believes our family was one huge mess just waiting for her to come along and straighten us all out.
Random Thought #3 (or a continuation of #2) "Go ask Abbey" - that's the response to any question anyone has about the location of anything in our home. She has made it her job to know where everything is. Now she's started finishing our sentences for us.
Random Thought #4 - Every woman should go away for a weekend with her girlfriends. I'm sure we all missed our husbands and families, but what a great weekend we had together.
Random Thought #5 - Today starts a new chapter in my life - Elisa went back to work today. Christopher, Abbey and I are holding school here at Elisa's where we can babysit Zachary. It will be an adjustment for all but one I'm looking forward to.
That's good for now.
'Tis the Season...
Random Thought #1 - My GPS unit is smart - I'm just glad it doesn't tell me how stupid I can be! Particularly when Darrell and I are using it to get somewhere and still refuse to do what it says (but should have!).
Random Thought #2 - Abigail is a little girl with a purpose. She believes our family was one huge mess just waiting for her to come along and straighten us all out.
Random Thought #3 (or a continuation of #2) "Go ask Abbey" - that's the response to any question anyone has about the location of anything in our home. She has made it her job to know where everything is. Now she's started finishing our sentences for us.
Random Thought #4 - Every woman should go away for a weekend with her girlfriends. I'm sure we all missed our husbands and families, but what a great weekend we had together.
Random Thought #5 - Today starts a new chapter in my life - Elisa went back to work today. Christopher, Abbey and I are holding school here at Elisa's where we can babysit Zachary. It will be an adjustment for all but one I'm looking forward to.
That's good for now.
'Tis the Season...
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