Saturday my little family shopped for our turkey. Kid was in the race car shopping cart with Daddy driving her too fast down the aisles. My husband when he spied the HUGE freezer full of turkeys- fell in love.
It was as if soft music played, he ran to the turkey, embraced her, cradled her like Baby Diana, and then with tears in his eyes, "Honey, this is the one! It is as if God saved this turkey for us!"
Mind you, ten minutes before I was on the butterball.com website trying to determine portions sizes to feed our gathering. (Since we purchased the bird three more people are coming!) I knew we needed between 18-20 pound turkey.
My husband's new frozen hunk of love weighs a whopping 23 pounds.
Ever try to U-Scan a frozen turkey at the grocery check out?
Our youth group did turkey bowling last year... this is more difficult.
I recommend that U-scanning a frozen 23 pound turkey be an Winter Olympic event. It is hard to do! (Especially when your husband is drooling on the blessed bird!)
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Pre-Thanksgiving Panic
Before almost a dozen people descend upon my house for a full meal deal of Thanksgiving yummies- I have to tell you about my pre-holiday panic. My hunch is that the day of this blessed event will go much smoother and more wonderfully than these days leading up to the turkey and fixin's!
Here is my abbreviated list of stuff to accomplish in the next six days or less:
Next year don't be surprised if you read in my blog that the Knight family ordered Chinese food or pizza on Thanksgiving.
Here is my abbreviated list of stuff to accomplish in the next six days or less:
- write a sermon
- give the same sermon
- teach a couple of classes
- finish a book
- organize a syllabus for a ministerial intern
- get Advent stuff prepared (i.e. announcements, devotions, candlelighting families)
- shop for the turkey, food and desert necessaties
- clean the house
- prepare the guest bedroom for our overnight visitor (Hi, Uncle Mike!)
- contain my daughter's mounting enthusiasm that Christmas decorating is fast approaching
- cook the turkey, bake the pies, and other stuff
- find enough card tables, folding chairs, and tableclothes for this crew (are they in the garage or attic?)
- stock the beer fridge
- get the latest kid photos ready for all the grandparents
- help my daughter's preschool class celebrate their thanksgiving (a Charlie Brown cartoon-special-feast)
- stop and be grateful I have the ability, energy, and opportunity to do all this stuff!
Next year don't be surprised if you read in my blog that the Knight family ordered Chinese food or pizza on Thanksgiving.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Goddaughter
My goddaughter likes to color. In fact, she is quite good at it for being only 3 years old. Stays within the lines, varies her color choices, and is very committed to finishing a picture before starting another one.
Last week while she spent the day with my five year old daughter and I, this little artist followed me around the house. She made a nest of her crayons and coloring books in each room as I dusted, cleaned, and scrubbed. Her presence was a gift of companionship.
But, what is most remarkable about my goddaughter is her life. A year before her birth my goddaughter's parents had exhausted all possibilities for fertility and carrying a baby full term. Don't ask how many miscarriages they went through. Just know it was too many. They began the process of application to adopt a child.
Wouldn't you know- months into the adoption process- God does indeed still favor couples who are barren! Grace's conception and healthy delivery were a gift just as her name implies. She is an undeserved and unearned present from God to not only her parents and my family, but a reminder to all peoples that God does indeed go before us.
So, if you see me bopping around town with two little blond girls- one brown eyed and the other blue eyed- now you'll know the story behind my other girl.
Last week while she spent the day with my five year old daughter and I, this little artist followed me around the house. She made a nest of her crayons and coloring books in each room as I dusted, cleaned, and scrubbed. Her presence was a gift of companionship.
But, what is most remarkable about my goddaughter is her life. A year before her birth my goddaughter's parents had exhausted all possibilities for fertility and carrying a baby full term. Don't ask how many miscarriages they went through. Just know it was too many. They began the process of application to adopt a child.
Wouldn't you know- months into the adoption process- God does indeed still favor couples who are barren! Grace's conception and healthy delivery were a gift just as her name implies. She is an undeserved and unearned present from God to not only her parents and my family, but a reminder to all peoples that God does indeed go before us.
So, if you see me bopping around town with two little blond girls- one brown eyed and the other blue eyed- now you'll know the story behind my other girl.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Lamenting the Fort Hood Massacre
Coincidence, I heard once, is God's way of trying to remain anonymous.
If that is true, I believe that it was no coincidence yesterday that our DISCIPLE Bible study class read and discussed the Book of Lamentations while a Memorial Service was being held at Fort Hood, Texas.
The older I get and the more I pray through/with/for news reports the more I am in awe of the wisdom and gift Lamentations provides God believers. For such a little book (only five chapters long) tucked in between such amazing prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel, Lamentation packs a terrific punch of the profound. (Please, after you read my blog- go read Lamentations for yourself. It won't take long.)
The poetic rendering of ancient Jerusalem's destruction and the exile of the Jewish people into Babylon in 586/587 B.C.E. models for all of us how to grieve well. Grief done well tells the details of pain and sorrow's story. Grief done well laments and articulates the loss one or a group of people experience together. Grief done well assumes and presumes God's loving steady presence. This is what we as a nation, our military family, and communities of faith are about today as we remember the betrayal and loss of life at Fort Hood last week.
Grieving done well also presupposes that sorrow itself will come to an end, mourning will turn to dancing, and God's mercies are fresh every day. My favorite scripture is tucked into the middle of this lament. See 3:22-23. In fact, my notes (for my husband and families' future reference) includes this reading for my funeral and the singing of a great hymn based upon these words, Great Is Thy Faithfulness.
God provides for us- even in times of great sorrow and loss. That hope and promise is what allows, I believe, deep healing to take place. May it be so for the families and those injured at Fort Hood and may it be so for all who grieve and mourn today.
If that is true, I believe that it was no coincidence yesterday that our DISCIPLE Bible study class read and discussed the Book of Lamentations while a Memorial Service was being held at Fort Hood, Texas.
The older I get and the more I pray through/with/for news reports the more I am in awe of the wisdom and gift Lamentations provides God believers. For such a little book (only five chapters long) tucked in between such amazing prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel, Lamentation packs a terrific punch of the profound. (Please, after you read my blog- go read Lamentations for yourself. It won't take long.)
The poetic rendering of ancient Jerusalem's destruction and the exile of the Jewish people into Babylon in 586/587 B.C.E. models for all of us how to grieve well. Grief done well tells the details of pain and sorrow's story. Grief done well laments and articulates the loss one or a group of people experience together. Grief done well assumes and presumes God's loving steady presence. This is what we as a nation, our military family, and communities of faith are about today as we remember the betrayal and loss of life at Fort Hood last week.
Grieving done well also presupposes that sorrow itself will come to an end, mourning will turn to dancing, and God's mercies are fresh every day. My favorite scripture is tucked into the middle of this lament. See 3:22-23. In fact, my notes (for my husband and families' future reference) includes this reading for my funeral and the singing of a great hymn based upon these words, Great Is Thy Faithfulness.
God provides for us- even in times of great sorrow and loss. That hope and promise is what allows, I believe, deep healing to take place. May it be so for the families and those injured at Fort Hood and may it be so for all who grieve and mourn today.
Monday, November 9, 2009
With ONE Heart Testimony
Last weekend my husband and I gave our testimony as a part of the With ONE Heart
Capital Campaign here at Calvary. Below is our testimony.
Eric: Hi, I am Eric. Many of you may not have yet met me because I prefer to not be in the spotlight. And my work with the Indy Racing League, 8 months of the year keeps me away from weekend worship.
Michelle: Hi, I am Michelle, Eric’s wife, the Mrs. Reverend Knight. We want to share with you our story of living generously.
Eric: After getting married, Michelle insisted that we give to the church. My idea of giving was putting a $20 bill in the plate when I did go to church... And when I didn't go to church, I thought I was off the hook for that week. I had debt.A lot of debt, and that was my priority.
Michelle: Our giving wasn’t what God asks of us because we had this thing called ‘debt’. We had credit card debt, car debt, student loan debt, and our mortgage. All totaled at the time it was $ 71,564. Throughout these years we struggled to discern how to live God’s way. We knew our debt was holding us back from living generously. We also were beginning to realize that our spending habits and lifestyle were negatively impacting our ability to honor all the blessings God has placed in our lives. God has blessed us tremendously- we each have unique abilities and contributions to share in our community. We are blessed with education, family, health, and wonderful Christian friends.
Eric: Now, well before we had started with Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University, we had already started our debt reduction plan. When we started Dave's class, we had already paid off all of our credit cards and car loans, and it only took 7 years and 2 months to do it. However, we still had the remainder of my student loan, and at that time, it had a balance of almost $30,000 remaining.
Michelle: Eric and I were s-l-o-w-l-y becoming united in our goals and finances. Bill paying nights were filled with arguments, anxiety, frustration, and agitation. Our vision of being debt free except for a house payment seemed like a far off distance place we’d never get to. We fussed and squabbled with each other and continued to wrestle with what God’s portion of our income needed to be. It took doing the Financial Peace University class together, reading the materials, and hammering out a working family budget that we both agreed to in order for our financial life to grow.
Eric: One of our first decisions in the budget planning was about our giving to Calvary. It is listed first before we set anything else. And even though for the last 18 months, we have been crazy intense about paying off our debt, giving to Calvary has remained #1. Not because Michelle is a pastor, but because we have learned the blessing of living generously. God expects us to honor him. Our money and our assets isn't ours anyway. It's all God's anyway.
Michelle: Since we started FPU class in January of 2008, we have paid off $29,248. As of September of this year, we are now totally debt free (with the exception of our house.) We have no credit cards, we live within our means. Our families and friends think we are weird. We do not go out to eat (but every two months). We have not had a family vacation since 2005 (our trips in 2006 were paid for by the Lilly Renewal Grant). We have used cars (they are paid for). We do not have cable. We shop for deals and every budget category has an envelope. Nothing is bought on credit because we do no worship at the altar of a FICA score anymore. We honor God for what God has placed into our hands.
Eric: We're debt free, and THAT is a great feeling. We are no longer beholden to man. At anytime, if I feel my work compromises my morals, I can walk away and not worry about how we can make ends meet. That is a powerful feeling. It gives you confidence in ways you never
imagined. I'm proud that we accomplished this debt reduction while giving
generously to our church. Now, our tithe to Calvary is a full tithe. We do 10% of our GROSS income. In the last year, I have been hounded by this voice in my head to give of our first fruits. If I can give more than 20% of my gross income to the government and all that Change, I can certainly feel good about giving 10% to the church.
Michelle: Next weekend you will be asked to give your pledge to our capital campaign called With One Heart. Eric and I have already prayed and talked about our gift. We are now praying for you. If you are struggling in your family finances- remember we will have another FPU class this January. There are lots of tools around to help you learn how to manage the blessing of income God has given you.
Eric: On November 22 we will be asked to give our First Fruits offering towards the With One Heart campaign. Michelle and I have our gift ready. Our only request because of our experience with debt is that our gift be used towards reducing the debt of our church mortgage. We want our church family to know what financial freedom is all about.
Michelle: Imagine what we could do as a church if we had no debt. Out $20,000 month mortgage could go to missions, ministry- you name it. Imagine the financial freedom we would have With ONE Heart!
Michelle: Hi, I am Michelle, Eric’s wife, the Mrs. Reverend Knight. We want to share with you our story of living generously.
Eric: After getting married, Michelle insisted that we give to the church. My idea of giving was putting a $20 bill in the plate when I did go to church... And when I didn't go to church, I thought I was off the hook for that week. I had debt.A lot of debt, and that was my priority.
Michelle: Our giving wasn’t what God asks of us because we had this thing called ‘debt’. We had credit card debt, car debt, student loan debt, and our mortgage. All totaled at the time it was $ 71,564. Throughout these years we struggled to discern how to live God’s way. We knew our debt was holding us back from living generously. We also were beginning to realize that our spending habits and lifestyle were negatively impacting our ability to honor all the blessings God has placed in our lives. God has blessed us tremendously- we each have unique abilities and contributions to share in our community. We are blessed with education, family, health, and wonderful Christian friends.
Eric: Now, well before we had started with Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University, we had already started our debt reduction plan. When we started Dave's class, we had already paid off all of our credit cards and car loans, and it only took 7 years and 2 months to do it. However, we still had the remainder of my student loan, and at that time, it had a balance of almost $30,000 remaining.
Michelle: Eric and I were s-l-o-w-l-y becoming united in our goals and finances. Bill paying nights were filled with arguments, anxiety, frustration, and agitation. Our vision of being debt free except for a house payment seemed like a far off distance place we’d never get to. We fussed and squabbled with each other and continued to wrestle with what God’s portion of our income needed to be. It took doing the Financial Peace University class together, reading the materials, and hammering out a working family budget that we both agreed to in order for our financial life to grow.
Eric: One of our first decisions in the budget planning was about our giving to Calvary. It is listed first before we set anything else. And even though for the last 18 months, we have been crazy intense about paying off our debt, giving to Calvary has remained #1. Not because Michelle is a pastor, but because we have learned the blessing of living generously. God expects us to honor him. Our money and our assets isn't ours anyway. It's all God's anyway.
Michelle: Since we started FPU class in January of 2008, we have paid off $29,248. As of September of this year, we are now totally debt free (with the exception of our house.) We have no credit cards, we live within our means. Our families and friends think we are weird. We do not go out to eat (but every two months). We have not had a family vacation since 2005 (our trips in 2006 were paid for by the Lilly Renewal Grant). We have used cars (they are paid for). We do not have cable. We shop for deals and every budget category has an envelope. Nothing is bought on credit because we do no worship at the altar of a FICA score anymore. We honor God for what God has placed into our hands.
Eric: We're debt free, and THAT is a great feeling. We are no longer beholden to man. At anytime, if I feel my work compromises my morals, I can walk away and not worry about how we can make ends meet. That is a powerful feeling. It gives you confidence in ways you never
imagined. I'm proud that we accomplished this debt reduction while giving
generously to our church. Now, our tithe to Calvary is a full tithe. We do 10% of our GROSS income. In the last year, I have been hounded by this voice in my head to give of our first fruits. If I can give more than 20% of my gross income to the government and all that Change, I can certainly feel good about giving 10% to the church.
Michelle: Next weekend you will be asked to give your pledge to our capital campaign called With One Heart. Eric and I have already prayed and talked about our gift. We are now praying for you. If you are struggling in your family finances- remember we will have another FPU class this January. There are lots of tools around to help you learn how to manage the blessing of income God has given you.
Eric: On November 22 we will be asked to give our First Fruits offering towards the With One Heart campaign. Michelle and I have our gift ready. Our only request because of our experience with debt is that our gift be used towards reducing the debt of our church mortgage. We want our church family to know what financial freedom is all about.
Michelle: Imagine what we could do as a church if we had no debt. Out $20,000 month mortgage could go to missions, ministry- you name it. Imagine the financial freedom we would have With ONE Heart!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Thankful Season
Every night we, Knights, have a bedtime ritual. Structure, order, and a routine are important in my house. One of the pieces of our ritual time at bed is for everyone to share "something they are grateful for" that happened or did not happen during the day. These are called our "thankful things".
Following our conversations around our thankful things- then we pray together about them and our other concerns/celebrations.
You can appreciate, I hope, how diverse our thankful things can be with a preschool student and her wacky parents. Here is a sample list of our thankful things in the past week or so:
Following our conversations around our thankful things- then we pray together about them and our other concerns/celebrations.
You can appreciate, I hope, how diverse our thankful things can be with a preschool student and her wacky parents. Here is a sample list of our thankful things in the past week or so:
- teeth
- my caterpillar
- got my work done today
- Daddy's job
- Nana sent a box
- Mommy and Daddy, but not Duke dog
- Daddy's patient help so that Mommy could write
- halloween candy
- naps
What are you thankful for?
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
My Grandma's Charge Conference
Earlier this fall an invitation arrived in the mail for me and others to attend, "This Ain't Your Grandma's Charge Conference!" My interest was tweaked.
What is a Grandma's charge conference, really?!
I am just young enough that my grandmother still lives. In fact she attends my congregation so this could be 'her charge conference' as well as mine. But I know that my attendance at our charge conference on Sunday did bring the average age down to only about 61.
Charge conference for grandmothers could be a group of blue hair'd ladies sipping tea and flashing one another grandkid photos on their iphones. That might be fun for some.
Or it could be a meeting where you vote on stuff no one has read nor will read about stuff no one really cares about while sitting on uncomfortable folding chairs in a small room with too many people. That wasn't as much fun.
The only thing worse than Charge Conference (my grandmother's or this year's) is Check Day when we do the same sort of things- numbers on papers that no one uses or reads.
Provocative, informative, life-changing, kingdom-building, exciting, and enjoyable- these are the things charge conference ain't.
Post Script: I don't think my grandmother has attended a charge conference for four decades.
What is a Grandma's charge conference, really?!
I am just young enough that my grandmother still lives. In fact she attends my congregation so this could be 'her charge conference' as well as mine. But I know that my attendance at our charge conference on Sunday did bring the average age down to only about 61.
Charge conference for grandmothers could be a group of blue hair'd ladies sipping tea and flashing one another grandkid photos on their iphones. That might be fun for some.
Or it could be a meeting where you vote on stuff no one has read nor will read about stuff no one really cares about while sitting on uncomfortable folding chairs in a small room with too many people. That wasn't as much fun.
The only thing worse than Charge Conference (my grandmother's or this year's) is Check Day when we do the same sort of things- numbers on papers that no one uses or reads.
Provocative, informative, life-changing, kingdom-building, exciting, and enjoyable- these are the things charge conference ain't.
Post Script: I don't think my grandmother has attended a charge conference for four decades.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)