The one good thing about summer coming to a conclusion is that- we know it will be back next year! :) I just don't believe that climate change will affect the seasons in this part of the hemisphere. Don't buy it.
I do have lots of things to finish buying stuff. I've got my To Do List of items to complete before my daughter starts preschool next week. Slowly, we are marking things off and getting things done. Because once school begins, ministry gets more hectic for me too.
I must confess as much as I'll miss summer- autumn is an awesome season. Cool, yet warm. Gorgeous fall foilage. Football starts. (Go Steelers!) Two of my favorite people were born in autumn (so we have birthdays to celebrate) and my wedding anniversary is in fall. Great season- it really is.
And the added bonus for you Financial Peace University/Dave Ramsey's fans- is that next month we will be calling Dave's live show on a Friday. And you know what that means- yep our debt free call is next month. Oh, man it is so exciting being this close. I can almost taste it. I've been practicing my call to Dave for the past 9 months. (But I'll probably pee my pants with excitement so I'll have to write some notes down to tell him.)
Yep- we are reaping a lovely harvest in our summer garden (will add some more photos next time) and we will reap a harvest of hard work/effort/gazelle-ness too. Both are sweet end-of-the-summer treats!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
August Vacation
This is a priceless work of art- our daughter's depiction of happiness and joy made with sand and driftwood! She made it on the beach in the last couple of days as we relaxed at my aunt's lake house. It is a perfect portrayal of how my entire family responds to the lake water, fishing, boating, swimming, trees and hills. Big Smiles!
We came back renewed and refreshed as well as sunburnt! Thanks, Auntie!
One more week and two-thirds of our family resumes our normal schedule. No more summer laid back schedule. So, we'll try to squeeze in a few more good times before the busyness begins.
But for now- we'll just smile!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
My Dislike for Cancer
For a while now I've been fussing and fuming over cancer. I've seen way too much and pain and suffering to ignore this menance. And presided over too many funerals.
Last week I was muttering and whining to my husband about cancer: why it exists, why does it seem more prevalent; when will it end etc. Well, his response back stopped me in my tracks (and got me to shut up) when he said, "Michelle, you realize we are all born with cancer. Dysfunctional cells are always dormant in our bodies and it is just a matter of something activating them."
That got me to thinking. Thinking theologically that is. Cancer is a part of the human condition just as sin, death and disease are. It came into our lives somewhere during Chapter 3 of Genesis. Because that is when it entered this fallen world... it is waiting to be redeemed by the final victory of Jesus.
And I guess, even though I am not sure the BIG END is tomorrow, I have new hope that cancer will have an end because God's ending to time will finish if off better than chemo treatments and radiation therapy. I just wish it was in the lifetimes of those who I love and care about... because they deserve more than the suffering they experience.... and yet God never promised our lives would be void of suffering, only that God would not leave us alone in our suffering.
Last week I was muttering and whining to my husband about cancer: why it exists, why does it seem more prevalent; when will it end etc. Well, his response back stopped me in my tracks (and got me to shut up) when he said, "Michelle, you realize we are all born with cancer. Dysfunctional cells are always dormant in our bodies and it is just a matter of something activating them."
That got me to thinking. Thinking theologically that is. Cancer is a part of the human condition just as sin, death and disease are. It came into our lives somewhere during Chapter 3 of Genesis. Because that is when it entered this fallen world... it is waiting to be redeemed by the final victory of Jesus.
And I guess, even though I am not sure the BIG END is tomorrow, I have new hope that cancer will have an end because God's ending to time will finish if off better than chemo treatments and radiation therapy. I just wish it was in the lifetimes of those who I love and care about... because they deserve more than the suffering they experience.... and yet God never promised our lives would be void of suffering, only that God would not leave us alone in our suffering.
We Did It!
Our summer seading challenge ended yesterday. And we beat our previous record. The bar is now high for next summer. 180 books read! Wow!
Whew- I can tell you a lot about children's literature now...
Whew- I can tell you a lot about children's literature now...
Family Reunions
Everybody has them. (I hope.) We all have our favorite stories from these freak events in our lives when relatives you barely send Christmas cards to descend upon a park, restaurant or someone's home for hours of talking, talking, and more talking.
My family had one today. Our preschooler survived three hours of relatives in a dimply lit BBQ restaurant... then she had to go!! (Don't blame her- there wasn't much for her to get out of the experience and no playground to play on.)
We were 6 months old, Quinn, to 89 years & 11 months old, Wayne. There were four generations of us. And only three left from the oldest generation- the greatest generation. These precious ones were as honored as the littlest one who was passed around and around and around.
We represent the families and descendents of four brothers who came from a God fearing, earth toiling Hoosier couple. Their farm is here in Hendricks County. And now we are spread across at least four states.
I've been attending this reunion for my entire life and I am still baffled. Why do we get together? What is the point? Only my portion of this family do I see more often than this once-a-year-event. Long ago I thought I would understand this event when I got older. Now I am older and I still don't get it. What am I missing?
The whole thing remains a mystery to me and yet I continue to go... why? Somebody tell me why?
My family had one today. Our preschooler survived three hours of relatives in a dimply lit BBQ restaurant... then she had to go!! (Don't blame her- there wasn't much for her to get out of the experience and no playground to play on.)
We were 6 months old, Quinn, to 89 years & 11 months old, Wayne. There were four generations of us. And only three left from the oldest generation- the greatest generation. These precious ones were as honored as the littlest one who was passed around and around and around.
We represent the families and descendents of four brothers who came from a God fearing, earth toiling Hoosier couple. Their farm is here in Hendricks County. And now we are spread across at least four states.
I've been attending this reunion for my entire life and I am still baffled. Why do we get together? What is the point? Only my portion of this family do I see more often than this once-a-year-event. Long ago I thought I would understand this event when I got older. Now I am older and I still don't get it. What am I missing?
The whole thing remains a mystery to me and yet I continue to go... why? Somebody tell me why?
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Excited-squared!
It is in the mail. The big IT has to be in the mail now by December 1, 2009. And so the clock has begun to tick...
The 'BIG It' I am referring to is the book that Todd (the mustache-less man of mayhem) and I are co writing. (the little it was the book contract.)
Yes- I am the one he referred to several blogs back. He convinced me to sign on to a book proposal and now- well- we are writing buddies or co-authors or something. Can't help myself. I have always wanted to venture into writing and publishing. This is another item on my bucket list after all- writing a book or two and getting them published.
Alphabetically- my name should go first on the cover, don't you think? hee hee.
Ya'll will be hearing more about the joys and woes of writing and deadlines soon enough, but for this moment in time, as the contract is off in the mail and the deadline seems light years away, - let's PARTY! Woo hoo! I am so excited!
Thanks be to God for all things especially a publisher who said, "Yes." (and thanks for the dude down the hall for helping out a rookie writer!)
The 'BIG It' I am referring to is the book that Todd (the mustache-less man of mayhem) and I are co writing. (the little it was the book contract.)
Yes- I am the one he referred to several blogs back. He convinced me to sign on to a book proposal and now- well- we are writing buddies or co-authors or something. Can't help myself. I have always wanted to venture into writing and publishing. This is another item on my bucket list after all- writing a book or two and getting them published.
Alphabetically- my name should go first on the cover, don't you think? hee hee.
Ya'll will be hearing more about the joys and woes of writing and deadlines soon enough, but for this moment in time, as the contract is off in the mail and the deadline seems light years away, - let's PARTY! Woo hoo! I am so excited!
Thanks be to God for all things especially a publisher who said, "Yes." (and thanks for the dude down the hall for helping out a rookie writer!)
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Denial about the End of Summer Vacation
It cannot be August already! Where did the summer go? I haven't accomplished all of my to-do list. We've barely had any heat/humid/hot weather. ACK!
My daughter and I have beat last year's goal of picture book reading. We're at 167 books read as of today (contest ends on Friday). I didn't do so well in my adult reading- only about 800 or so pages this summer (I couldn't count all those magazine articles).
So, I am putting my family on notice that we are going to 'hurry up and have more fun' before the fall hectic schedule begins for myself and our daughter. So watch out- we'll be making our way through town!
My daughter and I have beat last year's goal of picture book reading. We're at 167 books read as of today (contest ends on Friday). I didn't do so well in my adult reading- only about 800 or so pages this summer (I couldn't count all those magazine articles).
So, I am putting my family on notice that we are going to 'hurry up and have more fun' before the fall hectic schedule begins for myself and our daughter. So watch out- we'll be making our way through town!
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