Is this food??

Okay, my bone to pick this morning is with school lunches. I am not to get all political or jump into social activism, but this has hit close to home and I am now venting.

I decided to volunteer at school once a month to help serve the hot lunch. What I realized was that I have been paying $2.25 for my child to eat nasty processed, so-called food. They consider a healthy child's lunch to be a pile of corn chips with a scoop of "Alpo" looking meat, and a glob of sticky, gloppy stuff they call cheese. Seriously???

America has boasted about how it is so advanced and superior to other cultures, but when it comes to food, I am amazed what American children will eat (and PREFER to eat). They not only eat it, they come back for seconds and thirds AND they throw their fresh carrots and whole apples in the garbage and dump their milk down the drinking fountain.

Now, of course, kids will be kids and will eat what tastes good, rich and sweet. So what happened to us as parents that we forfeited our responsibility to make sure what our kids are putting into their bodies on a daily basis will actually help them and not harm them? I had one mom tell me the other day that her son cried because they did not have corn dogs at school on Monday. "He only eats a few things - he is very picky with his foods", she said.

Now, so I don't sound all self-righteous and all that, my kids (at least some of them) would enjoy a good corn dog as well - the nasty ones they serve at at school?? - maybe....But as an adult and a parent, am I willing to go the extra mile to make sure they are getting good foods in their diet? It seems I better be, because the school has certainly abdicated their role in watching out of the health of our children!

My Peter Pan Lost!

This is Conner....my corny little boy. I love his sincere little heart and his absent mind to life's little details. He put Calvin's t-shirt on the other night when my sister-in-law was babysitting and was trying to assure her that it was his t-shirt and he had just grown really fast. If it is in his drawer, it must be his.

I have always called Conner my Peter Pan as he is 7 and 1/2 and hadn't lost his top baby teeth. I told him it was a sign that he was always to be my little boy. But alas, they finally came out, and I realize that this is one small steps toward manhood for him. His face will forever be changed and this makes me a little sad.

But what a privilege to watch him grow and change . What a blessing to see how Conner has changed me. What a joy to be a part of this little man's life! I am praying Proverbs 1 for him today...that his will seek wisdom and that as he gains he new adult teeth, he will learn to fear the Lord and learn to love His Word.

Mission Oak Inn

Jeff and I had a two day get-away at a small B & B in Henry called Mission Oak Inn. It is run by a Christian couple who felt let to start this bed and breakfast over eleven years ago. I think it has been running for maybe 6 years now.

I know that they won't mind me sharing the name on my blog as they are happy for the advertisement. It was such a wonderful quiet get-away for us and gave us time to talk and just BE with each other.

We tried out for the first time snow-shoeing and thanks to the big storm, we had plenty of snow to practice in. It was amazing how easy it was to walk in that deep snow (as we had to walk in it later without the snow-shoes and sank almost to our knees in places) and was exhilarating to go hiking through the woods in the brisk, clean air. We followed the tracks of deer and enjoyed the silence that blanketed the ravine.

Later we went ice fishing on the lake - another first in our book. This sled looking thing proved to be our hut later on.

Drilling the hole took but just a moment....

Tad-a!!

The fishing gear definitely looked different than what I was used to.

In a jiffy the tent was up and warm enough that we would spend the next almost four hours in. We did feel pretty numb by the end but I was amazed how comparatively warm we were as the outside temperature was in the teens.

This fishing hole brought back vivid memories of an Indian toilet....

Wax worms was the cuisine of choice for this particular day.

And the prized fish - Jeff caught a nice-sized crappie. I caught one also, but it got off the hook and I watched it sadly in the hole for several minutes before it swam away. We caught around 17 fish in all and had a wonderful meal with the kids when we got home. The Inn keepers kindly cleaned and packaged them up for us while we went inside to warm our toes and noses.

We are so thankful for Peg and Gus who were willing to watch our kids while we took off and thankful to the Lord for our time together and with Him. I just LOVE those quiet moments. We are blessed!!

A lesson learned....yet again

I am reading a book called, "How Children raise parents" by Dan Allender.

I have been reminded once again how I spend my time and energy focusing on the behavior of my children rather than their heart. While I may not always admit that I tend to do this, I surely do and you may even confirm this with my children if you would like.

And yet we all would agree that our desire would be that our children are conformed to the image of Christ, no matter how wild, or radical or improper that may seem at the moment. Do I care that my son wears faded jeans to church or do I care that he wrestles with the reality of God made flesh and how that affects his life.

I find myself wanting to conform and wanting to look like a good little Christian family more than helping my children truly confront the matters of the heart.

Here was a harsh wake up call.

We sat down to dinner the other night just as the blizzard started to really rage outside. Jeff said that we should pray for the homeless because there would be sure to be many who would die during the night.

Yes, good idea. Let's pray.

Conner started to pray and then broke down in deep sobs as he tried to pray for those who might be out in the storm. His heart had been touched and mine was as cold as ice. What a lesson to learn from my 7 year old!

Lord, help to focus on their little hearts. Help me to focus on what really and truly matters. Thank you for using Conner to awaken my soul to love and mercy... The very things I desire to teach him! Give me you Wisdom in this thing called parenting.


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Calvin's 3rd birthday

This is a test to see if people who visit this blog can see this video on facebook even if they are not facebook members. Just click below. If any of you out there happen to try this and are not on facebook, Will you let me know if it works? Thanks!

Happy Birthday Calvin!

Born to die

How could it be that the God of this universe would take thought of man - such a helpless, sinful, rebellious race?

Yet our Lord was born this day to die.

How could it be that he would chose such a helpless state in which to come? He needed fed, clothed, washed, burped...unable to do anything for himself. Where was his power and his majesty and glory?

He was born as a baby to die.

They wanted a king. They wanted a ruler and a commander who would show everyone who was truly in charge. They wanted a savior who would free them from their oppression.

They were not looking in a stable. They were not looking for an infant. They were not looking for a messiah who was born to die.

Oh Lord, you could have done such great thing! You could have lasted more than 33 years. You could have done so much more with your power and helped so many more people. You could have commanded respect and honor and worship!

But this is not why you came...you were born to die...

So that a sinner such as I might live!


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Thank You!

Well, it has been a long, long time since I have posted anything...maybe it has been a long, long time since there has been anything worth posting. Seriously, I sometimes sit at my computer longing to write on my blog and realize that I have nothing significant, intriguing, thought-provoking or exciting with which to clutter cyberspace. And so I thought it best to just imagine that people thought I was not blogging because I was so busy or so incredible engrossed in bettering humanity. Isn't there a quote somewhere that you make people think you are wise by not opening your mouth?

All that said, I am compelled to write a deep-hearted THANK YOU to my husband, Peg, Jen and my mom for helping me and my FAMILY survive this past week of sickness. Apparently I was a little sicker than I thought as Jeff was ready to call in a room for me at the hospital.

Thank you Jeff for being such a compassionate doctor/husband to your stubborn wife and for going over and beyond your call of duty to make sure I got rest. You amaze me at your ability to get things done and keep the ball rolling. You humble me with your selfless actions to care for me.

Thanks Peg and Jen for stepping in/forcing your way in to take care of kids. I felt like an idiot letting you do it so much, but realized it was truly the pride of my heart that caused most of my shame.

Thanks mom, for making me food when you can hardly get around yourself.

The Lord has indeed shown me again His Grace, his healing mercy and His love through his saints. I am in awe. AND, I am certainly glad for health once again.

Now, that is worth writing about!