dot dot dot

As I was sharing my last post on Facebook, I realized something that I just had to post about.  I use the "..." or "dot dot dot" or, if you really want to know, the "ellipsis punctation mark" quite often.  Actually, I may overly use it.  Every time I post something, the post will most likely end with dot. dot. dot.  It is a great punctuation mark.  The ellipsis point can be used when you want to leave out part of a quote or when you want to pause the flow of a sentence.  For example:  Hannah thought... and then she thought some more.  Or, when used in a quote:  "Bohr... used the analogy of parallel stairways." (I actually derived this quote somewhere online).  Anyway, these are the correct uses of "ellipsis points" or "..." or "dot. dot. dot."  Now, what do I use them for... EVERYTHING.  Example:  I use them when my reader can fill in the blank with his or her own thoughts.  I wrote: "the things we do..." on FB with the intentions that others would think of the things they do for their children just to make them happy.  I use the dot. dot. dots. to pause my sentences.  Because, I want my reader to get it.  I want them to read my words as if I am talking to them.  But, mostly, I want my reader to just think with me.  When I see a dot. dot. dot. I usually fill in the blank (if that makes any sense).  I apply it to my life so to speak.  So, when someone writes "she said..." I'm automatically thinking:  "who is she, what is she doing, where is she at, whose friend is she, and what did she say?" 

So, my dot. dot. dots. are important.  Maybe I just think to much. Maybe I just wanted to research dot. dot. dots. online to see how I should be using this punctuation mark.  But, in reality I just don't care how I'm supposed to use it.  I am not graded on FB posts or blog posts. So, I really don't care as long as my ... is doing its job.  Read more about dot. dot. dots. here.

When the Morning Comes...

I'll be doing whatever it takes to make my little man happy...

That's right. I crawled INTO Little Man's pack-n-play with him.  And, it was fun.  Whatever it takes to make this "up-really-early-by-that-I-mean-7:00 a.m.-baby" happy.  It was almost naptime and I wanted him to stay up just a little longer (because we all know that the more tired baby is, the better and longer he will sleep).  And my wonderful hubby decided he wanted to capture me in my crazy mom state.  So, I let him.  Good morning Isaiah!

change.

I. Do. Not. Like. Change. Let me explain:

• My church changed its bulletin format. I don't like it. 
• It took me a week to get used to my new car. The first day of driving it, I decided I still liked my old car.  Not anymore of course.   
• I like to wash my clothes with the same laundry detergent, but I can't because I look for sales and Tide can be expensive.
• I dislike moving. Not just because of packing and stuff... we all hate that... but because of newness: new place. new people. new house set-up...
• I liked Facebook before the new, improved Facebook page.
• And, there are other things...

But, lately, I have been changing my mind about a lot of things... or maybe God has been changing it for me.  I have developed a change of mind about the American church.  I've developed more of a desire for God. I'm tired of being "mediocre". I want more out of my quiet time with Him... a deeper understanding of His word.  And, I've decided that change is a good thing.  I think if I had to move I'd be okay with it. Grumpy, yes, but still ok.  And only grumpy because I have to pack and unpack.  I'm ok with new people also. I'm ok with making new friends.  My worldview has really changed as well.  I'd like to thank my Dad for helping  to develop that change of mind.  I'm learning to love deeper thanks to Jesus.  I'm working on not being judgemental. Although I've wouldn't label myself "judgemental" but I've been that way towards people!  And I'm also learning that being humble, being non-judgemental, and loving people are really, really difficult things to do.  That is, if you do it the way God wants you to.  Thing is, I've been loving, but I haven't really loved people.  I think humbly and non-judgementally, but am I really acting that way?! Probably not.  The bottom line is this: I want to think like Jesus would think, act like Jesus would act, and initially have the character Jesus wants me to have. Its tough. Because when we are set free, we are not only commanded "not to" but we are commanded "to do". Colossians 3:5-14 says:

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

My goal this week: Meditate on this passage.  Not only am I supposed to "put off" things, but then I am commanded to "put on" new things.  Also in line for this week: Really dig into God's Word.  And love... love... love people!

Convictions.

Lately God has really been at work in my life.  I have been convicted of so many things.  First, I've been convicted of what I mentioned in my Philippians post.  God is now working in my life and bringing on new convictions!  This one also has roots in a verse from Philippians.  Specifically, Philippians 4:8.  God is instructing believers to think about what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Our pastor has been focusing on this verse during his morning sermons.  I've been trying to reflect on what he teaches during the week.  Yesterday, as I was reflecting on this verse, I realized how often I don't think about things that fit this description.  I don't always fill my mind with noble and pure thoughts!  And by noble, I also mean thinking about senseless things. Things that are unimportant.  God also instructs us in Ephesians 4:29 to basically watch what we say!  From the New Living Translation: "Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them."  What we say has a lot to do with what we fill our minds with.  For example, when we fill our minds with perverse humor, we are going most likely speak in that manner.  This week, and for the next three weeks (they say it takes three weeks to establish a habit), I want to focus on God.  I want to focus on noble things. Things that have eternal significance. This isn't to say I cannot laugh, be silly, think about paying my bills, what is for dinner, etc... but is is to say that I will not laugh at crude things, hurtful things... I will not be silly when it is inappropriate, I will not focus my sole attention on paying my bills and worry about dinner.  I will give it to God. 

This brings me to another point:  reality.  Oh how I hate reality t.v. I don't really like t.v. anyway. It seriously brings about a state of boredom.  I could be reading, studying God's word, cleaning, actually making my life productive.  Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with watching t.v.  I do enjoy a good show every once and a while.  Think about it, how noble, true, and pure is reality t.v. (or t.v. in general)?  There ARE real things going on in this world. Children without homes and food.  People who lost their jobs, their homes.  There are unwanted pregnancies. Suicides.  Murder.  There are real things happening everyday.  Real things that really matter.  I want to focus on these things of eternal significance.  I used to love country music.  I'm not really a fan of just country anymore.  I like songs from all genres of music.  But, I did find this song on a friend's facebook page.  And, how true it is.  When does reality t.v. ever focus on the couple who has been married 57 years? They still hold hands. They stand beside each other.  Instead, its all about pleasure.  Television focuses on the person who is living and leading a life of sin. Let's face it, we like sin. We are human. Well, my old self likes sin anyway. But my new self doesn't.  But why feed our old self by filling our minds with sin? We should be feeding our new self with Jesus. Goal for the next three weeks (and ultimately the rest of my life on Earth):  to focus on the things Paul writes about in Philippians: true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.

Possibly the Best Tool Ever!

So, my husband and I ventured to Hobby Lobby on Saturday hunting for supplies for Isaiah's quiet book as well as supplies for some invitations for Little Man's birthday, which we will be celebrating February 19th.  Anyway, while there, I found a corner trimming tool on sale.  I'm not sure of the actual name of the tool, but I just had to have it.  It was relatively inexpensive, so I purchased it. 

I was working on Isaiah's invites and decided to test my new tool out. I thought his invitations would look good with rounded corners.  And this it what the new tool can accomplish...



Before



After

 Needless to say, I am really liking this new tool.  It was well worth purchasing. And, the most important part of this post.  My Little Man. 

"Hi, Isaiah".  You are 10 1/2 months old now.  Almost 11 months!

what does it mean...

What does it mean to be a momma?  It means my daily schedule is controlled by a certain someone I like to call Isaiah! I had these terrible misconceptions about what motherhood would be like.  My baby would sit comfortably in his exersaucer so I could get a shower and fix my hair.  Then, I'd throw on some make-up and dress myself in clothes that are semi-nice (think jeans and a somewhat nice shirt).  All the while Isaiah would be smiling!  I knew it would be a lot of work.  I knew that I would have sleepless nights.  I knew there'd be diaper blowouts.  Crying fits.  Sickness.  Messes.  I knew it.  But, I didn't comprehend it.  Because, Isaiah cries when I dissappear into the shower.  He rarely sleeps through the night.  He sometimes wakes up because his diaper is completely wet.  Not just the diaper either.  The onesie. The sleeper. And the crib sheets.  So, at 3 a.m. this momma is changing diapers, changing outfits, and changing crib sheets.  Then, because Isaiah is now awake, we drag ourselves to the kitchen to make a bottle.  Finally, after full belly, clean sheets, and dry baby, Isaiah drifts off to sleep at 4 a.m.  Husband's alarm goes off at 5:45 a.m.  I could write story after story about the misconceptions I had about motherhood.  But, at the end of the day, it is completely worth it.

Even if my laundry is scattered from one end of the living room to the other.  Even if, it takes me 3 hours to fold two baskets of laundry.  And there are two huge baskets of laundry  because Isaiah only slept for 30 minutes so I couldn't get the other one folded before it was time to eat!  But... like I said... It is completely, totally, utterly, worth ALL of it.

I found this blog while researching some craft tutorials.  While reading this blog, I came across a blog titled "Now That's Motherhood" and it made me think of my own mom.  It also made me cry.  Yes, I was crying.  This momma thing is very personal.  It also made me think.  How true is it that as women, God designed us for motherhood.  The great thing is, we don't have to have our own children to be a momma!  Mommas come in all shapes and sizes.  They care for, raise, and love children of all ages (whether biological or not).  They are God's gift to every one of us.

I know a momma who postponed her bone marrow transplant so she could attend her son's Senior Night at college. This momma knows how important it is to "be there" for her children. Four kids and thousands of games, meets, recitals, and ceremonies later--this momma's kids know that there is no where she would rather be, than with them, in sickness and in health.

Now that's Motherhood

I know a momma who has never carried a child of her own and has no one who call's her Mom, yet she is like a momma to many. Many lucky kids have been influenced by her example, have been cheered on by her whistles on the sidelines, have been embraced in her loving arms, have been blessed to have her in their lives. Nearly all of us have that one person in our lives that we consider to be "like a mother to us"--and for so many, she is that momma.

Now that's Motherhood

I know a momma who is blessed to be very financially secure. And while it would be easy and affordable for her to delegate many of her mommy-duties to others, she doesn't. Her kids put away their own laundry and say please and thank you. Her kids no the meaning of hard work. Her kids spend time with her daily and smile as she cheers them on at every event in their life. Her kids know how much they are loved and that everything their mom does is to make their life better.

Now that's Motherhood

I know a momma who has not had a full night's sleep in over 25 years. This momma spends her nights {and her days} nursing and caring for infants born with addictions. She welcomes these babies and their special needs into her home with an open heart, and provides them with the nurturing care and compassion they deserve.

Now that's Motherhood

I know a momma who rescued her daughter from an orphanage, brought her into a happy and healthy home and has raised her into a beautiful young woman. She is a mother, a best friend, a confidant, a supporter and an example to her daughter.

Now that's Motherhood

I know a momma whose daughter is all grown up with a baby of her own now. Yet this momma still talks to her daughter on the phone every day, still plays with her hair while they watch a favorite movie on the couch, still rubs her head when she is feeling sick and still encourages her through every step of life.

Philippians

Lately, I'd say in the past few months, I have found myself being convicted of, what I like to call "belittling".  Its an extremely sad and depressing situation when we begin belittling others... especially other believers.  We will be spending an eternity with these people...  

I have seen this term in marriage books.  I have noticed it in conflict resolutions.  And, in both areas, ultimately, we are NOT supposed to belittle others.  Our goal is not to make people feel like they are less of a person, less of a Christian, or like an idiot because they don't know something.  Looking back, I have laughed when someone didn't know something, I have talked down to people like they are stupid, I have called people names, I have treated people wrongly... And all in the name of myself.  It is all about me.  Isn't that what God teaches?!  Yeah right!  He teaches us that it is all about Him!  Here's the thing, it is only by God's grace that I understand scripture, that I can learn, that I can read.  Who are we to put down people who aren't "as smart as we are"?  We are nothing.  We are a mist.  James 4:14 says:

"Why, you do not even know what whill happen tomorrow.  What is your life?  You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."  

So,  in my convictions, I came across a verse from Philippians. 

Philippians 2:3-4 says "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." 

I could have used the "encourage one another" scripture, but I felt this was even more poweful in this situation.  Here's the thing, when we laugh at someone because they don't know who someone famous is, when we laugh at them because they said a word wrong, when they mispell something, when they misread scripture, when they take God's word out of context... When we put them down because they don't always read the Bible, because they believe something a little differently than we do... we do all this in our names; for ourselves.  I have been around people (and am guilty of this myself) who treat people who say the wrong thing, don't know something, or are simply just "different" by laughing at their expense (but by the grace of God go I)! You see, "these imperfect people" only know what they are taught.  They don't know much about the world.  By the grace of God, I grew up in a loving home.  A home that taught God's word.  A home that teaches accurate interpretations of His word.  I grew up in a home with parents who helped me learn about the world, about life, and simple things such as how to spell a word.  Not everyone has that luxury.  As I said, "but by the grace of God go I!"    When we belittle others, we are not doing it out of their interest, but our own.

My conclusion is this:  let's look to the interests of others.  Let us treat others with love.  Let us lavish love on them so much, they can't even blink without feeling the love we have for them.  Let's not laugh when someone doesn't know something.  Let's teach them out of love.  Let's not make fun of the person who says something we don't agree with.  Let's love that person!  And, finally, let's not belittle people... period.

It. Is. About. God.  Not. Us.

oh quiet book... how you take up so much of my time!

Recently I have started a new adventure... a quiet book.  I found out about quiet books through my friend, Amanda.  She always discovers and shares some GREAT ideas.  So, I decided to embark on the quiet book journey...

STEP 1:  Plan your pages.  I failed at this step.  I planned a couple of pages, then I just had random ideas and began making unplanned pages.

STEP 2:  Gather supplies.  Ultimately, this step is pointless. I have made numerous trips to Wal-Mart and Michael's to get felt, material, thread, more felt...

STEP 3:  Prepare yourself for late nights.  With a baby on the crawling everywhere and getting into everything, plus the household chores, time with the husband, and other commitments, the only time I am able to work on this book is mainly at night when everyone (including the hubby) is sleeping!  I make a decision to quit working after this page is finished, then I come up with another GREAT idea for a new page.  And of course I MUST start on it or the idea will vanish... 

STEP 4:  Post pictures of your progress so you don't feel defeated.  It is a major time commitment... So, here you go.  This is what I have completed so far:

The stoplight signals velcro on and off.

The shoe laces.  Teaches how to tie a shoe.

Road (will be equipped with a car)!

Fall time.  Leaves snap on and off and fit snuggly into the basket.

Barnyard fun.  The barn doors open to a pocket inside.
Ultimately, I hope to get a few barnyard animal finger puppets
to stick down in the pocket.