Athena in a Minivan

Which Narnian are you?

Though I don't think of myself as "mousish" Reepacheep is one of my favorite characters and I love that he gets to sail on to the end in "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" and that he comes with Aslan in "The Last Battle".

These are a few of my favorite things

Just call me Maria Von Trapp. You know when the kids were scared of the thunderstorm she told them to think of their favorite things and then they would not feel so bad. (Sound of Music)It is not that I feel so bad right now but I thought a list might lift my spirits right now. (HT to the Common Room for the idea.) In no particular order:

Raindrops on Roses, whiskers on kittens...oh wait that list is already taken.

Tom and Jerry cartoons, Barbequed ribs, Captain Crunch cereal, Diet Dr. Pepper, new underware, Cary Grant movies, car trips, spring in Texas, long novels, visiting an old friend, singing hymns,making a new friend, brotherly advise, my family, my church, grace, mercy, peace, sweaty little boys (three in particular), swimming, laughing, baskets, dusk, sunsets, Honey, museums, studying the Bible, sleeping late, hot baths, sewing, clean diapers, hot tea, travel, comfortable shoes, antique furniture, smell of new tennis balls, hiking, sisterly love, my daddy's hugs, waffles and syrup, Este Lauder's Youth Dew, walking, U2, REM, country music, really cold milk, farm fresh veggies, coming home, blogging, movie popcorn, collecting books, A love that never lets me go.

That is all for now..what are your favorite things?

Livin' La Vita Loca or the Simple Life

Over the past few days I have been thinking a lot about the question, “What made my childhood and my mom so wonderful?” Was it the quiet neighborhood where my dad still lives, our big back yard, our wonderful church, my parents, weekends in Nocona with my grandparents, fun times with my brother and sister, trips to

New Mexico

. Sometimes our lives were la vita loca, sometimes they were the simple life and sometimes they were just in-between. The answer is all of the above and thank you kindly. All of it contributed to my childhood and growing up. I have come to the realization that there is more.

This year I have had the privilege of being a part of Community Bible Study. We are studying the book of Acts. In all my years of being in BSF and church, I have never studied this book and Paul's letters in such detail. What I have learned is Mother’s secret and it wasn’t such a big secret after all. She shared this knowledge with me regularly. I was just so hard headed or “strong-willed”, as we like to say today, I didn’t get it.

To paraphrase Paul, who no less than six times says, I have learned to be content. I know our Savior suffered at the hands of the Jews and political leaders but I had never realized how much Paul too suffered persecution and trials, both literally and figuratively. I think 2 Corinthians 9:8 says it well, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all contentment in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” Later in that same letter Paul says, “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:10)”

Weakness? Hardships? Calamity? What? Does this mean Paul was content even when the Jews ran him out of town on a rail? Even when he was flogged by the Romans?  Even when he was on trial for his life? Paul wrote in Philippians, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13)

Piles of dirty laundry, a sink load of dishes, carpets that need cleaning, snarled traffic, daily home schooling, a super- active toddler, an overworked husband, and a small backyard, I have nothing on Paul or Christ. I too can learn this contentment. Paul says he learned it. It did not happen overnight. It takes practice and repetition. It takes being willing to fail and try again. It takes being yielded to the Holy Spirit. It takes prayer and discipline.

When I watched my twins learn to ride a bike, they each did it in his own way but the end result was the same. One just jumped on the bike, fell off, got back on and took off riding and has not looked back. The other contemplated the bike for a few days after his brother’s success. He at first said, “I think I will learn to ride when I am six.” A few days later, he came back and said that he was ready to learn. He stood for a while, got on the bike, fell off, got back on, fell off again, got back on and then took off riding. He too has not looked back. God willing, they will never again have to learn to ride a bike again. They will have to practice though. In order to become more confident riders, they will have to spend many hours riding, falling off and getting back on. There will be skinned knees and elbows but these are just bumps in the road.

I too have taken that first ride to contentment. I now need to practice, hours and hours of practice. I need to be willing to fall off and then jump right back on. There will be figurative skinned knees and elbows and maybe even some literal ones. In her 70 years here on earth, Mother had many times to practice contentment. She always got back on the bike when she fell off. She relied on our Lord for abounding grace and contentment. She placed her burdens at His feet. She placed her children and husband at His feet. She placed her life at His feet. I am learning.

To Mom-

It has been four years since Mother went on before us to be with her best friend Jesus. The void left in my life has only been filled with the Holy Spirit.

Mother was such a wonderful lady. I had friends tell me how lucky I was to have her for a mother. I agree. Kids would try to join our family. She was a truly unique and beautiful lady in all ways. 

MomMom (as the boys called her) loved her grandchildren and packed more love and adventure into the two years she knew them than many pack into a lifetime. Mother was a blessed woman.

She left some big shoes to fill but she taught me what I needed to know in order to follow in them. She taught me to take care of myself first and my relationship with God and that all the other things would fall into place. She taught me that stuff is just that, STUFF. IT is not as improtant as the people in my life. She taught me to eat dessert first. She taught me to love life and the outdoors. She taught me to sew, cook, clean and love.  I love you, Mom. 

Thank you Heavenly Father for the blessing of Godly parents. Thank you for the blessing of being a part of this family. Thank you for the future  you have given us in Butch, Sundance and Toddler. Thank you for Mothers.

He Is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!

Alleluia, alleluia!Hearts to heaven and voices raise:Sing to God a hymn of gladdness, sing to God a hymn of praise; he who on the cross a victim for the world's salvation bled, Jesus Christ, the King of Glory, now is risen from the dead.

Alleluia, Christ is risen! Death at last has met defeat: see the ancient powers of evil in confusion and retreat; once he died, and once was buried: now he lives forevermore, Jesus Christ the world's Redeemer, whom we worship and adore.

Christ has risen, we are risen! Set your hearts on things above; there in all the Father's glory lives and reigns our King of love; Hear the word of peace he brings us, see his wounded hands and side; now let every wrong be ended, every sin be crucified.

Alleluia, alleluia! Glory be to God on high! Alleluia to the Savior who has gained the victory! Alleluia to the Spirit, fount of love and sanctity! Alleluia, Alleluia to the Triune Majesty!

words 1862 Christorpher Woodsworth, tune 1824 Ludwig van Beethoven YOU CAN HEAR IT HERE.

Receipe for Success

Take a little of this:

Add one of these:

And you get THIS:

This is weird. This test only has two questions but it really is what I am like. (I think I got the link right now, it took us to a PG13 list of tests but now I think it is right.) Thanks to Deb at Deb on the Run for the link. the Helper Test finished!

you chose CX - your Enneagram type is TWO. "I must help others" Helpers are warm, concerned, nurturing, and sensitive to other people's needs. How to Get Along with Me Tell me that you appreciate me. Be specific. Share fun times with me. Take an interest in my problems, though I will probably try to focus on yours. Let me know that I am important and special to you. Be gentle if you decide to criticize me. In Intimate Relationships Reassure me that I am intersting to you. Reassure me often that you love me. Tell me I'm attractive and that you're glad to be seen with me. What I Like About Being a Two being able to relate easily to people and to make friends knowing what people need and being able to make their lives better being generous, caring, and warm being sensitive to and perceptive about others' feelings being enthusiastic and fun-loving, and having a good sense of humor What's Hard About Being a Two not being able to say no having low self-esteem feeling drained from overdoing for others not doing things I really like to do for myself for fear of being selfish criticizing myself for not feeling as loving as I think I should being upset that others don't tune in to me as much as I tume in to them working so hard to be tactful and considerate that I suppress my real feelings Twos as Children Often are very sensitive to disapproval and criticism try hard to please their parents by being helpful and understanding are outwardly compliant are popular or try to be popular with other children act coy, precocious, or dramatic in order to get attention are clowns and jokers (the more extroverted Twos), or quiet and shy (the more introverted Twos) Twos as Parents are good listeners, love their children unconditionally, and are warm and encouraging (or suffer guilt if they aren't) are often playful with their children wonder: "Am I doing it right?" "Am I giving enough?" "Have I caused irreparable damage?" can become fiercely protective Renee Baron & Elizabeth Wagele The Enneagram Made Easy Discover the 9 Types of People HarperSanFrancisco, 1994, 161 pages

We are Having a Party

and you are all invited. Bring a dish to share and your favorite dessert. We will all be playing a rousing game of Bro. Joel's new game.

YOu can buy your own game here.

UPDATE: THIS GAME IS NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL JUNE 2006 SO THE PARTY WILL HAVE TO BE POSTPONED. DARN.