Wednesday, April 24, 2013

The Effects of Sunshine



 The effect of sunshine not only on all of life, but on all of our brains and emotions--the degree to which sunlight is connected to how much HOPE we perceive around us, stomping all over despair--this alone should clue us in to the grand design of the Lord of the universe: we need the sun; we need the Son



"For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.  For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.  So they are without excuse." Romans 1:19-20

Monday, April 15, 2013

All Hail the Conquering Hero

Father, define my perspective today.  This tired, unshowered mommy, who's ever at-risk of being extremely grumpy with her children and who spends way too much time meditating on not only what is bad or disappointing, but what may or may not unfold into something bad or disappointing; this mommy who gets distracted so easily and gives up when she should persevere, and perseveres when she should give up--this mommy, ME, NEEDS YOU to invade and transform her perspective.  

Because, 

"NO, in all these things we are MORE THAN CONQUERORS through Him who loves us.  For I am SURE that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord!"  (Romans 8:37-39)

And because

 "I can do ALL things THROUGH CHRIST who gives me strength!" (Phil. 4:13)


Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Starting Over Again

Yesterday, I filled up the last page of my journal.  I ordered a new one from Amazon last night, but I decided this morning that this "in-between" couple of days would be a great time to write down my Spring Goals for myself.  I discovered last fall that written goals work for me.  I did really well with that list.  I did very poorly with my Winter Goals.  So now it's time to start over fresh.  Here they are, so you are equipped to help keep me accountable to them (but also, as you'll see at the end, to jump-start my goals immediately):

1) Remember fruit.  Explore vegetables.  

2) Get the boys some outside time every day.  You too!

3) Be consistent in planning your weeks: on Sundays (or Saturdays), have the meal plan on the stove hood; keep the calendar more vigilantly; remember to include those involved in your planning.

4) Invite the Gibsons over for dinner.  Begin meeting the neighborhood kids.  

5) Be intentional about activities and projects for the boys.  

6) When enjoying someone else's hospitality, look for ways to serve them.  

7) Try to be clear with others about your expectations, boundaries, etc.  

8) Look for ways to make Quiet Time happen in other parts of the day on weekends, holidays, and "interrupted" days.  

9) Fold and put away laundry within 24 hours of its dry cycle. 

10) Begin to organize all the Stuff for a yard sale, so it's possible to begin clearing out clutter more earnestly.  

11) Along with No. 2, let them get dirty in their play.  Bathtime should be obviously needed more than once a week!

12) Try to blog once a week.  

And there you have it.  Ready, Set, Go!  

Also, incidentally, this is what happens when I try to write three sentences for a blog post (don't be alarmed, it's magic marker.  Also, magic marker is not as washable as they say it is) :