Sunday, October 26, 2008

he speaks to our hearts






Tonight I did a Pampered Chef show with Corrie, my sister-in-law so we had to drive to Vernonia. It was SUCH a beautiful drive. Ya know, we really live in a pretty place! The maple leaves are turing into bright yellows and reds and we were hoping one would land through the sun roof as we drove in the warm sun toward Corrie's. Of course we had to sing "At the Cross, because that's become they're favorite hymn, lately and I turned the opportunity into talking about how great it is that God made so many pretty things outside. I'm sure my kids thoughts I was nuts in some ways because I was being silly with them, but they never complain when you come down to their level and "become as a child" :) The Expedition was my spaceship because the sound of the sunroof opening and closing reminds me of an airplane taking off. (I know... I'm a dork but... I entertain the kids!) I even had Talia lifting up her arms and screaming as we counted down to BLAST OFF! ha ha

It was just a beautiful day. Plain and simple. I really enjoyed being with my kids.

The perfect ending to the day was...

...On the way back Caleb told me (randomly) that the reason he likes to carry money in his pocket is so that when we see someone poor, he can give it to them. (awww) So, knowingly, I used this time to instill a deeper foundation in his little heart of our loving Father. I told him, "Caleb, that's good! I'm proud of you for feeling that way! But you know sometimes you don't know who IS poor or who needs the money. Ya know those people we see begging? Sometimes they aren't even poor." I explained to him that "poor" people can even look like us, and we don't always know that they need money unless we ask God to tell us. "We just say- God- who can I give this money to? Who needs it? And he will tell you."
Caleb obviously asked how he tells us. I said "Have you ever heard of the Holy Spirit? Well, the Holy Spirit is a part of God too. (Like the egg: yolk,white, shell but all part of the egg=trinity). He speaks to our heart. And everytime you ask him, he will tell you because he WANTS you to be helpling people". It was such a great teaching moment. I love those times and I never want to take them for granted. I want Caleb (all of my kids) to know that God IS GOD! He is faithful and powerful and he DOES speak! So, I also said, "Think of all of the times we forget to ask God what he wants us to do. Isn't that sad that there may be something we should be doing but we don't even know about it?"
Now, I want you to know that as we were talking about it, he was getting it. He was very capable of understanding. How much more should we be "understanding" and doing this same thing? :) I'm totally reminding myself here too!

So, I had a good prayer time, after dropping the boys off with their Grandma and just Talia and I driving the rest of the way home. I had Jeremy Riddle playing in the background, worshipping along with me and I felt so.... I guess it was just the presence of God. How else can I explain it? I always take these special times with Caleb and at his level of understanding, lead him to what I feel like God wants me to say to him. How special if you ever get, no- TAKE the chances to do this with your children. It was a perfect moment to follow up with a heart to heart prayer for our kids and Derek and I.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Mom's Inspiring Me

I just commented on my Mom's blog and realized that I haven't done hardly anything on mine for awhile.

The bright sun is shining through my living room window as I write. What a beautiful fall day. I love these crisp days with sun, awesome! If we can't have summer any longer, at least we get a few of these days.

Today I did a very fun Baby Shower for a friend. I have to tell you about it because I had a lot of fun with it. (I had great helpers too for decorating, clean-up and all of that... can't forget those important people!) I used my baby girl's room decor for the shower decor because it's all baby pink, creams, whites and robin's egg blue colors- vintage baby stuff... beautiful! The shower was in my parent's little old late 1800's church so we hung sheer antique baby dresses in the old glass windows. The sun was peeking through the laces and showing them off rather nicely. We played an interesting game where one lady has to feed another lady some "baby food"... all while blindfolded! There were many laughs and really it wasn't as messy as I thought. I didn't get any pictures but Mom will post them, I'm sure. I love doing the little detail things. I could share the punch recipe with you- it was delicious! BUT I missed the best ingredient- frozen strawberries from my garden. Darn! I'll list what I bought, the ingredients will fill your punch bowl at least 3 times! Don't you hate it when the great punch runs out? It didn't today and we had MANY ladies and children!

Strawberry Pineapple Coconut Punch1 large can Pineapple Juice
2- 2 liter 7-up, Club soda or sparkling water (for less sickening sweet punch)
2- 2 liter creme soda
1 can Cream of Coconut
a bag of frozen or fresh strawberries
1 containier of vanilla ice cream or sherbert

Keep in mind that this is enough for at least 3 bowls full so, only pour in 1/3 of each ingredient. Fill bowl and add huge dallops of creamy vanilla ice cream! YUM! You have to try it! It's probably my favorite flavors for punch!


Tomorrow is my FIRST Pampered Chef Show- I'm a new consultant. I'm excited but a bit nervous. I hope it goes well, and that my brother and his girlfriend get LOTS of great FREE stuff!