Contemplations of a Mommy "Monk"

In the van on the way to church, the kids love to play a little guessing game. "I spy with my little eye something blue (or red, or green, or orange...)." They try to guess whether the item is in the van or outside and this simple game keeps their eyes and minds occupied for quite a while. You can read more about our game of "I spy" at the Internet Cafe:

I've just returned from a week away from all that is familiar. No kids, no home, no friends, no computer, no telephone, no electricity. I was lucky to have well water and a tent to cover my head. And it was wonderful! My lifetime lover and I celebrated our 10 th anniversary in the Black Hills of South Dakota. We camped in the shadow of towering cliffs with the sounds of a rushing creek just feet away. The birds woke us each morning and the golden eagles soared overhead majestically. We went hiking and fishing, breathing in the fresh air and enjoying God's handiwork all around us. It seemed there was something new and delightful around each corner. Wildflowers were abundant and little creatures were friendly. A short hike down into a little canyon led us to this discovery. Spearfish falls was only one discovery in a week filled with similar experiences. Of course, we also experienced thunderstorms all night long, while we sat in a soggy tent. This trip could be labeled, "...

“But remember, for all your adult life you’ll be a woman. And how you live your life as a woman, all by yourself before God, is what makes the real you. Nothing on the exterior can touch or change that precious inner sanctuary—your heart, his dwelling place—unless you let it. And God, who loves you very much, has tailor made all your outer life—your circumstances, your relationships—to pressure you into becoming that beautiful woman he’s planned for you to be.” ~ Anne Ortlund ~ During our morning Bible study, I stood behind Barbie, her long thin legs nicely packaged in designer jeans and her flowing blond hair bouncing to the middle of her back. I attempted worship but my heart was elsewhere. I couldn't concentrate on the words to the songs because I was so distracted by the external beauty of this woman in front of me. In my heart, I secretly harbored jealousy and wondered, "God, why didn't you give me long legs or flowing hair?" In my prayer time, the Lord nudged my...

Once a month a group of my girlfriends get together for a fun-filled evening with each other. The best part of our Girls' Night Out is the surprise - my friend plans each outing but doesn't tell us the plans until we arrive. She gives us a few hints such as money to bring or clothing to wear, but other than that, we are left to our imaginations. One night last November, she brought us all to a crafty little workshop in our small town to create mosaics. I'm not very artistic, so this was a stretch for me and I was pleasantly surprised at how interesting the project was. I took the broken pieces of glass and pottery - carefully choosing colors that would match my design. I started with something small and simple - a dragonfly. Emerald wings against a sapphire sky sparkled but something was missing. I tediously glued each small piece onto my project and when I was finished, there was one more element that was needed to tie the art together - grout. There are different colors o...

It's time to put away the shorts and t-shirts and get out the mittens and hats. I'm going to have to lock up the sandals since little Missy doesn't understand why she can't wear them when there is frost on the grass. There are a few items I'm reluctant to put away too. I love my capris, but it's just too cold for them these days. So, I'm wondering, are there some items that we've been wearing on our hearts that need to be put away too? Some heart clothing that needs to be undated or thrown away? Have we been wearing bitterness, pride, or jealousy down there? If we ask the designer of our hearts, "How do I look?" what would He say? If it's time for a heart makeover, let's go clothes shopping first! Colossians 3:12-17 gives us some other clothing that our heart should be wearing. What kind of character makeover does your heart need? Let’s begin with dressing our inner person with beauty and work our way outward.  Compassion - t...

Extreme Makeover: Heart Edition “How do I look?” should not just address the question of my external appearance. Is the expression on my face beautiful? Are my behaviors becoming? Is the beauty of my character shining through? Grace, charm, delicacy, elegance… These are some of the words that depict beauty. In the Bible, beauty is used to describe the good news of peace, good tidings, and salvation. God is beautiful because of His holiness . (To me that says that beauty is something that is set apart for noble purposes.) God bestowed beauty upon His children by showering them with love and salvation. He crowns the meek (humble) with salvation. When we realize that His rescue in our lives makes us beautiful, we can shine! In Isaiah 61:3, there is a promise that God will replace our ashes with beauty. It is a poignant picture of a woman in mourning, sitting in the ashes of a ruined life and her rescue and restoration to beauty. I think this is why Extreme Makeover: Home E...