Finding True Refreshment

Yesterday was Monday.

Thank you Captain Obvious!

While Mondays are my favorite days they are also exhausting days as I do so much around the house.  By the evenings I am tired.

Last night was no different and yet I had Jr. High girls Bible study to get through before I could call it a day.

But something strange happened.

As I spent almost two hours digging into the Word of God with three 8th grade girls, I found myself feeling refreshed and energized.

There is nothing like having teen girls say their verses to you and then ask, “What does that mean?”, and then being able to open up the Bible and talk about the context and meaning of that verse!  It’s better than a Venti Mocha Frapp!

And there is the fact that we only get through one chapter of our Bible study book each time we get together because they ask so many questions!  I’m more amped up now than if I had a energy drink!

It’s such an amazing blessing and honor I have to spiritually coach these girls and watch them grow.  I am humbled that God is using me to encourage them in this process of growth.

So to all my Small Group Girls out there…both Jr. High & Sr. High… HUGS!  Your hunger for God’s Word refreshes me!

When Something Good Isn’t So Good

  While browsing my newspaper this morning….err, I mean my facebook news feed!…I came across an article from our local TV station announcing a special class being offered.  The topic was something that I find fascinating and so I began to read further for the details.

That’s when I was disappointed to see that it was being held on Wednesdays at the exact time we have prayer meeting, youth group, and awana at our church.

Oh wait!  It’s only for 8 weeks!  Eight weeks isn’t that long of a time and –oh! – think of all the people I could meet and invite to church and get to talk to and share the gospel with!  This is like a great community outreach!

See how easy it is to take something and spiritualize it?  Even if I didn’t have my commitment as a youth leader, and even if I was not the pastor’s wife, I still would not go.

Why?

Because while the class is a good thing and I would not be sinning by being there, I am not honoring my commitment to my church.

What commitment?

When we came to this church we became members just like my fingers and arms are members of my body.  We knew that they had Wednesday night activities  but chose to attend this church anyhow.  We didn’t have to; no one made us join.  We could have looked for a church that didn’t have stuff on Wednesday nights.  But we chose this body of believers to join.  To commit to. 

It’s only 8 weeks!

Yes, it is.  But it goes back to my list of priorities.  As a child of God – a believer with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ – my relationship is first above all else.  As a wife my husband is second in line.  Then third in line are my children which are then followed by both my real family and my church family.  After that I put in other things like my job, spending time with friends, reading, blogging, extra learning, and so on. 

If that class takes me away from a priority higher up on that list…it’s not good for me.  Even though the class it’s self is not bad.  I can only do so much and I must make choices in life that center around what God says is important.  In the big picture, what will this class do for me and for the cause of Christ?

It is more important that I stay true to my commitment and my life actions be a testimony than it is to go to a class and trying to tell someone why going  to church is important.  My walk says so much more than my talk.

You’re just saying this ‘cause your the pastor’s wife!

No, I am not.  I would say this no matter how my husband got paid.  I believed the same way when I was not a pastor’s wife. 

However, I am not perfect.  I have not always made the best choices and honored biblical priorities.  That’s why I am SO thankful for a gracious God who loves us no matter what we do or don’t do. 

The issue isn’t about God’s love for us…it’s about our love for Him. 

Are you willing to give up something you want in order to show love to God…through honoring your commitments…by growing in your walk with Him instead of playing that extra sport…in spending time with your family rather than watching another hour of TV…? 

The list could go on forever.

Are the good things in your life better than they were before? 

And are the better things in your life the best things you could be doing?

A Friend Who Is Closer Than A Sister

Yesterday I wrote about a friend who God placed in my life for a certain time period. 

Today I want to tell you about a friend who is closer than a sister.

*Sigh* Yes!  You are right.  I don’t actually have a sister…hence why I say this friend is closer than one!

My friend Hillari has been my friend since before I can remember.  Though she is three years younger than I, we grew up spending many days at each other’s homes.

I didn’t have a sister, only brothers.

She was an only child. 

We were stand-in sisters for each other.

Even though at times the miles separated us and our lives seemed to be so different…we always have come back and picked-up right where we left off.

Hillari is the friend who knows my favorite drink at Starbucks – venti Mocha Frapp with chocolate drizzle…in case the rest of you are wondering!

She knows  the silly things I did as kid and still thinks I’m pretty cool.

She accepts me for who I am with my strengths and weaknesses.

She is the friend who I can go to no matter what.

She’s the friend who my kids call “Aunt Hillari” even though she’s not their real aunt.

She is a friend who cries with me when I want to cry.  Or laughs at things I that only I think are funny!

She is a friend who takes you to Taco Bell for the first time and drives for you when you don’t feel well.

She is a life long friend who sticks with me for the journey.  Good or bad.

I am so thankful for the picture of unconditional friendship that God as given me through Hillari. 

* * * * *

Do you have a life-long friend who knows your history and still loves you?

Leave a comment here or join me in my community forum to share you thoughts and experiences.

* * * * *

You can read about friendships with these resources:

1. Friendships For Grown-Ups
2. Dancing With My Father
3. Grown-Up Girlfriends

I Once Had A Friend…

ecky was her name.

God placed her in my life for a special time and purpose.

While I still consider her to be a dear friend – and always will – we have lost touch since our move in 2006.  However, I often remember the time God gave us together with fondness and abundant gratitude.

In 2003 I was still fairly new to marriage and even newer to motherhood.  I was in a new town, in a new state, and three hours away from my own mother who was – and is! – my dear friend and go-to-gal.

I was lonely.  Tired.  Overwhelmed.  Scared.

Just when I didn’t think I could go on much longer, the Lord stirred in Becky’s heart for her to reach out to me.  At the time her 35 year old son – her only child – was unmarried and therefore she had no grandkids of her own.  She wanted to minister to us by babysitting for then baby Abby.

As the weeks turned to months, the occasional babysitting turned to extra help on stressful days, a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, a patient friend.

When I was sick she was there to rescue me. 

When we found out we were finally pregnant again with baby number 2 she was ready for an impromptu celebration at the local ice cream store. 

When I was flat on my back with morning sickness she would come clean my house and do my laundry. 

When I needed to go to the Doctor she would keep Abby or come along and help me. 

When I called  at 6am saying I had gone into labor, she was there to come take care of Abby and then later bring her to the hospital to see her new sister.

When Emmy was a newborn she and I would grocery shop together so I had an extra set of hands. 

When at the age of 1 Emmy got a bad ear infection and then had an allergic reaction to the meds, Becky was there to drive a stool sample to the hospital.

When we got ready to move she was there day after day helping me clean, pack, or just simply to play with the girls.

When I struggled to stay consistent in my time with God she was there to call me at 8am every morning.

When I faced a hard trial she drove over after I called her just to pray with me in person.

For three years of my life Becky was God’s comfort, compassion, care, and kindness to me in flesh.  I simply don’t know what I would have done without her.

Shortly after our family moved her son and his new wife found out they were pregnant.  God moved us and replaced our children with her very own grandchildren. 

I am so blessed even today by the testimony that Becky lived out.  While she desperately longed for grandkids of her own,  she patiently prayed and waited upon the Lord while serving Him by investing in our lives as a young family.

My prayer is that I can model friendship to others like Becky lived out for me.  We may rarely see each other now, but Becky is forever close in my heart by the thread of love that God used as He knit our lives together for such a time as that.

The 1 Reason I Like My Kids Back In School

I must confess that I enjoy having the kids back in school.

I know.  *sigh*

I always said I wouldn’t be one of those moms. 

But, I just can’t help it!  I like the routine.  No!  I THRIVE on the routine!  I bask in routine!  I jump into routine and dance like a little kid in a ball pit.  Okay!  You get the idea!

One nice thing about having the kids in school is that I get to go grocery shopping with only one child instead of three children.  And the one child I do take still fits in the child seat on the cart.  In other words…shopping is a fun and enjoyable. 

Minus the occasional begging of said child in the little seat.

The other day Micah and I were doing our bi-weekly grocery shopping and were actually enjoying browsing the newly re-arranged Walmart when we heard an announcement over the PA system.

Okay, first I just need to insert here that while I am one of the biggest supporters for the freedom to re-arrange one’s furniture and etc… {insert grin} …I think that it should be illegal for stores to re-arrange because I have spent hours of my life wandering around like a little lost kid searching for items on my shopping list while said store takes it’s grand old time in messing me up!

Uhm…but ANYWAYS…over the loud speakers we here a female voice announce: “Could Micah please come up front to the Customer Service desk?”

I was in one of those “conquer and attack modes” where I hear things, but they sort of bounce off of me because I’m so focused on the task at hand and so I was a bit caught off guard when Micah looked up at me and asked: “Mommy, why do they want me up front?”

In quick mommy fashion, my brain registered the PA announcement and also the memory of seeing the sign by the door that showed a picture of the manager named Micah. 

I took notice of it because you don’t see the name “Micah” to often!

I laughed as I explained it was a different Micah that the lady wanted and that he – my little Micah – didn’t need to go up front!  We was glad to hear that!

What kind of silly things happen on your shopping trips?  Do you enjoy shopping alone – or semi alone – or would you rather take your whole clan with you?

Share your thoughts about “back-in-shool” shopping here with me!

Oh My Aching Rib…

I have had a crazy busy 2 weeks and was really looking forward to yesterday when I could pause, sit back and enjoy some relaxing reading for a while.

That was the plan.

I cleaned up around the house, checked my e-mail, and then jumped on the treadmill while still in my PJs.

Only moments into my leisurely walk – I was reading and walking – the pain I’ve been having in my shoulder/back area got worse.

I laid down on my back on the floor in an attempt to get some relief.  But all that happened was a few more pops in my back and then more pain.

I felt like a turtle on it’s back!

Finally I gritted my teeth and rolled over to get up and called my husband. 

Have I ever told you how thankful I am that his schedule can be somewhat flexible in times like this?!  Well, I am!

He came home and helped me get in the shower because I couldn’t even get undressed – and even with his help I was in tears doing such a simple task.

After a shower and having him rub some Tiger Balm on my back I could breath a bit better and he headed back to work.

I called our Chiropractor and he was able to squeeze me in for an afternoon appointment.  Long story short was that my Mom was able to take me to my appointment and sure enough…I had a rib out of place.

After fixing my rib and three vertebrae in a row that were also out of place I felt so much better.  But I was amazed at how my muscles and body still ached and hurt intensely.

I went and soaked in my brother’s hot tub for about 45 minutes last night and then came home and slept on my back.  At 1am I woke up and so badly wanted to roll over…but I couldn’t!  I lay there in my bed looking straight up at the ceiling feeling trapped in my own body. 

I silently prayed for God to calm my heart and while the feelings of panic only lasted a few moments, in the short time my mind flew to people like Joni Eareckson Tada.

My heart has always held compassion for her, but as I lay in my bed not able to move I felt overwhelmed with compassion for her.  And my problem was only due to 1 little rib…and hopefully only for a few days!

While this is a lesson that I am sure God will teach me over and over throughout my life, I was reminded to pray for Joni and those who deal with daily pain and immobility.  For a few hours yesterday I could not function to save my life and what little I did do was done only through prayer.  We all know people who need us to pray them through the physical trials they endure.  Are you praying for them?

 

How Many Questions Can A 3-Year-Old Ask?

Too many!

Since my girls have gone off to school it seems that Mr. Micah Man only wants to ask questions.  In two hours time this morning he asked me…

• How many stops do we have to make Mommy?
• Why do we have to go to the bank?
• What is that man fixing Mommy?
• Why do people work in the bank Mommy?
• Why do people help people Mommy?
• Where did Great Grandpa park his car?
• Did Great Grandpa drive his pick-up?
• What does the word “like” mean, Mommy?
• What is that sound? (referring to a type-writer)
• Why does candy stick to my teeth?
• How can I get the candy off my teeth?
• How many more stops do we have to make Mommy?
• What’s that lady’s name?
• Why is the police car parked there?
• Where is my Flo Car?
• Are there strawberries in my strawberry yogurt?
• Why can’t I have blueberries in my strawberry yogurt?
• Why do I have to take a nap?
• When I am five do I have to take a nap?

…and on the list could go!

My head is spinning by the end of the day!  And how do you explain the word “like” to a 3-year-old without using the word “like”!?!

Maybe you can relate.  Or maybe now you know what to expect when your time comes!

Okay…I’m off for a little piece and quiet before my little curious mind gets up from his nap.

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What is the silliest/craziest/hardest question YOUR little one has asked you?  Join me in my community forum to share!

The Start Of A New Year

Ever since I was little I truly enjoyed the beginning of a new year. 

Every January 1st I would make up my little childish list of resolutions.  I even included “to lose weight” as a teen despite the fact that I weighed 115lbs at 5 foot, 3 inches.  It was just part of my new year.

Now as a grown-up I still like the beginning of a new year, but I am finding that September holds more of all that new year feel than January.

If you have kids in school you know what I mean!

It’s that time of year when you spend hours getting ready for the start of a new grade…

• new supplies
• new clothes
• new schedule
• new friends
• new plans
• new goals

…it’s all one big fresh start right in the middle of the year!

And this year I have 2 girls who are now gone all day long as they grow and learn…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emily is off to Kindergarten and Abby is diving into Second grade.

And they, along with me, are enjoying the new year with the fresh start at a whole lot of things.  One week into school and they are loving it!

Now it’s just me and Micah at home and I’m enjoying my time with him.  As well as the ease of shopping and cleaning the house with less people to work around!  But you’ll have to come back tomorrow to hear about how Micah is handling the girls being gone all day!

Hay Is For Horses And Grass Is For Tractors

Micah and I ran some errands this afternoon and as we drove along he chatted my ear off.

I love this incredibly curious stage…but it’s also exhausting! 

Anyhow!…he asked me why God made grass.  So I responded with, “Because He wanted to!”

Micah quickly replied quite seriously: “I think it was so the tractors could plow it.”

Selah

Selah.

I really like that word.

In fact we almost named Emily that.  Now I kick myself almost weekly that we didn’t.  So much so that I have actually contemplated changing her name.

*ahem* 

Not that I would really do it though.

Other than liking that word as a name for my daughter I like it because it’s the name of my favorite vocal group.

Selah!

And I am so excited about going to see them in concert this weekend with my dear friend Hillari!

I have followed their musical journey since 2001 and so enjoy their music.

What plans do you have this weekend?

My Very First Post

A little over three years ago I began this blog as a way to stay in touch with family after we moved.  That was July of 2007 and now here we are just 3 days shy of my 38 month mark for blogging.

Here is what I wrote on my very first “official” blog post…

(I say “official” because the very, very first post was a simple “welcome to my blog” post!)

Abigail’s First VBS – July 16, 2007

Today was Abby's first time at VBS since she just turned 4 a month ago. She was excited to go to "class" but also nervous. Justin took her in when he went in and then I picked her up at noon. She had so much fun! One of the workers was dressed up as a firefighter and she loved that! Most kids are scared, but not Abby! Justin taught the Bible lesson to 2 of the classes and had fun doing it. He gave them squares of unlevened bread (a.k.a. taco wraps!) and also roasted lamb (a.k.a. deer jerky!). After VBS I took the girls up to my parents where they were able go swimming. What a blast! Even Micah got in and loved it! My Mom was brave taking all 3 kids at once by herself.
~Mandy, on behalf of the whole family.

In honor of Back To Blogging with the SITSGirls I re-wrote this post in the manor I would write it if writing it today…

…tell me what you think!…

Abigail’s First VBS – re-written on 9/13/10

I remember when I was a little girl and how much I looked forward to every summer. 

Partly because it meant no school.  Some of it because of all the fun in the pool.  And then the other because it meant VBS. 

VBS is short for Vacation Bible School.  But no kid likes the idea of Vacation and School in the same phrase so VBS sounds a WHOLE lot better!

Anyhow!  Today I relived my own memories as my newly-turned-four-year-old headed off to VBS for the first time.  She was so excited and acted so grown-up due to this new honor, yet just a bit nervous, too.

It worked out nicely that Justin was able to take her in and then I just ran in to pick her up.  Handy for a mommy with a 2-year-old and 5-month-old still with her at home!

Abby had a blast despite her bit of fear.  One of the teachers was dressed up like a firefighter to go with the week’s theme and Abby loved it!  Most kids were either fearful or very timid about seeing some one in full gear, but not Abby!  Of course it helps to have 2 uncles who are firefighters!

On another note, I am so proud of my husband as he continues to try new things, too.  He taught the Bible lesson today to two of the classes and had fun doing it.  He gave them squares of unleavened bread* and pieces of roasted lamb* to bring to life the lesson. 

(*A.K.A – taco wraps & beef jerky!)

After VBS I took the girls up to my parent’s house where they were able go swimming.

What a treat! Even Micah got in and loved it!

I must say that my Mom was brave taking  in all three kids at once by herself.  Hopefully it’s only a couple more weeks before I’m able to be fully functioning again!

From the trenches of motherhood…where I’m still nursing my broken foot…Mandy the Trench Mommy!

I think I have learned to be a bit more creative in my blogging over the last three years?

How about you?  Are you back to blogging now that the summer days are turning into fall daze?

Join me over at SITSGirls to get back into blogging this week!

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This series is being sponsored by Standards of Excellence, Westar Kitchen & Bath, and by Florida Builder Appliances.

To link up join me here!

You Know You Live In America When…Lack Of Electricity

Baked Oatmeal

I like oatmeal.

Well….the word “like” may be stretching it a bit.

I like the IDEA of oatmeal.

Until my Mother-In-Law fixed baked oatmeal for breakfast one morning when the family was all together.

I found a new BFF for breakfast!

Baked oatmeal is the wholesome goodness of oatmeal with more of a coffee cake texture and a store-bought cereal sweetness for only a few pennies and 35 minutes of time! 

Thirty of those minutes are baking time..so don’t panic!

And because I love my readers so much and because Bonnie asked me for the recipe…I’m posting it here for you!

BAKED OATMEAL

Gather all your ingredients and mix them together in a large bowl.

• 1/2 Cup Oil
• 3 Cup Oatmeal (1 C. Quick & 2 C. old fashioned)
• 2 Eggs, beaten
• 1 Cup Sugar (Don’t sub in brown sugar! Does not work…I know!)
• 1 Cup Milk
• 2 Heaping Tsp. Baking Powder
• 1 Tsp. Vanilla
• 1 Tsp. Salt
• 1 Tsp. Cinnamon

Pour into a greased 9X9 baking dish.  Bake for 25 to 35 minutes at 350 degrees.  When done, the top should be a little brown – more so around the edges.

I have “halved” this recipe and baked it in a bread pan to feed only 4 people.  Also, I have used Steel Cut Quick Oats from Aldi in place of the Quick Oats.

Oh! And you can’t forget to pour a little milk over the top and drizzle with some real maple syrup to make a delicious breakfast!

Scarf Wearing 101

Since writing this post and this post I have become an avid fan of wearing scarves.  In fact, I hope to save enough in my food budget to buy a few more to add to my fall wardrobe!

As I anticipate the cooler weather and bringing out some of my favorite outfits I browsed youtube and found these great tutorials on wearing scarves. 

I hope they help you as much as they helped me!

Pain

Pain. 

It’s something we all experience at some point in our life.

Sometimes the pain is good.  Not because it feels good, but because the end results were worth pushing through.  Like when you push through to win a race or accomplish some physical feat.  Or like giving birth and having a little bundle put in your arms.

Other times the pain is unbearable.  It hurts so bad you don’t want to face it anymore.  There are many things that can cause this physically, but possibly on an emotional level it’s the worst.

Mary Beth Chapman knows what unbearable emotional pain is like.  She and the whole Chapman family experienced this raw journey when their daughter, Maria, died in a tragic accident in May of 2008.

But the beautiful thing is, that she has also clung to hope through this horrific ordeal and now shares about her personal valley experience in her book Choosing To See.

You can read my review of this book here and also if you leave a comment on that post, you will be entered to win a copy of that book.

If you have experienced the unbearable pain of loosing a child you will be comforted and encouraged by Choosing To See.  Or if you can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like, as I can’t, you will be moved with compassion to comfort those who do know what it’s like.

I hope you will read this book whether you win it or not.

A Worthless Penny

Image via Wikipedia

I enjoy saving money. 

I am even one of those people who will take the time to bend down and pick up a penny.

If it doesn’t look really dirty!

But sometimes, a penny is worthless.

Sometimes $2.38 is worthless.

And for me – your average blogger mommy - $2.38 is a lot of hard earned money!

The other night I sat down in front of my blog again – after a month+ blogging vacation – and was dismayed at seeing my ads were for something I didn’t like.

In fact, it was for something I strongly disliked! 

So after finding no way to change them I had to make a choice.

On a funny note…I’m in the middle of a Jr. High Girl’s Bible study about choices!

I chose to give up my $2.38 to say true to my beliefs and convictions.  Accepting that money would have been worthless if someone had actually accepted the message of that ad.

So I’m back to square one.  I’ve not earned a penny from this blog. 

But that’s okay.  Those pennies were worthless anyhow.

Knock, Knock!

…Who’s there?

Around the Trenches of Motherhood we have been hearing a lot of these jokes.

All of them original.  Of course.

When you have a 7, 5, & 3 year old they think the best jokes are ones they make up on their own.

So we’ve heard about silly eyeballs, mashed potatoes, and a handful of other crazy things.

My personal favorite actually came from the 3 year old.

It goes like this…

“Why did the pickle cross the road?"

“Because he wanted to be in a hamburger!”

Not bad for a 3-year-old!

What’s your favorite joke?  Leave a comment and give us some new dinner time laughs!

The Best Way To Enjoy Labor Day Weekend

…is to ride a 4-wheeler along the fields and through the woods.

It’s refreshing.

It’s relaxing.

It’s breathtaking.

It’s simply wholesome fun.

We went 4-wheeler riding tonight with the kids and saw 3 deer, and great-horned owl, and a lot of turkey scratchings. 

It never ceases to amaze me how letting the wind whip through my hair as I smell the fresh forest air can rejuvenate my spirits so quickly.  It’s like a bath for the mind…washes away the stress of life as I enjoy God’s creation.

So in my opinion, riding a 4-wheeler is the best way to enjoy the Labor day holiday.  Or any day for that matter!

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Our 8th Anniversary

One month ago today I spent most of the day with my husband celebrating our 8th anniversary.

Can I pause here to ask a question?

Well, it’s my blog so I’m going to either way! {insert grin}

Okay, WHERE has the time gone?!

Alright, so back to August 3rd of this year…

My Mom took the kids for the afternoon and evening and my husband and I got to do one of our most favorite things.

See if you can guess what we did…

    

Can you tell that the sun was in our face?   Well it was!

We hauled a load of logs together and then went home, got cleaned up, and head out for a really nice dinner at…

…Red Lobster!

It was so yummy!

And we had a wonderful day just enjoying our marriage which is also our best friendship.  Ever.

I love you, Sweetheart! 

Our Summer. In Pictures.

(And in a few words!)

Summer 2010 is sadly just about over.  Although after the extremely humid summer we had, there is a great part of me that is anxious to enjoy the cool, crisp fall weather while wrapped in a blanket and sipping hot tea on my front porch.

However, while we wait for the thermometer to drop and the air to turn crisp…here are a few pictures of our summer…