Blog Break

Due to the upcoming holidays and the extra events that take place in my home, at other’s homes, and at church, I have decided (with my husband’s counsel) to put a pause on the blogging. Any of you who know me have heard me admit to NOT being a multi-tasker. I will continue in January. I will be e-mailing still, so if you want to send me a line  via e-mail, please do. My e-mail address is laurie.reyes3@verizon.net . Hope to hear from you soon. I’ll still be checking your sites!

Favorite Rainy Day Activity

As I type this favorite rainy day activity, it is absolutely beautiful and sunny outside! I still want to pass it on because if you’re like me, cold or rainy days and little boys make, shall I say, a “sanctifying” combination. My kids love this game. They have been playing it and it’s variations since they were probably two years old. I can’t remember how it started (probably a frazzled mom desperate to help her kids expend some energy). The great thing is that it is more entertaining for me than the kids. Freeze Dance In it’s most basic form, you play music loud…really loud, and the kids dance their little hearts out until I press pause and the music stops. Then they freeze in whatever position they were last in. They try to stay frozen until I turn the song back on. What is fun about this is watching them dance. I laugh my head off while they try to impress me with their latest “moves”. Each kid has a different style: Izzy does some manly karate dance; Joshua does sort of a hip hop/disco combo; Caleb attempts break dancing on the floor; and Maggie does what I call “funky ballet”. I am amazed that they are so uninhibited. They really love when mommy or daddy joins them. It’s not a pretty sight, I assure you, but there is something liberating about just bustin’ a move with the kids. Variation #1 – with pillows Set up a pillow on the floor for each child. When the music stops they have to sit on their pillow as fast as possible. I do not make this a competition with the whole musical chairs approach because the main thing is that they keep moving and get the energy out. (Besides, as I have posted before, competition is a way of life here with the Reyes boys, so I do not need additional contexts for sanctification in my life or theirs!) Variation #2 – solo dance They all sit on pillows and I call a name. That child comes to the middle and does a solo dance until I cut off the music. Variation #3 – body part down At the age the boys are now, this is their favorite way to play freeze dance. When I cut off the music, I shout out a body part, and they have to get that part to the floor as fast as they can. Some examples are: ear! Elbow! Knees! Back! Bum-bum! Head! Chin! I would love to hear what your family’s favorite rainy day activity is. If there isn’t room to leave it in my comment box, please post it on your own blog, and come back and tell us that you posted via comment.

Wise Words from Avonlea

“Mrs. Allan’s face was not the face of the girl-bride whom the minister had brought to Avonlea five years before. It had lost some of its bloom and youthful curves, and there were fine, patient lines about eyes and mouth. A tiny grave in that very cemetery accounted for some of them; and some new ones had come during the recent illness, now happily over, of her little son. But Mrs. Allan’s dimples were as sweet and sudden as ever, her eyes as clear and bright and true; and what her face lacked of girlish beauty was now more than atoned for in added tenderness and strength.”
-L.M. Montgomery pg. 130 Anne of Avonlea

I just read this the other night and it reminded me of another thing I read in a book by Bryan Chappel (I believe it is his book Holiness by Grace) . I don’t know the exact wording but the idea was this: Trials and suffering both harden us and soften us. They harden us to the pleasures and temptations of the world because we realize how life here must be (and anticipate Heaven where there are no more sorrows). They soften us to be compassionate and loving towards others.

Mrs. Allan is not a real woman, but I know women who through adversity have the added beauty of tenderness and strength. I have had no real trial in life so far, but I know eventually I will. May it not just leave me old, ugly, and bitter. But like women I am privileged to watch up close, may it serve to make me more tender and strong. May it harden and soften me.  

Another Really Great Blog

If you haven't been there yet, be sure to visit Bob Kauflin's new blog Worship Matters. The post from this past Monday, November 14, was especially encouraging. I was going to pull a quote from it, but the whole thing was so good, I would have had to commit plagiarism in order to capture the idea.

One of Those Moms

I really wish I had been taught more about the doctrine of indwelling sin before I had kids. Perhaps an awareness of pride in my heart would have kept me from thinking the following: “I’ll never be one of those moms.” Oh how pride goes before the fall, and in my life it has looked a little like this.

1. I became one of those moms when my toddler twins screamed bloody murder at the Target because they couldn’t have the bouncy ball they wanted.


2. I became one of those moms when I just couldn’t keep up with the runny noses in February.


3. I became one of those moms when my kids did eventually begin eating pop tarts for breakfast, and frozen chicken nuggets for dinner.


4. I became one of those moms when after asking my son if he had changed his shirt today, he responded with, “no, this is only the second day I wore this one and it doesn’t have anything on it.” And I was okay with that.


5. I became one of those moms when during my third trimester of pregnancy with Maggie I yelled to my boys, “If you make me get up off of this sofa, you are really going to be sorry!!!!” and then five minutes later, “I really mean it this time!” and then five minutes later “I am telling you boys – you are really going to regret it if you don’t obey mommy!” and then five minutes later “wait till your father gets home!”


6. I became one of those moms when I was excited to be alone at Wal Mart on a Friday night.


7. I became one of those moms when I owned at least seven pairs of pajama pants that aren’t worn just for pajamas.


8. I became one of those moms when at 3pm I realized I hadn’t brushed my teeth yet.


9. I became one of those moms when I was on a date with my husband and the “let down reflex” resulted in two wet spots in not so discreet places.


10. I became one of those moms when I bribed my kids with lollipops every time I took them to the mall.

Are you one of those moms? If so, you’re in good company. If you aren’t one of those moms, take my advice and never look at a runny nosed, screaming toddler who has blue sticky lollipop mouth at the mall and think to yourself, “I’ll never…”

Favorite Birthday Ever

Today is my birthday. I have enjoyed 35 years of incredible grace and mercy on my life! I can honestly say that my life has been better than I could have imagined. All I can say is thank You, God that you have not treated me as my sins deserved, but instead, have poured out grace upon grace; kindness on kindness. I am overwhelmed as I consider how goodness and mercy have followed me all of the days of my life.

Wise Words About Providence

"God works in mysterious ways. He raised Moses in a palace to serve in a desert. He raised Joseph in a desert to serve in a palace." - Ravi Zaccharias

Favorite Piper Teaching

Well, it's not my favorite, but it is one of my favorites. I could never choose just one. As much as I listen to Piper online, this is one teaching I keep going back to over and over again. Go here and find teaching number 173. Let Love Be Genuine Enjoy!

Just Thought I'd Ask

Jason and I were having a discussion the other night and I thought I’d invite the blogosphere in on the question:

“What would you tell yourself if you could go back in time ten years or so? (whatever your previous season of life was)”

“What would you tell yourself if you could speak to you as an elderly person?”

Wise Words About Humility

“Humility in Scripture does not mean pretending to be worthless and refusing positions of responsibility, but knowing and keeping the place God has appointed for one.  Being humble is a matter of accepting God’s arrangement, whether it means the high exposure of leadership, or the obscurity of being a servant.” –The Reformation Study Bible pg. 1519 in “The Humble Obedience of Christ”

I know that the place God has called me to is my home. It is indeed primarily a role of obscure servant-hood. I don’t think I ever connected my obedience to God through His calling me as a helper to my husband, a lover of my children, and a worker in my home as an expression of humility. Conversely, I have never associated my lack of keeping the place God has called me to a source of pride. Laziness…yes. Selfishness…yes. But pride?

One manifestation of pride is me seeking to elevate my will above God’s will. This happens primarily in the so-called minutia of life. It is expressed in things like napping when I have laundry to do. It’s in wasting money on fast food when my husband told me we need to stick to the budget. It’s in threatening and repeating myself to my kids rather than lovingly bringing biblical correction. It’s in skipping Math today because I would rather go to Target.

What is the solution to my pitiful pride? How do I joyfully get on the path of humility right here and now in the minutia of life? One way is to consider the ultimate example: Jesus.

“In His humiliation, He left behind the eternal glory that was His, taking on a perfect and complete human nature: body, soul, spirit. Through His incarnation He lived a life of poverty and suffering. He was rejected by His nation, finally to die the shameful death of a common criminal.” –RSB pg. 1519 “The Humble Obedience of Christ”

Jesus humbled Himself to become a man, live a perfect life – completely conformed to the will of the Father, and then die on a cross suffering the wrath that my sins deserve. And now, because of His humility, I can have grace to conform to the will of the Father as well. Even now, when I get up from the computer and commence the day’s activities, I want to keep the Savior’s example before me.

It’s time to make the beds!

What I Learned at...

The Sovereign Grace Small Group Leaders’ Conference was amazing as usual. This conference is truly one of my favorites, and now that it only happens once every three years, I am even more aware of the unique blessing it is. I can only describe being there in terms of experiencing wave after wave of God’s grace through worship, a musical review, teachings, workshops, and fellowship. For my own benefit more than anything, here are three of the many, many things I learned:

1. In C.J.’s teaching, “the Priority and Practice of Application” I learned that I am simple, and so is everyone else I know. The implications are that I am not going to be able to apply a ton of truth to a ton of areas in my life that need growth. My kids aren’t either. My husband isn’t. The ladies I am called to minister to aren’t. But one bit of scripture applied to one bit of life will begin the momentum of change in other areas. This will not limit growth, it will ensure it.


2. In Mike Bullmore’s teaching, which was a work of art as far as teachings go, entitled “The Functional Centrality of the Gospel”, I learned all over again that all Christian behavior should flow out of the gospel. I must see the connection. I must help others see the connection. I think of this with my kids. How often I have issued a moral command apart from the gospel (Stop being unkind to your brother. No grumbling and complaining, please. Say you’re sorry to your sister.) I must stick the post-it note of behavioral moral exhortation to the fly wheel of the gospel because the momentum is already there. And also, may these not just be buzz words that I have learned to parrot, and taught my kids to parrot, but may it become an increasing genuine practice in the Reyes house as Jason seeks to lead us in it.


3. In Dave Harvey’s teaching about faith I learned that faith looks up and faith looks back. Faith looks up and believes that God exists, and God is good. This has extremely practical application. In fact, this morning I remembered it when my kids woke up at their body’s normal time 7 am, but the clock had been turned back to 6 am. My hope was to wake before them and have a leisurely time with the Lord, but that did not happen. I complained. I asked my husband why he let them come down early. I was angry. In that moment I remembered to ask myself the question Dave Harvey told us to ask: Does God exist? Is God good? My disappointment seemed silly after considering the fact that God was there and had my good in mind even if it meant I wouldn’t get the long time in His word that I was hoping for. I was able to confess my sin, and be at peace with the kids up an hour earlier than usual. Ah faith…so practical.

Those are just a few of the jewels I found in the treasure trove of the conference. I am so happy that some of my favorite people, our care group leaders, were able to be there to benefit from the wealth as well. I pray for grace for all of us to make application a priority as we enter reality this week.

For Aunt Cathy

A bit of background for this poem: My aunt Cathy, who died October 20, 2005, lived the 54 years of her life completely dependent on others for her care. She was profoundly mentally retarded having the capacity of about a nine month old baby. My whole life I’ve wondered what she would be like once we were in Heaven and she had her perfect mind and body. That is the inspiration behind the poem as well as a desire to honor the people who loved her and cared for her – particularly my grandmother.

For Aunt Cathy

In modest respect both Sun and Rain tucked themselves away;
The day she left us aptly clothed itself in white and gray.

From childhood on I’ve wondered just how would Aunt Cathy be
Once we were beyond the skies, in Heaven’s glory.

Would she have hair long, raven brown? Would she keep her milky skin?
Would she see all of the angels as her old familiar friends?

Would she be boisterous, or quiet; would she be sassy or be sweet?
Would she give us the old love pats, or her classic tight squeeze?

More than how she’ll look or act, I wonder what she’ll say.
I can imagine now that it might go this way:

     “I wanted to scoop Charli up and squeeze her chubby thighs!”
     “I wanted to do laps around the kitchen with the guys!”
     
     “I wanted to dance with Maggie and draw pictures with Si-Si.”
     “I wanted to build lego ships and have adventures with Spidey.”

Would she say that she enjoyed the Cannon ladies’ constant chatter?
Would she say she had her very own opinion on a matter?

All those are just my little musings on what Aunt Cathy’d say,
But I think I can speak for her when I try today

To honor a few on her behalf who loved her even though
She could do very little to personally let you know -

She’d say:

     “Thank you, my dear brother who fought on my behalf,
     For hours on the phone for me with good-intentioned staff.”

     “You knew that one day might come when I would be with you.
     In private you bore the burden of discerning what to do.”

     “No one else could get the nurses, therapists, bed, and chair.”
     “Only God and I now know what you went through for my care.”

She’d say:

     “Thank you dearest sister that I have ever known.
     I will not forget the greatness of the love you’ve shown.”

     “You dressed me, and you fed me; you stayed with me night and day,
     You cried out for mercy on my behalf, and I could hear you pray.”

     “You took upon yourself my care, though hard it was indeed,
     Can you hear echoes of One saying, ‘you have done it Unto Me.’?”

If Cathy were most eloquent with the most brilliant mind
I think it still would be very difficult to find

The words to express gratitude to one who loved her dearly
The one who demonstrated God’s love for her most clearly.

She might say:

     “Mom, I was a special gift that God entrusted to
     A family that could love me, a mother who would view

     “Me as her sweet darlin’; her angel from above.
     I always felt your joy in me; I always felt your love.

     “Thank you for our morning coffee, the coke and ice cream
     “Thank you for the hand to hold however tight I squeezed.”
     
     “Thank you for sleeping by my side for fifty-four years
     Thank you for comforting me and wiping away my tears.”

     “Thank you for the care you gave, that only can compare;
     with the care that I receive now that I am not there.”

     “If only I could tell the world all that you’ve had to do.
     If only I could whisper in your ear, how much I love you.”

I could keep going on and on imagining Aunt Cathy’s words,
But any attempt I make would be lacking for those who heard.

But God’s voice will be heard because the Bible speaks to us today,
If you have ears to listen, Grandma, I think you’ll hear Him say:

     “Your children rise up and call you blessed; your husband also saw
     That many have done nobly, but you surpass them all.” Pro. 31:28,29

     “You are My good and faithful servant; faithful with my special one.
     You will enter into My joy. You will hear me say, Well Done.” Mt.25:21




     
     


     

Wise Words About Apathy

"Easy roads make sleepy travelers." -Charles Spurgeon from October 23 pm of Morning and Evening read the rest of it here. (You will have to enter the date. For some reason it won't link me directly to the reading itself.)

sad news

My aunt Cathy died this morning due to complications associated with pneumonia. She was 54. Please pray for our family, especially my grandmother. She has suffered profound loss this year: her husband, her home in New Orleans, her sister, and now her daughter. I'll post more later. Thank You.

Wise Words About God's Will

When I was single, this simple quote comforted me when I didn’t understand what God was doing with my life, especially with regards to a disappointment concerning who I thought I was supposed to marry.

“God’s will is exactly what my will would be if I knew all of the circumstances.” – Bill Gothard

How sweet it is to look in retrospect and heartily say that God’s will with regard to whom I would marry (the boy next door!) was indeed not just what my will would be, but so much better than I would have dared hope for.  

Future is a Tempter

Future is a tempter enticing me to come
But I can never catch him however fast I run
He teases me and taunts me and tells me how much fun
It is to be with Future, but I can never come.

Past is a joker, choking back on time.
He beckons me to return to memories of mine
But when I go to visit them it seems I always find
Past is somehow hollow when it’s lived a second time.

Present stands here all alone and asks me to embrace him.
I look to Future and to Past because I cannot face him.

I wrote this poem when I was still single and felt like I was awkwardly suspended between college and marriage. I thought if God didn’t have marriage in store right away, then surely He had some wonderful adventure in ministry waiting for me. I dreamed of church-planting ventures where I would go and be a support by babysitting or starting a children’s ministry, or playing keyboards. I dreamed of going on e-teams to other countries and traveling the world. I did not dream of sitting in a classroom at Magnolia Middle School as a substitute teacher. I did not dream of working at Greenleaf Christian Bookstore. I did not dream of absolutely no guys on the horizon.

In order to spare you from lengthy posting, I will continue this saga on Thursday.

Favorite Children's Commentary

Really, this is the only children's commentary series I'm aware of. The series, by Nancy Ganz, is called Herein is Love. The commentary is called Genesis: a Commentary for Children.I am using it for Bible this year with the kids and we love it. There is a passage from the book of Genesis to read. Then we read the commentary (about three pages of beautifully written commentary...on a child's level - and mine!). Then we do the craft from the back of the book where the lesson plans are. This commentary, thus far, has been Christ-centered, God-glorifying, and absolutely beautifully written. Nancy Ganz has also written commentaries for the book of Exodus and Levitcus. I hope she keeps them coming. Here is an exerpt from her commentary on Gen 1:26-31; 5:2

Man was created in the image of God, but he was not God. At the appointed time, however, there was born into the world a Man, who was the full "radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being" (Hebrews 1:3). The God of heaven, who is Spirit, became flesh and lived upon the earth, being found in appearance as a man. "Although He existed in the form of God, although He was in very nature God...He made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men..." (Phil 2:6,7)How extraordinary that man was made in the likeness of God and that God then took for Himself the likeness of man! Jesus Christ - "He is the image of the invisible God...for God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him...In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form..." (Col 1:15,19&2:9). (emphasis mine)

I love how she makes this connection with Jesus. I would never have thought to teach the sixth day of creation this way. Just thought I'd pass it on!

Wise Words for Wives

This isn’t an exact quote, but the principle is so true.  Lars Gren (Elisabeth Eliott’s husband) once said something to the effect of:

When a gal marries a guy she is usually perfectly happy with at least 90% of him, and would only change maybe about 10% of him. Now she can spend the rest of her married life trying to change the 10% and maybe end up changing 2%, meanwhile making both of them utterly miserable, or she can just spend her days enjoying the 90% she fell in love with in the first place.

Favorite Strong Drink

And no, it's not alcoholic! But I bet I got your attention. It is a grande sugar-free vanilla breve latte. Good hot or cold. Try it! My mom turned me on to them...just another way she sets the example. By the way, does anybody know if I'm doing something illegal with the graphic? I consider it free advertising for Starbucks, but if I'm wrong, please tell me. I got the graphic right off the google search for images.

Wise Words About Strength

“Instead of immediately asking for deliverance, Paul prayed that the believers in Colosse would grow in maturity. If you think about it, how do we grow in endurance and patience? Only one path exists, which we’ve already mentioned: to have both our endurance and patience sorely tried, even past the breaking point, until we learn to rest in ‘God’s glorious might.’ You’ll never develop your biceps if you lift just one-pound weights; you have to stress the muscle beyond its normal routine. The same principle holds true spiritually. If God gives us situations we already have the strength to handle, we won’t have to grow in order to deal with them.”                             –Gary Thomas from his book Sacred Parenting pg. 146

I can’t resist the urge to comment on this quote in light of my previous post. These godly older women and others whom I didn’t mention are mature in Christ and able to carry heavy loads (that I cannot at this point imagine carrying) because when they were younger they worked their muscles in smaller situations. I also want to bear the five pound weight of sick children, sleepless nights, an unruly four-year-old, a mountain of laundry, homeschool preparations, having to get up and serve even when I’m sick, etc., etc. You get the point. More than exercise my own pitiful biceps, I want to learn the secret my mother and other Titus 2 ladies have learned: my strength is from the Lord. I want to go to Him for strength in these little things so that when big things come, like caring for an elderly parent/disabled sister, moving into a retirement community, seeing my husband have a heart attack, experiencing the death of my child, moving from my house to my grown daughter’s house because I cannot keep up with the work physically, working with younger people who disregard my wisdom and experience, I am ready. (By the way, all of the things in that list were real challenges of ladies I was in Bible study with yesterday– not imagined hardships I could encounter). I am grateful for those going before me. They are spiritual body-builders for sure!

Strength and Beauty

Strength and beauty. It is an unlikely combination. Beauty is often so fragile and fleeting. Even the most glamorous succumb to age and gravity eventually. But I have seen in the  lives of two older women (in the lives of many older women, but I’m only describing two) absolutely breathtaking beauty combined with a strength that inspires me as a younger woman to want to be like them someday, Lord willing.

In a recent caregroup leaders’ meeting, my friend Cathy shared that she was struggling with the fact that she and her husband were leaving her single family home to move into a condo for retirees. Cathy loves her garden. She loves the memories she’s made with her grandchildren in her house. She has been exemplary in showing hospitality in this home. She has it decorated just the way she wants. Cathy loves her home, and it is hard to leave to go to a place that is probably going to be her last home. Yet in my basement, at a meeting with other believers who were praying over her and her husband, we had the privilege of hearing her surrender with many tears to God’s will. She was willing to be a pioneer once again, into a new land – not to retire, but to be used of God in a whole new adventure. I will never forget her prayer…not just the content, but the emotion as well. This was true beauty. This was true strength.

My mother stands as another pageant winner when it comes to strength with beauty. I have thanked God so many times for the privilege of watching my mom up close in this particular season. My mom has opened her home to my grandmother and my aunt. My aunt is profoundly mentally handicapped with the capacity of an infant. My grandmother is no longer able to care for my aunt due to her own chronic pain caused by spinal stenosis which means my mother is doing the hard work of caring for my aunt. (think of all that is involved in caring for a baby, but this is a grown 56 year old woman who weighs over a hundred pounds). My mother also lives with constant joint pain. You would only know this if you saw her trying to get up and down from a chair – she never complains about it (the doctors still don’t know why she has pain in every joint, therefore it is not really treatable – so frustrating to me! But my mom bears with it). All of this to say that my mom’s life changed so dramatically in the course of two days, our heads are still spinning. What has been her attitude? She has humbly submitted to the will of God. It is amazing how she has risen to this challenge. She gives all glory to God. She would tell you this season is yet another example of her life verse: 2 Corinthians 12:9 “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” What holy ground to watch her serving so heroically in the strength of the Lord.

Both of these women are true beauties. The world misses the mark when it comes to what true beauty is. Anyone can wear pretty clothes, put on makeup, and get a cute hairstyle. The world says that the most exquisite beauty is reserved for the young. Not true! A thousand times not true! I have seen Cathy and my mother demonstrate beauty like no younger woman I know. I am inspired to do what they did in their youth: study God’s Word rather than casually read a devotional here and there; grow through little trials rather than try to escape them and take the path of comfort and ease, learn to follow God wherever He leads instead of resist and stubbornly go my own way, and boast in my weakness rather than trying to meet the challenges of the day in my own strength. And one day, I hope to trade the beauty of youth (which is everyday fading) with the more impressive beauty of the older women around me.

Thank you, Cathy.

Thank you, Mom.

Favorite Way to Display

I got this idea out of a magazine. I love it because it displays the kids artwork and school projects in a way that contributes to the decor of the room. To make one you need an antique ladder (lots of them are out there)and shower curtain rings with clips on them (these are from Target). I also mount most of their art on some type of colored construction paper. (I need a fourth rung on the ladder now that Maggie has joined the ranks!).

Wise Words About Seeing

“…the climax of that prayer came with these words, ‘Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, may be with Me where I am, to see My glory that You have given Me because you loved Me before the foundation of the world’ (Jn. 17:24). Why would the most loving man who ever lived, at the most loving hour of His life, pray that we would be able to spend eternity seeing His glory?  The answer is not hard: this will satisfy our hearts and glorify His worth. That is what it means to be loved by Christ.”
-John Piper from his book When I Don’t Desire God: How to Fight for Joy, pg. 67

Jesus Heals The Blind

Jesus Heals The Blind

Spit on the dirt, once again
And cause me to behold
New facets of You, of the cross,
And Your glory from of old.

Lay Your hand upon my eyes
That I would truly see,
Not men as walking trees,
But lives of those in need.

Simply speak a Word
And my blind eyes will gaze
Upon the works You are doing
And evidences of Your grace.

The fog of the world,
The dark of night,
The nearsightedness of sin;
Satan’s lies
That lure the eyes
All seek to keep hidden,
Who You are, and who I am
And where You’re at work
In my fellow man.

But I take hope
That blind men came
To the One
Who knows my name
They left You
Able to see,
So now I ask,
Lay hands on me.

Favorite Muffins for Fall

This recipe is from the kitchen of Judy Phillips. If you know her, you will go to the kitchen right now and make these delicious muffins! Every recipe I have from her kitchen is a prized possession.

Pumpkin Muffins
-Combine in medium bowl:

• 1 egg


• ½ cup pumpkin


• ½ cup milk


• ¼ cup melted butter


• ½ tsp. vanilla

-In another bowl combine:

• ½ sugar


• 1 ½ cups of flour


• 2 tsp. baking powder


• ¾ tsp. cinnamon


• ¼ tsp. ginger

-Stir dry ingredients into liquid just until moistened.
-Fold in ½ cup of raisins – optional.
     -Sprinkle top with cinnamon-sugar mixture.
-Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Serves 12

Wise Words About Guilt

“When guilt feelings keep us self-absorbed, destroy our motivation, and make us discouraged, guilt has become a parking lot – not a good thing. But when guilt reminds us that we are insufficient, and when this insufficiency points us to God – His forgiveness, His empowering Spirit, and His provision of grace – then guilt becomes a spiritual car wash. You don’t camp out in a car wash; you just go there to get clean. You drive through the car wash and come out on the other end with an entirely new outlook. That’s one of the healthy roles that guilt can play for parents: pointing us and our children to God.”   - Gary L. Thomas from his book Sacred Parenting pg. 47

Goodness and Mercy Toward My Twins

My twins turned eight this weekend!  I can hardly believe that this time eight years ago I was probably on my way home from the hospital, scared and weepy.  I had been a hero of sorts in the maternity ward (at least they made me feel like one), and now I was headed into real life.  No lactation experts to help me latch them on.  No nursery to send them to for a few hours of sleep.  No laying in bed all day having things brought to me on a tray.  I remember some of the emotions so vividly.  

So, here we are eight years later, and we all survived!  I remember Alistair Begg saying in passing that on his birthday every year he recounts the ways God’s goodness and mercy have been following him all of his days.  I adopted his ritual for myself, and this year I want to do it for my twins.

I see the goodness and mercy of God in that they were born into a Christian home where they would be able to hear the message of the gospel from parents who, though greatly flawed, understand their need for a Savior.

I see the goodness and mercy of God in that they are surrounded by godly men as role models.  Their father, uncle Jimmy, and Papu are all godly pastors leading the church well.  Their Uncle Dan models gentleness, as well as diligence in the workplace. Their Uncle Chris is a servant and diligent school teacher.  Their Abuelo is a compassionate man and a meticulous electrician.  All of these men are not only believers, but live nearby and are members in the same local church.

I see the goodness of God in giving them such a good father.  In a time when most dads are aloof and indifferent, this is a huge evidence of goodness to Joshua and Caleb.  Jason is not only a strong leader, but he is a humble leader.  This is such a unique combination. His humility is demonstrated in how he serves in our home, as well as how quickly he responds to the conviction of the Holy Spirit.  His orderliness and diligence are other qualities that God in His goodness has provided for my sons to observe.  This diligence translates in other aspects of Jason’s training of his sons.  For example, he regularly reads God’s Word and other books to them.  He takes them out to breakfast or lunch regularly to build relationships with them as individuals.  And perhaps most important, he plays with them.  Whether it’s football, wiffle ball, or family wrestle, Daddy is on their level to enjoy and invest in what will be a continuing evidence of the Lord’s goodness and mercy in their lives.

I see the goodness and mercy of God in giving them brothers to provide a furnace for sin to come to the surface in obvious ways.  I don’t always appreciate this as good or merciful, I have to admit, but the wisdom of God is not the wisdom of man.  In our family it is impossible to keep a veneer of godliness.  The boys love each other dearly, but they are the primary means for exposing sin in each other.  We have many opportunities to understand how much we need a Savior in the Reyes house.  This, indeed, is the mercy of God to all of us.

I see the goodness and mercy of God in giving my twins such unique personalities and gifts.  Caleb is compassionate and artistic, as well as a strong leader (the coordinator of all activities imaginative).  Joshua loves hard work, is athletic and diligent.  He seeks to be good at everything he puts his hand to.  They rub off on each other.  Caleb likes sports because of Josh’s influence.  Joshua likes art because of Caleb’s influence.  This is such a “good” thing for them.

I stand in awe that the Creator of the Universe fixes his gaze on my boys and extends goodness and mercy to them in these and so many more ways.  How it builds my faith as a mom to think upon these things God has done for my boys.  If their salvation depended on me being a faithful mom, we would be doomed indeed.  But He is faithful even when I am faithless.  I pray this year my boys would increasingly grasp not only how “goodness and mercy shall follow them all of the days of their lives” but why.  How I pray they will understand, by the Holy Spirit’s illumination, that they receive the kindness of God, because Jesus received the wrath of God on their behalf.

Psalms 23:6 (ESV) 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Favorite Thing Friday

I've decided to feature a "few of my favorite things" on Fridays. This week I am featuring my housekeeping journal. I have trie fancier ways to manage the home including a PDA and an elaborate organizer, but I always come back to my chubby little notepad. I divide it into four sections: Daily To-do List (the most pages go in this section), Running To-Do List (a list of items I want to get done eventually), Miscellaneous (contains notes for a poem, book titles I want to read, list to get done for a birthday party, window measurements, etc.), and finally a Menu/Grocery List (self explanatory).

Wise Word Wednesday

“Great thoughts go best with common duties. Whatever therefore may be your office regard it as a fragrant in an immeasurable ministry of love.”
–Bishop Brooke Foss Westcott (as quoted in Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot, pg. 84)

I love how this applies to housework. I have found that in the potentially mindless duties of folding clothes, scrubbing floors, vacuuming, etc., I can call to mind whatever I was reading in the morning in my devotions. It might not be the deepest meditations, but indeed it is possible for great thoughts to go with common duties.

Ho Hum Housework

Nothing stays done. Just after you finish unloading that final laundry basket of clean clothes, a pair of dirty socks mocks you in the hamper. The dishwasher that you unloaded needs to be loaded again. The diaper that you just changed is already foul. You clean up breakfast knowing that the lunch mess is around the corner. The dust you wiped off the piano yesterday is already showing its pale face. There is no paycheck. No time card. No summer vacation.  No promotions available for a job well done. If this describes you, you’re probably a homemaker like me. The challenge is, how do you stay motivated to do what keeps getting undone? There have been many times when the futility of housework made me feel like I was going crazy. God has been so gracious to change my perspective.  

Romans 12:1 has been key in helping me have a godly attitude toward housework. Paul writes, “I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” So this morning, when I get up from the computer and go to put on a load of whites, I can do it as an act of worship, and God accepts it as such. Isn’t it wonderful that God takes the mundane and adds the potential of the extraordinary? By taking the opportunity to offer myself as a living sacrifice in my home today, I am not just making meatloaf, I am worshiping God. It is profound and mysterious.

I would love to know what God uses to help keep you motivated. Post, post, post.  

Scooter Survivors

These are the scooter survivors who went to Bermuda. From left to right: Brian and Tracie Young, Jason and I, Paul and Kate Britton (all gauze carefully hidden).

Wise Word Wednesday

This is an experiment. I don’t know if I can sustain it indefinitely, but I would like to use Wednesday as a day to quote others who are obviously wiser than I will ever be. The goal is to encourage myself and others.

This first quote goes along with my post this week. It was quoted in the “Role of a Wife” section of pre-marital materials we borrowed from Covenant Life.

Proverbs 12:4  “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband…”

“She is not the ring on her husband’s finger, or the chain of gold around his neck. That were far too low. She is his crown; his brightest ornament; drawing the eyes of all upon him, as eminently honored and blessed.” – Charles Bridges

My Scooter Story

Kate said it would be dangerous. Kate talked to at least five people who had been to Bermuda and they all said we shouldn’t do it. Kate warned us, and Kate was right. Using scooters to get around Bermuda was NOT a good idea!

Why I would think I would be okay on the back of a scooter is a question that begs to be asked. I mean, even in the car here in Maryland I am nervous. I don’t like to drive, and I’m a really bad passenger. I do the whole slam the invisible break thing, gasp when it looks we are too close to the double yellow line, etc.  It seems to me that all of us should be nervous in a car. We are driving little metal boxes at speeds up to 65 or 70 mph, and all that divides us is a painted yellow or white line. Am I really so crazy for being nervous?  Jason is so patient with me. He is an excellent driver, except when his wife screams and slams her invisible break.  

Back to the scooter story. Jason and I, along with Kate and Paul, and Brian and Tracie decide to add a little adventure to our vacation by renting scooters in Bermuda. Somehow I think I can handle riding on a scooter Jason has never driven, in a place we’ve never been, and driving on the opposite side of the road at that! I convince myself that it is not really dangerous, I’m just a freak – I have the problem.  It didn’t start so well. I was squeezing Jason’s waist so hard, he could hardly breathe. I am on the back praying really loud things like, “Oh God, help us! Jesus, help us!”  That mixed with the occasional, “we are going to DIE!!!”  I have never prayed so earnestly, or loudly, in my life. As I’m yelling like a lunatic on the back of the scooter (cars passing us really close on the right!) I try to tell Jason to just ignore me. I tell him, “you’re doing fine, it’s just me. Don’t listen to me back here.” I try to tell myself to just be quiet, pray in my mind, take deep breaths. I can’t control myself. I have to say things like, “too fast!”, “are we lost?”, “don’t lean!!!”.  The words pop out of my mouth with a frantic edge at a volume he can hear over the roar of the engine and the whir of cars zooming past us. I am sure I was eroding any modicum of confidence my poor husband had in driving the scooter.

Then it happened. All three couples were trying to make a turn across the two way traffic, and Kate and Paul crash into the side of a low stone wall. Screams of  “Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!” can be heard…not by Kate or Paul who were in the accident. No they were relatively calm. Kate got up and walked a few feet away, scraped and bruised, but calm. Paul un-crunched his neck, got up with a four inch square patch of skin missing on the back of his shoulder, but still amazingly calm. Who was screaming? Me, of course.  After filling out paper work and returning Kate and Paul’s scooter, we proceed to the beach (absolutely stunning, by the way…I hope to get pictures up next week). On the beach, we begin to notice that Kate and Paul aren’t the only ones clad in gauze. Many people have various body parts wrapped. It became a little connecting point for people. “Scooter accident?” “Yeah…” and so on with the details. Then it occurred to me. I wasn’t crazy. This really was dangerous. People really were getting injured doing this whole scooter thing.  I probably don’t have to inform you that we returned our scooter that evening (but not before I ended up crying – what a ninny! – and Jason hit a parked car…unmarked police car…with police man sitting in it!!!).

Because I have to make everything didactic, I can’t resist sharing the obvious parallels between scooter Laurie and wife Laurie. This year one theme that God is causing me to return to over and over is the biblical quality of a gentle and quiet spirit. I like how Wayne Grudem defines these qualities in his commentary on 1 Peter: gentle - not insisting on one’s own rights, not pushy, not selfishly assertive, not demanding one’s own way; quiet:  “the result of quiet and continual trust in God to supply one’s needs.”   In the scooter ride called marriage, I am realizing that I am so often not gentle or quiet in my spirit. You see, I am behind a guy who is extremely godly and gifted, but nonetheless doesn’t always know what he’s doing. He’s trying to follow the map. He is trying to stay upright. He is trying to move us from point A to point B. And wherever he goes I’m going. His success and failure on the proverbial scooter affects me. So even if I’m not screaming prayers of desperation in his ear, am I eroding his confidence by my more subtle bouts with fear and anxiety (about finances, the kids, the ministries he oversees, etc.)? Am I being pushy and assertive telling him to “slow down” or “don’t lean”.  Too often the answer to these questions is yes. And given my little scooter story, that doesn’t surprise you.

I am so grateful to God for opening my eyes to see the beauty of His design in calling women to a gentle and quiet spirit. It is something I strongly desire because I see how it is precious to Him, and I am beginning to see why. When I put my trust in God to supply my needs, He is pleased and glorified. Whether or not the scooter ride ever gets comfortable, if we get lost on a strange island, even if we wipe out and get scraped up a bit, I want to rest in the confidence that God is in control. How I want to have these verses characterize me more and more this year:  1 Peter 3:4-7 (ESV) 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening………
….even scooter rides in Bermuda.

Prayer Request Update

We already have the answer to one of our prayers. The husband of the couple who brought my aunt and grandmother to Texas was able to get into my grandmother’s home. This was somewhat miraculous, because police officers initially refused to let him enter. It began pouring rain, and they just waved him in. Remarkably, my grandmother’s house shows no evidence of water. It is exactly as she left it. How good and merciful of God! We are overwhelmed at His kindness. My grandmother can’t return to live there any time soon (we hope she’ll just stay in MD) because obviously, the rest of the city isn’t functioning yet. Please continue to pray for my grandmother. We just found out her older sister died today (of old age, not hurricane-related). They lived together a good part of last year, and had a special bond as my great-aunt Anette was there when my grandfather died last spring.

Thank you again for all of your prayers, and offers of help. It is an amazing blessing to be recipients of God’s love and care through the local church. Our hearts are full!

Please Pray

Images of New Orleans flashed across the television last night. Places I have visited over and over from childhood to last March looked like they were just crumpled up and tossed into streets of water. Places like the French Quarter, where we ate beignet doughnuts and drank coffee are gone. Places like the levy where my Mom, Dad, sister, brother, and I stood watching the sunset after my grandfather’s funeral less than six months ago crumbled and faltered. We don’t know what my grandmother’s house looks like yet.  Did the Bojangles bottle opener make it? What about the yellow furniture in the guest room we used to sleep in? And the picture of Karyn at age two that even though it’s a studio shot, seems to capture not just who she was, but who she still is? And finally, what became of the three beautiful tables with intricate, inlaid wood patterns that my great-grandfather made with rudimentary tools, but expert artistry?  

Indeed, the people of New Orleans are in need of our prayers. I want to ask that you also pray for our little piece of the circumstance as well.  My parents will fly out Saturday morning to pick up my grandmother, 87 years old, and my severely retarded aunt Cathy, 54 years old, from an airport in Texas. They will board another plane and fly home immediately. My Aunt has never flown and becomes very agitated and loud when she’s in unfamiliar circumstances. This could make for a very long flight for everyone. Please pray that she is peaceful.   My grandmother, who just suffered the loss of my grandfather, hasn’t been here in ten years. She is leaving the familiarity of her own home, her friends who played cards daily there ever since I was a little girl, and other extended family. I think she plans to return when it is possible, but if you’ve seen the news lately, you know that is looking unlikely.  Please pray that her adjustment would go smoothly, and she would be able to enjoy her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. My mother and father have been spending every waking minute preparing for my grandmother and aunt’s arrival. We transformed the dining room into a bedroom for them. We had to clear out spaces in the house for the china (massive amounts – if you know my mother, you know why), and in the garage for the furniture. My mom’s life is going to change significantly. She is the rugged, pioneer-type, and in typical Mill’s fashion is rising to the challenge of caring for her elderly mother-in-law, but more difficult by far, caring for my aunt who has the capacity of a baby…but is physically much stronger! Please pray that God will continue to give her grace for what lies ahead.

These are not the circumstances under which any of us envisioned my grandmother moving here. My mom pictured having an addition built so that grandma could have her own kitchen, her own space. She pictured the big family dinner we would have in the dining room to celebrate their arrival. We thought we would have home health care lined up to meet my aunt’s needs, just as she had in New Orleans. God had a different plan, and we believe it will bring Him the most glory, and be for everyone’s own good. Selfishly, I am so happy that my children will get to know my grandmother and aunt. I am glad she will be at their birthday party this month. I am excited for her to see the house we live in due in large part to her and my grandfather’s generosity. I hope whe will be able to teach me, one more time, how to make her seafood gumbo, crawfish bisque, eggplant gravy, and pecan pie.  I know, even with the blessings, it  will not be an easy time, but please pray that everyone involved would draw near to God, receive strength in weakness, enjoy the opportunities to be together, and humbly submit to His gracious hand.

Thank you to everyone who has been praying and expressing care for our family.

Mom's Response to Previous Post

I just received this e-mail from my Mom in response to my previous post (A Very Fine House).  I think it illustrates how she made our house a very, very, very fine house. (You may understand this better if you read the other post first).

Hi Laurie,
I  just finished reading your blog.  I am so humbled and so blessed.  You just brought back a flood of memories. I’m remembering my own chubby cheeked children .  You had your second birthday at that house.  You had your glasses party when you got your first pair of glasses at that house.  You accidentally hit the little girl next door over the head with a coffee can*. (I secretly wished you had gotten the toy anyway).  You were Tweety Bird there…We watched your favorite shows snuggled in the chair together.( what was that weird show,  blue something??) We had puppies at that house. We had your brother at that house.  Both of your Grandmothers came to visit us at that house. Grandma Cannon came on your birthday.  Grandma Dolly had her 60th birthday at that house.  You and Karyn helped me bake her cake. (gosh I’m almost 60 eek!)  Christmas with our big fat trees that we cut down.  They looked so pretty in the downstairs that your Dad finished all by himself.  He had never done anything like that before and I was so proud of him.  We hung the red curtains just before his Mother’s visit.  You went off to school for the first time there.  I cried because I missed you. Thanksgiving when I made you all dress up. (what was I thinking)
I could go on and someday when I write my memoirs I will.  The most important thing I want you to understand is you were an important part of that very very very fine house.  I hardly remember the inside of the house but I vividly remember my precious family and those precious memories. But I want you to know the memories just keep going.  All the way up to now when I look into the faces of my chubby and not so chubby cheeked Grandchildren.  I am a blessed women and I am looking forward to many precious moments ahead.
I also want you to know you already have a very, very, very, fine house.  You are filling it with precious memories and precious moments with your precious family.  I am so proud of the woman you have become and are becoming.
Thank you so much for your kind words. They mean more than you can imagine.  All I can say is that God has been good to us!
 
I love you forever and always,
Mom
 
 
I thought this was way too long to put as a comment on your blog.  
*not exactly an accident – but she did hit me first, for the record.

A Very Fine House

“Our house is a very, very, very, fine house…” rang through our brand new bi-level home on Lynnlee drive in Aberdeen, Maryland. Singing the tune was my twenty-something year old mother as she emptied the boxes in her kitchen. I don’t remember her singing it. My father, on the other hand, has a special fondness for the song ever since she sang it (over and over again…she didn’t know the rest of the words). Why is it a song with special meaning to my Dad? Because her delight in her new house has translated over the years into her delight in creating our home. My mother has always excelled in making our houses, home. I can’t remember a season of life growing up when we didn’t have people coming in and out of our home. Whether it was a care group, or single guys looking for a home-cooked dinner, our home was the place to be. Even now that all of us kids are grown up with homes of our own, we love to go back to Mom and Dad’s house. (My brother loves it so much, he has decided to live there again – at least for a little while!) Other people love going to my parent’s house as well.

My mother has used her gift of hospitality and love for her home faithfully over the years. I am grateful for her example of keeping the home the center of her ministry. I aim to be like her. Recently my Mom stayed at my house for a few days to watch my children while I was away celebrating our 10th anniversary. She paid me the highest compliment. She said, “I felt so at home in your house, Laurie.”  You see, I keep my glasses in the cabinet next to the refrigerator, just like Mom. My Swiffer stuff is under the sink, just like Mom’s. I have Febreeze room spray in every bathroom, just like Mom. I only use half and half for my coffee, just like Mom. I fold my towels in thirds, just like Mom.  I could go on and on.  More than just imitating some of the household management stuff, I am grateful for the up close example of my mother loving her home, and using it to bless others, first her husband and her family, but also the church. I want to make my own house a very, very, very fine home just like Mom.

I Have A Dream

It was the morning we were to go home after a seven night cruise to Bermuda (celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary). I had one of those early morning dreams that are just beyond the brink of consciousness. In my dream we arrived home but my twins were toddlers again. For five minutes I saw them and felt them and experienced again the essence of their toddler selves. It was so real that when Jason woke me, reality felt more like the dream. It took a minute, but I started to weep. I am even crying now because I know that the dream is the closest I will ever get to having them back again at that age. I want to jump back into it and squeeze those chubby bodies again. I want to hear the crinkling diapers as they do their one-arm moving toddler run. I want to rub my lips on their fuzzy half-haired heads. I want to hear the lisps, and smell their morning cheeks. I want to hold a little padded hand, and slide a chubby foot into a sock with grips. A video simply can’t capture it. The dream came closer. But truly, I can never go back. It is a bitter sweet reminder of what the gray haired ladies always say in line at the grocery store, “It goes so fast!” Those early days I thought to myself, “Well, it didn’t go fast today, lady!” But I politely nodded and smiled. It is going fast. Too fast. With new resolve I am going to take those hundred-elbow and knee bodies and hold them tight today. I am going to run my fingers through morning hair spikes. I’m going to memorize Izzy’s pre-big teeth face; and Josh’s too big for his face teeth. I’m going to smell their just got out of the shower skin. I’m going to listen to their adventures, and corny jokes, and giggles. I'm going to watch every karate chop and kick, and cheer every football move, and count while they hold their breath under water. I’m going to cherish the hip height hugs on Sunday during worship and the daily prayer to "have a good time today". I am grateful for the painful gift of that dream the other morning. As my sister always says, I do wish I could take a few of the everyday experiences of life and put them in a box to open when I am old and then take them out and live them again. It can’t happen, but I can savor my children today, and not miss the opportunity to experience them and enjoy them because I know my only other access to today might be a fleeting five minute dream five years from now.

"Cheer"-ing You On!

I got this idea from a magazine years ago, and love it. So in keeping with my more practical posting, here it is: Get a large box of powdered laundry detergent, like Cheer, and empty it's contents (I put it in a rubbermaid and use it). You may want to stuff the empty box with newspaper for a day or two to get the strong smell out of it. Write a little card that says something like, "just CHEER-ing you on in your roles as wife and mother!" Then fill the box with goodies like your friend's favorite candy, bath stuff, a walking video, the book Stepping Heavenward, and a card with some encouragement in it, maybe gift certificate to a restaurant for her and her husband to have a date night. Give it to a friend who maybe needs a little cheering on. You can be creative with this. Maybe somebody needs cheering up because she's been sick or had something difficult happen. Fill it with a jar of soup, or other comfort food, maybe some bath stuff and a candle. You could use the detergent "GAIN" and do a little "that I might GAIN Christ" theme with books or teachings centered around Him. Maybe you could do TIDE and draw a black circle with a line through it for a graduation present or to encourage a teen. It could have a "going against the TIDE" theme and include a devotional, maybe "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" by Joshua Harris, the teaching series from Cov. Life called "In the World, But Not of the World". Be sure to include gum, candy, maybe a bracelet, etc. I think it's a fun way to encourage others. It can be elaborate or simple; expensive or inexpensive. The memorable part is the laundry detergent box and the theme you choose to go with it. Any other ideas using various laundry box themes?

Really Yummy Dessert

Continuing with my annoying "Hints from Heloise" mode, I thought I'd pass on my new favorite, can't go wrong summer dessert. I don't know what it's called. If you come up with a name, please post it. 1 small cool whip thawed 2 cups softened vanilla ice-cream 1 packet of peach jello powder* 4 cups of pound cake cut in cubes Mix together cool whip, ice-cream, and peach jello. Stir in pound cake cubes pour into casserole dish (or whatever) freeze (at least three hours) Serve with peach slice on top (or nothing on top, like I did on Father's Day... still yummy!) *I might try strawberry or raspberry jello next time.

A Far Better Blog

I am excited to announce, if you don't already know, a new blog that I anticipate will be the source of much encouragement. Carolyn Mahaney (more on her later) and her three daughters started a blog today called Girl Talk (girltalk.blogs.com). I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to sitting in on conversations at the Mahaney's "kitchen table" and the wisdom we will glean from a lady who has lived the books and teachings she has written. Leave here now... go there!!!! p.s. I am trying to talk my own mother into blogging. She doesn't think she can write, but I can help her there. Will you join me in my campaign to persuade her to share her own wisdom via blog? darylc1@verizon.net

Happy Father's Day, Dad

The Builder Young, Yet later in life than some, He took his tools in hand And pulling out the blue print He sought to understand Just how to build a family When starting at square one. He looked around at other's houses To see what they had done. Most hadn't any bricks yet. Some hadn't any tools. The few who did begin to build All followed different rules. Turning a moment from "how" to build He decided to look for "where" And in "The City of the Lord"* He said, "I am building there!" Then he opened up the Bible He hammered out the Word. And iron sharpened iron, He applied what he had heard. He brought in other experts. He brought in other hands. He humbly made corrections In keeping with the plans. As year gave way to year The wise man's house emerged, Built first upon the rock of Christ Then built into the church. We know unless the Lord would build The house, the work is vain; And we are grateful for the grace God gave that did sustain. We're grateful our dad labored hard And kept his tools so sharp. We're grateful for his vision, And the passion in his heart. We still hear the hammering And nailing by the one Who we believe will one day hear His Father say, "Well done." I love you, Dad. *City of the Lord was the original name of our church which my dad now pastors.

Easy Summer Cookin'

These are some quick and easy recipes for summer cooking (who wants to be in a hot kitchen when the outdoors beckons?). My mother's famous crock pot roast (this is one she makes when the whole family comes over after church - we love it!) A roast A can of cream of mush. (chicken/ celery if you have non-mushroomers) soup One packet of lipton onion soup mix. Put the roast in first, cover with can of soup, sprinkle with powder soup, set on low, let it cook 6-8 hours. *add chopped potatoes, carrots and onions for a yummy side dish Linda Young's honey mustard chicken 1. cut up chicken breast (we do bite size - easier with the kids) and cook in a chef's pan 2. combine cream of chicken soup, honey, and mustard (we like it sweet, but you tweak the flavour however your family likes it). 3. add honey mustard to chicken pieces, heat through. 4. serve over rice (we use $.99 minute rice from Aldi's) Bar-b-que pork 1. cook boneless country-style spare ribs to death in your slow cooker (cheap at B.J's) (6-8 hours on low) 2. shred the meat with two forks 3. let the family pick from an array of bbq sauces (or just put your choice on it) 4. Serve on a bun *note: this is a great after church on Sunday meal (my sister brought the idea back home to me after she ate this at a gal's house in Florida after visiting her church) Easy Italian Chicken 1. Put 4 chicken breasts in a pan 2. Cover with canned spaghetti sauce 3. bake till chicken is cooked (45 minutes at 350?) 4. add mozerella on top; melt it 5. serve with/ over pasta Easy Mexican Chicken Do the same as above but instead of spaghetti sauce, mozerella, and pasta... make it salsa, cheddar/ monterey jack, and rice I would love to hear your favorite "throw it together" meal. Post away my bloggin' buddies.

Blanket Time

What is blanket time? It is a survival technique I employ for that time of the day when we all need a break from each other (late afternoon for my family) particularly helpful for post-nap-age children. It is not an original idea; I heard about it from my sister-in-law, Abby, who heard about it from some lady somewhere whom I wish I could kiss square on the lips! Here's how it works: Each of my children have a blanket (blue nascar blanket from Gabrielle brothers; Hello Kitty for Mag.) that they spread on the floor in different rooms of the house. They each bring something to play with. This would include maybe legos, army men with blocks, puzzles, and adventure sets (I keep their adventure play sets in laundry baskets so they can carry them from room to room easily. Also, they are easier to clean up. If you're wondering what I mean by adventure set: Imaginext castle, Fisher price Robin Hood tree house, Western Town, etc.) In other words, they need to choose something that can keep them entertained for a while. I usually give them a crumb-free snack (fruit snacks, grapes, apples, cheerios), a spill proof sports bottle with H2O or juice, and maybe put on music if it is available in the room they chose. Blanket time lasts about an hour, but you may want to start shorter. (a timer/ clock helps so they don't keep asking, "is it over yet?"). In case you are wondering, my children gave me trouble about this when I first instituted it. They still do grumble at times. But all in all, once they get playing, they enjoy being quiet and alone. And I can get dinner ready, organize the junk drawer, take a short nap, read, listen to a teaching tape, or whatever else I used to do during nap time. Just thought I'd pass it on. Anybody else have a practical "survival" technique?

Spurgeon on Psalm 62:11, 12

Psalms 62:11-12 (ESV) 11 Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, 12 and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love (mercy in some translations). For you will render to a man according to his work. "This looks rather like justice than mercy; but if we understand it to mean that God graciously rewards the poor, imperfect works of His people, we see in it a clear display of mercy. May it not also mean that according to the work He allots us is the strength which He renders to us? He is not a hard master, but metes out for us strength equal for our day. In either meaning we have the power and mercy blended, and have a double reason for waiting upon God." - Charles Spurgeon (Commentary on Psalms volume 1, pg. 255)

The Thrill of Victory, The Agony of Defeat

It happens all day, everyday. Who would have thought "first one to the car" could become a competitive sport? (or a contact sport for that matter). With three boys all about the same age, competition is a way of life in this house. I'm not just talking about soccer, football, wrestling, and wiffle ball - which, by the way, get played all year round, inside and out (I gave up on "no balls in the house" as a lost cause). I'm talking from the first thump to the ground off the top bunk to finishing Math first, to building the best lego robot (which becomes competitive in battle when the robots accumulate various powers to defeat the other robots - forcefields really complicate the matter), to plastic army guys battling it out in the hallway, to brushing teeth fastest (which has more than once become a toothpaste battle) to counting punch buggies on the highway, to racing up the steps, racing down the steps, who can make their candy last the longest, and the list truly could go on and on. I mean, they have taken "step on a crack, break your mama's back" to a whole new level. They have nearly been hit by cars in the parking lot trying to avoid cracks in the pavement. Without unnecessarily exposing my children's shortcomings, I will simply say that along with such competition, there is much opportunity to shepherd hearts as they deal with the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat a hundred times a day. One thing I am learning in the process is that boys are different from girls (me), and that is how God intended it. I call my boys my "little men". My mom started it when I decided to name Joshua and Caleb after the men of the Bible. She used to call them her "little men of a different spirit", because that's what the Bible calls Joshua and Caleb. Eventually, we shortened it and included Izzy in the bunch. Now, I say it to build my faith and theirs: they are going to be men someday. They are going to be leaders. I want them to be bold, godly leaders who take risks and fight for what is right, and protect others, and subdue the earth as is their God-given mandate. What I am seeing in the competitions is the pursuit of manhood, but corrupted by sinful little hearts. My job is to have faith for the future man in each of them, and point out the foolishness that is bound in their hearts now. I am learning. I don't gasp everytime somebody gets tackled. I know which bumps and cuts mean a trip to the E.R. and which don't. I know all of the signs for a concussion (pupils dilated unevenly, nausea, acting disoriented). I know which yells are anger, and which are pain. I know that it is possible to wrestle, and not be angry...but not for very long. And I know that these boys are a precious gift from God, and I see His glory when I behold the stunning difference between them and me. Viva la difference!

Success, Failure, and the Cross

I am finishing my first year of homeschooling this month. I can hardly believe how quickly it has gone by! For my own benefit I wanted to articulate one of the biggest things God showed me through the adventure of homeschooling. From the beginning I knew this was going to be difficult. God has been so gracious all along the way. If I could sum up one thing He continues to remind me of it would be that I need to bring both success and failure to the same place...to the Cross. You see, in my experience this year I remember times during Bible when I was just overwhelmed at the priviledge of learning about the gospel together. I would be crying while I tried to explain verses we were memorizing like Romans 5:8, just genuinely longing for them to really understand this amazing good news. And then, five minutes later I would be yelling at them for not paying attention to me. In academics, I have experienced the joy of seeing one of my children learn something for the first time because God granted wisdom to me for how to teach it. And yet, I also experienced the guilt of neglecting a subject(s) because I was lazy and didn't want to teach it. Every day all day long I am experiencing both success and failure. And in His kindness, God showed me, and continues to remind me (O that I would remember!)what to do with both: bring it to the cross. When I am successful, it is the direct result of grace flowing to me as a result of Jesus's dying on the cross. At the end of the day when I see the grace that was manifested, I want to go to Him with gratitude recognizing it was all of His grace. Also, I want to go to the cross to say HERE is where my righteousness is found...not in my good performance. When I fail, I must go to the cross and ask Jesus for forgiveness which is available because of His death and resurrection. It is in pondering the cross that I am reminded that my right standing before God is not affected by my poor performance. My access to grace is not nullified. My status as child of God is not void. What comfort this brings in the light of such sin (revealed many times in the context of homeschooling). When I take success and failure to the cross, what I am really doing is taking it there to cast it off and then cling to the cross. Thank you, God that in seeking to educate my children, I find myself to be the student in Your school of grace. Nothing in my hands I bring Simply to Thy cross I cling

Secret Signature of the Soul

"There have been times when I think we don't desire heaven; but more often I find myself wondering whether, in our heart of hearts, we have ever desired anything else....It is the secret signature of every soul, the incommunicable and the unappeasable want, the thing we desired before we met our wives or made our friends or chose our work, and which we shall still desire on our deathbeds, when the mind no longer knows wife or friend or work....All your life an unattainable ecstacy has hovered just beyond the grasp of your consciousness. The day is coming when you will wake to find, beyond all hope, that you have attained it." C. S. Lewis The Problem of Pain. (quoted by John Piper in his book, When I Don't Desire God: How to Fight for Joy pg. 12)

My Bags Are Packed!

Imagine my surprise upon discovering that I, a 34 year old mother of four, had only packed two pairs of underwear for an entire week of vacation. I could picture the remaining pairs freshly washed, folded, and stacked on top of the other clothes in the laundry basket. Thankfully, a super Wal Mart (I'm not too proud for Hanes Her Way) came to the rescue. This reminds me of a very helpful illustration from an article I read several years ago called The Present Glories of Redemption by Paul Tripp (from the Journal for Biblical Counseling Volume17 no.2). He was saying that our redemption ensures that we have everything we need to live a life for the glory of God. He compared it to having a suitcase perfectly packed for every occasion we encounter in life; the significant and the mundane. I remember when I first read that article. My twins were two years old. The day before they had astounded me by taking handfuls of toilet paper, dipping it in the toilet, and throwing it by the globful on the ceiling and walls. They then proceeded to flush Duplos (jumbo lego blocks) down the toilet, causing it's demise. What amazed me is that all of this happened while I was on the phone for what seemed like only five minutes. A plummer friend of ours tried to fix the toilet, and in the end he had to take the toilet off of its base, pry out the perfectly shaped for mischief Duplos, and re-attach the toilet. When I first beheld the scene before me (which, by the way included soaking wet toddlers), I admit, I yelled at the boys (I'll spare you the ugly details), separated them on different towels in the room, and began cleaning up the mess with much complaining in my heart. The next day when I read the article, I was convicted not just about how I had treated my sons (I asked their forgiveness eventually), but also for my unbelief. Did I really believe that what I needed in that situation (self-control, patience and wisdom) would be there in my "suitcase" even in those unexpected moments that were generally met with sinful, knee-jerk reactions? Guess what? The next day I was able to find out the answer to that question. Once again I came downstairs (this time after putting their baby brother down for a nap) to a newly familiar sight: soaking wet twins dipping duplo men in the toilet. One of them looked up sheepishly and said, "I wost my guy!" I said, "You washed your guy, or you lost your guy?!" (You see, washing meant he still possessed the guy. Losing him meant he was flushed and probably lodged in our newly repaired toilet). "I wost him." After several frustrating attempts at getting him to annunciate, I tried to flush the toilet. The familiar, "clink" indicated he, indeed, lost his guy. And I was about to lose my temper when I remembered my "suitcase". I opened it by praying quietly, "O God, please help me to glorify you in this. I need patience, self-control, and wisdom here." After a deep breath I discovered that indeed, my suitcase had been packed. Truly one of the glories of the gospel is that we are actually able to make the right choices in the moment of testing however big or small. I am definitely not saying that I always respond to my circumstances in a way that glorifies God. How aware I am of times even today when I didn't respond with the patience or kindness that I should have. But it is so helpful to know that every thing I need for life and godliness is available for me because of Jesus' work on the cross. So when all of my kids need me at the same time, when my husband comes home late from work, when I absolutely do not feel like doing laundry, when I'm running late, when I am wanting to comfort a hurting friend, when I'm anxious about leading a meeting, when my kids do not want to do school, when I don't want to do school, whatever it may be - I can open the suitcase and find what I need in that very moment. My bags are packed! 2 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV) 3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

Grandma Vegas Everywhere

My grandmother, Dolly Cecelia Mills, went to be with the Lord on April 21, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada. She was born with her twin sister, Delores who preceded her in death at age 16. She married Alton J. Mills and lived in New Orleans before settling in Las Vegas for over 40 years. Dolly was a homemaker who also cared for children as a nanny. She loved to shop and could never pass up a bargain! She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a blessing to all who knew her. This is a poem I wrote in her honor. If you never knew my grandmother, it may not make much sense to you, but to those of us who knew her and loved her, each image will be cherished in our memories forever.

Grandma Vegas* Everywhere

by Laurie Reyes

4/29/05

She's not here, but I can see her.

She's in a better place, yet still,

If I look all around me

I can see her if I will.

In the Mill's smiling dimples,

Or the almond-shaped eyes,

Long chins, high cheek bones;

And a love for bargain buys.

In the glitter of Las Vegas

Or the steel magnolia tree

"Go-go Speed Racer", "dosey dotes",

or "hey, Charlie!"

When I pass the corner Walgreens

When I see my set of twins

When my mom laughs uncontrollably

About her with Aunt Fran.

And I see grandma in my mother

As she is my dad's right arm.

I can see her in my sister

With her glamour and her charm.

I can see her in my daughter

With her sparkle and her shine,

I will evermore be grateful

That her life echoes in mine.

*We always called her "Grandma Vegas" growing up.

Official Sugar-free Post Place

I am officially starting my sugar fast today. If you would like to join me, please leave a comment. I know Zo, you're starting on May1, which makes perfect sense. It's a long story why I am starting now (one reason being the three pounds I gained on vacation). I'll spare you the other details. My vision for this "support group post" is that we would just comment here throughout the month. Comments could be anything from struggles to victories. So if you're joining in, come back here to encourage or be encouraged. It would be great to get first comments about why you are doing this. Even if you aren't cutting out sugar, if you have something encouraging to say, please leave your comments. Also, I hope to continue more meaningful posting soon. I know the last few have been just chatter. I have a conference later this week, but hopefully after that I will be inspired to offer something on this blog that is a bit more substantive.

minivan moments

I'm doing time this weekend. Time in the minivan that is. (I'll spare you the obvious parallels). We are taking a truly God-provided family vacation next week which requires a four hour drive to get there. "Four hours, big deal," I hear you saying. But did I mention that my boys are very typical seven and six year olds who don't sit still for four minutes, let alone four hours. One of them does school standing up, and eats dinner with one knee in his chair and the other leg standing. They also have this thing about touching each other. I never dreamed (or read about in parenting books) how many times I would repeat the phrase, "stop touching your brother," along with its synonym phrases, "stop hitting, stop tackling...in the bathroom, stop hugging your brother - he can't breathe!" I'll leave to your imagination what four hours with only a booster and seat belt to separate them could look like. Enough whining. I have to say that the mini van, even with its built in propensity for sanctification, is a place where family memories are made. Here are a few mini-van moments: moment #1 There was the time I saw in the rear view mirror my son picking his nose and corrected him. Two minutes later, after deep thoughts, he said, "Mom, did God see me picking my nose and tell you to tell me to stop?" If I were smarter I would have said "Yes, God tells mommy everything you're doing behind my back." moment #2 Then there was the time I thought it would be good to have a discussion about what Daddy did for a living (my husband was going to be ordained as a pastor that Sunday). The conversation went something like this: Me: "What do you think daddy does when he goes to work?" boys: he's a fireman! No, he's a builder who builds things! I know, Daddy is police guy! Me: (a little apprehensive, but hopeful) Well, daddy helps people like those guys, but - boys: I knew it, He's a superhero! Me: (as enthusiastically as possible) Daddy's a pastor!!! boys: (quiet for a minute) What's that? Me: (brief explanation of Jason's role) boys: (clearly unimpressed) As a side note, however, I will say that because of their daddy's hero-status, as they have grown older, all of my boys have said at one time or another that they want to be a pastor when they grow up...along with being profession football players. Moment #3: In contrast to the conversation discussing Jason's job, I recall a mini moment when they were discussing what they wanted to be. The conversation included military careers, professional sports, carpentry, fire fighter, police officer, and any other exciting, action packed jobs you can imagine five and six year olds aspiring to. I was curious what my two year old daughter would say so I asked, "Maggie, what do you want to be when you grow up?" She answered, "a mommy," Caleb (one of my twins) immediately said, "Whoa, no way...THAT is a really hard job." (a comment which did not follow any previous job titles. From the mouths of babes...) Other moments from the minivan include one of my sons always wanting to pray when we see an ambulance en route. Or, times when I hear my daughter singing at the top of her lungs, "Oh what a dorious history I know" (instead of oh what a glorious mystery You are). Or the numerous times I have had to ask their forgiveness (always readily given) on my way to church because of anger and impatience getting them out the door. When I look in the rear view mirror I am amazed how the four faces have changed. They have gone from chubby, fuzzy-headed babies in car seats to skinny, scruffy-haired kids. I will blink and one of them will be driving me. In my metaphoric mini-van, I want to enjoy every minute of the ride. God help me to love everything entailed in the rear view mirror image. I can't wait for tomorrow's drive.

My Fifth Grade Eating Habits

No, this is not about how I used to eat in the fifth grade. It's about the fact that my current eating habits could be described as what a fifth grader would eat if left alone in the house. For example, this morning I am contemplating a breakfast consisting of chocolate birthday cake (leftover from Sunday), and another cup of coffee (okay, the coffee isn't usually a fifth grade choice, but you get what I'm saying). I want to begin eating healthier. It seems every time I decide to focus on improving my eating habits, vanity creeps in. What begins as a desire to eat in a way that honors God and contributes to energy for the tasks He has called me to, degenerates into trying to lose weight or look better. I read a book a while ago called Love to Eat, Hate to eat by Elise Fitzpatrick. I think I'll pull it out again. It discusses the heart issues behind eating (or not eating). But what I would love to get my hands on is a website, book, magazine, etc. that tells how to just eat healthy. No low-carb trends. No barley green beneath the tongue. Just good old fashion nutrition. Does anybody know of such a resource? If you could leave your suggestions that would be great.

the bucket and The Fountain

I admit I am not a poet. Most of my poetry can be sung to a Barney melody. But still, I thought I would attempt to articulate something God is revealing to me through verse. I was inspired by a teaching called The Supremacy of God in Prayer * by...yes...John Piper (I know I'm a bit obsessed). Well, here it goes:

A foolish lady labored gravely

struggling up a mountain,

With a bucket full of dirty water

to pour into a Fountain.

This Fountain gushed with grace

and mercy for the ones below;

She thought her bucket of effort

could contribute to its flow.

Exhausted by the staggering weight

of "do better and try harder,"

She thought she heard the Fountain say,

"Listen to me, my daughter.

If you truly want to honor Me

and show the world My glory,

Then empty your bucket of everything

whenever you come before Me.

Don't come with two ounces of goodness,

Don't come with a cupful of deeds,

Don't come with a gallon of effort

To pay off your balance of needs.

Instead take the empty bucket,

And stand in the Fountain of grace.

I will cleanse you; I will fill you

And I will receive honor, glory, and praise."

She dumped upon the dirt worn path

The murky works and deeds.

She jumped into the fountain;

She was washed, and filled, and free!

A much more poignant way of saying this is:

Nothing in my hands I bring

Simply to Thy cross I cling

Naked come to Thee for dress

Helpless look to Thee for grace

To Thy fountain, Lord I fly

Wash me Savior, or I die.

*in case you don't know, if you click on the blue words, it will send you to that link (John Piper' teaching in this case).