Murder on the Prairie

What do you get when you take Reyeses, Cannons, and a few good friends, a murder mystery, dinner, and Jason's birthday? A crazy fun time! Last Sunday our families along with Brian and Tracie Young gathered together to solve the mystery of Murder on the Prairie. It was a game I bought online where each person comes as a character in the story (11 suspects, 3 witnesses) and during three courses of dinner must reveal a list of clues(while in character)then attempt to predict "who dunnit" at the end. Here are a few pictures: My sister provided the prairie atmosphere. Here are the suspects and witnesses busy at work/play. This is Brian (prairie barber)and Tracie Young (victim's wife), our dear friends of many years. Longtime buddies My brother Jimmy (young farm hand in love with victim's daughter)and Abby (victim's daughter) Chris (sheriff) and Emily (Jason's sister and...prairie can-can girl) My Brother-in-law Dan (scary gunslinger who played his part too well! and my neice-his daughter- Sierra, my right hand gal)Dan was also the photographer for the evening. My parents Jim and Daryl Cannon(prairie store owners) Laurie (me) and Jason (birthday boy and farm hand). I couldn't have done this without my 13 year old neice and helper, Sierra. She helped with the cooking, serving, and even took some photos! Jason's parents and grandmother: Tom (farmer), Debbie (teacher), and Granny (can-can girl, and great sport!) Me and my sister, Karyn (indian maid)who was a huge help in decorating, setting up, and cleaning up. Isn't she gorgeous?! crazy cowboy hat cake (a whole post could be devoted to the history of this cake and how it came to be) Birthday boy blows out his candles. I won't say who the murderer was because we are thinking about hosting it again, maybe with our caregroup leaders?

Victorious Loser

I have good news and bad news. Bad news first: none of my teams are left in the College Basketball bracket. Good news: Neither are Jason's; and I had more right predictions for victory than he did which makes me the victorious loser (five of my elite eight picks made it). Even Better News: We have bonded in a new way through this basketball madness. Even though I generally fall asleep before it's over (only to discover on 3 separate occasions that my teams beat his in overtime or dramatically at the last second), I still know whose playing when and so on and so forth. Way more interest than my usual, "You have got to be kidding me...another basketball game??!!" I even know things like "sweet sixteen", "elite eight", and "final four". Best News of All: I get an hour long massage. Sweet victory!

Because Dad Says It So Much Better...

My Dad left a comment on my last post that I found so edifying, I'm posting it. It was actually through a series on the Sovereignty of God that my Dad taught years ago that I heard for the first time that grace does not equal easy. My Dad is the author of that phrase, not me. He expounds on it by saying

I realized that the older a man gets the greater the temptation to shift his ambition to seeking his own comfort and ease above all else. What a tragic way to end one's life - seeking one's comfort rather than God's glory. What a tragic epitath to one's life: "He lived by God's grace for his comfort," rather than "He lived By God's grace for God's glory." May all of who call upon the name of the Lord not be entangled by the "Grace = Easy" snare and finish with Paul's words on our lips: "2 Tim. 4:7-8 (ESV) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [8] Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing."

We may not be older men...ever...but still, is it not true that even as moms we face daily temptation to desire comfort and ease, rather than glorify God through the hard work He has called us to? Thanks Dad. Your voice comes through in so many of my "spiritual" posts. You have been a faithful teacher of God's Word not just in the pulpit, but in ordinary life as well. I love you

Grace = Easy?

When one of my boys was in kindergarten he was having trouble with a Math concept. After working for a while we were both frustrated, so I finally remembered to pray and ask God for help. We continued to work on the concept, and after a few minutes my son says, "Maybe God isn't helping me because He's resting right now." I answered him, "Sometimes the way God helps us is to help us work harder." I need to take my own counsel. Somehow I think that grace means my life will feel easy. Sometimes this does happen. I mount with wings as eagles. I run and do not grow weary. But there are times when grace comes in the form of obstacles, perseverence, and really hard work...that I feel every bit of. This week is one of those weeks. I have so much to do, and God poured out grace upon grace - but I am exhausted and tempted to think that today - God must be resting. The "gas tank" of energy is empty, and I am hoping for those magical wings to pick me up off of this chair and get me into the kitchen to clean! No, God isn't resting. In His sovereign activity in my life He decided that grace would look like, and feel like hard work this week. May I say with Paul, "it is God who works in me, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.(Phil 2 :13) and that I am "...struggling with all His energy that he powerfully works within me." (Col 1:29) God, please give me the grace to have the will and the capacity to work for your good pleasure. As I struggle through this day, help me to do so with your energy that powerfully works within me.

Great Talk from the Girls

If you haven't done it yet, please read Nicole Whitacre's post on God being our burden bearer. Here's a little sample to whet your appetite:

What is your burden today? They come in countless shapes and sizes—from clingy colds to crushing cares. But one thing’s for sure: our idols cannot bear their load. Leisure and escape don’t provide true rest. Sinful anger cannot relieve the pressure. Even friends are not strong enough to bear up under their full weight.

How often I look to leisure, escape, and anger - such futility! I am grateful for Nicole's reminder to turn the unfathomable strength and the faithfulness of our Father to bear our burdens.

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah." (Psalm 68:19)

Your Goodness Passes Before Me

I read the familiar passage in Exodus this morning where Moses asks God to show him His glory.

18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” 21 And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, 22 and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.”

I have often read this and envied Moses. I have prayed, "O God, show me Your glory. Let Your goodness pass before my eyes." God answered my prayer powerfully today. Also in my Bible reading today was John 12 when Jesus goes to Jerusalem (His triumphal entry) and people are saying Hosanna! While I'm reading this I realize that I am watching the Goodness of God pass before my eyes. I saw the good plan unfolding as Jesus, the glorious One, is getting ready for the hour of His crucifixion. I saw the Good One - the perfect One marching on toward Calvary. I hide in the Rock of Ages cleft for me today. I behold what Moses could not: the culmination of the goodness of God expressed in the death of His Perfect Son in order to save a rebellious people for His glory, and then make them objects of His mercy and grace over and over and over again.

Spring Cleaning

I was curious to know if any of you actually do "spring cleaning". If you do, why do you do it? How do you do it(what does it consist of)? What is your strategy?

If You Can't Beat Them, Join Them...And Then Beat Them

March Madness. It has been a seasonal guest in our home since we were married. The men in my family don't really get into basketball, so I never knew such a thing as March Madness existed until that first March when I learned that I would, indeed, have no control over the remote for an entire month every year of our married lives. I never knew much about March Madness except that it meant tons of college basketball games that would eventually lead to a final 4, final 2, and finally the winner. This year will be different. I decided that this year I would join Jason in the madness. We filled out tournament brackets over dinner at Red Brick Station. He enjoyed explaining to me what the little numbers meant next to the teams. I picked my teams with a little combination of statistics, loyalty, and heart. It took me five minutes. Well, guess what? Thanks to my loyalty to Dad's many alma maters I chose well. Texas A&M, LSU, and George Washington University all won. A special thanks to my Tennessee connection. And another thanks for whoever named a school Gonzaga (chosen for how it sounds). So far I am beating Jason's picks: he chose 9 winning teams. I chose 12.

My Loaves and Fish? or Bread of Life?

I read about Jesus feeding the 5000 in John 6 this morning. Many times when I read this I make the application is as follows: I have five little loaves and two little fish of my gift, ability, etc. and Jesus, who is all-powerful, can take my little offering of myself, and increase it to feed 5000! Such application gives faith that where I am lacking, Jesus can increase. This morning, however, the Holy Sprit gave me eyes to see things differently. I have no loaves or fish. I have an empty stomach. Jesus is the bread, not my abilities. His body had to be broken on my behalf. Is it possible that the whole reason humans need to eat, and not just eat - but eat things that once had life, but had to die to feed us (meat, vegetables, grains)- is to show us a greater truth in the spiritual realm? Our souls need food or we will die. Jesus saying we must partake of Him, or we will die is hard to understand. I think it has something to do with Jesus, like food, having to be broken and killed so that I might live. I think it means something about Jesus being the only thing that satisfies my hungry soul. I believe it means that viewing manna as my daily Bible reading doesn't go far enough if I remember Jesus said He is manna- Bread come down from heaven. It's not just reading the Bible as an ends in itself, but it means reading it as a means of intimate communion with Jesus. And it means that when Isaiah asks the question: Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your wages for that which does not satisfy? God is inviting me to turn aside from the poisonous lite fare of this world (comfort, entertainment, praise from man)that never satisfies but leaves me craving more; and turn to the Bread of Life and find my soul deeply satisfied, nourished, alive and thriving...and craving more.

Happy Birthday, Handsome!

Today is Jason's Birthday. I thought and thought about how to honor this man who means more to me than any human alive, and my words fall short. I have always loved this poem because it expresses a bit of what I feel about my husband. My best daydreams about "the one" from my single years fell woefully short of what God in His mercy and grace has given me in Jason. XXVI. "I lived with visions for my company..." by Elizabeth Barrett Browning I lived with visions for my company Instead of men and women, years ago, And found them gentle mates, nor thought to know A sweeter music than they played to me. But soon their trailing purple was not free Of this world's dust, their lutes did silent grow, And I myself grew faint and blind below Their vanishing eyes. Then thou didst come---to be, Belovèd, what they seemed. Their shining fronts, Their songs, their splendours (better, yet the same, As river-water hallowed into fonts), Met in thee, and from out thee overcame My soul with satisfaction of all wants: Because God's gifts put man's best dreams to shame.

My Beloved Oxen

Jason is having the boys read through Proverbs right now, and this morning he highlighted the following for he and I to remember.

Proverbs 14:4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

Here's my paraphrase (to be remembered when I find myself craving order and ease):

Where there are no little children, there are no legos to step on, toilets to wipe down daily, forts to navigate around, food, food, and more food to clean up after; but these children are the means of fruit being born in my life, and more importantly they will one day be the strength that brings in a harvest for the glory of God.

I love my oxen!

Is It A Small World After All?

I am sitting in the room where I live 80% of my normal day. I teach in this room, eat in this room, prepare meals in the adjoining kitchen, clean those meals in that kitchen. It is a wonderful room. I love my kitchen, with it's attempt at 1950's charm in a 21st century home. I love my homeschool/dinindg/family room. It has a double window, my dining room table (a cherished antique passed down from my mother-in-law), and my gas fire place. These rooms, which are not divided by a wall, are my favorite rooms of the house to be sure. But, there are times when my little world can feel very, very small. One home to maintain, one husband to help, and four little children to serve is wonderful, and consuming. Yes, I have my life with people in the church, and I have occasion to be with unbelievers periodically, but truly, my world is small. There are two potential dangers I have in my tiny world. One is to become frustrated with the boundaries and try to make them bigger. I grow discontent with the little life I am leading, so I add to it. I broaden it. I take on tasks that make my world feel bigger. Often these are good things. But when it comes down to it, I can't manage my little world well when I add too much to it in this season. If my domain here at home suffers, then I have tried to make my world too big. And if my efforts are motivated by craving significance and importance; appreciation or praise from men, then really I think it's more like I made my world too small. So small it included only me and my feelings of worth and value. The other danger is that I can get so caught up in my own little world, that I forget there is a whole planet out there with things happening that are important to be aware of. I know that I am to focus on my family, making them the primary beneficiaries of my energy and effort, but I must still keep an outward focus and understand things bigger than myself and my season. I get so caught up in my season, that I find it less natural to talk to women in other seasons and experiences. Why is this? Did my children kill certain social brain cells? I have no problem talking for hours on end about potty training, homeschool curricula, home management technique, infant care, pregnancy - but remove those common experiences and sometimes more effort is required. This isn't bad, that more effort is required, as long as I'm making that effort...and that is the key. God addressed both of my problems with regard to my world this week. Carolyn Mahaney's teaching "Busy At Home" from her Titus 2 series addressed the issue of resisting my boundaries. She reminded me that I can either resent the boundaries set before me in this season, or I can enjoy all of the blessing within the boundary lines marked out for me. I listen to this teaching when I feel off-course, discontent, or like my world is too small (several times each year!). God used two posts to help me with the problem of being too focused on my little world, to the exclusion of others either in various seasons, or even in various cultures. Carolyn McCulley, (who by the way, you must make part of your blog reading - she wrote two insightful articles recently about anxiety, and what we feel verses what is real) wrote last week about an issue that I would never have known about in my tiny world here in Abingdon, MD. The issue is that of female circumcision which happens most commonly in Africa. I never want to be insulated from the trials of the world at large. I am grateful for Carolyn who consistently keeps her readers informed about matters such as these. The other post was that of my friend Libby Turek who being motivated by memories of older girls who invested in her life when she was a teenager, decided to do the same and had a 13 year old girl spend the night with her while her husband was away. What a great reminder for me to remember the young ladies around me...not just the young moms who are so near to my heart, but the young single ladies, the teenagers, and even the pre-teens. I was so inspired by Libby's example. God, help me to rejoice in the boundaries you have placed in my life. Thank You that they are pleasant. Help me not to make them bigger than You have ordained and in so doing, shrink my world of influence to only me. But help me also not to become insulated from the people around me. Let me see others near and far. Even if my work on their behalf is prayer alone, help me to be faithful to do it do it.

In Honor of a Stranger

Virginia Lee Green Born June 27, 1934 Died Tuesday, March 7, 2006 I never met Virginia Green. And though this is true, I am profoundly grateful for the impact of her life on mine. At the risk of over-using the familiar metaphor, one ripple resulting from the pebble named Virginia Green dropping into the pond of Baltimore, Maryland has touched my life. That ripple is my good friend Karen Hevesy. Her mom, Mrs. Green, left this earth last week, not as a result of the cancer she was diagnosed with, but due to complications that her weakened body was unable to recover from. Jim, Karen's husband is our church administrator, so we enjoy not only a ministry-relationship, but a friendship as well - cultivated through care group, retreats, and hangin' out. I am sure I speak on behalf of the rest of the staff and their wives when I say that our team is very blessed to have the Hevesys. They bring something unique to the group...an amazing sense of humor. Jim is often Karen's straight man. It's Karen who keeps us in stitches. We can't get through a caregroup without sore sides from laughing at Karen's antics. Our favorite form of humor is her stories. Karen views life from a different angle. She can find humor in anything: a little boy in a brown polyester leisure suit, pool problems, her husband's injuries, Christmas parties (one is blogged about, the other stays amongst the staff). You name it, Karen has a funny story about it. This truly is a ministry. Karen helps us not take ourselves too seriously, and in the midst of certain aspects of ministry - this is very helpful! Even though Karen is funny, she knows when to be serious. Many times in accountability I, or someone else, will be sharing about an area, trying to get clarity, and Karen will just say one or two sentences that are so prophetic and laser accurate, it's amazing. She is funny, but she is also wise. Her humor is the result of being an acute observer of life which can also result in much wisdom. I don't know how much of Karen's personality, gifts, and graces come from Mrs. Green, but I know from Karen that humor was a part of their family culture. I am grateful for this lady I have never met because her impact on her youngest daughter in some way has enriched my life. Thank you, Karen, also for the example you have been in laying down your life for another. You have honored your mother by serving tirelessly these last months, and you have done it with joy. I am grateful for you, friend. Please know I am praying. If you have any connection with Karen through her blog you can leave condolences there or here and I'll be sure to get them to her. To those of you from Chesapeake, thank you for overwhelming the Hevesys with your prayers and support. Please keep praying.

Bloody Victory

I am one of those peevish gals who faints at the sight of blood. I can't help it. My body just does it involuntarily. I remember once I was supposed to bring our dog "Puppy" (aren't we creative?) to her follow up vet visit after she was spayed. I was twenty or so years old. Well, all I remember is the doctor pushing on her incision, a spurt of something, and being told to sit down with my head between my knees. Another memorable fainting moment was when my sister, who was newly pregnant, called in hysterics because she was bleeding everywhere. I thought, "pull yourself together, she must be miscarrying." When I walked in the door, she had a blood soaked towel up to her chin. Her dog, a Chow, had bitten her. I started getting woosy. Karyn said with a bit of disgust, "oh great, an emergency situation, and you're the only one available. Sit on my step and put your head between your knees!" I did manage to get Karyn to the hospital...eventually. Well, yesterday, a miracle happened. I did not faint at the sight of blood. Let me back up. You know, mothers of sons especially, how you hear things in the next room that clue you in to the fact that you need to intervene right away. Like when Izzy says to Josh, "tell me if this hurts..." I run in and yell, "whatever you're getting ready to do - don't do it!" Then there are various crashes, cries, etc. Well yesterday, I was sitting here at my computer reading the Girl Talk blog when I heard bang. I waited to hear if there was a subsequent cry. Instead of "ouch" I hear Caleb wailing, "I don't want to go to the hospital!!!! It doesn't really hurt!!!" That is the one sentence following a crash that I don't like hearing. I ran downstairs to find Caleb holding his head with blood going everywhere (I'm nauseated just typing it). Poor guy had piled up pillows and cushions at the bottom of the steps and jumped with a little too much gusto from the landing and hit his head on the bulkhead above. There is a crack and a dent in the wall to attest to the force of the hit. Now I have seen my share of blood having three boys about the same age. We have been stapled, glued, and butterflied as much as the next boy family. But I have to say, I have never...even in the busted lip toddler phase, seen as much blood as yesterday. As much as it bled, it really wasn't too bad. Just the way head/face things go, I suppose. I felt God's grace. I was able to calm him down, clean him up, and call Jason, who was very impressed that I hadn't fainted. We took him to the hospital and he got a few staples - really amazing how they do that. Caleb is fine. I'm still recuperating. Post Script: Izzy was racing Josh about an hour ago. He hit his toe on our metal frame hamper. He is still hopping around on one foot, and insists that he can't walk on his hurt foot. I don't think there is much you can do with a broken pinky toe, but what if he broke the little bone below the toe? Am I headed to the emergency room again?! These boys are committed to aging me prematurely.

Bearded Lady

The women in my family love to laugh at ourselves...and each other. We each provide a different venue for laughs. My mother, the leader of the "laugh-at-yourself" club, is known for her odd pronunciations of various words. For example, she reads a poim, not a poem. She takes Pepto Bismo for an upset stomach. And she slips back into her New Orleans accent when she visits Grandma like she's Sybil or something. There is an entire series of stories co-starring my Aunt Fran. I don't have time or permission to tell those! My sister entertains by her huge reactions to, well, to just about anything. Every gift she opens is the most amazing thing she's ever seen. Any news we have regarding the children is definite evidence that they are geniuses. If there is good news, she is the absolute best person to tell...complete with very loud exclamations of excitement. If you get your hair done differently, she will absolutely loooooove it! She has simply ruined me for normal reactions from others. Humor from my life seems to always center around my physical appearance. We can hardly look at the family photos without a reminder of just how "funny-looking" I was in my awkward phase, which for the record, lasted a good 18 years. Apparently in the 70's they didn't really make many children's frames (so my mom claims) and that explains why I have glasses that are dark brown and cover half of my face. I also had what I was told was a "Dorothy Hammel" haircut, which resulted in people always asking my sister what her little brother's name was. The other day Abby, Karyn, and I had another hearty laugh over my physical appearance. This was in reference to a shocking post-partum discovery. It wasn't enough that after I delivered 14 pounds of baby, the other 36 pounds I gained miraculously moved to my thighs, rear end, and my nose (yes, at least two pounds went straight to my nose). I mean, surely it was all baby before they came out! And apparently, it wasn't enough that my belly was a warped floppy mess-literally two handfuls of skin (I know, too much information). It also wasn't enough that I had to continue to wear the three maternity dresses I grew to loathe well after I delivered the boys. These things were hard yes, but nothing could prepare me for the grand-daddy of all post-delivery humiliations. I was taking an unusual opportunity to look at my face carefully in the mirror when I noticed it. I said out loud, "Oh. My. Gosh." I had a beard. I kid you not...I had a real beard. It had probably been there for weeks and I didn't notice because, well, I had more important things to notice like two newborn baby boys. I was already reeling from the adjustment to being a mom (hormones a-ragin'). So let's just say that I didn't at that moment, laugh at my beard discovery. What does one do when one discovers she has a beard? I thought, this must be male hormone from the boys. I thought, why didn't my sister tell me about this? I knew she had to have noticed. And then I did what I thought made perfect sense. I went to Wal Mart and bought a chemical hair remover. I put it all over my beard. Whooooo Nelly! That hurt almost as bad as breast feeding (not quite). I took off the chemicals only to discover that it removed not only the hair, but a layer of skin as well. So in the days following (felt like weeks), I had a scab beard. But hey, at least the hair was gone! We laughed so hard. I love being in a family that doesn't take themselves too seriously. We really love to laugh at ourselves. It is good medicine. And the next time you are lamenting the affects childbearing has had on your body, comfort yourself with this: you probably didn't grow a beard your brother could have envied.

Godly Bloggers

Sovereign Grace Ministries is truly blessed to have such godly leaders. Two blog posts I read today caused me to stop and thank God for the grace that comes through women and men who are committed to His Word - not just communicating it in a helpful way, but modeling the application of it. If you haven't, be sure to catch Girl Talk today as Carolyn Mahaney tells us a unique approach to mortifying criticism of our spouses in order to grow in encouragement. I have enjoyed reading Joshua Harris' blog lately. He recently posted two meditations (one on discipline for grown ups, one on abiding in Christ) that are excellent. His insights are great, and his writing is engaging, of course.

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

This is a daily event in our house. We call it "family wrestle". If a picture is worth a thousand words than these pictures may be saying the following. 1. Jason's days of taking on all three boys are numbered. He is regularly getting injured during family wrestle. 2. Maggie could have issues when she grows up. She thinks this is a perfectly normal event for a four-year-old girl. 3. My kids absolutely loooooove their daddy!!!

Bon Voyage, Mom and Dad!

My mom would like to extend a very warm thanks to the blog community for their prayers on her behalf. She is feeling better, and after two sessions of physical therapy today along with various meds, her doctor thinks she'll be okay to go. My mom had a chance to share with the PT that many people were praying for her. He was surprised at the change in her neck in just 24 hours. Thank you, God. Thank you, friends.

Please Pray for My Mom

I want to rally as many people as possible to pray for my mom today. My parents have been anticipating a cruise for months now to celebrate their 40th anniversary. They are supposed to leave tomorrow, but may have to cancel because my mom is experiencing severe pain due to muscle spasms in her neck. She is a tough cookie, so if she says it is too bad to go, it must be really bad. She went to her doctor who immediately sent her to a physical therapist and gave her drugs. Thankfully, they have insurance on their cruise tickets so if they can't go, they will receive their money back and reschedule. But, they are both already packed and have been geared up for weeks, so can you pray with me that God will heal my Mom's neck? If you know my parents, they will glorify God in the midst of disappointment. I still hope that God will do the miraculous and heal her. It would be a fitting kick-off to the celebration of their marriage which miraculously has survived forty years in spite of an against-all-odds beginning. I'd love to tell their story sometime. But today, if you would, please pray for my mother.

Looky Here!

There have been some wonderful posts in the blogosphere lately, and they are found other places than here. Check out a few that I have found very helpful lately. Solofeminity: Carolyn McCulley, in classic McCulley style, brilliantly and wisely informs us how to find contentment, not just as a single woman, but in any season. This is one smart lady, and even better - she is godly and wise. Girl Talk: Well, of course no reference to helpful blogs could be complete without this one! I love Carolyn's post from yesterday. It gives me faith for my future as an empty nester, but also challenges me that how I invest in my marriage will directly affect my future experience in marriage. Worship Matters: Bob Kauflins Monday devotions are a must-read for me. Check this one out about applying the gospel to our lives everyday. I love the Piper quote in particular. Fishboys: Jessica Fisher shares her plans for playdates with the kids in her church. She even set up a blog! I love to be inspired by other moms as to how to love and cherish my children even more. This is a lady who is thriving in her role as mother and it is evident in her posts.