Should I do something about this??

A favorite quote from my day: "Mom!! Your hair looks just like Barack Obama's hair!!!" - Gabby Hignight, 3 years old

Submitting

I struggle with submission - anyone with me on that?! My husband is a good, trustworthy, respectable man, but still my controlling streak comes out at times and makes me feel that I could lead the family better than he can. For the last 2 years, Phil and I have been having a harder time agreeing on things than we ever have before. My heart has wanted to submit and allow God to speak to Phil's heart, because in the past I have voiced what I wanted in a manipulating manner. I don't want to do that anymore - it's much better to allow God to give me what's best for me instead of behaving like a brat to get what I think I want! Besides, in regards to the things we were disagreeing on, I didn't know what the answers were, I only knew what would make me most happy right now. So I've just been praying. Just little things like, "God, do you want Phil to start a business? If not, just don't let it happen!" "God, is there a church for us here? Is there anything good here but the ocean? Could I please see it?" "God, show Phil what to do! If I know it's from you, I'll do anything!" Well, about 2 weeks ago I started to see some changes. Suddenly we agreed to start going to International House of Prayer East Bay. It's 2 hours away, but God is moving there, and the most important thing for me is that we AGREED on it!! =) Then today I felt God begin to push us in a direction, and I am so excited. And no, I don't know the direction entirely, but I do feel He is starting to do something we can see. This morning as I was thinking about Phil and praying for God's hand in his leadership of our family, God brought me a couple verses that I encouraged Phil with. They are from David to the king, and since our husbands are the kings of our homes, I think it's fitting. Psalm 45:2 - 5 "You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever. Gird your sword upon your side, O mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty. In your majesty ride forth victoriously in behalf of truth, humility, and righteousness; let your right hand display awesome deeds." I began to pray truth, humilily and righteousness over his thoughts, ideas, plans, and dealings with others. It was so powerful - I encourage you all to pray truth, humility and righteousness over your husbands!! We went to a new church this morning which we heard about a couple of weeks ago. It was the best we've been to in 2 years of searching, and we have been talking about the pastor's message all day. This afternoon Phil felt peace about where God is leading us and we made a couple of important decisions. We looked at an office space for Phil and decided that God doesn't have that for us right now. For now, God has closed the door for us to start a church ministry on our own, and He wants us to pursue a relationship with Him and begin relationships with others at this new church, Mosaic. Strange, because we were sure God had something different for us. But apparently He doesn't. Phil has peace about it, and so I do too, because I can trust the leading of a man who has been playing worship songs on his guitar and singing his heart out for the last half hour. =)

Smells Like Peaches

Question: Other than being foods, what do peas, peaches, rice, green beans, and bananas all have in common? Answer: I have been sprayed with all of them at least once during the past week. *Sigh* And I thought we weren't going to have this problem this time. After all, my daughter is 8 1/2 months and she hadn't blown Beechnut once before last week. But now it's a different story, and so with every bite I duck my head and hold my breath and hope that if I judged correctly, the mouthful will land on her sister instead of me. Yes, of course I am trying to encourage her not to spit, but while she is learning I am resolved to the possibility of a couple of extra showers each day. However, regarding this, I believe I have gained some insight that could benefit thousands. Here's the story: Yesterday I wore a black shirt, and then it hit me. Peaches. And also, an epiphany. Although an entire infant-sized mouthful had been vaporized in my general direction, the unknowing husband would never be able to see it against the black fabric! As if that wasn't enough, my senses took me one step further - peaches smell amazing!! So here's my final question: If a mother was sprayed with peaches in the kitchen and no one could see it, would she still need body spray? Hmmmm...

Ode to my Washer and Dryer

Washer and dryer
you wiggle and shake,
make the ground wobble,
make the couch quake.
You thump so loudly
that whenever we speak
we have to yell louder
than you, you big freak.
You've moved several inches
away from the wall
and I'd shove you on back
but I'm a little too small.
So for now I'll just deal
with your moving and shaking
and loudness and lewdness
and jumping and quaking
and be grateful I have you,
oh wash set, my friends,
for who knows when fate
has me coin-laundering again.

The Prayer Journal

I've kept a journal since I was 7 years old, and reading my old entries has always made me laugh, cry, and remember things long forgotten. While re-organizing the bookshelves last Saturday I stumbled upon some old journals I wrote in, one of them being a prayer journal I kept when I was 14. As I read, I began laughing out loud at my boldness and raw honesty toward my Heavenly Father! Here are a few gems: "Please let Your will be done, but let what I want be done too. I mean - if that's Your will that my will and Your will be done...whatever. You know what I mean!" "It's about time another guy liked me, okay?" "I care about obeying You, but I don't feel blessed or anything for it!" "Do You realize what a hardship this is for me??" Oh man...I am sure there were times when God was laughing at His daughter, down here trying not to seem like I was controlling things too much but all the while unable to see how my way couldn't be the best way! It is SO encouraging to read back through the years and see how God has molded my heart and answered the prayers I quietly scribbled to Him in my bedroom. Yes, there was a time when I was more insecure and very controlling, but God still deemed me worthy of His love and grace, and has guided and protected my life even when my attitude was at its worst. He listened to the prayers of a selfish teenager, and as it turned out, His will was and is the best, He did have a wonderful man in store for me, I have been blessed for obeying Him, and He has ALWAYS known how to handle my "hardships". Though of course I still struggle, I trust Him so much more than I did years ago because I am confident of His love for me. I am overcome with gratitude that God called me to Him and has never let me wander far. He truly has shown Himself to be the "author and finisher of my faith"! (Hebrews 12:2)

Gotta Love a Good Snack

I bake once or twice a week and thought I'd share this new recipe I found for Applesauce bread. It is truly amazing!! We have some growing and very hungry little girls, and baking breads and muffins is a very economical and nutritious way to have plenty of snacks available for them! (Okay, yeah, I like snacks available for myself too!!) I changed a few things about the recipe - I used 1 cup of flour, 1/2 cup of oatmeal and 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour, and I left out the nuts. Fantastic! Enjoy! =)

In Praise of NPR!

My husband is an NPR geek - he listens to it everyday to and from work. I've poked fun at him for a long time, impersonating the newscasters' monotone voices and dull announcements. Listening to NPR always makes me think of that Saturday Night Live sketch Delicious Dish, with Molly Shannon and Ana Gasteyer. "Good times, good times..." All things considered, NPR just doesn't hold my attention very well. That is, until I discovered The Writer's Almanac, which is on from approximately 9:01 - 9:06 am. Now this is some quality programming! I love the daily dose of culture I receive when Garrison Keillor reads the poem of the day, along with other news and notes of various artistic people. Just as I need my daily time with the Lord, I find it is a breath of fresh air for me as a writer to listen to or read good writing each day. The Writer's Almanac is a fun way to do that! Tune in and let me know what you think, and in the meantime, "Be well, do good work, and keep in touch!"