Rushed

I had a long post all typed up yesterday and then my internet went down so Blogger couldn't save it.

Urgh.

Well the short version is that I am all home all week with the kids. John is away fishing and won't be back until late tomorrow night.

The girls are being extra hyper and getting into trouble. I feel like psycho yelling mom today.

Sigh.

Not fun.

But we are leaving first thing in the morning for the city. We will see some family, run some errands, and wait for daddy to return.

(I'm secretly hoping that they have lousy weather tomorrow and will want to come home early)

I have picked up more info on taking some televised courses this fall. Possibly 3 courses, each in the evenings and held at the local college here.

But I'm not sure if I'm ready for school.

It's a scary thought, since it's been 11 years since I last took any classes.

Yikes!

One of my sisters is currently finishing up her second year and she waited MUCH longer than I am. (Hee hee, couldn't resist!)

So I do know that it's possible, but it's still scary to think of the juggling that will need to happen.

And the babysitting. Who will watch the kids while I go to class 3 evenings a week?

I have many questions.

I did finally receive all of my transcripts this week, so now I just need to decide whether or not this is really something that I want to do.

My brain hurts.

Fresh Life Bible Study Series

Not Your Grandmother’s Bible Study

Award-winning team of Heitzig and Rose has created a stylish, fast, AND substantive Bible study series for women on the go

Voracious Bible study readers, women purchase Bible studies more than do men by a ratio of five-to-one—and Gallup reports that 14 percent of Americans belong to a Bible-study group. This summer, David C Cook will release two new books in the Fresh Life series, their easy-to-use series of Bible studies for women and about women.

With strong endorsements from well-known Christian leaders like Kay Arthur and Ruth Graham Bell, two up-and-coming female authors, Lenya Heitzig and Penny Pierce Rose, have created the Fresh Life Bible study series published by David C Cook. Perfect for every age, appropriate for groups or individual study, and intended for today’s on-the-go woman, the Fresh Life series requires just 20 minutes a day for a meaningful contemplation of God’s Word. The next two books in the series are Live Relationally and Live Deeply(David C Cook, June 2009). (The first two books, Live Intimately and Live Fearlessly, were released in the summer of 2008.)

Live Relationally offers a fresh look at the important women of Genesis. Though women in the Bible are sometimes overlooked or downplayed, this fascinating Bible study curriculum reminds readers that women are central to God’s story—and His plan. Genesis alone is peopled with women who experience death, marriage, divorce, rape, and family tragedy. And if that sounds like something out of Desperate Housewives, it just goes to show that the Bible has a message for women—today.

With probing questions, insightful sidebars, and meaningful life-application exercises, Live Relationally offers the vivid lessons and rich wisdom of Israel’s founding mothers. From the complicated Tamar to the often oversimplified Eve, they are wives and mothers, slaves and owners, sinners and saints … and each woman’s story will touch hearts for God.

Live Deeply is for anyone who has ever read one of Jesus’ parables and asked, “What is He talking about?” Now women—alone or with a small group—can dig deeper into the meaning of these parables to uncover their important meaning for their walks with Christ. Designed with today’s busy woman in mind, each lesson can be completed in as little as 20 minutes per day, but will leave her with a lifetime of valuable insights.

Based on the inductive Bible study method, each lesson conjures vivid imagery of the sights and sounds of Ancient Israel alongside poignant application questions for today. The Fresh Life Bible study series offers something for Christian women of all shapes and sizes; everyone will leave with a more profound understanding of the important women of Genesis and Christ’s amazing parables.

Author Bios

Lenya Heitzig is an award-winning author and popular Bible teacher. After beginning her ministry as a single women’s counselor with Youth with a Mission, Lenya married Skip and together they started Calvary of Albuquerque, one of the fast growing churches in the country. The author of Holy Moments and co-author of the Gold Medallion-winning Pathways to God’s Treasures, Lenya currently serves as director of women at Calvary, overseeing weekly Bible studies and yearly retreats. Lenya and Skip live in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Penny Pierce Rose is the award-winning author/co-author of several books and Bible studies, including the ECPA Gold Medallion winner Pathways to God’s Treasures. She has served on the board of directors for the Southwest Women’s Festival and develops Bible study curriculum for the women’s programs at Calvary of Albuquerque. Penny, her husband, Kerry, and their three children, Erin, Kristian, and Ryan, live in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Live Relationally: Lessons from the Women of Genesis

and Live Deeply: A Study of the Parables of Jesus

by Lenya Heitzig and Penny Pierce Rose

David C Cook June 2009

ISBN: 978-1-434767-48-6/288 pages/softcover/$14.99

ISBN: 978-1-434799-86-9/304 pages/softcover/$14.99

www.davidccook.com

My Review:

I think that both of these bible studies look great! There are some great discussion questions for a small group setting, and I really like the extra information in the sidebars. Plus I really appreciate that the authors are using some of the lesser-known stories in the bible. This is a series that I will be recommending to the ladies in my church.

The Artist

Our lovely 5 year old girl only has one week left of Pre-K.

Brie has sure blossomed this past year into a mature knowledgeable girl.

She is now reading chapter books. Actually we are working on a series of books called the "Cul-de-sac Kids" by Beverly Lewis. Great books for beginning chapter books and there is a nice wholesome theme to it. She is anxiously waiting to read the next chapter and follows along with every word that I read.

She is creating beautiful pictures full of details and colors. She is pleased to share her artwork with everyone around her.

She had a fabulous year with piano! She not only learned ALL of the right hands to all the songs in the book, but she has begin her journey with the left hand too. Several piano parents (of older kids) have commented on how fast that is!

She loves to write. She is pulling out paper constantly and writing a note to someone, or writing down a list of names.

This past week Brie took home a new book from the school library. The book was entitled "My Feet Roll" and was a picture book only. There were no words, I'm assuming so that kids could make up their own narration to the pictures on each page.

Enter my creative daughter....

She excitedly announced to me that she wrote all the words into the book!

I was a little stunned and wasn't sure what to say other than "BRIE!"

So, sensitive girl that she is, burst into tears and immediately realized the error of her ways.

We had a good talk about why it's not okay to write in books, especially library books. Then we read the book together. If I may say so myself (yes I can because it's my blog!!) she is a very talented author. Even the spelling is pretty decent.

Poor thing was so distraught. I have never seen her remorse that intense before. I truly believe that she had NO IDEA that putting words into a wordless book was wrong. I think she thought she was actually completing the book instead!

The next day we went together and had a lovely chat with our librarian and to apologize. I actually whispered that we would like to buy and keep the book if possible!

And we continued on our merry way!

I'm so proud of her.

Secondhand Jesus

Taking a Shortcut to God?

In Secondhand Jesus, rising author and musician Glenn Packiam helps Christians exchange rumors of God for a firsthand faith

We live in a culture of experts. Everywhere one turns, there are professionals touting advice on everything from how to repair your car to how to fix your marriage. And, in Christian circles, some have even started to believe that there are “God experts”—people who can pray in just the right way that God hears them or who worship in such a way as to make God listen. We begin to rely on these people as our sole source of information about God, rather than make the effort to encounter Him directly ourselves.

In his new book, Secondhand Jesus: Trading Rumors of God for a Firsthand Faith (David C Cook, June 2009), author and worship pastor of New Life Church Glenn Packiam summons readers upon a passionate quest—a holy pursuit—to truly experience Christ’s power and love for themselves. “God wants us to know Him deeply and personally,” Packiam says. “But there are no shortcuts to God. The Bible tells us that ‘The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.’” (Matthew 7:14, The Message)

God has offered us firsthand knowledge of His love, His grace, and His power. Yet so often, we too easily settle for someone else’s descriptions, the Cliff notes from another’s spiritual journey. We are content for others to do the heavy lifting and then give us the bottom line. And, like any secondhand information, after enough times through the grapevine, the truth about God deteriorates and crumbs of rumor are all that remain.

But when life derails, and things don’t go as we had planned, our thin view of God is challenged. In those critical moments, we can choose to walk away from God, or to let our questions lead us home. When we choose to wrestle with God, to engage Him individually, we—like Jacob and Job and David—will see rumors die and revelation come alive.

Crushing rumors of God that many Christians mistakenly hold, Secondhand Jesus isn’t a five-step formula, but rather a challenge to Christians to own their faith by questioning their preconceived ideas about God. “It’s time to hear the magnificent, Divine Invitation,” says Packiam. “It’s time to take God up on His offer and embrace the mystery and majesty of knowing Him for ourselves.”

Beginning May 15 and continuing throughout the month of July, the “Hear It First, Read It First” contest and promotion for Secondhand Jesus will be sponsored by David C Cook, Integrity Music, HearItFirst.com, and Gibson/Epiphone Guitars. By visiting HearItFirst.com, fans and readers will be able to win prizes, as well as download a free music video performance of Glenn Packiam (i.e., “Burning in Me”).

Author Bio

Glenn Packiam is an associate worship pastor at New Life Church and the director of New Life School of Worship in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was one of the founding worship leaders and songwriters for the Desperation Band. Glenn’s worship songs, like “Your Name,” “Everyone (Praises),” “My Savior Lives,” and “We Lift You Up,” are being sung in churches all over the world. Glenn is also the author of Butterfly in Brazil. He and his wife, Holly, and their two adorable daughters, Sophia and Norah, live in Colorado Springs.

Secondhand Jesus by Glenn Packiam

David C Cook/June 2009/ISBN 978-1-434766-39-7/224 pages/softcover/$14.99

www.davidccook.com ~ www.glennpackiam.com

My Review:

This is a well written book. A friend of mine actually picked it up and wanted to sneak it home before I even had a chance to read it! I really appreciated the honest struggle that this one man had gone through, in his journey to exchange other people's ideas of God for his own firsthand encounters. It inspires me to dig deeper into my own relationship with God, and to not just read the "popular" bible stories.

How To Raise a Modern-Day Joesph

Develop Spiritual Champions for Jesus Christ with New Practical Guide for Growing Children of Faith

With her newest release, Awana author and staff member Linda Massey Weddle equips parents to build a foundation of faith for their children

Parents long to help their children reach their full potential. They schedule regular medical exams, get them involved in planned activities, help them with their homework, and invest for their college education. Yet while they may plan for their success, they can overlook a vital part of their personal development: Nurturing and encouraging a solid, lasting foundation of faith. Though we often assume that children are growing spiritually through church youth groups and programs, it’s essential that parents take an active, encouraging, and purposeful role in developing their values and morals.

Linda Massey Weddle, the U.S. program senior designer for Awana and established author of children’s books and curriculums, has created How to Raise a Modern-Day Joseph (David C Cook, June 2009) as a resource for parents who are longing to help their children find spiritual success. Based on Raising a Modern-Day Joseph, this unique guidebook encourages parents to develop a practical, personalized plan for instilling faith-based values and beliefs in their children that will last a lifetime.

How to Raise a Modern-Day Joseph is modeled after Joseph of the Old Testament, who maintained his faith in spite of challenging circumstances. It features insights for growing kids spiritually and plotting out critical milestones from the toddler years through adolescence, while also allowing for the uniqueness of each child.

An ideal target for how parents want their kids to develop spiritually and morally, Joseph of Genesis offers parents a Biblical standard for building children of character. Using his story, How to Raise a Modern-Day Joseph will help them do just that. They’ll discover how to instill five Master Life Threads for each stage of life, from preschool through high school. The practical guide helps children:

· Acquire wisdom from the Bible

· Understand God’s grace

· Gain a sense of destiny and purpose

· Develop a life-perspective based on God’s perfect plan

The result: Children and teenagers who know, love, and serve the Lord. How to Raise a Modern-Day Joseph is a sure investment in the spiritual development of our youngest generation.

Author Bio

Linda Massey Weddle is a gifted teacher, speaker, and prolific writer. A children’s author and regular contributor to publications including Women’s Day and Christian Parenting Today, she has published twelve books and more than 2,500 articles, stories, devotionals, and radio scripts. Linda also develops Bible-based curriculum for young people and has been involved in children’s and youth ministry for the past forty years. She has two grown children and six grandchildren and resides in suburban Chicago.

How to Raise a Modern-Day Joseph by Linda Massey Weddle

David C Cook/June 2009/ISBN: 978-1-434765-31-4/240 pages/softcover/$16.99

www.davidccook.com ~ www.awana.org

My Review:

I really really loved this book! It has some excellent ideas on how to raise kids that not only know about God, but actually KNOW God! I think the suggestions in here can be used in any type of family and I am excited to start implementing some ideas into our own home. I also liked the idea of including the church in how to best raise our kids together with the same goals. This is a book that I will be referring to lots in the future!

Yard Sale Success

Saturday was the big day for our yard sale.

However we were even able to presell a bunch of big baby things (jumperoo, high chair, swing, etc) on Friday to a couple that is expecting twins.

We planned to start at 9 am on Saturday, but I am amazed (and a little disgusted...if I'm being completely honest) at the people who start driving by at 8am.  People, I haven't even taken the stuff out of my house yet because I am getting kids fed and washed, hair brushed, husband woken up (since he worked until 3 am)  Give me time to get those things done first before I start unloading everything outside!!

We forgot to take a picture first thing in the rush to get everything out quickly since people were already getting out of their cars at 8:30, but here's what was leftover later on in the morning.

The day certainly wasn't warm, but we were able to get a little bit of sunshine first thing in the morning.  

And the people just kept on coming!  It was a steady stream of people for the first hour and a half.  

After that the traffic was slow but we kept on selling stuff, which was great!

We still have some stuff left, including a couple of big items.  Anyone need a crib or a baby carseat/stroller combo?  We will be in search of someone who could use these things now!  Then we will be donating some stuff and my house will be much tidier!  It feels great to get all this stuff out of the way.  My basement cupboards have room in them now!

I think we will have to do the yard sale thing every 10 years to clean out our house of the things we no longer need or use.  It's amazing how the sales of those $0.50 and $2.00 things really add up if you sell enough of them too!

Along with the yard sale, my girls were selling freshly squeezed lemonade and cookies.  I picked up this awesome stand from Sunkist a few years ago and was excited to pull it out finally!  I mentioned the idea of donating the money to someone who could really use it and immediately Brie said "Let's give it to Ashly."  

Ashly is the girl we sponsor through Compassion.  

I love that we talk about her enough to make a long-lasting impact on my kids.  They are learning to share and think of others because of this precious girl in the Dominican Republic. And are my kids going to miss the money from the lemonade sales?  Of course not!

So now Ashly and her family will get to buy something that they DO actually need!  

It's a win-win for everyone!

Weekend Surprise!

This past weekend my family was headed to the city.  

John had an appointment and I was excited to go to my mom's purse party.  

I had gone to my mom's first thing on Friday morning to help her do some party prep.  We chopped fruits and veggies and enjoyed a little visit together.  

She said that she had to meet a friend just after 11:00.  I noticed that she was quite secretive, especially when I asked where they were meeting.  Her answer?

A restaurant.  

How helpful, hey?

I went back to my inlaws house for the afternoon and even commented to John on how strange my mom was acting.  He laughed and said "maybe she is having an affair".

(Now this is not to make light of affairs, but if any of you know my mom you will appreciate the humor that this statement brought!)

So I went back to my mom's just after supper and was in for a surprise.  The "friend" my mom was meeting was actually my sister.  The "restaurant" was the airport.  Actually both of my sisters were there, but the one I knew was going to be there anyways.  

They explained to me that I was getting whisked off for the weekend (after the purse party) to Moose Jaw with them!  It was my belated 30th birthday celebration.  

My birthday was in February, so I was NOT AT ALL expecting this!!  Everyone had been planning this for months and they pulled if off spectacularly!

We had a fabulous time at the Temple Gardens.  We ate yummy food, enjoyed a couple of spa treatments, went through the Tunnels (neither of my sisters had been before), went in the spa pool and gazed at the stars outside, and we even went to a concert.

The concert was Jeff Straker, who I have actually heard about through our small town.  He was very entertaining to listen to.  I was completely impressed with his amazing ability to play the piano (and so well at that!), sing and entertain the audience all at the same time!  Just this past month, one of his songs hit the Top 10 on Much More Music.  

He has a slight "Elton John" sound to his music and I think that he is super talented.  But we had a great laugh with the group of guys sitting next to my mom.  They were quite enamored with both Jeff and the drummer, if you know what I mean!  

Afterwards my mom called up Ray, her husband to tell him about our day.  One of the first things she said was, "Well.....I took my girls to a gay concert tonight!"  This was one of the funniest things I have ever heard!  This was on Saturday night and I am still laughing about it now.  Certainly not something I ever thought I would hear my mom say!!

I am so blessed to have a wonderful family.  Sure we all have our quirks, but it was a great weekend to be together just us girls.  

Thank you SO MUCH ladies, especially Mom,  for spoiling me this weekend and for the great laughs!  This is something that I will remember forever.  

Now to plan our next ladies-only getaway.....