A good part of the sermon tonight was about humility. I wrote down the questions to ask yourself to guage your own humility. I love, love, love being around people who are authentically humble. I usually find myself wanting to be so much more like them.
Humility:
1. Are you teachable?
2. How do you respond to correction and rebuke?
3. Do you repent quickly and thoroughly?
4. How considerate are you of others?
5. Do you give and receive service well?
6. Are you constantly aware of God's grace?
7. Do you disagree agreeably?
8. How much do you need attention and affirmation?
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble"...1 Peter 5:5
You can go to tucsonrevolution.com and find the link for the sermon by Josh Reich, should be posted tomorrow sometime.
One more thing to add from last week's sermon that was a big hitter for me..."If there were 10 more of me would it be great or would it just be full of problems?
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Happy Birthday Kinsey!
Kinsey is 2 today! I haven't been blogging lately but I wanted to write down a few things to remember when I look back.
*She's nice and healthy. 80-90th percentile on height and weight, and 60th percentile for head circumference.
*She is using sentences now, 3-4 words.
*Her latest tv obsession is the Wiggles. Barney still holds her attention, but she asks for Wiggles now instead. We have been doing better in cutting down her tv watching to an hour a day. The Wiggles are supposed to come to the States (they are Australian) this year so we're hoping they'll come close enough for us to go see them live.
*She's learned the word, "scary". Most recently she went to the zoo with our friend Chris who watches her. She stood in front of a tiger who put his front paws on the window towering over her, and she was saying "Scary tiger" that day.
*Apparently she wanted to go swimming on her birthday because she fell in the pool today while we were all in the pool area working on the pump. David plucked her right out but she was saying "scary water!" after that.
*She is extremely active! The only time she sits still is during tv. Otherwise she does not stay still for more than a few seconds. Literally.
*She is learning how to take turns. It's very hard!
*She loves jumping castles!
*She goes lots of places around town. The local gymnastics gym, playtime at the library, the zoo, the Desert Museum, a jumping castle place, a local nursery that has goats you can feed, the park, the Children's Museum, and most recently Mt. Lemmon to play in the snow.
*She loves to look at pictures on the computer and she picks out different people/friends she knows. She probably talks about Baby Nola the most. She loves Baby Nola.
*David and I took two trips by ourselves in the last year. She stayed with Chris both times and had a blast I'm sure. Chris LOVES her and she LOVES Chris. And Chris' whole family.
*My sister and her family came to visit a couple weeks ago. It was a great visit and Kinsey played very well with her daughter. I was expecting lots of time outs for Kinsey not sharing, but she only had to go a few times. It helped quite a bit that my niece is extremely good at sharing (she's 3 1/2).
*My Mom was here to visit in May and October and she watched Kinsey a couple times for us so we could go out. It was nice!
*Barney (David) was at her birthday party two weeks ago. She was not a fan! She latched onto Chris the whole time. We eventually got her to wave at him but she wouldn't do anything else.
*She has seen her birth mother about 4 or 5 times in the last year and it is always a positive experience.
*We keep asking her if she wants a baby sister or a brother and she can't seem to make up her mind. Sometimes she says sister and sometimes brother. We have been on the waiting list since February so, Lord willing, we will find out in the next year or two!
*She's nice and healthy. 80-90th percentile on height and weight, and 60th percentile for head circumference.
*She is using sentences now, 3-4 words.
*Her latest tv obsession is the Wiggles. Barney still holds her attention, but she asks for Wiggles now instead. We have been doing better in cutting down her tv watching to an hour a day. The Wiggles are supposed to come to the States (they are Australian) this year so we're hoping they'll come close enough for us to go see them live.
*She's learned the word, "scary". Most recently she went to the zoo with our friend Chris who watches her. She stood in front of a tiger who put his front paws on the window towering over her, and she was saying "Scary tiger" that day.
*Apparently she wanted to go swimming on her birthday because she fell in the pool today while we were all in the pool area working on the pump. David plucked her right out but she was saying "scary water!" after that.
*She is extremely active! The only time she sits still is during tv. Otherwise she does not stay still for more than a few seconds. Literally.
*She is learning how to take turns. It's very hard!
*She loves jumping castles!
*She goes lots of places around town. The local gymnastics gym, playtime at the library, the zoo, the Desert Museum, a jumping castle place, a local nursery that has goats you can feed, the park, the Children's Museum, and most recently Mt. Lemmon to play in the snow.
*She loves to look at pictures on the computer and she picks out different people/friends she knows. She probably talks about Baby Nola the most. She loves Baby Nola.
*David and I took two trips by ourselves in the last year. She stayed with Chris both times and had a blast I'm sure. Chris LOVES her and she LOVES Chris. And Chris' whole family.
*My sister and her family came to visit a couple weeks ago. It was a great visit and Kinsey played very well with her daughter. I was expecting lots of time outs for Kinsey not sharing, but she only had to go a few times. It helped quite a bit that my niece is extremely good at sharing (she's 3 1/2).
*My Mom was here to visit in May and October and she watched Kinsey a couple times for us so we could go out. It was nice!
*Barney (David) was at her birthday party two weeks ago. She was not a fan! She latched onto Chris the whole time. We eventually got her to wave at him but she wouldn't do anything else.
*She has seen her birth mother about 4 or 5 times in the last year and it is always a positive experience.
*We keep asking her if she wants a baby sister or a brother and she can't seem to make up her mind. Sometimes she says sister and sometimes brother. We have been on the waiting list since February so, Lord willing, we will find out in the next year or two!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Praise!
The last couple days have been worrisome for me. David actually couldn't go to work on Thursday because he was too tired. He slept pretty much the whole day except for lunchtime and dinnertime. Then on Friday he went to work but was so tired and didn't feel like he could do his job because he was too sleepy. David has always worked sick unless he was absolutely, head-in-the-toilet kind of sick. So for him to stay home two days in a row was a big deal. I was home with him Thursday. Friday I went home early from work because I was was so worried about him.
He decided after coming home Friday to go back on his previous medication regimen that gave him some side effects but that did help with his alertness some. And for the first time in weeks I saw a little bit of light in his face! It was so encouraging and refreshing. It may only be a temporary fix because of the side effects but still I'm thanking God for a little bit of hope. I'd been getting more and more worried each day, wondering how he was possibly going to enjoy life. At the same time, being worried gave me the opportunity to trust in God, something I can easily ignore when I have little to worry about. So while I'm praising God for the little bit of hope, I'm also thankful for the opportunity to accept God's sovereignty in my life in the midst of uncertainty.
He decided after coming home Friday to go back on his previous medication regimen that gave him some side effects but that did help with his alertness some. And for the first time in weeks I saw a little bit of light in his face! It was so encouraging and refreshing. It may only be a temporary fix because of the side effects but still I'm thanking God for a little bit of hope. I'd been getting more and more worried each day, wondering how he was possibly going to enjoy life. At the same time, being worried gave me the opportunity to trust in God, something I can easily ignore when I have little to worry about. So while I'm praising God for the little bit of hope, I'm also thankful for the opportunity to accept God's sovereignty in my life in the midst of uncertainty.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Rearranging Life
My three readers out there probably know about David's somewhat recent narcolepsy diagnosis. In a nutshell, it's difficult for him to function during the day and in the evening. He can manage through a workday, and if absolutely necessary he can push out a little schoolwork at night. That's about it.
Before we knew that he even had something seriously going on, we just kept trying to pursue managing depression, because that's all we could assume it was. Five years later, we've finally figured out that it's not depression, it's narcolepsy.
When I was in nursing school I thought narcolepsy was an interesting idea; the idea of suddenly falling asleep anywhere intrigued me.
In real life (we all know that nursing school is NOT real life ;) narcolepsy is debilitating. I'm watching it happen before my eyes. It's difficult to watch. I can't empathize with him, only sympathize. My latest role is learning how to best support him with this disability. It's also going to take some serious trust in God for how we will proceed financially if what is best for David is to cut back on work, or have alternative arragements made at work for him. I'm looking at how we will potentially revamp finances, living arragements, etc., if necessary. The one thing I have SURELY understood is that Jesus and family come first, and anything after that is an extra blessing. Working a job will be an extra blessing. I've lived my whole life with the priority of life being working to make money to provide for myself and family, then being free to do whatever God is calling me to after that. ALL BACKWARDS! We should arrange our lives so that Jesus and family come first, then get a job that can accommodate the first two priorites (sometimes the job is part of the first two priorities, but sometimes not).
I need to pray faithfully for healing, trusting, and patience. Will you please pray along with me?
Before we knew that he even had something seriously going on, we just kept trying to pursue managing depression, because that's all we could assume it was. Five years later, we've finally figured out that it's not depression, it's narcolepsy.
When I was in nursing school I thought narcolepsy was an interesting idea; the idea of suddenly falling asleep anywhere intrigued me.
In real life (we all know that nursing school is NOT real life ;) narcolepsy is debilitating. I'm watching it happen before my eyes. It's difficult to watch. I can't empathize with him, only sympathize. My latest role is learning how to best support him with this disability. It's also going to take some serious trust in God for how we will proceed financially if what is best for David is to cut back on work, or have alternative arragements made at work for him. I'm looking at how we will potentially revamp finances, living arragements, etc., if necessary. The one thing I have SURELY understood is that Jesus and family come first, and anything after that is an extra blessing. Working a job will be an extra blessing. I've lived my whole life with the priority of life being working to make money to provide for myself and family, then being free to do whatever God is calling me to after that. ALL BACKWARDS! We should arrange our lives so that Jesus and family come first, then get a job that can accommodate the first two priorites (sometimes the job is part of the first two priorities, but sometimes not).
I need to pray faithfully for healing, trusting, and patience. Will you please pray along with me?
Sunday, October 16, 2011
The Neighbors
David and I decided to have a block party for our neighborhood. I'm really looking forward to getting to know our neighbors and being able to build relationships. When I was growing up and my parents moved us to a different town, my Mom decided to have an open house to meet all the neighbors. It's a pretty rare thing nowadays, but what a great way to get to know the people that live around us. I'm sure there are plenty of theories about why as a society we are so closed off. Really, I don't care why, I'm just going to try to turn it around.
God is still knocking my socks off through the sermons at church. I wish I could go every day and listen and be inspired...but that would defeat the whole purpose. I'm inspired to build better relationships and fulfill the command Jesus gave us to go into all nations to spread the hope that He gave us. David and I are praying about changes we need to make. I'm overwhelmed, but in a good way.
I told David tonight that ever since he made serious efforts to become the husband God calls him to be (leading, loving, and serving), my relationship with God has changed. I desire to know God better and obey his commands more fully. I know it's not coincidence. My desire to seek God's direction is a direct result of David's strengthening in areas of his own life.
I feel I'm falling short in my relationships with my co-workers. I get cranky because perhaps I'd rather be at home with my daughter. Or perhaps because I'm frustrated with the procedures at work that don't make sense. Or because I get discouraged from hearing complaining and gossiping, which is just as much coming from me as anyone else. All this crankiness totally blocks my ability to encourage and share my love and care for them.
God is still knocking my socks off through the sermons at church. I wish I could go every day and listen and be inspired...but that would defeat the whole purpose. I'm inspired to build better relationships and fulfill the command Jesus gave us to go into all nations to spread the hope that He gave us. David and I are praying about changes we need to make. I'm overwhelmed, but in a good way.
I told David tonight that ever since he made serious efforts to become the husband God calls him to be (leading, loving, and serving), my relationship with God has changed. I desire to know God better and obey his commands more fully. I know it's not coincidence. My desire to seek God's direction is a direct result of David's strengthening in areas of his own life.
I feel I'm falling short in my relationships with my co-workers. I get cranky because perhaps I'd rather be at home with my daughter. Or perhaps because I'm frustrated with the procedures at work that don't make sense. Or because I get discouraged from hearing complaining and gossiping, which is just as much coming from me as anyone else. All this crankiness totally blocks my ability to encourage and share my love and care for them.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Mind Dump
I stole this title from our pastor, who writes a weekly mind dump entry in his blog. Seems like it will be much easier than trying to write coherent paragraphs!
-I'm beginning to be unsettled about how much excess I have in my home, when there are so many starving and poor people around the world.
-This is partly because of some recent sermons at church and partly because I've been reading the book, Radical by David Platt.
-Also I've been really thinking about how my life is so little like what Jesus actually calls us to.
-Kinsey has been saying new words constantly. I used to be so amazed that she was saying one new word almost every day, and now it's more like 2 or 3 every day.
-She pooped in the potty once. We are not potty training, but she told me "poop" when she was in the bathtub the other night so I took her out and set her on the toilet. I was about to take her off because nothing happened for a little while when all of a sudden I heard a plop. Now, if I ask her if she wants to get on the potty she shakes her head no really fast.
-We went to a gymnastics place this morning that has an hour of open playtime and Kinsey loved it. She ran around like crazy. Her favorite part was the trampolines that were built into the floor.
-I'm beginning to be unsettled about how much excess I have in my home, when there are so many starving and poor people around the world.
-This is partly because of some recent sermons at church and partly because I've been reading the book, Radical by David Platt.
-Also I've been really thinking about how my life is so little like what Jesus actually calls us to.
-Kinsey has been saying new words constantly. I used to be so amazed that she was saying one new word almost every day, and now it's more like 2 or 3 every day.
-She pooped in the potty once. We are not potty training, but she told me "poop" when she was in the bathtub the other night so I took her out and set her on the toilet. I was about to take her off because nothing happened for a little while when all of a sudden I heard a plop. Now, if I ask her if she wants to get on the potty she shakes her head no really fast.
-We went to a gymnastics place this morning that has an hour of open playtime and Kinsey loved it. She ran around like crazy. Her favorite part was the trampolines that were built into the floor.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Back to Blogging
I was going to stop blogging about everything except Kinsey's milestones. I changed my mind. Sometimes there is nothing more encouraging to read older blogs. I could just write my own journal but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be nearly as consistent because I would get lazy, since I'd know I'd only be disappointing myself. If I make it more public people might expect posts every now and then. And it's easier to let myself down than to let others down!
I think I've mentioned before about a different church we started attending last November, Revolution. I can tell my life has been gradually changing the longer we attend. Currently we are doing a 4 week marriage study and it has knocked my socks off. Our marriage is CHANGED! It is fantastic. We really had to be truthful about what our priorities had become. We had to be reminded that becoming Christlike is the aim in marriage. And as spouses we need to do whatever it takes to encourage our spouse to seek Christ and his likeness.
More when it's not so late. I'm trying to decide if I have enough energy to make it to the bedroom or if I should just crash on the couch!!
I think I've mentioned before about a different church we started attending last November, Revolution. I can tell my life has been gradually changing the longer we attend. Currently we are doing a 4 week marriage study and it has knocked my socks off. Our marriage is CHANGED! It is fantastic. We really had to be truthful about what our priorities had become. We had to be reminded that becoming Christlike is the aim in marriage. And as spouses we need to do whatever it takes to encourage our spouse to seek Christ and his likeness.
More when it's not so late. I'm trying to decide if I have enough energy to make it to the bedroom or if I should just crash on the couch!!
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