motivating the Monday

Is it just my tulips that get droopy? Or do tulips just get droopy in general?

I've loved tulips for years and they always seem beautiful in bouquets at the store. And actually, I really like the ones above. Floppy, droopy, doing their own thing. We don't have a lot of natural light in our house due to a front and a back porch that prevents the sun from sneaking in. I've wondered if they droop because they are in need of sunlight. Maybe some of you know? I most certainly do not. Not a green thumb on either of my hands!

But as I sat speculating this morning, on my beautiful, regardless tulips, I couldn't help but think of how I tend to droop and fall weary when I'm not spending a lot of time with the Son.

When life gets busy and it's go, go, go, I can fool myself into thinking that my downtime needs are to plop onto the couch and watch a show. Or flip through my phone. Or even get immersed in a good book. And I truly don't think there's anything wrong with any of those. But only, if I'm filled up first.

When I'm not basking in the Son, I'm thirsting for other things.

I might not notice it at first, but it catches up to me quickly. Some mornings are hairy around here. Actually, most mornings are. If I haven't set my alarm to have some prayer time or just time to be in His Word, then I'm putting it off until later. And then later comes, and along with it, so does everything else. This and that and go, go, go!

For me, I'm always better off going to Him first. The more time I spend in the Son, the more thirsty I stay. And that's a good thing---because only He can quench our thirst!

“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

John 7:37-38 

 

parenting and love and messy.

After some unusual events in our house this morning, (Hubby had both sets of keys with him at work) we were left with a couple of extra minutes to sit in our car before school. There was a whole bunch of tattling going on and just defensive attitudes all around. I predicted this yesterday, when we had a playdate (which was wonderful) that never ended--since it continued to Wednesday night church. I knew our boys would be tired today. Actually, they were fine this morning, until this small inconvenience got them off track and stirred up some anxieties about being late.

I shushed the tattling voices. I just couldn't take it any longer. I wanted no explanation of who hurt who and whose turn it was to sit in the middle instead of the back.

I just wanted love.

Thinking back to the Christmas season, I remember telling my boys all I wanted for Christmas was for everyone to show each other love. These people are your brothers. Your best buddies. Stop the bickering.

I knew it couldn't happen. I love my entire family, but I bicker and speak harshly and get frustrated and snappy right along with them.

I even sometimes think absurd thoughts like, "Yeah, but it hurts me more when they are mean to each other than it hurts them when I snap at them." Hello. Modeling? Ohhhhh, goodness.

And then, there I was reading John 13: 1-38 this morning with She Reads Truth. And there it was on the pages of my Bible. . .Jesus washing his disciples' feet, in the midst of his pending betrayal, serving and loving his people, anyway.

Debbie Eaton, from She Reads Truth, pointed out . . .

"Jesus knows what you will do to hurt, deny or betray Him, and yet He will always love you unconditionally and will forgive when you ask for it. Through His love and forgiveness, we can humbly serve another because it shifts our view from self to others—an act of love."

And it just hit me. It sucker-punches me every single time any of my boys are mean to each other. I feel sick to my stomach and it crushes my heart. I focus so much energy on figuring out how to make them show love to each other.

And then I thought. Oh my goodness. If it hurts me so very much when my boys are unkind to each other. How must my Father in heaven feel when I speak harshly to my children or snap at my husband or get frustrated or critical with so and so? He knows I'm going to hurt Him daily and he loves and forgives me every single day. What an extravagant, amazing LOVE that is!!

So, how do we fix ourselves and our attitudes? How do we start acting loving at all times?

We don't. We cannot. We are not perfect. But we can continue to follow the One who is. He modeled His love for us to teach us! So we pray daily. We confess our sins, repent and give thanks to our Extravagant Lord!

**And I just have to insert here, for my boys reading this in my blog books one day, that you do, in fact, love each other. Truly. But we are all sinners and we aren't always kind. However, there are so many days you do show love to each other! I'm so very thankful for you, each and every day, no matter what!

Let your hearts prepare Him room!

Slowest December I've had in this little spot, probably because it's been one of the busiest for our family!

I'll be back afresh and renewed. I sure do love keeping records and memories for my family, but also sharing what's going on in life and in my heart with you all!

So until then, here's what's been going on! We've been enjoying our Christmas traditions. . .

From decorating our live tree . . .

to decorating our gum drop tree!

From Alpine Village and Starry Nights . . .

to days happy with hot chocolate!!

 And now on this Christmas Eve, when I've done all I can do and remember that Christmas is so much more than the buying and doing, I'm wishing and praying that all of you. . .

Let your hearts prepare Him room!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Truth | Day 26

Truth.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." --Psalm 119:105

we are lightweights | Day 16

You know those days when you feel like you just. can't. do. it? I do. My husband does. And sometimes? Sometimes even our little boys feel it.

We can feel overwhelmed. We can feel discouraged. We can feel like failures in all of our sin.

I've been praying recently that the Lord will show me my sin. Because honestly, I can go through a day thinking I'm pretty good and pat myself on the back. But I miss or justify the way I speak to my children or my husband. Or, I let bitterness grow because someone hasn't called to check on us and then I do the same thing in response. Or I allow envy and pride to invade my heart, but sweep it away with thoughts like, "It's okay to feel this way, you're his Mommy. Of course you want him to be noticed."

All of it is sin. Period.

But, take heart!!

Psalm 73:26 says,

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

We mess up daily. We will stumble again tomorrow. But God is our portion and He holds us through it all. He is the strength of our heart and no matter how heavy our hearts are, we are lightweights compared to His strength. He is strong enough to carry us all!

So when we are overwhelmed, tuckered out, or discouraged by our sins, we can know that the Lord is our strength and all we need. He loves us!

May your world grow strangely dim | Day 5

Praying and singing this sweet hymn today!

May your world grow strangely dim this Sunday. . .because of His light!

FYI Friday: spotlight on Down syndrome | Day 3

Imagine
Imagine yourself standing on a stage in a pitch black auditorium. You put your arms out in front of you and you can't see your hands waving in front of your face. You spin in a circle and you aren't able to touch anything. So you still yourself and breathe. And pray. Then, bam! A spotlight shines down on you. And then slowly, your eyes begin to adjust . . .

Reality
Two years ago, my husband and I were in the doctor's office for the big 20 week ultrasound of our 4th baby! It was exciting, as they usually are. We were able to see our baby's heartbeat and see our baby squirming around. But, the technician kept looking over and around the baby's heart. I could tell she thought something wasn't quite right. She brought my OB in. Sure enough, something wasn't quite right. They found fluid around our baby's heart. More tests were needed to rule out a few things and to let us know whether our baby would need surgery right away. We were sent to a high risk doctor who wanted to do more testing. We had to wait several days for the results.

The moment I received the phone call from my doctor, the lights went out. Not literally. But I knew when I heard his voice, instead of a nurse's voice, he was going to deliver big news. He told me that our baby had Down syndrome.

Fear was my darkness. My heart was racing and I couldn't see a thing. I was alone in the darkness for the two minute phone call and I was scared. I didn't know anything about Down syndrome. Would our baby be okay? Would we be okay? What would this look like for our family?

Thankfully, our story did not end there. It didn't end with fear. We were not kept in the dark.

Instead, the darkness and fear of a diagnosis of Down syndrome was forced out by the light of the Lord and the blessing of our newest little boy, Way! He was here! He was real and squishy and needy and sleepy. He was just like every other baby, but he was ours!

What should you know
Dpwn Syndrome Awareness Month is a wonderful time to shine a light on Down syndrome. But here's the thing. I might be able to tell you some technical details about Down syndrome that you don't know. But is that what I really want you to know?

No. I'm not concerned whether or not you know that Down syndrome is a genetic condition caused by a third copy of chromosome 21.

It's not what you should know, but it's who you should know! All life is precious! Our little boy with Down syndrome is a gift from God. All of our boys are, in fact. But often, a Down syndrome diagnosis brings about fear in people. It's the fear of the unknown. I know. I felt it. It was dark for a little bit. But the unknown doesn't last forever! The light of these blessings, these people, shines through.

In a world today, where prenatal testing often ends lives because of fear, I want you to know someone with Down syndrome. I want you to see that life is good and life is precious! People aren't suffering from Down syndrome. Today, people with Down syndrome are thriving!

I can't possibly tell you all the amazing things Way has added to our life. He's so much more than a diagnosis. He's our little boy---full of joy, and smiles. Determined to be noticed and determined to have anyone in the room with him sing the Itsy-Bitsy Spider with hand motions! Way is not Down syndrome. He is not fear. In fact, there's nothing more peaceful to me than cuddling him in my arms at night, after singing Jesus Loves Me in the dark. Way is a bright shining light!

This month, it's good to be aware, but it's even better to know! The Lord designed our little Way and the Lord makes no mistakes!

 Psalm 139:13-14 says,

"For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

When it's easy to go, but hard to leave. . .

It has now been 3 weeks since my return from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, which means it has been over 5 weeks since I left to go. There hasn't been a day since my return that I haven't thought about or talked about my trip. The trip changed me. Maybe that shouldn't be all that shocking, but it has been for me. Hubby was thrilled for me to go. He knew I would be changed and learn and grow. I kinda kept thinking, "Eeesh! Lots of pressure, here. Don't be disappointed if that doesn't happen!" I also didn't want to have expectations of me or surrounding me, in case I was let down. That isn't a typical "me" reaction. I usually do have and set expectations of most everything in life--not really caring about the fact that I could be disappointed or let down. Sometimes I am, sometimes not. For this trip, however, I was a little guarded from the out-set.

But leave it to my wise Hubby to know exactly the way to send me off! He nailed it when he told me that he was excited for me to go for all the things I would learn, but especially because . . .and here's the kicker. . ."You cling too tightly to the boys and me. You need to be clinging to the Lord even more." HELLO! Wow. It was so true and a little painful, but so true! I am incredibly thankful for the wisdom my wise hubby shared with me and for all the prayers that surrounded me on my trip--especially for those who were praying for my peace as I left my family behind for 2+ weeks!

Back at the end of May, we had a family trip to the beach. What a place for our souls to rest and our family to connect!

I missed these little buddies and my hubby too, but I am thankful for what the Lord taught me while I was away from them. They were okay without me, and that's a good thing. They were also happy to see me when I returned! Sweet little Miles said 15 times the first night, "I'm so happy to see you! I love you!" And that's a good thing too! A couple of days after I returned a friend was asking about my trip and if I would return. Luke or Charlie chimed in with,"I hope not. I don't want you to go again." I get that, understand it, and melt a little too. But I also pray in time that they will grasp, as the Lord leads, we follow.

 

As I'm coming away from this trip, I'm learning about abiding. What does it mean for me to rest in Him? What does it look like to rely solely on Him and cling to Him? John 15 is the perfect place for me right now. I'm thankful for my trip to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan and the friends I was with, new and old, who joined me as I started this journey (just for you, Honey, wink, wink) and especially the Lord as He has taught me what clinging to Him can bring!

Kazakhstan: putting Southern hospitality to shame

Still sorting through my trip overseas in many ways and I'm finding that it's really entertaining to me to discuss the locale and culture of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan (I'll call them K2). It seems that family, friends and lots of strangers have been surprised to hear that I would go/have been to K2. Honestly, I really didn't know where it was on a map before the Lord had me go there. And even more honestly, once I knew, I wasn't yearning to go. Africa? Yes. Lord, send me! And lots of other places? Yes, send me there too. But to some country I knew nothing about, that was near Russia, well I just had never dreamed of going there.

And then I said, "Yes." Once I did, I was all in. Found K2 on a map and Googled all I could about the origin and culture, etc. of both countries. But, not surprisingly, none of that could have prepared me for what I experienced the 2+ weeks we were over there.

At first blush

My initial introduction to the culture began before I stepped foot on the ground, as we were all boarding my flight from Amsterdam to Kazakhstan. A lady across the aisle from me, maybe 30 and quite pregnant, was sitting in her seat and stretched out a smidge onto the empty seat next to her. A few minutes pass and the doors are being closed, when the flight attendant brings a woman from the back of the plane, maybe 45, to sit next to her. The pregnant lady, whines a little and in English tells the flight attendant that someone else told her she could spread out a little and not have someone sit next to her. By the way, I completely understand her feelings of being pregnant and uncomfortable and about to be on a 7 hour flight. However, the flight attendant did not and kept insisting that this lady was cramped in the back and needed space too. There were several rows in front of us with empty aisle seats as well, so I was confused. Things heated up, and there was arguing and the flight attendant and the lady from the back were making the pregnant woman feel terrible. It was really uncomfortable. That's when the college student sitting next to me, leaned over and told me this was an ugly part of the Kazakhstan culture. I gulped and thought, "Yikes! What will I experience?" Turns out, the pregnant woman was able to sit by herself, though miserable looking and sad, while the other lady made a best friend in the row ahead of her and could not stop telling the flight attendant how thankful she was not to sit by the rude lady behind her. Oh.My.Stars!

There were definitely other times when I noticed that people seemed out for themselves. Not a lot of people let others enter or exit stores, the street, etc. before themselves. It just wasn't the way we live in the South. You know, when we almost fight in the grocery store to let the other person go ahead of us, or practically trip to run ahead to open the door for someone else.

Central Asian Hospitality not Southern

But what I found out quickly, was that if you were a friend, there was nothing these people wouldn't do to serve you.

While we were in Kazakhstan, we volunteered at a Young Life camp for children with special needs. We spent our time with the moms of the children with special needs, getting to know them, share in each others' lives and build relationships, all while encouraging them as they spent time away from their children. It was the toughest time for me on our trip. I struggled not knowing the Russian language and learning bits and pieces of these moms' stories through a translator. I questioned why I was there and wanted so badly for them to have Eternal hope in life. I've processed through that part of the trip and definitely know it was a time of growth for me. Part of that processing came through the last few days we were in Kazakhstan.

We had the honor and privilege of being welcomed into the homes of these families. They were delighted to serve us. Some of them prepared elaborate meals, with multiple courses. Some of them took off of work, losing vacation days or pay to spend time with us and serve us their best. Some of these moms had no furniture in their house, and spent hours in the kitchen preparing us food to make us feel welcome and show us their life. And I couldn't have been more thankful.

 

Bringing it home

These home visits were humbling, reality-piercing, heart-breaking, joy-bringing, encouraging and life-giving. In the South, where I live, people talk about Southern hospitality. People bring out their best, often to make people feel welcome, but maybe sometimes to show-off or to out-do each other. And sometimes, in an effort to keep things real around my house, I do the opposite and have people fend for themselves in hopes of making people feel at home. Eeesh!

But after experiencing Central Asian hospitality, I'm ready to make some changes in our house. I want to pour out love on our friends and family like these new friends did for us.

What an amazing God we have! He's made us all and all so uniquely. K2 is half-way across the world and our cultures are so different. To think of my initial thoughts back in March--Kazakhstan? Really? Oh, how thankful I am that He nudged me and gave me the opportunity to see His other creations, to meet these families, to engage in these cultures and to learn from them!

"even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as ransom for many." Matthew 20:28

different, yet the same (#k2stan2014)

I thought it might end up this way, but I was hoping it wouldn't. I had every intention to blog while I was over in Kazakhstan--especially since some of you tuned in just for our trip and to pray alongside us! But the blogging didn't happen. Wi-fi was spotty and completely unavailable in certain places, and then I just didn't have time and I was completely exhausted!

And now that I'm back, I'm still completely exhausted! I arrived a week ago--greeted by my sweet hubby! Ohhhh home (him) felt soooo good! But my littles were away with grandparents, so I wasn't able to have them in my arms until the night of July 4th--2 whole days later! The anticipation was killing me! But we are back together again and finally made it back home (we went to pick them up from their grandparents at the lake) last night!

So all is good and I've been processing so much! I'll be sharing the processing throughout the posts, however they come out, but the Lord was with us! It's not at all like I doubted He would be, because I know He is with us every second of every single day, but being so mindful of it over in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan was good for me. For all of us. And for those of  you who prayed for us--I wish I could express just how much it means to me and how much we felt it! We spoke of your prayers daily! We never had one hiccup in the entire trip, and believe me, we could have!

I left my off in my last post as Jeanne and I were going to be speaking to moms of children with Down syndrome. So let me start there. Or actually, lemme back up a smidge. We (Catherine, Jeanne, Marina--friend, National and translator and I) made it across the border from Kazakhstan (a 3 hour drive) into Kyrgyzstan without a problem, which was wonderful. I can give more details on that in a different manner, but let's just say, the Lord made that happen and move on! Oh, and it was hot. Hotter than Memphis, hot. But we made it. Praise God!

the drive from Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan--the Kazak steppe

Quite an experience having to take our luggage out of a car and walk 10 minutes to a border crossing and pass through only to wait for our car, which took quite a while to get through! We headed off to find our guest house in Bishkek, checked in, headed out for our first Central Asian meal and came back to crash for the night--we would be jet-lagged for a good week and a half of our 2+ week stay!

Our garden view from our guest house

A typical breakfast scene during our 3 day stay in Kyrgyz. Tea and toast with Catherine and Jeanne!

The next morning, we prepared for our talks. And I felt your prayers. Nerves didn't swallow me up and I was instantaneously comfortable in the coffee shop with women speaking Russian. I immediately felt desperate to know Russian and how to communicate and would long for the ability to speak Russian for the entire trip. I did pick up just a tad, and I might be able to say I know more Russian than French, which I took a year of in college. Not really sure what that says. I'll leave you to make your guesses!

Jeanne's message was wonderful, as it would be the whole trip. She spoke of her story with her son, Jacob, which is told in her book, Parting the Waters. The Lord truly spoke through her to all of us! After her talk, we had tea and cookies and a couple of activities, like scarf-tying lessons (fun)!

And then, I told our story with Way and what the Lord has done in my life with him. I felt instantly connected with these mothers--almost all of them had a child with Down syndrome from the age of 1-3 years old. And while I couldn't speak directly to them without a translator, while I was looking into their eyes, I could see into their hearts. They live in Central Asia. They speak Russian. They are primarily Muslim. And they have a child with Down syndrome. So different and yet I know I have shared some of the exact same thoughts as each one of those women. And I was able to tell them that. And they knew we were the same. Heart-piercing. I was in awe of what the Lord was doing. It was like that for the 2 days we met with the women. Some came both days, some were new. We had a question/answer period at the end of our talks. All kinds of questions were asked and answered. I was even able to pray with a sweet Mama, thanks to lovely Marina who was able to translate for me. This Mama was gripped with fear. Fear of having a child with Down syndrome. In her culture, her child is viewed as cursed and even she is looked at as having done something to bring this on. And so we prayed. And we cried. And we laughed. And we hugged. And then  we said good-bye. I may never see her again, but I will never forget her.

Some of the moms (and a dad) who came to our sessions

A Mama I will not forget! Praying for this one!

My new heart friend, Dina, the one who organized the moms' group, and her cutie pie daughter, Abby!

Wow. So much more to say and so much unsaid, but I cannot express enough, how thankful I am to all of you who prayed! I cannot wait to share more, but the most important part of this trip was the Lord and His amazing work!! I pray I can translate some of that in more posts to come!

We've arrived!

And finally, after months of anticipation, my trip to Kazakhstan is here! So many people were asking me before I left if I was ready. In many ways, I was ready. The anticipation of leaving those behind was gripping me tightly. I was just ready to get the leaving part behind! I've talked about my word of the year, brave, and leaving to go was the next step in my *brave* journey!



*a beautiful piece of art, Catherine Burns, our trip leader made for me! She knew my word for the year and I'd say she full-court pressed me with this! She's a big reason I'm on this trip! So happy to be with her!

But also, I've been so excited! Excited to explore a new country and be a part of a different culture. Excited to talk to and share with other moms who have shared some of my exact same thoughts and fears halfway across the world. Excited to have the opportunity to encourage these moms. And mostly, excited to be going because I know the Lord wants me on this trip! There were so many reasons I could have stayed behind. The Lord could have said "No, not this time." but He didn't. He made it quite clear I should go, and so I've gone!




We arrived in Kazakhstan around 4:30 yesterday morning and after a tad of sleep, we got up and drove to Kyrgyzstan to talk to moms of children with Down syndrome. I will be sharing our story with Way and a lot about the therapies he receives (tonight--and I'd love your prayers to keep on comin') and the moms (including myself) will be blessed to hear from our main speaker, Jeanne Damoff, author of Parting the Waters!



*The mountains and sky on our drive from Kaz to Kyrg.




*Who's worried about Kyrgyz traffic when you have the view of those mountains?

I'm hoping to post periodically throughout the trip, whenever I have Wi-fi access, although it won't be from my usual blogging source, so we will see just how easy that is! And Instagram too! Thank you so much for the encouragement and support and prayers you have given me and our family surrounding this trip!

All ready to go! Way's heart surgery . . .

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, 

because he trusts in you." - Isaiah 26:3

As I type this, Im guessing that only my friends with newborns have the potential of being awake. It's 4am, and I've slept three hours total in 1.5 increments tonight. Good thing I got started at 10:30 last night!

I'm writing from the hospital, as sweet Way is doing his best to get a little more shut eye before his heart surgery at 8:30 this morning. It's been a flurry of activity around here and the machines Way is hooked up to are not being kind to the weary, breaking and beeping and ensuring we will be rocked later today! I'm pretty sure one of our night nurses would rather skip her night shift and be at home sleeping, but at least one of them is cheerful and sugary and everything my mom was to me as she tried to wake me for school when I was younger!

This was us when we checked into Le Bonheur yesterday, all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

But sleep or no sleep, we have truly felt a peace from the Lord as surgery day has been approaching! We've also had such an outpouring of love from family and friends, who are all praying for Baby Way too! What a blessing and treasure it is to be surrounded--even from far off places--by those who love us!

So, maybe I can try to sleep a tad more--the machines have ceased beeping! Surgery will be here soon! We will be here around a week, so I hope to post again with an update on our little Waybe! Thank you so much for your prayers!

Why Morning Glories? (purpose + recipe)

When I switched my blog name a few years ago, I knew there was a Morning Glory flower. But, I had no idea there were Morning Glory muffins! Recently I discovered them and these muffins, so unusual, were delightful! I decided I must have the recipe and make them, since after all, my blog name is Morning Glories. However, upon searching for a Morning Glory muffin recipe, I found 5,976 recipes and they were all different! Okay, maybe not that many, but I didn't find a single recipe that was the same.

So, I improvised, or mixed and matched what I liked best and crossed my fingers! Turns out, these muffins were delightful too! A hit in our house, means surely a success in yours! So I'm going to share it with you!

But before you go thinking I'm a food blogger (that's really my sister, Mary), I wanted to share a little about why this blog is called Morning Glories. Like I said before, I changed this blog to Morning Glories a few years ago. I was just in the mood for a change and wanted to take our family name out of the blog title and web address or url or whatever it's called. So I thought long and hard about why I was blogging and what my purpose was. I even had blog name rankings with Hubby! Finally, I came up with a title that just fit. I wrote about it when I first changed the blog to Morning Glories, and this explains it all . . .

Why Morning Glories?

When I was little, not even that little, my mom would always come in and wake us up in the mornings. She would, in a very sing-song voice come into my room, open the blinds right beside my bed and say, "Rise and Shine, Morning Glory!" Occasionally, on my grumpier mornings, this would annoy me. But, more often than not, I loved being her Morning Glory. It wasn't about the name she called me, but it was that she had a name for me (one of many) and more importantly, that she loved me--I always knew it and I still do. The care she took to greet my sister and me with cheerfulness and sunshine in the morning was not lost on me. So, Morning Glories is a tribute to my mom and that place of love she created for me!

It's in that same way, that Chad and I want to raise our children--to grow them up (not as flowers, but like flowers grow). We have been blessed to both be raised in love and to love the Lord. We want our children to know our love for each other in our marriage and our love for them, and we are confident they already do. And just as importantly, we want our boys to know of our love for the Lord. Our purpose in our marriage, in our family and in our lives is to glorify the Lord. The word, glory, means adoring praise or worshipful thanksgiving. And, while life is not about glorifying the Lord only in the mornings, starting our day giving glory to Him is what our family is striving for.

A recipe for your morning

I've written down this recipe, because it was successful and delicious, but there are so many ways to make these muffins. See what you think!

Morning Glory muffins

Ingredients
1.5 cups all purpose flour
1.5 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup sugar
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs + (1 Tbsp of ground flax seed and 3 Tbsp of water = 1 egg), so I used 2 eggs and this substitute for an egg
3/4 cup canola oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 -8oz. can crushed pineapple (undrained)
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1 cup golden raisins
2 cups grated carrots
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. In a different bowl, combine the eggs, oil, vanilla and pineapple. Stir this into the dry ingredients. Add the coconut, raisins, carrots and pecans and stir to combine. Fill lightly greased muffin tins 3/4 full. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes!

Enjoy! And thanks for reading. Hope you enjoy that too!

Death is dead, love has won, Christ has conquered!

Death is dead, love has won, Christ has conquered!

I cannot stop repeating these lyrics and singing this song, by Keith and Kristyn Getty! We sang this song yesterday in our Easter service at church, and I just love their hymns and worship music! 

And while I love the Getty's music, we went to a free outdoor concert at the Levitt Shell on Easter Eve and it seems that Myla Smith may have a new fan! Way so enjoyed himself and was just dancin' to her music all night! We all enjoyed being together and with friends and have loved the past couple of years of Easter Eve concerts!

 

And then Easter Sunday! What a beautiful day it was! Hubby took the older two boys on a walk to sunrise service. One of these days, we will all make it! But I stayed back with our younger two boys and started getting ready for our service at church! But in between services, we did find a little time to hunt for Easter eggs! These boys are so quick and I couldn't keep up with them, but all 14 eggs were found, which hasn't happened every year! Good for them, and us!

After church we snapped a few photos and then headed over to my parents for lunch and swimming (can you believe it was that warm?)! We had a wonderful time with them, my Biffer and Kevo, and Auntie joined us for lunch too!

It was a sweet Easter day and night! Even though I was completely tuckered out, Hubby led us through the last of our Resurrection eggs and the conversations and discussions with our boys just spurred me on---to continue to look to the Lord for His guidance and wisdom as we grow our little boys in His love!! 

Happy Easter! He is risen!!

our thirst. . .quenched!

This week has looked like this. . .
I. . .
-loaded clothes in the dryer and then walked away and didn't start the dryer
-took out the peanut butter and then put it back in the pantry before I used it
-went to dinner to celebrate Charlie's birthday and then realized I left the cupcakes at home
-made tea and then forgot about it and then reheated my tea and then forgot about it again. . .

I've had a lot on my mind and have consequently been forgetful and distracted. I've accomplished some tasks and crossed off several items on my super-long to-do list, but still.

Yesterday, after putting the finishing touches on dinner, mid-afternoon, I finally realized I was parched! I hadn't had anything to drink all day. I was thirsty! I filled a glass with water and sat down to breathe and drink. And as I was filling my physical thirst, I realized I hadn't yet filled my spiritual thirst for the day. I picked up a collection of devotions for this Easter season and was led right to "I Am Thirsty" by John "Skip" Ryan. Skip makes several points in his devotion, but what hit home for me was his thoughts on John 19:28, when after being hung on the cross, but before he died, Jesus said, "I thirst." He wasn't speaking of physical thirst. Skip points out that Jesus hadn't complained about anything else on the way to the cross--not when he was beaten and whipped or had a crown of thorns pressed into his head or nails driven in his hands. So, he wasn't complaining about being physically thirsty, but instead he was weighed down by the sin he bore because of us, for us. He was thirsty for Heaven, for His Father. Nothing else could fill that for Jesus and nothing else can fill that thirst for us either. 

Our days are filled with errands and meetings and school and cleaning and playing and cooking and parties and on and on. And we can find ourselves worn out. Forgetful. Distracted.

And Thirsty.

As the Easter weekend is approaching, may we all remember that Jesus said,

Only the Lord can quench our thirst!

We are not the Joneses.

Growing up, I was part of a pretty awesome family. We'd often say things like, "Who wouldn't want to be like our family?" or "We have the best family in the entire world!" To a little girl, it was dreamy! I had the best parents and sister (still do) and life was awesome!

Then one day, I grew up and got married! And eventually, we had children! I would stop and take a step outside our family looking back in and think, "Man! We have the perfect family! Who wouldn't want our family?" I felt thankful for what the Lord had blessed us with, and hoped to live up to what people wanted: to be like the Joneses (except we are the Jacksons).

Once I realized. . .
And then another day came, when we found out we were having a baby with Down syndrome. Though it was most definitely not my immediate thought, in the weeks after finding out our unborn baby would have Down syndrome, and imagining the thoughts running through people's minds, I landed on this. "Oh, so I guess people aren't going to want to "keep up with" us anymore." People aren't going to want to be us at all. I remember thinking, "people are just thankful that we are not them."

Well, praise the Lord those thoughts didn't last long! We have been incredibly blessed with our baby Way, just like we are blessed with our entire family!

But Way has changed me and so has the Lord! Though I've been a follower of Christ for decades now, it's just been in the last couple of years that my perspective on "perfect" has been altered. I truly see there is nothing perfect created by humans, this side of heaven. Only His plan is perfect! No one, not one family, has it all together. There are no Joneses out there. Only the illusion of the "perfect family."

No one is perfect!
Whoa! Debbie Downer am I? No, not at all!! In fact, I'm only hoping to encourage you! In a social media craving world, we are filled with posts and images of picture perfect lives. I know people who are leaving the social media scene because it makes them feel worse about themselves!

Stay with me here. I like social media, at least some forms. I love blogging and I love Instagram! I get great recipes and ideas from Pinterest, too! Occasionally, I'll even tweet, though usually I'm re tweeting something brilliant someone has shared! And while I believe everything should be used in moderation, I can say honestly, without feeling bad about it, I enjoy social media, and I don't think it's the enemy, BUT, I do think it's necessary for me to remember who and what is real! And, that no one is perfect! (All the English teachers out there just cringed because I started 2 sentences with "But" and 2 with "And." But, again, no one is perfect--even this former English teacher)!

So, why am I not turned off by social media? Because I know there are friends out there who are real and aren't afraid to show their less than perfect moments! Ones who don't need to post to feel better about themselves, but ones who are in the thick of parenting with me and share good laughs! I seek out those who are encouraging and who speak Truth. I play on social media as a creative outlet. I enjoy social media as an extra-bonus to relationships I already have, or to enjoy new ones. But I'm not seeking out the Joneses. I want real. Don't you?


 And because I truly desire to keep it real here in this little space . . .

 I just need you to know . . .
--I hardly ever iron. In fact, I almost wrote I never iron, but that would have been a lie, since I have once or twice before. . .(but if you know me, or my children in real life, then you probably already know this).

--I don't buy organic milk anymore and we have Cheez-Its in our pantry. I once did buy organic milk, but since our pediatrician doesn't buy into the organic way of life, I figured I'd save some money on the 8 gallons of milk our 4 boys drink a week.

--Sometimes, I choose to scroll through Instagram or blog feeds instead of reading my Bible.

--I despise crying in front of people. Yet, the Lord chose to make me a crier. If someone shows me they truly care, if I feel "safe", if I'm so beyond thankful, if I'm moved by something, if something is way too funny or way too sad or just downright joyful, Or, if there's music involved with babies, animals, families, mission work and really just about anything, I will cry. And, I will despise it. And then the moment will be over and I'll be laughing at something else. Thank goodness! ;)

--If you see a perfect picture on this blog, just know it probably took me at least 50 shots to get a post worthy one.

--Our children run in the hall at church, and often cause people to stare at us in Target, like they've just seen a circus for the first time!

--We still haven't filed our taxes.

--Just because you might see me in work-out clothes does not mean I have just worked out. Maybe I have, but it's likely they were comfy and I could be playing on the ground with my boys and I really don't care what I look like when I go to the grocery, or school pick-up, or Chick-Fil-A!

--I don't always say the right thing to my husband or children at the right time in the right tone. I mess up so often. I love them, and I try, but I don't always get it right.

--My scrapbooks for our first two children are as far as I've gotten. Our last two children don't have one. Maybe I'll make them one day, maybe I won't.

--We aren't even up to speed on the latest techy gadgets (gasp)!

I could go on for miles and miles telling you more. Maybe this isn't vulnerable enough for you, or maybe it's just right. You don't need all the nitty-gritty, but I want you to know that we are far from perfect! And so, if you feel less threatened by our "imperfectness" come hang around! We are all in this together!

We are not the Joneses.  

No one is perfect. Be encouraged by that! And realize. . .that is why we need our perfect Savior!

** Just to come around full circle. . .Though we know we do not have the perfect family, we do think we have the best little 6 person family in our house! And none of us would trade us! :) We are thankful and we are blessed!

a prayer for Monday.

Counting my blessings this morning and praying this verse:

"Teach me your way, O LORD,

that I may walk in your truth;

unite my heart to fear your name." 

--Psalm 86:11

As you gather your people this morning, treasure them. 

And, as you gather your thoughts this morning, seek Him.

Dear (future) daughters-in-law,

Dear (future) Daughters in Law,

It's been a week. You know, a week. I know you've had them. Maybe after surviving your first semester, freshmen year in college, and then you return back to campus and think "I'm going to make it!" but it turns out you find yourself in a puddle of tears, missing your family, and you don't actually think you are going to make it.

Or maybe it was as you found yourself planning your wedding and you just couldn't agree on a guest list with your parents or a budget or anything and to top it off your future mother-in-law was driving you crazy (though I pray that will not be the case)!

I don't know what they've been about, but I know you have had those weeks where your heart breaks and you are just trying to hold on. It's part of life and it's rough.

I've had one of those weeks this past week. For me, it's been about my boys--one of the men you are now married to. I've been filled with fear and worry about almost all of them, over something, this past week. Not little things, but big things. Issues that I hope have past and been long forgotten as you read this. Nothing that needs to be brought up here. In fact, you may already know about these things and maybe they are like a drop in the bucket and no big deal. I am praying that daily now.

What I want you to know, though, is that if we aren't given "these weeks" it's impossible to rely on the Lord. It's difficult to rely on His strength. Why? Because sometimes, when all is going smoothly, you tend to think, "Hey! Look at me! I've got this! I can do this!" Or maybe you aren't that brazen but instead you find yourself grasping tightly and clinging on to something or someone because you think you are in control.

But you aren't. He is. And when the Lord uses "these weeks" in your life, it's His way of reminding you to look up to Him, not out at the troubled waters. I was reading from the Bible, in Mark 4 today, about Jesus' disciples being filled with fear when a great storm approached their boat. I sat on Jesus' words, "Peace! Be still!" as he commanded the winds and waves of the storm to stop. I thought, Yes! That's what I need! To hear Jesus telling me, "Peace! Be still!" But that wasn't all of the story.

He then asked his disciples, in verse 40, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" And that's what really hit me. In my fears (rational or not) this past week, how have I been handling things? Certainly not with the faith I'd like to. But that little parable, one I've heard hundreds of times, was new to me again today. And I am thankful. Thankful that there will be storms, and that He is always with us!

So, dear daughter-in-law, when you've had one of those weeks. . .

 Trust in Him.   Read His Word.   Have faith.

Love, 

Lindley