redemption

You really should read this memoir by Mary DeMuth.  I’m reading it now, thanks to receiving a review copy from Zondervan, and God is using her words to minister to me in powerful ways.  Her honesty is refreshing and to see the ways in which God has healed and continues to heal her is such an encouragement.  Click on the book cover above to order from Amazon, and be sure to watch the trailer below.

I never cease to be amazed at how listening to music can completely change my mood.  The kids were up waaaaay later than I wanted them to be tonight and I was in a pretty foul mood up until about 10 minutes ago.  That’s when I decided to put some Pandora on and created a station for Joshua Radin.  Not only was I graced with his smooth voice, but Pandora chose similar artists for me to listen to like Ben Harper, Pete Murray, and Damien Rice.

Now, I feel happy and mellow as I nestle down on the couch with my laptop, smelling the granola baking in the oven.

Anyone want the recipe?  Here it is.  I got this recipe from my sister-in-law, Robin.  The whole family loves it and it’s really easy.

Homemade Granola:

10 cups rolled oats

1 cup plain corn meal

1 cup shredded coconut

1 cup wheat germ

1 cup chopped nuts

Mix in a large bowl.

Heat over stove until smooth, the following ingredients:

1/2 cup water

2/3 cup oil

1 cup honey

1 cup peanut butter

1 Tablespoon salt

1 Tablespoon cinnamon

Pour into dry mixture and spread out onto cookie sheets.

Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes.  Stir, and bake for another 15 minutes.

And, you’re done!  Enjoy!

I’ve had a lot of ups and downs.  We are at a time of transition in our lives, but we don’t know where we are transitioning to.  It’s hard waiting.  And, it’s hard watching my husband yearn to have a job in his calling and still have to work his tail off trying to make ends meet where we are. We didn’t expect this when we were at seminary.  I know of other seminary families who have encountered the same trials, and I’m encouraged to watch them finally find jobs in their callings.  I believe it will happen, but it sure isn’t easy waiting.

By the way, I have a great husband, and I’m so proud of him.  His job, which payed our bills through seminary, came to a screeching halt back in November.  His paychecks dwindled to $75/ week and we just didn’t know what to do.  He spent hours in his office, doing all of the internet stuff that I don’t understand at all.  He was told by some, “Well, you may just have to go get a job at Wal-Mart.”  You know, all the cliche sayings that really grate your nerves at times.  Jared felt sure that he could work hard at what he knows and make some money from it, and that is what he did.  And, God is providing.  He always has, and I am always amazed.

In the middle of searching for ways to make money, Jared has also been applying for any ministry job that catches his attention.  At this point, we are willing to go anywhere.  It’s a strange thing to be completely open to anywhere God opens a door.  We could end up anywhere, including outside of the US.  We just want to be there and plug in.  We’ve been in transition since last May and I have to admit for all of us that it’s getting old.  The boys want friends.  I want friends.  Jared wants friends.  We long to be in the place we believe we are called, but we don’t even know where that is. There have been some disappointments since moving here.  There is more loneliness than I expected so close to family and old friends.  This is disappointing and causes me to yearn even more to settle and put roots down somewhere.

Last month, we celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary.  We sat across from each other at a restaurant, looked into each other’s eyes, and both agreed that we are happy with our marriage.  Life is hard, there are many unknowns, but we know we love each other and are satisfied with our marriage, and for that I am so incredibly grateful.  Is it perfect? Of course not.  And, we talked about some things we can change.  But, we also talked about all that we like about each other.  What a relief to look into my husband’s eyes and hear him say, “You’re exactly what I need.”  I am grateful that when life is tough and there are so many unknowns, we are able to cling together.  This is truly God’s grace in my life.  I know what it’s like for things to be different.

I believe God is stirring me.  I feel emotional and vulnerable, and lately, in church I am on the verge of tears the entire time.  I’ve felt this before in my life, and it is always on the precipice of something.  I believe He is in the process of preparing us for what lies ahead.  I’m excited and nervous at the same time.

We will keep you all posted as we learn more of what lies ahead.  In the meantime, we would greatly appreciate your prayers.

I captured this photo of Bryn this morning, and I just had to post it.  Isn’t she beautiful?  I know I’m biased, but I can’t help it.

This little girl is growing up way too fast.  She’s a tiny little thing, weighing in at 13 lbs. at 7 months old, but she is not letting her little stature hold her back one bit.  She’s crawling all over the living room and just decided to venture into the kitchen tonight, as I was cleaning.  She also sat up for the first time today and was so proud of herself when I glanced over and saw what she had accomplished.

I know it seems that I’ve given up this blog.  But, I really don’t want to!  I promise!  Life is just not easy these days.  Was it ever?  No!  But, somehow it’s seemed a little harder lately.

I can’t keep up with regular household jobs, as evidenced by this:

We’ve been dealing non-stop since July with unknown itchy bumps on Shea’s skin:

These bumps cover his whole body, and just as we think they are getting better, he develops new ones.  We’ve tried EVERYTHING.  Our next step comes this week with a trip to UNC-Chapel Hill.

We celebrated Christmas close to family this year, which was so incredibly nice.

My little sis, Emily, made the birthday cake for Jesus.  This is a tradition my Mom started.

I wish I had more pictures from our Christmas with family, but I guess I was having too much fun to worry much about pictures.

So, what else have I been up to?  Well, raising 3 kids, one of which has reached the age (he’s 10) where problems are bigger than a broken animal cracker or spilled milk.  Yes, I’m finding it to be exhausting at times.  And, am learning (slowly) to relinquish it to the One who can bear it all much better than I can.

I’ve also been taking some pictures and enjoying it.  I did a photo shoot with one of my best friends, Mandy, and her family.  I was much happier than I expected to be with the results.  I still have a whole lot to learn, and that is my goal for 2010.  To learn as much as I can about photography.  It’s really a nice escape for me.

This was one of my favorite shots.

Our friend Mandy (from STL) came to visit over Christmas.  She’s like family to us, and we love having her as often as we can see her.  She is an AWESOME photographer, and she taught me a few tips to get me started with Photoshop.  So, I’ve been playing around with that some for the past few days.

I absolutely adore this photo!  Bryn had just woken up from her nap and was peering through the crib slats at her brother, Shea.  Can’t you just see the adoration in her eyes??!

And, I couldn’t resist throwing this one in!

The other day, I was going on about 3 nights of very broken sleep (due to our baby awakening numerous times during the night), and so Jared left these notes all over the house to warn the boys to NOT wake me.  He had to leave early to take Mandy to the airport, so when the boys got up that morning, this is what they found:

Yep, my man has got my back!  The kids were so good that morning.  I didn’t hear a peep from them!  Speaking of sleep deprivation…….I’m still not caught up, so I better get to bed.

That’s all for now!

This is definitely a blog worthy post.

Gage (my 10 yo) just asked me how much a bottle of hair gel would cost.  When I asked him why, he said, “Because my friend Pedro told me that all of the kids at the skate park have gel in their hair.  He said the ones that don’t have gel get picked on, and are considered the dorks.”  I held  back my laughter as he said, “I’ve got 2 bucks.  That ought to cover it.”

Funny, and yet so incredibly shallow.  This is the world we live in.  If you wanna be cool, you better get your hair gel out.

I know I’m biased, because he is my husband.  But, Jared has been writing some good stuff over at his blog, Seeking Daily.  His writings reflect some of the conversations we’ve had as a couple lately, and he has a gift for putting his thoughts into words.  So, take a look.

I don’t know about you guys, but I continually think in facebook status.  I have to admit that FB is probably part of the reason I have slacked off with my blog.  Having 3 kids has something to do with it, too, but I’m just saying.   Just today I thought of these statuses:

“Lyra is finally getting used to seeing non-helmeted, non-spandex pant wearing people riding their bikes leisurely in the road while carrying things like umbrellas and purses on their shoulders.  Ahhhh…… college town on the beach.”

“Lyra thinks her Dad is awesome.  He spent weeks refinishing a cabinet for my kitchen and just delivered it to my house.”

“Lyra is so happy and thankful to have a husband who cleans the kitchen without being asked, just because he wants to help.  He is wonderful.”

Lyra still has shin splints and wants to run!  Experienced runners, I need your advice!  I’ve taken a week off and stretched throughout the week.  What do I do?”

“Lyra just realized that the reason she liked her haircuts so much over the past 5 years is because her hair likes the climate in the Midwest much more than the south.  She had to break down and buy a straightener because her hair has been insisting on looking ridiculously awful even after a great haircut.”

“Lyra needs a refresher course in Babywise because she would like her baby to take naps for longer than 30 min. at a time.  Poor baby #3.  We drag you all over the place and then wonder why you don’t take better naps.  At least you’re a happy baby girl.”

I could go on and on, but you get the idea.  Do you think in FB status?

Wow.  Where did the time go?

Gage would have run straight into the waves, even as a baby, if I had let him.  And, he hasn’t changed a bit.  He faces life head on, full force, with every bit of energy he has.  Today, he is 10.

I am so proud of the young man he is becoming.  He truly loves life and inspires those around him to do the same.  He is one of a kind and I’m glad God chose to give us such a remarkable kid.

Being away from the south for the past 5 years has given me new eyes for Wilmington.  I never even noticed some of the things I lived my entire life surrounded by.   Check out the spanish moss at Airlie Gardens…………

We didn’t have this stuff in the Midwest.  It’s beautiful!

I had to throw this one in!  Bryn has her Papa Lee’s heart, for sure.  She is named after his beautiful wife, who we all miss.

A tribute to local artist, Minnie Evans, was the highlight of our visit to Airlie Gardens.  This structure was made of an assortment of colorful glass bottles.