Review of "Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert"

As one who has been in the Butterfields home and eaten countless loaves of Rosaria's oatmeal bread, her book was yet another way God has used this dear family to further my sanctification. I read a book review recently in which the author considered the book's ability (or in that case, failure) to point readers to a high estimation of God and His Word as a measure of its merit. Using that criterion, I can say that my awe of God and His Word was certainly increased in reading Rosaria's story.

However, I offer a word of caution. It has been a long time since I've been so uncomfortable in my own skin reading a book. Maybe the last Puritan paperback? It would have been a more pleasant (and forgettable!) read if she had simply said what was comfortable and not what was profitable. I think that would have made me feel better about myself...and kept deeper repentance at a safe distance.

I suffered from a sinus infection as I read the book, but this cannot fully account for the dizziness and shaking muscles I experienced as a I closed the cover. Such physical side effects to soul searching are rare for me. The stories she relates hit too close to home to be brushed aside. Repentance. Welcoming the other. Living sacrificially. Submission. Mercy ministry. Purity in worship. Complacency in comfort. Pride. Lack of prayer. “Is it me?” Yes.

I am grateful to Rosaria for asking with such an evident heart for God's glory, the hard questions and offering honest, if sometimes pointed critiques of the Christian community. What a gesture of love to make herself vulnerable to build up the Body of Christ. By God's grace, I can say that I'd rather the wounds of a friend than the kisses of an enemy. And this book did wound my pride, praise the Lord.

Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch

We created a Texas tradition -the second annual pumpkin patch visit with the Myers. This year was much hotter (we tried to pretend by wearing pants, but regretted it, I think. So humid!!!) and more crowded. But, it was still great to go on a fall outing. And the kettle corn was as good as ever. Happiness in a bag :)
FYI: If you click on the photos, you will see them larger and with captions...

This and that

Curlers!

My little man

It's still too hot in TX! (and love the wispy hair!)

Role playing our In-N-Out experience. It was life changing :-P

Would you like a teddy bear with your order?

Fall decorations

Mums from the Higgins -beautiful color!

Re-potted some plants from Nora's room that had gotten to big for her planters...love having them to liven up my kitchen!

Nora had the idea of taping string to some paper leaves I had bought on clearance several years ago to the hooks on our shelf. I love having a decorating partner :)

Yay for pumpkins!

Creating the atmosphere if not the weather!

School Day

Week-in-review

Things making me smile this morning:

-Mom's morning out!
Again, I LOVE MY HUSBAND for giving me this time during this very intensive mother to wee ones season of life. It doesn't work out every Saturday morning, but when it does, I find this time alone so refreshing.

-Cool nights at the park
The kids got new bikes for their birthdays (in July!), which have received little attention since then. Last night, we took the kids to the park and Nora learned after her first lesson to ride her bike with no training wheels. So fun! And she didn't even need the box of band-aids that her brother so thoughtfully packed for the occasion :-P

-Cool mornings
I'm wearing pants and a long sleeve top this morning. I'll probably have to exchange at least the top today, but we're getting there. Yay for fall clothes! Nora and Isaiah are growing out of their summer garb (Joseph hasn't had a growth spurt in a bit...maybe it's coming) and everything has stains/ is well worn. We're all ready for the change!

-Dinner dates with friends and adoption
Saturday is our "free night" at this point. Tonight we look forward to catching up with Nick and Anita Higgins and rejoicing with them at the news of the upcoming adoption of their second child. I love adoption and how it pictures our status as children of God. Hearing their beautiful news was certainly a high point of my week.

-Panara Bread customer card
Similar to the grocery card you swipe whenever you make a purchase, Panara Bread is constantly giving me stuff for using their free customer card. I only ever come in the morning and it seems like every other visit I'm getting something free.

-Homemade bread
I made some yesterday and was more intentional about including and teaching Nora. I figure in a year or so she'll be ready to take that over, which would be awesome. Fresh bread that I don't have to make...score!

-Fall "break"
This past week we had a break from our Classical Conversations class. For the past couple weeks, I've been really intentional about protecting this week so I could be home as much as possible. I had thought maybe I'd try to potty train Isaiah (HA! double HA! That lasted about one hour on Monday morning for the both of us. Can we say "not ready?!") But I loved being a homebody this week. We did more school (which really is fun!), read more, and knocked out a chunk of my ever growing "to-do list." Fall decorations are up, a curtain is hung, the house cleaner than it has been in months, some mending is done...ahhh. Catch-up weeks are a beautiful thing.

-Date night
Stephen and I enjoyed one this week. It was awesome! We went out for Mexican fare (my fav and it was half-price fajita night! and were able to dine outside and enjoy the cooler temps. And I didn't have to think about cutting up hot dogs into shapes of smile faces on my children's plates. Which I wouldn't have thought of anyway, but apparently the babysitter did. And she is now most-cool-person of the week in their book :-P

So, as you can see, it was a good week. There is a funny thing about good weeks though. Everything "going our way" is not enough to keep us "happy." Only Christ and His work on the cross gladdens the heart. In the midst of rainbows, we can smile, but with a heavy heart. Christ gives joy when I struggle with fear, anxiety, worry.

I wrote this to a friend this morning.
"How does one handle strong desire? If we really long for something, is that God-given? Is it a desire He's given us because He intends to fulfill it in His time? So, do we hold on to it even as we submit it's working out and the timing to Him? Or should we seek to be free from any desire save knowing Him? Do we completely 'put it out of mind'?"

I pray that my whole heart, soul, mind and strength would be submitted to Him in joy Pining for the possibilities of tomorrow can really drain me of energy for the work before me today.

This is truth. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all the things I need shall be added. Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Do not be weary in well doing. In due season I shall reap, if I do not faint. In Christ I have all I need.

What's up?

As I am dusting off the blog as a writing outlet for myself and a means to update family and friends in one convenient form, I will not try to chronicle the past year. I'm growing bored of the shorthand of Facebook. Blogging seems a bit more personal. I can write at length. I've visited FB increasingly less, but won't be able to completely forsake the draw of quick updates and photo albums. Still, I want more room for words.
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What's in a photo? Well, in the ones below, you will see that Isaiah is becoming more physically coordinated. He is even more drawn to sports after watching a handful of his brother's soccer games and practices. Also, he often bears the marks his latest physical demonstration or trick, as the bruise on his forehead evidences. Joseph loves imaginative play with his older sister. They are often seen playing house, doctor, war, and much more, usually in costume. Joseph's collection includes knight armor and a race car driver suit. And, if we let him, he would wear his soccer uniform whenever not in those outfits. Nora accessorizes herself these days. Homemade jewelry, loud belts, funky hair styles. She has flare :) Last night I found some curlers similar in style to the rag rollers I used as a child. Once she discovered what they were, she begged me to put them in, fell asleep without complaint (for the uninitiated, they are not perfectly comfortable), and today confidently flips her ringlet crowned head. Oh, and she's asking to get her ears pierced. Slow down, little girl!

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What's not in a photo, or those in particular? Stephen, working full-time plus dissertation work. He has settled on dissertation thesis and lined up his supervisor. Yay! How does one balance teaching high school, college Sunday School, grad student work, father and husband roles, and more? All I know is that he is amazing. That and many honey-do tasks wait in the queue for a while. First things first. What else is not in the photos: Me and baby brother who is apparently experiencing a growth spurt that leaves me chagrined at my increasing size! Me much too hot and growing impatient for the change of seasons, literally and figuratively,(Today in quiet time: "Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near." James 5:7-8) while our Faithful Father gently leads me. The children and I in year two of homeschooling, this year integrating Classical Conversations into our studies. It sure is keeping me on my toes, and the kids enjoy it. I love feeling that I am going back to school, too! If only it felt like fall (did I mention it was 99 degrees on Thursday!)...ah, come patience and peace and joy. Fill up what I lack, Lord.

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Enjoy a restful and grace-filled Sabbath! I'll be back soon, Lord willing.

One year later...

It's time to revive the blog :)

What you've all been waiting for...

some recent pics of the kiddos.

An unplanned hiatus

...is at an end. Six months -wow! Time really does fly.

For recent pictures click here.

I just have time for "the short story" of the last months.

We're back from our AWESOME two month summer visit with our families. We are so grateful for our families and the special time we were able to spend with them.

Now for another school year. This year brings a different rhythm with Stephen teaching full time at the Cambridge School of Dallas as well as preparing for his comprehensive exams for his PhD program and beginning his dissertation work. Also, I kick homeschool into high gear this year with Nora now officially in Kindergarten. We're having fun...can't believe how grown up my kiddos are getting. Seriously.