MC is off to Work

Mary Claire heard she was going to work with Mimi for a while today so she got all dressed up (Christmas socks and all). She also has her new "laptop" Pops and Mimi got her for Christmas. She knows how to work it doesn't she?

A Hopeful Message

The following passage spoke to me and I thought I’d share it with you. It is at my weakest that God’s power and love becomes unmistakably clear. My strength is God, not me. David’s words below describe it so well.


I will exalt you, LORD,
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
LORD my God, I called to you for help,
and you healed me.
You, LORD, brought me up from the realm of the dead;
you spared me from going down to the pit.


Sing the praises of the LORD, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.
For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.


When I felt secure, I said,
“I will never be shaken.”
LORD, when you favored me,
you made my royal mountain stand firm;
but when you hid your face,
I was dismayed.


To you, LORD, I called;
to the Lord I cried for mercy:
“What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
Hear, LORD, and be merciful to me;
LORD, be my help.”


You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
LORD my God, I will praise you forever.

-Psalm 30: 1-12

That LOVE Sculpture

When in New York City a couple weeks ago, my friend Tiffaney and I posed for a photo at this Love sculpture, not really knowing anything about it. This week I was in Indianapolis and saw several gift-sized renderings of the sculpture in a store and asked about it. Got an interesting story (and you have a nice version below via wikipedia). Now I have to watch (or read, but okay, probably watch) the Love Story.


Love is a sculpture by American artist Robert Indiana. The image was originally designed as a Christmas card for the Museum of Modern Art in 1964, and first exhibited as a sculpture in New York City in 1970. This original sculpture has been on exhibit at the Indianapolis Museum of Art since 1975. The LOVE design has been reproduced in a variety of formats. Likewise, the sculpture has been recreated in multiple versions and a variety of colors, and is now on display around the world.

The image has been rendered and parodied countless times. The original book cover for Erich Segal's novel Love Story alluded to the design, and the TV series Bridget Loves Bernie included a shot of the Sixth Avenue sculpture in its opening credits. The United States Post Office issued an eight-cent stamp in 1973 featuring the image. Parodies of the image appeared on covers of records by Rage Against the Machine ( ), Oasis (Little by Little single) and Acen (75 Minutes).

Versions of Love in the US:
• Indianapolis, Indiana - Indianapolis Museum of Art
• New York City - Sixth Avenue (where I saw it)
• Lehigh University Asa Packer Campus
• Brooklyn, New York - Pratt Institute campus
• Scottsdale, AZ
• Philadelphia
• New Orleans Museum of Art's sculpture garden
• City Park in New Orleans, Louisiana
• Delray Beach, Florida
• Middlebury College campus, Vermont
• University of Pennsylvania campus, Philadelphia
• Museum of Art at Brigham Young University, Utah
• Collegeville, Pennsylvania
• Red Rock Resort Spa and Casino in Las Vegas
• Wichita, Kansas
• Rockland, Maine

Versions of Love abroad:
• Tokyo, Japan
• Taipei, Taiwan
• Singapore
• Bilbao, Basque Country Spain
• Vancouver, Canada
• Lisbon, Portugal
• Bangkok, Thailand
• Shanghai, China
• Hong Kong, China
• Derbyshire, UK
• Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
• Montreal, Canada
• Istanbul, Turkey

Southern Plate's Cinna-Buns

These look and sound good and I can't wait to try them.  If you try them before I do, call me so I can come taste one.  Y'all have to click on the link below and read Christy's full description and see her cinna-bun tutorial.  She's too funny. 

Christy Jordan's Southern Plate Cinna-Buns

1 loaf frozen white bread dough (such as Rhode’s)

Filling:

1/4 C butter or margarine, softened

1 C brown sugar, packed

3 T ground cinnamon

Icing:
3 ounce cream cheese, softened
1/4 C butter or margarine, softened
1 1/2 C confectioner’s sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla (optional, I usually just leave it out)

Place loaf of dough on plate and let sit at room temperature until thawed. Once thawed, roll out onto floured surface to a size of about nine inches by sixteen inches. Spread 1/4 C margarine over dough.

In small bowl mix together brown sugar and 3 T cinnamon. Sprinkle over top of cinnamon roll, stopping about 1/2 an inch away from the sides so it will seal (see photos). Carefully roll up cinnamon roll into a log and press lightly to seal. Slice into one inch slices with serrated knife. Place in greased 9×13 inch pan and cover with cling wrap. Place in warm spot and allow to rise until doubled in size. Remove cling wrap and bake at 400 for about 15 minutes, or until done.

Icing: Mix all ingredients together and beat with electric mixer until creamy. Spread over cinnamon rolls.

Don't Be Talkin' 'Bout Friends

I used to love the group Acapella as a child.  Just listening to some of their songs the other day.  Remember this one?  Not going to win an award for that song, but a some applicable lyrics still today.

What Love Really Means

I really like this e-mail that came from the Gary Chapman 5 Love Languages e-newsletter.  Young men and ladies should be taught this.  "Love" is not that thing you fall in and out of, or those euphoric feelings when you 're first dating someone.  Once you make that committment, love is a way of life.


What Love Really Means


Explore the foundation

When couples come to me for pre-marital counseling, I sometimes ask: "Why do you want to get married?" They always seem to give me the big reason; and the big reason is always the same. What do they say? "We love each other." Then I ask a very unfair question: "Tell me, What do you mean by that?" There is silence. Then, one will say, "Oh... you know!"

I guess maybe I do know. I think they are talking about a euphoric emotion that makes them oblivious to reality. They are the happiest they have ever been. What they don't know is that the euphoric feelings will last for two years and then they must find another foundation for marriage. Wouldn't it be better to explore that foundation before they get married?

What is love?

One definition says, "Love is the feeling that you feel when you feel a feeling like you've never felt before." If that is your definition of love, I can tell you, that kind of love will never lead you to a life-long marriage. The euphoric feels are temporary. It is interesting that in Eph. 5:25 husbands are commanded to love their wives. If the intense feelings of love were permanent, why would God command a husband to love his wife?

The fact is, they are not permanent and love is not a feeling, but an attitude, with appropriate behavior. Love is the attitude which says, "I'm married to you, so what can I do to help you? Love is choosing to be kind, and supportive. Is that your attitude?

Love as a way of life

Most people get married based on love. However their concept of love often focuses on feelings. I read one definition which said, "Love is a four-letter word composed of two consonants, L and V; two vowels, O and E; and two fools, you and me." There is some truth to that, and fools often make poor decisions.

In the Bible, love is not a euphoric feeling, but a way of life. In Titus chapter two the older women are instructed to teach the young wives to love their husbands. This implies that love can be learned. It is not something that happens to you. It is something you choose. Once you choose to love, then you look for appropriate ways to express it. This kind of love will lead you to a life-long productive marriage.

Learning to love

"I don't love her anymore." How many times have I heard that in my office! What is that supposed to mean? Usually, it means that he has lost the euphoric feelings he had for her when they got married. And that their differences have emerged and ended in arguments. The fact is, everyone loses the euphoric feelings. They usually last for only two years.

Then, we must learn to love. We must choose to treat each other with respect. We must listen to differences of opinion and try to find a solution. We must learn to work together as a team; using our differences for the benefit of the team. This attitude is commanded by God.

Love that makes marriage enjoyable

Would you like to know what love looks like in a marriage? Then, turn to I Corinthians chapter 13. Listen to these words: "Love is patient and kind; is not arrogant or rude; It does not insist on it's own way; it is not resentful; Love does not bring up past failures, but chooses to forgive." Does this describe your attitude and treatment of your spouse?

This is the kind of love that makes for happy marriages. Love focuses on meeting the needs of the spouse; helping them succeed; listening to their thoughts and feelings. In short, it is giving your life away for your spouse. That is precisely what Christ did for us, and it is what husbands are instructed to do for their wives. Love is powerful.

http://www.5lovelanguages.com/

Ben is Ten

Ten years ago today my life changed forever.  Ben was born.  I immediately learned two things when he came into the world:

1) Now I truly know how much my parents love me (immediately felt like I needed to apologize to them!)

2) Now I can understand a little more the sacrifice the God made when he allowed his baby boy to die for me.  Taking part in communion changed dramatically after Ben came into the world.

You've heard: "Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."

So very true.  Until Ben was born, I was just a different person, concerned about myself.  Now, it is just so incredible how my entire life revolves around my love for him and Mary Claire.  There is absolutely nothing more important to me in this world than my children.  I cannot stop it, cannot control it, cannot understand it.  It's just there.  Something from God, I imagine.



Ben is such a blessing.  From the moment he was born, we was a happy little boy.  Always wanting to please us.  Still does.  He's so funny, so smart, and has a tender heart.  I think he's taught me just as much as I have taught him about life.  God knew what he was doing when he sent Ben to us. 

Ben, thank you for making the last ten years the best yet.  You are loved infinitely more than you can know. 

Chaos is a Friend of Mine

I subscribe to Real Simple magazine.  Maybe just because the word “simple” is not often in my vocabulary, but sounds just lovely.  :) Liked this article and had to share with my working mom friends…

The 10 Secrets of One Unflappable Working Mother

Chances are, work-life balance is your most elusive goal. But it’s not impossible.
by Michelle Slatalla

Last Thursday, as I walked into the house after a business meeting followed by a 30-mile round-trip car pool, I smelled something delicious wafting from the Crock-Pot. On my way to the kitchen, I looked in the mirror, gave a thumbs-up to my dependable black pants, and thought, There now, being a working mother isn’t so hard. That day, like most, involved a lot of working and a lot of mothering, often at the same time. Ever since giving birth to my first daughter, 20 years ago, I have intentionally blurred the lines between work and home. That’s just what the experts tell you not to do. But I credit the overlap with helping me stay reasonably calm. Here are my tried-and-true ways to keep domestic (and professional) chaos at bay.

1. Do work at home; do home at work. You need to accomplish a certain number of things during a 24-hour period. Where you complete those tasks is beside the point; you just need to check them off the list in order to free up time for the things you want to do. Pedicures come to mind. And reading. So go ahead: Pay your bills at the office during your lunch hour, and check your work e-mail at home while you’re waiting for the kids to show up at the dinner table.

2. Juggle strategically. Sure, try to accomplish A and B and C simultaneously, but don’t do it all by yourself. Instead, get A to accomplish B, so you can take credit for C. For instance, I like to sit at the kitchen table and work on a laptop next to a child of mine doing algebra. While A does worksheets (and I write my newspaper column), she is being mothered by me. Also, I can change gears fast to Google the “quadratic equation” if A gets stuck. Child aces her math class, and I meet my deadline. Score two points for the working mom.

3. Make your home office a command center. Those pesky experts say that to get any work done at home, you have to be cordoned off in a room far away from anyone who can nag you. This makes me wonder how many experts have children. Instead, figure out which location in the center of your house provides some privacy, while reminding everyone you are a presence to be reckoned with. From this spot, you should be able to stir a pot of simmering soup or assist with a history project that involves the use of glitter (by nixing the glitter).

4. Ignore the latest parental fear-mongering literature. I don’t want to catch you reading anything with a title like Either I Should Be Drinking More or Less Chardonnay Out of Sippy Cups at Work and Home. Instead, stick to the classics that remind us, with great wit, what we like about this business of being an adult with a complex life. For example, Shirley Jackson’s Raising Demons will help you decide whether it’s more fulfilling to spend the weekend doing housework or playing cards with the neighbors. (Hint: Think mixed nuts and drinks over a few rounds of bridge.)

5. Getting out the door in the morning (without anyone in tears) is the only thing you have to achieve before 8:30 a.m. Stop trying to organize everything. Your only goals are to leave the house looking good and without your first-grader sobbing because she hates getting dressed in the morning. If that means you put her to bed in her school clothes to avoid a 7 a.m. tantrum, I think you’re a genius.

6. Arm yourself with secret weapons. Mine include a ream of copy paper (hide it in your underwear drawer so no one can cut it up into snowflakes), an instant thermometer, and emergency high heels (keep a pair stashed in the car).

7. Go with your gut, and don't second-guess it later. If you’ve spent days preparing for a meeting that starts in an hour and the school nurse calls to report a painful, though not hospital-worthy, monkey-bar injury, there’s no one right thing to do. On any given day, your instinct might be to skip the meeting. Or suggest that the nurse apply an ice pack and send Shorty back to class. Make a snap decision and then―this is key―don’t question it later. Let it go. Really. I mean it.

8. Leave your kids (and the stories about them) at home. While I’m sure your coworkers love hearing about Sophie’s ballet recital or poison ivy, you can keep them begging for more by limiting updates on family life to one per week (unless your kid gets a perfect score on his SAT, in which case, keep the good news to yourself forever). Remember―bragging about your kids is what family parties are for.

9. Don't obsess over things no one will remember in five years. Come 2015, no one, not even you, will still be angry that the PTA insisted on scheduling meetings during the workday. Or that your child was the last holdout against potty-training at preschool. I learned this from a nursery-school director named Susie Meisler. She used to peel screaming 3-year-olds off their parents, carry them into her office, and call over her shoulder to the fretting parents, “Get a cup of coffee. Everything will be fine.” And Susie was right.
10. Stop thinking of yourself as split into separate but equal roles: mother, worker, me. Listen to philosopher John Locke, who said that a person recognizes himself as the same being throughout his life, in different times and places. You are one person, indivisible, who just happens to wear many hats. And while I get that the weight of all those hats can wear you down, at least be happy you’ve got something important to do.

40 Days of Prayer Starts October 17

This is the tenth year that our church (College Avenue Church of Christ) will be holding a 40 Days of Prayer campaign.  It begins on October 17, 2010.  If you'd like to participate, just follow the link below to learn more and get connected.  You can sign up to receive daily e-mails with prayer guides for each day throughout the 40 day event.

http://cacoc40days.blogspot.com/

The theme of this year's prayer campaign is "Showers of Blessing."  Be blessed!

The Prayer

My path crosses at work a couple times a year with a gentleman who is in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He gave me their latest Album, Heavensong, not long after it came out.


Their rendition of “The Prayer” is just breathtaking. This YouTube doesn’t do it justice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k9OC2ycCaQ

The kids and I have been listening to it lately in the car with the volume almost all the way up. They love it! Really. But we were listening to it this morning on the way to school, and when we got close, Ben said, “OK, mom, turn it down we’re here.” I take it his friends wouldn’t find it cool. …Oh wait, I think we may be getting close to the stage where I’m not cool anymore. Oh well, I’ll think about that tomorrow.

Anyway, starting at about 2 mins, 39 seconds into the song, it sends chills up my spine. I would LOVE to hear them in person.

I pray you’ll be our eyes
And watch us where we go
And help us to be wise
In times when we don’t know

Let this be our prayer
As we go our way
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your Grace
To a place where we’ll be safe

I pray we’ll find your light
And hold it in our hearts
When stars go out each night

Let this be our prayer
When shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we’ll be safe.

We ask that life be kind
And watch us from above
We hope each soul will find
Another soul to love

Let this be our prayer
Just like every child
Needs to find a place,
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we’ll be safe