From the Mission Field

Sunday, after the early church service, my husband drove 12 teens and another adult leader to West Virginia for a "Youthworks" mission trip. After I missed two of his call, I finally talked to him this morning. He's having a great time. His previous mission work has always involved construction of some sort. This time, however, he's doing something different. He's driving kids to VBS and the work crew to their worksite. In the afternoons, he's leading music and helping out with VBS. He says he loves it. Of course, he's in an air conditioned van and church instead of out in the hot, hot sun!

God always puts us where He wants us. Last Fall, I talked my husband into helping out with the kid's program on Wednesday nights so he could spend more time with his step-daughter (mine). He never worked with kids like that before and really just wanted to play guitar for them. However, by June, he was really into it. So, God used him again to work with kids!

Personally, I'm hoping my husband will conserve his construction energy so he can get to work on our house when he comes home!!!

I know God is at work in my dear husband's life even thought I really protested his going at first!

Our New Toy

Here I sit in the driver seat of our new toy. My (and my husband's) first brand spanking new computer. Since I set it up, I got to pick out the wallpaper. I think I was pretty clever. Before my husband came along, my wallpaper was political or automotive. My husband chose a photo of his best beloved Detroit Red Wings. So, on our new computer, I posted a picture of the Detroit Red Wings presenting a hockey jersey to President George W. Bush at the White House after they won the Stanley Cup in 2002. I think it is a good compromise...I hope beloved husband agrees!

Wonderful Days

Last week was been filled with just simply wonderful days. Nothing exciting or eventful. It is just that I have found such pleasantness in the simplicity of everyday. It has been so long since I've found balance and it is here...

I started this post last week so here it is...

Monday and Wednesdays are my days off. My eight year old is with her dad this week, so the (almost) two-year old and I spent the day together. Both days started with my "Bible in a Year" reading and my "First Place" Bible study for the day. My husband went to work and I studied in bed and prayed before I got up. (If I would get up, baby might find out and want to join in!)

On Monday, I did a ton of cleaning before the little one woke up. (It helps to get up early!) After breakfast on both days, we took a bike ride down a long country road near our house and then she "helped" me with the yard work. This is the first time I've done anything related to the yard since I was a kid. I've got a lot to do, but I'm enjoying the excuse to be out in the sun. (With lots of sunscreen.)

Lunchtime is around 11:30 or whenever I'm tired of chasing baby. After that, naptime!!!! The little one is so good about it as it has become so routine for us when I'm home. I put her down with a little cello music on the cd player and went outside and finished up the project started earlier. Yesterday, I still had some downtime and decided to start "Just As I Am", which is Billy Graham's autobiography. I'm knitting something really easy, so I could knit and read at the same time, which I love to do.

Baby woke up in a great mood, so we went to the fabric store to get some fabric for a couple projects and then ate dinner. My husband had a mission trip meeting, so didn't get home until 10.

After dinner, I tried to play my cello for "E", but her dad lets her play his guitar with him, so she wanted to play my cello too. It doesn't work so well, but she did get a kick out of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. After that E played and I ironed some clothes until it was her bedtime. We cuddled, sang, and prayed and she drifted off to sleep at around 8:30. I picked up my needles and knitted some more and watched a little t.v. until my husband came home. He was talking a mile a minute. He is so excited and it is rubbing off on me even though at first, I resented him going.

Tuesday, I went to work early so I could take a Pilates class at 11:00. The college offers these classes free to students and staff, so why not take advantage? It was great and the workday went by fast. It is quarter break, so not a lot of students. I have plenty of time to work on my archiving project.

Wednesday was another blissful day off. Most of my work was caught up for the first time in ages. The yard needs lots of work, so I did some of it, but read and relaxed during naptime. I also had some things to do for my husband's upcoming trip.

Thursday, I worked, had Pilates, worked some more...book ordering, mostly...world history. At 1:00 I got off early so my husband and I could have a "date" before his trip. I took the baby to a friends and met my husband at home at 4:30. We drove up to Frankenmuth for a big chicken dinner. After, we were stuffed, but I talked him into walking around some shops...he hates this usually, but humored me this time. He even bought me a horse statue sculpted out of leather...all his idea! It was a good time. We picked up baby at 8:30 and talked to our friends a while.

Friday, worked 1/2 day again and went home to wait for new computer. I got it all set up in time for baby and daddy to come home. We went out for dinner again! Too much food, but a nice change of scene. Maybe my dearest one is going to miss me.

My Other Favorite Dad

My husband became a Dad at the ripe age of (almost)47. He never knew what he was missing until our blue-eyed blond girl with curls came along two Julys ago. However, before me and the baby, my dear husband spent his time playing hockey; attending church and Detroit Red Wings games; and going on mission trips.

He has made several mission trips Panama, Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica. He also drove down to Tennessee for local mission work. He uses his God-given talents for plumbing and construction (and guitar-playing) to bless new Christians building churches in impoverished areas. Bless his heart.

My husband took a sabatical from mission work to marry me, get to know my eldest daughter, and complete(?) our family. On Sunday, he is returning to the mission field, this time in Delbarton, West Virginia. He will be taking 12 teens from our church down to do some work projects. Selfishly, I really didn't want him to go, but now as it comes closer and I've prayed hard, I am so proud that he has a calling and is following it. I just ask God to take care of the gang from Calvary Lutheran as they travel and serve Jesus Christ!

My Dad

Father's Day in our family usually includes my Dad doing what he does best...talking about cars and trucks. He was an automotive engineer for over 30 years and has been automotive historian forever. Here is a guy who found his passion early (birth?) and turned it into something fun and sometimes lucrative. He has written several books on the subject along with many articles. His first book about Ford Trucks was in print for 20 years. Now, as a librarian, I know that is rare!!! He drove my mom nuts and sometimes the kids too, but we certainly appreciate his legacy!

Each year for the "past many", Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan hosts a "Motor Muster". Vehicles of all types and their families make their way to this historical village built by Henry Ford to revel in their history. My Dad, along with other automotive historians, give spectators narratives regrading the history and features of each car as they "pass in review". These guys really know their stuff. My dad does most of it off of the top of his head with every detail anyone would ever want to know. Plus, he has a great love of the automobile which is evident in his delivery of the information.

Usually, the family tries to all meet at the Motor Muster to ooh over the cars and to support my Dad and cheer him on. This year, my Dad was the only one of the family there. I don't know if he really cares that we're absent, as he knows we're all busy. However, it sure doesn't feel like Father's Day when I don't go. As I sit on the bleachers as the cars roll by in my own hometown, I am reminded again and again how much I love my dad and how proud I am to be his only daughter.

Note to my conservative readers: In the "About the Author" section of one of his books, but Dad even states that politically he is "right of center". His political convictions run just about as deep as gasoline runs in his veins!

Jacko

Not Guilty Does Not Mean Innocent!!!!!

Terri Revisited

Okay, so the autopsy says what it says. I still think that since Terri's husband broke his convenant to her by starting a new family with another woman. Therefore, was not the person to make such a decision in place of Terri.

Taking Care of the Temple

As of today, I think I've had all of the physical check-ups required of a woman my age. I started at the dentist in April and ended with a physical today. I have test results pending, or course, but to date I don't have any cavities and my mammogram was normal.

I saw the P.A. today instead of the doctor, but the doc sees me all the time with the kids, etc. Kelly, the P.A. was very knowledgeable and helpful. She said that I probably have a B12 deficiency, especially since I nursed the baby for over 13 months. She said that nursing takes a lot out of you even though she was weaned 8 months ago. It doesn't help that I don't eat very well, either. I'm also having my thyroid checked. Things might really be looking up.

I have been taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor since I weaned the baby and P.A. Kelly suggested a different medication, a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. I'm doing okay on the SSRI, but I am hopeful to do better with this change. I just want to be the best I can be for the life God has given to me.

I've been trying so hard to get all of the suggested components of exercise into my life, but I always fall short. It's not that my workout would take that long, it's just figuring out a time when I have energy and the kids are asleep. If I wake up early, they hear me and wake up too! I'm too tired at night or else I've worked until 10:00 p.m. My husband isn't much help in taking care of the kids so I can work out at a reasonable time, so that is also frustrating. I think I'm going to combine my flexibility and strength training and try Pilates for a while. For cardio, I use stroller walks and bike rides with my kids. If I could just ignore the messes around the house and just "do it". (Dear husband doesn't clean up after anyone, including himself, either).

On the nutrition side, I greatly reduced my intake of sugar and artificial sweeteners at the beginning of April. They were triggering me to binge and since I becamse "sugar free", I haven't binged! I allowed myself a couple treats this week, however, with that one exception, I have all but eliminated sweeteners from my diet. I am back on track and it will have to be another very special occassion before I have another treat. Yes, I do eat a little fruit, and occassionaly a diet pop, but give me a break. I used to have a 32 oz. Coke at least once or twice a day and that would lead to bingeing. I was self-medicating with the stuff and now I am so FREE! Praise God!!!!! Now that I've learned what not to put into my body, I need to figure out how to feed myself...

Generation Gap?!?

I just spent a half an hour or so responding to an article I read on "Cafe: Stirring the Spirit Within", a forum hosted (?) by the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. (My synood)

The topic was feminism. After I responded, I read that the forum was for women, ages 24-35. At 40, I guess I'm too old to "get it". I thought the "X" and "Y" women had learned something from the Baby Boomers. Now, I'm not so sure that feminism is all bad, but the feminist movement sure did a number on us! I am glad that society does not restrict me because of my gender and that I have a degree to fall back on in case my husband is unable to work, etc. However, coming of age in the 80's, young women were told we SHOULD have it all! In the midst of pursuing the perfect body; excelling in sports, academics, and the arts; obtaining the degrees to have the great career; having lots of premarital sex (abortions, diseases); all the while dreaming about the heavenly husband and beautiful babies. I missed a lot of the premarital sex, but I think somewhere I lost sight of God the Father, (and Son and Holy Spirit). I don't remember even being told that I should try to find out what God wanted for my life and I was in the Church and part of a Christian family.

I found myself at 25 with a master's and career. All I really wanted was to love my husband and children. Unfortunately, the men of my era were counting on the women to have careers, so that they could "have it all" too. (The one I picked out when I was 25 didn't want to have a "regular" job, so I could earn the money while he pursued his "dreams".)

Ultimately, I let God take over and He blessed me with a help mate and two beautiful daughters. I have a wonderful church family and I am able to use my degrees to help out with expenses.

I was also really bothered by some of the article written by Rev. Elyse Nelson Winger:

She quotes Genesis 1:27 'So God created humankind in [God's]Image, in the image of God[God]created them; male and female [God] created them.' Then she continues by saying, "This verse is rich and complex, but what I love about it is that both male and female are created in God's image--which means that God is neither male nor female! God is indeed beyond gender. Yet, both male and female reflect the image of God, which might be better imaged as light, power, love, ground, or source."

I'm sorry, God is my Father! HE is all of the things Rev. Winger says, but above all, HE is FATHER God!

The Bible is filled with strong woman and a deep respect for the female. Why do we have to bend gender in sacred texts???

I admit, I am not focused enough to really defend my position on this blog. I don't want to have to think that hard, but this really gets my blood boiling!!!