Books books and more books

I think my head is going to explode. I am currently reading 5 books - a Parenting book, a Marriage book, a book about juice fasting, a novel by a friend, and an exciting (not) book about women's hormones. I just borrowed another 3 parenting books from a friend. I'm also reading 2 children's books and a children's bible to my kids, attending a Mothering Bible Study (with daily homework), and I need to get stuck into those library books about home schooling...

Reading is actually a luxury for me. I haven't read a book in a long time. I'm very excited about what I am reading. Learning a lot, which I will share soon, and enjoying the kids books. The other day I was reading The Secret Garden to the kids and they lost interest when the call of the wild echoed through the house in the form of Titus, our little friend who lives downstairs. So, Timmy and Samantha ran off with him and left me completely lost within the story of this sad little girl named Mary. An unwanted child, abandoned by those called to nurture and love her; eventually orphaned and shipped off to another dysfunctional household, where she is again rejected and emotionally abandoned. The narrative shocked me. Somehow Mary's surly attitude, her bitterness, and her self-centeredness are her own fault, rather than the result of rejection and abandonment by her parents coupled with being pampered and coddled by servants who feared and despised her.

This is as far as I got. Motherly duties called, so I put the book down. But it really bugged me. If she has never been shown a good response, how will she know what good behaviour looks like? If she's never been shown affection, how will she be able to give it? If her caregivers have never had the desire or courage to say 'no', then where will she learn the boundaries and respect she needs to function as an adult? How is she going to learn to take responsibility for her life, her attitudes and her actions... and eventually her own pain?


Perhaps my reaction to the narrative is because I am a product of the 'psycho-babble' generation, where we are so concerned with the psychological effects of every word and action. Whereas, The Secret Garden was written in an era where children were commodities and were seen but not heard, unless they were putting on a show for the benefit of the families reputation. So, a surly little princess would be detestable to the adults around her, even if they were the cause of her bitterness and angst.

This is the first time I've ever read The Secret Garden. I know the story and have seen the movie. Have you ever read The Secret Garden?? What's your take on Mary Mary, quite contrary? Did you feel for her or were you annoyed by her?

Where is Heaven?

The other day, Master 2.5 asked, "Mummy, where is heaven?"

I thought, Wow! What a philosophical and intelligent son I have!!

"Well, Timmy, heaven is God lives. Where ever God is, that's heaven," I answered quickly.

"But where is heaven?" he asked again.

"Um, it's way up in the sky... all they way in outer space, at the very edges of the universe."

"NO Mummy!!! Where is Heaven??" he said emphatically.

At that moment it dawned on me. He's not asking 'where is heaven?'. He's asking 'Where is Kevan?'

We have a friend named Kevan.

Master 2.5 calls him Heaven.

Kevan and his Beautiful Bride, Lisa

Happy Birthday to Me!

Yesterday it was my birthday. The last one I'll ever celebrate.

I woke up in the morning and found two gifts on the dining room table, assuming they were from my Darling Husband I commented on the awesome gift bag and dove into to devour the contents of my gift.

DH told me, "These are not the gifts you are looking for... the ones from me are coming later."

Oh. Mystery. I love a good mystery.

So, I took the kids to bible study with me and forgot it was my birthday as I drove down the highway with one child screaming, "I want my blankie!!" and the other screaming, "Mummy! Make him stop! Get him his blankie! Now! Pleeeeaaassseeeee!!!"

Alas, the blankie was not in the car. So, the return trip was pretty much identical.

I pulled up, planning to say, "Honey, can I disappear for a little while until this ringing in my ears stops?"

But DH totally disarmed me with his Man of Mystery look, and he lead me inside the house...

... where A Dozen Roses, a box of Chocolates and a big balloon were waiting for me. And that was just the beginning.

This year's Birthday Present was a scavenger hunt. It started with a Message in a Bottle and sent me scurrying around the property and house, looking for clues (which were absolutely brilliant) in the oddest places.

I finally found the prize under my very own pillow.  That was the hardest riddle to break!

In the evening we had a big party with our DTS students and staff, and a phenomenal Home Made Strawberry Chocolate Birthday Cake. After singing Happy Birthday in 3 languages, they sang every Birthday song they know. DH finished off by singing the Monty Python Birthday Song.

My heart soared through the evening on waves of love, encouragement, and delight. 

But my heart sank morning tea, when I went to the fridge and discovered that someone had stolen the rest of my birthday cake.

Seriously? Who would do a thing like that?

Encouragement. I think?

On Sunday night my brother in law shared at the Christian Edge in Lacoochee. This is a summary of what he said.

I have some encouragement for you that will knock your socks off. Are you ready for this? Seriously, I am about to build you up and make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.

You are Weak and Foolish.

See! Don't you feel good about yourselves?

Oh, I forgot the best part. 1 Cor 1:27-31

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." ESV

None of us can say, 'Oh, when I have it all together; when I am strong in my faith and am wise the ways of the world and God gives me enough wisdom, THEN I will go and serve God in the calling he has given me.' 

No, God has a) made you who you are today, and b) has equipped you with everything you need to do what He has called you to do today. 

Today is the day to serve God. In Christ, each of us has enough to do exactly what He has called us to do and be, TODAY. 

Are you single? Then today, you are called to celibacy. He will be your constant companion and meet your needs.
Are you married? Then God has called you to honour him by loving and respecting and submitting to your spouse - today and every day, until He calls you home. 
Are you are Mum or Dad? Then He has given you the strength and wisdom to be a parent - indeed, He IS your strength and wisdom. 

Are you a student? A missionary? A doctor? A pastor's wife? A kid no one respects? 

God has called you! The weak and the foolish for His purpose. And through you, He'll achieve His purpose, if you will submit to Him and allow Him to move in you and through you each day. 

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13 NIV

We don't have to rely on our own strength to get through each day. I have seen this over and over in my life and in my brother in law's life. He's really weak - with chronic illness - and yet, I have seen him do amazing things in Christ's strength. He is a daily testimony to me of God using the weak and foolish to shame the strong and the wise, AND of doing all things through Christ's strength. 

So, today, when you wake up feeling weak and foolish, REJOICE!! God has chosen you to be a vessel for His Glory! There is an assignment today that only you can complete, IN HIM. Stop and ask Him what it is, and then ask Him to fill you with His strength to complete it. 

Not so that others will see it and pat you on the back. No, just do what you are called to do today for the sake of His glory. 

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Col 3:23-24 NIV

Crappy Christmas Gifts

On Day 7 of the 12 Days of Christmas, I was inspired by This Video to find out if my kids were Ungrateful Materialistic Brats, or if they could handle being given Crappy Christmas Gifts.

I was quite pleased with the results. They feigned interest in the under garments they were given, and even put them on over their clothes. It's obvious they are disappointed, despite saying all the 'right' words. I loved their reaction to the Real Gifts they were given a few minutes later. This is what I'm used to seeing! Even books get this reaction. Even School Books get this reaction!!!

My Brother in Law decided to take it to the next level: he got clothes from the kids closets and put them into gift bags. Timothy took one look at the familiar red shirt, handed it to me with utter disinterest, and went back to playing with his new Percy Engine. Samantha pulled out her favourite Purple Dress and began to go on and on... "This is the most beautiful dress I ever saw, Uncle David! Thank you! Thank you!"

We couldn't stop laughing.

Samantha caught on pretty quick. She ran into the bedroom, put a few Crappy Christmas Gifts (ie. stuff we used every day) into an old shopping bag, and gave it to Sean!! She repeated this several times, ensuring that each family member received at least one Crappy Gift.

Tomorrow I think I'll give Samantha half a pickle sandwich and Timmy a Ziploc bag of Dates.

Perhaps we need to make this a new Christmas tradition. You know, to help us really appreciate the good things that we have.

Here's our video of The 7th Day of Christmas, for your viewing pleasure.  Sorry about the low quality - we have very low lighting in the house.

Twelve Days of Christmas

We're celebrating the Twelve Days of Christmas at Sanborn Manor. Today is Day 4.

We've never done this before. This year the Kids are going to be spoiled beyond belief, with piles of toys and books and clothes and all manner of opulence and extravagance. Because my family in Australia has decreed that it shall be.

So, we decided to let the spoiling begin early. That way the kids don't get overloaded with gifts all at once and we save alot on wrapping paper, cause we are using the same Christmas gift bag for each present. Pretty smart, huh!

Boxes have been arriving at Sanborn Manor since mid November, and it's a tiresome task trying to get them into their hiding places. Tonight Samantha and Timmy ran out to greet the UPS guy and collect the package from him. As he left, Samantha said, "Bye Bye Santa!!"

Imagination runs wild when there are empty boxes around. Today, Timothy and Samantha created a replica of the Dinosaur Train. They traveled to distant lands, made new discoveries and met lots of weird and wonderful creatures.

Tonight we gathered around the piano with Uncle Dave, Nana and Grandad, and sang Christmas carols - Samantha even made up a few of her own - and then we opened Day 4's gift: some coloring books and a Kid's One Year Devotional. Samantha loves books, and immediately asked Daddy to read it. After we were done with the entry for Dec 15, she grabbed the book and sat down to look at the pictures. Timmy was more interested in the Big Bird and Elmo coloring books.

But I have a feeling that the toy of choice tomorrow will be those boxes sitting on the front porch - those things can really take you places.

Adorable-ness

My Son is too smart!

This morning he pulled out Spiderman the Movie, and put it on. Big Deal I hear you say! Bear with me, we're getting there.

Timmy knows the story, and before the movie even begins, he's concerned to know if Peter Parker is gonna be alright. I just think that's cute.

Spiderman saves MJ from being mugged and raped (I stood in front of the TV for that scene), and then Spidey is hanging upside down flirting with her.

They Kiss.

Master 2.5  says, "Ooooh! She loves Spiderman."

And I melted.

What fun and adorable things have your kids, nieces and nephews, grandkids, or neighbourhood kids said and done this week?

Wordless Wednesday

Full of Awesome and Full of Love!

Looking Back

I was looking over at my other (private) blog last night, and I found an interesting post that I decided to share here. It's poorly written and a little cryptic, I apologize for that. I hope you will enjoy it anyway, and perhaps even find it encouraging.

Written June 2010. 

One thing I like about Daily Audio Bible (besides being free) is that Brian usually gives a little teaching about one of the passages. Sometimes they are blah. Sometimes they are insightful. I also love that the readings are always fresh (recorded each day). Okay, end of advertisement!

Sean and I have been praying through several issues over the last few months, including the possibility of moving to a new city in Thailand. Sean wants a new challenge in ministry, a new frontier. I am comfortable here in Chiang Mai close to my friends, with a great support network that I don't want to leave behind. I never thought I'd come to a point in my life when going even further 'to the ends of the earth' would be so hard, would actually make me worry and be a little fearful. To put it in perspective: I'm terrified of returning to the USA or Australia (Oh Lord, Please don't tell us to do that!). But I surprised myself recently when I said, "Oh Lord, I am so comfortable here. I have all that I need and want. I have friends. Please let me stay!" It's a strange place to be, for me.

So, to the DAB. Another thing I like about it, is that they have the transcripts on the website, so I don't have to try to remember what Brian said, I can just copy it over!! he he he!

1 Kings 12:20-13:34
 The prophet was told to do something by God. He obeyed what he was told to do, but he didn’t finish well. He didn’t finish exactly what God had told him to do. God said go and speak out against this altar, against this altar Jeroboam has erected. Don’t eat anything. Don’t drink anything. Don’t go home the way that you came. He almost did it. He went, spoke against the altar, refused the reward of the king, refused to eat or drink, and left on a different way. But another prophet came and lied to him, lied to him and said an angel came and told me you’re supposed to come home with me.

Now, you know, you want to sit up and pay attention to a word like that: You know, somebody says an angel came to me and said thus and so. Well, you gotta at least listen, especially in this context where this guy is another prophet. So the prophet turned from the word that the Lord had given him and went to the other prophet’s home. The word of the Lord then came and said, you know, you’re not going to find yourself dying in the land where you can be buried with your fathers. Well, the original prophet who spoke against the altar leaves and a lion kills him.

It never had to happen. The prophet needed only to obey the voice of the Lord. This is a really good lesson because on the one hand, this other prophet said that God had sent him, but he was lying. Now, we are responsible for the things that we hear from the Lord and we certainly use community, absolutely need community to confirm and to sort of watch our blind spots. When we’ve heard the voice of the Lord and direction we are to head into, we must obey. We must. Until God changes that and it bears witness in our own hearts through the Holy Spirit, well, we can’t just change and deviate from the path. Bad things can happen when you disobey the Lord, not even really out of judgment, just because you’re stepping out of the protection of God’s will for your life. I mean, if we are going to live this thing out, then what we are invited into is full surrender and utter obedience. That takes the guesswork out of just about everything. It is our responsibility to obey period. It is not our responsibility to decide when we might obey. When we might think that it all depends on us, bad things happen, as we well know, when we allow ourselves to take the reins of control and assume the throne of our lives and begin making our own decisions.

This really convicted me to make sure I'm listening to God. That Sean and I are listening to God, together. I believe that we are on the edge of a change, of something new. But I'm struggling with accepting it. God is working in my heart, helping me to trust Him. I don't know if we will actually move. But I know God is challenging me to have that same willingness that I had when I was young, that same passion that drove me to No Compromise, to seek after Him and not let anyone (not even my Pastor or a 'Lover') steer me from the course He had set me on.

Amazingly, June 15 has a contrasting story about obedience, from Acts. An angel appears to Cornelius and then appears to Peter to confirm what Peter is about to hear.

Acts 10:1-23
Yesterday, we were talking about how when we have a directive from the Lord, certainly we have community that helps us confirm, that helps us understand and process, certainly. But once we are clear on what God is saying, well, if somebody comes along and says, hey, an angel came to tell me to tell you such and such when we’ve already been confirmed in our heart what God is speaking, if we deviate, then we are in disobedience and we just take ourselves out in the process.

The contrast is in Peter’s life today. Peter is about to learn a very big lesson, a huge lesson in the New Testament and that is regarding the gentiles and what is clean and what is unclean and how Christ opened the way of salvation to all mankind. Now, Cornelius actually sees an angel and sends for Peter at the direction of the angel. So these guys could have just shown up and said, “An angel told our boss to come get you.” The thing is the Lord had already awakened that in Peter’s heart. He already told him, “Look, there are some guys here looking for you. Go with them at once. I have sent them. I’m in this.” So Peter can move forward with full confidence and go with the men to a Roman centurion that he doesn’t know at all because the Holy Spirit has already spoken it.

So there is a great contrast here. But beyond just a great contrast, there is the importance of obeying the voice of the Holy Spirit as he guides and directs us in our lives. We get to have this interaction...  God didn’t send the Holy Spirit at the day of Pentecost to guide into all truth and then just pull it back. The Holy Spirit guides our lives; and as the Holy Spirit guides our lives and we understand and know God more and more, we can walk confidently even when the Holy Spirit is being counter-intuitive. I mean, on the face of things, Peter probably should not have left with an unknown band of people claiming to be guided by a Roman centurion. It is probably not the most healthy move. But the Holy Spirit had already confirmed this in Peter’s heart, the same Holy Spirit that dwells within us.

I know that God is speaking to me about listening and following (obeying) His direction, cause I also got an email from a friend yesterday and God had revealed to her in prayer what I am talking about here! Amazing! So, we are waiting on God to hear from Him wait we are to do, where we are to go, how we are to do it and when. And I don't feel so guilty about being so behind in my bible 'reading' anymore, cause I can see how God has orchestrated it all to fit together so that I get His message loud and clear! ;-) 


Todays Update!

image credit

It's interesting to read this again, considering where we are today.

We are in the States, preparing to run another missionary training school. Remember that comment about being terrified of returning to the States?? I just have to laugh!! I know that God wants us here and I'm at peace. I'm glad we are here for this season. It's exciting to be training and discipling new missionaries.

We have moved all our worldly possessions from Chiang Mai to Phitsanulok - and I'm very excited about that change!! God is doing some great things there, and I'm thankful that He's letting us be a part of it. Chiang Mai is a beautiful city, with all the modern conveniences. It's so easy to get comfortable.

It's time to be inconvenienced and uncomfortable again!!!

As a Disciple of Christ, I am called to follow in His footsteps. Where ever He goes, I follow. Listening and obeying is an absolute MUST. Sometimes it takes a while for my heart and mind to catch up with what Jesus is saying, but thankfully He is always patient and gracious to give me time to figure out that Following in His Footsteps is the best what to go.

We Choose Virtues Sale

Cyber Monday Sale!!

Take 30% off your entire shopping cart on Monday, November 28th.

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We Choose Virtues offer products designed for public or private schools, 

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I use the Virtues Poster and Personal Virtue Cards as part of our daily behaviour review. 
My daughter LOVES the Butterfly Stickers (pictured above), which can now be purchased in packs of 108 for just $3.99! 
Follow the Butterfly to find the perfect 'Virtues' pack to meet your needs.