Can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be...
Happiest Place on Earth
Saturday, April 19, 2014
There's Just Something About...
... that first Spring day at the park.
Can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be...
L.
Can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be...
Friday, April 18, 2014
Do We Skip Ahead, Too Quickly...
... to Easter?
We call it "Good Friday", but I don't think very many of us feel "good" about it.
Matthew 26:29 has been on my mind, "Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will'" (NIV).
None of us wants to suffer or die. Even Jesus, himself, asks God to take the cup from him, if it is possible. But, of course, it is not... not if we really want redemption for a fallen world. And that, after all, is why Jesus came.
Still, there is anguish in this. Jesus falls to his face on the ground! We can easily forget that Jesus is as completely human as he is completely divine. I think that, maybe, we see this most clearly in the Passion. Jesus is hurting. And somehow, even though he knows the resurrection to be true, he is not thinking about it when he hangs, dying, on the cross.
In fact, as Jesus takes his final breath, he is seemingly doubting the plan: "From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”)... And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit" (Matthew 27: 45, 46, 50, NIV). And that's it. It is finished. Done. Over.
As Christians, I think we skim over this part of the story. We question the sincerity of people who have doubts, of people who wonder where God is when they're suffering, of people who question why they have been forsaken or why life (and death) are so hard. And when we do this, I think we miss the point.
God doesn't call us to live behind a facade, pretending that everything is OK, because we have faith. Faith is something more than that. Faith is pressing ahead and accepting God's will, God's plan, even when it doesn't make sense and even when it hurts. I don't think that most of us have a clue what Jesus means when he says, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24, NIV).
I think sometimes... sometimes... we take up a cross, but it is rarely in connection with self-denial. In fact, it is often the exact opposite. Our "crosses" are usually all the trivial things that are happening in our lives that just aren't fair. We complain... and argue... and pout. I can't find the self-denial in that.
But really, the cross is death. I recognize that this isn't nearly as attractive as the resurrection, but it must precede it. And, for the most part, we aren't called to a physical death but to death to ourselves... our desires... our dreams... our plans. And most of us don't want to let go of those. We just don't. But the hope in this is that when we examine the Passion, we find that Jesus doesn't really want to let go of those either. He begs the Father to change the plan. He pleads for His life. He wonders why God has left him to die.
But this is the key. Even though it might not be what Jesus wants, he trusts His Father enough to do it anyway. And... you know... the Father does come through. But let's not get ahead of the story this time around. Let's take today... and tomorrow... to consider the time that Jesus' body lay in the tomb, dead. Let's consider how we might die to ourselves, because we can't have resurrection without death.
L.
PS I often find music to be helpful in my spiritual formation. The following songs might be useful as you meditate on what it means to accept God's will, to take up your cross, even when we don't quite understand it:
Sidewalk Prophets - Help Me Find It
Rend Collective Experiment - Broken Bread
We call it "Good Friday", but I don't think very many of us feel "good" about it.
Matthew 26:29 has been on my mind, "Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will'" (NIV).
None of us wants to suffer or die. Even Jesus, himself, asks God to take the cup from him, if it is possible. But, of course, it is not... not if we really want redemption for a fallen world. And that, after all, is why Jesus came.
Still, there is anguish in this. Jesus falls to his face on the ground! We can easily forget that Jesus is as completely human as he is completely divine. I think that, maybe, we see this most clearly in the Passion. Jesus is hurting. And somehow, even though he knows the resurrection to be true, he is not thinking about it when he hangs, dying, on the cross.
In fact, as Jesus takes his final breath, he is seemingly doubting the plan: "From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”)... And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit" (Matthew 27: 45, 46, 50, NIV). And that's it. It is finished. Done. Over.
As Christians, I think we skim over this part of the story. We question the sincerity of people who have doubts, of people who wonder where God is when they're suffering, of people who question why they have been forsaken or why life (and death) are so hard. And when we do this, I think we miss the point.
God doesn't call us to live behind a facade, pretending that everything is OK, because we have faith. Faith is something more than that. Faith is pressing ahead and accepting God's will, God's plan, even when it doesn't make sense and even when it hurts. I don't think that most of us have a clue what Jesus means when he says, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24, NIV).
I think sometimes... sometimes... we take up a cross, but it is rarely in connection with self-denial. In fact, it is often the exact opposite. Our "crosses" are usually all the trivial things that are happening in our lives that just aren't fair. We complain... and argue... and pout. I can't find the self-denial in that.
But really, the cross is death. I recognize that this isn't nearly as attractive as the resurrection, but it must precede it. And, for the most part, we aren't called to a physical death but to death to ourselves... our desires... our dreams... our plans. And most of us don't want to let go of those. We just don't. But the hope in this is that when we examine the Passion, we find that Jesus doesn't really want to let go of those either. He begs the Father to change the plan. He pleads for His life. He wonders why God has left him to die.
But this is the key. Even though it might not be what Jesus wants, he trusts His Father enough to do it anyway. And... you know... the Father does come through. But let's not get ahead of the story this time around. Let's take today... and tomorrow... to consider the time that Jesus' body lay in the tomb, dead. Let's consider how we might die to ourselves, because we can't have resurrection without death.
L.
PS I often find music to be helpful in my spiritual formation. The following songs might be useful as you meditate on what it means to accept God's will, to take up your cross, even when we don't quite understand it:
Sidewalk Prophets - Help Me Find It
Rend Collective Experiment - Broken Bread
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
End of an Era...
We spent a lot of hours at this music studio. This year, we "commuted" once a month to keep some consistency for our kids during this transition in our lives. This allowed Caleb to finish the keyboard class with his friends that he has been with since he started preschool music at age 4. It also allowed Ian to finish the early childhood Musikgarten program. And Miah got one more year in with her friends, as well. This has been the hardest part of our life to let go. But if there's one thing I've learned, it's that sometimes you just don't have to. There is no rule that you have to make a clean break. I fully believe that God allows our paths to cross with people and places, and sometimes those people and places become a part of us that lasts. I love that.
Miah's Last Preschool Music Class:
Dancing with Mrs. Spahr:
Mrs. Spahr, Miah, Owen, Rocket, and Felicity:
I have no idea why Miah felt the need
to hold Owen back by the neck!
Ian Waiting for His Last Class:
Mr. Banjo...
My Kids Have a Love-Hate Relationship with this Song:
We sure do love these people! I'm feeling thankful that we live in the digital age and can keep in touch regularly!
L.
Friday, April 4, 2014
Car Wash...
So, I'm just going to put it out there. My kids had never been to an automatic car wash. Now, the truth is, we experienced about the most pathetic automatic car wash ever, today, but Grace's reaction was priceless, anyway...
Phil and I might have sung the car wash song while this was going on. Admittedly, I now feel the need to take her to a good car wash...
L.
PS I loved going to the car wash when I was a kid... I know... I know... easily amused...
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Happy 4th Birthday, Miah!
It's hard to wrap my mind around the fact that we have now celebrated half of all of the birthdays we will have with our children before they all reach adulthood. I'm not sure exactly what that means, but it feels significant!
Our "baby princess" isn't much of a baby anymore at age 4, but I guess she will always be the baby, to us.
We got some amazing birthday pictures, today:
Miah wanted to go to Chuck-E-Cheese, and we didn't want to deprive her or anything, since our bigger kids have always been allowed to choose this on their birthdays, but we did decide to just pkay there and eat later:
Miah chose a very eclectic mix of birthday foods:
And her cake turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself:
She made out like a bandit at present time... It pays to have older siblings who think you are the queen of the world:
I love this little girl with my whole heart! Happy birthday, Miah! Mama loves you much... much... much... and "that's a lot of muches!"
Our "baby princess" isn't much of a baby anymore at age 4, but I guess she will always be the baby, to us.
We got some amazing birthday pictures, today:
Miah wanted to go to Chuck-E-Cheese, and we didn't want to deprive her or anything, since our bigger kids have always been allowed to choose this on their birthdays, but we did decide to just pkay there and eat later:
Miah chose a very eclectic mix of birthday foods:
And her cake turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself:
She made out like a bandit at present time... It pays to have older siblings who think you are the queen of the world:
I love this little girl with my whole heart! Happy birthday, Miah! Mama loves you much... much... much... and "that's a lot of muches!"
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Unless I Make A Real Effort...
... I rarely end up in a picture that isn't either posed or a "selfie", lately!
Well, I forgot I handed my camera off to my friend, Rita, at District Finals, and I was pleasantly surprised to find this rare coaching moment from top 16, captured on film:
Ah... District Finals. It's always an adventure...
I can hardly believe that we have come to the end of Seth and Grace's second district quiz season already. Time flies...
The end result is that both of them will be quizzing on the Michigan District A Team at Celebrate Life and Q, which makes me happy. It never ceases to amaze me how stressful district finals is, regardless of who you are or where you quiz. There were some mishaps in getting there, but they are there nevertheless...
I am really looking forward to the years to come...
L.
Well, I forgot I handed my camera off to my friend, Rita, at District Finals, and I was pleasantly surprised to find this rare coaching moment from top 16, captured on film:
Ah... District Finals. It's always an adventure...
I can hardly believe that we have come to the end of Seth and Grace's second district quiz season already. Time flies...
The end result is that both of them will be quizzing on the Michigan District A Team at Celebrate Life and Q, which makes me happy. It never ceases to amaze me how stressful district finals is, regardless of who you are or where you quiz. There were some mishaps in getting there, but they are there nevertheless...
I am really looking forward to the years to come...
L.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Junior Festival, 2014...
What kid enters 11 events for Junior Festival? Oh... that would be my kid...
I always enjoy the times when we return to Indiana and get to interact with our "music family".
Grace had a ridiculously successful weekend, including Superior ratings in solo, composition, concerto, and theory and Super Superior ratings in accompaniment, patriotic & folk, improvisation, LFO solo, hymns, sightreading, and duet.
Grace had her first experience playing in the district play-offs and will be playing her solo and composition at the honors recital in May!
This was Caleb's first Junior Festival. He earned a Very Good in theory, Superior in patriotic & folk and hymns, and Super Superior in solo! He worked really hard, and it payed off!
I always enjoy the times when we return to Indiana and get to interact with our "music family".
Grace had a ridiculously successful weekend, including Superior ratings in solo, composition, concerto, and theory and Super Superior ratings in accompaniment, patriotic & folk, improvisation, LFO solo, hymns, sightreading, and duet.
Here she is with Anna, after the accompaniment event:
And with Jonah after the duets:
Grace had her first experience playing in the district play-offs and will be playing her solo and composition at the honors recital in May!
This was Caleb's first Junior Festival. He earned a Very Good in theory, Superior in patriotic & folk and hymns, and Super Superior in solo! He worked really hard, and it payed off!
Here he is after his events,
waiting for Grace to finish up:
Excellent weekend...
L.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Indy Westside Tournament, 2014...
Maybe a picture really is worth 1,000 words.
This stuff doesn't hurt:
But the stuff that really matters is all wrapped up in loving God and loving people! Thank you, so much, to those who made this a good weekend, particularly for Grace who needed a purely fun quiz to reset for the rest of this season. Thank you, especially, to Lydia, who is graciously passing the torch.
I do not think there is a better program out there for spiritual formation, for teenagers, than Bible Quizzing.
Carry on...
L.
This is what quizzing should look like:
And This:
And This:
And if there's anybody out there who thinks
I only care about winning,
Even this, if the quizzing is good:
This stuff doesn't hurt:
"Our Cup is Full"
2nd Place with their $250.00 scholarships:
Top 10 Individual Quizzers
Grace, 4th place with her $500.00 scholarship:
But the stuff that really matters is all wrapped up in loving God and loving people! Thank you, so much, to those who made this a good weekend, particularly for Grace who needed a purely fun quiz to reset for the rest of this season. Thank you, especially, to Lydia, who is graciously passing the torch.
I do not think there is a better program out there for spiritual formation, for teenagers, than Bible Quizzing.
Carry on...
L.
Friday, February 28, 2014
February...
Here's what went on in month #2, this year...
In other televised events news, the kids and I watched pretty much all of the Winter Olympics. It was the first time, in years, that we have had access to them at our own house! I never thought I would love the DVR option, but I do!
Even though I was apparently incapable of capturing Seth and Grace's achievements at the district quiz, with a photo, I did manage to take a shot of this deep fried, thick cut bacon I made. I'm not sure what that says about my parenting skills, but I can cook. Actually, I make this particular food once every decade or so. It reminds me of Mammaw and Paw. Theirs tasted better...
Sterling was a real challenge. I actually struggled an awful lot over that weekend, and I am pretty displeased about some of the things I have seen going on in the Bible Quizzing world. It's the first time I've cried (a lot) at a quiz, since I was a quizzer, myself. Not to say there haven't been some proud teary eyed moments, but these were the kinds of tears that come from being sorely disappointed with people, not numbers. At the end of the day, I had one very distraught daughter, and I spent the better part of the next month putting pieces back together. Sometimes, that's just life.
We rounded out the month with a children's quiz that I actually was able to attend!
And Ian's sweet, little, energy filled team:
That's a wrap...
L.
Smallest Super Bowl "Party" we've had in years:
In other televised events news, the kids and I watched pretty much all of the Winter Olympics. It was the first time, in years, that we have had access to them at our own house! I never thought I would love the DVR option, but I do!
Kelsay and Kyle spent the night before the district quiz.
It's fun being at the stage of life
where I don't have to entertain the kids' overnight guests.
Just providing pizza... and lots of it... works out pretty well:
I think I must have forgotten to take pictures at the quiz, and, in fact, I can't even find the results on my FB page. It must have been a good one... Really, this is strange, though. I am pretty sure Grace was 1st and Seth was 3rd individually. The team was 4th.
We went bowling after the quiz...
Which you wouldn't know from this picture,
but I liked it anyway:
In case you're wondering,
We are pretty lousy bowlers,
but we do have fun:
Even though I was apparently incapable of capturing Seth and Grace's achievements at the district quiz, with a photo, I did manage to take a shot of this deep fried, thick cut bacon I made. I'm not sure what that says about my parenting skills, but I can cook. Actually, I make this particular food once every decade or so. It reminds me of Mammaw and Paw. Theirs tasted better...
Sterling was a real challenge. I actually struggled an awful lot over that weekend, and I am pretty displeased about some of the things I have seen going on in the Bible Quizzing world. It's the first time I've cried (a lot) at a quiz, since I was a quizzer, myself. Not to say there haven't been some proud teary eyed moments, but these were the kinds of tears that come from being sorely disappointed with people, not numbers. At the end of the day, I had one very distraught daughter, and I spent the better part of the next month putting pieces back together. Sometimes, that's just life.
Competitively speaking, Grace was 5th individually:
"Sheep in Wolves Clothing" took 10th place:
Sterling fell on Phil's 38th b-day, this year. We had to wait to celebrate until we got home. We took him out to Texas Roadhouse and saw The Lego Movie, as a family. Everything is Awesome!
Although I took quite a few pictures
of Phil's birthday celebration,
I liked this one best:
We rounded out the month with a children's quiz that I actually was able to attend!
Here's Caleb answering a question:
That's a wrap...
L.
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