... since I went silent?
I am going to work a bit on "back blogging" now, as I like to call it...
See below for new posts...
Lisa
Happiest Place on Earth
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Paradise '08...
For those of you who don't know, Phil and I spent Memorial Day weekend in Missouri/Kansas, participating in an intense, extensive time of worship. It was awesome.
It was not the kind of awesome that you usually experience. It was not the been there... done that... got the T-shirt and wear it everywhere I go kind of awesome. It was different.
Our day out in the field started with no direction, which, to be honest, got on my nerves a little bit. Except it really shouldn't have, because as Phil and I began talking, I know that God used those moments to work in my heart. I don't think I really want to get into all of it, and a lot of you who read this blog regularly have already heard the story (or lived through it), but let me just say that it is a pitiful thing to nurse wounds you didn't even realize still existed...
At some point it started to rain. I admit there was a tiny, little bit of lightning, but I counted the seconds between the lightning and the thunder, and it was like 30 miles away, so we stayed on the field (although Phil did run up to the tree line where we'd left our lunches, because we didn't particularly want to serve our group soggy sandwiches). During this time, spontaneous singing broke out. I liked that. The rain lasted for about 10 minutes...
We experienced a group time together, which was good...
Our late morning silence time was a bit on the interesting side. I really don't think most people understand the significance of silence. Most days, I don't fully "get it" myself. I had a difficult time getting settled in a place where I felt like I could completely focus my attention on God. The first place I chose was inhabited by a great multitude of tics. The second place I chose was also inhabited by tics, as well as some other friendly insect creatures, but perhaps the worst part about that spot was that when I sat down I came to realize that the ground was a good deal wetter than I had anticipated. Finally, I climbed a tree...
I did not climb very high, mind you, but I did climb, and that's saying something since I don't believe I've been up in a tree in well over a decade...
I decided to read about Nicodemus... which led me to the passage about the master and the talents and the servants who invested them wisely and the one who didn't. And then I felt like I was getting absolutely nowhere, so since there was a breeze I went ahead and let the pages of my Bible blow at which point I came to the parable of the lost sheep. And in the end, to be completely honest, I exclaimed, "God, You are so confusing!"...
Carefully climbed out of the tree... found Phil... headed toward the field for the Sacred Assembly...
Let me insert here that this is the point at which I should have applied sunscreen. However, I am sometimes an idiot, so I now look at bit like a lobster, seeing as this is the worst burn I have ever experienced, hands down...
The first part of the Sacred Assembly was good. It was probably better than good, but my mind was wandering to a few other issues at the time, so for me it was just good...
Then, one of our girls started to feel light headed, so I took her up to the first aid tent. Actually, we were headed to the ambulance, because I thought that was where they were administering first aid, but as it turned out there was a tent right out on the field where they were equipped to serve warm Gatorade, so that's where we ended up... She really didn't feel well...
I stayed up there with her for probably 30-45 minutes. During this time, some of my favorite worship songs were being played on the field, and I have to admit that I was a little on the irritated side... again... because I would have liked to have been down there. At some point, another one of our girls joined us, and I went back to the group. I was able to clearly see our girls in the first aid tent from where the rest of the group was, and if they needed me to come back, the doctor had Phil's cell number. They eventually rejoined us, as well, when they had partaken of all of the warm Gatorade their bodies could handle...
The major turning point for me, during the Sacred Assembly, was a song I'd never heard before. It was called "Words to Build a Life On"... I think. At any rate, I do not have the lyrics right now, but I sent a message to the guy who I presume is the author of this song, and when I do have lyrics... or music... or whatever, I will share it.
There is something amazing about reading Scripture aloud and singing to God alone for hours on end! I was not ready for this time to be over when it was...
We spent some more time as a group, munched more sandwiches and snacks, and made our 1/2 mile trek back to the bus. We did not stay until sunset. I would have liked to, but it didn't seem to be the best choice in our particular set of circumstances...
I know that this writing has not done justice to what I actually experienced at Paradise. It was very personal and internal. I would definitely do it again (minus the sunburn).
Lisa
It was not the kind of awesome that you usually experience. It was not the been there... done that... got the T-shirt and wear it everywhere I go kind of awesome. It was different.
Our day out in the field started with no direction, which, to be honest, got on my nerves a little bit. Except it really shouldn't have, because as Phil and I began talking, I know that God used those moments to work in my heart. I don't think I really want to get into all of it, and a lot of you who read this blog regularly have already heard the story (or lived through it), but let me just say that it is a pitiful thing to nurse wounds you didn't even realize still existed...
At some point it started to rain. I admit there was a tiny, little bit of lightning, but I counted the seconds between the lightning and the thunder, and it was like 30 miles away, so we stayed on the field (although Phil did run up to the tree line where we'd left our lunches, because we didn't particularly want to serve our group soggy sandwiches). During this time, spontaneous singing broke out. I liked that. The rain lasted for about 10 minutes...
We experienced a group time together, which was good...
Our late morning silence time was a bit on the interesting side. I really don't think most people understand the significance of silence. Most days, I don't fully "get it" myself. I had a difficult time getting settled in a place where I felt like I could completely focus my attention on God. The first place I chose was inhabited by a great multitude of tics. The second place I chose was also inhabited by tics, as well as some other friendly insect creatures, but perhaps the worst part about that spot was that when I sat down I came to realize that the ground was a good deal wetter than I had anticipated. Finally, I climbed a tree...
I did not climb very high, mind you, but I did climb, and that's saying something since I don't believe I've been up in a tree in well over a decade...
I decided to read about Nicodemus... which led me to the passage about the master and the talents and the servants who invested them wisely and the one who didn't. And then I felt like I was getting absolutely nowhere, so since there was a breeze I went ahead and let the pages of my Bible blow at which point I came to the parable of the lost sheep. And in the end, to be completely honest, I exclaimed, "God, You are so confusing!"...
Carefully climbed out of the tree... found Phil... headed toward the field for the Sacred Assembly...
Let me insert here that this is the point at which I should have applied sunscreen. However, I am sometimes an idiot, so I now look at bit like a lobster, seeing as this is the worst burn I have ever experienced, hands down...
The first part of the Sacred Assembly was good. It was probably better than good, but my mind was wandering to a few other issues at the time, so for me it was just good...
Then, one of our girls started to feel light headed, so I took her up to the first aid tent. Actually, we were headed to the ambulance, because I thought that was where they were administering first aid, but as it turned out there was a tent right out on the field where they were equipped to serve warm Gatorade, so that's where we ended up... She really didn't feel well...
I stayed up there with her for probably 30-45 minutes. During this time, some of my favorite worship songs were being played on the field, and I have to admit that I was a little on the irritated side... again... because I would have liked to have been down there. At some point, another one of our girls joined us, and I went back to the group. I was able to clearly see our girls in the first aid tent from where the rest of the group was, and if they needed me to come back, the doctor had Phil's cell number. They eventually rejoined us, as well, when they had partaken of all of the warm Gatorade their bodies could handle...
The major turning point for me, during the Sacred Assembly, was a song I'd never heard before. It was called "Words to Build a Life On"... I think. At any rate, I do not have the lyrics right now, but I sent a message to the guy who I presume is the author of this song, and when I do have lyrics... or music... or whatever, I will share it.
There is something amazing about reading Scripture aloud and singing to God alone for hours on end! I was not ready for this time to be over when it was...
We spent some more time as a group, munched more sandwiches and snacks, and made our 1/2 mile trek back to the bus. We did not stay until sunset. I would have liked to, but it didn't seem to be the best choice in our particular set of circumstances...
I know that this writing has not done justice to what I actually experienced at Paradise. It was very personal and internal. I would definitely do it again (minus the sunburn).
Lisa
Friday, May 23, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Book Review, "Dawn's Light"...
Well, it's been a while since I've reviewed anything. If you have read any/all of the Restoration Series by Terri Blackstock, and if you intend to read the fourth and final book, "Dawn's Light", then you may not wish to read beyond this point. The review will be full of spoilers, so... really... if you don't want to know what happens, read the book first and then come back to read and comment on my review of it! This is your last chance! If you don't want me to spoil the plot line for you on this one, then STOP READING NOW!!!
***************************************************************************************
Over the past few years, I have become a huge fan of Terri Blackstock. I appreciate her writing, and her stories are inspiring. They are the kind of books that you simply cannot put down, so you find yourself closing the back cover at 2 am. "Dawn's Light" was not an exception to this late night rule. The Restoration Series has been an interesting one to follow. I have heard other Blackstock fans say that they did not like the series as well as some others she has written. I feel that the Restoration Series was definitely penned from a different perspective than some of her other works, and the depth of spirituality was beyond what I would have expected. I absolutely loved "Cape Refuge" and "Newpointe 911". I loved the Restoration Series, as well, and re-read the first three books before I cracked the cover on the new one...
One thing that I always appreciate greatly is when an author is not afraid to kill her main characters. This takes guts. Unfortunately, it has become somewhat of a pattern for Blackstock to kill, maim, or somehow compromise the integrity of beloved characters when she reaches her final book in a series. This is OK... just predictable at this point.
In the Restoration Series, Beth Branning's death was foreshadowed throughout. I am writing this knowing full well that Blackstock, herself, may claim that she didn't know she would kill Beth Branning until the final heartbeat, and that may well be true. As I mentioned above, I do not have a problem with killing main characters. I do, indeed, have a problem with the fact that Blackstock took 197 pages of her 406 page novel to drag us through the brutal beating and murder of a 13 year old child. And that doesn't even consider the stalking before...
Perhaps I am just getting soft, and a good murder mystery doesn't appeal like it used to, but I have read review after glowing review of this book, and I have to stop and wonder if these are written by the same readers who hated Dee Henderson's "The Witness" because of the quick and somewhat unexpected death of one of the main characters. (If only they'd read the back cover carefully before picking up the book)...
There were a couple of other problems with "Dawn's Light", for me, as well. Did we really need to see the return of Craig... again? I think Blackstock brought him back just to convince us all that he really was "saved". The plot of "Dawn's Light" could have stood alone without re-inserting the ex-fiance' on the intended night of Mark's proposal. It was just extra dramatic fluff...
Also, speaking of tying up loose ends, we all knew that Brad Caldwell would also have to "get saved" before the series could close. Of course, it is Beth's death that is the catalyst for this, and then the grieving Branning family suddenly sees the purpose in God's sovereignty, and what... all is well? It was unreal, but hey, that's why it's fiction, right?
I am well aware that this review will be highly offensive to some, either because they loved the book or because they feel that my theology just took a leap off the deep end. Please understand, I'm not exactly knocking evangelicalism here, but the abruptness of events that ended this series was amazing after we took half a book to kill a child.
The more I think about the finale to the Restoration Series, the more I think it would have sat better with me had it been split down into two novels. But it wasn't, so there's my opinion.
Oh, and for those who are interested in technicality... There were a whole lot of typos.
Lisa
One thing that I always appreciate greatly is when an author is not afraid to kill her main characters. This takes guts. Unfortunately, it has become somewhat of a pattern for Blackstock to kill, maim, or somehow compromise the integrity of beloved characters when she reaches her final book in a series. This is OK... just predictable at this point.
In the Restoration Series, Beth Branning's death was foreshadowed throughout. I am writing this knowing full well that Blackstock, herself, may claim that she didn't know she would kill Beth Branning until the final heartbeat, and that may well be true. As I mentioned above, I do not have a problem with killing main characters. I do, indeed, have a problem with the fact that Blackstock took 197 pages of her 406 page novel to drag us through the brutal beating and murder of a 13 year old child. And that doesn't even consider the stalking before...
Perhaps I am just getting soft, and a good murder mystery doesn't appeal like it used to, but I have read review after glowing review of this book, and I have to stop and wonder if these are written by the same readers who hated Dee Henderson's "The Witness" because of the quick and somewhat unexpected death of one of the main characters. (If only they'd read the back cover carefully before picking up the book)...
There were a couple of other problems with "Dawn's Light", for me, as well. Did we really need to see the return of Craig... again? I think Blackstock brought him back just to convince us all that he really was "saved". The plot of "Dawn's Light" could have stood alone without re-inserting the ex-fiance' on the intended night of Mark's proposal. It was just extra dramatic fluff...
Also, speaking of tying up loose ends, we all knew that Brad Caldwell would also have to "get saved" before the series could close. Of course, it is Beth's death that is the catalyst for this, and then the grieving Branning family suddenly sees the purpose in God's sovereignty, and what... all is well? It was unreal, but hey, that's why it's fiction, right?
I am well aware that this review will be highly offensive to some, either because they loved the book or because they feel that my theology just took a leap off the deep end. Please understand, I'm not exactly knocking evangelicalism here, but the abruptness of events that ended this series was amazing after we took half a book to kill a child.
The more I think about the finale to the Restoration Series, the more I think it would have sat better with me had it been split down into two novels. But it wasn't, so there's my opinion.
Oh, and for those who are interested in technicality... There were a whole lot of typos.
Lisa
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Happy 4th Birthday Caleb!
Can that be right? Time flies, but that's nothing new. In some ways it's hard to believe that Caleb is already 4, but in other ways, it seems like he has been a part of our family forever, and we have often had to remind ourselves, "He's only 3..." so I guess it feels right...
Caleb had a great birthday! We have kind of strung it out over the past couple of weeks to be honest. As I mentioned in an earlier post, we celebrated at Shedd... Then, we celebrated again with Phil's mom and dad... Then, Phil took Caleb to see "Go, Diego Go" live, as a "Daddy time" thing, but also as an early b-day thing... And finally, the big day arrived!
We spent the morning playing at the park and taking pictures, which was a lot of fun. This is the first time I have ever decided to take one of my children's b-day pictures myself. I think they turned out well. I am posting a few (translates a lot):
In the afternoon, we ate at "The Fishy Restaurant" (AKA Long John Silvers), because Caleb has wanted to go there ever since he saw the big goldfish on the outside of the building. We enjoyed it far more than we thought we might, and Caleb certainly did, because he informed us that he is going to choose "The Fishy Restaurant" for all of his birthdays!
In keeping with the nautical theme, I made a "Finding Nemo" cake, which Caleb liked... but he said it didn't look like a cake... go figure...
After the cake and ice cream, Caleb opened his presents, which were mostly Thomas the Tank Engine related... of course...
We pulled as many things out of their boxes as possible, and then we rushed off to Seth's baseball game, where Grace, Caleb, and Ian played on the playground while Seth practiced...
And then proceeded to whine while Phil and I tried to watch the game...
Upon returning home, we watched "Finding Nemo"... But Caleb fell asleep about 3/4 of the way through... which is just a shame, since I will now have to watch it again with him (I love the movie)... It was a good end to a good day...
Lisa
Caleb had a great birthday! We have kind of strung it out over the past couple of weeks to be honest. As I mentioned in an earlier post, we celebrated at Shedd... Then, we celebrated again with Phil's mom and dad... Then, Phil took Caleb to see "Go, Diego Go" live, as a "Daddy time" thing, but also as an early b-day thing... And finally, the big day arrived!
We spent the morning playing at the park and taking pictures, which was a lot of fun. This is the first time I have ever decided to take one of my children's b-day pictures myself. I think they turned out well. I am posting a few (translates a lot):
In the afternoon, we ate at "The Fishy Restaurant" (AKA Long John Silvers), because Caleb has wanted to go there ever since he saw the big goldfish on the outside of the building. We enjoyed it far more than we thought we might, and Caleb certainly did, because he informed us that he is going to choose "The Fishy Restaurant" for all of his birthdays!
In keeping with the nautical theme, I made a "Finding Nemo" cake, which Caleb liked... but he said it didn't look like a cake... go figure...
After the cake and ice cream, Caleb opened his presents, which were mostly Thomas the Tank Engine related... of course...
We pulled as many things out of their boxes as possible, and then we rushed off to Seth's baseball game, where Grace, Caleb, and Ian played on the playground while Seth practiced...
And then proceeded to whine while Phil and I tried to watch the game...
Upon returning home, we watched "Finding Nemo"... But Caleb fell asleep about 3/4 of the way through... which is just a shame, since I will now have to watch it again with him (I love the movie)... It was a good end to a good day...Lisa
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Outrageous...
So... today I dropped Seth off to walk in the Little League parade...
And no one ever blocked the street off...
So there were a whole lot of very little people walking down one side of the road...
While traffic continued to flow down the other...
And I was not a very happy Mommy...
Seth also had pictures (taken in a barn) and his first game today. I like his team and coaches a whole lot better than last year. They are actually taking the time to teach the kids how to play baseball, if you can believe that! And Seth is making friends and having a lot of fun...
So... I am a happy Mommy again...
But I still think something needs to be done about the parade policy...
Lisa
And no one ever blocked the street off...
So there were a whole lot of very little people walking down one side of the road...
While traffic continued to flow down the other...
And I was not a very happy Mommy...
Seth also had pictures (taken in a barn) and his first game today. I like his team and coaches a whole lot better than last year. They are actually taking the time to teach the kids how to play baseball, if you can believe that! And Seth is making friends and having a lot of fun...
So... I am a happy Mommy again...But I still think something needs to be done about the parade policy...
Lisa
Friday, May 2, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)