Archives for September 2011

James Read-along Week 3

September 20, 2011 by Amy 7 Comments

I know that I need to control my tongue. Setting out for this week of James, I knew it was a weakness and I figured that these first set of verses about taming our tongue would be where I concentrated. But for some reason the second half of this chapter about wisdom has grabbed my time:

Who is a wise man endued with knowledge among you? Let him demonstrate it by his manner of life, by his works, with the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envying or strife in your hearts, that’s not wise, don’t glory in it, and lie not against the truth. [That is a lie against the truth, the bitterness and striving and envyness within your heart.] For this kind of wisdom descends not from above. It’s not Godly wisdom, it’s earthly, it’s sensual, it’s devilish. For where envying and strife is there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then it is peaceable, it is gentle, it is easy to be intreated, it is full of mercy and good fruit, it’s without partiality, and without hypocrisy (Jam 3:13-17).

And this commentary for some reason hit home with me:

Now, what marks your life? What kind of wisdom comes forth from you? He says that you should show forth the wisdom by your manner of living. Demonstrate the wisdom. In reality our manner of life does demonstrate the source of our wisdom. And if I am constantly in strife, constantly in turmoil, constantly stirred up, constantly, you know, bad mouthing this person, that person, this thing, that thing, then that wisdom that I have is not of God. For the wisdom that comes from God has such marvelous characteristics, it’s pure, it’s peaceable it’s gentle, easily intreated.

The thing about wisdom is you try to measure how much you have by how much you know and what Scriptures you understand and what great advice you tell people. But wisdom is about DOING. Not just knowing. Not just telling. If you are wise, the choices you make will be wise. Like the commentary says, wisdom is measured by the manner of living.

And I can not let this second idea go: I see so many people, particularly on social media, that are always talking about this person and that person and this thing and that thing and it’s never uplifting. And they think they are being so wise because they are smarter and have everyone’s life figured it out but really these verses are saying that is not wisdom at all. And it’s easy to point fingers and say they need to take a look at themselves but then I’m convicted to look at my own words. Is what I’m saying, in writing or in person, really wisdom or am I just convinced I am right? It’s so ironic that this study on wisdom comes back to taming my tongue.

So I’m challenging myself and would challenge you to step back, go look at our last 10 Facebook statuses, tweets, blog posts, blog posts comments (!) or think about our last 5 conversations. Is there envy? Strife? Confusion? Bad-mouthing? Truly wise people will be peaceful, considerate, humble and sincere. If we are not characterized by these, we can turn back to James 1:5 (thank you, Marla) “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” And in the meantime?

Source: blogaholicdesigns.com via Amy on Pinterest

Amen.

Read other posts on James over at Marla Taviano’s.

Not on the Honey-Do List

September 20, 2011 by Amy 3 Comments

Remember that honey-do list I mentioned? Well, next on the list was the pool cover stand. Just 2 4x4s and a metal bar could have done the trick so we could roll the cover off the pool onto it for storage instead of dragging it off. But Scott says, “Why don’t I take our swing set down and use the 4x4s from that for the pool stand and build a whole new swing set?” Well, um, ok, honey, but you could just go buy 2 new 4x4s. Look, I’m not complaining that he wants to build the kids a new swing set and honestly the steps were in bad repair but it seems a little much to do the WHOLE thing.

But, guess what I came home to today? Wait. Here’s the before of our swing set. It’s a 3 year old picture of Scott’s mom pushing them but you get the drift. Simple, standard swings and slide. PS Lexi’s hair was oh so long and cute and her wegs are so teeny tiny. Lexi! You’re distracting mommy!

Well, here’s the ginormous swing set I found in my back yard this evening:

Apparently he realized a little too late he got 10’ 4×4” boards instead of 8’ boards. Just a wee bit different. I have to give him props for getting all this up in one day and the kids are ecstatic. But dear mercy, I just hope I get my pool stand out of this.

Weird and Mysterious

September 20, 2011 by Amy 6 Comments

God is weird sometimes. Mysterious. Weird. Whatever you want to call it, God is THAT. I’ve been scheduled to go to Women of Faith for nearly two months. BookSneeze graciously offered me a set of tickets in exchange for a review post. I’m a little bit of a conference junkie so I was psyched to go. But then God started tugging on me to weeks ago that I shouldn’t go. Which is WEIRD. I mean, why wouldn’t God want me to spend two days learning more about Him and sharing that with others? But still, the nagging wouldn’t go away. I think I’ve mentioned God can be quite the nag. I even went so far as to text Dani last week and tell her exactly that: it’s weird, but for some reason I’m feeling like I shouldn’t go, please pray. Being the awesome friend she is, she said do whatever you feel God wants you to and who knows what the reason might be. I didn’t tell anyone else about my reservations and still planned on going. Hence, the blog post yesterday. My mom calls me out of the blue mid-day yesterday and basically tells me she had a catch in her spirit about me going. I was little dumbfounded. Well, uh….me too. OK that is WEIRD. Mysterious. Whatever. But I love when God confirms things like that. None of us were clear though whether I should skip the whole thing or only a few sessions. The girls would be at Scott’s mom’s for their usual biweekly sleepover and Scott was not going to be home either. I really had no reason NOT to go Friday night and Saturday morning. Except as I prayed over the past 24 hours, I could never, ever find peace unless my mind settled on the fact that I shouldn’t go AT ALL. So I called Women of Faith, confirmed it was ok that I gave the tickets to someone that wanted and needed them (Heather!) and also confirmed with Dani it was ok. And I found peace with my decision.

See, I have NO IDEA what God is up to. I could be spared a car accident. I might need that last vacation day at work for something else (Relevant, I hope!). Heather just might need their messages more than me. My kids might not need me gone that extra time. Or maybe He’s trying to keep me home so I’ll finally organize my recipes. Look, I have no clue. But that’s the weird and mysterious thing about God. He has a huge clue and He doesn’t have to let me in on it. I just have to obey.

In the end, it’s ironic that I’m having to be a Woman of Faith by not going to Women of Faith. It’s weird. And mysterious. I know. But don’t ignore weird and mysterious. I hear God works that way sometimes.

If you can get to Charlotte, I do hope you’ll consider going (if He wants you to). Enjoy the promo video below:

Weekend Recap

September 19, 2011 by Amy 6 Comments

Apologies, but no Polyvore weekend recap this week. You’re going to have to read an old-school blog post which to be honest is usually my favorite type of post from my favorite bloggers. At this moment, I’m really hoping you feel the same.

Scott worked this weekend, the weather was absolutely amazing and I was in a shopping mood. We got out Saturday and used a Groupon at a lighting place to score two amazing lamps at buy 1 get 1 free. I couldn’t have gotten a better deal at that place. Friday I had ordered the mirrored nightstands I had been drooling over but they won’t be in for 4-6 weeks. Which bites but I figure I will love it all the more and in the meantime, I’m enjoying the lamps.

While we were out we ran into Dani (what are the chances?!) and I was just too excited since I had been thinking we were due for some girl time. We ate lunch, where at one point Emma asked us, “Why are you guys talking so much??”. We headed out to Nordstrom Rack together where I got 2 cute shirts and the girls got some super cute rain boots. We had to part ways with Dani who had some errands to run so Heather met up with me and the girls and we headed to IKEA to use our free $25 coupon. I’d like to say I bought something fun but I just stocked up on the napkins we use and a few extra cereal bowls for my cereal monsters.

Saturday evening I determined we would stay in so we had sandwiches and made s’mores at the fire pit out back.

Sunday afternoon we had my niece after church and I still hadn’t gotten my shopping out so we went to check out the new Goodwill near us. The girls all got an outfit, I got 4 shirts and a book and we only spent $30. I mean, really? It was like an organized yard sale! I decided to drop in on a thrift store I’ve been meaning to check out but stopped at the gas station and got the kids a snack. I usually don’t let them do this but I let them each get some juice and a snack. When we climbed in the car Emma says, “I feel like we’re on a trip to Maryland.” And that is where I want to push the pause button.

My family is from the north but we moved South when I was 3. I’ve spent my entire life since then on an 8 hour road trip back and forth at least twice a year, sometimes more, to visit all of our extended family. Something that is engrained in me is getting out of car, feeling fresh cool air and buying a drink and snack at a gas station. There was something comforting about Emma knowing that feeling. I wanted to pull out of the gas station and head north on the Interstate. I wanted to stop at a Sheetz and eat a steak sub and drive through some winding mountain roads. OK, maybe not the roads. I get carsick these days. But still, I got a little homesick this weekend. So any family reading, know that I’m thinking about you and miss you guys!

For the record, the thrift store we went to was a complete bust. I spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning the girls’ bedroom while they all played out back. Seriously, it was like a bomb had gone off. While I love the girls’ love of books, it was ridiculous how many stacks of books where everywhere. They’ve decided that playing school is a great activity after school and that requires lots of school books, pens, pencils, markers, book bags and of course stuffed animals as their students. I also rescued AT LEAST 8 cups and probably a load of laundry from the floor. I guess I had gotten accustomed to the mess and didn’t realize how bad it had gotten.

I wrapped up the weekend by cooking some French Breakfast Puffs to bring to work and watching Friday Night Lights rack up two Emmy’s. Woot!

So we’re on to a new week. This Friday is the Women of Faith Conference in Charlotte courtesy of BookSneeze. Let me know if you’re going to be there! I’m excited to see Natalie Grant, Karen Kingsbury and Laura Story, the singer of the popular song “Blessings”.

In the Picture

September 16, 2011 by Amy 13 Comments

I have a secret to tell about this picture, taken last November. When I first saw this picture I thought about how beautiful the leaves were and how I love the sun streaming through the trees. I love that my family is all holding hands and that if you look hard enough, you can see a smidge of my big smile. But I never told anyone all I could think about is how I thought a little boy would fit between me and Lexi. He would even us out, fit perfectly.

And looking back, I love that this picture looks like we’re headed off together on a journey, with God’s warm presence over our path. We didn’t decide and announce we’d adopt until late January this year but this shows he’s been in the picture for much longer.

Disney On Ice in Charlotte w/ Discount Code

September 15, 2011 by Amy 13 Comments

Congrats, Lana!

Disney on Ice is quickly becoming an annual favorite. And to be honest, I’m not quite sure how many more years Emma is going to be interested in going. I’m planning to happily savor these sweet little girl moments while they last. And I’m especially excited about Disney on Ice this year as they are featuring Tangled! How exciting will it be to see Rapunzel skate around with her long hair, frying pan in hand chasing Flynn around?

I’m very excited for TWO things I can offer you today. First off, use the coupon code ICE to save $6 on Saturday and Sunday shows.

But the very best part is I have a FOUR pack of tickets for the Thursday 10/6 show to give away. Just leave a comment here telling me your favorite Tangled character. If you haven’t seen the movie, just tell me your favorite Disney movie. I will pick a winner next Thursday evening.

James Read-Along Week 2

September 14, 2011 by Amy 6 Comments

James 2:26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

I was reading an article this morning about an 85 year old man who got stuck in his car for days. It was so hot and he had no food and only 8 ounces of water to survive. He was so sure he was going to die he wrote a goodbye note on the car’s console explaining it was an accident. He was finally rescued and you know what this 85 year old man planned to do? Not vacation or eat an entire chocolate cake or go on a shopping spree or fishing trip. “Porter said he was going to concentrate on giving more of his time and resources to charity, according to KENS.” I read that and said, YES. Even at 85 when most of us younger folk would say, it’s time for you to rest. You’ve lived your life and you now deserve to be served. This man, that had looked death in the face, did not want to squander his true last days on himself, but giving away more of himself.

But the part that’s gotten me all week is what are these good deeds?? Is it like the guy said, is it helping charities? Is it simply forgiving an enemy? Is it letting someone else go first? Is it sending a card to someone? Is it adopting a child? What is required of me??

I guess it’s easy to throw this off and say does it really matter? And to me, it does. Because I don’t want to face death and realize I’ve missed a life full of good deeds. Ephesians says: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” I know I have faith and I try to do good deeds, but ya’ll, I do not want to miss those things God has planned for me.

What do you count as good deeds? Do you believe we have specific ones to do TODAY?

Make sure to check out other James post over at MarlaTaviano.com

Cute Boys and Infomercials

September 13, 2011 by Amy 10 Comments

Lexi’s love of infomercials is well known and very well documented. To date, she has encouraged us to buy Oxiclean, stacking hangers, deep-cleaning vacuums, space-saving bags and my favorite, to have laser hair removal.

Her infomercial ways have struck again. To be fair, this is less infomercial and more generic commercial. But still.

The girls were at Mom’s shop (where my sister Heather works too) waiting for Mom to take them to the allergy doctor and the following conversation occurs:

Lexi: Heather, do you have a boyfriend?

Heather: No.

Lexi: I can get you one.

Heather: Really. How’s that?

Lexi: It’s on a dot com. I saw it on TV. The boys are really cute.

Ladies, you are welcome.

Alrighty, just so I know Lexi isn’t alone in her love of infomercials, someone tell me the last As Seen on TV product you bought.