Williamsburg

We are on vacation. I think that I'm not supposed to admit that, you know, in case one of the two of you who actually still read this blog might take advantage of our absence to, I don't know, do something unwarranted. If that is the case, then you must know my neighbors are keeping an eye out so consider yourself forewarned.

Anyway, we're on vacation. We left early Friday morning and drove for 11 hours (actually, my husband drove, the rest of us were along for the ride and tried not to get on each other's nerves, unsuccessfully so I might add). We ate at Cracker Barrel and Chick Fil A, watched the Tour (de France) Friday night after a quick trip for the essentials at Wal Mart. The next morning we watched the big mountain stage of the Tour--and thus by mid morning on Saturday, 28 hours after we left we had yet to do anything we couldn't have done 3 miles from home.

Oh, except for my son locking his toy in the safe and forgetting the password he'd created. Talk about wailing and gnashing of teeth! A quick call to maintenance solved the problem (surely we weren't the first) but I have to tell you, there was d.r.a.m.a.

Our tickets hadn't been delivered to the front desk as was arranged. They should have been there upon check in Friday; no such luck. We called an 800 number, left a message, finally had tickets late morning Saturday; however, on our way to Colonial Williamsburg we discovered there were only tickets for 2 adults, 2 children. Last time we checked, we had four children. Another call, a wait for the hand delivery in front of the Visitor's Center, and finally we are on our way.

Day 1: Colonial Williamsburg

Love it. The best tour: the Governor's Palace. The tour guide was excellent. Another favorite: the blacksmith. We ate lunch at a tavern more for the ambience than the food--but the ambience, it was great. The fife and drums march, way cool. The bindery, disappointing. The magazine and gun place, pretty neat. It was hot so some of us grew a little weary and cranky (someone under five feet tall but that's all I'm going to say about that). I loved it all and now want to go re-read 1776 (which is a fantastic book by the way).

Day 2: Busch Gardens

I am no fun when it comes to roller coasters. No fun. And when I wake up with a splitting headache, I am even less fun. So I pretty much spent the day following the guys around and holding the cell phones, glasses and other loose personal items. Which was fun in its own way because my guys had a great time. Especially my number three son, eleven years old. He was (is) a roller coaster fiend. A maniac! He rode them all. My youngest son, while not a roller coaster fiend in any sense of the word, even conquered the Loch Ness Monster. He's come a long way, baby. As for me, I rode the log ride, a 3D ride (and kept my eyes closed), and the swings. Yeah, I know: boring.

It was HOT. We attempted to cool off in the AC courtesy of one of the shops in Germany:

Day 2 added bonus: Meeting Melissa of Breath of Life

Yes, that's right! an MIRL ("meet in real life") with my dear blog friend Melissa! Bless her heart, she had already made a long drive that day, something like 5 hours or so to pick up her daughter, yet she made an additional drive over to Williamsburg for some Chinese food, Starbuck's and good conversation with yours truly. Melissa is sweet, articulate and every bit as authentic as she seems on her blog. I asked her if she had been nervous about the MIRL and she said she wasn't. Me, on the other hand, I was so self conscious that I am now convinced I was a complete idiot! Idiot or not, I was so glad for the opportunity to meet her and I am so glad she made the effort to make it happen.

Day 3: Water Park

No pictures will be posted of this event. I think, though, I impressed my boys by riding the water slides. "Mama, you're going to get WET?" Yes, yes, I did. The first ride I rode with the roller coaster fiend mentioned above. He couldn't wait to tell his brothers that I screamed the whole way. Yeah, so, maybe I did. We also rode a "family" ride, me, my husband and our two youngest on a float together. Maybe I screamed again. At the end of the ride, once we could see the bottom, my youngest son yelled out in reassurance: "It's almost over, Mama, it's almost over!"

After the water park, we got cleaned up and went back to Colonial Williamsburg and a shopping area near William & Mary. We hurriedly bought some souvenirs and took a quick tour of Bruton Parish Church before the rain and storms hit.

Day 4: Today, our last day here in Williamsburg

We've already made a return trip to Busch Gardens this morning and we plan to return to Colonial Williamsburg this afternoon. In the morning we will head out to DC for the remainder of our trip.

We're having a great time, eating too much, sleeping in and enjoying some history!

A today testimony revisited

Did I sound like I was feeling sorry for myself in Tuesday's post? I wasn't and I'm not. I've worried ever since I hit "publish" that I would sound as if I were whining--a poor, pitiful me routine. Now, I'm not above whining and I can certainly put on a poor, pitiful me routine like nobody's business (just ask my husband) but that wasn't the case with Tuesday's post. Not this time, anyway.

Rather, my today testimony (or Tuesday's testimony as the case may be) is as much rejoicing as it is a confessional. I am glad to be learning what it is to die to self. I am thankful that my calling is not self fulfilling but Christ filling (see Eph. 3:19). I can delight in my insufficiencies, yea even my mediocrity, because in my weakness the Lord shows Himself strong.

See, all those things are good because they reveal to me the all surpassing worth of Jesus Christ. He is good and He is way better than anything I think I want/need/deserve out of this life.

So my today testimony is also this: I am grateful. I am blessed. I like my life. I like being 40 (yeah, really). I am thankful for the love of a good man, 18 years strong (and counting). I love the opportunity of being at home, doing laundry and refereeing kids.

It may be a small and ordinary life full of all thing mundane and mediocre, but it is good. Serving my God as a wife, mom, and Bible teacher (and occasional blogger) is a high and holy calling; I am humbled that He would grant me such a privilege. Thus far the Lord has brought me and it is my joy to follow Him today, tomorrow, day in and day out, until He calls me home to be with Him forever. What joy then!

This is a public service announcement: if you are on blogger and posting their Followers widget in your sidebar then readers using Internet Explorer may not be able to log in to your site. I removed the widget and so far my IE friends say they can see me now (a great relief, I'm sure!).

FYI

A today testimony

Several years ago I taught a lesson on having a "today testimony," the premise being that our relationship with God is not comprised of a single, one time event in the past. Rather, my testimony of His work in me ought to be both past and present (and future, if you think about it). I posed the following questions to my students: Is God presently happening your life? Can you articulate what God is doing in you today? Is the good news good in your day to day reality?

So I was thinking about that today, about how I would answer should someone ask me what God is teaching me today. What is my today testimony? Here are a few areas in which I sense the instruction (and conviction) of the Spirit as He works the process of sanctification in me...

Dying to self. My pastor preached passionately and eloquently on this subject Sunday and I've been pondering and praying through the implications ever since. Actually, that's not quite accurate: the Spirit has been doing His good work of conviction ever since we studied Brokenness in Bible study. What does it mean to take up my cross--daily--to follow Christ and to die? I must wage war, ruthlessly fight the sin in my life. I must crucify my hopes, my dreams, my earthly desires. If I would see Jesus, I must die and in dying, find Life, Jesus Christ, the All Satisfying Treasure...

My calling. This is closely related to dying--as I ponder the life I thought I wanted years ago and the life I now lead, sometimes I am resentful. Only some times. Sometimes I grow weary of the laundry and the whining, bickering kids. This has been my life for the past 15 years, day in and day out, and sometimes I fear it will be my life for the next 15 as well, day in and day out--and I wonder if I can stand it. Just keepin' it real. Don't get me wrong; I love my life. Absolutely I do. I am blessed, immeasurably so. But, like yours, my life can be hard and messy and only gets harder and messier. Sometimes--and only some times--I miss the life I only thought the Lord was calling me to. He's called me instead to what may seem to my flesh an ordinary, mundane place of service: to do the laundry and to referee whining, bickering kids, day in and day out. To take the measly bits and use them to glorify Him--in car line, at the pregnancy center, in Bible study. To die to my lofty ambitions and to humbly serve Him wherever He leads. To do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, presenting myself a living sacrifice to Him. This is my call.

Mediocrity. Wait, let me explain! I don't know if it's a firstborn deal or not, but I constantly feel pressure (the self inflicted kind) to live up to some perceived ideal, an ideal that changes according the whim of my insecurity of the moment. For instance, yesterday I was feeling guilty because I don't devote hours each day to working out. On another day, I might feel like a loser mom because I didn't go to the scrimmage game like the other moms. I've felt like a failure in regard to my home, my parenting, my appearance, my hobbies--you name it, I've probably felt great insecurity over it. I'm learning to let go of the arbitrary standards of what it means to be a good mom/housekeeper/blogger/you-name-it. I can't live up to any of them anyway. Instead, my mediocrity reminds me of my absolute dependence on His grace alone.

Balance. This is an ongoing struggle of mine: to be organized and efficient as I seek to balance my roles as wife, mom, Bible teacher, housekeeper, blogger and so on. I nearly always feel as if I am chasing after my life!

What is your today testimony? How is the Lord working in your life today?

Books, books, books!

GIRLTALK BOOKCLUB

Girltalk will be reading Womanly Dominion: More Than A Gentle and Quiet Spirit as part of their Bookclub series. I'm planning to join in; I know Leslie is as well. Anyone else?

The girls at Girltalk will kick off the bookclub with a discussion of the Introduction and Chapter One on August 10, followed by two chapters each week. Interested? Pick up a copy and join us!

CLASSICS BOOKCLUB at 5 Minutes for Books

Speaking of bookclubs, over at 5 Minutes for Books we are reading Rebecca, one of my favorites! If you're reading with us, be sure to link up your thoughts at 5 Minutes for Books on August 4. If you're not reading with us, it's not too late to start! We'll be posting some questions to jump start your review; look for them next week.

RECENT REVIEWS

Speaking of reviews, here are some books I've read recently and liked immensely (linked to my review):

I Capture the Castle--my dear blog friend Amelia told me about this one, assuring me I would like it. I did. So much so I would love to read it again and soon.

Finding An Unseen God--so, so good. Part memoir, part apologetics, beautifully written.

Sometimes a Light Surprises--I love, love, love Jamie Langston Turner's novels and this one is no different.

The Bookends of the Christian Life--a dual review by me and Carrie. We both loved this book. It is both doctrinal and practical. My church is currently using this book as part of our community group curriculum. I highly recommend it.

Singleness of Focus

From Paul David Tripp's A Shelter in the Time of Storm:

Do you live with singleness of focus? Is your life shaped, structured, and directed by the pursuit of one glorious, fulfilling, heart-satisfying thing? Or is your life a picture of a constantly changing narrative of fickle affections careening from one hope to the next?

You see, you don't live by instinct. Your life is directed by the thoughts and motives of your heart. You are always interpreting, and you are always desiring. You live in perpetual pursuit of something. You are always evaluating your progress toward that thing that you think will give you life. You are always in the possession of and in the service of some kind of dream. Maybe this is the best way to say it: you are living for something.

Which begs the question: what are you living for?

One thing I have asked of the Lord,

that will I seek after:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord

and to inquire in his temple.

Psalm 27:4

The week in review

1. I've been sick all week with a summer cold. Yuck.

2. It's Vacation Bible school week, my church's first ever. We've had a great time learning to "fear not!" because God is with us, all powerful, does what He says He will do, cares for us and gives life through His Son Jesus!

3. #1 and 2 above mean I've been exhausted. More so than usual, that is.

4. #1 and 2 above also mean my house is now trashed. More so than usual, that is.

5. After being sick all week (see #1), I am feeling some better; good enough to stress over #4 but not good enough to actually do anything about it (see #3).

6. Nor have I felt good enough to actually post anything here at the blog (as is painfully obvious).

7. I do, however, feel good enough to go see Harry Potter at the movies this afternoon! Can't wait!

Eighteen

Eighteen years ago...

Eighteen years ago we said "I do," as we promised to love, honor and cherish til death do us part. To love each other in spite of. My husband has seen the absolute worst of me (and in me) and still he comes home for supper. He has forgiven me over and over and over again. He supports me and spoils me and keeps me up to date in all things technological. He's a great Daddy and works hard to provide for us. He's my biggest fan and my best friend. He's a good man, a godly man who loves the Lord Jesus.

And I love him more today than ever.

Words worth pondering

"Mercy Prayer" from Paul David Tripp's A Shelter in the Time of Storm: Meditations on God and Trouble (p. 60-61):

I have no resume

to hold before You,

no track record of accomplishments,

no letters of commendation,

no rights of birth or ethnicity.

I hold nothing

that would place You in my debt,

nothing

that could curry Your favor,

nothing

that would obligate You.

I wish unbridled zeal

would commend me to You.

I wish unbroken obedience

would draw Your attention.

I wish model wisdom and model love

would convince You that I'm worthy.

But I have none of these things

to offer You

I stand before You with shoulders bent

and hands that are empty.

I approach You with no

argument in my mind

or words to offer in my defense.

I stand before You

naked and undeserving,

broken and weak.

I am quite aware of the

duplicity of my heart,

the evil of my choices,

and the failure of my behavior,

but I am not afraid

because I stand before You

with one argument,

with one plea.

This argument is enough.

This plea is sufficient.

This argument is the only thing

that could ever give me

courage,

rest,

and sturdy hope.

So I come before You

with this plea:

Your mercy.

Your mercy is my rest.

Your mercy is my hope.

Your mercy makes me bold.

Your mercy is all I need.

Your mercy

tells me You will hear.

Your mercy

tells me You will act.

Your mercy

tells me You will forgive.

Your mercy

tells me You will restore.

Your mercy

tells me You will strengthen.

Your mercy is my

welcome,

plea,

and rescue.

I rest in this one thing:

You are mercy

and

You will answer.

Status Report, July

Sitting...at my dining room table. I was on the porch but it's like 200% humidity out there. Ugh.

Drinking...coffee, black, from my husband's LiveStrong mug in honor of The Tour.

Watching...The Tour. The Tour de France, that is, though I'm not watching right now exactly. We are a household of cyclists, my husband and two of my boys (maybe more to come), so The Tour is a greatly anticipated event each year. And with Lance's comeback? All the more exciting. And yes, I do watch with them and actually find it all pretty interesting--but that's fodder for another post.

Resuming...my hurried pace of driving kids all over town all day long. I enjoyed a brief respite last week while my oldest two were away at a youth conference but this week, it's back to the races. Literally.

Anticipating...vacation in a couple of weeks. We need it. All of us.

Hoping...to be able to meet up with Melissa of Breath of Life while we're on vacation in her neck of the woods. Won't that be fun?

Still looking...for some comfortable shoes to wear while on vacation. We will be walking. A lot. It seems that as the comfort level rises as does the shoe price so I want to be sure to make a wise investment. Any recommendations?

Planning...to attend the True Woman Conference in Chattanooga in the spring. Anyone else? I am so excited! Registration opens August 1.

Completed...Writing Places by William Zinsser and really enjoyed it. I've decided I love memoir. Reading memoir makes me want to grab a spiral notebook and a pen and sit under a tree somewhere and attempt to create something beautiful out of the dull, ordinary moments of my dull, ordinary life. As if. I don't, but I always want to, at least for a day or two. Anyway, speaking of Writing Places, we'll be giving a copy away next month at 5 Minutes for Books; watch for it!

Wanting...something really, really good to read. I have a stack of books waiting to be read (and, no, Jennifer, I'm not complaining) but I'm looking for something that is pure fun, a delight to read. What are some of your favorite pleasure reads? If you share your list with me, maybe I will post a list of my all time favorites.

Deciding...what to do when I get up from the computer. I need to (choose one or more of the following): Walk. Laundry. Chore lists for the boys. Clean house. Call the dentist. Go to the cleaners. Run kids all over town all day long. Yep, it's the glamorous life of a stay at home mom. Dull, ordinary, and not exactly the stuff of memoirs. No matter for in the midst of the dull and the ordinary (and the hopeless and the depraved) God has chosen to make known the greatness of the riches of His glory, Christ in me, the hope of glory! Him we proclaim!

You asked; I'm answering--Part 5

I'm coming to you live from my back porch. Aren't laptops amazing? It is such a gorgeous morning--blue skies, sunshine, cool(er) temps, a breeze. Beautiful!

So we're back to the You ask; I'll answer (maybe) series of posts wherein you, the loyal reader (the few! the proud!) asked and now I'm attempting to answer.

(If you're interested, here is Part One, Part Two, Part Three, and Part Four)

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Among Elle's questions, What home improvement projects would you do if money were no object?

Let's see. A pool, definitely. A deck off my back porch complete with an outdoor fireplace. I should say refinishing the hardwood floors because they need it, badly. Does a maid count as a home improvement project?

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Elle also asks me to describe my dream vacation/home/weekend.

My dream vacation: I'd love to go to the Holy Land. The Grand Canyon. Or out to California. And to Venice. The English countryside. London. But not all at once. :-)

My dream home: One that cleans itself.

My dream weekend: Home, on the porch on a beautiful morning. I'm so boring.

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Liz wants to know about a theological concept that eludes me.

I seem to continually forget my own desperation and depravity before a holy God, pursue my own self sufficient form of self righteousness and thus minimize and despise His saving grace. Just the other day I was reading Elyse Fitzpatrick's Comforts from the Cross and I had to put the book down as the double edged sword pierced my heart (more like plunged into my heart) revealing my pursuit of my own glory. Though I immediately confessed and repented, my heart was broken. I saw how I had used ministry as a means of gaining glory for me, me, me. I am ashamed even now to admit it to you. How can I forget His grace? Oh, but I do. I keep forgetting that I cannot curry His favor nor gain His approval. I turn serving Him into standards to live by and rules to keep--though I can't do either. I am lost, desperate, and hopelessly sinful apart from His grace and mercy through His Son Jesus.

Side note--something that eludes me about parenting? The stupid inconsequential things children will find to argue over. I just had to get up and leave the beauty of the morning to mediate an argument over...wait for it...pillowcases. Yes, that's right. I washed my two youngest sons' sheets yesterday and though both sets of sheets are navy, purchased simultaneously, washed together, in other words, exactly the same, evidently (according to them) I mixed up the pillowcases. The argument? One brother wouldn't switch with the other because of purported slobber on said pillowcase. Just goes to show we are all depraved...

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Liz also asks what I love about math--is it algebra, geometry, calculus? Does it relate to any other areas of interest or outlook on life?

An easy question to answer. I love math because it is logical. There is a process and there is an answer. If x then y. It's reasonable. It's makes sense. How does this affect my outlook on life? I've spent a great deal of my life being frustrated that life doesn't make sense, that sometimes there is no answer, that I can't reason my way to a logical conclusion. And in parenting? Well, just because there is "x" doesn't guarantee "y" will follow. I'm just sayin'...

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So, there you go! Stay tuned for at least one more installment in the You ask; I'll answer (maybe) series of posts. Until then, may you enjoy a wonderful holiday weekend! I plan to be here on the porch, reading and guzzling coffee--at least until it gets too hot for either!

Why I volunteer

Wednesdays are my days to volunteer at our local crisis pregnancy center, something I've been doing for several months now and something I truly love. We don't merely offer counseling to abortion minded pregnant women; our ministry extends far beyond that to help meet the needs of the woman herself, giving out maternity clothes and car seats for example. In fact, in my limited experience that has been the bulk of what we do. Far more women come in our doors seeking some kind of material aid, be it diapers or baby clothes. As opportunity arises, we make every effort to share the hope of Christ with every woman we can.

Like I said, I love it. I love meeting needs in some small way. I love seeing the babies. I love meeting the moms though sometimes their circumstances are hard to hear about. I love talking about Jesus, though I certainly stumble all over my words and never seem to express myself quite right. I love knowing that their only hope is my only hope as well: the grace and mercy offered at the cross. I also love serving alongside other women committed to bringing glory to Christ by serving women in difficult circumstances and by seeking to protect the unborn.

Our director of our local center asked me to write a short essay about why I volunteer to be included in our upcoming newsletter. I thought I'd share it here as well...

I volunteer at the Real Life Pregnancy Center for all the reasons you might guess. I believe in the sanctity of human life. I hate the evil of abortion. I believe that it is my duty as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ to defend the defenseless. I believe that God is the Creator and Author of life, all life, and therefore life, all life, is to be honored and nurtured. It is my privilege as a counselor at RLPC to seek to promote the unborn’s right to life.

However, I do not volunteer for the baby’s sake only. I also seek to serve the Lord Jesus by serving the women who enter our door. As you know, many of our clients find themselves in difficult circumstances. It is my joy to give them a pack of diapers or some clothes, a cup of water in Jesus’ name as it were, and thus serve them by meeting a real material need. I am eager for the opportunity to share with them the hope found only in Christ, and each Wednesday I ask the Lord for both opportunity to declare the gospel and for boldness to be obedient.

And actually, that is the real reason I serve. I volunteer out of a desire to glorify God. He has called me to promote the sanctity of life and to serve our clients with respect and love as I hold out the word of life, the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Being a part of the Lord’s work at Real Life Pregnancy Center is a privilege and a joy, and I am grateful that the Lord has granted me this opportunity.

Comforts from the Cross

I have a new favorite author, Elyse Fitzpatrick. I recently finished two of her books: Comforts from the Cross and Idols of the Heart. Both books are unlike a lot of the offerings from current Christian authors in that her message to women is not about maximizing your potential, discovering yourself or living your dreams. Rather, Fitzpatrick consistently points to the cross as our only hope, our only joy, our only glory. In fact, more than once in my reading of either book I would have to pause and put the book down because my sense of conviction was so strong--which is good thing. Totally good. It is the Lord's kindness that draws us to repentance!

Comforts from the Cross is subtitled: Celebrating the Gospel One Day at a Time. And it does. A devotional comprised of thirty one meditations on the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, Comforts from the Cross points women to the only true source of satisfaction and joy. From the publisher's description:

Daily comforts from the gospel of Christ provide busy Christian women with brief but deep reminders of how his truths powerfully connect to their daily lives.

Nothing comforts a woman’s soul more than a fully understood and embraced gospel. But many women aren’t finding solace in their relationship with Christ because they don’t see how his life, death, and resurrection connect with soccer practices and swim lessons. Besides, they just don’t have time to sit down and read a theology book, no matter how much they might hunger for God’s truths.

That’s where Elyse Fitzpatrick’s latest book comes in. Comforts from the Cross provides those well-intentioned women with bite-sized readings to remind them of their place in Christ and of his love and ministry in their busy lives. It also dusts off the facts of the gospel to show how ancient truths such as justification, sanctification, and redemption can free and enliven their souls every day. Even more, these five-minute celebrations of the gospel relieve readers of legalistic condemnation and empower them for joyful obedience by engendering fresh love for the Savior.

I've quoted excerpts here on my blog but perhaps the most convicting portion of the book (to me) is found in the chapter titled "Glory to God Alone." There Fitzpatrick writes:

The truth about our twisted hearts, whether we're comfortable admitting it, is that we want very much to have a little bit of the glory come to us. We want to be able to approve of ourselves, to look at our record and say, "What a good girl am I!" Then when we fail, when we let ourselves or others down, we hide from God, give in to despair and self indulgence or recommit to trying harder, over and over again in an endless cycle of self-righteousness, self-loathing, pride, and shame.

Hello, she's reading my mail.

We want Christ's glory for ourselves. Jesus Christ is willing to share his righteousness with you, to impute to your record his perfect obedience. But his glory he will not share with anyone. You will not receive praise in heaven; no one will glorify your name. No one will say to you, "This person is here because of you." The praise will all belong to him because he has accomplished it all. Our desire to take his glory for our own isn't merely futile; it's an attack against his perfect work.

Here's the good news...

We won't value or cherish him as we should until we openly and freely embrace our wretchedness and our utter inability to reform ourselves. Only then will we fall freely into his arms of grace and there joyfully exalt the salvation he has purchased with his blood. As we learn to despair of seeing any merit or power in our own goodness, we will see his merit and power for what it is: our only hope of salvation. This perspective, and only this perspective, will enable us to love him as he deserves to be loved.

Our utter inability to save ourselves or even to maintain our salvation once it's been granted to us brings great glory to the Son: it exalts his power, his purity, his grace, and his mercy.

Listen, I told you it was convicting. Or it is for me. But, remember, conviction is good because it points us to the cross as the only means for forgiveness and restoration!

Comforts from the Cross is full of God-glorifying gospel truth and relates that truth to the real lives of women: our insecurities, our desire for satisfaction, our yearning for meaning and purpose. I am thankful for the ministry of Elyse Fitzpatrick and I look forward to reading more of her books. In fact, I have Counsel from the Cross currently awaiting its turn in my To Be Read pile...