themoodyblogger

Ok. I have to correct myself. This week was the hardest week so far. My free spirit, stabilizing force was gone. I fought the dreaded virus that my children had the week before. I did not lean into God as I should. I was definitely not the most loving and understanding parent. **sigh** If it weren’t for the support of friends and family, I would be crazy.

Well, Daddy is coming home today. The washing is two weeks behind. The house is not in the best shape (could be worse). So, I have been in the bedroom, listening to praise music, frantically folding clothes and putting them away. The kids kept running in and out with toys, etc.

At some point, I stopped what I was doing, took their hands, and we danced. Whoa. I felt this warmth flood over me. Lately, the little boys will walk up to something they are not supposed to have, hold out their hands, and say “don’t touch”. They usually get a high five or similar positive response. We talk about what a wise choice they made. The warmth I felt earlier was as if God was giving me a big high five and telling me what a good choice I made.

Mark 10:14 ESV. But when Jesus saw it, He was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to Me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

Luke 10:41-41 ESV. But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.

Let good times roll!

This week has been one of the hardest for me since the boys have been home. Both little boys were sick. Bill had to get ready to leave for Honduras. After the boys got well, they were fussing and scrapping. Washing got behind. Mommy is tired. However, as I type this, the boys came up, pointed to the screen, and hollered “Daddy!”. Talk about cheering me up. Oops. Now one is in time out. Sigh.

Whew. Now, where was I? Oh, I was going to say that “going” for God is not always easy. On you or on those you leave behind. I am reading a book Bill gave me for Valentine’s Day. The name of it is Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman. The premise is that Jesus is looking for followers, not fans. We are studying the book of John in our small group. We are in the midst of John 4, 5, and 6. Funny, Kyle mentions John 6 in his book. Where Jesus feeds the 5000 with a few loaves and fish. Lots of people stick around till they are hungry again. Then Jesus calls them out. Jesus has to be enough, not what we can get from Him. Following Him is not going to be easy, so we must count the cost (Luke 14:28).

This last week reminds me (and anticipation of next week) that following Jesus is not easy. What are the two Greatest Commandments? Love God and love neighbor. What is the Great Commission? Go! Even when the way is not easy. Even when it fights against every bit of your flesh to do it.

Wait. Jesus says His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). God’s way is not easy in the human/physical sense, but in the spiritual sense. We have all the help we need if we abide in Him. The Holy Spirit is there to help us every step. The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Amazingly enough, if we truly die to ourselves and follow Him, our needs will be met. Not wants, mind you. Needs. We will never hunger (John 6:35) or thirst (John 4:14) again.

Love, Lori

Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival. Here is a description from the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California’s website:

The Lantern Festival ends the 15 day celebration of Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, and is celebrated the night of the first full moon of the lunar New Year.

The date of Chinese New Year changes and is different from the date of the New Year holiday in the United States. Chinese New Year is not based on the Western Gregorian calendar, but rather the Chinese calendar, which is a complex combination of the solar and lunar calendars.

During the 15 day celebration of the Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, people make a fresh start, and set the tone for the upcoming year. It is a time for reconciliation, to make peace and forgive old grudges. People are warm and friendly to one another, and many families, friends and neighbors exchange gifts. There are many practices that symbolize starting anew: homes and businesses are cleaned, and many people wear only new clothing on New Year’s Day. An essential part of the New Year celebration is to honor and respect deceased relatives and ancestors and family unity is a central theme of Chinese New Year. The holiday brings families together to celebrate with each other. This 15 day celebration ends with the Lantern Festival.

Since Chinese New Year, I have really been thinking about everyone who has helped us along this journey. I am a terrible thank you note writer. Terrible! I have thank you notes in my folder that have been there since December and many that remain unwritten. An embarrassing fact, but the truth.

However, we absolutely have not forgotten the kindness that has been bestowed on us. Prayers, gifts, support, food, etc. It was all appreciated. The entire 1st Grade class at our 7-year old’s school surprised us with a diaper and casserole shower. We have not needed to buy diapers yet!

Some of you will receive long overdue thank you notes. Some may not. Some supporters remain anonymous. This does not mean we are not extremely humbled and grateful. Especially now that we are a family of 5, my inadequacy is glaringly obvious. You are all lights in our life, lanterns if you will. We love you. Xie Xie!

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Philippians 1:3 KJV

Happy Chinese New Year!

What a difference 1 year makes. Last year on Chinese New Year, we changed our paperwork to reflect our decision to accept 1 or 2 Chinese children up to 4 year’s old, boy or girl, and with or without special needs. Here they are!

The above pictures were taken on Chinese New Year at Mr. Chen’s. It was our first visit to Mr. Chen’s since returning from China. The boys were in love. If Fu Fu could have crawled into the noodle bowl he would have. Zan and Ge Ge were all about some Egg Drop Soup. Now that we have had “real” Chinese food (in China), I will have to say that Mr. Chen’s is pretty authentic. I have always thought Mr. Chen’s smelled different than other Chinese restaurants. Now I know what the smell is. China.

All three boys enjoyed looking around the store. Of course we had to buy a few items. Not frogs in a bag.

How do you celebrate Chinese New Year? Don’t forget the Lantern Festival on February 6!

Love, Lori

I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive iadoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. Galatians 4:1-7 ESV

Welcome to my makeshift riverbank…

Yesterday, our washer broke. It will not start, move, nothing. Nada. We went out in search of a new washer (and possibly dryer). The one we wanted is on back order, and they are all so expensive. We decided to just call the Maytag man to fix our 15 year old washer.

In the meantime, we have 3 boys. The eldest has no uniform pants for school tomorrow. Hence, the riverbank. Wow, what a time-consuming process. Wash, soak (for at least 20 minutes), agitate, rinse, rinse, rinse, and drain (for a long time). At least we still have our dryer, but it takes forever to get to that step. The cane was my Papa’s.

I have been thinking of all the people in the world who have no washer, no dryer, and no clean water to rinse their clothes. The hours it must take them to gather the materials they need and get their chores done, just to start again tomorrow. Not their job (if they are lucky enough to have one). Just their chores.  

I am also thinking of the rinsing process. Fill the tub. Agitate. Drain. Fill the tube. Agitate. Drain. Fill the tub. Agitate. Drain. This is not a speedy process. Neither is getting ourselves clean. We fill, fill, fill and pour out, out, out. We have to fill again. Rinsing. Renewing. Growing. Sometimes painful, when that shepherd’s crook guides us somewhere we would prefer not to go. Burning. Refining. Shining.

May you all have a blessed week. Please pray for our washer.

Love, Lori

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Last year, I heard Stovall Weems of Celebration Church in Jacksonville, FL share about fasting. His church partners with other churches all over the world each year for a 21-day Daniel Fast. It is called Awakening. I felt God was calling me to participate. I did and had a wonderful (albeit hungry) experience. There was a book to read (in addition to the Bible) and encouraging videos to watch 3 times a day. I used The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast by Kristen Feola as a menu guide. A quote from her book: “Participating in a Daniel Fast requires eliminating commonly enjoyed foods for twenty-one days as an act of worship and of consecrating oneself to God.” There is a list of allowed foods and foods to avoid. There is definitely a “fasting zone” you want to get into, and if you cheat, it is really hard to get back there.

Daniel 10:2-3 ESV In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks.

Well, I am going to do it again this year. This time Bill is going to do it with me. Which is really saying a lot, as he is not a bean person. Or a tofu person. He is very much a meat person. Any kind of meat will do, and fry it twice or make it bloody. Stovall’s church started their fast on Sunday. We were out of town, so we are starting tomorrow. We will probably use Kristen Feola’s devotional from her book this time. Kristen’s recipes are wonderful. After my body detoxed last year, I really did not miss meat/sugar/etc. She also has a great website and adds new recipes all the time. Tomorrow we are having Banana-Fig Oatmeal with Almond Butter, Confetti Hummus, Blackberry-Avocado-Mango Salad, and Black & White Chili. Sounds yummy, huh?

Shortly after my fast last year, we agreed to at least open up our adoption options to boys or girls 0-3 years old with or without special needs. Well you know what happened with that… Wonder what God has in store for us this year? I have some issues that I need true guidance in, so hopefully this fast will yield clarity and wisdom in those areas.

I said we went out of town. Here are a few pics from our trip!

I posted on my Facebook page yesterday that 2012 would be the year for reading, running, and blogging. Well, here is my first blog of 2012. Whoop!

Reading: I love to read! My Kindle is awesome. Right now I am reading Mockingjay, the last book in The Hunger Games trilogy. Really great series. My husband and I are reading through and studying the Bible together over the next year. Fabulous way to connect with all the activity in our house!

Running: I love to run! I am very very slow, but it is a form of worship for me. I turn on the praise music, and we talk. I mean really talk. He tells me some out there stuff that I do not get any other time. My first race on tap is the St. Paddy’s 5K on March 17. Join me, won’t you?

Blogging: I love to blog! Hopefully the things I blog about are useful or encouraging to others. I like to blog about my faith and my family mostly. My goal is one blog a week. Of course, if you have been reading my blog already, you know my husband is a fantastic blogger!

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Revelation 2:5 ESV

Three questions for you:

1. What are your favorite books?

2. If you run, what are some of your running resources or favorite races?

3. What are some of your favorite blogs?

On Monday, my hubby gave me one of the greatest gifts. He gave me a day off. I curled up with my Kindle. I lit candles. I drank coffee. I had peace. No rambunctious boys running around knocking things over. No TV (until the girlie movies came on). Just me and my doggie (also a girl).

Then, I caught a cold. What’s up with that?!? I am not surprised. I have been running so hard that my body physically hurts. We all do it, especially at Christmas. Why do we do it? Why do we run ourselves until we are exhausted?

One answer: Lack of trust. Lack of trust that God will provide. When I am running 90 to nothing, it is usually in the wrong direction. I am pulling myself up by my bootstraps (got new cowboy boots for Christmas, so I can literally pull myself up by my bootstraps) and trudging through in my own strength.

When did this happen to me? Somewhere between our trip China and today I stopped reading my bible and having quiet time in the morning. “I have three boys and don’t have time.” Thanks to my church for my Advent devotional, Sarah Young for her beautiful Jesus Calling devotional, and my Good Morning Girls email group for keeping me in the Word. 

Having devotional time/quiet time with Abba in the morning and a true Sabbath day once a week shows God that I trust Him to take my days and my weeks and do SO much more with them than I ask or imagine. Relief, ’cause I cannot keep doing it on my own. Ironically, yesterday’s devotion in Jesus Calling was about how the busier we are, the more we need time set apart with God. Today’s devotion is about how God is our refuge and strength. 

Psalm 46: 1-3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

Isaiah 40:31 But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

So, as I was trying to take an picture of our Advent wreath for this post, I found myself moving around to make the shot “perfect”. At first, I was taking the shot from the other side where there is less mess. However, I thought you might like to see my boys’ chairs and the schmutz all over the table. This is more true to my life anyway. We generally read the Advent lesson while food is flying. (My boys like to eat!) This week, we lit the “Love” Candle. The first week was “Hope”. The second week was “Peace”. The third week was “Joy.

One of the hardest things for me to maintain this time of year (anytime really) is peace. We are so busy! Even when we consciously try to limit our extracurricular activities, we still seem to be strapped for time. The hustle and bustle, the traffic, the obligations, the stress, the loneliness all suck the peace right out of me.

What of Jesus’ birth was peaceful in the worldly sense? After all the drama of the birth announcement and marriage, Mary and Joseph have to travel miles from home. Jesus is born in a cave. No snugly warm blanket. No soft cushy bed. Nowhere for Mary to really rest and bask in the glow of being a new mom. I would say no fanfare, but the shepherds saw fanfare! 

“Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:14

And on earth peace. And on earth peace. And on earth PEACE!

The old song says, “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” It began with JESUS!

How do we get it?

Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.

 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.  John 14:22-27

                  Christmas Bells

    I HEARD the bells on Christmas Day
    Their old, familiar carols play,
        And wild and sweet
        The words repeat
    Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

    And thought how, as the day had come,
    The belfries of all Christendom
        Had rolled along
        The unbroken song
    Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

    Till ringing, singing on its way,
    The world revolved from night to day,
        A voice, a chime,
        A chant sublime
    Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

    Then from each black, accursed mouth
    The cannon thundered in the South,
        And with the sound
        The carols drowned
    Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

    It was as if an earthquake rent
    The hearth-stones of a continent,
        And made forlorn
        The households born
    Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

    And in despair I bowed my head;
    “There is no peace on earth,” I said;
        “For hate is strong,
        And mocks the song
    Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

    Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
    “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
        The Wrong shall fail,
        The Right prevail,
    With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

• Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. The Complete Poetical Works of Longfellow.Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1893.
• Stevenson, Burton Egbert , ed. The Home Book of Verse for Young Folks. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1915

Merry Christmas!

Love, Lori