Eve

Posted on by Mary

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Dear Eve,

I read all about you today! I can’t imagine how amazing the garden of Eden looked. Was it hot or was it cool? We have rainforests that some people compare the garden of Eden with, boy do I wish I could send you there to see what you think. And all thos animals, tell me what does a Lion’s mane feel like? Are monkeys just as mischievous as they are now? And what does your favorite fruit in the garden taste like? Is it sweet, tangy, or sour? And my biggest question of all, what’s it like to talk to God and have him answer back…immediately…. in an audible voice?All you have to do is call His name and He’s there, talking to you, HOW EXCITING!What does his voice sound like? Is it deep and gruff or is it soft and sweet, like a soft breeze through leaves of a tree? What do you talk about with God? What does he tell you? It must be amazing when He tells you He loves you, He’s your Creator after all. Did you know you and Adam are the only two to ever see what PERFECT looks like. Things aren’t perfect here at all. There are things called volcanoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, tidal waves AND SNOW…and a lot of snow all at once with heavy winds is called a blizzard…it’s HORRIBLE. Everything but blizzards can destroy whole cities, islands and countries. People run around cities killing each other based on their differences of religions, colors of skin and just because they want to. There are women who have their babies killed while they are still in their bodies, because they look at them as inconveniences or a mistake when God put them there for a purpose. Then those moms years down the road have such great shame and sorrow for their unborn child who never got the chance at life, who never got to see a frog or feel wet grass between their toes or to be tickled…and giggle and giggle and giggle. Eve I know that you felt great shame too. I know that your perfect world was turned upside down when you too made a wrong decision. When you chose to heed the words of the serpent over the words of your Creator God. You are the only woman who has ever seen both sides….the side of perfection and the side of imperfection. From a place of peace, rest, and a complete relationship with God to a place where you experienced true toil, pain in childbirth, true heartache, suffering and an intense sense of lonliness and seperation as you and God and your husband were no longer unified as you once were. You went from complete peace to hardship….and you in effect lost two sons. Cain killed Abel out of jealousy and anger and then Cain was exiled from you. Oh Eve how did you make it through those hard times? What did you learn? Did you grow deeper in your relationship with God? Did you feel as though there was no possible way God could ever love you again because of that mistake you made? If so what got you through? Somedays I feel as though I am not good enough, that I have failed too many times and that God could NEVER use a failure such as me. How can I encourage those who feel as you did and as I do now? I cant wait to talk to you soon, for it’s far sooner than any of us realize!

Your friend Mary

 

Monster Van

Posted on by Mary

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This van was in a parade we took the kids to last week.  It’s a Chevy  Venture Mini Van….with a Hydraulic lift to show off the CRAZY motor inside.  Now if you know us!  That is what we drive….JUST NOT THAT CRAZY! It seriously is a Monster Van!

Introverted Mommy

Posted on by Mary

Introverted Mommy

Embracing Being an Introvert in the Land of Mommyhood isn’t Easy…NO NO NO! If you told me back when I was a teenager that I was an introvert I would have said “Say what” Ok so that wasn’t a saying per se BUT I would not have understood what that meant.

Fast forward to College and a lot of people told me I was an extrovert. I liked hanging out in large groups. We would play fun games such as “wWhose Line is it Anyway” (yes BIBLE college version) and Mafia (AHEM) yes you read that right….we spent many hours playing that game, matter of fact we still play that game with our youth group. We played other games too. I have always enjoyed games… of all sorts. Card games, board games, acting games, and games such as Sardines, Mission Impossible and Capture the Flag Basketball and some others. I even know how to play poker, black jack and a few other “questionable” games. It’s a good thing God didn’t say thou Shalt not play Cards because folks I’m here to tell you I have seen good kids play poker with UNO cards. It’s a sin to gamble NOT play a game…Ok so lets get back to the task at hand. In high school I was told I was great at public speaking and got a personal invitation from the coach to be a part of the team…think debate not dead bodies. That love of public speaking grew as I went to Bible College and took Chic-aletics ..The female (nicknamed) version of homiletics (preaching). The teacher didn’t know that the students had secretly been calling it that for years until my friend Amy and I stood talking in the lunch line and she overheard us…she was shocked and then giggled and said I LOVE IT! we just thought “WHEW” I knew then Mrs U. was a kindred Spirit.

What I didn’t realize was, that is actually an introvert quality. Liking large groups over small or one to one groups which coincidentally I find torturous!! It wasn’t until a few years ago that I began to understand who I really was.

Continue reading “Introverted Mommy” →

Putting On My Oxygen Mask

Posted on by Mary

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Have you seen Mom’s Night Out?  It’s a movie that released a little over a year ago, right around mothers day.   It took us almost a year to see and my darling husband found it at a store and bought it for me……I LOVE THAT MOVIE.  Without fail, it makes me cry..Every. Single Time !   No joke and it usually is a different part each time, for it meets me right where I am in that moment.

The title of this blog post comes from that movie, and it is the very thing my husband said to me 4 days ago.  I was a bit uncertain about this week.  In all honesty I was having second thoughts about the entire idea.  My husband had this idea for me a year ago as we were making he decision to place our camper on a permanent lot at a Bible Conference a few hours from home.  We had no idea at that time what our lives would look like in a year and let me tell you if I had the choice to live this last year over again, Im not sure I could do it.   It’s only by God’s amazing grace that we have made it through with our marriage and family intact and I believe stronger.  Im still not ready to post about it, but it IS coming I promise.  We were hurt in some horrible ways.  Most people who know of our last year are shocked that we are still where we are.   And we had no idea that the decision to put our camper at the Bible Conference would lead to such great healing and respite for our family.  So here I sit.  IN my little retreat I have been completely alone for nearly 36 hours.  Im at peace.  I am feeling refreshed and renewed and I sill have another 3 1/2 days .  I have written and read and studied and blogged. I have rested ….AND BARELY SPOKEN TO ANYONE!  I have talked to my husband and kids a few times over the last day on the phone but that is the limit of my conversing.  It’s ok Im an introvert.  Maybe that’s why I needed this so much.

The premise of needing to putting on my oxygen mask is this…a quote from one of my college profs

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And that was the premise behind the overly long observation of the husband in Mom’s Night Out.   The dad travels A LOT.  So when he FINALLY connected the dots, the idea of the oxygen mask in the airplane resonated with him.  you have to help yourself before you can help someone else get their mask on.  I needed to take some deep spiritual cleansing breaths before I can tackle another round of insanity..    If I don’t have my relationship with God front and center, how can I possibly give my kids and husband what they need?  How can I teach?  How can I write to you?   My husband knew this line would resonate with me and it did…it made me smile to.  he told me  ” you need this, and you are going to love it”   He was right…..on both counts.

So I want to say THANKS HONEY, for cheering me on to do this, to go beyond my normal, to stretch myself and to feed my soul .  and if you happen to be a guy reading this  and your wife is looking a little…or a lot frazzled, why don’t you consider a way to encourage her to put on her oxygen mask!  and if you are a mom, can I just take a moment to encourage you to take a step back, take a deep refreshing breath and sit at the feet of Jesus. Turn your chair away from the chaos  that is where you are and face  it to a window.  I know what it is to not have the words to say, the tears flow easily and no words come.  I know that ache that makes you want to be sick and I want you to know that HE hears the very cry of your heart without  uttering One.Single. Sound.   he knows and he loves you  even in the biggest of messes!  Wont you meet him there He’s waiting!

Happy Homemaker August 10th 2015

Posted on by Mary

Happy_Homemaker_MondayHAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY

The weather in my neck of the woods Well its warm and it WAS sunny but rain and T-storms are coming, I hear rain drops beginning to fall on the canopy That tools out from our camper

: Things that make me happy:Being at my favorite Bible conference

Menu for this week:easy stuff mainly sandwiches.  I’m only feeding me…because my hubby and kids aren’t her

What’s on my TV today:no TV this week.  the only video in the entire camper is the sound of Music with Carrie Underwood

Looking around the house: UMMM, camper.  I have been inside much but there are a few dishes and some general straightening that needs done

On my To Do List: write, read, write read, Posts for RGT and go to the bible conf services twice a day

New Recipe I tried or want to try soon: none right now

In the craft basket: nothing here. I have nothing crafty with me (SHOCKER)

Looking forward to this week: seeing my hubby and kids at the end of the week

Tips and Tricks: “YOU HAVE TO PUT ON YOUR OXYGEN MASK BEFORE YOU CAN HELP OTHERS WITH THEIR” Line from Mom’s Night Out.  The line my husband quoted to me as he left me here at our camper, my home for the week.

My favorite blog post this week: written by my friend Noelle Check it out here. (side note I hold different convictions to Noelle when it come to alcohol and thats ok because they are my convictions and not hers.  I think Noelle beautifully captures the hearts of most moms in her current phase of motherhood.  she is brutally honest which is refreshing and beautiful!)

Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers): Check out Noelle’s blog here

No words needed (favorite photo or picture):  www.walking-by-faith.net-2

Lesson learned the past few days: They really are too many to count as I am spending every single moment alone…I know my introvertedness is glaringly obvious when I am by myself!  It really is quite funny.  I thin may be I have said 3 whole sentences in two days….outside of my talking to my hubby and kids on the phone

On my mind: DUH my husband and kids

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses: I have been reading and writing like crazy.  I have been writing about Eve.  Eve is an absolutely fascinating person!   Be watching for Wednesdays Coffe With Friends Post to see my Pen Pal Letter to Eve!

For More Happy Homemaker Posts Check out: http://familycorner.blogspot.com