My Office Door

My friend, Michelle just wrote a post from her heart about how life is never how you plan it. Michelle is one of my closest friends. Although life has taken us different directions and there have been seasons when we've hardly been in touch, she is one of those life-long friends that you can pick up a conversation about the most intimate of topics even though you haven't talked in three years.

Friends like that are a gift from God.

She really got me thinking because I can tell this blog from her came straight from a vulnerable place in her heart. I SO am right there with her. It is SO hard to be a mom and a wife... Actually the mom part isn't super hard right now for me. I mean he's still cute and cuddly and hasn't learned to say, "no" or to crawl somewhere he shouldn't or to ignore me.

The wife part is hard sometimes. Despite the fact that God has gifted me with the most amazing husband and the fact that we are perfectly fashioned for each other, there are times when I think that if this marriage survives it will be by the skin of our teeth. I think everybody who's married feels that at least once in their marriage. And many people feel that a lot in their marriage. Actually, if this (and any) marriage survives, it is only by the blood of Jesus.

And of course, there are other times when I am confident in the knowledge that we are triumphant conquerers in Him who gives us all power and strength.

Both are true, I guess. ...that we make it by the skin of our teeth blood of Jesus and that we are triumphant conquerers.

I recently listened to a sermon by our pastor called "We are More Than Conquerers." It was one of those messages that I had to listen to and digest several times to truly get it. But once I got it it was one of the most freeing truths I've ever understood.

There is no way I could do the sermon justice, so I'll just encourage you to listen to it. The bottom line is that God has already given us all we need to be confident courageous overcoming never-fearing super incredible mega-awesome triumphant conquerers over the struggles of this life and that we need not live in depression, difficulty or defeat. One thing he said stood out to me: "It would be poor stewardship on our parts not to live with all the benefits that Jesus Christ already died to give us." He went on to say that the Father has already given us his one and only son. What makes us think He would withhold anyting else we need in order to overcome?

The other day my husband told me something cool about the doors in our house. (Yes, this is related to my point.) The doors in our house look like this:

He said that the man who designed these doors purposefully put a cross in the middle of the design to remind others about Jesus. (Of course we have no way to knowing for sure that this is really true. But I thought that was pretty cool.) I started to think differently every time I looked at the door - and since the door to my office is directly in front of where I sit when I'm at the computer - it's what I stare at when I'm thinking something through.

Everything good in my life is through Him.
He is the entry-way into Life abundant.
He guards our home and makes it sacred.
He shuts out cold and keeps us comforted, warm and protected.
The analogies could go on and on...

So... needing something visual to remember the truth that I am more than a conquerer in Christ, I did this:

Everything that plagues my thoughts and worries me went up on that door to remind me to pray about it and to place it in the hands of my Lord who has all things in control. And Let. Go.

A day or so later I called Alejandro, worried about how we were going to pay for something. I said, "I just don't know how it's going to work out."

He said, "I do."

"Really?"

"Mmmhmm..."

"How?"

"You're going to put it up on your door," he said.

Immediately the tightness in my chest released and I relaxed. Yes. It's going to be ok. God is in control. And, thankfully, I am not.

Today, I rest in that.

So Yummy I Could Just Eat Him

Danny's first Halloween

Despite the fact that it's supposed to snow tonight... again! ...it is still Fall around here, and so on Tuesday, Danny attended his first costume party!

Alejandro dressed as Smoky the Bear.

I dressed as a fair maiden from Czechoslovakia. (Actually, I am a fair maiden with origins from Czechoslovakia. But on Tuesday, I actually dressed like one.)

And Danilo was the cutest little monkey you ever have seen.

See?!

Would you believe that that Smoky the Bear costume was made by my Mom for my Dad when I was little? ...I know... the number of items I keep pulling from our past is unreal. My mom was the ranger and my Dad was Smoky the Bear. Isn't that fun? And now my husband puts that costume on any chance he gets!

My little monkey even had a banana to eat. ;) You can't see his tail, but that is by far what made the costume so cute. I'll see if I can remember to snap another picture next time he wears it.

Of course he's going to wear it again! When else in life can you get away with wearing a Halloween costume on a regular day, except for when you are only almost 4 months old?

This is Jason and Jalina. Aren't their costumes awesome!? We were all in admiration of them.

And here is all of us... This actually our bible study group from this past year. Don't they look like fun people!? They are. ;)

Oh, and what makes this group even more fun is that two of them are pregnant! That makes three couples in six for the year... and Yes, WE started the trend.

These days...

These last several weeks have been busy around here. Fall came...

...and apparently it's already gone. Because it has already snowed three times this month. And it's not even the end of October. (For those of you who live in non-snowy parts of the world, October 31st is usually our first snow.)

But as I was saying, things around here have been busy. Danny has been particularly busy, improving his large motor skills.

He's practically mastered the reaching-grabbing-holding thing. This week he turned over my dinner plate for the first time. Oh joy. That stage.

Actually, I don't think he was really reaching. Kind of more like... flailing. But still.

And everything he gets his hands on goes directly into his mouth.

I think it's cute as ever.

Roar! Get 'im Tiger!

He has also gotten quite adept at sitting in his Bumpo Seat.

Sorry... I forgot that you can't turn video cameras sideways.

Everybody, crank your head to the left for just a bit...

Good... now slowly crank your head back to the right.
Easy does it. Not too fast or you'll cramp.

Anyway, back to the subject... He is fascinated by that clown. Who'd have thought? Some toys never go out of style. (That clown was mine when I was a baby.)

Holding that noggin' up is no sweat now too. Hee hee... just 9 months ago it was ME laying with my belly in that boppy.

Time flies when you're havin' fun.

But seriously, being a mom is good stuff. The other night, I looked over at my night-stand and saw this.

(Yes, of course I straightened it up before shooting the picture.)

It was one of those moments when I was hit one more time with the incredible realization that I'm a mommy. It doesn't get old. I haven't gotten used to it. Each new day is still a novelty. And I love every moment of it.

I hope that never goes away.

Grass Roots

Thank You God for Poop and Weeds

Mark 4:3-20

"Listen. What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed... Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled among the weeds and nothing came of it. Some fell on good earth and came up with a flourish, producing a harvest exceeding his wildest dreams.

"Are you listening to this? Really listening?
‘…Whose eyes are open but don't see a thing,

Whose ears are open but don't understand a word,
Who avoid making an about-face and getting forgiven.’”

"He continued, "Do you see how this story works? All my stories work this way. The farmer plants the Word… The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it. But the seed planted in the good earth represents those who hear the Word, embrace it,

…and produce a harvest beyond their wildest dreams."

The Message Bible
Some verses omitted

Part VI: Grass Roots
(Written last year)

I used to think that weeds had strong roots and are hard to pull out. Then one day I was trying to rip out a patch of grass that had overgrown and was taking over the part of some rock landscaping. I can’t ever remember having to pull out any weed as hard as I tugged on that tuft of grass. I learned that the woven root system of grass looks delicate from the surface, but in reality, it’s extremely tough. In the same way, God’s root in our life is so much stronger than the fleeting distractions that Satan sends our way. Sometimes I find myself discouraged that so many trials pull me away from God, but the reality is that NOTHING can pull us away from the strong grasp of His love. Read Romans 8:31-39 in the Message version (emphasis mine):

So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:

They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.
We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.

None of this phases us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.

The root of God’s Word is SO strong in our lives, that it will ALWAYS overcome obstacles in its way. God will forever chase us down, wrap us in His arms, and set us right. Weeds can take hold, when the grass is thin, brown, and weak, but when it is thick and deep, gardeners spend much less time pulling weeds, because they simply cannot get in. And on top of that, pulling them out is not usually as hard as we imagine it will be. Have you ever faced a problem only to look back and say, “That was no where near as bad as I thought it would be.”

Here’s another thought: Stomp and kick a weed hard enough, and it will usually die. Stomp and kick on grass with all your might, and it will usually bounce right back again.

Don’t underestimate the power of Christ in your life! God is the essence of love, and 1 Corinthians 13:8, in the NIV version says, “Love never fails.”

Praise Him for that!

Science

Did you know that if you leave two pancakes sitting inside two plates (turned towards eachother so the pancakes stay "fresh") for long enough, the pancakes will grow?

It's true.

They'll grow and stick to both plates so that the plates are stuck together. And when the unsuspecting - but totally guilty - owner of these two pancakes tries to pry open the two plates in order to remember what's inside, the pancakes will ambush said person with a cloud of green moldy dust in her face, causing her to scream and drop the plates into the sink.

My Dad would call this science. I call it disgusting.

I decided to spare you the picture.

Not Me Monday

This is Not Me Monday. Brilliantly created by MckMama. Loved by many. (Though none of us would admit it.)

Here's my version this week.


This past week, I most certainly did not miss my weekly edition of Poop and Weeds Wednesday, then promise to have it for you over the weekend, and then completely forget about doing it altogether. Anyway, I would never name a blog post with the word Poop. Not me.

I did not watch a restaurant waiter plant a big wet one on my husband's cheek for his birthday, and if something like that did ever happen, I certainly wouldn't be glad someone videoed the event. And if someone did video the event, I would definitely not beg and cajole my husband to post it on the internet for all to see, only to be disappointed when he emphatically said no.

I did not plan scheme do extensive research to figure out how to get not one, but two blackberry curve cell phones for our family for free (after the mail-in-rebate). That is just more frivolous electronics that one family needs. And I definitely didn't use my unlimited internet usage on said blackberry phone last night to figure out that I can now check my favorite blogs from my
phone. Because that would be the end of me. If it were true. But it's not. Oh, and I wouldn't have done any of that when I woke up unable to sleep because it was too HOT (in October, for goodness' sake) at 3 in the morning. Those are all silly things to do and I would never do them. Definitely not at 3 a.m.

Yesterday I did not eagerly leave my precious baby with some friends of ours and practically run out the door to have dinner alone with my husband. I also did not completely abandon my diet to splurge on the best Italian dinner ever, complete with wine, double chocolate cake with strawberries and vanilla cream, and coffee. Oh, and I definitely didn't order said wine as soon as I arrived and then practically gulp it down and follow it with a big dinner and coffee so that the alcohol would quickly go through my system before I had to nurse that precious baby three hours later. I would NEVER EVER do something so irresponsible.

I DID, however, celebrate 6 years of marriage with my hubby last night. And I'm dang proud of it!

However, we did NOT end that romantic evening by falling asleep cuddling in bed with our clothes on and the lights shining brightly, because we're both not tired parents of a three and a half month old. I am certainly not old enough to do that.

And lastly, I would never ever write such a ridiculous post as this, just to win MckMama's give-away contest, because I am NOT the biggest sucker for cute purses you ever have known on this blessed earth.

Nope.

Not me.

Exciting things...

Every time I miss writing to you all for a day or two or three, I feel like I need to write about 7 different posts in order to catch up. And usually I end up doing it sometime around 1 a.m.

Today being no exception, and me being as exhausted as I am... this post isn't exactly going to be edge-of-your-seat-thrilling, but I did want to tell you a few exciting things:

Exciting thing #1:
Yesterday my hot hunk of a husband turned 28! So we and a bunch of our friends all went to Chili's (one of our favorite places to eat) and had dinner. I encouraged the waiter to sing, dance and embarrass Alejandro to his heart's content.

He did JUST THAT.

It all started normal and innocent with a mild song of Happy Birthday. But when it ended in crescendo, he (the waiter) turned dramatically to my husband and planted a huge wet kiss on his cheek! I'm not kidding. I've never seen Alejandro so shocked in my life! I was doing a little recovering myself. We DID manage to get it on video... but ya'll will have to harrass him for permission to post it. He won't let me. I'm very sad about that. :(

Exciting thing #2:
Danny got his first passport mug shots today...

...because guess where we're going for Christmas!! Costa Rica!!! Abuela, here we come! :) Can you tell I'm excited? I promise you, Danny is much more excited than he looks in this picture.

Exciting thing #3:
You can now get my blog posts sent right to your email inbox! I know... just what you all wanted - ME bombarding your email box, right? I think it's a useful little thing, because then you know when I've written instead of checking my blog every day. (Of course, I LOVE it when you check every day, because then I get all these clicks on my site and then I feel like I actually have a real reading audience!) But anywhoooo... the way to make it happen is just to sign up with your email address in the sidebar box on the left. It's really easy.

Go ahead. Try it. I'll wait right here.

I do recommend that you actually click the "Mi Querida Familia" link in your email so you can see all the fun pictures on my blog for the billionth time, rather than just reading what lands in your in-box.

Really Truly Exciting thing #4:
I have a cousin somewhere in the western hemisphere who just adopted the CUTEST baby ever! I can't reveal any cute pictures yet... although I'm bursting at the seams to do so. So as soon as I can, I'll share. But in the mean time, please pray that there are no glitches with any of the paperwork or legalities or anything. And pray for the new mom and dad who are likely not getting much sleep at night! Congratulations you guys! I couldn't be happier for you!!

Exciting thing #5:
It's my bed time! ...I know I owe you all a Weeds and Poop Wednesday. It will probably come tomorrow - even though it's Friday - along with some birthday fun from around here.

In the mean time, sleep tight!

Small Ginormous Victory

Yes, I posted a picture of my butt behind on the internet.

Why?

I'm wearing my jeans. I'm wearing my NON-maternity jeans. :)

They're not my favorite jeans... but it's a small ginormous victory, nonetheless.

7 lbs down. 13 to go.

Yay!

Hand-Eye Coordination

Last week, this cutie put together the hand and the eye

of hand-eye coordination!

First, he did it with Daddy's nose...

La semana pasada, mi chiquillo connectó el ver con el tocar. :)

Primero, agarró la naríz de su papá.

Check out this video:

Then he grabbed a toy. Aren't his facial expressions the BEST?!

Entonces, agarró un juguete. ¿¡No tiene las muecas más preciosas del mundo!?

Having a week to practice and all, he has practically perfected the skill.

(I took this picture today.)

Ya tiene casi una semana haciendose maestro de su nuevo don.

Uh, well, almost. :)

Bueno, necesita un toquecito más practica, ¿no?

(This first video kept focusing in and out. The second video is a little better.)

(El segundo video es un poco mejor.)

Missing you....

Hey everyone! I'm sorry I haven't written in WAY TOO LONG...

But I'll be back from a retreat on Sunday and I'll have all kinds of fun pictures to share... And a GREAT video of Danny!

See you soon!

Poop and Weeds Wednesday

Good gracious, this week has flown by. It's already time for Poop and Weeds Wednesday. Here you go...

______________________________________________

Thank You God for Poop and Weeds

Mark 4:3-20

"Listen. What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed... Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled among the weeds and nothing came of it. Some fell on good earth and came up with a flourish, producing a harvest exceeding his wildest dreams.

"Are you listening to this? Really listening?
‘…Whose eyes are open but don't see a thing,

Whose ears are open but don't understand a word,
Who avoid making an about-face and getting forgiven.’”

"He continued, "Do you see how this story works? All my stories work this way. The farmer plants the Word… The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it. But the seed planted in the good earth represents those who hear the Word, embrace it,

…and produce a harvest beyond their wildest dreams."

The Message Bible
Some verses omitted

Part V: Facing Problems when it’s Easier to Just Enjoy the Scenery
(Written last year)

Sometimes my husband and I will tread lightly around a touchy subject for the sake of not ruining a good night. There are times when that is appropriate… and other times when it compounds the issue. I have also been known to enjoy an entertaining sermon, laugh at the jokes, sing along with the music, and smile inwardly with a “no thank you” at the Lord’s quiet leading to face an issue He wants to speak to me about. There has never been a time I have not regretted that. And there have been many times when I have been glad I faced the issue when I didn’t feel like it and was obedient to God’s word and leading. I thought of this today, when I was about to pull up one weed that was embedded in and surrounded by lush green grass. I thought, “Oh, what a shame… I’m going to have to pull up some of that grass in order to get this weed out.”

I will never forget one particular Sunday evening at church. I had gone in jeans and a warm sweater on a cool fall evening. I was thoroughly enjoying the sermon, the coffee that was served with the hazelnut creamer, the music, and the atmosphere. At the end of the sermon about which I have no recollection – that tells you how intently I was listening – the pastor had an altar call for people to come who needed prayer.

I stayed seated.

The Lord said clearly to me, “Renee, I want you to go up there.” I politely responded inwardly to Him, “That’s ok, God. I’m fine. I’ll stay here.”

Then He pressed harder.

“Renee, I want you to go up and pray with someone.” Again, I responded, annoyed, with “No, really God. I’ll just stay right here.”

This time, God was not messing around.

He said, “Renee, get up and go pray now.” And not a second later, the pastor said gently to the crowd, “There are some of you who are holding back, who need to come up, so I’m going to wait a little bit longer until you all come up here. It’s ok. We can hold the service just a bit longer.” That got my attention! The pastor’s words were kind and welcoming, but for me it was as though God was the third grade teacher, staring down the talkative and obstinate youngster, with crossed arms and tight words saying, “We. Will. Wait!”

With somewhat of a huff, I laid my jacket down and strolled up to the front. I walked up to a kind, blonde woman, who I later learned, was named Michelle. Michelle looked at me expectantly.

I said bluntly to her, “I don’t know why I’m here.”

She looked rather puzzled completely dumbfounded at me and said, “You don’t?”

“No,” I said, “I just felt God telling me to come up and pray.” At that point, tears came to my eyes, and I couldn’t hold back.

“Mmmm… ok. Well, then let’s pray.” Michelle quietly started praying, and soon began to pray in tongues for a moment, allowing the Spirit to guide her prayer.

That moment, God said to me, “It’s your marriage,” and equally as quickly, I popped my head up (with a hilarious deer-in-the-headlights look) and said to Michelle, “It’s my marriage.”

“Ok!” she said, and continued, now with a direction to take, and we prayed over my husband’s and my marriage… which at the time was not in any dire need of help, but God knew the financial struggle we would face just a few months later.

It was an odd conversation, and an odder prayer, but several things came out of it. First, my marriage was covered in prayer, which every marriage always needs.

Second, Michelle followed God's leading and prayed in tongues despite the fact that she knew nothing about whether I was open to that kind of thing. God was opening my mind to how the Holy Spirit can work. He was leading me to set aside the box I’d put Him in. (Written today...) In the year that followed, I walked down the most incredible spiritual journey in which my faith was renewed with more fire and passion than ever before or since. The Holy Spirit Rocked. My. World. I'm seriously going to have to write about it sometime.

Third, I learned that Michelle was going to be leaving shortly to move to Brazil, where she would learn Portuguese and teach English. That is significant, because just a few years before, I had moved to Costa Rica, learned Spanish, and taught English to young children. Michelle and I got together for coffee and became very good friends. I gave her some resources and shared my experiences in Costa Rica. She opened her heart to me about how God showed her the power we have to walk in His ways when we are inhabited by His Spirit.

As I look back, I think, what would have happened had I stayed in my seat and not been willing to be obedient to God’s lead? What would I have missed, by wanting to “enjoy the scenery” and avoid the hard work of seeking Him?

(Written today...) Pretty or not, this dandelion is most definitely a weed. It spreads and infests and chokes out the grass that tries to grow around it. Satan works in our lives the same way. Some weeds take longer to take over than others, but in the end, they're all ugly. They all kill the fullness of life that God intends us to have. Seek His ways. Make no compromises. Choose God's way.

It is so very. much. more. FUN.

Dedicating Danilo

Yesterday we dedicated Danilo to the Lord. Thank you all for praying with us! Here are some great shots from yesterday's church service and bbq...

Praying over the three of us

Thanks Melissa for home-made pie!!

Danny and Grandpa Shaun

Danny and Grammy

Ale, Danny, Renee, Charmian and Jon

This kid is JUST TOO CUTE!

The Family

Thanks Matt for taking these!!!

Thankyou God for Weeds and Poop

Well, I'm a little late this week, but here is part 4 of Poop and Weeds Wednesday. This one is really good! Read on...

______________________________________________

Thank You God for Poop and Weeds

Mark 4:3-20

"Listen. What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed... Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled among the weeds and nothing came of it. Some fell on good earth and came up with a flourish, producing a harvest exceeding his wildest dreams.

"Are you listening to this? Really listening?
‘…Whose eyes are open but don't see a thing,

Whose ears are open but don't understand a word,
Who avoid making an about-face and getting forgiven.’”

"He continued, "Do you see how this story works? All my stories work this way. The farmer plants the Word… The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it. But the seed planted in the good earth represents those who hear the Word, embrace it,

…and produce a harvest beyond their wildest dreams."

The Message Bible
Some verses omitted

Part IV: A Little Each Day

(Written last year)

Don’t try to pull all the weeds out in one day. Once I tried doing this, and not only was I unable to finish, but I was exhausted and discouraged by the end of the day. Children don’t grow up over night (though sometimes we think they do). The basement doesn’t get organized in one day. Marriages aren't healed in one counseling session. Grass does not go from brown and weed-ridden to green and lush in two hours, and our spiritual struggles do not get resolved with a quick prayer and a good verse.

Have patience with God, your life and yourself.

I am the worst at wanting to fix everything all at once and check the “done” box. I don’t want to walk through the steps it takes to really gain the maturity and wisdom God wants to grant me in an area. And sometimes I am hard on myself when it takes me a little while to “get it.”

Trust in the Lord’s timing.

Think of a time in your life when something has taken you a long time to forgive, resolve or learn. What did you gain, that you would not have, if it had been a quicker process and you hadn’t walked through the whole journey? Was someone else impacted? Is it now a story you can share to encourage others because it was a struggle overcome? Was your spiritual stamina increased? Think of something you are impatient with now. What might God be teaching you and how will long-term trust in Him impact the maturity of your faith?

When I was weeding today, I periodically looked up to see how much more I had to go. When I did so, it started to be discouraging. I quickly realized that this was not a one-day job. I even said to myself, “Well, I guess this will give me more to do next weekend.” In saying that, I experienced somewhat of a relief. I could be pleased with what I accomplished, rather than be overwhelmed by what was ahead. After that, when I looked up, I didn’t think, “There is SO much more to do.” Instead, I thought, “This will look AMAZING when I’m finally done.” And I could glance over at the patch I had finished and see the difference I was making already!

______________________________________________

Although I wrote this a year ago, it's a message God knew I needed to hear today. (Hopefully it speaks to each one of you as well.) There are so many issues in my life that I want to be resolved right now. Even just one of those issues leaves me feeling broken and discouraged if I don't look at it through the grace, strength and power of Jesus' healing love in my life. And often I can feel quite alone in that issue.

But the Lord whispers sweetly to me, "You are not alone. You have Me. I understand how you feel. I walked through it. And being the God who created the Universe, I have given you the strength to overcome it - not all at once - but one little day at a time."

And He also says to me, "I have given you my church. A people surrounding you who love Me, who know my power, and who are broken in their own difficulties as well. They understand you." Too often, shame keeps us from experiencing the comfort that there is in church (as it was truly meant to be).

Thank you for walking alongside me and encouraging me. Many of you in the little things - by the way, I'm down 7 lbs with only 13 to go! And a few of my closest friends have been there through the deep embarrassing shameful things. Thank you ALL for prayer.

______________________________________________

This Sunday we are dedicating our son to the Lord. Actually that means that we're dedicating ourselves as Godly parents to him. Would you please pray for us? Would you leave a comment and let me know you're praying? That would SO encourage me today. :)