Hard

Things are hard right now.  Hard is okay sometimes.  Hard makes us appreciate those many times we have the opposite (which is still what I actually have even when I think I have it hard—I know this; I really do.)  I guess Hard’s counterpart spoils us a little, doesn’t it?  So, I’m here trying to handle Hard.  Trying to learn from Hard.  Trying to be patient with Hard.

When Moriah was born just over a year ago, I expected Hard in the beginning.  All new territory, so much to learn, the feeding issues . . . oh, those feeding issues!  Add in several other factors, and I knew Hard would be a close companion for a while.  But then Easy showed up for a very pleasant late summer/fall, and I kind of got used to that.  I mean, visiting with Easy was just wonderful!  I honestly wasn’t expecting Hard to return again, especially so soon, and I am surprised to have seen more of Hard in the past six months than the first six.

Although there have been countless blessings and I wouldn’t trade this new path for anything, this journey is worrisome at times (right now), it is beyond my control (try as I might!), it has been exhausting these last months (to put it mildly), and lately I cannot seem to navigate so well.

Hard.

But the God of my journey promises me that

 . . . for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28

All things, even the hard, or maybe especially the hard.  So I take a deep breath and remind myself that Hard is not my enemy . . . not even when she shows up unannounced, invites herself in and makes plans to stay indefinitely.

Hard is a blessing in disguise.  Hard forces me to look beyond the fallacy of “my own strength.”  Hard is working for my good, whether it seems like it or not.

Family Vacation Part V: Chalcedon Presbyterian

Sunday was a wonderful day!  We had made plans to attend Chalcedon Presbyterian since we have been fans of Pastor Joe Morecraft for years, after having been introduced to his ministry through Vision Forum.  We were privileged to hear him speak in person at the Sufficiency of Scripture conference back in 2009, and his most memorable message at that time was on the regulative principle of worship, which provided many “aha” moments for our family.  What a thrill to our souls it was to hear him preach a similar sermon on Sunday and be reminded of all the good things we had heard from him prior.

I hope it’s not out of line for me to include this little funny from Joseph.  Before leaving on our vacation, we had discussed with the children most of the places we hoped to visit, including this Reformed Presbyterian church, which as such, has a handful of doctrinal differences from our own Reformed Baptist church.  One day, in reviewing some of these differences, Joseph piped up with true concern, “I hope no one tries to baptize Moriah there!” 

There was one difference we did not anticipate, however, so we had a little surprise during communion—a little bubbly surprise.  It was not a problem, just something that hadn’t been on our radar at all, so we had to chuckle afterwards.   I do appreciate the camaraderie of the Reformers of both persuasions, so I say this all in good humor!

We had opportunity to converse with Pastor Morecraft after service, and can I just interject how much it blesses me when someone who is in the public eye is also warm, friendly, and approachable?  He gave my sons his book With Liberty and Justice for All and also showed them his cast of the Oliver Cromwell death mask.  That might sound a little odd unless I also tell you that Pastor Morecraft is an admirer of Cromwell and his History of the Reformation series is how our family first learned of the older movie Cromwell, which has since become a favorite of my big boys.  Thus, it was a unique treat for them to see the cast.  Read more about the Cromwell death mask here.  

Keeping with southern (as well as church) hospitality, we were invited to stay for the fellowship lunch, which included a first for our family—-boiled peanuts.  No offense to y’all who love boiled peanuts, but we Yanks are used to our peanuts crunchy.

There is so much more I could say, but I’ll simply close by saying we all felt completely at home at Chalcedon and would love to visit again someday.

Family Vacation Part II: Creation Museum

Rather than drive straight to Georgia, we planned to break up the trip into manageable chunks to allow ample time for nursing/eating/potty breaks and visiting attractions along the way.  Our first stop was the Creation Museum, a family favorite near Cincinnati.  Click here to read all about one of our past “field trips” and see plenty of pictures of this awesome museum.

We only had a few hours to spend during this visit, and the most popular attraction for us was the Lucy exhibit, a stunning display utilizing holographic technology.  This revered “missing link” is demonstrated to not be quite the lady many seem to think she is, and I highly recommend this Answers in Genesis article if you would like to read more about this. 

In the new museum exhibit, a number of Lucy heads have been created, cast from the same mold. Each head, however, is given different skin and eye coloration, as well as variations in the amount and color of hair. This was done to demonstrate how significant artistic license can be employed by researchers in interpreting what Lucy resembled as they “put flesh to the bones” of the creature. There simply isn’t enough information found in the fossil bones for anyone to determine what Lucy looked like.

The kids had fun aligning themselves with the “Lucy heads,” making for some unique reflections, as you can see.

Scary, huh?

Elisabeth had also been hoping for a camel ride this trip since she’s a little older and less intimidated, but Mr. Camel was not giving rides on the day we visited, and we ended up not having time for the museum’s petting zoo at all.  She had to settle for a perch atop the ever-popular triceratops instead.

There is a lot to see here, folks—all state of the art.  As always, I highly recommend a visit.  No matter which side of the debate you’re on, you’ll come away with a lot to think about.

P. Graham Dunn

I have been wanting to decorate the (mostly) bare walls of our not-so-new house for some time now, but I have not wanted to break the bank doing so.  Much of the decor from the old house just didn’t seem to work here, with either the scale or color or something being off.

Garage sales and thrift stores didn’t yield quite what I was looking for either; however, our field trip to P. Graham Dunn last December inspired me with a lot of great ideas.

So, several weeks ago during their customer appreciation week and big tent sale, I packed up the kids and headed to Dalton on a mission.

Success!

I bought 9 pieces for our walls, some small and some larger, plus a few greeting cards—all for $100.

I was especially pleased to find this item, which would normally have cost me $100 all by itself.  It was in the factory outlet section at a reduced cost, which was then discounted by 50% at the checkout counter.  $22.50!  It has a few minor flaws, but they’re not nearly as noticeable as those cobwebs in the picture that I’m just now seeing.  Oh dear.

Entry to the living room.

With measurements in hand, I checked items off my list one by one.  I still have a few bare spots, but I hope to fill them in at the next sale.

Here are a few more of my bargains I wanted to show you.

In our entryway.

Entryway.

Master bath.

Laundry. Love the chickens!

No spot on the wall yet, but how could I pass up a “paths of righteousness” plaque?

If you’re in driving distance of Dalton, Ohio, I highly recommend a visit!

Edited to add:  I have seen a few P. Graham Dunn items at Hobby Lobby as well.  Make sure you print off the 40% off coupon from the HL website before going!

The Power of the Cross

Weekend Links

Memverse

Have you heard of Memverse?  It’s a free website that’s fantastic for scripture memory.  Enter the verses you want, and the program tracks your progress as you type and review.  My kids LOVE this website and have memorized so many passages.  What’s even more fun is that many of their friends are also involved, so there’s lots of support and encouragement to learn.  Get the details and your free account here.

10 Dumbest Things to Eat

Here’s a great read for you—10 Dumbest Things to Eat.  We could all guess some of what’s on this list, but if you’ve been buying the RDA’s or big agriculture’s rhetoric for too long, then some of the “foods” may surprise you.  Sigh.  As moms, we have our work cut out for us, don’t we?  As much as I’d love to say that every last dumb item on this list is never on my grocery list . . . well, I cannot quite say that.  But I’m working on it.

How to Make a Canning Jar Lotion/Soap Dispenser

Here is a nifty little project that’s on my list of things to make “someday.”  There’s something very homey about canning jars, and I want a whole collection of these!

Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Oh, does this topic bring back painful memories . . . Here’s an article containing links I may need to check out in the future, and for some of you it may be pertinent in the present.  Is routine wisdom teeth extraction really as wise as we’re led to believe?

Custom Sewing

You’ll want to visit my friend Chrissi’s website—Our Legacy Custom Sewing & Design.  She and her daughters design and sew the loveliest baby, girl, and boy clothing, as well as other items for the home.  Visit her website or her new Facebook page to see all the sweet things they have to offer.

Christmas Links

Eggnog

Can’t wait to try this new eggnog recipe from Deliciously Organic.  It’s quite similar to my normal recipe, but this one uses maple syrup instead of sugar.  Doesn’t that flavor combination sound delicious?

More Cookies, Anyone?

I’m a big fan of “peanut butter blossoms,” although now that I think about it, it’s been a long, long time since I’ve eaten one or made any.  These cookie pictures and recipes from Bakerella will make you drool, and I can’t wait to try the Reese Cup-in-the-mini-muffin-tin idea . . . next Christmas.

Orange Pomanders

This is an enjoyable, aromatic activity we look forward to every year.  We’ll be making some today, and here’s how . . .

Neighborhood Gifts

Joseph and Hannah helped me sew up some more fabric gift bags like we made last year—the size which nicely holds a ziploc bag full of whatever, in this case yummy hot chocolate mix.  We’ll be delivering them along with these freshly-dipped hot chocolate stir sticks.  Mmm.

Peppermint Stick Cocoa

And next year I plan on making some jars of this.  Thanks to Amy at Homestead Revival for the idea.  What a pretty presentation!

Examine Yourself

What do you find special about Christmas?  The fun and festivity?  The food and decorating?  Giving and receiving gifts?  The music and celebrations?  These are all wonderful things I enjoy.

But I want to take a minute and ask you to reflect on what you believe and why.  Is Christmas more to you than just these things?  What do you believe—I mean really believe?  And whether you’re sure or unsure, I’m asking you to please spend just one hour of this crazy, hustle-bustle month to listen and be challenged by these words . . .

A Replay

Because the Hallelujah Chorus never gets old!

Keep Sowing

From The Treasury of David, by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, exposition of Psalm 126.

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” [Psalm 126:5]

Hence, present distress must not be viewed as if it would last for ever: it is not the end, by any means, but only a means to the end. Sorrow is our sowing, rejoicing shall be our reaping. If there were no sowing in tears there would be no reaping in joy. If we were never captives we could never lead our captivity captive. Our mouth had never been filled with holy laughter if it had not been first filled with the bitterness of grief. We must sow: we may have to sow in the wet weather of sorrow; but we shall reap, and reap in the bright summer season of joy. Let us keep to the work of this present sowing time, and find strength in the promise which is here so positively given us. Here is one of the Lord’s shalls and wills; it is freely given both to workers, waiters, and weepers, and they may rest assured that it will not fail: “in due season they shall reap.”

How Deep the Father’s Love for Us