Happy New Year 2013!
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times,
having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
"Abouncing" Grace for 2013
Friday, December 21, 2012
Burning Christmas Cookies in Mitera
In this crazy time of year, do you ever just feel like, no matter what you do or how hard you try, you just keep "burning all the Christmas cookies"? Boy, sometimes I sure do. Sharing a repost (from 2 years ago) of "Burning the Christmas Cookies" published in Mitera Magazine yesterday. It looks pretty cool here, so please check it out.
Click below to link to the magazine and scroll to my article on page 15.
Burning the Christmas Cookies... Again! (pg 15)
Click below to link to the magazine and scroll to my article on page 15.
Burning the Christmas Cookies... Again! (pg 15)
Friday, December 7, 2012
Wait For It... Wait For It! The Hobbit
Nearly two years ago, Isaac, then 7 years old, made the announcement among tears, wails, and sobs, that he "would never play the piano again!" He "hated" the piano. Playing the piano wasn't "manly"... With great big tears in his eyes, Isaac said, "Mom, I tried to play piano because I knew it made YOU happy; but I just don't want to play anymore."
:-( I was devastated, to say the least! You could have picked up little pieces of my heart all over the floor. How could this child with a gentle soul get so upset about playing piano? I came to realize through his statement that it really was me pressuring him to do and be something that I wanted from him... not something that he wanted.
Although, I thought I knew best. I tried everything from bribery, negotiations, to outright paying him cash to practice. I pushed all those buttons with Lego's, candy, to cupcakes. But Isaac just dug in his heels and refused to play anymore.
It really was heartbreaking to have this beautiful silent instrument in the house. At barely 3 years old, Isaac would play by ear his own rendition of "Ode to Joy" to a jazzy version of his own "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star". As a kindergartner, he would compose his own little songs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Those stinking video games!
So, I waited. And I prayed. Dear God, how can You give this little boy a gift like that and just turn it off? Why would You show him, and us, the magic of music and then have it silent? And God said:
It.was.me.
Yes. And, hadn't I been through this lesson before? Well, many times actually! Waiting. Why is waiting for God so hard? Haven't I had to be patient many times? Like all those months we waited and struggled over life's lessons, like... when we couldn't get pregnant, heard about Brugada and Parkinson's, going back to work, family illness, finances, health....
Then I got it. When we wait on God and are patient, "we rejoice in the hope and glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Romans 5:3-4).
I found that when I place ALL my hope on God, and fully trust His plan (although it wasn't revealed to me), when He finally reveals His purpose, even his gifts, they were like sweet, sweet music.
Isaac is playing piano again. And this now 47-year-old-grey-haired-hott-mama-of-four has learned, again, to be patient and wait. Wait in His presence. Wait on His time. Wait for His plan. My phablet has this video clip of Isaac playing his Hobbit song just a few days ago. Isaac actually asked me to record him and I finally fingured out how to load it. While showing Katrina (the adorable hairdresser at Total Image), Isaac clues her with a dramatic "Wait for it.... wait for it!" before his fingers explode! Check this out:
God just has a way of making connections, doesn't he? A few weeks ago, I saw an ad in the Morgan Messenger for a piano teacher and, quite cautiously, proposed to Isaac about checking it all out. Thanks and praises for Johnny Robinson, a new teacher that promotes making the piano fun. Get this: not only does Johnny call his studio "The Hobbit House" (go figure!) but his email is "spirit design music"! I tried to share below Isaac's first recording session there (hope it works because it is an amazing example of how Isaac is learning to play all parts by ear and Johnny records it together! A bit of a mystery to me.)
Listen to this:
Isaac's arrangement for The Hobbit
Prayerfully, God will reward our patience and, when He does, it's well, how can I express this? I might be wrong about this but I don't think He wants us to wait as long as dying, going to heaven and stuff like that. No. Just like Isaac tells people to "wait for it" when he plays this song, the wait for this mom to hear him play piano brought me quite a lesson in not only patience but also that it has to be His plan, not mine.
I think I see my faith rejoice and rewarded in the little things; like each time Levi looses a tooth or gets another freckle; Violet speeds across the court; Caity texts me from her DC job; the boys fold me another origami ornament for the tree; or when Dan steps towards me for a hug; and now..., Isaac playing piano.
The wait is just preparing me to be strong during the struggles with big stuff like PD and disappointments. It's not like I expect Isaac to be the next Elton John, or anything. But I think God wants me to know it's okay if my kids don't turn out to be rocket scientists or brain surgeons. They're just kids. Enjoy them now, no matter what they decide to do - "manly" or not!
Does that make sense? Parenting really is an "unexpected adventure".
:-( I was devastated, to say the least! You could have picked up little pieces of my heart all over the floor. How could this child with a gentle soul get so upset about playing piano? I came to realize through his statement that it really was me pressuring him to do and be something that I wanted from him... not something that he wanted.
Although, I thought I knew best. I tried everything from bribery, negotiations, to outright paying him cash to practice. I pushed all those buttons with Lego's, candy, to cupcakes. But Isaac just dug in his heels and refused to play anymore.
It really was heartbreaking to have this beautiful silent instrument in the house. At barely 3 years old, Isaac would play by ear his own rendition of "Ode to Joy" to a jazzy version of his own "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star". As a kindergartner, he would compose his own little songs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Those stinking video games!
So, I waited. And I prayed. Dear God, how can You give this little boy a gift like that and just turn it off? Why would You show him, and us, the magic of music and then have it silent? And God said:
"Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act." (Psalm 37:7)
Hold on! Although it took me days to realize it, it wasn't a video game or even God. It.was.me.
Yes. And, hadn't I been through this lesson before? Well, many times actually! Waiting. Why is waiting for God so hard? Haven't I had to be patient many times? Like all those months we waited and struggled over life's lessons, like... when we couldn't get pregnant, heard about Brugada and Parkinson's, going back to work, family illness, finances, health....
Then I got it. When we wait on God and are patient, "we rejoice in the hope and glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Romans 5:3-4).
I found that when I place ALL my hope on God, and fully trust His plan (although it wasn't revealed to me), when He finally reveals His purpose, even his gifts, they were like sweet, sweet music.
Isaac is playing piano again. And this now 47-year-old-grey-haired-hott-mama-of-four has learned, again, to be patient and wait. Wait in His presence. Wait on His time. Wait for His plan. My phablet has this video clip of Isaac playing his Hobbit song just a few days ago. Isaac actually asked me to record him and I finally fingured out how to load it. While showing Katrina (the adorable hairdresser at Total Image), Isaac clues her with a dramatic "Wait for it.... wait for it!" before his fingers explode! Check this out:
God just has a way of making connections, doesn't he? A few weeks ago, I saw an ad in the Morgan Messenger for a piano teacher and, quite cautiously, proposed to Isaac about checking it all out. Thanks and praises for Johnny Robinson, a new teacher that promotes making the piano fun. Get this: not only does Johnny call his studio "The Hobbit House" (go figure!) but his email is "spirit design music"! I tried to share below Isaac's first recording session there (hope it works because it is an amazing example of how Isaac is learning to play all parts by ear and Johnny records it together! A bit of a mystery to me.)
Listen to this:
Isaac's arrangement for The Hobbit
Prayerfully, God will reward our patience and, when He does, it's well, how can I express this? I might be wrong about this but I don't think He wants us to wait as long as dying, going to heaven and stuff like that. No. Just like Isaac tells people to "wait for it" when he plays this song, the wait for this mom to hear him play piano brought me quite a lesson in not only patience but also that it has to be His plan, not mine.
I think I see my faith rejoice and rewarded in the little things; like each time Levi looses a tooth or gets another freckle; Violet speeds across the court; Caity texts me from her DC job; the boys fold me another origami ornament for the tree; or when Dan steps towards me for a hug; and now..., Isaac playing piano.
The wait is just preparing me to be strong during the struggles with big stuff like PD and disappointments. It's not like I expect Isaac to be the next Elton John, or anything. But I think God wants me to know it's okay if my kids don't turn out to be rocket scientists or brain surgeons. They're just kids. Enjoy them now, no matter what they decide to do - "manly" or not!
Does that make sense? Parenting really is an "unexpected adventure".
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Clicking "Like" Will Send $5 to Help Find a Cure for Parkinson's Disease
It's easy! The Michael J. Fox Foundation has partnered with UCB in a program called "Tell Us YOUR Story" on Facebook. So, forever the story teller, I posted about our experiences living with this crazy illness; the good and bad!"At UCB our sense of purpose is to help people suffering from severe central nervous system or immunological disorders lead normal, everyday lives. Our ambition is to offer them innovative new medicines and ground-breaking solutions that go beyond the drug. We are committed to enabling cutting-edge scientific research that is driven by the patients' needs. "
And what a better way to understand patients needs than to ask them to tell their stories! That's just cool in my book! Happy to oblidge, I submitted a post in an effort to generate both awareness AND, get this.... $5 for each "like" or "share" on facebook. Already, our story "Standing Tall" has raised $55! YOUR click could help in leading to a cure to Parkinson's Disease and making my hott-hubby Dan more comfortable as we live with this stinking neurological crazy illness.
It's legit! And FYI, Dan participates in research efforts at Johns Hopkins Hospital that is sponsored by the Michael J. Fox Foundation. So, please support this! And do tell everyone you know; together, we can raise $60,000 just by clicking the "like" or "share" button on my post.
If you roll your cursor over the sentence below, it will take you directly to the site. Thanks for helping.
Go to this link and "like" or "share" our PD story and UCB will donate $5 to research with the Michael J. Fox Foundation!!!!
Monday, November 5, 2012
Wows! and Wows?
Today on Facebook, the Parkinson's Disease Foundation shared this link to a movie called A Late Quartet. Online, it says this about the film:
"In the film, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Mark Ivanir and Christopher Walken play a world renowned string quartet struggling to stay together as they mark their 25th anniversary in the face of illness and competing egos."
Always curious when the topic of musical careers come up, I so totally did not expect to discover the impact of one musician's diagnosis. As with any unpleasant "news" - whether it be cancer, heart disease, or... yes, Parkinson's Disease - that "wow" just never goes away, does it?
Four years after my hott-hubby was diagnosed with PD, I get Mr. Walken's reaction as portrayed here. Do you know what I mean? It's like, sometimes, maybe that day when Dan came home following his appointment with the initial neurologist was just a weird dream. Was it disbelief? Maybe, in a way... it still is. Even after all this time.
You know, most "wow's" come at an elated high. But this sort of "wow"... well, it's kinda like a strange quiver deep in the midst of your inner belly. And it stays there. Permamently. Forever. A diagnosis that someone you love has an incurable and chronic illness, Parkinson's Disease. Sure, there are days when the symptoms seem almost to disappear. But others remind me of times yet to come and then that awful quiver in my belly resonates deep down. It is then that the "wow" of the initial diagnosis and daily life with PD turns to a "why?" and even a "what the #*^+! ?"
Then, I remember that "God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:28)
"Wow."
Please watch and share. The movie is released later this month.
"In the film, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Mark Ivanir and Christopher Walken play a world renowned string quartet struggling to stay together as they mark their 25th anniversary in the face of illness and competing egos."
Always curious when the topic of musical careers come up, I so totally did not expect to discover the impact of one musician's diagnosis. As with any unpleasant "news" - whether it be cancer, heart disease, or... yes, Parkinson's Disease - that "wow" just never goes away, does it?
Four years after my hott-hubby was diagnosed with PD, I get Mr. Walken's reaction as portrayed here. Do you know what I mean? It's like, sometimes, maybe that day when Dan came home following his appointment with the initial neurologist was just a weird dream. Was it disbelief? Maybe, in a way... it still is. Even after all this time.
You know, most "wow's" come at an elated high. But this sort of "wow"... well, it's kinda like a strange quiver deep in the midst of your inner belly. And it stays there. Permamently. Forever. A diagnosis that someone you love has an incurable and chronic illness, Parkinson's Disease. Sure, there are days when the symptoms seem almost to disappear. But others remind me of times yet to come and then that awful quiver in my belly resonates deep down. It is then that the "wow" of the initial diagnosis and daily life with PD turns to a "why?" and even a "what the #*^+! ?"
Then, I remember that "God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:28)
"Wow."
Please watch and share. The movie is released later this month.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
It Sure Is Hott!
For all the teachers, administrators, and families of my little friends, thanks for putting up with me! It was indeed a privilege to spend time with you and your students over the last nine plus weeks. Thanks for enduring the loud singing, dancing, and yes, even sax playing coming from the music room. (Mrs. Hott sure sings "terrible"! LOL!)
I will never forget the words from RESA 8 substitute teacher trainer, Peggy Hause, "As a sub, you have just a short time in the classroom with these children. Make the most of it. YOU could be THE sub to change a child's life." Well, let's just say sometimes it is just one student, just one... that changes the sub. For all my little friends, thanks for the hugs and know that Mrs. Hott will be remembering you all in my prayers. (And, thanks for reminding me daily how "young" I am!)
Finally, for Mrs. Davisson -- give me a call anytime you have another baby! I'll be there - me and my sax!
love, love, LOVE... your music sub
p.s. Now, go "clip up!" All of you!
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Easy Steps to Armor Your Child with Back to School Bully Protection
Click here: Mitera: Ministry in Motherhood
Hott off the press, Mitera Magazine has just published my article called "Holy Boldness Batman!" Please check out the cover (with a teaser to my story!) then go to page 13! This story was deep in my blog from two years ago and the editor asked to republish it in her new magazine. Please link to other parents you know. Praying that "Holy Boldness Batman" helps a student somewhere... maybe even yours!
love, a
Hott off the press, Mitera Magazine has just published my article called "Holy Boldness Batman!" Please check out the cover (with a teaser to my story!) then go to page 13! This story was deep in my blog from two years ago and the editor asked to republish it in her new magazine. Please link to other parents you know. Praying that "Holy Boldness Batman" helps a student somewhere... maybe even yours!
love, a
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Parkinson's Praise Punches
Throwing a few punches praising, of all things, PD, in this week's column! Hummmmm... funny thing, right? Here's the link:
http://momsoffaith.com/2012/09/pd-praise/
Monday, September 3, 2012
A Review of Lisa Chan's New Video - Be Still
Easy as pie, right? Wrong! Attempting to watch a video called "Be Still" on our intermittent internet service was like trying to have my 7 and 8 year old boys read War and Peace! I would see about 45 seconds of film, wait... and then another 45 seconds! This 23 minute film took me 2.5 hours to watch one day when all the kids were finally in school. Be Still? Are you kidding me?
As I am engaging in her story, I was also finding myself resentful. Seriously! Early on, I watch Lisa as she unloads groceries from her car to her home. In one trip, she manages to bring in all her bags. I don't know about you other moms, but I never am able to complete a shopping trip in one load! Then, we follow Lisa inside her home and, immediately, I am feeling uncomfortable.
Seeing her modest environment neat and orderly, I begin to glance around my own home. Kitchen piled high with dishes, mountains of kid shoes and dirty socks by the door, toys scattered around the living room, how can I begin to "Be Still" and watch this video? I don't have time to Be Still! There is way too much to do around here. Be Still? Who is she kidding?
But I continued to watch. I continued to listen. Forgetting for a moment all the tasks around me, Lisa talks about Mary and Martha. Immediately, I am reminded to make myself sit and, not just listen to what this other mom (not so unlike me) has to say, but to just be.
This is what Lisa is sharing with us in her new series "Be Still" -- to just be in God's presence. Once we allow ourselves to "be" at His feet, then we can discover the overwhelming peace Lisa describes. And you know what? God doesn't care at all about my messy house or chaos, He just wants to fill me with His peace in the midst of it all.
And it works! I recently found myself in the middle of a serious situation. Close to a panic, my breathing became irregular and, rather than "be still" at all, my hands began to shake. The notion to be still seemed impossible. Where was God in this situation? How could He be present in the mess I was faced with? Could God really be a part of other's evil pressed on my faith based life as a mom?
Want to know what happened? In the midst of the turmoil, I heard God whisper to me "Excuse me, can I tell you something?".... just "be still... and know that I am God."
Lisa Chan's series "Be Still" is available here: https://flannel.org/products/true-beauty-be-still
If you would like more info, let me know and I can forward you Lisa's bio and press info on "True Beauty: Finding Your Identity in Jesus"
I hope you will explore her teachings. The marketing folks said that they will provide a free copy for me to distribute to a reader. So, let me know if you are interested in a comment and I will pass your request along. It looks like such a cool series and may be a rewarding opportunity for moms, a group of friends, or your study group.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)