Well, it appears that we finally have the results of Michael's black belt test. He failed two areas of the test. Normally if one fails two areas, he must retake the test at a later date. If he fails one area of the test, it is called a conditional pass and you must complete that area successfully before you get your belt. However, in Michael's case it is being called conditional pass. He will have to redo forms and board breaks in June at the next test. I guess that's okay.
My dishwasher arrived, but they wouldn't install it because the shut off valve leaks. Of course, at halfway closed, it streams water. If they had closed it all the way, they would have seen two drips a minutes and I'm pretty sure they could have worked with that. I have to call and have them come out again. I think the issue may have been that it was Friday and they wanted an early day. Anyway, my dishwasher is now sitting in my garage where it won't be manhandled while we wait for installation.
My toaster died. It was a nice 4 slice Krups and it lasted about 5 years. You have to understand that appliances around here get heavy use. Dishwashers only live out half their expected lifetime. When another family might get a toaster that lasts through the children and then some, ours gets used every day, several times a day. We don't fix minor appliances. The dishwasher is the only major appliance we don't fix. Rod has fixed my dryer. He's fixed my washing machine until he can't fix it anymore. But for some reason, we don't mess with the dishwashers.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Local happenings
Two weeks ago (about) Michael had the privilege of testing for his black belt, first Dan. It takes about two weeks for the results. The results are in and...we still don't know whether he passed or failed because his name is listed in both columns. We hope to know by tomorrow night what the deal is with that.
Rod is travelling abroad for work again. The climate is warm and sunny for him. As long as he keeps away from public crowded places, he will probably be safe. His luggage was waylaid in Toronto, and then again in Tel Aviv. He was in Ashkelon for 5 days before he got it.
This is a view of the Mediterranean from Tel Aviv. Incredible, isn't it?
We have been down with various illnesses for most of the past three weeks. It hasn't been a lot of fun here. Someone coughing, someone puking, someone just not feeling up to par has been our order.
Tomorrow, my new dishwasher will arrive. I've been without for about 5 months now. I assure you that I will be grateful for this piece of machinery.
These may seem like such small things, but I need to describe it like this: God has chosen to define my life as wife and mother. My family is my world. I want nothing else; I need nothing else but those things which help me in these roles.
Rod is travelling abroad for work again. The climate is warm and sunny for him. As long as he keeps away from public crowded places, he will probably be safe. His luggage was waylaid in Toronto, and then again in Tel Aviv. He was in Ashkelon for 5 days before he got it.
This is a view of the Mediterranean from Tel Aviv. Incredible, isn't it?
We have been down with various illnesses for most of the past three weeks. It hasn't been a lot of fun here. Someone coughing, someone puking, someone just not feeling up to par has been our order.
Tomorrow, my new dishwasher will arrive. I've been without for about 5 months now. I assure you that I will be grateful for this piece of machinery.
These may seem like such small things, but I need to describe it like this: God has chosen to define my life as wife and mother. My family is my world. I want nothing else; I need nothing else but those things which help me in these roles.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Sometimes, I'm just on the verge
Sometimes, the urge to write becomes unbelievably strong. I know that there is an earth-shattering subject close at hand--just on the tip of my brain. I have that feeling tonight, but I cannot quite get to it. My heart is full of rejoicing, so I could cheat and copy one of the Psalms. I could write my own poem. The problem is that I am not quite certain of the source of this joy.
I take that back. I do know the source of this joy. It is Christ. It is the greatness of HIM who loves me beyond anything that I deserve. When I see HIM answer prayers just because HE can and I know that it isn't because I deserve it--but because HE loves to do great things--I am amazed. When I know that all of my moments are securely in HIS hands, I am at peace.
When my heart is overwhelmed and I cannot look up to HIS face, HE comes and lifts my head for me.
I have a God who is for me all that I cannot be. Where are the words to express all of that? I'm sure they do not exist in this world.
I take that back. I do know the source of this joy. It is Christ. It is the greatness of HIM who loves me beyond anything that I deserve. When I see HIM answer prayers just because HE can and I know that it isn't because I deserve it--but because HE loves to do great things--I am amazed. When I know that all of my moments are securely in HIS hands, I am at peace.
When my heart is overwhelmed and I cannot look up to HIS face, HE comes and lifts my head for me.
I have a God who is for me all that I cannot be. Where are the words to express all of that? I'm sure they do not exist in this world.
Friday, March 25, 2011
The oddest discovery
I discovered last night that cabbage seems to have some very powerful medicinal uses. I am sensitive to wheat, but can tolerate it now. Sometimes I over do it and my respiratory system is affected. My sinus get inflamed and occasionally my soft palate swells. I typically take Benadryl but now, I believe I have found a new remedy.
Last night I ate some leaves of raw cabbage. About an hour later, I noticed that my sinuses felt more open. When I got home from church I did some searching on cabbage and found that it seems to have anti-inflammatory properties.
This morning, I tried again. I had toast for breakfast. I had enough to cause the swelling. I ate a few cabbage leaves and once again, the swelling is gone. If I can take care of the swelling with a natural food and avoid the Benadryl, I'm very happy with that. I don't really have the time to hit the drowsy period always brought on by the Benadryl.
You can read about cabbage here.
This doesn't mean I'm going to start eating wheat just because I can eat cabbage. It just means that I'm going to start experimenting with what cabbage can do.
Last night I ate some leaves of raw cabbage. About an hour later, I noticed that my sinuses felt more open. When I got home from church I did some searching on cabbage and found that it seems to have anti-inflammatory properties.
This morning, I tried again. I had toast for breakfast. I had enough to cause the swelling. I ate a few cabbage leaves and once again, the swelling is gone. If I can take care of the swelling with a natural food and avoid the Benadryl, I'm very happy with that. I don't really have the time to hit the drowsy period always brought on by the Benadryl.
You can read about cabbage here.
This doesn't mean I'm going to start eating wheat just because I can eat cabbage. It just means that I'm going to start experimenting with what cabbage can do.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Heartaches
Heartaches--we all have them. Some people feel them more acutely than others do. Some people stuff them deep inside. Others wear them on their proverbial sleeves.
Some people want desperately to talk to someone about the heartache, but they don't know where to go. Others talk to whoever will listen or pretend to listen.
Heartaches are common among humans. Yet, we typically go around thinking we are alone in what we feel.
I have my own heartaches to deal with. Yet, I also have to deal with the heartaches of my family members.
What does one do when he feels he cannot handle one more? I, myself, just stuff them deeper and cram them down more compactly to make more room. When it comes times to empty the emotional trash, I don't know what's going to happen. It's so compacted now, I don't think it's going to come out easily.
Some people want desperately to talk to someone about the heartache, but they don't know where to go. Others talk to whoever will listen or pretend to listen.
Heartaches are common among humans. Yet, we typically go around thinking we are alone in what we feel.
I have my own heartaches to deal with. Yet, I also have to deal with the heartaches of my family members.
What does one do when he feels he cannot handle one more? I, myself, just stuff them deeper and cram them down more compactly to make more room. When it comes times to empty the emotional trash, I don't know what's going to happen. It's so compacted now, I don't think it's going to come out easily.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
A few pictures
Monday, February 28, 2011
Is duty enough?
I ran across a question a couple of weeks ago that has caused a great deal of thought on my part.
Question: If your child weren't serving God out of love, would you rather he serve out of duty or not at all. I posed the question on Facebook but didn't get a lot of response.
My first response when I saw the question was that I would rather my children serve not all. I got 2 responses on FB, one said not at all because they've missed the heart. Another said duty because then they would at least not have the repercussions of regret that might come with not at all.
I have continued to think about it. My answer hasn't changed. I still say not at all because of several reasons.
1. At least with not at all, I know where my child stands. There is no hidden rebellion because it's all out in the open.
2. Duty carries a negative light in Scripture. Luke 17:7-10 (But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? 8And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? 9Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. 10So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do) See also Matthew 7:21-23 where the duty was done, but God still did not recognize it as worthy.
3. It carries the conotation of selfishness in that duty is often self-seeking. We don't want others to look upon in a negative light; we don't want to be thought of badly; we don't want to disappoint someone. That goes against our greatest commandment to love God above all. In duty we do not see love of God, but love of something baser.
4. It also seems to be lukewarm. I'll do it because I have to. It isn't because I want to (hot); it isn't left undone (cold.) It is done but not wholeheartedly.
I think that there are more reasons that will come to mind as I continue to think about it. Until then, I welcome your views and reasons.
Question: If your child weren't serving God out of love, would you rather he serve out of duty or not at all. I posed the question on Facebook but didn't get a lot of response.
My first response when I saw the question was that I would rather my children serve not all. I got 2 responses on FB, one said not at all because they've missed the heart. Another said duty because then they would at least not have the repercussions of regret that might come with not at all.
I have continued to think about it. My answer hasn't changed. I still say not at all because of several reasons.
1. At least with not at all, I know where my child stands. There is no hidden rebellion because it's all out in the open.
2. Duty carries a negative light in Scripture. Luke 17:7-10 (But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? 8And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? 9Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. 10So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do) See also Matthew 7:21-23 where the duty was done, but God still did not recognize it as worthy.
3. It carries the conotation of selfishness in that duty is often self-seeking. We don't want others to look upon in a negative light; we don't want to be thought of badly; we don't want to disappoint someone. That goes against our greatest commandment to love God above all. In duty we do not see love of God, but love of something baser.
4. It also seems to be lukewarm. I'll do it because I have to. It isn't because I want to (hot); it isn't left undone (cold.) It is done but not wholeheartedly.
I think that there are more reasons that will come to mind as I continue to think about it. Until then, I welcome your views and reasons.
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