Reap What I Sow (DAY 1)

“Remind me of this with every decision,

 Generations will reap what I sow.
I could pass on a curse or a blessing to those I will never know...
To my great great great granddaughter, live in peace.
To my great great great grandson, live in peace...
Oh, LIVE IN PEACE!”

 Lyrics by Sara Groves

I think about them daily... a few times a day in fact- my children's children, my great-grandchildren, my great great grandchildren.

 I’m 38, and the mother of a 14, 13, and 10 yr old, the next generation’s grand entrance is a ways off.   Still, I think about them.  I have for years.   Sometimes I wonder if this is odd, but then I recall how I would think about my own children when I was just a teen.  I’d hope hard, and pray hard for them.  There was a Savior, Redemption, and embracing God's promise of abundant Life that, even as a child, I desperately wanted for them.  And now I consume the delicious fruit of those prayers offered in faith.

So here I am 38, compelled by God's Spirit to interceded for the generations that will come from me. Thinking of all the delicious fruit that can be harvested from these prayers offered in faith.

 For the next 31 days I will write to My Future (the generations that will follow me).

For the next 31 days I will plant words with hope that they will "pass on a blessing to those I may never know."  I will offer prayers for all my children to "live in Peace." (Peace means wholeness).

A few years ago I read that I am a God-Giver.  For the next 31days I will be intentional about giving-God to the future generations, with hopes that on this side of heaven, and on Glory's side, to "reap what I sow."

 Photos from the 2010 post- Spring. Is. Coming. 

Live in Peace, 

Posts from 31 Days of God-giver:
Day 1- Reap What I Sow
Day2- Get To Know God  
Day3-  God is God. 
Day 4- Wrap Your Arms Around Him 
Day 5- Pray.  Don't Think, Just Do It. 
Day 6- Find Your Voice 
Day 7- I Am a Mountain Goat 
Day 8- I ♥ Being Fabulous 
Day 9- Grandmother's Hands 
Day 10- "The Talk"  
Day 11- Don't "Rip the Pants" Off Your Man 
Day 12- I Drempt You
Day 13-  3 Word
Day14-  With All You've Got 
Day 15- Temperature 
Day 16- He's Got This 
Day 17- I Will Be Glad 
Day 18- Emilie's Words To Her Children  

Day 19- Fertile For The Changes 

Day 20 & 21- O I Need Thee 

Day 22- I Know Day 

Day 23- Tangible God

Day 24- It's Not Coincidence

Day 25- A Humbling Fall

Day 26- Let It Sink In 
Day 27 & 28- Husbands  
Day 29- 248 Nights Without Sleep
Day 30- My Grandfather's Prayers

Day 31- All That I Have

Date Night

I like to date my husband.

We're kind of pathetic though and a date occurs  maybe 3-4 times a year.  Pathetic.

Dates are expensive:
$40.00 for a reasonably nice dinner.
$25.00 for movie & snuck-in-treats.
$15.00 for Little Ceazar's Pizza and dessert for the kids and sitter (who is lounging on my couch watching Hulu Plus, while my kids clean-up after the dinner and dessert I "made").
A GAZILLION dollars for the appropriately named "sitter," who is to be paid minimum wage, and must also receive medical benefits, sick and holiday pay, and a 4o1K.

Because dates are expensive, our last date was in July, while the kids were away at camp for two weeks (enter "Hallelujah" chorus).  Truth be told, we went on 6 dates, and one long weekend get-away (to the coast, where we stayed in the in-laws lovely and free loft) during those two weeks.  Had to... for future us, who aren't going to be dating anytime soon.

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On our last date we packed the Saturn with blankets, pillows, homemade dinner, drinks, a redbox movie, the laptop, and movie treats.  

We drove around for a lonnnng time (one of us, who gets cranky when she is hungry, might have gotten a bit snippy...just keep'n it real, folks), and found a dreamy tolerable view and parked. 

The view...
The actual view...
yep, that's a chain link fence.

The set up. 

Homemade Chinese Chicken Salad Supreme.

Dinner entertainment.  
 A redbox DVD photo shoot. 

w

 
We enjoyed the coastal breeze and watched the brilliant sunset as we munched on our yummy salad. 
We were amazed to see whales dancing in the water. 
We were entertained by a flock of seagulls (not the 80's band), and one in particular who seemed to be complaining to the others to wait up for him.  
We smooched (dates should include kissing). 
We (I) shared chocolate.  
We cuddled and watched the movie (until the battery on the laptop died, and someone's bladder was about to explode). 

We made a memory together.  A memory that didn't include the kids.  
A memory for us, of us.

When is the last time you and your man went on a date? 

What did you do? 

Do you have any low-cost date night ideas?  Pleeeaase share.  

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Ingredients for our Chinese Chicken Salad Supreme: Romain lettuce, cilantro, grilled chopped chicken, toasted Top Ramen noodles, avocado slices, white peach slices, and black olives, tossed with Soy Vey Cha Cha Chinese Chicken Salad dressing. 

Sweet 16

16 years ago Michael picked me up and carried me out of the church after we were announced "Mr. & Mrs."  He's still carrying me.

Every morning since our first morning as husband and wife he's told me, "I'm so glad that you're my wife. " (there were plenty of mornings he shouldn't have been glad)

He thinks I'm pretty without a shower, or make-up, and with funky, greasy hair.

On "early days" (days he leaves before the sunrises for work) he kisses sleeping me on the forehead  and whispers "Jesus" in my ear.  

He's a calm referee between me and one of our kids, whose personality is just like mine- stubborn and always right.  

He speaks what I need to hear, not what I want to hear (a blogworthy journey).   I respect and trust him more for it.

He is generous in the way he cares for me. 

He makes the best Saturday morning breakfasts.

He is my favorite (don't tell Noah, Emilie, or Josie because each one of them thinks they are my favorite, too).

He calls me "Sweetie."   
  
He works 4 jobs (1 full time, and 3 from home jobs) so I can stay home with our kids.  He's grateful and never complains about it.

He calls me in the middle of the day just to hear my voice. 

He is intentional everyday about playing or being with the kids.

Cuddling with him is the best way to end the day... best way to begin the day, too.  

He likes to bake.  He makes an insanely delicious Heath Toffee crunch cheesecake with homemade caramel sauce. 

He is my very best friend. 

He is REALLY NICE TO LOOK AT.   

He gives me grace.  A lot of grace. A lot a lot a lot of grace.   

He applauds me when I am brave. 

He reads the word to us, points us to Truth, prays with us and for us.

He steals kisses from me in the pantry.   

He's a jack-of-all-trades. He can do, or make, or MacGyver his way out of anything. Fear of failure doesn't keep him from trying. The desire to tackle something motivates him.   

He took intercessory prayer classes to learn how to fight for me through prayer during a very dark time in my life.  He still fights for me. 

He nudges me to use my gifts and tells me repeatedly that I'm capable.   
 
He tries to Patrick Swayze lift me like Jennifer Grey in Dirty Dancing.  "I've had the time of my life" being his wife.    

He says the wittiest things.

He is not self-seeking.  He gladly considers me and the kids before himself.

He gets me... I don't even get me, but he gets me.

I see a WHOLE lot of who Jesus is reflected in Michael.  Because of my "Better Half"  I see and know and love Jesus more.

Happy Sweet 16th Anniversary, Michael!

I'm so glad that I'm your wife.

I'll meet you in the air

 

I’ve been feeling kind of restless
I’ve been feeling out of place
I can hear a distant singing
A song that I can’t write
And it echoes in what I’m always trying to say

There’s a feeling I can’t capture
It’s always just a prayer away
I want to know the ending
Things hoped for but not seen
But I guess that’s the point of hoping anyway 

 Of going home, I’ll meet you at the table
Going home, I’ll meet you in the air
And you are never too young to think about it
Oh, I cannot wait to be home

 
I’m confined by my senses
To really know what You are like
YOU ARE MORE than I can fathom
And MORE than I can guess
And MORE than I can see with human sight 

But I have felt You with my spirit
I have felt You fill this room
And this is just an invitation
Just a sample of the whole
And I cannot wait to be going home

Going home, I’ll meet you at the table
Going home, I’ll meet you in the air
And you are never too young to think about it
Oh, I cannot wait to be going, to be going home 

Face to face, how can it be
Face to face, how can it be
Face to face, how can it be

Cuz this is just an invitation
Just a sample of the whole
And I cannot wait to be going home

 By Sara Groves

The balloons are for our son Caleb, who is home, and face to face with the One who is "MORE than I can fathom, and MORE than I can guess, and MORE than I can see with human sight." 

"Go! Fight! Win!"

I think it's safe to say most of us have a love/hate relationship with Facebook.  

I hate it because I allow it to be a time-wasting-beast.  I loath it for a million other reasons, which evidently aren't enough to restrain me from daily Facebook consumption.

But today isn't a hate Facebook day, in fact, I kinda want to wrap my arms around Facebook and hug it.

Because of Facebook, this last year I reconnected with the mother of my 1/2 brother's son.  And after a handful of messages, this summer I was able to see my nephew Dylan for the first time in 6 years!

Because Dylan hadn't seen his paternal side of the family since he was 4, mid-summer I arranged a little picnic in the comfort of his hometown to spend a bit of time becoming reacquainted.

Dylan with his great-grandmother, Vava, and his cousins (my three and my sister's boys).

Dylan with Tia Toni and "Favorite Tia Denise."  

   
Dylan is a GREAT kid.
He is a delight to be with.
He enjoys playing  youth football.
His favorite color is purple.
He does not like broccoli. He does like "exparugus."
Pizza is his favorite, but he really likes the hot wings from Jura's Pizza Parlor.
He thinks tias that send him "Oreo, No You Di'int" cookies are the bomb-diggity (he didn't say this exactly, but I'm sure he was thinking it). 
He doesn't know what he wants to be when he grows up (I told him that's okay because I don't know what I want to be when I grow up either).  
He looks just like his great-grandfather- my grandfather, who I adored.
When Dylan smiles I see my grandfather's smile (when I see that sweet smile I want to hug him, and tell him repeatedly how cute he is, but because he is 10, and we are still new to him, I don't.  I can hardly wait till we are no longer new to him). 
His mother told me that last year Dylan started going to church, then he wanted his family to come to church, and now they all go.

This Saturday my family and my sister's family went to one of Dylan's football game.
I was a proud tia as I watched his Teodosio jersey power it's way across the field.

On Sunday my sister hosted a Teodosio family gathering at her house, which Dylan came to, and where he met great-aunts, great-uncles, first, second, and third cousins.

I was thrilled to hear  one aunt shout to another aunt as she arrived, "Did you see the Surprise?!" 

I was delighted as I watched my dear aunts see the reflection of their beloved father in their great-nephew's handsome face, and to hear them tenderly declare, "He looks like father."

Teodosio means "God Gift" & "God-Giver."

 Dylan is the only grandchild who will carry on the Teodosio name.

Though I hadn't seen Dylan for 6 years, over the years God's Spirit has stirred me to take my role as his tia purposefully.  Showing me that the way I could love my nephew was through prayer. 

This reconnection with Dylan has been such a blessing to me because I SEE how God has already answered many of my prayers for my nephew!  AND I see that God didn't answer them halfway, but GENEROUSLY! 

This is a post of celebration and also of  encouragement to you to PRAY!

Be a cheerleader at the sidelines of someone's life- even if the one on the field doesn't know you're there rooting for them.  Cheer them on to One True God and to Life abundantly and everlasting through His son, Jesus.

There is power in your prayers... POWER IN CHRIST TO SAVE AND MOVE AND DO MORE THAN WE CAN HOPE OR IMAGINE! 

Who are you cheering on to God from the sidelines?

There's Never a Dull Moment...

 

with Josie around.

62 bracelets (every day)

 

  

Glittery scarves and sassy gloves

The heel of a retired sock as a knee accessory,

 and plaid shoes

Pink fairy wings

A purple tiara...

and that sweet smile!

Nope... there is never a dull moment with Josie around.

Chalkboards & My "Part"

We've had an unframed homemade chalkboard for over a year.  I used it for this and this.

We had planned to frame it all fancy like with molding from the Depot, but that costs $ and for some reason the people around here think eating trumps fancy molding.

Because the chalkboard was not at all what I planned I abandoned it and let it collect dust and cobwebs in the garage with other neglected whatchumawhozits.

Then when we'd all eaten our fill we came into some free weathered wood. 

We used some of it on this. 

I liked the rustic look of the weathered wood so much that my I-really-want-the-chalkboard-framed wheels started turning...

"Michael, could you..."

And of course, he could.

When it comes to talent I am visionary and Michael is capable.

He would never think up the things I do, and I could never create the things he makes.

Over the course of (nearly) 16 years of marriage we have learned to marry our gifts, and have discovered we compliment each other so well.

My spinning wheels are a gift to him, 

and his ability is a gift to me...
and to the rest of the family, who gets to keep eating. 

Here's what is written on the chalkboard...what I NEED to be reminded of daily. 

Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits.  All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! ... God has carefully placed each part of the body right where he wanted it... No part is important on its own... You are Christ's body- that's who you are!  You must never forget this.  Only as you accept your part of that body does your "part" mean anything... Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it- because it does.  Give yourselves to the gifts God gives you. 

From 1 Corinthians 12&13- The Message.

I really want to accept my part of the body of Christ. I'm guilty of coveting your part, and her part, and his, and that other person's part, too.

My part isn't at all what I planned, and it isn't what it use to be (I've been mourning the use to be), but I need to get over that and give myself to the gifts God HAS given me, now.  My "part" is suppose to "show who God is;" it's suppose to mean something.
I want that. 

I'm going to keep these words up on our snazy chalkboard till I get them through my thick skull... or until Emilie replaces it with a "chalk family photo" or Michael chalks it up to look like a "flat screen t.v."

What kinds of gifts has the Spirit handed out to you to show who God is? 

CHOSEN- GIVE AWAY

Our real friend and blog friend, Stacy, from Daily Surrender to Jesus, 

is adopting another child from Latvia!

To raise awareness and funds for the adoption of their son, 

we worked with Stacy to create 

this Kiss the Sky  

12x14 Canvas- Chosen, Adopted, Loved.

 WHICH STACY IS GIVING AWAY! 
AND 
You can have it printed in any color you want! 

Here's how you can help- 

Show support through encouragement and prayer.

Support them financially.
They've got to raise $30,000 to bring their boy home.

Share a link to her GIVE AWAY on Facebook and raise awareness.

Go "old school" and call someone on the telly and get them to enter.  Then hand the telephone calling baton off to them and encourage them to pass it on!

Tweet it.

Stand on a street corner dancing with a sign directing onlookers to enter.

(I really wanna do this).  

Pinterest the post. 

 Sing a song about her give away, record it, and post it to youtube. 

Or help a God/blog-sister out and BLOG about it!

Go here to ENTER!

Clothesline

A bit of happy from  my good life...Mabel on the clothesline.

What "bit of happy" is happening in your good life today? 

(The acronym for Mabel is "Mothers Always Bring Extra Love.")