1000 Gifts (Part 11): Quotes and such

This 1000 gifts projects has me marveling at all of God's wonderful gifts given to display His glory.  Many of the gifts I have observed point to His sovereignty in the way He orchestrates events according to His perfect plans which are good, pleasing, and perfect.  Some point to His glory displayed in creation or to His glory in the process of shaping and maturing His people. Others are simply comical snippets inserted into mundane days as His gentle way of encouraging me to press on. So, while I may not have specifically pointed out how each gift is a manifestation of His grace and glory, it is my desire to see His face in each and every gift.  What follows is the continuation of the list that began here.  To see the entire list, click on the "1000 Gifts" label on the upper right side bar. 

190.  Our kids' creative and amusing suggestions which prompt me to praise Creator God 

I'm in the process of planning another field day, and I asked the kids if I should change up some of the events this year. Our 6-year-old recommended that we add an event that combines the discus throw and shooting skeet. One kid would throw a frisbee in the air while another kid shoots it down with a Nerf gun.

191.  Father-son bonding while watching the ACC basketball tournament together

During an ACC game...
6-year-old: "Dad, Why don't you pull for Miami?"
Dad: "Because they are known for being thugs and cheats."
6-year-old: "But Dad, so is UNC."
Dad: "Yes, but those are our thugs and cheats."

*Okay, so name calling is not something that glorifies God, but the way those two guys enjoy spending time together is an illustration to me of how God delights in spending time with us as we share in activities that please Him.

 192. "Just happening" to find an old photograph at just the right time

I came across a photo of my daughter at the same age my son is now in which she is posing for an Upward basketball photograph right after we received our son's prints.  Having both pictures in hand at the same time helped me observe striking similarities between them even though most people tell us she looks just like me, and he looks just like his father.

 

193.  My boy's budding analytical, scientific mind...even if it humbles me

This morning, I told the kids how to put our bunny into a "bunny trance" (an ultra relaxed state necessary for grooming him) and described how perfectly still our bunny became in this position. "He scared me a little," I told them, "because it looked like he was in rigor mortis." So the kids asked me to define "rigor mortis" and then asked if humans experience rigor mortis after they die.

"I think so," I replied, "but I've never watched someone die so I'm not sure to what degree or how long it lasts."

The 6-year-old immediately replied, "As soon as you die, Mom, we will watch and do tests to find out."

He's such an encourager, that boy. At least I don't have to worry about him plunging into deep sorrow when I die b/c he'll be too busy doing science experiments on me 

194.  Another encouraging visit with a Godly mentor who sharpens me as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17)

1000 Gifts (Part 10): Faith, School, and Bunny

Choosing to see the world with a heart of eucharisteo keeps me ever adding to my gifts list. 
(1000 Gifts project starts here.)

162.  That God created the entire world out of nothing

"God created the world out of nothing, and as long as we are nothing, He can make something out of us." - Martin Luther

163.  Children who regularly remind me that I am nothing

The kids must have slept restlessly one night last week because their covers were off their beds with stuffed animals strewn all around the room. They seemed a little embarrassed, so I shared with them about the time I rolled right off the bed as a child and landed face down on the air vent where my mother found me still sleeping the next morning. I told them how I had to go to school that day with lines in my face and forehead where the louvered vent cover had left an impression.

My son looked at me for a moment and said, "Mom, those lines are still there."

I sadly replied, "No son, those are wrinkles. Time put those lines there, not the vent cover."

164.  Convicting reminders that when we worry, we are practical atheists

165.  Assurance that God's love drives out all fear and anxiety

Fear is assuming that God's love will end. Yet, God is infinite (Rev. 1:8). His love never ends (Jeremiah 31:3) and is so vast it cannot be measured. Nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). God's love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8). There is no fear in love (1 John 4:18).

166.  The Spirit regularly bringing specific Bible verses to mind to address a current issue

Proverbs 28:4 (NIV)

Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
    but those who heed it resist them.

167.  Recalling that same verse every day for the next week in the context of various applicable and timely situations which gave understanding and encouragement

168.  Watching a grainy, low-budget film about the work and ministry of John Wycliffe with my husband late Saturday night and being encouraged yet again to contend for the truth

169.  Worship services so powerful that even the "frozen chosen" stand up and raise their hands

170.  Pastors possessing a contagious passion for reaching the lost who shed tears whenever they share God's heart and Biblical truth

While driving to school one day, I was listening to a Christian radio station announcing a special recognition program they have for outstanding teachers in the area.  I usually shun anything that sounds remotely like a contest (because I never win), but I could not stop thinking about how amazing our daughter's teacher is in meeting the unique needs of every student and caring so deeply about each student and his/her family. The class feels more like a family than peers, and whenever the school shuts down for Christmas, spring, fall, or summer break, the students weep and lament over not getting to come to school during that time.  They would rather be at school than most any other place.  This teacher gives so much to these students while receiving very little in return.  I could not get the idea of nominating her out of my mind.

So I submitted a mini-essay and mentioned it to other parents of students in her class as a way to love on her.  The parents were amazing. Even the busiest of parents, working full-time and managing large households, wanted to submit something.

Last Monday during the school's student assembly, the radio station van pulled into the school parking lot with staff holding rolling cameras, a bag of really nice prizes, and an award plaque to give to the teacher following a very special announcement presented before all the students.

Our daughter's teacher had been chosen as their outstanding teacher of the month.  She was shocked.  I cried.  Her husband got very sentimental, and her kids were so proud of her.  I can't think of anyone more deserving, yet as a humble servant of Christ, she gave all glory back to God in her impromptu acceptance speech.

 

So given that story, here are some more gifts for which I give God praise:

171.  God's promptings in the hearts of His people when they least expect it

172.  Christian radio and the station's heart for the community and discernment in choosing the winner

173.  Generous donors who footed the bill for all her prizes

174.  The curriculum used in our Christian school which is consistent with God's word, historically accurate, and best meets the needs of the students

175.  Teachers who are led by the Spirit in the classroom instead of by checklists and rubrics

This teacher shared with me that the award met a deep need for encouragement on a day when she felt most vulnerable.  I love how God set this plan in motion a month earlier knowing in advance that she would need some encouragement and orchestrated events such that the award was presented on the day she needed it most.

176.  God's knowledge of what we will need before we need it

177.  Answers to prayer sent before we finish praying

Daniel 9:21
while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. 

178.  God's perfect timing

179.  1st-3rd graders wearing bunny ears and cotton tails for the school's parent assembly

180.  The lower grammar hand bell choir (pictured above)

181.  The upper grammar classes' 1920s rendition of "When the Saints Go Marching In"

182.  Our daughter's excitement over playing the part of a dead woman who gets raised to life

183.  A helpful life class lesson today at church on self control which included a discussion on the importance of setting up healthy boundaries (as contrasted with legalistic boundaries)

184.  Our almost 8-week-old bunny's illustration of "respect for boundaries" this afternoon as a reinforcement of that lesson

185.  Our bunny's reminder to us that when we are constantly confronted with temptation to move outside of the boundaries our master (God) has established for us and then see someone else, perhaps someone we love, moving outside of those protective hedges, we are much more likely to jump outside as well, so stay on the alert.

186.  God's instructions to flee temptation and choose friends wisely

Proverbs 12:26

The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

 187.  Watching a newborn bunny observe himself/herself in the mirror for the first time

How much is that bunny in the mirror?

 188. Closely observing our bunny as he is set "free" from his pen for the first time and explores with eyes and nose wild with curiosity and wonder

Beware:  Bunny on the loose

189.  Her love for all God's creatures...especially for her first pet

 

1000 Gifts (Part 9): Bunny Edition

CUTENESS ALERT!

As we welcome home our newest addition, I can't help but add to my 1000 gifts list.  Here are a few mostly bunny-related gifts for which I give God thanks:

141.  Creating bunnies to be so adorable

142.  Leading me to a breeder I really trust who loves every bunny with great devotion

143.  The willingness of the breeder to spend hours emailing me bunny care advice

144.   A full size Bible included with every starter kit from the breeder to the bunny buyer

When I saw the Bible in our starter bag, I immediately knew why I had felt such a strong connection with her. 

145.  The strong bond that unites all believers from every race, background, and ethnicity

146.  Weeks of eager anticipation for the bunny to arrive

147.  Enthusiasm with which the breeder and her sister took part in orchestrating the surprise

148.  Care taken to package the bunny's starter pellets in Easter cellophane wrapping

149.  Secrets successfully kept so that the kids were totally surprised

150.  Elated expressions on the kids' faces that met or exceeded expectations

151.  Delivery of the hutch and the bunny by the breeder since the hutch would not fit in our vehicles

152. Arrival of bunny feeding trays and water bottles I ordered on-line just in the nick of time

153.  Bunny's adaptability to his new environment after just leaving his parents, siblings, friends, and home

154.  God's design in making rabbits fastidious so we don't have to clean him

He's especially cute when he cleans his face.

155. That the kids finally agreed on a name for him without arguing
        ...after several hung juries during family meetings

I was sure they would love the name "Oreo" as the breeder and I had nicknamed him, but the kids wanted to give him a new name.  They initially wanted to call him Cookie, but I told them that was a girl's name.  Since he looks like a dalmatian, I suggested they look up names of the puppies in the book, 101 Dalmatians.  So they thought about Patch, but I don't think he looks like a "Patch".  Then they considered the name Cody, which my husband had initially suggested as a name for our son.  I suggested Moses since he looks like he has a mustache and long white beard.

They officially dubbed him "Cody Moses". They liked Cody because they think the name sounds really cool and because it is their Nana's maiden name. She is a direct descendant of Wild Bill Cody.  Our girl liked that Cody means "cushion" since he looks like a fluffy cushion.  They wanted to add a middle name from the Bible, so they took my "Moses" suggestion as his middle name.  

156. His readiness to show us how he can hop, jump, do binkies, and turn 180s

At the end of the video above are sounds of the kids bickering a little.  Earlier that day, the kids were listening to Ms. Piggle Wiggle on audio CD, and watching them react to the audio tape was funnier than watching couples elbow each other during convicting sermons at church.  When the book introduced the chapter on how to cure incessant quarreling disease, the 9-year-old told her brother, "Pay attention and listen. We need to hear this one."

157. The kids' recognition of their quarreling problem and desire to cease arguing

158.  Cody's curiosity which prompts him to sit up tall on his haunches

159.  The kids' diligence in caring for him, even picking up all his poop

160.  Observing my right-brained child using her creativity to amuse the bunny

She built him a tunnel with her toy storage bins, and he simply loves his new hideaway.

 161.  Listening to the kids describe their new pet to family members

While on the phone with Nana, the 9-year-old said, "Well, I got another brother, but this one I don't mind so much."

Early Easter Surprise

At 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 22, someone will be arriving at our house to deliver a very special surprise to our kids.  The process of planning this surprise has been so much fun for me, and the waiting has been almost too much to bear. 

The kids have been begging for a pet for many years, but they were initially too young to take care of a pet, and I wanted them to be responsible for the pet, not just me.  We have also had our house on/off the market for the past four years, and we had the house listed as  "pet-free", so we could not have a pet during that time. We also did not want an animal tearing up the house, barking during showings, or causing any such detractors for potential buyers.

We have now agreed to stay here for a while but do not consider this home to be our forever home and may decide to move anytime over the next few years.  So building a privacy fence to contain a dog did not seem like a financially prudent option, and I certainly don't want a dog tearing up the house, although dogs have always been a favorite pet of mine.  My husband and children prefer cats, but our son is allergic to cat dander.

I had a pet bunny as a child and remember it being very low maintenance.  If we got a baby bunny now, it should hopefully live up until the time the kids go off to college but not too much longer after that, so a bunny seemed ideal for the kids right now.  Seeing an adorable French angora bunny at the Biltmore Estate last month put the idea in my head again, so we started researching angora bunnies and found a few for sale in various parts of our state.  Those rabbits, when properly groomed, are hilarious balls of fluff with facial features buried beneath the poof.  However, they are high maintenance, shed horribly, and require regular shearing lest the bunny die from swallowing too much of its own fur.

English Angora Buck

So I continued my research and found the Mini Lop and Holland Lop rabbits to be the most ideal bunnies for children.  They are friendly, loving and usually do well being held unlike most rabbits.  They are also hilarious to watch as they play, especially when they catch air or pop wheelies. 

I found videos of a Holland Lop named Bailey on youtube.com demonstrating these aerial stunts.

 

I searched for Mini-Lop and Holland Lop breeders all over our state and found one I really liked in a neighboring town.  She had one Holland Lop bunny left from a January litter who would be weaned and ready no earlier than March 22 which is too late to serve as birthday gift for our daughter but just in time for Easter.  I fell in love with that little critter, and the breeder has been sending me pics of him almost every week.

Since we wanted it to be a surprise, we contracted with the breeder to build us a hutch for the bunny since we could not build one without the kids seeing, and she offered to deliver the hutch, bunny, food, and hay to our house for the surprise.  I have named our new bunny Oreo to reflect his coloring (Double Stuffed Oreo or Oreo Milkshake would be more appropriate, I guess) and since our daughter has named all of her favorite stuffed animals after chocolate sweets (Smores, Brownie, Chocolate, etc.).  The kids can rename him if they wish.

This secret has been hard to keep, and I have told more people that I should have already because I am about to bust.  When the kids keep begging for a bunny, it's even harder to stay silent and wait.

Family Tree:

Mother/DAM (pictured top left)

Breeder Name:  Bubba's "Lily" of Skittles
Pedigree Name: LUV SBS' Lily
Color:  Broken Black
Weight: 5.0 lbs

Father/SIRE (pictured top right)

Breeder Name:  Magee's "Opie" of Flip Flop
Pedigree Name: LUV SBS' Opie
Color:  Opal (Blue Agouti)
Weight:  2.8 lbs

*All pics provided by breeder

Stay tuned for the next update which should include pics and/or video of the kids receiving their surprise.

 

1000 Gifts (Part 8): Horse Farm Edition

For the past two years, we have given our daughter horseback riding lessons for her birthday since she loves horses with a passio .  This post will record some of God's gifts I tasted while at the farm.

122.  Escaping the hectic and loud routine of life to relax in a tranquil, quiet, country setting

123.  Viewing the sky through a filter of tall pine limbs and bright green leaves

 124. The security and freedom that healthy boundaries provide

125.  A miniature horse named Dreamy who is just her size

126.  Watching her recall riding skills she hasn't practiced since last summer

127.  Well trained horses who kept her safe and did not get spooked while carrying her

128.  An introverted farm cat with captivating green eyes to amuse my little boy

129.  An extroverted horse named Emily who trots right over to visit whenever she sees us. 

130.  The way Emily nestles her head into my arms to be hugged and petted

131.  Watching a friendly horse help my boy overcome his fears

132.  The delight in my boy's face as Emily interacts with him

  As we left, he kept saying, "Why won't she stop looking at me?"   

133.  A larger, loving horse named Socks

134.  The giddy expression on my girl's face whenever she is perched on or above a saddle

March 2009

135.   Knowing that same joy and excitement she feels when riding a horse

136.  The healing comfort horses bring

137.  Memories of playing "Giddy Up Horsey" with each kid on my lap

Giddy up horsey 

 Go to town.
Giddy up horsey 

 Don’t fall down.

138. Remembering each child's first horseback riding experience

October 3, 2008

139.  Reminiscing about a cute little boy in a girl's pink helmet that was too big for him

140.  Memories of each child's first attempt riding solo

1000 Gifts (Part 7): School & Family

103.  I'm so thankful that the guests at our daughter's spa party had so much fun.

104.  I did not lose my temper when I saw the aftermath of the birthday party in our daughter's room.  All Glory to God!

I'm a neat freak, and this past week just happened to be the week each month when I am most easily overwhelmed and frustrated (ahem), yet because this 1000 gifts project has me now looking for God's face in everything, I managed to see her messy room as evidence that she had a great time at her party.  All the new presents strewn about the room also reminded me of what loving, generous, thoughtful friends and family members she has in her life.

105.  I survived living in this house with a room that messy for seven whole days, y'all!

We were all so busy this past week, there was never enough time to clean it properly, so I kept her door closed and went a whole week without losing my temper.  God's mercies are new every morning.

106.  I am so thankful that she finally cleaned up that mess.

 Today, her room looks like this:

107.  Praise God for modern medicine and for putting people at the right place at the right time.

After the party last weekend, I visited with my neighbor for a while.  She ended up talking to me for a very long time about her husband who had spent the past 14 days in the hospital having multiple blood transfusions due to bleeding from an unknown source.  Had his wife not brought him to the premier hospital where he had his lung transplant six years ago when his symptoms started, he would have gotten much, much worse without any clear diagnosis.  A young Australian doctor performed a rare procedure that only a few doctors in the world know how to do which saved his life.  What a blessing that this doctor just happened to be employed by that same hospital at that time.

108.  I'm thankful for embarrassing moments averted because my daughter wanted to hug me goodbye.

I was so busy talking to my neighbor that I did not have time to help my daughter get ready for the Young Artists piano competition that took place less than two hours after her party.  Right before my husband took her, she ran over to hug me goodbye, and I saw facial mask bits from the party remaining in her hair and on her face.  I'm so glad she ran over to see me so that I could wipe off that mess before she played for the judge!

109.  I'm thankful for the progress my daughter made in preparing for this piano event. 

Two weeks ago, she barely knew her pieces for this event because she would not practice without much wailing and gnashing of teeth and then storming off in a huff.  She got frustrated because the music was difficult, and she thinks everything should come easy for her.  My dear husband, who has more patience than I do, worked tirelessly with her when she would actually cooperate.  We wondered how she would do at the event following all the excitement of the party, but we were at least satisfied that she had finally gotten to where she could place the pieces, albeit not perfectly.

110.  I'm also thankful for my husband who patiently talks her down from her emotional cliff when she gets frustrated with herself for not mastering something perfectly the first time.

111.  I'm thankful when my daughter exercises self control.

While playing for the judge, she lost her memory in the middle of one piece which is very rare for this girl who had recently memorized 17 pieces for one recital.  Memorization is not an area in which she usually struggles, but since she was still distracted by the party, it was more likely to happen.  Yet, despite making that mistake, she kept her cool (no dramatic fits) and started again without letting it phase her. 

112.  Seeing my child overcome is a wonderful gift.

That one memory blip must have been her only mistake because except for an "Excellent Rating" on memory for that one piece, she got all "Superior" ratings in every other category for every piece and a "Superior" over all. 

113.   I'm thankful for family movie outings.

Mobile photo of us in a dark theater were we saw "The Lost Medallion"

We rarely ever go to to the movie theater, because frankly, there is hardly ever a movie showing that is worth our time or money.  Most modern movies are complete filth.  The Lost Medallion, though too violent for younger viewers (we covered our son's eyes in certain scenes), contained valuable messages everyone should hear.  While the Gospel message was presented more vaguely than I would have liked, it was in there along with lots of valuable moral lessons straight from Scripture.

114.  I'm thankful for my kids' funny quotes during and after the movie.

During the moment of greatest suspense in the movie, the 6-yr-old cried out, "That's not a good idea, peeps."

After the movie, the 9-year old said, "It was a good movie.  I'll give it 4 out of 5 stars.  I had to deduct a star because it didn't have any horses in it."

115.   "Couch time" with my husband is a precious gift. 

I love this chance to reconnect at the end of each day, and I love the way it helps our kids tangibly see and know that their parents love each other and are committed to their marriage.

When my son came downstairs this evening we were having our "couch time", and he said, "There they are again, all cuddly wuddly."

116.  I'm thankful that our kids' teachers make learning history so much fun.

 They've been studying the Roaring 20s, so on Thursday, the school hosted a 20s style shindig.  Our daughter's class dressed up in typical 20s style fashion.

 (Oops! We forgot her headband with feather in our rush to school.)

At the shindig, the students enjoyed some awesome silent, short films created by the dialectic and rhetoric students, some treats, and a Charleston dance off!

117.  What a gift this video, taken by our daughter's teacher, was to us parents who really wanted to see our kids dancing the Charleston.

The movie begins focused on our daughter dancing with the teacher's much taller daughter.

118.  I'm so thankful that I'm still my boy's favorite girl. 

When I picked up the kids from school this past Thursday, my boy was so excited to tell me about another new present he received from a girl in his class. He thought the mini baseball was so cool. Then I heard whispers followed by the boy wailing in tears. I asked what was wrong, and apparently his sister had been teasing him saying that "he loves" that girl. I reminded them that some people just like to give gifts to their friends without any other intentions. Then I said to my son, "Besides, who cares what your sister says because we both know that your heart belongs to God first and then me.  I am your #1 girl." That settled it, and all tears and arguing ceased. Too bad it won't always be that easy. :(

119.  I'm thankful that my children love to pray for others, even if they do so at record speeds. 

When you put a scrumptious 4 cheese stone baked pizza before my hungry 6-year-old who wants to say the blessing without forgetting anyone on his prayer list, you may wonder if he's praying or auctioneering.

120.  I'm thankful for the way God humbles me as I try to teach my daughter to me more like me.

I found out around 9:30pm on Wednesday night that her teacher assigned her a book to read, The Wind and the Willows, two weeks ago to be read by the following day, Thursday morning. She had read tons of other fun books instead, but had only read a few chapters of this book.  So, we sent her to her room immediately to finish the book.  She fell asleep reading around 10:45.  

I knew she would never finish, so I sent her teacher a note explaining that we were sorry that our daughter would not complete the assignment on time, but that she needed to learn to be more organized and responsible (virtues we left-brained types value highly since we can't function without them), so we would gladly welcome a failing grade on the assignment if it taught her to be more responsible. 

When I woke up that morning, I found her reading in her room.  She finished chapter 12 just before breakfast. There is no way I could read have finished that book in less than two hours, but for her, it was no problem, and she could ace most any test her teacher gives her about that book.  She proved me wrong, and I can just hear her thinking to herself now, "I told you so, Mom!"

121.  I'm thankful that God gave my daughter a gift I always wanted for myself, the ability to speed read.

Spa Party for her 9th Birthday

"The days are long, but the years are short."

It seems like just yesterday that our daughter looked like this:

Age 3

We just got back her school pictures, and is it really possible that now she look like this?

4th grade yearbook photo

I have tried to continue the tradition my mother started with me by throwing my daughter a big birthday party every year.  My heart's desire is that she and her friends will remember our home as being a fun, hospitable place where they will want to spend more time.  This year, she wanted a spa themed party.  While spas are typically not my thing, I was so excited for this party that I had turned the house into a full service spa a week before the party was to begin. The night before the party, I had nothing left to do, so I worked on our tax returns instead.  How crazy is that?

My husband's task for the party was to take pictures, so I knew I would end up with hundreds of pictures to edit and weed out.  However, I had a hard time deleting any of them, so the rest of this post will be filled with layouts I made for my daughter's scrapbook to display so many of those pictures.