Putting the GRAND in GRANDparent

My friend, Kathy and I had a wonderful lunch together the other day.

My salad was delicious, but the time together was even more filling.

We discussed all sorts of topics: school, weather, church, and mutual friends.  But the topic I most enjoyed was when she pulled out the pictures of her grandson.

The Christmas tree in Rockefeller Plaza during the holidays does not match the brightness of her face when she talks about that sweet boy.  She had counted the exact number of days since their last visit.  She could not WAIT to see him again.  Why?  Because she is a grandma and he is part of her.

Psalm 103:17 "But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children"

Kathy is an amazing woman and a great example of leader, wife, and mother.  According to this promise from the Psalms, love and righteousness is another thing she will be able to pass down to her grandson.

 I am thankful for God's love and faithfulness.  And glad that someday, by His grace, I can light up at the thought of my grandkids :)

Amberly 

Sore Loser

I took a new class at the gym on Saturday.  My muscles are still communicating their displeasure.

I have been eating better.  I have been working out.  I have NOT been doing crunches regularly and I have the abs to prove it.  When the instructor said, "we will be working on our abs the last 15 minutes", I should have known.  I should have run into the bathroom and "crunched" into a corner to hide.

But ultimately, my body is stronger for staying put.

Rick Warren once said, "God is less concerned with your comfort than (the development of) your character."

In order to develop spiritual muscles, I cannot continue to avoid discomfort.  I must be willing to submit myself to the training God has set before me.

In the end, I will be stronger, more useful, and more effective - a spiritual hard body, if you will.  In the meantime, however, God will be at work in my life which means stretching, heavy lifting, and struggle for me and glory for Him.

James 1:2-4 reminds me that I need to rejoice in trials and tests.

I wonder how many crunches James did... :)

Amberly

Joe Cool

We had a fire drill at school yesterday.

As soon as I heard the blaring alarm, I knew it was my responsibility to drop everything I was doing and head to the field where the student body congregates.

It was then I saw it.

My coffee.  On the counter. 

As the sound grew more obnoxious, I left my purse, my phone, and all other valuables behind to perish in the imaginary fire, but stopped to grab my cup of Joe.

You can tell a lot about a person by that which they grab in time of crisis.  What does my choice say about me?

I am undercaffeinated. :)

Jesus encourages us to "... seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33)

I hope if the fire were real, I would trust Him to provide for all I would need and let it all go up in flames...even my coffee.

Thanks a latte :)

Amberly

Trophy Wife

Gail Hedgepeth is a professional engraver for decades.  She has done a myriad of engraving projects for clients including Richard Nixon and the organizers of the Wanamaker Trophy.

I read her story recently and was intrigued by the fact that such a profession would gain notoriety and the attention of Yahoo Sports and the world.  She is not an athlete.  She has not any won trophies for her work, as far as I can tell.

I loved earning trophies as a kid (although it did not happen often).  I would display them in my bedroom window so that any passersby would see my accomplishments.  Of course, no one ever applauded my prowess on the soccer field, softball diamond, or talent show stage by simply seeing the trophy, but it made me feel important nonetheless.  Those little gold-colored trophies with my name engraved on the plate on the base were treasured possessions.  My name is so unusual, having someone spell my name correctly was a gift in itself.

The Bible has much to say about trophies, rewards, and prizes.  One of my favorites is: Philippians 3:14 -"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

I wish I could say I have outgrown the need for the accolades and trophies of this world (although I know I have not).  I want to indeed "press on toward the goal" to win the applause of Heaven.

And I know for a fact that my name will be spelled correctly :)

Blessings on your week.

Amberly

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/golf--engraving-the-wanamaker-trophy-in-12-minutes-201146155.html

Lunch ABLE

Yesterday was the first day of school for my kids (and their mother).

The kids looked great - hair combed, uniforms ready, shoes squeaky clean, and smiles on their faces.

When we got to school however, both were panicked because they had failed to pack a lunch.  I mark the calendar with the days they ordered school lunch, I pre-made 30 sandwiches and froze them,  I bought enough yogurt, fruit, and plastic spoons to feed Tanzania, and I organized snacks into snack Ziplocs.  My job was done.  They understand that their morning jobs include assembling a lunch.

They both know that there are protein bars in my box in the Teacher's Lounge if they ever forget their lunch.  It has happened before, and after wailing and gnashing of teeth, they realize that indeed they will not starve AND the bars are not so bad.  Since I work at the school all day, I do not have the luxury to run and get them a lunch.

Even though it STINKS that they forgot on the first day, I thought to myself, "well, they won't forget again."  "The consequences will serve as a great reminder."

I even offered my "diet" tuna lunch.  Both, declined, surprisingly, even after I listed the twigs and berries in the recipe.

They had both ordered school lunch.  They both were "safe" and part of me was BUMMED that their actions did not have natural consequences.

However, I am ever so glad that God "does not treat (my sins) as I deserve" (Psalm 103:10).  I am so grateful that the natural consequences of my sins do not always come into fruition. God is a better parent than I am :).  He is much more patient and merciful.

Although, He can feed thousands with a couple of fish and loaves; He has a SLIGHT advantage in the lunchroom.

Blessings on your week!

Amberly

Ears to You

My daughter had an earache last week.  It seems that she had both Swimmer's Ear and an infection behind the eardrum.

She was in pain - but so were we.  You see, she has my dramatic flair.  This means that we had to endure her moaning, wailing, complaining, and whining.

Ephesians 4:2 "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

Synonyms for the word "bear" include: endure, carry, suffer, stand, tolerate, and support.

Although I have did my best to do the first four on that list, I struggled with the last. 

When people in my life are whiny about their circumstances, I find myself tolerating but not supporting.  The truth is: my last two blog posts were my whining and plea for support.

I was struck by my own hypocrisy...

They say that self-awareness is the first step in healing.  I hope they are right :)

Amberly

 

Lean and mean

"Anxious, frazzled, nervous, strained, tense, unnerved, worried..."

These are all adjectives that are synonyms for stress... and can all be used to describe me today.

This diet is making me less capable of handling the kids, my work load, and the fact that Scott is leaving for a few days for teacher training.

I did not know if it is the reduced calories,  the lack of coffee (creamer is not allowed), or the fact that my body is having bread withdrawals.   But it is ugly sauce.

I am giving this the college try, but I feeling like a preschooler right now emotionally.

Ever have one of those days?  I came across a great quote from one of my spiritual heroines, Corrie ten Boom.  It is the perfect salve for that which ails me:

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."

God holds me in His hands and can be trusted.  With tomorrow.  With my next meal.  With my kids.

Are you ready to relinquish control of your uncertainties?

Amberly

DIE with a T

I started a new eating regimen on Friday...

I have never subjected myself to such a strict plan of food consumption: translation = I am hungry.

I am certain that the caloric intake is more that sufficient, but I find myself thinking about food all the time.  Even more than usual...

This is the reason I am doing this.  I love food.  Love it.  I dream about new recipes.  I spend time scheming at the grocery store.  I love my family by preparing it, bring encouragement to others by creating  and delivering it, and find comfort in consuming it. 

I know that I work out not only to make my body stronger, but to allow myself the freedom to eat more.  Although I have changed my eating drastically, I still have not made the transition from living to eat versus eating to live.

I have prayed.  A lot.  I have read books, done Bible studies, cried, begged, pursued accountability, spoken on it, and still - I am hungry.

I am clear that God has placed the hunger inside me, but it should be only for Him...

Deuternomy 8:3, "He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."

Some people hunger for success or money.  Others hunger for position or awards.  The truth is, anything short of a hunger for God is idolatry.

I want to be freed from my idolatry from food...I really do.

I am planning on doing this diet for 40 days.  I am even re-reading the Purpose Driven Life (a 40 day commitment) to encourage myself.

Can I be bold enough to ask you to pray for me?

Amberly