Mother's Bible

kitty's birthday

I like how we sew in response to a need.  This time is was Kitty's birthday.  We needed a cake.  The idea and template for this project came from Super Cute Felt, a hand sewing book I received for a Christmas present.  Although the apple cake was originally created to be a pin cushion, it worked well for Kitty's special day.   

Hana and Elia are my sewers.  Elia is creative, but Hana is steadfast and precise.  I imagine after years of sewing they will weave together their strengths.  That is the beauty of companionship.  That is the beauty of sisters who are ever fixed friends.

My Name Is Elizabeth!

"One of the most basic ways of showing respect for others is to refer to them by the names with which they have chosen to identify themselves and to avoid using names that they consider offensive."

--American Heritage Book of English Usage

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."

--James 3:17-18

Call people by the name they choose for themselves.  That is the simple message of this book.  It is an easy way to walk in humility and show love.  It brings peace. 

I read this book to the children as a way of teaching them this basic curtesy, but it is a lesson we adults need to learn too.   I've heard Christians talk about the "burden" of political correctness and how changing labels confuse and frustrate.  Whatever the disadvantages there may be to frequent name changes, we Christians need to do it.  Why would we refuse?  Are our reasons important to God?  Do those reasons align with what James teaches us about godly wisdom? 

As a mother of a child with a disability, the word "handicap" smarts in a way that other people don't understand.  In the United States, people with disabilities are being treated better than they have ever been treated in the past.  This is not stagnant.  Every generation has the opportunity to mature and improve on the one before.  With each new name change, comes a degree of elevation for people born with exceptionalities, and so when we use outdated words, we are reflecting past (inferior) mentalities, mentalities that are often referenced in jokes and insults.  

 Let's look at this practically.  What is expected?  For instance, how do we know that people who were formally known as midgets now prefer the term "little people"?  We pay attention.  We educate ourselves.  We correct our mistakes.  On many occasions I have spoken out of ignorance.   My words have hurt and offended, but since I began to pray about it, the Lord has shown me several ways that I have been insensitive to others.  I'm glad.  I simply apologize and work to correct my mistake.  I don't walk on eggshells, but I do look for opportunities to learn how best to love.

Take the time this week to consider how others prefer to be addressed.   It does not matter that you wouldn't be offended if you were them.   It does not matter that you know one of two persons of that group who are not insulted by your aniquated words.  Of course people have varying sensitivities.  Our job is to not to please those bothered the least, but to please the "weak."  

 This is a preachy post, but I preach to myself a much as to anyone (I Timothy 1:15).

Read this article and download the pdf Disability Handbook at the bottom of the page.  

 

What words do you find offensive?  What do you believe are the biggest obstacles in learning to speak with love and sensitivity?  

 

 

cat slippers

Elia wanted house slippers for her seventh birthday.  Instead of purchasing them, we found a pattern for making slippers.

 

This book has only a handful of projects, but the price is reasonable.  Hana made a pair of slippers too (see the picture below).  I mentioned to someone that the slippers were easy to make, but Elia piped up that the blanket stitch was hard.  I don't remember her having a particularly difficult time with it, but it was a new stitch.  Youtube is a great resource for a sewing novice like me.  I can watch again and again until I get it.  Usually the videos are so well made I only need to watch them once.

 

 

 Em did not want to make slippers.  She wanted a kitty purse.  I made this small coin purse for her Sunday school money.   It took me one evening, and I had fun.  I think I could be happy forever just hand sewing.

Brian and I have the lovely tradition of leaving the kids with my parents for a few days and taking an overnight trip to Kansas City.  It is a delightful way to spend our anniversary.

  Isn't the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum everything an art museum should be?

Brian loves modern art, and sometimes so do I.   The first time we drove by this tree, I turned to Brian and said, "Did you see that tree?"  He replied, "Yes, it's amazing."   Not for me,  I'm reluctant to believe that trees need improving.

Yes, I even like the classy 1920's look of the restroom.

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This is one of those pieces of art that not everyone appreciates.  Often we value art that requires technical skill, and what's so hard about hanging two light bulbs on a wall and plugging them in?   Get rid of that notion, and think of it as you would a poem.  Its beauty is its message.  The piece illustrates the strength and resplendence of partnership.  Yet two bulbs rarely burn out simitaneously.  When one life is extinguished, the other is left.  Human relationships are ephemeral. 

I am currently preparing a Bible memory unit that centers around the concept of light.  It is a theme used repeatedly in the New Testament.  Light is something I meditate on as a way of understanding Christ's purity and strength and as a way of understanding my role in the Kingdom.  When I look at this art, I  am thankful that my life and my husband's life goes far beyond the greatness of our  marriage.  I am glad for the powerful, radiant and everlasting  light of Christ (I John 1:5). 

 

 

The other two things we love to do together:  Eat good food and read.  

Just for you, Isaiah, we didn't touch the bread.  We weren't even tempted.  You have completely spoiled us.  

The rest of our Christmas break was filled up with family.  Brian and I both have amazing parents, parents worth emulating, down to the detail.  As Brian's father leaned into our van and gave his standard farewell, I smiled at Brian and asked, "Do you think you will say that to our grandchildren someday?"  He smiled back, "I know I will."

 

"See you later, little chickens." 

anniversary

 I have always been in love with romance.  I can remember reading Pride and Prejudice in eighth grade and falling hopelessly in love with Mr. Darcy.  I know he is an obvious choice, but I don’t care; he’s amazing.  Another book I absolutely loved was Mrs. Mike.  It is the story of Katherine Flannigan and her life with her husband Sgt. Mike, a North West Mounted Police Officer.   Everything about him, his love of nature, his humor, his morality, made him my ideal husband.  

This month Brian and I celebrate our 15th anniversary.  Brian isn't exactly Mr. Darcy, although according to the Myers-Briggs they share the same personality type, and he isn't Sgt. Mike either.  Brian is his own man, worthy of his own great novel.

 

 

There are hundreds of reasons why I  love my husband.  I appreciate his mind and his quick wit.  I love his sense of justice.  He cares for the weak in real tangible ways.  Anyone foreign is Brian's friend.   He is both self assured and humble.  He knows the good he ought to do, and he does it.  That's my favorite thing about him.  

 

 

I love his smile, especially when he is endeared by something or someone.  He turns his head to the side and his entire face crinkles.   I like his white streaked beard and that his hair often stands on end.  He's read both Pride and Prejudice and Mrs. Mike (they ARE my favorites), and  gotten me flowers because it was Monday or because I asked for them or didn't.  And he gives me wonderfully thoughtful gifts, which often have nothing to do with money, but everything to do with me.  

He's good at love.

 

I've heard it said that when a person becomes a parent she has a new understanding of how deep God's love is.  That is true for me.  My children have taught me a love that gives and sacrifices no matter the cost.  Brian's  love has taught me something more.  I see how unique God's love is.  I see how he values all the little things about me.   I am not a generic creation.  

When I was a kid there was nothing that special about me.  I was the middle child.   I played the piano decently.  I did average is school.   I was on the basketball team, and I sat on the bench.   I always aspired to greatness, but I never felt like I achieved it.  I now understand that my 'greatness' is difficult to measure.  It's enigmatic.  It's not on the surface.  You must look to find it.  Brian did that, and then he showed it to me.   Despite messy sins and shortcomings and despite any obvious greatness, I am loved.  God's love has extravagant dimensions.  Brian taught me that. 

 

 

Thanksgiving

The first first time I hosted a Thanksgiving celebration I made everything from the pages of a Bon Appetite magazine. Wrong move.  It was expensive, difficult (almost painful),  and the pecan pie flopped so bad I couldn't even get the college wresting team--they were our guests--to try it!  I learned my lesson; cook like mom, or at least on Thanksgiving day (keep the sushi for everyday).

An easy goal of mine it to make my children proficient in the kitchen.  It is easy because all kids like to cook.  

When I was a little girl, I always made the corn casserole for our celebration at Granny's house.  This year I gave Emilie the honors. 

Saute a green pepper and an onion in 4 Tablespoons of butter.  Add a large bag of frozen corn, a can of creamed-style corn, 2 eggs, the sauted vegetables, and half a sleeve of crackers to an ovenproof pot.  Sprinkle more crackers on top.  Cook at 350 degrees  for 30 minutes or until bubbly (0r at least that is how I remember it).

 

 Here is something I am very thankful for this year.

 

The cranberry sauce is one of my only new traditions.  I can't quite remember how it was made when I was a child.  It may have included jello, and I'm not a big fan of jello.  This recipe is more in step with my current style of cooking.  The sauce is simple, crisp, and delicious.  

Combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup orange juice in a pan.  Heat to dissolve the sugar, and then add a bag of fresh cranberries.  Continue to cook for about 10 minutes or until the cranberries start to pop and bubble. 

It may be a new family recipe, but I like to serve it in my grandmother's old glassware.  I move slowly and methodically as I  transfer it from the refrigerator to the table.  I want more of that in my life.  

"Hurry and impatience are sure marks of the amateur."

 

My mother is an exceptional baker, and my husband now insists that we make her butter rolls for our  every Thanksgiving celebration.  Next week marks Isaiah's first year of business.  His baking skills and confidence in the kitchen have soared.  Not only that, he loves it.  Here's a link to a recipe almost the same as my mom's recipe.  

 

 

 

embroidering

John Verses

  

 

We learn Bible verses in clusters based on a theme or memory device.  At the beginning of this year we worked through 26 verses all spoken by Jesus.  In an effort to get to know Jesus even better, we are taking a look at His disciples.  We memorized seven verses about Peter, and now it's time to learn about Jesus’ other best friend John.    John is all about love.  I could have chosen dozens of great verses from John’s writings, but for whatever reason this cluster  is small.  It contains only four Bible passages, and rather than teaching us about John, these verses point us to Jesus.  I have a feeling this is what John would have wanted.  

REMEMBER:  Key words, spoken before each reference, help tie the Scripture reference to the verse.  Say the key words and reference before and after reciting the verse.

 

The people you live with are typically the most important people in your life, and that is what these first two verses are about, home life with Jesus.  Someday we will join Him in heaven where everything will be made new.  In the meantime, He resides in our hearts. 

Make a Home:  John 14:23

 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

Eternal Home:  Revelation 21:1-5

 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

 

If John had anything to say to the Church it was this: love.  In our family, there is one rule: love.  Love sums up the gospel.  Love. 

 Love Others:    I John 4:20

If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 

Love Others and Act!: I John 3:17-18

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 

 

Memory Prop:  For this series, the girls and I made rice bags.  We chose fabrics that related to the theme of each verse.   For example, cloud fabric worked well for our verse about heaven (Revelation 21:1-5).

Here are the other fabrics we chose.

Before Bible time, I pop the rice bags in the microwave for three minutes to get them toasty warm.  The bags feel amazing.  This reminds us that Jesus puts warmth in our hearts.  (This relates to our first verse, "Make a Home: John14:23."  Refer to this lesson. )

I throw the rice bags to the kids after each verse, asking them questions that promote interest, thought, and understanding.  Questions like:

What are some of the commands of Jesus?

What are you looking forward to about heaven?

What material possessions can you share? For young children this means sharing with siblings or guests.  

How could a person love with only words?  How do we love with action?

Who do you love?  Who do you hate?

 

 

  The props make the verses fun, and they go a long way in tying the memory unit together.  We like trying to hit the pot.

Learn about John:

It has been helpful for me to take a closer look at these men—in all of humanity—whom Jesus chose to spend time with.  Peter was the Rock.  He had a vocal role in the new church, but the Gospel of John, written by John, which contains some of the most beautiful prose ever written, has had a tremendous impact on the presentation of the gospel. Peter was the oldest of the disciples and John was the youngest (Young John outran Old Peter to the empty tomb).  Peter died a martyr.  John lived to be a very old man.  Both men were passionate.  Jesus calls John and his brother James “The Sons of Thunder,” and Peter’s energy jumps from the pages of John’s gospel. Both loved Jesus and devoted their life to Him.

 

Other Facts I shared with the kids:

 

John was the Em (the youngest) of the disciples.

We get to know John as a young man in the gospels and we hear his voice as an old man in his writings in I,II, and III John.  In these letters he addresses the church with “Dear children.”

Jesus left his mother Mary in John’s care before he died.

John is referred to as the disciple Jesus loved.

John was exiled to the island of Patmos.  Here he saw a wonderful vision of heaven.  This vision is the Book of Revelation.

 

 link

 

 

 

 

 

sewing for a purpose

I had wanted to make red capes for the girls this Halloween so that they could be like The Princess in the Forest, but the material lies virtually untouched.  We improvised with play clothes and fun-to-make ribbon crowns.  

The boys remained undecided about costumes.  Finally, Isaiah found a werewolf mask he liked, but Elia was terrified.  This is what I love about my son:  He put the mask back and didn't give it a second thought.  Isaiah said he would try a scarier  costume next year, when the girls were a little older.

 And this is what I love about my daughter: 

Isaiah loved the werewolf hat and gloves Elia made for him.  

Instructions for a Christian Household found in Ephesians 5:

  Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

 

 

I just shared this post with Isaiah and he said, "I love it, Mom, but I don't think I will ever see a werewolf costume coupled with that verse again in my life."    

hmmmmm......

 

 

Made it to a 1000

Kids learn so many things counting to  a thousand, one of which is diligence!  When Elia finished her adding tape, we went outside to unroll it. We wanted to stretch it the length of the street, but it was too windy.  We ended up winding it around and around the living room.    Grammy Phyllis suggested we use this opportunity to think about all the kids in Amazima's  feeding program.  Uncle Brad  helps provide food for 1,500 kids each day!  Looking at all those numbers on the adding paper, left us feeling overwhelmed and happy.  We are very proud of Brad.  We pray for him every day.  

K is for Kingdom:   Matthew 25...... I was hungry: You feed me.