jenzai

be intentional

2011-10-28T06:16:00.000-07:00

I will walk in my house with blameless heart. I will set before my eyes no vile thing.
(Part of Psalm 101)

Olive Tree

2011-08-21T06:34:00.000-07:00

Psalm 52: 8+

But I am like an olive tree, flourishing in the house of God. I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever. I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.

Here's and idea!

2011-06-28T06:12:00.000-07:00

Psalm 4:5:

Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord.

We make it complicated, but really life is very simple. Let's keep our eyes on Him, not other people. Serve as He leads us to serve, not as other people tell us it "aught" to be done. Let's thankfully ask Him every day, "Lord, thank You for this day I'm living, what would You have me do with it?"

Offer right sacrifices, and trust in the Lord.

be careful little heart what you seek

2011-05-10T06:24:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been reading about all the old kings of Judah and Israel. All the Uzza's and Ahaz's...once you read the stories of these great (and not so great) kings, you start to see some trends. One trend is about seeking God. It becomes quite clear that with power and blessing often comes pride and odd choices.

In Deuteronomy Moses shared that "the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." But if "from there you seek the Lord your God you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul." Simple instructions, except for that word ALL.

In 2Chronicles 25 King Amaziah made some 'amazing' choices. (couldn't resist!)
"He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly." Wow, how many times can that be said of me?!

Amaziah got so off-track that a man of God came to him to help him understand that "Even if you go and fight courageously in battle. God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to overthrow."

After some time, battles and raids, Amaziah went on to conquer a certain people, bring back their false gods and set them up to worship them himself. The prophet asked,"Why do you consult this people's gods, which could not save their own people from your hand?"

We're a lot like Amaziah sometimes. We seek God, but not with ALL our heart. We charge ahead, do things our own way, consult other people before talking to God about it, ignore His guidance, etc, etc...

We serve a great and mighty, living God. We can't get any more current and relevant than when we ask Him what to do - then do it! When we seek Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength we are able to do great things -- Not because we are great, but because He is!

Mother's Day Fun!

2011-05-09T23:08:00.000-07:00

Hiding from the Valley

2011-02-16T06:45:00.000-08:00

Pastor George shared a great message last weekend on the 23rd Psalm. He shared about how in verse 4 the "valley" is unavoidable, unpredictable, how no one is exempt, it is temporary, and purposeful. Pastor George shared a lot of great verses and encouraging words, but as soon as he said "purposeful" my memory flashed to Paul and Silas in Acts 16 (I've copied the verses below) Specifically the part about Paul and Silas were

...stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison...

Not THAT'S what I call a valley! I always catch myself thinking, hey, when it's my turn to go through the something like this, can we just avoid the painful part? It's like I want to hide from the valley. Oh, don't get me wrong, I see the value in the valley, I see how in Acts 16 God got the glory and many people came to know Him...but would I avoid the valley altogether if I could? Sure! I hate pain.

I appreciate how Pastor George shared, "God's more concerned about your character than your comfort. He's more concerned about your holiness than your happiness." Sigh... At the same time I found it so encouraging when Pastor George encouraged us to remember that God is with me! He is "Jehovah Shammah" the God who is THERE! (Isaiah 42:2) Along with all that character building, He promises His power, His protection and His presence!

Biblegateway.com:

Paul and Silas in Prison Acts 16: v.16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her. 19 When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”

22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”

29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.

35 When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” 36 The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.”

37 But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.”

38 The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. 39 They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. 40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.

Shipwrecked

2010-12-18T07:01:00.000-08:00

In Acts 27 Paul shares the most amazing account of ONE of the times he was shipwrecked. Paul was a prisoner on a ship - and there was this terrible storm:

"when neither the sun stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved. After the men had gone a long time without food..." (you really should read it, the details are fascinating!)

Paul stood up before them and said:

"Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island."

So I'm thinking, that's great that they are spared and all, but why the storm, why did Paul (why do I) have to go through the shipwreck?!! There are so many aspects of this account that fascinate me! For example, Paul was praying for all the people on the ship to be spared, even his captors. Also, it's apparent that enduring captivity, and a long, ferocious, storm wasn't a coincidence or mistake.

Incidentally, this is the kind of thing I think Peter is referring to when he says in 1 Peter 3:14: "But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord..." In my Bible, I have written next to this passage: PRESS ON!

As a person who hates pain and cold waves, I think to myself things like: How 'bout if we avoid waves altogether? Waves are scary - they are salty, wet giants and usually freezing cold! But it's through the storms we cry out to God. Its in the midst of darkness we seek Him and cling to Him. In waves we see God's glory and power and feel His hugs of reassurance.

I still don't want to be shipwrecked, ever! But when I'm tossed in the waves of the storms of my life, I know I need to set my heart on Christ and PRESS ON!

He sets the lonely in families

2010-12-10T19:49:00.000-08:00

Interesting thing about the God I serve. He understands lonely. He gets it. He is purposeful about "being part of the solution" as we like to say. Some would accuse God of causing loneliness, but I firmly believe that every lonely moment is a result of a "relationship problem." Ours, not His.

He created us with this hugely needy heart, that beats best when fully loved. I've noticed that our hearts aren't so choosy, they can beat with even just a little bit of love. The God of the bible is Creator. He created us to need relationship with Him and with each other. We all need connection - even us introverts! The following words were written "for the director of music. Of David. A psalm. A song."

"Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,
extol him who rides on the clouds;
rejoice before him—his name is the LORD.
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling.
God sets the lonely in families,
he leads out the prisoners with singing;
but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land."

I can't speak for God, but at the very least I can say God doesn't tolerate loneliness. Loneliness can feel like wallowing in a place of looking ahead and seeing no chance for change or relief. The ultimate loneliness is being separated from hope. God showed us His intolerance for loneliness by providing a way out of it! Yes, I'm talking about that 'John 14:6 Way' - God's solution, God's cure, God's gift.

2010-11-26T07:47:00.000-08:00

When people ask me, "What is God saying to you?" or, "What do you learn in your quiet-time?" I feel redundant, but I have the same answer for the past several years now: To keep my eyes on Him. He is my anchor, my compass, my true north.

I was reading yesterday's My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers, and it pointed me to Psalm 123:

I lift up my eyes to You, to You whose throne is in heaven. As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till He shows us His mercy. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for we haven endured much ridicule from the proud, much contempt from the arrogant.

2010-11-22T06:28:00.000-08:00

1Peter4:7&8: The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

'Without grumbling' eh? My Pastor, George Powell, shared in a sermon, "Hospitality is making others feel at home...when you wish they were!" So true!

We have so many great examples of hospitable people (who never act like they really wish their guests were 'really at home!')

Ron & Jill Shaddy are always having groups of people over (even when their house was much smaller!) - from a few little kids to huge YWAM groups! They are great at refreshing others.

Pastor Greg Strannigan & beautiful wife Shawn host so many out of town friends of their kids as well as travelling mission & music groups that I overheard one of their friends joke, "Yeah, the Strannigans forgot to spray for rock bands again!" (And we all knew that meant their house would be full of awesome young people for awhile!)

All for One!

2010-11-19T06:27:00.000-08:00

Things in this life can be so hard. For me, the most difficult things has to do with "people stuff." At one point this summer I thought, "Church would be so great if it was only about God, and there weren't people involved!" Of course I didn't mean that literally, it was just an expression of frustration over recent events.

So then how do we press on, follow after Christ, live for Him in the midst of all the junk?

Simple (not easy, just simple): Keep our eyes on Him! We are for Him. We are His people, and He is our God! We keep our eyes on the Prize. He is our finish line, and our plumb-line along the way. We must take our eyes off ourselves, definitely off others, and put them back where our focus belongs - HIM only!

All for One! HE is the One!

1Peter4:7-11

the experiment

2010-07-31T14:55:00.001-07:00

This morning T.Michael was playing outside - suddenly he ran into the house, sped off to the bathroom, slammed the door & I could hear the sink water running at full blast.

"What are you doing, T.Michael?" I asked in my concerned-Mommy voice.

"Oh nothing, just experimenting!" he answered enthusiastically.

"Be brave," I tell myself as I pressed him for more information.

"Well, you know those orange and red flowers out there (pointing to the front yard, where the top flower of the tiger lillies had just opened up) I was just experimenting to see if you crush those flowers, can you make paint out of it."

It's OK, I tell myself, there are lots of buds waiting to bloom on the stem, so what if the first beautiful flowers got pulled off. It's not like that time when he was in T-ball and knocked all the bulbs off the iris stems.

We had a little chuckle together about the 'ole iris story when suddenly he got quiet and asked, "...you mean those balls on the stem were more flowers about to bloom?"

Big sigh...

What is God saying?

2010-07-26T06:39:00.000-07:00

Every once in awhile people ask me, "What is God saying?"

His Word is right there to look at, everyone can know what He is saying. But I know what they are talking about - they are checking in with me about my personal quiet times, about my personal walk with Him & what He is teaching me right now.

Years ago one of my friends asked me that question, and I could see a hint of disappointment as I shared what 'God is saying to me.' I think it might have been a little too simple for her, too basic. But I answer the same today as I did back then. God is saying to me:

Keep your eyes on Me

Today I read this verse and it confirmed His Word to me once again:

...My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only He will release my feet from the snare. Psalm 25:15

Come on, let's go!

2010-07-23T06:52:00.000-07:00

So I have 8 seatbelts in my van, including mine. Who are the 7 others I can go pick up? We have to make this fast to beat the crowd!

Right away my life-long best friend Kelley comes to mind - we met in pre-school. I was 3yrs, she was 4. Kelley has CP among some other conditions that make it hard to get in the van, so she gets the front seat...

Then, of course, I run to pick up Dave's sister LeeAnn, also a front-seater (for the same reasons)...

Let's go on out to Newberg & grab Blake for the day -- he's probably busy leading students on campus, but he's gonna love being part of this...

We need to zip out to Sherwood to pick up Amy, 'cuz my goodness, she's had enough of getting slammed by ailment after ailment!...

We'd better throw in a carseat, so I can pick up little baby Lydia who was recently diagnosed with cancer. I can't forget to bring her new little cap her Aunt knit for her since her soft, new baby hair is about to fall out due to chemo...

Let's squeeze in a Hurley girl (or two) 'cuz I'm gonna need help watching baby Lydia!...

And last but not least, in THIS round anyway (I've already decided I have to go back for more until the gas runs out!) I have to get Gramma Connnie Bubbles! She will love being part of this trip & and we all know she will keep us entertained on the way there!...

JEN, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!!

You see, I was reading this morning in Matthew 4 about how as soon as Jesus hit the town of Galilee, He was teaching, preaching the good news, and healing "every disease and sickness among the people." As you can imagine, news about Him spread like wildfire and "people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and He healed them."

I would be all over that! As I pictured who I would load up in my mini-van and take to see Him, immediately this list grew longer than imaginable! Maybe I can't take you to 'see Him' in this same way as I read here, but together we can go get others & take them to see Him now! Come on, let's go!

set your heart

2010-07-17T07:09:00.000-07:00

On Thursday a.m. I was reading in Malachi 2:

And now this admonition is for you, O priests. If you do not listen, and if you do not set your heart to honor my name, says the Lord Almighty, I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not set your heart to honor me.

Some people might focus on the curse, the punishment, but what really stood out to me was the term 'set your heart!'

Immediately I was struck by the question, "On what have I set my heart today?" On work? On a list of tasks? On Facebook? On what's going on at church? On the latest at school? On a problem? On a TV show?

We are all capable of this idea, we do it all the time without thinking about it. Last night I set my alarm and the coffee to go off at 6am. We already set the DVR to record America's Got Talent...about six months ago I set a dentist appointment for 9am this morning -- now that's intentional!

I was reminded that in this walk with Jesus, there are things I must do to keep Him at the center of my life, and one of them is to be intentional about setting my heart to honor Him.

Some might think it presumptuous of me to consider myself a priest. Well, I'm more looking at this whole 'setting your heart' concept of this verse as something that applies to all who call themselves Christ-followers. 1 Peter 2:9 says,

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

That's you and me, baby!

Mother's Day

2010-05-09T20:07:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day
Whew! What a day of pressure for some. Being the Mom, I'm off the hook for once! And it's no wonder there's pressure -- how can a person really thank their Mother? As soon you try, it's as if this giant awareness descends on you and you start to realize that thanking and honoring Mom "in the way she deserves" is too big a job for words alone. So, you venture out to get a card and "say it with Hallmark." But even that doesn't seem enough, so you buy Mom a gift or make her breakfast, and suddenly you're hit with this guilt that maybe you should have been doing this sort of thing all along!

It's not easy for us Mom's either! I had a great Instructor at Chemeketa Community College, Linda Craven, who explained to future teachers why they should have patience/compassion for parents: "As a parent you can expect to spend the first three years of your child's life 'in the fog' and then you spend the rest of your life fighting guilt -- you feel tried and convicted!"

So you see how it is, you feel a little guilt over one day. We feel guilt about everything -- clearly us Moms carry the greater burden! All is not lost though, because of the love. Sappy, I know, but love covers all! We can all just chill, and be grateful, and enjoy the day knowing that love is what it's really all about.

Happy Mother's Day

life

2010-04-18T08:59:00.001-07:00

Someone once said life is like a box of chocolates...I think his name was Forest...but my life reminds me of a lizard -- any guesses why? If you have the right answer you win a prize!

falling behind

2010-03-14T08:03:00.000-07:00

I'm not doing so well at keeping up with technology...which is a shame really because I'm married to the Pastor of Technology! I try, and I try, but I feel like it's an uphill battle! Just when I think I've checked all my phone messages and emails, I realize I've missed an important FaceBook dinner invite (which would have totally been fun!) If I somehow keep up with all that, I realize I haven't blogged for a few weeks. Then, if by some miracle, I actually keep up on all the phone msgs, emails, FaceBook msgs, and blog entries -- I realize I forgot to make the kids dinner!!

How He Loves Us by Kim Walker & Jesus Culture

2010-02-25T17:38:00.000-08:00

This is how I first heard this song -- this version of the song greatly affects me! (If you haven't yet, click on the Title:-)

May God bless and help Haiti

2010-02-01T08:23:00.000-08:00

Dave is in Haiti with Delta Ministries right now,connecting with Doctors, Pastors, and other community leaders to stratagize the best way to support the people. Please check out their trip blog: www.Haiti4Him.com

Unchangeable

2010-01-12T20:39:00.000-08:00

The Great Wall of China.

I'm told you can even see it from the moon.
(By the way, how cool would that be to actually know that first-hand?!?)

I got to go there once, it was very...impressive.

But as massive and immovable as the Great Wall may seem, there is only one unchangeable thing I know of. That is the one true God.
My God.

Lately I'm drawn to verses about this part of His character.
He is unchanging. Unchangeable.
I find this characteristic fascinating.
Especially in this day and age, this society of ever-changing
"improvements and advances."

What the world finds offensive and threatening about my God,
I find comforting. He is my refuge, my solace, and my strength.

In James 1:17 it says that "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

In another version of the Bible called The Message
(uses casual, modern language) it is worded this way:

There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle.

Phineas & Ferb

2010-01-06T08:49:00.001-08:00

The other day T. was explaining to me how he is like Phineas and Ferb put together:

Phineas is a talker, like me;
Ferb is good at constructing stuff, like me;
Ferb is a noticer, like me!

Depot Bay

2009-12-30T09:07:00.001-08:00

DNA

2009-12-28T05:34:00.000-08:00

Recently an organization I love seems to have lost some of it's DNA. What do I mean by DNA? Well, I mean people basically. The organization I'm referring to has lost some very important people that form the foundation, or backbone of what makes this organization what it is. Or what it was.

In this day and age people come and go - We are a fluid society - We need to embrace change, blah, blah, blah...I'm not bitter, I'm just tired. Tired of losing good people, watching my heritage walk away. Or be sent away in some cases.

But we must not loose our basic DNA. If we do, we just might become a really strange mutation. Ever see The Fly?

From what I read, the purpose of DNA has to do with long-term storage of information. It's been compared to a blue print or a recipe. In this case I'm referring to people that have been there all along, through thick and thin, they help form the genetic blue print of who we are as an organization.

It reminds me of when Dave used to run summer camp, every evening would end with a fun and inspiring campfire. Tired kids, parents and staff would gather around a roaring fire and laugh at great skits and sing together. (Hey Dave, remember when you would sing 'Forever Young' and the parents would all cry?!) Those old skits were part of the DNA of a good camp.

Some of the same skits were used year after year, but even so Dave and his staff would start out the summer by training the new leaders the old skits, the way they were meant to be. I asked Dave why he had to teach the same old skits over again, and he replied, "Because if we don't, they have a strange way of mutating."

It will be interesting to see what this organization does. In the mean time I watch, pray, support and hang on to my fly swatter!

Big Christmas Gift

2009-12-23T08:15:00.000-08:00

My friend at work helped me see one of those Christmas traditions I never realized I had. I gave all my work friends a little something and on many of them I wrote something sappy like, "my big Christmas gift this year is working with you!"

So immediately one of my co-workers jokingly complained, "Hey, what do you mean by 'big' Christmas gift? Is that a crack about my weight?!" (no, K.E., it wasn't meant to be a cheap shot!)

Then I realized it is a tradition in my family to talk about the 'big gift.' It's not that we were spoiled or demanding. In fact I think it was my Mom's way of breaking it to us that Santa might only bring one thing that year (even though we were on the nice list.) Mom would approach us with the question, "If you could only get one present this year, what would it be?"

For us, the big gift is the one that if you got nothing else, you would still be excited. So, when I say working with you is my big gift this year, what I mean is that I'm really thankful and excited about it. And content.

I got to hang out with a bunch of friends the other evening who's beliefs are very different than mine. For them, Christmas is only about what Santa brings. But for me, part of the reason I can have peace and contentment in this crazy life, is because for me Christmas is about the birth of Christ, Our Lord. Luke 2 shares it beautifully. He (Jesus) is the ultimate 'big gift.'

Another tradition in my family is that on Christmas Eve we could only open one gift. Somehow it always ended up being pajamas. Yet for several years we were genuinely surprised by this...so guess what my kids are getting on Christmas Eve? (Shhhh, it's a secret!)

Ever wonder..?

2009-11-17T19:30:00.000-08:00

"Hey Mom, Dad, ever wonder why I started liking the show Teen Titans?" T.Michael asked as we all sat together in the hot tub. It was one of those relaxing family times, when he started this conversation out of the blue.

Startled, I looked over at Dave. I mean, had we ever wondered why T.Michael likes this show? Did we even know there was a show called Teen Titans? What kind of parents are we anyway?

Oblivious to our hesitation, T.Michael proceeded to explain:

"One day I was surfing the one - sevens, when all of a sudden I saw Robin. He caught my attention. And I thought, 'Hey, what is this show?' and I really liked it. I've been pretty much watching it ever since!"

First win & Last game of the season (Mom is giddy!)

2009-11-01T15:39:00.000-08:00

Halloween 2009

2009-11-01T15:27:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthdays!

2009-10-28T07:13:00.000-07:00

tales of a 3rd Grade linebacker

2009-10-13T10:02:00.000-07:00

After the game T.Michael ran up to me, pulled the helmet off his sweaty head, pointed to his nose and exclaimed,

"Mom! Did you see that kid?! He knocked the snot out of me! No, literally. He knocked the snot right out of me! See?!"

Another player's Mom standing nearby could not stop laughing.
Ah, such a proud moment!

2009-10-01T08:26:00.000-07:00

The new sermon series at my church is about Jonah...but that's not why I'm writing about him.

Often when I need guidance I pray and ask God to please "shut the door" and keep me from the wrong decision. Then this morning I was thinking that just closing the door is kind of, well, boring. How 'bout something exciting like having a giant fish swallow me to set me back on course?!

There have been times in my life when I had to step out in faith. (like my friend Rachel who is in Mexico City right now -- love you Rachel!) It usually wasn't an issue of right or wrong, but more an issue of "Is that really You, God?" It's times like these I hope to hear Him whisper in my ear which way to go. But if I'm feeling especially stubborn or just don't get it, a big fish just might be the answer!

I realize Jonah's issue was very different from simply seeking guidance. But still I share with you this little rabbit-trail into my thoughts.

Cattle Ranch Wisdom

2009-09-23T07:27:00.000-07:00

This past week President Cook (Warner Pacific College) shared many inspiring words during all the different events celebrating her inauguration. During chapel last week she shared about her wise & loving Dad with the students. Her Dad is a cattle rancher in Enterprise, Oregon. She told us how he would often say,

"The trouble with living sacrifices is their tendency to get off the the alter!"

That made me laugh, I mean isn't that the truth!?! Out of all the many important things President Cook shared in the past week, this is the one that God used to grab my attention. Zing! I was convicted, just like that!

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship.
Romans 12:1-3

Just right!

2009-08-30T10:44:00.000-07:00

I was reading Proverbs 30:7+ this morning and I was struck by the part that says,

"...Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God."

Not too much, not too little...just right! I love it! It can be the same way with timing too, have you noticed? God's timing and our timing seldom seems to match up. Never too soon, never too late...just right!

We are ever so dependant on Him!

Signs of Fall

2009-08-23T10:16:00.000-07:00

Ah,signs of the fall season...shorter days, school supplies, and for the first time EVER in this Proehl family: Football!

Yep, T.Michael once again hurls us into something completely new, all-consuming and wonderful! My friend Cynthia told me she heard on the radio when Dr. Laura told someone strongly that, "No sane parent would ever allow their child to play in a contact sport!"

Well, I always suspected it, and this just confirms it...Dave & I are not sane. (Kind of lets the pressure off, you know?:-)

Little Treasures

2009-05-27T08:06:00.000-07:00

Night Stands I call them. Little holders of light and treasures.

A long time ago Grandma Proehl shared with me about taking the time to look around at our lives and write about it -- take a snapshot in time. She was so great at it, sometimes she would write a letter and describe her day, her surroundings, what was going on at that moment. In that same spirit of remembering, I offer these fun little snapshots of the things that found a "place of honor" in the kids' rooms.

T.Micheal's treasures include the super-cool pinewood derby car he and Dad made in the cub scouts last year -- complete with storm trooper driver! Also included are books, a pencil/tracing paper picture (given by a girl), sports box Kleenex, a battery-less flashlight, a lego star ship and lego person and some magnetic shapes that he loves to make into different things.

McKenzie's treasures include silly string, a 3-D light-up Angel, several stuffed animals, sequins, jewelry, a red flashlight, a letter from Grandma Domon, several folded up school papers (recently pulled from pockets), little painted rocks and the Nutshell Library collection by Maurice Sendak.

One Tough Sandwich

2009-05-05T15:32:00.000-07:00

I've been in a bit of a funk lately. You may have seen it. I don't talk about it much because it's hard to explain, and (sigh) I'm afraid there's really nothing you can do, I just have to keep moving forward. It's about a sandwich. No, not a real sandwich. More of a symbolic one.

You see, I had this awesome vacation last week. Got to travel, see friends, walk in the sun, visit Mickey Mouse -- it was great! Truly the kids, Dave and I had a great time together. (See Dave's Facebook for photos)

So why the funk? Well, on both sides of that great week of vacation, I mean literally two days before and two days after, I found out someone in my life died. It's not like they were super-close to me, but they were both young (one age 22, one age 8yrs)and beautiful, and I feel so sad for both families. In both cases I have family members to comfort and encourage. That makes for one tough sandwich.

Looking on the bright side, I'm encouraged too. Things like this make you look life in the face, and think about what you're doing. Is this really how I want to be spending my time? I'm thankful for my family, my health, and the opportunities God has brought my way.

this old house

2009-04-07T08:38:00.000-07:00

Okay, clearly our house is doing better than this one! But my goodness, what a season! Lately we've been hit with a "one-two" punch of repairs -- I know it's part of life but, "Come on!" (If you've ever watched A.D., you'll know the tone used:-)

Let's see...the roof, the dryer, the washer, the TV, the clutch in Dave's care, the bathroom fan, the electrical wiring...you get the idea!

Dave had a good insight on all this though, he said it's because this is the longest we've ever lived in one place. Now that idea I like, it's kind of like saying we're experiencing some stability! Dave got to live in his childhood home until college, and I always thought that was so lucky! I wonder if his parents ever felt this way?!

Momma Bear

2009-03-14T07:30:00.001-07:00

My great Friend-of-Faith MP has shown me by example what a God-fearing woman does when life throws you a curve! You may remember me mention her in a previous blog or two, but I always referred to her as one of my "KB Friends."

Like so many of us these days, she has been job-hunting lately and it has been a real eye-opener for me, seeing how she has tackled this whole burden from beginning to...job.

First, a long time before she needed a new job, she asked for prayer for wisdom about it. Then she sought wise counsel -- her husband, parents, Mother-in-law, KB Friends (including me!) She did the hard work,you know--following up on leads, applying, interviewing...then before long she was offered two really good jobs!

How does one decide between good and good? They were both really great opportunities, one even included some "status" in the community. But how to decide?

Now, Jen, you might ask, where does the whole "Momma Bear" blog title come into play? Good question! The important detail I haven't mentioned yet is that my friend has two amazing middle-school age boys at home, and what I have really learned from her through this whole thing is how to make big decisions in light of putting family first.

In the end it wasn't about which job she wanted most, or about status. In the end it came down to what the boys needed (in having a parent available to them in the afternoons, even though they're "old enough" to be on their own) and which job would keep her closer to home. Things like that. I mean this lady was like a Momma Bear protecting her cubs -- and nothing, I mean nothing was going to get in the way of her protecting those boys.

And this I respect and admire very much.

PS. Alyssa, thanks for the great advice you left on my last post! You Rock Chica!

wisdom

2009-03-09T08:22:00.001-07:00

James 1:5 says “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives gorgeously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” I was reading in the Prayer Devotional Bible about wisdom and one of their little tutorials said wisdom “…is not so much knowing what to do, as how to be. “ So today I’m asking God for wisdom for a particular situation. There is something that has me stumped, and I need to know how to be with it. Hmmm….things to ponder

Livin' the high life!

2009-03-08T10:52:00.000-07:00

Hey, long time no blog...and I miss you! But that's because I'm lovin' my new job and enjoying this season with the kids. T.Michael's done with baseball tryouts, and eagerly waits for the practices to begin! McKenzie is learning some fun choreography to go with the songs from some of the old classic musicals in her NW Children's Theater class -- and when you add all of that together it equals time with people and less time with computers, for now anyway. I call it "Livin' the high life!"

For fun I've included a photo of the kids with my niece Jessica at her Washougal Equestrian Team event. Jessica we're so proud of you!

Slumdog Millionaire

2009-01-31T08:34:00.001-08:00

This "Apathy" picture is from www.ministrylive.org

From the moment I heard about the movie Slumdog Millionaire I knew I was going to see it. After consistently praying for people in India the last several years, my heart is solidly theirs -- funny how God does that in us.

After almost throwing up and walking out several times, I decided to stay --and came out of that theater a different person. Devastated, motivated, changed forever.

People have already asked if I can "recommend" this movie to them...I don't know about that. All I know is that children should absolutely NOT be allowed near this movie -- that much I can strongly recommend.

I got the job!

2009-01-06T20:03:00.000-08:00

Yes! Thank you for all your prayers and references! I start tomorrow -- I'll keep you "posted!" ...get it? "posted" (lol)

Returning to the workforce

2009-01-04T11:33:00.001-08:00

...so tomorrow I get to interview for a job. Wow, it has been such a long time! I've been working at home for so long -- will I remember how to talk to adults?!

Proehl's enjoy some snow!

2008-12-23T13:57:00.000-08:00

full house

2008-12-14T22:48:00.000-08:00

This is not a joke, I promise! The other day I was upstairs by the youth room at church. I was already talking to my friends Jill V. and Jen B. and Jill S., when my other friend named Jill B. walked up to join us. Just then someone walked by and said, "Look! It's three Jill's and two Jen's -- a full house!"

Don't make me get the claw!

2008-12-13T13:57:00.000-08:00

So last week I had surgery, and Dave did a great job of taking care of me and the kids. Talk about super Dad! I'm thankful to report that I'm back at home and starting to look and feel a lot better. In fact,

recuperating from surgery has taken on a whole new twist since the Hurley's loaned me "the claw!" Now instead of staring and weeping at the phone or remote I just dropped on the floor I can simply grab it -- oh the power of being self-sufficient again! My favorite claw moment was when Dave was sitting by me, peacefully watching TV, when he was suddenly startled by THE CLAW! Dun dun dun!

cool church radio

2008-11-30T17:19:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I know Dave doesn't have red hair! But other than that I can't get over the likeness of this picture and my handsome fella as he records radio with his buddies!

It's called Cool Church Radio -- it's on KPAM AM 860, 7am on Sundays. It's so...fun! Really! Dave makes me laugh anyway, but some of the things he says on this program! "Oh my!"

But seriously friends, in the same way you always come to me shaking your head as if to say, "Can't you control what Dave says?" I reply to you, same as always,

"Why do y'all keep giving him the mic?!?"

All Grace

2008-11-11T15:28:00.001-08:00

With great fondness I remember the "always full" baby bottles that my little sisters and I played with, faithfully feeding those baby dolls. Do you remember those? They would appear to empty when you tilted them, then magically refill when you set them upright again. For a five-year old it was truly amazing!

In this great book I'm reading (Kitchen Table Counseling, by Muriel L. Cook & Shelly Cook Volkhardt)they use this type of "magic bottle" in a great illustration on grace.

...And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

After reading 2 Corinthians 9:8 the authors use a mental picture:

"Think of God's grace as if it were in a bottle. Every time something happens and you think I can't take this, I want you to take that bottle of God's grace and pour it out on that situation saying, 'I have enough grace for this.' But when you stand the bottle back up, picture it full. God has promised that His grace would be abundant, more than enough. It will take time to break the cycle of responding the way you have, but if you face it with the truth of the "All All" verse, you will put into practice a godly perspective on your circumstances."

For a forty-three year old it is truly amazing!

Beautiful Autumn Colors

2008-11-07T17:44:00.000-08:00

So, for fun, let's list those things that turn red in the fall:

the apples...

the leaves...

my HAIR?!

(Yikes! I forgot that when you cover over blond highlights with brown color it turns and interesting shade of ... autumn red let's call it.)

What a Handsome Guy!

2008-11-06T16:40:00.000-08:00

Here's my handsome fella at a wedding earlier this fall!

These Are Generous Times!

2008-11-05T17:01:00.000-08:00

In the midst of this season of "Economic Hardship" that everyone talks about we got to witness a piece of refreshing news.

We went out to eat at Sayler's Old Country Kitchen (we finally got around to using the gift certificates that T.Michael won for us in the "Abundant Life Cruise In" last summer!) -- and we thought that was lucky enough. But then when we got to the restaurant, we noticed a news crew & asked what was going on.

It turns out that earlier that day a young waitress was serving a family that comes in fairly regularly (so they've gotten to know each other) and these generous people offered to pay her college tuition! Wow!

These are generous times!

And be thankful.

2008-11-02T19:22:00.000-08:00

Have you ever noticed it's hard to be thankful when you're worried? Near impossible I'd say! Yet God's word says:

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

I think worry can be as contagious as a cold germ or a critical attitude -- it's so easy to catch it from others!

fire drills

2008-10-16T19:06:00.001-07:00

I failed "Fire Drill" as an Educational Assistant today...the special person I was in charge of, um, wouldn't leave the building! Yikes! What a day!

Story by T.Michael

2008-10-13T16:35:00.000-07:00

One day things atackt the world.

The things that "atackt" include:giant ant, man-eating crocodile, evil angel, man-eating ant-eater, & acid-poop producing baby! (Just when you thought it was safe!)

Airplane!

2008-10-11T12:09:00.000-07:00

There's a big airplane bringin' home my man today! Dave returns from a conference in Atlanta and we are eager to see him!

family in ministry

2008-10-04T12:57:00.000-07:00

When Dave became a Pastor, we became a family in ministry. And as Mom in this family, one of the most challenging goals I strive for is to make and keep our home a refuge. That means I'm careful how I talk about church, how I react to Dave's long hours (how else is he to work with the volunteers who come in after their own long day's work?), and how much expectation I put on these awesome children of mine.

Well last Thursday the kids really wowed me! It was one of those days when the "shoulds" dramatically outweighed the "want to's." In addition to the every-day life things we needed to do, Dave was working late at worship rehearsal, we had a friend to go see in the hospital, and then a missionary from Africa to visit who would only be available that very night to share...it was a lot to ask of little kids who had already done great at their own job (school).

So what "wowed" me? After we visited our friend in the hospital we ran into a family waiting for their Dad to get out of surgery. We all recognized each other as they used to attend our church. As we were leaving I offered to pray with them and I was so glad they accepted. As we circled around and held hands to pray, my children stepped up and joined hands with them also, and we all prayed together.

When we got into the van I thanked the kids for their patience, and for the care they showed the family we ran into in the waiting room. "No need to thank us Mom," McKenzie replied, "It's what we do!"

It's an honor to be a family in ministry.

Intercession

2008-09-22T08:42:00.000-07:00

I feel most challenged when praying for my friends in India who are under such terrifying persecution -- beaten, families threatened, churches and houses burned down -- and other things we really can't imagine or relate to.

Certain things are obvious I could pray for, you might think. But it never seems enough, or complete...the closest I can get to feeling like I'm on the right track is when I read (and then pray on behalf of my friends) 2 Thes 2&3:

...May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

(Now this part I've changed a little to pray on their behalf)

Finally, brothers, I pray for you that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.

And I pray that you may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one...

May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.

I found a million dollars today!

2008-09-19T17:13:00.000-07:00

...of course it was a religious tract, but still! There I was minding my own business, cooking dinner, when I reached for the salad spinner and what did I find inside? (Some real Mommy-treasures, let me tell ya!)

the million dollar bill already mentioned

piggy bank with a few coins in it

little black match box race car

pretend cap-gun

and a 1 inch, bank-robbin' Mr. Potato Head!

Wow! What a cool Mommy moment! I love having a 7 year old boy!

new job

2008-09-15T18:59:00.000-07:00

Great news: After applying a few different places - I have a job! Yay! I'll be subbing for Educational Assistants in our school district. I got fingerprinted and everything. Whew!

It's interesting how things in life such as job-hunting can really tempt me to go through a sort of identity crisis -- causing me to ask questions like:
Who am I? What do I have to offer? Where do I belong? How will I fit in?

But then I was reminded how simple a life centered on Christ can be! If I keep my eyes on Him and what He wants from me...and for me. More of Him, less of me -- even (or should I say "especially") in the simple, every-day matters of life.

I need only be identified as His. How? Well, in John 13 Jesus says to His friends:

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Another summer gone, already?

2008-09-03T07:10:00.000-07:00

A lot of times people will say something like, "I bet you're looking forward to school starting?!!" I know they are just making small talk, but I always answer the same: "Me? No, not yet!"

The author L.M. Montgomery sums it up best when her character Anne of Ingleside(Anne is all grown up and has her own fun kids)says:

"What a happy summer this has been," thought Anne...and then recalled with a little pang something she had heard Aunt Highland Kitty of the Upper Glen say once..."the same summer will never be coming twice."

Never quite the same. Another summer would come...but the children would be a little older and Rilla would be going to school..."and I'll have no baby left," thought Anne sadly.

Proehl Family Summer

2008-09-02T22:37:00.001-07:00

2008-08-25T22:19:00.000-07:00

There comes a time in every rightly constructed boy's life when he has a raging desire to go somewhere and dig for hidden treasure.

Mark Twain
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Dinner

2008-08-09T12:43:00.000-07:00

Imagine having dinner with Jesus. Around the table with Him and His friends, these place cards would say real nice things like:

Tax Collector; Thief; Liar; Prostitute; Quitter; Captain Fails-A-Lot! Basic Loser

We're looking at Matthew 9 tonight in Sunday School and talking about how to show honor to people who've been overlooked. Jesus, the Most Honorable, leads by example in showing others how valuable they are.

Check this out!

2008-08-01T10:28:00.000-07:00

The place to be this summer is Portland City Fest 2008 -- With Luis Palau! I'm going to be there -- are you?!
www.portlandcityfest.com

The Love Boat

2008-08-01T10:16:00.000-07:00

Actually, this post is not about The Love Boat.

It's just that back when I was a kid and watched channel 12 for several hours every day in the summer (no, I do not recommend this type of life!) I saw this one episode of The Love Boat where someone asked this pretty girl how she lost so much weight and she replied something quaint like, "Well, I realized I could either go out and live life, or settle for watching others live it on TV!"

Hmmm....great irony in that line. Especially since as a kid I was learning about how not to watch TV...by watching TV! Whatever! It can get so confusing sometimes!

To sum up, the reason I don't blog so consistently in the summer is 'cuz:

"I can either write about life, or go out and live life!"

I thought Dave summed up this post nicely when he said, "Oh, you mean you are a lazy blogger!" ...thanks Dave!

overdose

2008-07-22T15:11:00.000-07:00

... I have a friend who overdosed night before last. Don't really know how he's doing. To say I hope he'll be alright is an understatement. Do I pray for him? Of course!

To sum up a big 'ole jumbled mess of thoughts and emotions about my friend, I can only say it is really hard to watch someone do this to themselves and to us who love him! And yet I still have hope.

It's not that I hope because of who he is (how bright and how promising, even though this is true about him) and it's not that I hope because I'm a "hopeful" person (not really prone to optimism with Jesus' help) but I hope because of who our Savior is -- kind, life-giving, the One who sets the captives free!

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
(John8:36)

authority

2008-07-20T20:47:00.000-07:00

Interesting thing authority...

We just had the most amazing week of "Super Summer Spectacular" (which you may know as Vacation Bible School) and part of what made it amazing was the dedication of hundreds of volunteers. There were all these great people sharing in worship, dance, film, games, crafts, and Bible lessons shared by a drama team that really pulled out all the stops.

Behind the scenes was this incredibly organized group of volunteers known as "Security." And they did a great job of making the church a safe, fun place for children to have the time of their lives!

It started months ago with a background check of every volunteer who wanted to work with the kids...even in non-kid related things like cooking and cleaning. As a Mom I really appreciate that kind of detail. It amazed me to think of the kind of planning that went into last week -- things like flow of traffic; doors that could/couldn't be used; bathrooms that couldn't be used by adults & others that couldn't be used by kids; hallways & stairways that couldn't be used ; etc; etc all to keep the children safe -- and you know what? MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

I felt kind of bad when one of the hard-working security guys confided in me that the only people who gave them any kind of hassle were the volunteers...unfortunately the reason we were even talking about it is because I was one of those people. Yikes! I confess. It was Wednesday night when I ignored this friend's authority and went in the wrong direction...isn't that a great definition for sin?: Going in the wrong direction!

It's amazing how easily we get keyed up, you know -- all worked up about our "rights." I mean, hey, I just wanted to go get my purse, it was late, what's the big deal?! But it IS a big deal, more about His authority and our heart than about anything else. But on the way home that evening I got the "big smack down" from God. He totally convicted me in my heart all the way home.

I sensed Him questioning me: Who placed that young man in the doorway to make sure the kids were safe? (gulp, You God?) Who expects you to be respectful to all people whether you understand or agree with what they're saying? (bigger gulp, You Lord, I know, I blew it) Who expects you to go back tomorrow night and ask for forgiveness? (Really, won't he think I'm weird? Do You mean I don't get to just say to You that I'll do better next time?...Yes Lord, I'll ask him for forgiveness tomorrow night)

It was an amazing week with over 700 kids and everyone had fun, made friends, learned about Jesus, and were SAFE! With the grateful heart of a Mom and a volunteer I thank the "Security" team for all their hard work!!

your burden

2008-07-17T10:18:00.000-07:00

At the end of Matthew 11 it is written:

At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Sometimes when I get hooked into striving, the Holy Spirit reminds me of these verses. There is nothing in the entire world more healing than the words of Jesus Christ.

We tend to see sin in varying degrees -- you know, this one is worse than that one...and another easy tendency is to "punish" ourselves. Jesus offers forgiveness, but sometimes we think that we need to go to great lengths to absolve ourselves. For some people it's as if they think their sin is too great to accept His grace -- they feel the need to suffer.

But His word to us is, "...For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." So if we're struggling under a hard yoke, and heavy burden -- what's going on? Who put it there: The enemy? Other people? Ourselves?

If it goes against His word, than it's NOT from Him.

loss

2008-06-28T08:16:00.000-07:00

When I was still single, I attended an awesome group at church. We didn't have a cool name like the "Uprising" group at our church does -- we were simply the "college and career" group. Same thing though: bible studies, serving the community together, fun get-togethers, missions.

In one of the year-long bible studies we had I made some great friends who really challenged me. After a year of meeting together you get to know each other pretty well -- and I got to know my best friend's little brother Max. (not real name, of course) Max has a long family legacy of Christ-followers, and yet he always had this "angst" in him. I like angst, it's so raw and honest. I always appreciated Max's open demeanor, and his struggles with God and the way He wants us to live. (you know, things like in Colossians 3)

Then, back in '93 Max openly walked away from a life with Christ...he had already joined the service, had some family struggles, real life stuff that we all can relate to. During the last several years God blessed Max (that's the way I see it) with a best friend in the service named Rob. Their families were close, they were close. And this week Rob died. Killed in Iraq. Roadside bomb. Very frustrating. Very sad.

So, now what about Max? Will he become even more bitter towards God? Will he turn to Jesus who still stands at the door and knocks...waiting for Max to open the door again. As of yet this story has no conclusion, yet I know how I would end it if it were in my power. Now you know the kinds of things that occupy my thoughts and prayers for my friends.

problem with mascots

2008-06-26T07:56:00.000-07:00

I mentioned before that Dave has a problem with mascots! Just look at this photo! See what I mean?!
(Thanks Dennis!)

Dunked!

2008-06-09T12:30:00.000-07:00

I was dunked by my own son! Today was field day at the kids' school and I volunteered to get into the dunk tank! You should have seen how big T.Michael's eyes got when I climbed up into the tank -- He didn't know I was going to do it. (Heck, I didn't even know I was going to do it!) What a kick!

Champions!

2008-06-08T09:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday T.Michael's baseball team won the championship game for Centennial Little League! Congratulations THUNDERBOLTS!

God's Inner Artistry

2008-06-06T11:03:00.000-07:00

Dave's boss has assigned him a new book to read called, "Confessions Of A Pastor; Adventures in Dropping the Pose and Getting Real with God" by Craig Groeschel; Multnomah Publishers, Inc. 2006

Like all good wives, I like to sneak a peek into what is going into my Hubby's great mind -- it's like having secret access to a really great library! Right away I found a fun story about the author's encounter with Chuck E. Cheese (page 111). It caught my eye since, as some of you know, my man also has had the occasional conflict with mascots! (A great story if you haven't heard it yet) But the really good stuff I found on page 191 when Pastor Craig talks about failure:

"Are you struggling against failure right now? Does a recent failure linger painfully in your memory? You thought you were creating the next Mercedes, but you got a Pinto. What do you do now?

Look for what God's teaching you. What's happening to you is not as important as what God's doing in you. Maybe He's shaving off some pride, or teaching you to depend on Him, or building some undeveloped character trait. Look past the painful outward circumstances and embrace God's inner artistry. Whatever you do, don't give up. If you hang in there, you'll eventually succeed God's way and on God's timetable (see Galatians 6:9).

So you've been knocked down. Get up. Again. And again. Learn and move on. You'll face another fight tomorrow--and when you do, you'll be stronger and wiser than you were today."

Galatians 6:9

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

A New Chapter

2008-06-04T08:30:00.000-07:00

This weekend marks the end of a great chapter in our Proehl-family year. A few of our changes include:

Our exchange student completes school tomorrow and heads back to Korea on Saturday. Our son is playing in the baseball championship finals, and baseball season ends this weekend. Also, in a couple weeks he will be a 2nd grader! Our daughter had a dance recital last night and will soon be a 5th grader! There is more, but those are the biggies.

It's like we are ending a chapter and starting a whole new book!

at the movies

2008-05-18T07:50:00.000-07:00

...the absolute BEST part of seeing the movies with the 4th Grade class (continued from blog below) was watching little Rosa wait hand and foot on another student named Alyssa. Alyssa moves around in a motorized scooter and it was interesting watching the dynamics of how the children interacted with her. She's a solid part of the class, popular and has her share of friends.

However, on this field trip there was only ONE person that walked along side of Alyssa, made sure the door stayed open for her scooter, made sure she made it up the ramp to the special space left open for wheelchairs, sat alone with Alyssa when the other children in their excitement took two steps down to sit in a row that Alyssa couldn't possibly reach, and then proceeded to take initiative to occasionally kneel in front of Alyssa (so as not to block her from seeing the movie) to give her popcorn and hand her drink to her (as the drink holder was too low for Alyssa to reach from her scooter) and that person was Rosa.

Watching Rosa was like watching grace in motion. The other children were "kind" to Alyssa, but Rosa was serving, giving, watchful. I'm sure that Rosa herself didn't even know she stood out in the crowd with her humility. This is just how Rosa lives, it's in her nature, it's who she is and how she was raised. This is a demonstration of her beautiful, rich Mexican culture that she unknowingly shares with us.

(all the names in these two posts are made up)

Narnia!

2008-05-16T20:03:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege of going along with my daughter's 4th grade class to the premier of the Prince Caspian - Narnia movie and it was so fun...of course I'll have to go again when I can focus a little more on the movie but those kids were so much fun to watch!

Oh the POWER they seemed to feel, walking up to the counter and actually getting to choose what they want -- like a small candy and small drink for about fifteen bucks! (okay, really it was $8 but it felt like $15!)

Then there was R. and T., obviously year-long buddies who had to go to the bathroom twice since the "small" drinks are about a gallon each.

At one point I enjoyed watching a little guy in the front row turn around during the movie and scan the crowd with the biggest smile on his face. His eyes were big, and he looked totally taken with it all. Obviously a future movie director!

Two of the girls in my group kept getting up and walking to the aisle then sitting back down -- I asked them what was going on and it turns out they were just throwing away their trash! They pick now to be meticulous?! Still, I admire their sense of duty.

And then the classic kid-movie moment: The kids were totally grossed out when there was a very small kissing scene. "Gross!" "Sick!" "Yuck!" Their judgements were clear and quick. The adults not with the school group laughed.

...poor adults not with the school group...hope you saw more of the film than I did!

Mothers are...

2008-05-14T08:46:00.000-07:00

In our "Club 56" class (5th & 6th graders) at church Saturday night, we played a game to see which group of kids could list the most things about Moms in a couple minutes. The following lists are what they came up with:

loving; fashionable; nice; bossy; caring; grumpy; helpful; needs coffee; smart; loves chocolate; kind; comforting; good cook; loyal; carefree; fun; beautiful; awesome; spectacular; funny; entertaining; creative; compassionate; Driver; Friend; understanding; merciful; stupid; cooking; giving; lovable; house cleaner; crazy; weird; First Aid

(published with their permission)

around the table

2008-05-13T10:29:00.001-07:00

My sister hosted a brunch in for my Mom on Mother's day. It was so fun getting our family together with the kids and even a new grandchild!

Us "older" ones seemed to prefer a table to sit at to eat, and at one point we laughingly realized it was the same table and the same group of us (Mom, Dad, my sisters and I) eating together! For a tiny moment it was a throw back to about 25 years ago...and it was good!

my hero

2008-05-09T22:56:00.000-07:00

I want to brag about Super Dave again! When we were flying home from the East Coast there was a Soldier at the airport ticket counter in front of us. It turns out the young man's bags were so many pounds over the limit, and the person behind the counter "helping" him wasn't, um, very helpful. We were doing what any travelers in line would do at this point (eavesdropping!) and it turns out the Soldier was going to have to make other arrangements and fly out the next day -- cutting his 21 days leave down to 20 with his family. And so Dave, my hero, walked over and paid the fee. Super Dave!

Cinco de Mayo in Portland, OR

2008-05-06T20:22:00.000-07:00

To say we enjoyed the Cinco de Mayo celebration would be an understatement! We had the best time as a family, and with our friends the Popescu's -- what a day! We all had our favorite parts:

For me the dancing from Guadalajara where I lived and studied!
For Dave it was the tacos and pepper-covered mango!
For the kids it was the rides!
For all of us it was spending time with good friends.
For all of us it was being in the sun. Finally!
For all of us it was enjoying the Mexican people we have come to know and love!

they got me wrapped around their little fingers!

2008-04-29T20:30:00.000-07:00

Gross!

2008-04-27T21:40:00.000-07:00

freedom

2008-04-25T09:04:00.000-07:00

Galatians 5, verse 1:

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

This one is for you!

There is something that really stands out about the first time "freedom" is used in that sentence...for me it's like a little bump in the sidewalk that I trip over every time I read it.

It is for freedom...for freedom...notice it is present tense.

When I was growing up we talked a lot about "Salvation" and "being saved." But in this verse it clearly talks about freedom. Some of us go through really rough patches when we don't feel free at all. I'm not talking about when we let the cares of life rob us of our peace, I'm talking about when we feel (and sincerely think we are)defeated, tried and convicted, unsalvageable, condemned.

Also, in the old days, we talked about the difference between conviction and condemnation. It's good to be reminded of the difference, because the last one does not come from Christ. So the next logical question is, if not from Christ, then who does this condemnation come from? Another question to ask is, who gets the glory from keeping me in this "stuck" holding pattern? (I think you know what I'm getting at) How do I know this? I know this simply because it is written:

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

check this out!

2008-04-24T20:05:00.000-07:00

vacation!

2008-04-24T13:49:00.000-07:00

We had the absolute best time a family could have on vacation this past week. The first few days we spent IN THE SUN, in Williamsburg, VA where our niece was our tour guide through the wonders of our country's history there -- plus a great day at Busch Gardens a fast-paced amusement park that can give even Disney a run for their money!

Then we had the honor of exploring our nation's capitol as we spent the last two days of our trip sloshing through the rain in D.C. (Just preparing us for the rain we were about to return to!) We had a very enjoyable tour through the capitol building -- thanks to Alex (originally from Moscow!) from Representative Blumenauer's office; and ended our time in D.C. with a tour through the White House with Jeremy who has been working in Vice President Cheney's office. Our family really enjoyed being together and exploring together -- it was truly refreshing! Dave is gifted at planning a vacation and making it so fun!

livin' in survival mode

2008-04-13T11:05:00.001-07:00

Lately I've had the privilege of caring for two sweet little baby twin girls, their four year old brother and my own three wild kids...so blogging has been a little low on the list!

It's been a good season, but also a reminder of how isolating it can be to parent young children even when everything is going great!

We're off on vacation in a couple days -- so we'll see if I can find a little R&R with my family on the East Coast!

Things That Are Green, a list by McKenzie

2008-04-06T11:50:00.000-07:00

(I found this list in McKenzie's room & published it with her permission, all misspellings & punctuation left in for your enjoyment!)

1. The color green.
2. A frog
3. Some trees.
4. Some snakes.
5. Boggers [I think we all know what that was supposed to be;-]
6 Slugs
7 traffic lights
8 Moldie bread
9 Paper
10 Turtles
11 seaweed
12 Money
13 gass [I think this was supposed to be grass]
14 poop
15 Brocolie
16 Asparigas
17 Brussel sprouts
18 green peppers
19 perrots
20 Houses
21 paint
22 cars
23 crayons
24 Throw up

Oregon Spring Break

2008-03-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

Got Snow?

I usually like snow...in JANUARY!
But, nooooooooooo, we had to get it during spring break! Brrrrr!

My kids are toopers though, instead of planting our garden we did things like:

Play endless games of Mancala with Uncle Jim;
Explore the Air Museum in McMinville;
Go to OMSI and see the dinosaurs and the Planetarium;
Slosh around the Zoo in the snow!
(pictured above)

hope

2008-03-22T07:26:00.000-07:00

(picture by andrewsartworks.com)

Hope is what keeps me going. Hope is why I can face today, and tomorrow.

It's interesting how you can find hope at the most amazing times. Times of grief and great pain, even times of tragedy and loss. The day before Easter always brings back the memory of how I first discovered I have hope.

It was the day before Easter when I was about 15 years old and my Mom, my Grandma and I had just spent a very fun-filled day of shopping and planning together. There was lots of laughter that day and talk of our plans for the future. You see, like it should be for all children, my Grandma was the one person who treated me like a child. She spoiled me a bit (of course!) but she LOVED me...and demonstrated that love like only a good Grandma can!

Shortly after Grandma headed out to the bus stop to go back to her home (we were a poor family, lived in low-income housing apartments, no cars yet) we started hearing sirens...loud sirens. They sounded like they were stopping right outside our apartment. In fact they were. The ambulance and police were stopping right outside our back door -- because it was Grandma. Much to our horror we learned that she had been hit by a car, killed by a hit-and-run driver. Just like that.

I can't really describe the onslaught of emotions and pain that gripped me at the moment I saw my Grandma lying on the wet grass, body crushed, dead. Seeing someone you love in that condition can be like having someone mercilessly grab your insides and pull them outside...it's excruciating. If you've experienced it, you know what I mean.

"So where does the hope come in?" you might be wondering. Immediately I was surrounded by neighbors, all different cultures lived in those apartments. They were all very sympathetic and tried to comfort us, but that didn't help. I ran to my friend's house, they were a Mexican family whose kids I went to school with. I cried with their whole family, and truly they were the most comforting, reassuring people -- but that didn't help either. I went home and cleaned the whole house from top to bottom, exhausting my body, but that didn't help either.

Then finally I went into my room. It was dark and quiet. I fell on my knees, and I wept. But I didn't feel alone. I felt the comfort of His presence. As I poured out my heart (including anger and frustration) to Him, I felt Him there with me and finally got the comfort I knew I had been desperately seeking.

And that's when I knew I had, and still have, hope. Without Easter there is no hope. It's because He lives, because He rose again on the third day, that I hope. Do you have hope?

Big Diff!

2008-03-15T19:27:00.000-07:00

...so this really nice lady got me all riled up on the phone today. She said, "Oh, you're almost 45 like me, you sounded like you were so young on the phone -- like you're only 25."

Hello! Almost 45?! What?! There is a BIG difference between 42 and 45! Three can be an incredibly huge number! I mean just look at these two guys -- there's only about three feet difference in their height, yet you would never hear one say to the other, "Oh, you're almost my height!"

Ouch!

2008-03-15T11:00:00.000-07:00

Ouch, that hurts!

I've been slow at blogging lately, 'cuz life's latest changes have really "knocked me off my feet!" Recently some VERY good friends of mine have changed from our church to another. It's not like they've died or anything, in fact as they keep pointing out, we're all part of one church anyway...but I still miss them, and it's hard to get going again. This particular change has really affected me, especially since they were the ones who got me to blog in the first place! Dang it!

which one are you?

2008-03-06T11:08:00.000-08:00

Imagine my little boy's shock when he said something harmless to me and I snapped back at him. I hate that!

I hate that shocked look in a child's eyes when you realize they didn't know you've had a hard day...they didn't know they were about to do the one more thing that would be the "last straw." They didn't know you had a long day of dealing with whiny, demanding, grumpy people -- and in all truth it's NOT their job to know that!

All they know is they didn't see our snappy response coming their way! In fact, it shouldn't have been there at all.

Just recently I've been struggling with keeping a good attitude around grumpy people. I realized that sometimes I can get grumpy just by being with them, yet I can't identify that I have any reason to be that way. It's like I was being a mirror and reflecting their behavior even when I didn't agree with it.

Then I read this article by an amazing Mom & writer, Marcia Washburn: (marcia@chec.org -- check it out :-)

"Make a habit of happiness. As the mom, you should be the thermostat (setting the emotional temperature of the home), not the thermometer (reflecting others' hot anger or cold shoulder attitudes). Most of us will be just about as happy as we make up our minds to be. Spending time in the Word each morning will prepare you for the day's challenges."

Wow, Marcia! That describes exactly what I've been dealing with lately! I've been a thermometer and reflecting other's anger instead of being the thermostat that makes our home a refuge...

Which one are you?

set your heart

2008-03-04T06:47:00.000-08:00

I was reading in Malachi 2 the other day, and God spoke to the priests through Malachi in verse 2:

"...If you do not listen, and if you do not set your heart to honor my name,..."

And that phrase "set your heart to honor my name" really jumped out at me. A lot of times I just go with the flow, even if it's flowing the wrong way. Sometimes I feel a victim of circumstances -- you know, like I have no control over what's going on. And here is the Word, reminding me to set my heart to honor His name.

No matter what has gone on before, no matter what you thought you had planned for today, no matter how you feel, no matter what setting you're in or who you're dealing with -- I invite you to join me in setting our hearts to honor His name today!

A little hint to help us be successful: don't be afraid to ask Him for help.

Go Team!

2008-02-27T06:22:00.000-08:00

They say that kids need heroes to inspire them to greatness. I can see where that is true, and I also see that it's often kids who are the heroes that inspire me! This blog is dedicated to two of my modern-day heroes: Rachel & Alecia (published with permission)

These two amazing young people made a commitment to cheer for their school. Shortly after "jumping in" to their school year they found themselves at the mercy of an immature, unfair, ridiculing adult -- but they saw it through. Way to go!

It takes tremendous strength of character to see this kind of commitment through! (and for a whole year) You did it, and I'm inspired by you! Thank you! This passage is talking of a different kind of persecution, but the principle remains true that when you put your trust in Jesus, He is your Defender. He will always see you through.

Luke 21:12 "But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13This will result in your being witnesses to them. 14But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17All men will hate you because of me. 18But not a hair of your head will perish. 19By standing firm you will gain life.

old fashion dinner time!

2008-02-21T11:44:00.000-08:00

When I mentioned having dinner together in my last post it wasn't because that is just my personal preference -- although the more my family has dinner together on a consistent basis the more I like it! I first thought about my family's habbits when a good friend of mine (Kathy G., you know who you are!) got on her soap box about families who don't practice sharing meals together around the table.

At the time I had a weekly committment to a ministry that met every Wednesday night, as well as a meeting sometime during the week to prepare for that ministry. Then there were the sports practices that my young children were already committed to. Everyone was tired, we were moving fast, and I was really annoyed with Kathy G.'s soap box -- by the way, that annoying feeling is what's called "conviction."

Then my other good friend (Jill V., you know who you are too!)challenged me with the idea of saving all that money spent weekly on fast food. Followed by the undeniable fact that nothing beats a home-cooked meal, even mine!

But the real satisfying part of dinner together is the relationship built and supported by sitting down, face to face, and eating Mom's "dinner surprise!" If it seems I'm oversimplifying things, consider this statistic I got from the AWARE program that did a presentation at our church. Institute for Youth Development, 2002:

"Having dinner with your teenager at least 5 times a week can reduce the probability of their having sex by 20percent."

Wow. So if that was in 2002, I wonder what the statistic would be today. In this ever-changing fast paced world we live in, kids need something to count on --I'm talking about time together every day 'cuz those of you who know me well, know it isn't the food I'm talking about!

what's your minimum?

2008-02-20T08:30:00.000-08:00

In our "image-conscious" society I hear a lot about minimums for staying healthy. Some people get started the moment they wake up -- you know, drop to the floor and do twenty. I was reading in the book YOU ON A DIET, (Dr. Roizen & Dr. Oz) and they say the very minimum you should do is walk at least 30-min a day -- NO EXCEPTIONS! Yah, well, my dog agrees.

Some say you've got to be disciplined, and dedicated to working out at least 20-min three times a week. Others say no, it's really 30-min three times a week plus 30-minutes/week weightlifting. As soon as I think I've heard the latest, there is some new information out there.

Fact is there are lots of friends, books, shows, & doctors who will give me "expert advice" on minimums for staying healthy...but I've got some different minimums to focus on.

What about the minimum amount of time per day spent with God -- you know, as soon as I wake up, drop to the floor and give the day right back to Him. What about the minimum number of times I hug and affirm my kids? How 'bout we sit down at the table, share a meal and talk over our day.

Face to face, eye to eye...30-min a day (hopefully more!) -- NO EXCEPTIONS. I'm still working on these minimums.

fight!

2008-02-11T18:58:00.000-08:00

Don't let that flu bug get you down! Keep on fighting!
(sometimes "fighting" this bug means slow down or stop, you know!)

words

2008-01-28T09:46:00.000-08:00

There's a verse in the Bible that says:

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry... (James 1:19)

If only I had followed that advice yesterday. We had a big get-together at my house and my good friend walked into the kitchen. She was wearing this beautiful lime-green jacket and I said, "Hey, you match the salad."

(You match the salad? What was I thinking? Why not, hey--cute jacket!)

Must I say everything that pops into my head -- I think NOT!

cinderella

2008-01-25T19:42:00.000-08:00

A kind blogger let me know about Steven Curtis Chapman's new "Cinderella" song -- you've got to check it out!

http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/thismoment.htm

beautiful green eyes

2008-01-22T12:09:00.000-08:00

Well, Kinzy had another eye exam with the Cornea Specialist today. With this chronic virus she has an exam about once a month, sometimes more. When we were checking in at the front desk, a patient was walking out and called back to the receptionist, "See ya next year!"

McKenzie whispered, "Mom, wouldn't that be great to say...see ya next year!" As a Mom I have to admit I got a little choked up. Of course I hope and long for the day those beautiful green eyes don't have to get yellow drops and a bright light put in them -- but also as a Mom I'm so grateful.

I'm grateful Dave has a job that gives us good health insurance. I'm grateful we live in this country at this time, where she gets the care she needs from a specialist. I'm grateful that we belong to a loving, caring church where Pastor Randy will hug her and pray for her healing whenever he sees her...I am grateful.