AAACK! I am totally being overrun by CUCUMBERS! I am serious, there are more cucumbers coming out of my garden than I could possibly keep up with! I am really running out of ways to use them too! This morning after checking the garden I had 18 stacked on my counter, some as long as my forarm. 18 cucumbers! What the heck am I gonna do with that many! My kitchen counter looks like a breeding ground for Larry the cucumber's clones. I have become the crazy lady on the block who gives cucumbers to everyone who passes by her house. "hi there person walking by! want some cucumbers? PLEASE?"
Today I made 2 kinds of cold cucumber soup that were very good (even if the Yoakamites did not appreciate my culinary skills) and managed to use 12. then I made a batch of gazpacho that used another 1, still leaving 5. (yes I am a math wiz!) And then my friend stopped by to talk and I was able to dump a bunch on her! Yippee! I am cucumber free.............. until tomorrow when Larry's clones attack me again!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
The Leap from the Lions Head
Do you ever have days when you wonder what in the world God is up to? Days there are sporatic events that appear to get thrown into the mix and leave you going "WHAT?". Yes I am a person who belives God is sovereign and in control and has a plan, but darn it sometimes I just cannot figure out what the heck He is up to!
But one thing I know He's defineately teaching me. Who would I rather tick off and disappoint? God? or _____________ (fill in blank here with current situation, person, etc).
God recently lead me to do something that involved immense trust and obedience on my part. and I don't get it, But I am starting to think that is beside the point.
Remember the scene in the 3rd Indiana Jones movie where he is at the edge of a cliff and the clue he has to follow is "Only in the leap from the lion's head will he prove his worth." That is exactly how I felt this week. Standing at the edge of a cliff, knowing God is leading me to step off the edge, almost being able to see his hand held out saying "will you trust me?" Knowing that stepping off that edge could mean some serious consequences, yes also knowing I can't go back.
You know that is the kicker with this following Jesus thing. I know what happens to my life when I run it. I KNOW what the fruit of Kate is, and it is not pretty. How many crossroads in my life has He lead me to and said to me "will you still follow me or will you leave?" And the thing is, he always gives you this choice, but really it's a non choice if you really, really, really are His. I always think about the diciples when I get choices like that, because he said that to them once and I will never forget Peter's response: "Lord, where would we go? you have the words that contain Life!" Can't say it better than the Bible! Yes, I have done life on my own, and it wasn't pretty. so yes, there is a choice, but really deep down I know there isn't. Cause I am going where He is, even if that leads me to crazy places that no one understands but Him and Me. And maybe not even me! So yes, I leaped from the Lion's head today..................and I have no idea what I am doing...................but I have peace. I guess that's God for you!
But one thing I know He's defineately teaching me. Who would I rather tick off and disappoint? God? or _____________ (fill in blank here with current situation, person, etc).
God recently lead me to do something that involved immense trust and obedience on my part. and I don't get it, But I am starting to think that is beside the point.
Remember the scene in the 3rd Indiana Jones movie where he is at the edge of a cliff and the clue he has to follow is "Only in the leap from the lion's head will he prove his worth." That is exactly how I felt this week. Standing at the edge of a cliff, knowing God is leading me to step off the edge, almost being able to see his hand held out saying "will you trust me?" Knowing that stepping off that edge could mean some serious consequences, yes also knowing I can't go back.
You know that is the kicker with this following Jesus thing. I know what happens to my life when I run it. I KNOW what the fruit of Kate is, and it is not pretty. How many crossroads in my life has He lead me to and said to me "will you still follow me or will you leave?" And the thing is, he always gives you this choice, but really it's a non choice if you really, really, really are His. I always think about the diciples when I get choices like that, because he said that to them once and I will never forget Peter's response: "Lord, where would we go? you have the words that contain Life!" Can't say it better than the Bible! Yes, I have done life on my own, and it wasn't pretty. so yes, there is a choice, but really deep down I know there isn't. Cause I am going where He is, even if that leads me to crazy places that no one understands but Him and Me. And maybe not even me! So yes, I leaped from the Lion's head today..................and I have no idea what I am doing...................but I have peace. I guess that's God for you!
Friday, August 15, 2008
excuses
I love the excuses I get when I ask my kids to do things. Some days it feels like they have an excuse for everything! Today I heard the best excuse ever! It was from the mouth of my 3 year old. She was playing hide and go seek with her brother and her babysitter and it was her turn to count. "I can't count" she said "I have an owie on my finger". WHAT? HOW IN THE WORLD DOES YOUR OWIE AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO COUNT I'D LIKE TO KNOW!
Made me wonder if God ever thinks that about all the excuses I give Him. "I can't do that God, I'm not qualified, I haven't been here long enough, everyone will laugh at me, no one will listen to me, I'm not good enough.............................." Blah blah blah blah blah.
I think God would really appreciate it if we all opperated more like Nike shoes: JUST DO IT. simple slogan, hard to follow sometimes! Especially if it might upset the delicate balance of my comfort. But the Lord God Almighty who made the vast expanse of the universe, really isn't that concerned with my comfort. He's concerned with my Character. And sometimes building my character means I have to walk out into uncomfortable places when He holds out His hand to me and whispers "will you trust me?"
Well, it's not easy, it's not always fun, but I know how life turns out when I do things my way. I already messed up my life pretty bad once. I don't entend to go back there ever again. So help me Lord, to just do it...............without the excuses!
Made me wonder if God ever thinks that about all the excuses I give Him. "I can't do that God, I'm not qualified, I haven't been here long enough, everyone will laugh at me, no one will listen to me, I'm not good enough.............................." Blah blah blah blah blah.
I think God would really appreciate it if we all opperated more like Nike shoes: JUST DO IT. simple slogan, hard to follow sometimes! Especially if it might upset the delicate balance of my comfort. But the Lord God Almighty who made the vast expanse of the universe, really isn't that concerned with my comfort. He's concerned with my Character. And sometimes building my character means I have to walk out into uncomfortable places when He holds out His hand to me and whispers "will you trust me?"
Well, it's not easy, it's not always fun, but I know how life turns out when I do things my way. I already messed up my life pretty bad once. I don't entend to go back there ever again. So help me Lord, to just do it...............without the excuses!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Anything is possible
Yesterday my 3 year old daughter came up to me, curled on my lap, looked up at me with those big cute eyes and said "mommy, can I have an orangutan?"
I did a double take......"what did you say?"
"Can I have an orangutan?"
"No honey you can't."
"mommy?"
"yes Hollianne, what is it?"
"What's an oragutan?"
After I stopped laughing, (and I did for awhile) we discussed what an oragutan was, where they live, and why they don't make good housepets! ( It was hard enough changing diapers on human children!) She was not going to be dissuaded. She was convinced that once we move to a bigger house, then we can have an oragutan!
But I love it! I just love that my kids have wild imaginations and come up with the most interesting things. And they absolutely think anything is possible. While the rest of the block is asking thier dad's for puppies kitty cats and goldfish, tonight my 3 year old is presenting to her daddy, all her reasons for getting.............an orangutan. Way to think out of the box kid! God's gonna do great things with you!
I did a double take......"what did you say?"
"Can I have an orangutan?"
"No honey you can't."
"mommy?"
"yes Hollianne, what is it?"
"What's an oragutan?"
After I stopped laughing, (and I did for awhile) we discussed what an oragutan was, where they live, and why they don't make good housepets! ( It was hard enough changing diapers on human children!) She was not going to be dissuaded. She was convinced that once we move to a bigger house, then we can have an oragutan!
But I love it! I just love that my kids have wild imaginations and come up with the most interesting things. And they absolutely think anything is possible. While the rest of the block is asking thier dad's for puppies kitty cats and goldfish, tonight my 3 year old is presenting to her daddy, all her reasons for getting.............an orangutan. Way to think out of the box kid! God's gonna do great things with you!
Modified what???????????
The other day I was at a 4H picnic and a friend was relating the woes associated with home remodel. I can relate. My life and home are CONSTANTLY in a state of remodel. Remember the old addage: the shoemakers kids are the last to get the shoes? same is true for Home Remodel! Anyway, I digress! As she was telling us about her kitchen, what she meant to say was: my Modified Crippled Kitchen. What came out was "Modified Crippled Chicken"!!!! Ok now you ALL know me! I just couldn't let that one go! Suddenly we were all discribing the newest Olympic move: "he's preparing for his next move, OH and he shocks the Audience...........the Modified Crippled Chicken Ladies and Gentleman, UNBELIEVABLE!
Laughter is good medicine, good for the soul, and WAY fun when you get amunition like that!
Laughter is good medicine, good for the soul, and WAY fun when you get amunition like that!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Religion or Relationship?
Wow, what a day. I was blessed by a friend today who took my kids all day so I could just sit with my foot up, a task that is ............well.............boring. Being that I had all this time, I decided to use it to read a book my father had given me a couple weeks ago: The Shack, by William P Young. When dad gave it to me to read he warned me: give youself 8 straight hours, because you won't want to put it down!! He was right and I am so glad I did! Yes, I know this book is surrounded by scores of controversy right now, and that was one of the biggest reasons I thought I should probably read it!
The book is really excellent, and I would really recommend everyone read it! the main Character, Mack, in the book is going thru what he calls The Great Sadness. I've been in one myself, and the authors discription is one of the best I have found to discribe that feeling. I don't want to give the story away, But I will tell you this, the book will challenge you to look at what in your life is mearly religion, and what is relationship with HIM. The book is fiction, (like Narnia books are) and I have read alot from those who are opposed to this book. Most of the quotes they use to defend thier arguments are taken out of context with the rest of the story. And they dissect it as if it were a theology book, not a work of fiction. Truth is if they used their same arguements against the Chronicles of Narnia, those would be books of heresy and blasphemy also. I found the story to be beutifully written, inspiring and challenging.............and all it's critics to be dead wrong about this book.
It was timely I read The Shack. I've recently seen some pretty aweful things done to a friend of mine in the name of God. It's unbeliveable to me that we belivers are so good at shooting our wounded. This book challenged me to forgive in areas I didn't realize I wasn't forgiving! It challenged me to look at my heart, REALLY look at it, and see it how GOD saw it.
So, my best advice to you............ignore the hype, read the book, and evaluate for yourself. Do not let critics opinions keep you from this one! And as you read it I challenge you with this question: do you have religion, or a Relationship?
The book is really excellent, and I would really recommend everyone read it! the main Character, Mack, in the book is going thru what he calls The Great Sadness. I've been in one myself, and the authors discription is one of the best I have found to discribe that feeling. I don't want to give the story away, But I will tell you this, the book will challenge you to look at what in your life is mearly religion, and what is relationship with HIM. The book is fiction, (like Narnia books are) and I have read alot from those who are opposed to this book. Most of the quotes they use to defend thier arguments are taken out of context with the rest of the story. And they dissect it as if it were a theology book, not a work of fiction. Truth is if they used their same arguements against the Chronicles of Narnia, those would be books of heresy and blasphemy also. I found the story to be beutifully written, inspiring and challenging.............and all it's critics to be dead wrong about this book.
It was timely I read The Shack. I've recently seen some pretty aweful things done to a friend of mine in the name of God. It's unbeliveable to me that we belivers are so good at shooting our wounded. This book challenged me to forgive in areas I didn't realize I wasn't forgiving! It challenged me to look at my heart, REALLY look at it, and see it how GOD saw it.
So, my best advice to you............ignore the hype, read the book, and evaluate for yourself. Do not let critics opinions keep you from this one! And as you read it I challenge you with this question: do you have religion, or a Relationship?
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Just a click.................
I learned a very valuble lesson today. My oldest daughter's facebook account broadcasted that she had joined a new group...............one who's name I will not mention because it is so offensive. I was shocked, dismayed..........and freaking out a bit. Worse still was that I knew the announcement that she had joined such a group would have gone out to every friend listed in her account......our church, pastor's wife, children of friends............it was a just a bit mortifying. After some discussion with her mother and my hubbie, mom went to confront her. Turns out she got a popup when she was checking her account on the Wii, and hit ignore (she has witnesses that verify this), but somehow it still went on her facebook account as her joining this group. All tecnical sleuthing done by stepdad indicates she is telling the truth. She's just sick about it, and incredibly upset that anyone would think that of her. and all it took was just a click.
Whole situation made me think..................... how many times in my day does this happen to me? how many times do I think I've hit the "ignore" button on Satan and his Popups in my life, only to find that he somehow sneaked in the backdoor? How many times have a totally contrary message to who I am been broadcast to all my friends and people I care about? how many times am I misunderstood by those who's opinion matters the most? Just a click?
Lord, may you always make me aware of the Popups I have missed that need to be erased out of me!
Whole situation made me think..................... how many times in my day does this happen to me? how many times do I think I've hit the "ignore" button on Satan and his Popups in my life, only to find that he somehow sneaked in the backdoor? How many times have a totally contrary message to who I am been broadcast to all my friends and people I care about? how many times am I misunderstood by those who's opinion matters the most? Just a click?
Lord, may you always make me aware of the Popups I have missed that need to be erased out of me!
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