Monthly Archives: October 2010
My Kitchen: Before and After
If you’ve followed this blog for long, you know that my kitchen is central to our family. I adore cooking. (Actually I just really, really love food!) My kids get in on the action, too. The kitchen is just … well, it’s super important! While we hunted for a new house, several of you sent me sweet notes of encouragement about my new kitchen. I have to say it’s absolutely the best. God totally spoiled me this time (as He usually does!) Today I want to share it with you.
We haven’t made any major changes, just cosmetic upgrades, but everyone enjoys a before and after comparison. This is what it looked like when we bought the place:
As a side note, the entire house was baby blue when we bought it. Well, most of the house. As in the entire second floor, the carpet in the basement and one-third of the first floor. All blue. This color of baby blue. Now, it’s a fine color, but it was a bit overwhelming and a touch too country for us.
And this is what the kitchen looks like now:
If you look out the doors, you’ll see another one of our “lonely places on the little deck.”
So, we swapped out the baby blue for grey, the white barstools for black ones and the wing chairs for a loveseat.
My favorite parts include my candle sconces that hang over the loveseat …
my vinyl accents …
This one is above the door separating the kitchen from the dining room.
This “bistro sign” (hanging off the side of the bay window) has a chalkboard center. The kids take turns writing our memory verses there.
If you’re interested in getting something like this, you should absolutely contact my friend, Kim. She has a whole catalog of great designs in all kinds of sizes, styles and colors. I love them!
… and my chalkboard wall.
This is some air duct or something nestled between the refrigerator and the cabinets. It can’t easily be moved and can’t have nails put in it, so chalkboard paint seems the perfect solution. It has become my favorite part of the room!!
Again, we didn’t make any drastic changes, but it was enough to make it home to us. So, tell me — what’s your favorite part of your kitchen?
Mama Loves Fall
I am a summer girl. Flip-flops, tank tops and hot, humid weather … it’s the best. The only other season I have any use for is fall. It’s just so vibrant and festive!
Mama loves apple picking.
Mama loves hay rides through autumn colors …
… and happy cuddlers …
…. and “forced family fun.” Even if it involves the most intricate corn maze I have ever seen.
I’m not kidding — This thing went all the way back to the far trees on the horizon …
… AND extended about 50 yards BEHIND where I stood while taking this picture.
Mama loves hot apple cider with whipped cream, drizzled with caramel.
Mama loves the smell of a fireplace floating on the crisp breeze.
Mama loves the picture of the Gospel that these things provide. (I wrote about this HERE.)
Mama loves that Ellie has finally stopped calling these things “ejaculanterns.”
Blog Skins, Vegetarian Mosquitoes and Heaven
After weeks of playing with my blog skin, I’m back. It turns out I like this design best after all! My little identity crisis appears to have ended … but don’t be surprised if I sport a new hair color within the next few weeks. 
In the meantime, please be patient with me as I finish getting all my settings righted. You can also weigh in on a heavy theological discussion going on around here lately.
The topic: Mosquitoes, Heaven and the Garden of Eden.
The questions: Will there be mosquitoes in Heaven? If there are mosquitoes in Heaven, will they still bite me? If so, will the bites be pleasurable? Were mosquitoes vegetarians in the Garden of Eden?
Very heavy thoughts, I know. I’d love to hear your pontifications on this intellectual (perhaps eternal) buffet.
Always too small
This weekend some friends hosted us and two other families for dinner. It was wonderful! Eight adults and nine kids can make a lot of noise, but it was a beautiful sound.
Rick and I talk about how we want to host similar get-togethers. Up to this point we’ve had many, many excuses. Some more worthy than others. We’ve set benchmarks. “When we get the living room done … when we hang the new chandelier … when all the bathrooms are painted … ” We finally conceded that our house will never be “done.” There will always be more projects to complete, more things to fix, more tweaking of this and that. So, we threw our hands up and prayed we could relax enough to allow our friends to enjoy our home just as it is.
As we drove home Sunday night, we reiterated our desire to use our home freely and frequently with an open door policy. But then we added, “Oh, but we don’t have room for that many people. We don’t have a giant table like that; ours only seats six. The kids could eat outside until it snows, but then …” Excuses, excuses.
Yesterday as I hunted for a new mirror for our half bath I saw an adorable quilted wall-hanging. It read:
“May our house always be too small to hold all our friends.”
I contemplated making one room country-themed just so I would have a place to hang it.
In our first apartment, we complained that it was too small. We went from a one-bedroom to a two-bedroom to a three-bedroom. Every apartment heard the same complaints. In our last house, we complained that it, too, was too small. This new house is probably twice the size of our last one. It needs a lot of work to make it home, but it’s wonderful. Even more wonderful is the truth that I can still say — with rejoicing this time! — it’s too small. Thank You, God!
Horrors and Splendors
Change seems to be the theme of the week.
I’m reading a novel about fresh starts. Are they really possible? Can you leave behind who you were and start over? Or are we doomed to always lug around the mistakes of our past? Do our choices define us? Can we change those definitions, even if they seem etched in stone for all to see? I wrestle with this issue so often.
I’m also reading a book for our small group study that deals with spiritual disciplines. I’ve discovered that the mere word “discipline” makes me feel oppressed. It’s heavy. As if I’m not already feeling overwhelmed by my shortcomings, here are another thousand habits I must form in order to be better.
The truth is I’ll never be perfect.
The truth is I’ll always feel the sting of not reaching my potential.
The truth is that God’s grace makes transformation possible.
Our speaker on Sunday said “You may not be able to teach an old dog new tricks. But I am no dog.”
Praise God, neither am I.
I have to admit that reading through Jeremiah and Ecclesiastes has been exceptionally depressing to me. The pages reek of futility, doom and opportunities for fresh starts missed. Even James is filled with harsh warnings. John seems the perfect balance for these. By reading all four books together, we get a harmony of truth. We get the human perspective (Ecclesiastes), the God perspective (Jeremiah), the Type A, “get doing” perspective (James) and the Grace perspective (John).
Right now you may be thinking “Wow! Tanya caught up with all of her reading?! Wasn’t she six months behind??” Be kind. I was only four months behind. And, yes, I’m still behind, but since October beautifully coordinated the beginning of four new books, I decided to give myself a fresh start there. I’ll go back and catch up as I can. I wrote a little more about this in my recent Q&A post. This is far from my point.
The point is that we have a choice: to become the amazing creatures God intended or to turn away from Him and all the blessings He has planned for us. Without Him, we haven’t a clue what potential lies within us, what awesome adventures He longs for us to experience.
C. S. Lewis wrote this:
“All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations … There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations — these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit — immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.”
I want to become one of those everlasting splendors. May God grant me the wisdom, grace, humility and strength needed to follow Him each day, each moment, toward that end.
Your turn. What are you thinking as you read?
Due Diligence
A few weeks ago I wrote about an encounter I had with Jehovah’s Witnesses. (Click here to read that post.) I am tempted to take the bait offered me and elaborate on the doctrines I hold. But this blog is not a place for theological debate. I do love theology and I love studying apologetics and world religions, but there are many, many, many minds out there that are far more organized and eloquent than I. Occasionally I may stumble into an intense discussion, but this little corner of the blogosphere holds a very different purpose. I don’t write here to argue or expound.
However, I also do not write to simply pose questions. I would hate for any of you to leave this blog feeling less equipped than before you came.
It is critical that you and I understand what we believe and why. If we are to engage those around us, we must also have a cursory knowledge of what they believe. We need to know where they’re coming from before we can give any sort of guidance as to where they should go.
The Apostle Paul didn’t immediately confront the Athenians. He walked around the city and observed their temples and gods and devotion. Only when he understood where they were coming from (at least one some level) did he present them with the truth. Not everyone believed, but some did. Would they have been as receptive if he hadn’t done his homework? If he had showed no interest in them or respect for them? I don’t think so.
Sure, “cold turkey” evangelism sometimes produces results, but the majority of people who come to Christ do so through relationships. A friend or co-worker invests in their lives. A relative diligently shares Truth in love. Christians take the time to answer questions and gently guide those unbelievers toward Grace.
I am a firm believer in educated evangelism. With that in mind, I want to offer you a few resources.
Nelson’s Illustrated Guide to Religions by James A. Beverley
As the subtitle says, this is “a comprehensive introduction to religions of the world. What I like about this book is the depth of content. It is not all-inclusive, but it is extremely thorough on the religions it covers, 19 in all, from Baha’i to Witchcraft. Most chapters are about ten pages. Larger religions, like Islam and Protestantism, receive more attention, 70-80 pages. Each chapter is complete with timelines, key players (or “prophets”), major doctrines and philosophies. Readers also learn from some visuals and added features that include religious culture and methods. I love this book for its clear and concise method of relaying information. It answers questions and satisfies curiosity without emotionally charging readers toward the offense or defense of issues.
A Ready Defense by Josh McDowell
This book takes a very different approach. While it does offer brief overviews of several major world religions, the author’s intent is to equip readers to defend Christianity and its foundational beliefs. The chapters begin by offering explanations of the major doctrines of Christianity and how we know them to be true. Later sections compare Christianity to other faiths while offering targeted answers to their criticisms of our beliefs. This is an excellent book for quick reference when confronted with specific questions from unbelievers.
We are fragile jars of clay and God has placed in us a brilliant Light. We are responsible for sharing that Light. May we not overlook the importance and weight of this humbling responsibility.
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”
– 2 Timothy 2:15 (NASB)
A favorite lonely place
Welcome to our new house! For weeks, maybe months, I’ve promised to post pictures. Today I finally get to it.
We’ve been in the house for three months now, but there is still much to be done. Our summer provided ample distractions and higher priorities than slapping on some paint or hanging new curtains. But slowly we’re transforming this 90-year-old house into our own home. The picture above is already outdated. We’ve replaced the bushes, gotten rid of some excess foliage and transplanted mums. It looks a little neater now, but it’s also very wet. We’ve had rain for a week solid and I’ve not yet had the chance to take some new pics.
Speaking of pics, I’ve really debated how to show you the new house. Do I reveal it room by room as you would see it if you came in person? Or do I just give it to you as we finish our transformation? I’m still undecided (as I usually am), so I’ll just stick to the outside and entry areas. Last week a posted a few pics of our yet-unfinished backyard. Today I’m showing you our front porch.
This is what it looked like when we bought it, complete with the previous owners’ things:
And this is what it looks like now:
Okay, so all we did was clean and get furniture, but I like it. No, I love it!
The Bible tells us that Jesus often went to “lonely places” to pray. One of our favorite aspects of this house is the abundance of lonely places. There are great little hideaways where we can get off by ourselves to read or pray or just be still. It’s wonderful! These little sun-drenched spots allow us to escape the chaos of life, if only for a few moments.
My hope for this new home is that it will be a haven for us and others. My hope is that it will welcome the weary, feed the hungry, and give healing to wounded souls. This house is an enormous gift. I would be an ungrateful wretch if I didn’t share it freely. I am determined to do so.
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
– Mark 6:31
A Little Q&A
There are a few questions that need some answers around here. Today I’m interviewing myself. I apologize in advance if it gets aggressive.
I see you’re still playing with your blog design. What’s up with that?
I’m indecisive and can’t justify the cost of a designer right now. I’m open to suggestions, though!
What are you reading these days?
This is a tough question to answer honestly because I’m still so stinkin’ behind on my Bible reading –
Oh, right! I should have asked that first! How are you doing with the Read with Me Challenge?
Uh … great. Okay, not really. I’m still reading, and that’s a very good thing. I am terribly behind, though, so I decided, since October so beautifully starts at the beginning of four books, that I’m starting over. I’m not starting over in Genesis, but rather starting fresh with this month. That way I’ll be reading the same stuff as most of you (which was kind of the point all along!) and I’ll be able to release the guilt of never catching up. Sure, I’ve skipped a number of books in the middle, but I’m okay with that for right now. When I have “grace days,” I can try to catch up on those. And if I don’t ever get to them, I’m still okay with that. The “skipped books” are mostly Paul’s epistles which I tend to read much more frequently than other parts of the Bible. If nothing else, this challenge has helped me to walk the road less traveled … or at least read the books less read.
All right. I can live with that.
Oh, good!
So, what else are you reading?
A lot. I have refused to take on any more book blog tours until I finish reading through the Bible, but I have entered one of those stages of life where I feel I’ll never catch up on all that I want to read! I am reading a number of YA and children’s books for CCBR. (I took the summer off over there and trying to get back on schedule.) I am also reading a number of non-fiction books: Going Public, Gospel-Powered Parenting, Crazy Love, Why We’re Not Emergent (by Two Guys Who Should Be) (I’m enjoying this one a lot!) and Deep Church: A Third Way Between Emerging and Traditional.
Wow. That’s a lot of non-fiction.
Yeah, well, “pleasure reading” — like my favorite fiction authors — has turned into a rather guilty pleasure. I’m avoiding the guilt. And learning a lot in the process!
What’s your hook on the emergent church? You’ve listed two titles within that realm.
A number of bestselling Christian authors are part of the emergent movement. I’ve read a few of those books, but have yet to understand what the “movement” is about. It’s been difficult to pin down why they’re so antagonistic toward traditionalists and vice versa. This is my effort to understand the arguments and decide which side I’m on. Or if I even need to choose sides. Don’t worry — a post is forthcoming (if I have the nerve to write it).
So, how is the school transition progressing? Are you still in agony?
Agony … that’s an ugly word. Appropriate, but so not pretty. Let’s see … we’re doing better. After that first week, each kid took a turn begging to return to the Academy. Zach took it one step further the next week by begging to be homeschooled. Ellie finally started going to school without crying, but it involved handmade “love notes” from Mama and Daddy every morning at drop-off and again secretly hidden in her lunchbox. Apparently, she is the ONLY first-grader to get notes from Mom at lunch, so that makes her pretty cool stuff among her peers. Oh, but those peers may be our next big hurdle.
We’re knee-deep in Halloween talk and dating. Yes, I said “dating” — in FIRST GRADE. Ellie announced this weekend that she was So-and-so’s girlfriend and that this person and that person always hold hands at recess, but this other couple just hugs under the tree and … yadda, yadda. We are in so much trouble. Meanwhile, Z has picked up a few unsavory speech habits. We’re nipping that in the bud, too. All in all, we’re doing okay. We’re still suffering some growing pains, but we’re slowly getting the hang of public school.
What is your take on Halloween?
Oh, boy. Don’t we have this discussion every year? Um … yeah, I think we do! Let me reiterate this: I don’t like Halloween. Aside from it’s evil history and conception, it’s just a weird holiday. People dress up as disgusting un-dead things then go house to house scaring people and asking strangers for candy. Parents pound into their kids not to talk to strangers and not to take candy from people they don’t know, and yet for this one bizarre night, all those rules are forgotten. It’s strange.
Now, in an ideal world, I think this would be a super-cool community activity. If everyone were dressing in harmless, fun costumes and we knew that everyone was freely giving out fun, harmless goodies, I would have no problem with this! Even with the history, I don’t think I would have a problem with it BECAUSE our culture is so far removed from Celtic moon worshiping. (You may be interested to read James Watkins thoughts on this and what the Apostle Paul might say.)
But that’s not the way things are.
I can’t walk into a single store without being assaulted by some bloody corpse or a trampy vampire or a witch with far too much cleavage. These are the very things from which I choose to protect my children.
Knowing my position on Halloween a friend asked this weekend what we’ll do now that the kids are in public school. Well, we’re not changing much. The kids still will not go trick-or-treating, and we will still avoid the zoo, the mall and most other places that celebrate elaborately. But we have consented to let them participate at school. There the costumes and decorations will be monitored and kept relatively tame. (We are in a very Christian community, even within the public school.) Our kids know our position, they even know the history of Halloween. They know we are different, but they also know how much fun it is to dress-up with friends.
Wow. That was a really long answer. I think we’ve got time for just one more question. Have you tried any new recipes lately?
Oooh, yes! I made an absolute decadent dish last week: Prosciutto-Wrapped Sea Bass with a Rosemary Butter Sauce. I served it with a roasted veggie medley of butternut squash, parsnips, carrots and red-skinned potatoes Splashed with olive oil and roasted garlic … oh, it was DIVINE!
I may be drooling a little. That’s not good for my laptop. All righty, folks! Until next time –
WAIT — I have more to say!
Nope. Sorry.
This is MY blog!
Okay, FINE. What’s up?
I promise to post before and after pictures of some of the house tomorrow.
I think we’ve heard that before. Until then … Happy Tuesday, everyone!
He never lets go.
This weekend we visited our old church, the one we attended while living on the other side of the great Hudson River. It was a great day. One of our dearest friends was baptized. I love baptisms! They are proof of a life transformed. They give tangible evidence of the power of God. They show the awesome hope that anything can be changed. It was an honor to listen to our friend’s testimony and know we’ve been witnesses to much of his journey.
As I sat in that gorgeous old sanctuary, I looked around at the people we had shared our lives with for so long. My heart overflowed as I listened to the congregation sing:
“Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say…
Blessed be the name of the LordIn the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow …When I’m found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness …Blessed be Your name.”
There sat the women who prayed and wept with me when we were told we couldn’t have children. There sat the men who challenged and encouraged us in our marriage. There together in one small worship service were the friends who loved and embraced me when I felt so utterly unlovable. They forgave our mistakes and loved us in spite of our flaws. They supported us with with grace and generosity during a very difficult time in our lives. They gently and repeatedly pointed us toward God. Years later these same people rejoiced exultantly with us at the birth of our first child.
Yesterday I sat among them with not one, but two beautiful children cuddling up to me. I want to say I felt triumphant. Vindicated. Instead I felt joyously humbled. Humbled because I know the victory is not mine. It was God and God alone who took this barren womb and blessed me twice over. He overcame obstacles to the point I am currently paranoid He may do it again! Even through my grumbling and complaining, He poured His grace on me. He continues to do so every. single. day.
As I watched the autumn sunshine kiss this sweet church family through stained glass, another song danced across my mind.
“When clouds brought rain,
And disaster came
Oh, my soul …“When waters rose,
And hope had flown
Oh, my soul …“Ever faithful,
Ever true,
You I know;
You never let go.“In joy and pain,
In sun and rain,
You’re the same.
Oh, You never let go!”
Thank you, God! Thank you for allowing me to see Your faithfulness. Thank you for friends who remind me of that faithfulness even in the desert places. Thank you for the desert places, for without them I would take for granted the luxury and joy of this lush mountain top. Thank you that You can change anything. Nothing is out of Your reach! Thank you for never letting go.
