There is what you plan and then there is what happens

and it's in the "what happens" that we find God.

Many things have changed since my last post. With literally no time to eloquently reflect right now, I will simply tell you:

We have decided to homeschool the kids next year. Yippeee! (that's me doing a little happy dance!)
AND.....

we are moving across the country to Phoenix, AZ!! In THREE weeks!

Yes, my dear sweet husband got a major promotion and we are therefore packing up and making a new life in Arizona very shortly.


I have to get back to packing actually right now, so I will write more when time allows.


Pray for us!!!

A Balancing Act

This is not an announcement of any sort, but clearly, I have been too busy living this amazing vocation to write about it.
The season of my life where I felt like I had no voice other than that of this blog has passed me by. I am caught up now in swimming lessons, baseball practice, prayer group, working part-time and loving on my kids every spare minute I get.
The laundry is not caught up, the house is not as clean as I would like it to be, and all those extras that I used to do like sewing and scrapbooking have fallen by the wayside.

I need to find balance.
I feel like I am still behind the 8-ball and haven't figured out a way to get ahead of things.
This life of being a working mother is very difficult.

But completely worth it and incredibly rewarding.

Pray for me, won't you friend?

And if you are on facebook, let me know in your comment, or shoot me an email so we can connect. Seems like the simplicity and brevity of facebook is more my style these days. And I can even check it from my blackberry - while the kids are swimming or practicing baseball!!

A "Shack" Observed....

I am not one to jump on bandwagons.

I typically balk at what is popular, conventional, and expected.

Somewhere inside is still that stubborn teenage rebel who refuses to do something just because "everyone else is doing it."

Proof: I refuse to read anything to do with Hobbits or teenage wizardry; I was never a feminist; I don't ever buy the latest thing simply because it's cool; I will never change my stance on Life issues, even though it is not a popular opinion.

I don't read anything off of Oprah's book club if I can help it - so I was not really that interested in reading this book I had been hearing about in random Christian circles.

But I am one to watch for "God Winks" in my life and the rebel inside has thankfully matured enough to not completely ignore those moments when the Holy Spirit seems to be nudging me.

Sometime before Christmas I had been reading several blogs and facebook pages that mentioned some book called, The Shack. To be completely honest, I had no clue whatsoever who wrote it, what it was about or why there was such a buzz about it in the Christian world. It suddenly began appearing everywhere: on my in-law's kitchen table, a good friend was reading it and called to tell me about it. My curiousity was definitely piqued, however, as one night standing around the Athletic Association Bonfire, my good friend Jen was raving about this book she was reading..... yep, you guessed it, The Shack.

I read it.

I liked it.

Enough said? Not really. See there is this bizarre controversy over this book in various Christian circles. Critics claim that it is heretical in it's theology and that William Young is simply pushing his churchless-religion agenda. Still others claim that The Shack is misguided in it's attempt to "humanize" all three persons of the Trinity and in particular God the Father, or Papa.

On the other side of the aisle are those who claim that The Shack is new "revelation" of the Gospel, and that it is what true religion is all about.

I suppose I fall someplace in the middle of these two camps. I am not an extremist when it comes to most things, and in particular as my faith continues to mature, I find that there is less and less in life that is clearly black and white but more shades of grey.

The book is a work of fiction. It is meant to draw us in, and weave a story about something that is familiar with things that are not as familiar. It is not a biography of who the Triune God is. This is not to say that there aren't captivating passages written about the persona of God that simply lift the heart and mind to the Maker of Heaven and Earth.

A popular blogger, "Internet Monk", writes:

The Shack is a pilgrimage. It’s an allegorical account of one person’s history with God; a history deeply affected by the theme of “The Great Sadness.” The same could be said of many other books. Take C.S. Lewis’s “Grief Observed.” It’s the journey of grieving the death of a spouse. Along the way, God’s appearances are all over the map because the “pilgrim” is moving in his journey through “the Great Sadness.” Young is talking about a God who draws you out of your hiding place. If I understand Young’s own journey, this is the primary image in the book: A God who invites you and meets in the the very place where “the Great Sadness” entered your experience in a way that you understand the love that comes to you from the Trinity. This journey is what should capture the reader.

(Internet Monk)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that art, whether literary, musical, or otherwise should be held to a certain standard for it's contribution to what is true, beautiful, and good.

2500 The practice of goodness is accompanied by spontaneous spiritual joy and moral beauty. Likewise, truth carries with it the joy and splendor of spiritual beauty. Truth is beautiful in itself. Truth in words, the rational expression of the knowledge of created and uncreated reality, is necessary to man, who is endowed with intellect. But truth can also find other complementary forms of human expression, above all when it is a matter of evoking what is beyond words: the depths of the human heart, the exaltations of the soul, the mystery of God. Even before revealing himself to man in words of truth, God reveals himself to him through the universal language of creation, the work of his Word, of his wisdom: the order and harmony of the cosmos-which both the child and the scientist discover-"from the greatness and beauty of created things comes a corresponding perception of their Creator," "for the author of beauty created them."²⁹⁰

Regardless of any theological flaws in the manuscript (of which there are several), the allegory is one of profound spiritual beauty in that it evokes within us a surge of worship for a God who comes to us exactly as we need Him to, a God that loves us beyond our wildest dreams, and whose self-gift heals our pain, and lifts us out of our own Great Sadness.

What I have found in The Shack are compelling tales of the main character, Mack's encounter with a God whom he thought had all but abandoned him in his time of greatest need. These encounters were raw and uncensored. They took us on a journey through Mack's grief and into places where we may not always want to go - at least not alone.

And this is precisely what the book, The Shack, is suggesting. We do not HAVE to go to these places alone. Think of your very worst, most horrific sadness. The most gut-wrenching pain you have ever felt in your life. Perhaps you lost a job, or a spouse. Perhaps you have had a friend or a parent pass away. Perhaps you have struggled with infertility. Perhaps you have lost a child.

Imagine walking into that pain all over again today. Only this time you know how badly it is going to hurt. Now imagine that a loving, endearing, Savior is in that pain patiently waiting for you to say yes. To say yes, and walk into the fire to sit with Him and allow the dross to burn away as He refines you. It is simple. He promises to never leave us. But we so often operate out of our pain that we forget that promise, or we don't take it seriously. But it is serious. He will never leave us. Do you believe that? Do I believe that?

I admit, like Mack, I often do not. That stubborn rebel is still there, after all, practically daring God to "prove" His love for me. In fact, my favorite quote from the book is not one that makes me feel warm and fuzzy all over, but one that turns me on my ear in reproach and reminds me of a fundamental truth that in my own journey of grief over broken dreams and lost loved ones I so oft forget:

The real underlying flaw in your life, Mackenzie, is that you don't think that I am good. If you knew I was good and that everything - the means, the ends, and all the processes of individual lives - is all covered by my goodness, then while you might not always understand what I am doing, you would trust me. But you don't. (p. 126)

I leave you with an encouragement to dare to go on this journey with Mack yourself. To walk into the fire and see what amazing things our Lord has in store for you.

FOR TODAY: March 4th, 2009...
Outside my window... barren trees and yellow grass all begging for mercy from the cold.
I am thinking...of my NET brother-in-Christ, Jeremy, who passed to eternal life 10 years ago today. RIP, brother. I will always love you.
I am thankful for... Sudafed, hot water with lemon (Caz), a cozy home, and a selfless husband.
From the learning rooms... still working on virtues. We did the virtue of tenacity (or hard work) last week, and this week we are working on gentleness.
From the kitchen...I need to bake something today. And prep for the week. But I am still sick so we shall see.
I am wearing...blue sweat pants, black microfiber tee and my favorite deep pink longsleeved shirt. And my brown croc flip-flops. (A staple)
I am creating... a haven for us to get healthy! Lysol and fresh bedsheets, anyone?
I am going... to have to make a Target run in order to get a few essentials. Sigh.
I am reading... the last pages of The Last Lecture.
I am hoping... to write my talk for retreat today.
I am hearing... my beautiful children discuss the movie they are watching, Surf's Up.
Around the house... things need to be put away, and picked up, and vacuumed. But it can all wait since we are all sick.
One of my favorite things...my new blogging spot....see below.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Girl Scout International Night tomorrow night, Fish fry and family pictures on Friday night, our neice's birthday party on Sunday.
Here is picture thought I am sharing..

My blogging spot. So cozy.

For more daybooks, go here.

Family Fun in Des Moines, IA??

Help! We are hoping to visit Des Moines, IA and we are stumped for fun things to do with young kids! It will be too cold to do Adventureland or the Heritage Carousel. Any ideas for fun, unique indoor places? Hands on, cool experiences are right up our alley!

Thanks!

What I am Up To

1. Today we (and by we I mean myself.....since Tim is out of town and the kids are well, KIDS!) are cleaning for the Big Game tomorrow.
2. I am also writing a reflection on The Shack in my head before I write it for a newsletter - deadline: Monday.
3. Taking Bella to a doggie daycare for tonight and tomorrow night so we can have a dog-less Superbowl Party!
4. Going shopping for a few last minute things.
5. Laundry, Laundry, Laundry. Sigh.
6. Doing the secret happy dance that the kid's soccer camp was cancelled this morning - gave me 2 extra hours at home for cleaning!


Enjoy your weekend!

Roots and Wings, Part II

One of the things that is so essential in this whole character training is something I read on a dear friend's blog. You can read her entire beautiful post here.
What I have been thinking as I read Stacy's post and the original Charlotte Mason text is that I am the one who is in need of change. It is not about our children or their training at all, really. It is about us. And our attitudes. And our training. I am the one who needs cheerful patience and temperance!

Lord, I am in awe how this journey of parenthood is my own growth in sanctity. So, I get down on my knees again. I surround myself with things that bring out the best in me and I seek His grace. Over, and over, and over again.....His Grace.

Some resources: Praying for your children. This is an amazing resource that you can expand or adapt to suit your needs. I love the fact that it is in a grid format and I can just print it off and have it on my fridge or bulletin board.

A letter of admonishment ...or encouragement? This letter is timely - it is written by a professor of theology from Ave Maria University. He reflects on Pope Benedict's letter to families and how we may or may not fall short of this calling. What are we waiting for? Now is the time, this is the place, this is our calling now!

And finally this scripture: one that has inspired me for years but it wasn't until a dear, dear friend posted it as her blog header that I began to pray it as a mother. I love her particular translation so I am just going to write it here for you. This is the stuff our vocations are made of.

So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your
weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak
and lame will not fall but become strong.
Hebrews 12:12-13

A snow day haiku

The kids are off school
Though I am still here working
I'll miss snowangels

Roots and Wings

Character Training.


Around here it happens all the time, of course, but more intentionally, we have Character Training lessons every tuesday after school. I am hoping to see growth in some of the following areas:

Attentiveness
Joyful Obedience
Honesty
Respect
Integrity
Gentleness
Self-Control
Piety
Sharing
Gracefulness
Cheerful Patience
Deferring to one another in love
Temperance



Oh, I could go on and on. I am working on getting it all organized and written down. But that is where my own character falls short. So Tim and I came up with a list of I don't know 30 some character traits and virtues and family rules we want the kids to grow in. And rather than be a reactive parent I have decided to go ahead and be pro-active about it and not only model the behavior I want to see in my children (still working on that one) but also instruct them in the way they should walk.
The idea is to take 30 minutes every week and have an intentional lesson about this character trait/virtue/family rule, whatever. Include a relevant scripture that is short enough for them to memorize and for all of you to recite throughout the week when a reminder is needed. =)
The lesson could be as simple as playing a game that involves simple obedience like Simon Says or Red Light, Green Light. And then a short teaching about all the ways God asks us to obey. And a brainstorming about how we can better obey Mama & Daddy.

Regardless of what you do, it is vitally important that we teach these things to our children. I remember a friend relaying a story about when she was a new wife and mother and the house was kind of messy and one day it dawned on her: "What am I waiting for? No one else is going to come in here and clean this! This is MY role now!"
So I too have been given an Aha! Moment: What am I waiting for? It is not as if they will be learning these things any place else! This is MY role now! THIS is the very heart of what it means to be the primary educators of our children!!!





I have been brainstorming over this endeavor for quite some time and have a few additional things to say about it. But for now I must away to my sweet lovelies who are home from school on a snow day and in need of a snack.

Stay tuned for part II.

Slug Day

It is a slug day here in our house. With almost 100% participation. We went to mass last night and we don't need to leave the house today which can mean we can claim a slug day. No showers, no getting out of pjs, no work. Unfortunately, Daddy had to go to work. But it is snowing outside, the kids are enjoying their second breakfast with some cartoons, and I am trying to stay warm with a personal heater on my lap.... my laptop!

Hope you are having a wonderful day filled with grace!

Um, too cute!

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