A Quiet Place February 10, 2010

Sunrise Feb 10, 2010

After numerous snow days with kids traipsing in and out of the house, dogs’ wet noses on the windows, and mud mixed with slush garnishing every doorway, I can appreciate a quiet place.

In Mark 6:31, Jesus saw many people coming and going. He noticed the disciples tending to these people and not taking time to eat. He said to his dear friends, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

When we look inside the heart of Jesus, we find love and compassion every time.

He cared about those who were sick and dying. He cared about those tending to their needs.

If you find yourself in the role of caretaker, you can be assured that Jesus notices the meals you skip and the late nights you spend caring for others. Quiet places are blessings from him. His words may be for you to come by yourself to a quiet place and get some rest.

What an awesome God we serve.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett January 18, 2010

My mother was raised in southern Mississippi but moved to Arkansas when she was 18 and has been here ever since.  She occasionally talked about the ladies that worked in her house and took care of her family.  I’ve always felt that I was brought up juxtaposed to that culture, but never really understood it.  After reading The Help, I understand the culture much better and I understand her better.  I never thought of her as the baby growing up in that culture or a teenager coming into her own.  This book has helped me see her from a different perspective.  It was like getting to peer into her childhood.

Synopsis

Be prepared to meet three unforgettable women:

Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home after graduating from Ole Miss. She may have a degree, but it is 1962, Mississippi, and her mother will not be happy till Skeeter has a ring on her finger. Skeeter would normally find solace with her beloved maid Constantine, the woman who raised her, but Constantine has disappeared and no one will tell Skeeter where she has gone.

Aibileen is a black maid, a wise, regal woman raising her seventeenth white child. Something has shifted inside her after the loss of her own son, who died while his bosses looked the other way. She is devoted to the little girl she looks after, though she knows both their hearts may be broken.

Minny, Aibileen’s best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps the sassiest woman in Mississippi. She can cook like nobody’s business, but she can’t mind her tongue, so she’s lost yet another job. Minny finally finds a position working for someone too new to town…

from  http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Help/Kathryn-Stockett/e/9780399155345

Family January 14, 2010

“I would get a lot more out of _______ Church tonight, Dad.”

“Maybe so, son, but we don’t only go to church to ‘get something out of it.’  There are many more reasons.”

“Like what?”

“I’ll tell you on the way to church.”

….on the way to church….

“What are those other reasons, Dad?”

“Church is family.  We’ve made a commitment to those people.  What if I look around and see a child that always says ‘yes, sir’ and ‘no, sir’ and mows the lawn without being asked and loves to wash the car?  I might get a lot more out of that child.  Maybe I’ll trade children…  I’ve made a commitment to my family.  We always stick together.  We are there for each other.  We depend on each other and encourage each other.  My family  needs me.  My family counts on me.  We stay together, warts and all.  Church is family.  I don’t attend just because I get something out of it.  I attend because they are my family.”

–Paraphrased from a ride to church last week–

It’s Freezing! January 11, 2010

It’s been sooo cold this past week!

But so beautiful.

The snow left, but the ice on the pond stayed behind.

A chunk of ice from the bank

A posed picture….

I was a little nervous watching them skate…

So was the herd,

Walker wanted to take a closer look.

Relax, we have:

Our Safety Equipment

That’s right….a long yellow rope.

and Buddy.

Not that somebody will fall in…

Well, maybe one somebody.

It’s really cold…for everyone.

Can we come in?

Please?

That’s My Book! January 6, 2010

Meredith helped wrap packages before Christmas. She would wrap and tie bows as long as I supplied her with boxes and tape.  There was one present I asked her to save till last, The Pioneer Woman Cooks.  I wasn’t quite ready for it to be gone from my life forever!  I had looked through it several times, so proud of my gift choice.  A couple of the recipes were actually doable in my kitchen without going to the store.  I thought I might try some of the recipes out before we wrapped the present….They were delicious!

I told Meredith she would have to come and take the book out of my hands to wrap it up.

She came and got it and several minutes later she calls out,  “You’re going to have to take this book from me, too!”

Alas, I gave the book away and felt like I’d lost a friend.  (I know, quite the Christmas spirit…anyway…)

Mine came in the mail last week!  I love it.  I wish I could have written that book.  It’s full of recipes, photography, farm life, and joy.

She has a website called The Pioneer Woman.  It’s fun to go and look around.

I recommend the cinnamon rolls, the chocolate sheet cake, and the mac and cheese.  That’s all I’ve had time to cook so far, but if the snow days come along as promised….Look out kitchen!

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle February 21, 2009

Born mute, speaking only in sign, Edgar Sawtelle leads an idyllic life on his family’s farm in remote northern Wisconsin where they raise and train an extraordinary breed of dog. But when tragedy strikes, Edgar is forced to flee into the vast neighboring wilderness, accompanied by only three yearling pups. Struggling for survival, Edgar comes of age in the wild, and must face the choice of leaving forever or revealing the terrible truth behind what has happened. A riveting family saga as well as a brilliant exploration of the limits of language, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle is destined to become a modern classic.

from barnesandnoble.com

This is a popular book.  Between you and me, I couldn’t really get into it.  It was a slow mover and the characters seemed flat.  I think I’m the only one who wasn’t intrigued with this story.

Let me know if you liked it.  I wonder what I missed!

Morning Rush Hour February 18, 2009

I am not a night owl. I am done by 8:00 pm. Nothing important was ever decided after 8:00 pm. Sleep on it. Let your dreams work it out. As Scarlett said, “Tomorrow is another day.”

I love mornings. I wake up refreshed and ready for the day. I am optimistic about what great things the day has in store for me.

However, I may need to update my “I Love Mornings” status.

There are now three children to get up and around. When school is in session, our mornings seem to swirl around us like a dust devil carrying shoes, socks, homework, toothbrushes, and pop tarts just out of our reach. Sometimes I am amazed at what I am compelled to say.

“Rise and shine!”

“Time to get up.”

“It’s time to get up, that’s what time it is.”

“What do you mean, ‘What’s for breakfast?’”

“Leave the door unlocked, so I can get in the bathroom.”

“You don’t have to have fresh jeans EVERY day.”

“Grab a banana. You’ll be fine.”

“No. Those ARE your socks…today.”

“Do you have your homework? You can finish it in the car.”

“Here’s some money. Bring back the change. Don’t loan it all out.”

“Where’s your brush? Keep it in your backpack.”

“Do that in the car. Just go!”

“There’s a toothbrush in the car. Use your brother’s toothpaste. It’s in his locker.”

“Did you get that onion? Don’t open the onion baggie in the car!”

“Go! Go! Go! Hurry!”

“Get the dog out of the car!”

“Go! Go! Go! Hurry!”

“Don’t drive fast!”

“I love you!”

That’s our morning rush hour. I hope my children don’t remember all the things that tumble out of my mouth on school mornings. What about you?

Oh, Christmas Tree! December 23, 2008

Hang in there ladies!  Just a few more days of shopping frenzy and then we can all sit back and relish in the belief that at least we know the real meaning of Christmas and next year we won’t do all of this crazy preparation.

This year we are spending Christmas week in Lubbock with Scott’s family.  We normally spend the week with them because my family lives in Searcy and we have Christmas anywhere from November 23 – January 2.   This year we have not put up a tree.  I know….how could I?….

Last year we got the tree out of the storage room a couple of hours before heart group came to our house. We had grand plans of a cozy Walton – esque Country Christmas (John Boy, Mary Ellen, and the whole Walton’s Mountain gang).  Meredith, Locke and I were quickly decorating when we heard a thump at our feet and saw a little warm body scoot across the floor and go behind the piano.  I squealed and Locke and Meredith ran towards it and finally chased him out of the house.  I firmly stated that a tree on our large front porch would be beautiful and they agreed to help me get the tree outside. Just in case our little friend had a little friend.  As we were dragging the tree across the floor….we heard another thump and watched another warm, brown body run into the wood box.  The tree eventually blew over from a strong December wind and the dogs used it as a bed.  We then hauled it off to the dump.  Oh, Christmas Tree!!  The story gets longer, but I think you can see why MawMaw’s tree will have to do for this year.

Do you have a Christmas story that brings back vivid memories?  I would love to hear them!

Enjoy the frenzy,

Amy

Romantic Tales December 20, 2008

When you are with your family during this Christmas season, find a family member who is sitting on the edge of all the excitement and ask them how they met their spouse.  For most people, it will bring a twinkle to their eye and a smile to their lips.  It’s so fun to recount the days of falling in love.  How delightful it is to remember the first time you realized you were loved by HIM!  You will be blessed by their story and they will be blessed for the telling.

Share your stories with the rest of us.  There is nothing better than a beautiful romance.