"Mommy, What's for Dinner?"

For the past several months, Joe has been wanting to take me to a new pizza place he discovered. Unfortunately, whenever we get the rare chance to have a date night, we are not quite in the mood for that type of cuisine. This is because our  motto is quickly becoming, "When life gets crazy, we eat pizza!" Let me explain...

 Our days are chaotic. Even as I write, my kitchen is in dire need of sweeping due to the phenomenon of more cereal ending up on the floor than what was originally in my children's bowls before breakfast started. Our little people need to be clothed, fed, washed, entertained, educated, and basically kept alive on an hourly basis. Joe and I have filled-up calendars and to-do lists stacked so high it could rival that of a highly suspenseful Jenga game. So as dinner time quickly approaches, the easiest thing for me to do is throw that Italian pie in the oven and call it a day.

A midst this wild, pizza-eating season of life, Joe and I have been meditating on Psalm 23:6.

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

This is a verse I have known nearly my whole life but never really grasped its meaning until recently. The word "follow" can also be translated as "to pursue" or "to chase down." We moms know this kind of pursual:

It's the feeling you get when you try to sneak off to the bathroom for just one moment of privacy. It isn't very long before you hear little feet pounding down the hallway at an alarming rate and see tiny hands scraping the floor underneath the closed door in a desperate attempt to get to you. They will stop at nothing until they once again have you at an adorably chubby arm's length (or even closer, in most cases).

What is it that is following us in this persistent, determined, relentless way? It is the faithful loving-kindness of our Savior. The Jesus Storybook Bible defines this kind of love as the "Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love."  What a beautiful description of the favor that God has for those who have placed their hope in Him!

So when you and I are digging blue play-dough out of the carpet, God's loving-kindness is chasing us down. When we're sitting in front of a mountain of laundry and we'd rather be at the park with our kids, God's goodness won't stop coming after us until it finds us. When that "spill proof" sippy cup decides to pour out all of its contents during a long doctor's appointment, God's faithful love is hotly pursuing us. And when we forget about the church pot luck lunch until 11:00 on Saturday night, the "Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love" will be right by our side.

Joe and I are seeking ways to make our life more simple. In the meantime, life is hectic. We're eating a lot of pizza. But we're thankful for each day He gives us to be with our family and church, resting in God's faithful loving-kindness he has graciously lavished on us. I'll take that over a fast, cheap, pepperoni thin crust any day!

Reckless Abandonment

On Saturday, July 27, a bus filled with excited young people and youth sponsors from Colonial Hills Baptist Church were heading home from a week of camp. Less than 2 miles from their church, the bus lost control and ran into a median. This deadly collision claimed the lives of a mother of 5 (Tonya Weindorf), the church's youth pastor (Chad Phelps), his wife (Courtney), and their unborn baby girl. Chad and Courtney left behind their precious son who will turn 2 in October.

Being a young pastor's wife and mother of little ones, this tragedy has hit very close to my heart. I have been reminded that no one is guaranteed tomorrow. Not even young wives. Not even mommies. Every day is a gracious gift from God. This gift should be received with a spirit of thankfulness and bent on using it to the fullest for His glory. 

In January of 2013, just six months before he would take his last breath, Chad Phelps wrote this powerful statement on his blog: 

"Will you pray with us in regards to this summer? Start praying even now.

Pray that God will revive our youth group and give us a passion to live for Jesus

and follow Him with reckless abandonment.

That's how we believe He wants us to live. Pray that we will seek to find our

satisfaction this summer in Him and Him alone, not in any of the cheap thrills 

that the world has to offer."

Our lives are short. I ought to use the days I am given with "reckless abandonment" for Christ because I don't know when those days might end. As a follower of Jesus, I need to be willing to take risks and do hard things for Him with the goal of making a lasting impact for eternity; to lavishly spend and be spent for the sake of the gospel. I need to hold on to earthly treasures very loosely, remembering that every good gift is from God and ultimately belongs to Him. 

While we may never fully understand why this tragedy took place, we can know with certainty that God is still seated on His throne and will use this "for the good of those who love Him." He will continue to show Himself faithful and good, enabling the hearts of His people to "find our satisfaction in Him and Him alone." 

Happy Birthday, Sophie!

It's hard to believe, but one year ago today we held our brand new baby girl in our arms for the first time! It has been such a joy getting to know this precious baby and having the opportunity to love on her. We are so very thankful that God is allowing us to parent Sophia. She is a heritage that we do not deserve. We pray that the Lord will give us the grace to be faithful in teaching her about Christ and that she will grow up to love and serve Him with all of her heart. Daddy and Mommy love you, Baby Girl!

Happy Mother's Day!

"Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze time in. It is what God gave you time for."

~Rachel Jankovic

The Moms of a Mom, part 2

"Her children rise up and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

'Many women have done excellently,

but you surpass them all.'"

~Proverbs 31:28-29

Today, I would like to honor the mom who has known be from the beginning: my "Mommy Dearest," Mary Palma. Most life skills that I possess have been handed down by my mother - playing the piano, how to teach someone to play the piano, the ability to ensure that a mischievous baby will stay in their jammies, and much to Mom's patience, the definition of a preposition ("Becky, Becky. Over, under, around, and through!"). 

There is no one like my mom. I could go on forever about all the funny things she does, sings, or says. (In fact, she even has a friend who is documenting all her hilarious sayings!) I could spend paragraphs writing about all the care that she has lavished on me, my siblings, and now my husband and children. I could tell countless stories of all the fun we had growing up and how we have never, ever doubted her love for us. Hopefully someday I can tell you more about those things.

The picture of my mom that I have most firmly printed in my mind is that of her kneeling next to her bed in prayer. From the time that I was a very little girl, I can remember walking past her room and finding her on her knees. Every morning. Without fail. I have never met anyone who is as fervent in prayer as my mother. 

What does she pray about? Well, if you have ever had a conversation with Mom that has lasted longer than 3 minutes, it is probably safe to assume that she is praying for you every day. It never ceases to amaze me when I hear her tell yet another person that she is praying for them. She loves to go before the throne of God and give requests on behalf of others. And when Mary Palma prays, mountains move! I firmly believe that babies have been born, lives have been spared, and people have come to know Christ through the faithful supplications of my mom. This spiritual discipline stems from her unwavering faith in God and His desire for her to "taste and see that [He] is good."

Thank you, Mom, for your godly example in my life. I love you so much!

The Moms of a Mom, part 1

"Her children rise up and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

'Many women have done excellently,

but you surpass them all.'"

~Proverbs 31:28-29

In honor of Mother's Day, I wanted to celebrate my own mothers whom God has graciously blessed me with. I would not be the mom that I am today without the two, faithful women who have first mothered me.

To begin, I would like to praise Roberta Groppel, the woman who became my mother the moment I said "I do." If you know Roberta, you know that she has a deep love for her grandchildren, waxing her wood floors, and making scads of delicious cookies at Christmastime. As her daughter I have gained countless tips on what to do when my children are sick, the best ways to keep up with laundry, and how to make those fool-proof Christmas goodies. But the thing that I have learned most from Roberta is the meaning of a servant's heart. Anytime that there is a need, Roberta meets it. Whether it's providing food for a church function, wiping down tables, or comforting someone who is hurting, she is there to help.

She is also so faithful to help her children anytime, anywhere. Countless times I have watched her drop all of her own plans in order to help one of us. Often Roberta serves without ever being thanked or even noticed. But that's not why she does it. She serves because she loves her Savior and wants to show others that same kind of love. I am so very thankful for her godly example. (And I will forever be grateful that she raised such a great son!)

I love you, Roberta!

"You Will Strengthen Their Heart"

"[The wicked] sits in ambush in the villages;

in hiding places he murders the innocent.

His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless;

The helpless are crushed, sink down, and fall by his might.

He says in his heart, 'God has forgotten, He has hidden His face,

He will never see it.'

O LORD, You hear the desire of the afflicted;

You will strengthen their heart;

You will incline Your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,

so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more."

Psalm 10: 8, 10-11, 17-18

You Know You're a Mom When:

* a day is successful if you have put on make-up and kept the kids alive.
* you can feed a baby, wash the dishes, and make a grocery list at the same time.
* you know the meaning of braxton hicks.
* every pair of pants you own has worn out knees from playing on the floor.
* you have cleaned an exploded diaper out of your washing machine.
* you know what day of the week kids eat free in every restaurant within a 30 mile radius.
* you look up anytime you hear the word "mommy."
* the kids resale shop owner knows you and your children by name.
* you can talk for hours on the topic of spit up.
* you measure time by how many Sesame Street episodes could be watched.
* when you are away from your children, they are never far away from your thoughts.
* a sparkly or colorful sticker is frequently found on the back of your leg.
* poison control is on your speed dial.
* 90% of the mirrors in your home display at least one tiny hand print or lip smear.
* you seriously consider admitting yourself into the loony bin on a weekly basis.
* you have ripped your house apart in a panicked frenzy looking for a dearly beloved race car
  (or any other toy of the $5 variety)
* you love your little ones so much your heart could burst.

Procrastinators Unite . . . Tomorrow!

Do you have a dreaded project or unwanted household chores to attend to? Do you ever, like myself, put off for tomorrow what you should be doing today? Be encouraged by this wise counsel from Alexander MacLaren:

No unwelcome tasks become any the less unwelcome by putting them of till tomorrow. It is only when they are behind us and done, that we begin to find that there is a sweetness to be tasted afterwards, and that the remembrance of unwelcome duties unhesitatingly done is welcome and pleasant. Accomplished, they are full of blessing, and there is a smile on their faces as they leave us. Undone, they stand threatening and disturbing our tranquility, and hindering our communion with God. If there be lying before you any bit of work from which you shrink, go straight up to it, and do it at once. The only way to get rid of it is to do it.

Celebrating Easter

At our house we love to talk about the Resurrection.  If you ask Fletcher if Jesus is still dead, he will start to laugh and joyfully shout, "No! He's alive!" Then he will proceed to sing My Jesus is Alive... it's so sweet! So you can imagine how excited we are that Easter, the holiday remembering Christ's conquering work over death, is upon us. Here are some of the ideas that we have in store to celebrate the week:

The Jesus Story Book Bible
Reading this book is a standard activity during our day. It is a superb way to teach children a cross-centered view of the Bible. Throughout this week we are going to read a story pertaining to the Holy Week, ending with Christ's resurrection!




Resurrection Easter Eggs
Each egg contains a tiny object lesson describing what Christ did for us through his suffering, death, and resurrection.


Resurrection Cookies 

(I'm REALLY excited about this one!)


3 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vinegar
pinch of salt
wooden spoon
Ziploc bag
Bible
Tape (Packing tape works best)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Place pecans in Ziploc bag and let children beat them with the wooden spoon until broken into small pieces.  Read John 19:1-3 and remind them that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.

2. Let each child smell (or taste) the vinegar.  Pour 1 tsp into the mixing bowl.  Read John 19:28-30 and explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink.

3. Add the egg whites to the vinegar.  Eggs represent life. Read John 10:10-11 Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.

4. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand.  Let them taste it, then brush it into the bowl.  Read Luke 23:27.  Explain that this represents the salty tears shed Jesus' followers as well as the bitterness of our own sin.

5. Add 1 cup sugar.  Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because of His great love for us.  He wants us to know and belong to Him.  Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

6. Beat with mixer on high for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed  Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.  Explain that the color white represents the purity of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

7. Fold in the broken nuts.  Drop by teaspoons onto a cookie sheet covered with waxed paper (or parchment). Read Matt. 27:57-60.  Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

8. Place the cookie sheet into the preheated oven.  Close the door and turn the oven OFF.  Give each child a piece of tape to seal the oven door.  Read Matt 27:65-66.  Explained that Jesus' tomb was sealed.

9. Go to bed.  Read John 16:20 and 22.  Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.  Jesus' followers were very sad when the tomb was sealed.

10. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite.  The cookies are empty!! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt 28:1-9. HE HAS RISEN!!!

He is risen indeed.

The Naptime Blues

I have never met a mom who didn't love naptime, that glorious time of day when both children and parents get some much needed rest and rejuvenation. But there are some days when naps don't go so well, and the usual 2 hour session ends abruptly after 60 or even 45 minutes. I would love to tell you that when that happens at our house, I contentedly say, "God is good; we'll just try again tomorrow. Now I get to have the blessing of spending an extra hour with my children!" Sadly, I must tell you that my response is the very opposite. I get frustrated and discouraged, convinced that the rest of the day will be ruined. In other words, I get the "Naptime Blues."

I have asked myself many times why I struggle so much when naps are cut short. Part of the reason is that I know the benefits of sleep. If my children are well rested, they will stay healthier, learn better, and enjoy their day more. But if I dig deep into the depths of my heart, I know the ultimate reason is because I love "me." I feel that I deserve alone time, that I will be happier if I can just get a few hours to relax and unwind. And if I don't get what I need, I am robbed of my joy.

Elyse Fitzpatrick defines idolatry as "the thoughts, desires, longings, and expectations that we worship in the place of the true God. Idols cause us to ignore the true God in search of what we think we need."  My children's 2 hour nap (and a reprieve for mommy) is a good, beneficial thing. But if that time doesn't go the way I'd like and I respond in anger or selfishness, I have made naptime my idol. I have believed the lie that alone time and my children's health will bring me happiness rather than the God who is the fullness of joy. I have ignored the true God who is in control of all things (even how long my kids sleep) while sinfully searching for what I think I and my family deserve.

So when I am tempted with the "Naptime Blues," I shouldn't balk at the sovereignty of God or find comfort in lesser joys. Instead, I try to meditate on this passage of Scripture:

"O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;

My soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.

Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.

So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands."

~Psalm 63:1-4

Life After Kids

If you are in need of a good laugh, I hope that you are as tickled by this as I am!
Happy Weekend!

A Prayer for My Children

"Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying His voice, and holding fast to Him, for He is your life and length of days."

Deuteronomy 30:19a-20b

On the Move

Look out electrical cords, coffee table books, and stairways... there's a sweet baby girl coming to get you!

Happy Birthday, Buddy!

Today we are celebrating the birthday of our precious, hilarious, adventurous, fun-loving, car-crazed Fletcher! We are so thankful for our little boy whom God gave to us 3 years ago. He is our earthly treasure, and it is an honor to be his mommy and daddy. It is our prayer that he will come to know Christ as his Savior and love Him with all of his heart.

Happy Valentines Day!

"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called the children of God."

 1 John 3:1

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

Ephesians 5:1-2

"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might."

Deuteronomy 6:5

Winter Reprieve

Enjoying a beautiful, 60 degree day in January!

The Blessings of Getting Up Early

I have recently been convicted to make my time with the Lord a priority by getting up an hour earlier than I normally would. Sounds crazy, doesn't it? Well, you're right. It is. When my alarm goes off WAY before I'm ready, my sleep-crazed flesh would love nothing more than throw that clock right up against the wall. But after God  gives me the grace to crawl out of bed, my flesh is defeated by the joy of communing with my Savior.

This discipline of the Christian walk will not automatically make me a more Christ-like person. But I have found that with each passing day, I am growing in my love for Christ. I am cultivating a deeper desire to read His Word and apply it to every facet of my life, including my mommyhood.

Since beginning this rising early adventure, I am better understanding Christ's statement, "Apart from Me, you can do nothing" (John 15:5). I often try with all of my own might to do the right thing, say the right thing, and be the perfect mom all of the time. And then I fail miserably. I need God's strength, because mine is small. I need God's wisdom, because I have none. I need the beautiful gospel to transform my life so that I can put Jesus on display before the eyes of my children. I cannot do this alone. I need God and His Word.

If I start my day at the feet of Jesus, I am more prone to run to Him when the difficulties, temptations, and victories come. I have a greater sense of my dependency on God. My heart is less focused on the temporal and more set on the eternal. Mothering is too grave a mission, the stakes are too high to not be saturated with Scripture.

"Satisfy us in the morning with Your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days."

~ Psalm 90:14

To Grandma's House We Went

We just got back from a wonderful 11 day trip with family. We went up to northern Minnesota to be with my mom, dad, and sisters. Then we spent a few days in Iowa to be with my brother and sister-in-law. Here is a  little run-down of our journey to the tune of "To Grandmother's House We Go."

Over the river and through the woods, to Grandma's house we went.
The temperature dropped, but we never stopped.
Minnesota we were bent.

Over the river and through the woods, the fun was legit.
My mom is so silly, we laughed up a tizzy
Until our sides were split.

Over the river and through the woods, adventures did ensue.
We went to the mall, we heard Sophie's call
To tell us she'd pooped through.

Over the river and through the woods, entertainment was our quest.
We watched old movies and played lots of games,
But Fletcher's antics were the best!

Over the river and through the woods, our trip was Heaven sent.
The hugs did flow, we were sad to go.
But I'm so thankful we went!