Medicine of Immortality "It's a cold, and it's a broken, 'Hallelujah!'"

RestingPosted by Rachel on January 24th, 2012

Sometimes it takes something like illness to make me stop, look around, and see what I have—a family that is usually very healthy, happy, and energetic, a warm, safe home, and nutritious food to fill us up when we are hungry. And when the plague strikes, I have to stop in my tracks and give God thanks for all His gifts, and rest in Him, knowing that health and life and good gifts all come from Him.

God’s strength shines in our weakness, and I rely on Him and the joy He gives me as I clean up vomit and worry about my baby’s feverish body. Thankfully, He gives me people I can rely on, too. I’m thankful for a husband who will clean for me when I am sick, and when I’m better, but the little ones are not, will go out and buy tons of germ-killing cleaners for me. I am thankful for a friend from church who is thoughtful enough to make us a casserole just to help out.

So, while I’m sick of everyone being sick, I’m also grateful that in these circumstances, I feel an extra measure of God’s love and care for us.

365 QuestionsPosted by Rachel on January 24th, 2012

I found out about 365 questions (a question a day for every day of the year) from a friend’s blog, and I like the idea, so since my job today is apparently to be a human pacifier for a sick baby, I thought I should take this time to catch up on the questions I’ve missed so far.

1/1 – When was the last time you tried something new?
Well, back in October I got the shortest haircut I’ve ever gotten. Never again.

1/2 – Who do you sometimes compare yourself to?
I really don’t compare myself to other people as much as I compare myself to the imaginary person I think I should be, which is probably far more dangerous. I don’t even compare myself to someone who’s real.

1/3 – What’s the most sensible thing you’ve ever heard someone say?
I remember my dad telling me and Rick, as we approached our wedding day, to be loving and kind in how we spoke to each other, and that words are powerful. While I’ve not followed that advice very well, it is pretty much the most sensible thing I can think of at the moment, and I strive to follow that advice.

1/4 – What gets you excited about life?
Many things. I’m excited about what the future might hold for our family, and I’m excited about the family that I have right now. I’m excited to watch my children grow and learn.

1/5 – What life lesson did you learn the hard way?
I’ve learned many things the hard way, but the main thing is: don’t try to fix other people or their problems, and don’t play the Holy Spirit with people. Let God work instead of trying to control or push something to make it right again. At the same time, don’t lose hope and don’t become apathetic. As with most things, there is a delicate balance to be sought, and I believe it’s a lesson I’ll be learning my entire life.

1/6 – What do you wish you spent more time doing five years ago?
I wish I had spent more time just enjoying being a mom. I feel that I did enjoy it a lot, but I also allowed myself to be distracted by wanting the things I didn’t have—extended family nearby, childhood friends, etc. I wish I would have had more gratitude for the things I had in my life.

1/7 – Do you ask enough questions or do you settle for what you know?
I’m never happy with what I know, and I often question even that.

1/8 – Who do you love and what are you doing about it?
God, my husband, my children, my friends, and my family. What am I doing about it? Probably not nearly enough. I think the purpose of that question is for self-reflection, which is a good thing.

1/9 – What’s a belief that you hold with which many people disagree?
Oh, goodness. All of them?

1/10 – What can you do today that you were not capable of a year ago?
That’s a good question. Parent three children? Drive from Spokane to Boise by myself with three kids?

1/11 – Do you think crying is a sign of weakness or strength?
It depends on what you’re crying about.

1/12 – What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
Probably be more transparent about my opinions. I’m much more afraid of conflict than people probably realize.

1/13 – Do you celebrate the things you do have?
Yes, I think so. Sometimes I take them for granted, though.

1/14 – What is the difference between living and existing?
I think I can say that I’ve experienced both. I think being in relationship with God is what makes my life meaningful, and something beyond merely existing.

1/15 – If not now, then when?
I’m a little confused by this question.

1/16 – Have you done anything lately worth remembering?
I really don’t know. I’ve been in survival mode lately with a lot of sickness around me.

1/17 – What does your joy look like today?
The phrasing of this question makes it hard for me to answer for some reason. I am taking joy in the fact that, even though my kids are sick, it gives me the opportunity to just cuddle with them.

1/18 – Is it possible to lie without saying a word?
Yes, I think so.

1/19 – If you had a friend who spoke to you in the same way that you sometimes speak to yourself, how long would you allow this person to be your friend? Probably forever. I try to be honest with myself, but not overly mean.

1/20 – Which activities make you lose track of time?
Photo editing, reading a book, playing games with family.

1/21 – If you had to teach something, what would you teach?
Music.

1/22 – What would you regret not fully doing, being or having in your life?
I would regret not doing the best that I can for my kids. I have no regrets about who is or isn’t in my life.

1/23 Are you holding onto something that you need to let go of?
Last year, the answer would have been yes. This year, I think I can say I’ve let go. For the most part.

1/24—When you are 80-years-old, what will matter to you the most?
It’s hard to say, since I will probably be much different by then, but I hope that my faith in God would still be the most important thing in my life.

Let It SnowPosted by Rachel on January 19th, 2012

People, winter has arrived in Spokane. The snow has been piling up for the last two days, and thankfully, Rick paid attention to the forecast and recommended we stock up on groceries and hot cocoa. I added a sled to that list. We’re set.

Epiphany finally got to enjoy her first sledding experience! She doesn’t have boots or a snowsuit, but I doubled up all her clothes until her limbs could barely bend, and put her fluffy bum in the new, neon green, plastic sled. She was more than pleased with the whole event, and never complained, though her cheeks were bright and rosy by the time we decided to call it quits and come inside for some mulled cider that had been warming on the stovetop.

Kyrie pulled her around in the lawn outside our apartment, but the best was yet to come! Kyrie, Antonio and Epiphany all piled up in the sled together, trekked up the perfectly-sized hill, and flew down with delight.

First Lost ToothPosted by Rachel on January 14th, 2012

Kyrie lost her first tooth today. At first, I thought that she literally had lost it, as she came in this morning to show me that there was a little blood on the apple she’d bitten into. I looked into her mouth to confirm my suspicions: that wiggly tooth had finally come all the way out! But where was the tooth? We retraced her steps and found the tiny little thing sitting on the couch where she’d been eating her apple.

It’s a rite of passage into the world of being a big kid. That tiny little pearly white—one of the first ones that broke through her gums as a baby—is now just a part of her past, a memory of her childhood. I know that more will follow, and adult teeth will come in, one by one. I know that this means that my baby girl is growing up.

Meal Planning Success!Posted by Rachel on January 4th, 2012

I’ve never gotten into a good routine with meal planning. Most of what makes cooking seem tiring to me is not really knowing what to make. Coming up with a meal every day seems like half of the work. So, I decided to try something new. Instead of writing out a new grocery list each time I am about to head out to the store, I’ve decided to build a rotation of menus, complete with a list of the needed ingredients for all the meals on that week’s menu. We’re on the tail end of the first week’s menu, and I have to say I’m very pleased with how well it’s worked for us. First of all, I already have specific meals figured out, and I know that I have the ingredients for them, so figuring out what to make is much easier. I’ve also realized that if I’m a little creative, it actually makes cooking more fun and satisfying. I threw in a few new recipes in this week’s menu, and I’ve been mostly thrilled with the results.

This week we had chicken parmesan, pulled pork sandwiches, grilled salmon, steak, barbecue chicken, and taco chili. Half of those were crock pot dishes, and I must say I love my crock pot. Love. The sides end up being the most labor-intensive, but since I decided to try some fun and new sides, I really enjoyed preparing those. A favorite of mine was the roasted red potatoes with rosemary and feta cheese. Still craving those.

I’m also loving how pinterest is aiding me in this whole process. I’ve discovered that when something seems like a chore, finding a way to make it enjoyable goes a long way. Meal planning went from being a chore to being a hobby for me! I’m hoping to keep up the momentum.

Here’s a new favorite side dish. Rick adores it. I got the recipe from my sister, who I think got it from her sister-in-law, but I’ve made a couple changes according to our likes. We love green onions and bacon sprinkled on top of the goodness. And if you’re curious about what that goodness is, it’s a lovely combination of potatoes, milk, sour cream, butter, cheddar cheese, and cream of mushroom soup.

I have lots of ideas on how to perfect my meal planning system, but I feel like I’m on the right track to start really making good meals for my family every night! This may not be exciting to some, but for me, it’s been a struggle. I’m happy to know that there’s a way for me to do this and enjoy it at the same time.

Twenty-Seven Christmases LaterPosted by Rachel on December 25th, 2011

I don’t remember my first Christmas. I’ve been told that I got into the presents under the tree and ripped them open. I know that my parents got me a cute “Baby’s First Christmas” ornament. But all I have to go on are stories. No real memories. In fact, I don’t think I remember my second, third, or fourth Christmas either. What I do know, though, is that I can’t remember a time in my life when Christmas wasn’t a part of it. Christmas has always seemed to me to be a magical season—even without Santa and elves, which didn’t get much of our attention growing up. There was a wonderful energy buzzing around in our home, and mounting excitement about Christmas programs at church and cookie decorating in the kitchen. Every year, without fail, a Christmas tree went up in our house. The bubble lights were strung, the old ornaments brought out of storage, and poof. Magic. We thoughtfully hung candy canes on each branch, with the promise of being able to take them off to eat one by one as we counted down the days until Christmas.

Some years, my mom made matching dresses for all the girls, herself included. I felt so beautiful and so special. Another year, she made candy cane striped pajamas, and I felt like I was straight from a storybook. Every Christmas morning, our stockings, which had been hanging around our wood stove for weeks, would be stuffed so delightfully fat with goodies. My mom would encourage us to eat some eggs and bacon, even though we’d all already started on our chocolates. I’d take a strip of bacon to appease my mom, and we’d all head into the living room and wait our turns to open our presents. My dad would always have his video camera in hand.

I remember driving home from Christmas Eve service one year. The earth was blanketed with several inches of fresh snow, and the chilly temperatures added a sparkle as beautiful as diamonds to the surface of the snow on the ground and on the trees. I remember one Christmas Eve at my Grandma Eyre’s house, singing Christmas carols. I remember her teaching us a Christmas carol, singing out the Latin chorus: “Venite adoremus, Dominum, Venite adoremus, Dominum!”

Magic.

I remember Christmas pictures in front of the tree every year. I remember us all posing in our Christmas outfits, and my dad setting up the camera, pressing the timer, and sprinting towards us to squeeze into the shot. I remember making salt dough ornaments, creating Christmas place mats from old Christmas cards, and Advent calendars. I remember Advent readings around candlelight.

But what added the most wonder to the season was simply this: witnessing my parents taking the time to make every year a celebration worth the effort and worthy of lasting memories, because it’s the celebration of something absolutely amazing—something we believe with all our hearts. God sent His Son to the world in order to redeem the world. And twenty-seven Christmases later, I still feel the energy, the wonder, and the joy in this season. It’s more than magic. It’s quite simply…

A Miracle.

“The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us…”

Happy Birthday, Antonio!Posted by Rachel on December 11th, 2011

These last four years have been a blast! Keep growing, learning, and making our lives so much fun, little man!

A Season of HopePosted by Rachel on November 29th, 2011

Advent is one of my favorite seasons. Feeling hopeful, among other positive emotions, does not always come naturally to me. But somehow, each time this season rolls around, that very emotion is stirred in me, and I can’t help but believe with my whole heart that what we are waiting to celebrate is the reality of something wonderful: that the Word became flesh to make all things new. And we wait still for His final return, and the fullness of creation being made new—an incorruptible, eternal heavens and earth.

We try to balance in our hearts and minds the all too familiar paradox of already/not yet that is the theme of Advent. Christ came a couple thousand years ago in humble circumstances. But it’s not all over. Christ will come again, this time in glory. What we wait for in Advent is something that’s already occured—but at the same time, our waiting is just as real as those of the Israelites who clung to the prophecy of their Messiah coming. I can imagine that many were distressed with doubts, wrestling against unbelief, trying to cling to that hope that seems so difficult to always hold without it slipping between our fingers. How often do we face those same doubts, not only that God will fulfill all His promises, but that His presence is something that is real every day in our lives?

The hardest part of our faith is just that: faith. That faith in God that He has kept His promises, is keeping His promises, and will fulfill His promises. And it is that faith that fuels the hope we must cling to in this season and throughout the year: that God is with us.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

Giving ThanksPosted by Rachel on November 23rd, 2011

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and, liturgically speaking, we are about to enter a new year. This is the perfect opportunity for me to stop, reflect, and give thanks for my life and the blessings that God has given me.

Yesterday, I wasn’t feeling thankful for anything. I’m pretty sure that in the midst of my little temper tantrum about the dirty house, that I said something about life being dumb because there’s so much dust. Yeah. Talk about ungrateful (and crazy).

I’ll be honest. Gratitude doesn’t come easy to me. I can be pretty negative sometimes. I’m a bit of a pessimist about the future, and quite a cynic when it comes to other people. So, when I stop and remember to actually be thankful, I can’t say that God has blessed me for my faith, or for my good attitude, or for my godliness, or any of that. All I can say is that He’s blessed me anyway. And it never ceases to amaze me.

Thank You, God, for a new child, Epiphany Joy; she is the highlight of my year.

Thank You for beautiful Kyrie and her quick wit and compassionate nature.

Thank You for Antonio, my little man, lover of dinosaurs and Spiderman, who still likes to snuggle in blankies with me.

Thank You for a husband whose mercy may not endure forever, but comes pretty close.

Thank You for a family that truly, genuinely loves me and wants to spend time with me, talk with me, and have a relationship with me.

Thank You for the friends who are willing to listen and willing to share their lives with mine.

Thank You for the internet. Yep, the internet. For Facebook, for Pinterest, for e-mail, for blogs. Thank you for how these things can be used for Your glory.

Thank You for delicious food.

Thank You for another day where You have chosen to give me breath.

Thank You for washers, dryers, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, blenders, toasters, ovens, refrigerators…all of these things that make life a little (okay, a lot) easier.

Thank You for promises.

Thank You for hope.

Thank You for Your life, death, and resurrection.

Thank You for the promise that we will share in that resurrection and share glorious eternity with You.

Thanks be to God!