Stacia has a virus that is manifesting as pink eye and an ear infection. I suspect she caught it from Arielle who had a sore throat about 5 days ago. The doc said it will manifest in those 3 places.
They didn't give us meds for the ear infection - ibuprofen. They DID give us meds for her eyes. She hates it. I know it hurts.
Tonight, as we struggled, I called for Jared or Arielle to help me. She said, "I want Arielle." Arielle held her hands.....she then sobbed, "I want KRISTA!" ::snort:: Poor thing.
She is a mess. I've been washing sheets, pillows, blankets, spraying mattresses, washing walls, door knobs, light switches, flat surfaces, spraying couches etc. Trying to keep anyone else from getting this.
The kids had piano today. Stacia was up until 2 a.m. and she and I both fell asleep during the lessons. I don't even remember saying goodbye to Christine. What in the WORLD?
Had an impromptu retreat planning session this evening...details are coming together nicely.
I'm tired - going to try to sleep - must make my bed first come to think of it. LOL
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...
Monday, May 10, 2010
Sunday, May 09, 2010
Discipline of the Lord - Heb 12
Today's Bible study led me to Heb 12 and a look at the Lord's discipline. We are not to despise His discipline - but love it, endure it, be trained by it, strengthen ourselves through it, pursue peace and sanctification....all good stuff. BUT since this is a passage often brought up when I teach on parenting, I decided to look it up again.
I struggle not to see God as a crotchety, old man with a big belt in the sky, waiting for me to step off the blanket so he can WHACK me back into line....KWIM? Do not think this reflects on my father....it's how these passages and much of the Bible were caught by me.... It's what I created in my mind. It's why I NEED to discipline myself to DIG into the Word of God. My perspective colors my preceptions of who God is.
Somehow, in some circles of society and church, we've come to equate discipline with physical spanking and such. And we're to LOVE it.
But the word for discipline is Strong's 3809 - paideia....it means "instruction of children", training the Lord approves, nouthesia is mainly instruction by word but paideia is instruction by DEED. Synonyms of the word are INSTRUCTION and RECTIFICATION.
It is NOT 2851(Kolasis) or 5098 (timoria) which mean penalty, punishment, penal infliction, retribution
If God wanted to say that he punishes His children as a father and we're to love it - He would have. He would have used either Kolasis or Timoria.
He didn't. He painted Himself as a father who graciously and lovingly takes the time to instruct His children by word and DEED. He educates us and trains us...can we do less for our children? Can we see Him as a father who shepherds and mentors as well as the "stern disciplinarian"? How can the children of this father not love Him? He cares for their good and takes the time to train them.
Gone is the crotchety old man, to be replaced by a picture of Michael coming home late from work and STILL taking young men out for a walk to discuss how godly men handle anger, authority and purity. Training in word and DEED. THIS is discipline. THIS is a picture of my God.
Catch that the rest of this chapter ties instruction/discipline to grace, holiness, sanctification.....How can I NOT love the discipline (paideia) of the Lord? How can I NOT commit to train my children by word and deed for the same purposes? It takes time; but look at the fruit that this training brings in the lives of God's children.
Bring it on.
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...
I struggle not to see God as a crotchety, old man with a big belt in the sky, waiting for me to step off the blanket so he can WHACK me back into line....KWIM? Do not think this reflects on my father....it's how these passages and much of the Bible were caught by me.... It's what I created in my mind. It's why I NEED to discipline myself to DIG into the Word of God. My perspective colors my preceptions of who God is.
Somehow, in some circles of society and church, we've come to equate discipline with physical spanking and such. And we're to LOVE it.
But the word for discipline is Strong's 3809 - paideia....it means "instruction of children", training the Lord approves, nouthesia is mainly instruction by word but paideia is instruction by DEED. Synonyms of the word are INSTRUCTION and RECTIFICATION.
It is NOT 2851(Kolasis) or 5098 (timoria) which mean penalty, punishment, penal infliction, retribution
If God wanted to say that he punishes His children as a father and we're to love it - He would have. He would have used either Kolasis or Timoria.
He didn't. He painted Himself as a father who graciously and lovingly takes the time to instruct His children by word and DEED. He educates us and trains us...can we do less for our children? Can we see Him as a father who shepherds and mentors as well as the "stern disciplinarian"? How can the children of this father not love Him? He cares for their good and takes the time to train them.
Catch that the rest of this chapter ties instruction/discipline to grace, holiness, sanctification.....How can I NOT love the discipline (paideia) of the Lord? How can I NOT commit to train my children by word and deed for the same purposes? It takes time; but look at the fruit that this training brings in the lives of God's children.
Bring it on.
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...
It's Haha Nohi (Mother's Day)
We had fun discussing Haha Nohi with Akikosan. I loved the way they say "Happy Mother's Day". They don't. Instead they say, "Itsumo Arigato," - always thank you!
My Mother's Day began at 4:30 a.m. The sun was shining and I've not had time to shop for black out curtains yet. ::snort:: I met Mary S. at the Pachinko Parlor at 5:30 a.m. No, we weren't playing. I think Michael was a tad bit alarmed when Jared told him that was my second time this week to visit the pachinko parlor - both times meeting rides to Towada.
This time Mary and I went to the Y500 Kimono/Obi shop. It's cramped, smells, crowded...but wow....piles of kimonos and obis to search through. It was great fun! Mary, thanks for opening this world to me. There are about five "rooms" like this.
When I got home there were all sorts of love notes taped around the home.
We headed for church. . . Sunday School.... Stacia developed Pink Eye somewhere in here....so all but Jared left - he had slides to do.
Joel and Mary invited us to the Mother's Day Brunch. Picked up Jared and he joined us too.
I got emails from all the kids...or FB comments. The blog was a surprise this a.m.
We went on a family "bike ride".
Then EVERYONE watched the second half of Pride and Prejudice with me. I fell asleep last weekend.
The kids took advantage of last week's Asian Bazaar and bought me all sorts of Asian treats for today.
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...
My Mother's Day began at 4:30 a.m. The sun was shining and I've not had time to shop for black out curtains yet. ::snort:: I met Mary S. at the Pachinko Parlor at 5:30 a.m. No, we weren't playing. I think Michael was a tad bit alarmed when Jared told him that was my second time this week to visit the pachinko parlor - both times meeting rides to Towada.
This time Mary and I went to the Y500 Kimono/Obi shop. It's cramped, smells, crowded...but wow....piles of kimonos and obis to search through. It was great fun! Mary, thanks for opening this world to me. There are about five "rooms" like this.
See how the kimonos are hung on the wall? I'm thinking this may be the "quilt" from Japan.....Mary makes fan-like wall hangings with obis to accompany the Kimonos.
I bought two obis for y500 each
They can be made into wall hangings - or TABLE runners. I'm not sure what I'll do with each at this point. I envision the leaves being for a table.
I also bought two children's kimonos - thinking less wall space -
boys
Stacia's claimed a kimono and obi
I bought a few antiques...these spools are from Sendai and 100 years old. He said they make great wine bottle holders....I thought they would work well for glass floats. LOL
We headed for church. . . Sunday School.... Stacia developed Pink Eye somewhere in here....so all but Jared left - he had slides to do.
Joel and Mary invited us to the Mother's Day Brunch. Picked up Jared and he joined us too.
I got emails from all the kids...or FB comments. The blog was a surprise this a.m.
We went on a family "bike ride".
Then EVERYONE watched the second half of Pride and Prejudice with me. I fell asleep last weekend.
The kids took advantage of last week's Asian Bazaar and bought me all sorts of Asian treats for today.
Glass floats from Hokkaido - though I still plan to go find my own. LOL
Zander's glass
Japanese Pottery
Japanese Pottery Dishes - think they'll be great with the Polish Pottery
Darling little tea set - I love making a pot of tea
Then Kim called. She takes care of the deployed spouses in her dh's squadron. They've adopted us as Michael is their chaplain. She must have spent hours today running around delivering things to spouses...wow. The keyspouses amaze me.
I have been TOTALLY spoiled this year. Amazingly spoiled...but I've loved it... ::snort:: I'm missing the four older children and Michael....but I'm taking joy in the place God has led us. It's a good place.
Did I mention Stacia has pink eye....several of us are worried now....hope to see the doc in the a.m.
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...
Saturday, May 08, 2010
Happy Mother's Day
To Our Favorite Mom
It's been a pleasure to have you as our mom. Every day you've been someone who's been an example, a motivator, and first and foremost a woman of God. From all of us, we'd just like to say thank you for being who you are and letting yourself be used by God to help prepare us for our futures. Love you!
From Your Favorite Nine
Saturday.....
I am tired...but it's a sweet tired.
I spent 11 hours holed up at a dear friends home. She and her family are in the states to see hubby off on a deployment. Jared is taking care of their lawn. She offered their home as a "crash pad" on Mondays (my busy night on base) and such. I didn't plan on using it other than Mondays...but then I really felt like a good "study retreat" would help me have concentrated time to focus on retreat messages. It was refreshing. I had time to pray, worship and corral all my notes and thoughts from journals, napkins, scraps of paper and margins of my Bible (I do word studies there as I have quiet time). I had no CLUE I'd be gone that long....Four sessions are polished. I need to go over them several times before now and 21 May....make sure I can fit in the time slots and such....but four of five are "done". The other ones is in my heart, head, spirit, scraps of paper, journal, you know..... ::snort::
Jared spent hours at the paintball court with the C family. Thanks, Jim and Jesse. He then came and mowed the lawn, tried to work on slides for tomorrow's worship service...reminded me I hadn't eaten, went out to eat with me and then shopping....to the post office....
Arielle and Nolan were CHAMPS. They watched the youngers and I came home to a SPOTLESSLY clean home, brownies, lots of loads washed, hung, folded and put away and spring bouquets. Ch. S and Annette, WOW....carnations....I love carnations. You bless me in so many ways. The more earthy bouquets are, of course, from Zander and Stacia.
We received seven packages today....mostly school books....and these.....I finally bought the whole set and figure I can find someone who lives a happy, long life in the set. ::snort:: The kids seem most interested in "Before I Kill and Eat You" about missionaries in Liberia, also published by YWAM - or at least sold by them. I'm not sure I'm ready for that quite yet.
I'm exhausted, yet exhilerated...who would have guessed preparing "messages" was such hard work? ::snort:: I plan to take a hot shower and go to bed...or maybe just go to bed. I'm meeting a new friend to drive out to Towada early, early in the morning......visiting a used Kimono and Obi shop...plan to be home by 8 a.m. I'm excited.
Yeah, ok. I'm emotional as Mother's Day approaches....but that's what Mom's are supposed to be like. Right?
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...
I spent 11 hours holed up at a dear friends home. She and her family are in the states to see hubby off on a deployment. Jared is taking care of their lawn. She offered their home as a "crash pad" on Mondays (my busy night on base) and such. I didn't plan on using it other than Mondays...but then I really felt like a good "study retreat" would help me have concentrated time to focus on retreat messages. It was refreshing. I had time to pray, worship and corral all my notes and thoughts from journals, napkins, scraps of paper and margins of my Bible (I do word studies there as I have quiet time). I had no CLUE I'd be gone that long....Four sessions are polished. I need to go over them several times before now and 21 May....make sure I can fit in the time slots and such....but four of five are "done". The other ones is in my heart, head, spirit, scraps of paper, journal, you know..... ::snort::
Jared spent hours at the paintball court with the C family. Thanks, Jim and Jesse. He then came and mowed the lawn, tried to work on slides for tomorrow's worship service...reminded me I hadn't eaten, went out to eat with me and then shopping....to the post office....
Arielle and Nolan were CHAMPS. They watched the youngers and I came home to a SPOTLESSLY clean home, brownies, lots of loads washed, hung, folded and put away and spring bouquets. Ch. S and Annette, WOW....carnations....I love carnations. You bless me in so many ways. The more earthy bouquets are, of course, from Zander and Stacia.
I'm exhausted, yet exhilerated...who would have guessed preparing "messages" was such hard work? ::snort:: I plan to take a hot shower and go to bed...or maybe just go to bed. I'm meeting a new friend to drive out to Towada early, early in the morning......visiting a used Kimono and Obi shop...plan to be home by 8 a.m. I'm excited.
Yeah, ok. I'm emotional as Mother's Day approaches....but that's what Mom's are supposed to be like. Right?
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...
Friday, May 07, 2010
February Giveaway Failure
I failed. I have the February giveaway items in my closet...but they never got mailed. Mike went to training, I was preparing for my 21 days of travel in March, then Michael deployed and we were finding our deployment legs...I simply didn't get the package mailed (and haven't mailed school books back to friends and/or Mother's Day gifts), it's so HARD for me to fit the extras into my days.
We are two months late - and it seems silly to send out goodies that may be stale. SO..... I had plans for March and April...but it's May. I can't think of much else until after our retreat...well I'm THINKING, but I fear follow through won't be there.
Please extend grace. Our Japanese Giveaways will begin again in June....I need space to breathe. LOL
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...
We are two months late - and it seems silly to send out goodies that may be stale. SO..... I had plans for March and April...but it's May. I can't think of much else until after our retreat...well I'm THINKING, but I fear follow through won't be there.
Please extend grace. Our Japanese Giveaways will begin again in June....I need space to breathe. LOL
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...
Thursday/Friday
Thursday, I joined Susane and Sarah and we drove up the site of our upcoming Ladies Retreat. It was great fun to get a visual of the place. I think it's going to be great. The scenery is spectacular and right on the lake. I was a bit surprised by a man in a robe and not much else wandering by - but this is Japan - I suppose it must have something to do with an Onsen. I want one of the robes now. LOL
Thursday night was Japanese lessons. Poor Akikosan. We were TIRED. We've been up at sunrise and I've not been falling asleep before midnight - despite my best resolve. Last night I fell asleep shortly after 8:00 p.m. (the kids tell me I went to bed at 7:30 p.m.) and I slept in until 6:30 a.m. I've been up at 4:45 a.m for the past two weeks.
Today was Bible study day. Our group really loved Kay Arthur. It was the first week with Kay. We're doing "Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed." A study with two sessions each, taught by Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore and Kay Arthur. This has been a great introduction to Priscilla and Kay for the ladies in "my" group. I was wondering what others would think of Kay. They loved her...more than that, they loved digging out "gems" for themselves. Go ladies! It was exciting for ME to hear them come in and begin discussing their homework around the tea pot......not even WAITING for the first "discussion starter". I love the Word.... I'd like to do another study by Priscilla and I've not a full blown Precept in five years now...so it's about time to lead another one. This is a great study to end our year.
After Bible Study, Twyla and I ran out to Hachinohe to pick up the kids' glass projects from Monday. The kids are very happy with their work. I relaxed and let the boys keep their cups...but those are the most expensive cups in the house. LOL I bet they'll be careful washing THOSE glasses. LOL
Stacia loves her glass float and gave it to me. I put it in the old fishing creel I have.
Tomorrow, I'm going on a "study retreat" to finish up (I pray) the retreat messages. If you think of it, say a prayer or two for me.
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...
Today was Bible study day. Our group really loved Kay Arthur. It was the first week with Kay. We're doing "Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed." A study with two sessions each, taught by Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore and Kay Arthur. This has been a great introduction to Priscilla and Kay for the ladies in "my" group. I was wondering what others would think of Kay. They loved her...more than that, they loved digging out "gems" for themselves. Go ladies! It was exciting for ME to hear them come in and begin discussing their homework around the tea pot......not even WAITING for the first "discussion starter". I love the Word.... I'd like to do another study by Priscilla and I've not a full blown Precept in five years now...so it's about time to lead another one. This is a great study to end our year.
Tomorrow, I'm going on a "study retreat" to finish up (I pray) the retreat messages. If you think of it, say a prayer or two for me.
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...
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