The Hunger Games. Book? Movie? Yes? No? What?

This might be the first post I've written in which Ink will disagree with me. It's ok. Our relationship is very solid and can take it, though you probably would have loved to been in our living room watching the volley of debate during and after the movie. And I promise you this post won't make it to his Flotsam and Jetsam. :)

When dear Claire and I arrived at the hospital last week, I had nothing with me, so my Beloved brought up a small bag of some essentials. What did I find tucked away in that bag but a copy of The Hunger Games.

I smiled big at my son's hint to just read the book. You see, he plows through lots of books a year, and while I'm a big reader, too, my books often take detours among diaper changes and sibling quarrels and meal planning and house cleaning and discipleship, etc. But here it was 3 in the morning, my ankles were as big as an elephant's from such stellar hospital sleeping accommodations, and I decided to just plunge into this very controversial book.

I finished it five days later and was impressed by Collins style of writing, which I though well-suited the main character and the story itself. This is not Dickens here, nor should it be. I was drawn into the story and even found myself attached to some of the characters. I was most annoyed with the constant kissing in the latter part of the book, mainly because I had already gotten the point, and found Collins' descriptions to be overkill.

That said. Would I recommend the book? Yes. (And no, I'm not going to write an essay justifying that recommendation. Search the internet, and you'll find plenty of others who have taken the time to do that as well as those who will tell you it's a vile sin to visit the pages of this book.)

Of course, my finishing the book was part of my preparation for watching the movie. And that we did last night. I braced myself for a cry-fest since the book really did move me. Instead of crying, though, I found myself slightly frustrated and wanting to cry, "Foul!" more times than not.

Here are my observations about the book and the movie:

1) If you read this book and watch the movie just a couple of days later, you might be frustrated at the significant details that were left out, details that I think affected character development and the entire tone of the story.

2) If you watch this movie with others who read the book MONTHS ago, they will wonder why you're annoyed. They've forgotten many of the details, but you haven't, and it might be wise to keep your objections to yourself. I think my fellow viewers might have been calling me "killjoy", in their heads, of course.

3) If you're wondering if you should watch the movie or read the book first, this is one story I'd tell you to watch first. Then, you won't be so angry during the movie and you'll end up pleasantly surprised at what a different story it really is after you read the book.

4) I'm 38 weeks pregnant. You can just poke me, like the Pillsbury Doughboy, and tears will flow. But, the only time I cried during this movie was when Katniss volunteered for Prim. Even the scene with Rue, which they didn't get right, didn't move me like it did in the book.

5) If you've only watched the movie, you don't really know the story. You don't know enough to even have an opinion on the story, I'd say. (Ink is bristling at this point. Sorry, son.) You don't know Katniss and her thoughts through this disgusting ordeal, you don't even know the other characters, and you've missed out on so many essential details.

Details like Rue's arm reaching out to Katniss from the net, the crown being broken in two, Cato dying a slow death, the bread from District 11 being given to Katniss, Cato's coming at Katniss first instead of the mutant dogs, how Katniss got the mockingjay pin, the amazing feast delivered to Katniss and Peeta in the cave, Katniss and Peeta actually putting the berries in their mouths, etc.

6) This is one case in which I think the book and movie tell different stories. Of course, it's the SAME story, but reading the one will make a strong impression and bring many questions and reflections, while watching the other will leave you a bit entertained, disturbed, and somewhat indifferent.

With love,
Trisha

Her Plans, His Plans

"Thus it is well that Jehovah trieth the righteous, 

for it causeth them to grow rich in God."

~C.H. Spurgeon

There was a woman with child who made great plans. The list she made was her vehicle to contentment and a deep sense of accomplishment. She'd cheerfully check off each thing done and would then be ready to welcome the new baby.

She dreamed of de-cluttered bookshelves and school boxes, organized closets and deep cleaned rooms, menu plans, and freezer foods. She expected to have lesson plans done for the year and cute binders lined up all in a row. After all, isn't this what the Proverbs 31 woman would do right before having a baby?

It would all be smooth sailing. Well, as smooth as life can be in a household of 10.

BUT God...

Well, He actually directs her steps. And He had a very different plan in mind. It started with a bit of a hailstorm.

The house was damaged and the trees were bare. The Woman-With-the-Plans felt a bit overwhelmed but was thankful for God's protection and His mercy.

The next day brought another blow to getting things done. "You need to replace all of your tires," the salesman said. And we had to admit that five years worth of driving on those van tires was something to be thankful for. Still, spending that much money on new tires when school books were needed and house repairs had to be done was hard to swallow. But the Woman-With-the-Plans praised God for His provision.

Meanwhile, sickness had been floating around this woman's house for almost a month. As baby's arrival got closer, she prayed even harder that all of the coughing and fatigue would disappear. As a precaution, she took her three year old to the doctor. This is one time antibiotics would have been a welcome suggestion from the doctor, but the Woman-With-the-Plans got more than that.

She got a ride in an ambulance since her 3-1/2 year old needed to be hospitalized for some complications from pneumonia.  She got a sassy nurse, swollen ankles, very little sleep, a far-away bathroom, an annoying financial rep. who wanted copies of id and insurance at 6:45 in the morning, and a bill for hospital food that no one even ate.

It was at this point the Woman-With-the-Plans developed a bit of amnesia. She murmured at her conditions and told herself if was too much. She spent too much time counting her crosses instead of her mercies. She fixed her eyes on those plans that continued to slip away instead of her God who is steadfast and faithful.

She had her plans, and He had his. Her plans were for organization and comfort and ease. His were for affliction and trials and purging. In the midst of it all, as He always does, He poured out great mercies that lessened the bitter taste of those afflictions.

~Our house suffered much less damage than many around us. It could have been so much worse.
~The insurance company looked at the damage last Thursday, and we had a check by Tuesday.
~Our brand new roof wasn't damaged at all.
~God preserved us from danger while driving with those worn tires.
~Our pediatrician was very thorough and helpful.
~ Claire got the hospital care she needed and was discharged the next evening. She's doing well at home and is still on oxygen.
~My Beloved was actually home that day Claire was admitted to the hospital, and he stayed with us both that night. What a blessing!
~The gift of available healthcare.
~The blessing of having other saints intercede for us!
~Sweet Ella has had to start antibiotics, but she's already feeling better.
~We have older, responsible children who manage everything quite well when we're gone.
~The emergency tech who took care of Claire in the ambulance was a Christian.
~The compassion that flows as result of your own afflictions to others who are enduring repeated trials.
~God showed me once again how deep my ingratitude runs and how easily my eyes shift from Jesus to my affliction, AND how He never fails to provide what we need and so much of what we want.

Claire with the big oxygen tank she uses at night. 

Her daytime one is much more portable. :)

"Our Lord in His infinite wisdom and superabundant love, sets so high a value upon His people's faith that He will not screen them from those trials by which faith is strengthened."
~C.H. Spurgeon

Most of the things on that list won't get done before baby arrives. But as my wise Beloved reminded me, "What needs to have gotten done will have been done." The same faithful God who directs our steps into afflictions that make us more like Christ will give me the grace I need in the days ahead to accomplish what He's set before me and let go of the rest. (Please, Lord, help me let go of the rest.)

"Providence carries our lives, liberties and concerns in its hands every moment. Your bread is in its cupboard, your money in its purse, your safety in its enfolding arms; and surely it is the least part of what you owe to record the favours you receive at its hands."
~John Flavel

What a great privilege it is in every trial to see what He has done and to record those mercies and declare them to our children. That's a much greater gift than the best-made plans that make us boast of our accomplishments instead of the mighty works of God.

With love,
Trisha

A Lonely Shutterbug I Am No More

Even Shutterbugs need company. It's good to know my oldest daughter is joining me in my obsession hobby. I love finding pictures on the camera that she's taken, like these capturing a hide-n-seek game with Cap'n. Great work, my Emma!

This Was Made for Me

What a gem to find in this desert land I live in 'cuz you can take the girl out of the south, but you can't take the south out of the girl. (We'll just keep it a secret that I don't like pecan pie...)

But His REAL Name Is...

Elisabeth to her Daddy: What is your last name?

Me (because I often interpret the Littles' questions): "What is his last name? It's Poff. Just like yours and Ella's and everyone else's. Elisabeth Poff. Ella Poff. Trisha Poff. Ben Poff.

Ella looks at Elisabeth and adds, "But his first name is actually Benjamin."

Elisabeth: "But his REAL name is Daddy."

Lord, Thy Will Be Done...But Here Are My Suggestions

You pray that the will of God may be done on earth as it is in heaven, and yet when it seems contrary to your will or interest you struggle or fret against it. You profess to have committed your souls to His keeping, and to leave your eternal concerns in His hands, and yet cannot commit things infinitely less valuable unto Him. How contradictory are these things!

You profess to be led by the Spirit, but this practice shows you follow the perverse counsels of your own spirits. O, then, regret no more, dispute no more, but lie down meekly at your Father's feet, and say in all cases and at all times, "The will of the Lord be done."
~John Flavel
The Mystery of Providence, p. 218

Good Gifts and Childish Hissy Fits

"The fact that we have lived our lives under God's gracious, tender care has not, sadly, multiplied our gratitude but muted it. If you're anything like me, you forget the all-important expression of thanks. How many times do we look back over decades of God's faithfulness to us, centuries of His faithfulness to our families, and gasp in awe? Too often God's good gifts distract us from contemplating His faithful love toward us. Instead of seeing all of this as God's extraordinary grace, we come to expect the comfort and joys that God gives us as the baseline, the measure of what we believe to be our due. When our comfort level drops below our expectations, we are shocked and angered, and even foolishly express our outrage to God Himself. When we throw such childish hissy fits, we too often comfort ourselves by reasoning that God is a big boy, and He can take it. Yes, He can take it. But He is not the big boy we so often imagine. He is instead an infinite God, and He may very well not take it. We need to learn to guard our tongues--and use them to give thanks in all circumstances."

~R.C. Sproul, Jr.

The Call to Wonder

 Ink and Little Big Man (who's not so little) jamming on the guitar and piano

 The Littles having one more morning snuggle in our bed

 Awesome dance moves

 Ink's apprenticeship with a cabinet maker (just one more example of God providing what seems to be the impossible)

The Big Ones who constantly help the Little Ones


I am a much more thankful person now than I was 10 years ago. Of course, that is all grace. Writing down gifts from His hand keeps me mindful of His mercies and does leave me in awe that such a great God would have me in His thoughts and pour out such mercy upon me.

Every night during family worship, we list our praises. Sometimes they seem rote, though, and we have to be reminded to think hard and not just list what comes easily to mind. God gives us so many gifts that we could spend our lives thanking Him for each one and never, never finish.

And then when I have those childish hissy fits, the Holy Spirit brings to mind the ingratitude at the heart of it all. How amazing is His grace, from my salvation to the next breath I take, yet give me the right circumstances, and I'll pour forth murmurings in a heartbeat. It's shameful.

Oh, for more grace to consistently give thanks in all things. How good and great our God is!

With love,
Trisha

Drive-By Beauty

Ink thinks calling someone a "Bovine-face" would be an insult. I'm not so sure. I love these faces. And how good God is to give us so much drive-by beauty. Yours might not include cows or antelope, but I'm sure there's something lovely along the way that calls for standing and staring. Don't miss it!

"A poor life this, if full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare."

~W.H. Davies

What 18 Years Without Birth Control Looks Like

"Not one particle of dust moves on a well-travelled road, but God raises it, directs its motion, and directs it to the specific place He appointed for it. The strongest wind cannot move it from its appointed place. Man can  be very confident that God exercises the most accurate providence over him and his affairs.

~Ezekiel Hopkins 

My goal isn't to persuade you not to use birth control, nor am I making a judgment about a particular situation or exception (because I'm well aware there is always an extreme situation or exception). I used birth control for the first several years of our marriage, though regrettably so (but that's another story). My goal is to address this foolishness that we can trust God with EVERYTHING except our wombs. And yes, I'm a woman who has battled chronic illness and other complications that some would use as reasons not to have more children. Pregnancy is not typically a walk in the park for me, so please don't assume I haven't walked in hard, faith-testing places. Please remember this before you leave comments.

 Al Mohler's past piece about Christians and birth control is an interesting one. I admire the man and respect his thoughts on many subjects. He's a much needed voice of Scriptural truth in our depraved culture. And yes, in this post, he affirms that children are a blessing and Christians need to see them that way. In general, he offers much wisdom that is not just counter-cultural, but is counter to Christian-culture. He also cautions against using abortifacient forms of birth control. But then he throws in this:

"Fourth, Christian couples are not ordered by Scripture to maximize the largest number of children that could be conceived. Given our general state of health in advanced societies, a couple who marries in their early twenties and has a healthy and regular sex life could well produce over fifteen offspring before the wife passes her early forties. Such families should be rightly honored, but this level of reproduction is certainly not mandated by the Bible."

Fifteen offspring? Wow! That's a bit scary! I can hear newlyweds around the world repeating this caution: "Honey, just imagine if we didn't use birth control. We might end up with 15 children!" 

The truth is, that's not what normally happens, and we should be cautious about assuming that every couple who renounces birth control is going to end up with a specific "level of reproduction."

When a couple is infertile, we ache for them while echoing the truth that God opens and closes the womb, reminding them to TRUST Him.  But for everyone else we encourage them to use "common sense" and not forget the birth control because though God opens and closes the womb, He might just slip up and make a mistake, giving you one too many babies or a baby when you think you're too old or you can't afford it, etc. Why not affirm that children are a gift and God does open and close the womb, and He will bless us with the very number of children His wisdom dictates?

Here's one picture of 18 years of life without birth control.

1995-son

1997-son

2000-daughter

2002-son

2003-2004-two miscarriages

2005-daughter

2007-daughter

2008-miscarriage

2009-daughter

2010-son

2011-miscarriage

2012-God-willing, another son

Let me help you picture it another way:

If some of my friends shared what marriage without birth control looked like for them, you'd see pictures without ANY children, pictures that include just a few children, and so on.

It's good for us to consider why we think the God who sovereignly and wisely controls when even a leaf or a sparrow falls to the ground or where a piece of dust blows in the wind would not just as wisely open and close our wombs. 

With love,

Trisha

Holy Hunches and Vaporous Mumblings

"A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man 

of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels."

~Proverbs 1:5

"Listen" does not mean, here or anywhere else in Scripture, to harken to a subjective, mystical, murmury, semi-revelatory inner voice of God. God has no intention of turning our attention within ourselves, of urging us to seek after holy hunches and vaporous mumblings inside our own deluded hearts. He categorically condemns such orientation (Prov. 28:26; Jer. 17:9). God knows all too well that dense foolishness is "original factory equipment" in our fallen minds, thanks to Great-Great-Grandad Adam (Prov. 22:15).

No, God is not speaking of our listening to the inscrutable mumblings of some spirit, as if it were His Spirit. Rather, here and everywhere God is urging us to listen to the Word of God (cf. 1:23, 33; 16:20; contrast 28:9). The content makes this unavoidable. Solomon means the wise man to listen to the words he is writing. Internal, lowgrade, spiritual "sweet nothings" would have been far from the inspired king's mind.
~Dan Phillips
God's Wisdom in Proverbs

Somebody Help Her! She Choketh!

I've shared before about making my children promise they'd never be on Facebook before I die.  And then I had to eat my words when Ink signed up for the Great Social Network. I included these thoughts while I was busy coughing and sputtering.

In fact, you probably don't really want me to join Facebook because if I did, I'd have to eat so much crow, I'd surely choke to death. (And I'd even have a few friends ready to spoon-feed me.)


My Beloved and I signed up for FB last night. I'm busy eating crow, but I have to say that friends have been most welcoming! 

And yes, I'm still ambivalent about social networking, and you'd probably roll your eyes if you knew how much thought I gave to joining FB and the discussions I put my Beloved through, or perhaps you'd say, "I completely understand!"

But now you know. I did it.

I'm off to finish eating my words as I ponder why my Mother Dear still hasn't accepted my friend request. I feel a mini-depression coming on.

With love,
Trisha

Proof That Booklovers Have Higher CQs

CQ: Cuteness Quotient

It Looks Like Winter

The trees are almost bare, but at least they are still standing. The brand new skylight in the roof is damaged and will need to be replaced, as are at least one of the house windows. Window screens are torn. A little more paint is off the van now. There were leaking windows and a leaking roof vent, and the yard is a bit flooded.

I have no idea what our metal roof looks like, though I hope it was able to withstand this hailstorm. 

I do dread storms like this, when the children start to scream, and you get a bit overwhelmed because something crazy is happening all over the house and everywhere outside. 

All you can do is pray and remind your children that God is good. "Who is sending those hailstones?" They tell you God, and you remind them that He is with us, and is working this for our good. And you sneak off a bit and wipe your tears and talk those truths to yourself again.

These are powerful images of how great He is, how small we are, and the fleeting things we get attached to.

 Thank you in advance for your prayers. 

Thankful Thursday~This Time Around

"How may we know that we are rightly thankful? When we are careful to register

 God's mercy, 1 Chron. 16:4."

~Thomas Watson

With the exception of my brief conversation with the cashier at Wal-Mart, who thought my expanding belly was a digestive issue in need of Herbalife, I have felt so amazingly well this pregnancy.

Every moment of carrying this precious baby has been immersed in God's mercy and goodness, and yes, that would be true even if my Crohn's was in a severe flare-up, or I had other complications. I have learned that times of affliction bring gifts that times of ease don't. There's an intimacy with the LORD that defies explanation and understanding.

I don't know what the weeks ahead will bring, but I know that I'm in awe of God's goodness thus far.

1) My Crohn's complications cleared up within the first couple months of this pregnancy.

2) I haven't had any back pain or swelling or leg cramps.

3) I have been able to exercise consistently throughout this pregnancy.

4) My blood pressure has been wonderful, as well as my weight gain (not too much).

5) Baby Elijah is healthy.

6) I didn't go into labor while hours away from home on vacation.

7) In all of my pregnancies, I've never had gestational diabetes.

8) I've known the joy of 13 pregnancies, and I'm grateful to say that this is probably the healthiest and best. Amazing!!

9) Our insurance covers the hospital where I'll be delivering.

10) Our children are excited about welcoming another Poff baby. Little Cap'n pats my tummy almost every day and says, "Baby?".

11) Our Pastor has asked me every week he's been in the pulpit, "How are you feeling?"

12) You, my friends, have been so kind and thoughtful in asking how I'm doing and rejoicing with me over this blessing and offering to intercede for us.

"Even the little things of God are great. In some point of view or other each one of the productions of His power, or the deeds of His wisdom, will appear to be great to the wise in heart."
~C.H. Spurgeon

With love,
Trisha

3-2-1

Ladies,
God-willing, three weeks from today, Elijah Henry will join us! I greatly covet your prayers, and I gladly list some specific requests.

You might think that after already having seven c-sections, it's not a big deal to have another one. But it is. A c-section is never a small thing, though many women breeze through it as though it is. Truly, getting through a delivery, regular or by c-section, is a mercy from the LORD.

Our ride to the hospital normally starts out with my having the closest thing to a panic attack I've ever known. My Beloved prays with me and calms me, and I'm so thankful for his compassion and the LORD's provision. Part of the anxiousness is knowing what to expect AND knowing that part of what to expect is not knowing what to expect.

For the last few deliveries, I have spent that entire first day very sick. Believe me, you don't want to know what it's like to retch non-stop after major abdominal surgery. A couple of those times, I've gotten sick soon after the surgery starts. I'm lying there feeling quite sorry for the anesthesiologist who got me for a patient!

Now for the specific prayer requests:

1) Wisdom and skilled hands for my doctor
2) Competent and kind and compassionate nurses and anesthesiologist
3) Lots of healthy, loud screaming from Elijah and a blow-them-away-with -a-10 score on the Apgar
4) No torn bladder or other complications from the c-section
5) No getting sick during or after the c-section
6) That Elijah would take to nursing without any problems
7) That Chick-Fil-A wouldn't run out of waffle fries (had to insert a bit of humor here). They just built one not even a block from the hospital! Have I mentioned that I never eat hospital food? My Beloved eats the meals and then buys me something else. Yes, I'm blessed.
8) A super-calm spirit for me and a clear mind that focuses on the truth of His Word, regardless of my circumstances

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

With love,
Trisha

If a Woman Makes a List and Goes to Target

If a woman makes a list and goes to Target, she'll go straight to the first item, abandoning all thoughts of a cart because she just knows she's only going to get the two items on the list. She'll pick up her Tums (because she's 35 weeks pregnant) and pat herself on the back for heading straight to the next item.

As she looks for the spices, she'll pass the Coke display and notice the great price. She'll walk back to it and pick up a 12 pack. She then notices the spices were located a few aisles back.

She'll carry her Coke and Tums, never thinking of enjoying the two together, and aim for the curry powder that was on her list. (No, that doesn't cause her reflux because she doesn't eat it.) While walking down the spice aisle, she notices the mini-chocolate chips and is reminded she needs to make scones. She'll pick up two bags and then resolve to get the curry powder and get to the checkout.

While standing at the checkout, she notices the AAA batteries and remembers her three year old needs them for a toy. She adds that to her bounty and checks out.

If You Give a Man a List and Send Him to Target...

He'll get item number 1 and then item number 2, go to the checkout, pay, and leave the store.

If You Send Them Together to the Store with the List...

She'll assure him she only needs two things. He'll still ask her if she needs a cart. She'll confidently say "no" and remind him she only needs two things, completely aware of her reputation of never getting just what's on the list.

She'll ease the pressure she feels to stick to the list and impress him by going straight to the first item, not even stopping at the dollar section. She'll grab the Tums with great sense of direction and purpose. She'll then look for the spices and notice the Coke display. She'll tell him what a great price that is and declare they should pick some up.

She'll grab a 12 pack and then look for the spices, noticing she missed that aisle. She'll head back in the right direction and pass the mini chocolate chips on the way to the curry. As she picks up a couple of bags, she explains that she should make those scones before the baby comes. (she does know her priorities!)

He'll help her find the curry powder, and she'll comment she uses "red" curry. He'll help her find a different jar, and they'll head to the checkout. Meanwhile, she carries everything just to prove that she really didn't need a cart.

While at the checkout, she notices the AAA batteries and grabs a pack. She'll explain they're needed for a toy, and then he'll say he needs some for his headlamp (flashlight), and she'll feel even better about adding one more item that wasn't on the list.

As they leave, he'll smile, not saying a word about carrying several items from a two-item trip, and she'll think of how wonderful it is to have a husband who knows a woman rarely goes to the store and only gets what's on her list.

The End.

Like Father, Like Son

"One father is more than 

a hundred schoolmasters."

~George Herbert

Honey, There's Just One More Thing

"The modern woman may be able to bring home the bacon, fry it up in the pan, and never let him forget he's a man, but too many modern wives expect their husbands to bring home the bacon, clean the fry pan, and never ever get to rest like a man."
~Denise Sproul, Tending Your Garden

House Envy

I remember my first exposure to those words. My new friend, showing me parts of the town, described those people living in the trailers as "white trash." Her disdain for single-wide living was clear, even though she'd never met the faces behind those doors.

When we moved to NM, we were shocked by the cost of living, and we were hating living in our rental, the kind where the neighbors can hear every conversation and you can ask to borrow eggs without ever leaving your home. Just shout in the window right across from yours.

We opted for manufactured housing on a couple acres in a rural area. At the time we thought we had a big house. 7 more children later, and I'm constantly calculating how to better work our space. But I'm well aware of the stigma of manufactured housing. Even the wise Dave Ramsey tells you you're flushing your money down the toilet if you buy one.

As women, our homes are often great sources of pride. It's not unusual to spend more time making our homes look great while our hearts rot away. Too often we forget that we make the house a home, but we don't automatically have a home just because we have a house. I love how my 2 year old always corrects me when he sees our house. I say, "That's our house." He replies, "No, home. Home." Already he shows wisdom beyond his years.

If you've even glanced at a home show on tv before, you quickly discover that the home you live in is SO outdated. Surely, you can't live with such a small bathroom. Surely your children shouldn't have to share a bedroom. Surely, surely, surely, you shouldn't have to live like that.

Instead of being inspired to make our abodes the best they can be, we're filled with discontentment and convince ourselves we need something bigger or better.

What we're often saying to our husbands when we complain about the homes we live in is, "You're not doing and providing enough." Ouch! Imagine your husband coming home every day and saying, "Honey, you're just not doing enough around here. Nothing is good enough that you've given me." Yes, there are slacker husbands who need to step up and be better providers, but most of us are blessed with husbands who sacrifice moment by moment for us.

Even more grievous is the truth that when we complain about our homes, we're telling God HE hasn't provided enough.

What if God never provides for you to have a bigger or newer home? Could you stand it? Would you make it work, cheerfully de-cluttering and doing what you can to make your house a HOME? Or would you lose precious time thinking of how grand life would be if you only lived elsewhere?

Would you proudly have friends over, not apologizing for the worn couch in the living room or the outdated bathroom fixtures? Would the warmth that comes from your heart outshine any chipped walls or cramped spaces?

And how do you judge others' homes? I remember a fellow Christian asking my sister, when she was visiting us with her son, where in the world they slept, disdain dripping from her tongue. Yes, that hurt.

The truth is that a new home with bigger rooms and fancier fixtures won't cultivate thankful hearts. We take the same hearts with us from place to place, which is why Paul reminds us that true contentment is steadfast, in plenty or in little, in affliction or in joy, in all circumstances.

In her book on housekeeping, Ella May Miller challenges the discontented housewife to stop hating her small, inefficient kitchen (and you can fill in any spot in your home), and instead, "think about the good you're doing there."

Imagine replacing those thoughts of envy or frustration with thoughts of the good you're doing in your home. The precious bodies you feed every day, spiritually, physically, and mentally. The atmosphere of love and joy you create. The care that's in the details of brightly lit candles, freshly washed towels, and story time in small spaces.

When we've learned that kind of contentment, our homes become the loveliest places to be, to us and maybe even others. And even Home and Garden magazines and television can't convince us otherwise.

With love,
Trisha

Whisked Away

One of the best things my Beloved and I have done for our marriage is to have regular date nights AND occasional getaways. This past weekend we spent time in Taos, NM. It's a lot like Santa Fe...very yucky, icky liberal.

But, like Santa Fe, it has some wonderful bed and breakfast places. And we found a winner! There were times in our South Fork, CO vacation home that I felt I had been flushed away, but this weekend it was a complete feeling of being whisked away. :)

Ladies, this is where the daily faithfulness in child training blesses you greatly. You're able to go away and leave behind trustworthy children. For some of you, this is still years away, but I promise the wait is worth it. You leave having your children's hearts and knowing they are responsible to be without you for a couple of days.

 The door to the left is the entrance to our room. I can't believe I didn't get a picture of the front of the inn.

A lovely stream runs across the front of the property.

There were cozy spots like this everywhere. The front porch had great cushioned places to sit, with blankets nearby.

The detailed carvings on the adobe buildings were beautiful, and this chess set was so lovely and different.

 This was the main room, which included a kiva fireplace AND air conditioning. Oh, how I loved that air conditioning! :)

 From the main room you entered this bathroom. Yes, this entire room is the bathroom.

 Behind that screen is not only the toilet but also a door to a dry steam room. Of course I couldn't enjoy that right now, but my Beloved loved it!

 This is the second fire place in the bathroom. The refrigerator kept food cold and everything was clean! Did I mention that everything was clean?

Isn't this tub amazing? Yes, the hot water actually worked, too. And the towels were plush and clean and so was the bath mat! I was giving this place five stars on everything.

This is the quaint breakfast area where delicious breakfasts were served. Now I'm a very picky eater, so I didn't indulge in much of the fare, but my Mountain Man was enjoying every bite. The first morning they served eggs benedict and blueberry oatmeal, with coffee and tea, of course. The second day's breakfast included eggs, southwestern style grits (hot with green chile), biscuits and gravy, and a yogurt-cucumber dish.

We forgot the tripod, so my Beloved set the camera up on one of those tall candlesticks you see in the background.

We toured the Kit Carson museum (my hubby is a Mountain Man!), the Gov. Bent museum, and the Earth Ship site. We enjoyed walking around the main shopping square in Taos, which even had a delightful (though very liberally biased) bookstore called Moby Dickens.

The name of the Inn? Adobe and Pines Bed and Breakfast. You'll want to know that if you ever visit Taos. Of course, if you're that close, you'd better come say "hello!" and break bread with us.

We came home quite refreshed to welcoming children who had the house looking spotless. There was even a meal plan posted on the fridge. Has Ink ever mentioned that he likes to cook? :)

Thanks be to God for His kind mercies during this trip and the great memories we made!

With love,
Trisha

Wise Women I Love and a Couple of Dangerous Ones I'd Run From

In an earlier post I discussed the trend of young Moms being the new Titus 2 women. You can read it here, and I'd encourage you to read all of my words, especially the ones that affirm that we all, young and more mature, have something to learn from each other. (It perplexes me a bit that this is one of my most viewed posts.)

Finally, here are some of the Titus 2 women in my own life, and there will even be some who don't fit the age-mold. I've also included two women whom I'd label dangerous, and not in that politically correct "only dangerous women change the world" way. I mean dangerous as in dangerous theology and dangerous advice. Reading these women's blogs are like camping out with fools. They're the ones who, when you see them coming, you should run from. If our theological-sniffers are well-tuned in discernment, one look at their blogs would have us saying, "no thank-you."

Does that sound harsh? I'm sorry if you think so, but in the name of grace we women dance around too much with heresy and blasphemy. There are some women who simply won't edify you, and you're wasting your time if you insist on mucking through the trash just to find a gem of advice or lingering at their sites with some secret desire to be the one voice of truth they finally listen to. Pray for them, of course, but don't play with fire by reading their posts.

Wise women:
Elisabeth Elliot
Barbara Hughes
Carolyn Mahaney
Marilyn Boyer
Denise Sproul
Pam Forster (Doorposts)
Nancy Wilson
Martha Peace
Ann Ortlund
Kim Brennamen


Wise women I could actually have lunch with (these are women I know through the blogosphere):
Kim Shay
Persis Lorenti
Becky Pliego
Christina Langella
Diane at Theology for Girls
Cindy at Ordo Amoris
Jo at Hearth and Home
Staci at Writing and Living
Elizabeth DeBarros
Rebecca at Rebecca Writes
Camille 


Wise Beyond Their Years:
Rachel Jancovic
Jessica at Grace Alone (I could have lunch with her, too. :))
Brandy at Afterthoughts


Danger! Danger!:
Rachel Held Evans
Elizabeth Esther

Reminder! Just because I recommend these women or have learned from them doesn't mean we agree on everything. It doesn't mean that there aren't points I take issue with in their writings. Please sharpen your own discernment skills by being in the Word and not expecting others to spoon-feed you the truth while at the same time being teachable. (I know. It's a tough balance.) Be a Berean and pray God would give you a passion for His truth.

And yes, I know this list isn't exhaustive. After all, I didn't even include the "misled" women who inhabit the blogosphere. I know, too, there are more wise women out there, of course, especially the ones we get to hug each week in real life.

With love,
Trisha

No Cookie Cutter Children

"A herd approach that stuffs all children into the same mold denies God's marvelous creativity in designing each child for the things He has purposed for him/her."

~Susan Hunt




It's sometimes presumed that because I have several children, I must know quite a bit about parenting.  To some extent that's true.  In many ways it's not.

I can share with you the value of organization and of having a routine to your days. I can assure you that late potty training won't ruin your child and tell you not to worry when your daughter first writes her name and it's backwards.  I can tell you to hold on loosely to your things and expect them to get damaged and torn and broken.  I can tell you it's not a sin to use a pacifier.

I can tell you that there is no perfect curricula when it comes to homeschooling and that simple faithfulness goes a long way.  I can share with you the benefits of working together as a family and not allowing isolation to invade your home.  I can tell you that all of your instruction and training of your children must be based on God's Word.  You must speak it, think it, and live it before your children.

But, I can't offer you a step-by-step parenting program that will work with every one of your children.

Of course God gives us wisdom in His word, and we should not neglect those specific instructions.  In our home there are certain sins that have definite consequences, disobedience being one of them.  God is very clear about boundaries, and He gives us commands and not suggestions.  But training up our children in they way they should go also requires knowing their hearts.  It means having faith in God and His faithfulness and not in a system.

Systems breed arrogance and often encourage laziness.  We crave them because we want to parent on auto-pilot.  We want to be assured of an outcome instead of trusting God.

To know my children's hearts means knowing in what areas they are tempted to sin, knowing those back doors that Satan might use to encourage bondage to a specific sin.  It means noting their strengths and their weaknesses, their struggles and their gifts.  It means relating to them as individuals made in the image of God.  It means, as author Susan Hunt aptly puts it, knowing how God has "wired" them.

Knowing that each child is different keeps me humble before the face of God.  It keeps me focused on Him and not my own understanding.  It keeps me diligent to tend to their hearts and not trust in only externals.  It keeps me ever reliant on and ever amazed by His grace. 

With love,

Trisha