Notes from Home~12/14/12

 It's been hard to focus on lessons this week, especially when I have more pressing things to do, like figure out how to capture the lights on our Christmas tree. After I tried at least 50 times, my Beloved got it right. I discovered that even with step-by-step tutorials using the same camera I own, I still have to tweak the settings. But, isn't it pretty?

 He's the first. Out of nine precious blessings here on earth, Elijah is the first baby to just fall asleep like this, no rocking or nursing required. I've heard about this phenomenon, but now I've seen it for myself. Perhaps it makes life a bit easier, but easier isn't always better, and I have not one single regret about those many hours I've rocked and nursed my babies to sleep.

 It's official. Sarge is a thumb-sucker. My thoughts on this development? No comment.

 When some of the children and I got home yesterday from errands, this is what greeted us. Cap'n threw quite the fit about going down for a nap, and then later decided he could resist the sandman no longer. What you don't see is how he fell through the chair (it needs repairs), and then, when trying to get up, fell backwards into the cabinet doors and had one of those fall on him (because it needs repairs). Quite the rude awakening in a construction zone. :)

 In happier moments, Cap'n was decked out in snow gear... at night. He couldn't understand we were still "waiting" for the snow. But, it looks like snow play is in the forecast for today.

 I love desert sunsets. Isn't this amazing?

Isn't this wonderful? World Market. 28.00 with coupon. Perfect for the guys' room.

A friend had the great idea of taking a picture of your children on the 12th. We opted for a group shot and were able to take this at 12:12 p.m. :) Yes, Cap'n would have preferred looking for candy canes on the Christmas tree...

Right now, the snow is coming down harder. The older boys and Mountain Man are off to see The Hobbit, and and I hope to tackle projects around here and finish lessons in between the Littles' winter wonderland play sessions.

Have a beautiful weekend!

"Like wines on the lees our gratitude grows stronger and sweeter as we meditate upon divine goodness."
~Spurgeon

With love,
Trisha

On Saying Merry Christmas

We must come to realize the importance of "insignificant" faithfulness.

~Doug Wilson

What's the big deal about saying merry Christmas? Yes, I'm the shopper who heartily and cheerfully replies, "Merry Christmas," when wished a happy holiday. There are many who think this is something insignificant, but it's never rested well with me to surrender the celebration of the Incarnation to the world by calling it something generic that removes Christ from the center of it all. (Because we know their "happy holiday" doesn't mean "happy holy day." It means, "Happy generic celebration of something, as long as it isn't Jesus.)

But even this isn't agreed upon by Christians, and it's common to be told that we need not assume the culture is at war with Christmas. I find it interesting that we'll dismiss those who insist on merry Christmas as overreacting and missing the point while assuming that advertisers and stores have no evil motives and are simply playing a marketing game when when they remove Him from the celebration and the conversation.

It's all so innocent, we say.

But it's not.

Doug Wilson observes:

The message of Christmas is politically incendiary, when you think about it, and it is not for nothing that secularists are trying to get us to forget Jesus with their C.E. (Common Era) and B.C.E. (Before Common Era), and seasonal conifers instead of Christmas trees. Nice try, but we aren’t buying any.

He later describes saying merry Christmas as an act of insurrection.

And the Anti-Christian Liberties Union (ACLU) knows that getting Christmas trees off public property is well worth fighting for. This is why we as Christians have to learn that saying "merry Christmas" is an act of insurrection. How do we define our lives? More than this, how do we define our lives as a people? Far from retreating into a minimalist celebration, or no celebration at all, we as Christians must take far greater advantage of the opportunity we have in all of this. Now the Lord Jesus is on His throne. And His government will continue to increase. But He works through instruments, and one of His central instruments for establishing His kingdom on earth is the faith of His people. Why is it that Christians shopping at WalMart are being reminded over the loudspeakers that "He comes to make His blessings flow, far as the curse is found." Why are they telling us this? It's our religion. Why don't we believe it? But if you believe it, then say merry Christmas to somebody.

Merry Christmas!

With love,
Trisha


***If you don't agree that Christians should even celebrate Christmas, this isn't the place to debate. 

What My Mama Wants for Christmas

***A bubble-wrapped Elijah, courtesy of the goofy Littles

Lemon Bread

My body has finally surrendered to this cold that's been traveling through our family. It is a mercy from the Lord, though, that He's kept me healthy while most everyone else was sick. When Mama is down for the count, it's a comfort to have older ones who can manage life.

I'm not confined to the bed, yet, so I managed to get lemon bread made this afternoon. It seemed like the perfect companion to the hot cups of tea I can't drink enough of. And don't fret if you don't have enough zest or fresh lemon juice. This time around I only added about a teaspoon of zest, and I used Real Lemon juice instead. It still tasted wonderful!

Enjoy!

Lemon Bread

2/3 c. butter, softened
1-1/2 c. sugar
3 T. lemon juice
2 T. freshly grated lemon zest
4 eggs
1/4 tsp. vanilla
3 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1-1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. milk
2 c. diced, dried cranberries or fresh or frozen blueberries, raspberries, blackberries

Glaze:
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. lemon juice

Preheat over to 350 degrees. Coat 4 mini loaf pans or 2 regular size ones. Spray with Baker's Joy for a perfect release. :)

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in lemon juice, zest, eggs, and vanilla until well combined.

In separate bowl stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add alternately with the milk to the egg mixture, beating just until combined after each addition. Fold in berries, if using.

Divide batter among pans and bake for 30-40 minutes if making mini-loaves. I make the regular size loaves and start checking them around 25 minutes. Remove loaves to wire rack, but leave in the pans.

Make glaze and pour over hot loaves, allowing them to cool completely before removing them from pans. Wrap tightly to store.

~original recipe found at Stick to Your Hips. (Gotta love that blog name...)

With love,
Trisha

A Review of Jon Cardwell's You Kill'd My Pahder, Frefare to Die

***Jake (Little Big Man) is sharing this review of Jon Cardwell's new fiction book, just released this weekend. For a limited time, you can get a free copy for your Kindle here. Or you can order a hard copy here.

*****

Let me start by saying that this book was one of the most entertaining things I've read this year. Having loved Christ and Him Crucified by Pastor Cardwell, I was very excited to review an advance copy of You Kill'd My Pahder, Frefare to Die, the author's successful foray into the realm of fiction.

When reporter James Albright shows up at a nursing home in Moreno Valley, CA, to interview retired U.S Navy Master Diver Wilmer Cohen, the story he gets isn't quite what he was expecting. Truth really is stranger than fiction, and Albright gets a first class example.

If I had to sum up this book in three words they would be: Fun, compelling, and bizarre. And I mean bizarre in the best way.

In case you hadn't already guessed from the title, You Kill'd My Pahder is quite different from Cardwell's previous work.  It's a side of Cardwell I look forward to seeing more often. Balancing humor, suspense, great characters, and a plot as twisty as a pretzel, Cardwell succeeds marvelously with his fiction debut.

One of the of the greatest strengths of this book is the characters. I liked them from the get-go. They were real and tangible, and I was genuinely interested in them throughout the story.

And Cardwell's writing? It's stellar, indicative of a master wordsmith. Consider the following:

"It's not what Cohen said, nor was it the way he said it. Yet, somehow, his words hit him as if he were smashed square in the face like the hot leather kiss delivered at the front end of a 200 pound punch."

and

"There's no consideration because there's no care. Men do not care for one another because there's no crying out to God. Men do not cry out to God because they covet and cavort and are captivated by their vanity. They want what they want, and they want it now in order to satisfy their own Godless, God forsaken lusts."

You Kill'd My Pahder, Frefare to Die is a fast-paced and well developed story, with a twist at the end that leaves you wanting more. I strongly recommend you give this book a shot. And drink a large cup of tea while you're at it. 

Wilmer would like that.

~Jake Poff

The Girl and The Book and The Baby

Happy Three Months, Sarge!

Look at how much you've grown, sweet baby! Happy 3 months today!  Your cheeks are so full they jiggle on dirt roads, and you've been sporting that second chin for a while. 

You've already pushed your way out of those teenie-tiny newborn outfits, and the newborn diapers were history weeks ago. You've given me smiles over and over now, and that look you give me when I'm with you...that look! It's a look only of God's making. Your eyes light up, and your heart beats faster. And then my heart beats faster, and I wish I could just freeze that moment and go back to it years from now when I call your name and you look at me, but you're distracted by a million other things.

 "What's wrong. Haven't you ever seen such handsome chins before?"

I know it's been an ordeal finding you a nickname. Who knew it would be such a tug-of-war? Your older brothers affectionately named you "Chuckle Pig," and after some time, that name was quite endearing (and they still call you that). But, I couldn't imagine, nor could your Daddy, calling you "Chuckle Pig" when you are 5. So, Daddy, who has the privilege of bestowing nicknames anyway, chose "Sarge."  He says you look like you're ready to take command. I agree.

I think that no other time in our lives flies by so quickly as when we're watching a baby grow. I'm not a new Mama who thinks these baby days might last forever. I know very well that in the blink of an eye, you'll be a man. Your two older brothers remind me of this truth every day, and when I see those older Moms in the store, the ones with children grown up long ago, I still see that longing look in their eyes, the longing to go back and enjoy the little years again, even for just a moment. Seeing a baby fresh from God when all your babies aren't babies anymore does that to you.

And while I'm delighting in God's goodness in growing you and your siblings, I'm not eager to shoo my babies out of the nest.  I've never said, "I can't wait until ____ leaves.  I can't wait to be DONE." (Because is a parent really ever DONE?)   Instead, I look at boys becoming men and little ladies on their way to womanhood, and I have bits of regret, wishing I would have been a better reflection of Christ. I ponder the grace that has brought me thus far, and it brings me to tears and to my knees. 

But, I'm enjoying what your siblings are becoming, their lives evidences of God's grace. It is the greatest show on earth to see God at work in each one of us, making us all more like Jesus, keeping us in His tender care. Seasons are good, and right now, you're in the baby season, so I'm trying to enjoy it with every fiber of my being while savoring the toddler season, the preschooler season, the young adult season, and everything else in between. I'm praying God will etch these memories deep in my heart so time won't steal them away.

And yes.  I really am a compulsive picture taker, and perhaps the click of the camera is getting a bit old to you.  Maybe it's my way of holding on when I know I really can't hold on, but perhaps it's more my knowing that, as much as I want to remember, I'll forget just what you looked like at these different stages. 

But these pictures I take are just an earthly thing, prone to corruption, while my mothering of you leaves an impression for eternity. I pray that in the way I love you, in the way I teach you, you'll see Jesus, for your mother has such feet of clay and will disappoint you and sin against you and fail you. But He, your Savior, never will. Oh, that He would choose such a vessel to be your mother, clothing me in the righteousness of Christ and refining me ever so patiently.

You're just 3 months, but it seems like you've been with us forever. May God continue to give us the grace to love you well, reminding you every moment that you belong to Him. Because even though we love you so very, very deeply, Jesus, yes precious Jesus, loves you even more.  And I pray that you can never, ever recall a day in your life when you didn't love Him, too.


Love, 
Mommy

Christ, The Deep Sea of JOY

"The Lord Jesus is a deep sea of joy: my soul shall dive therein, 

shall be swallowed up in the delights of His society."

~C. H. Spurgeon

 "Well may my mouth be filled with joyous laughter, because of the singular surprising grace which I have received of the Lord, for I have found Jesus, the promised seed, and He is mine forever."

~C. H. Spurgeon

Visions of a Different Christmas Dancing in My Head

I'd love to show you our Advent calendar for this year or a stack of Christmas books or a list of Christmas crafts to do, to tell you I have all of my Christmas shopping done and every decoration put up.

I'd love to tell you about the new recipes I'm going to try and the amazing feast I have planned for Christmas Day, or how I've organized our Advent readings and purchased new Christmas music.

But what I'd love to do just isn't happening.

It's December 1st, and we're recovering from sickness while trying to keep our school schedule going. I'm looking at piles that need to be purged, clutter that needs to be bagged up and carted away, an inflexible budget, and a sadness that's become my second skin.

This is a hard place to be when you love to celebrate as much as I do, when you're a lover of traditions and making this glorious time of year special in the most memorable of ways. Of course, the pressure doesn't just come from within. Every where I turn are wonderful suggestions for celebrating Christmas. And my heart is skillful at making these suggestions idols, of believing that if I'm not creating an endless string of special moments, my children won't grasp the beauty and awe of this season, won't grasp the wonder of His coming to save His people.

So, I'm fighting. Fighting to find contentment in what I can do, but even more so, in who He is and who I am in Him. Fighting to rejoice in what others CAN do. Fighting to love my Savior more than I love my plans and my traditions. Fighting to remember that small things done are better than big things planned.

These are notes to myself and any other Mom who finds herself too sick or too broke or too sad or simply overwhelmed to be able to do all she had hoped to this Christmas.

1) What they'll remember: Our joy in doing what we can and resting in His providence instead of murmuring or nursing guilt will leave a more powerful impression on our children than the fanciest Advent activities or the most expensive gifts.

2) Real Simple: Though keeping it simple is a mantra all over the internet, we often make keeping it simple quite complicated and expensive and glamorous. You don't have to bake a gourmet cookie recipe with 35 different ingredients. Make your favorite sugar cookie and decorate away. You don't have to create a snow village from paper cutouts that take 12 hours of preparation. Print out some coloring pages and color with your children.

3) Assault yourself with Truth. Post Scripture everywhere and words of encouragement to keep you focused.

4) Priorities. Make the reading and studying of His Word and time in prayer your priority and a priority for your family. What a great gift it is to live out the truth that these are eternal investments of our time, means of grace that keep us grounded and growing.

5) We're not Scrooges. Rejoice with others in their season of fatness. Don't let the hedges that surround you sour your view of the abundance in others' lives. Be happy for your friend who has all of her gifts purchased and who made the gingerbread house from scratch. Our limitations don't make that cute Pinterest project evil or gift-giving sinful, and we shouldn't malign traditions and celebrations to make ourselves feel better about what we can't do.

6) A Season Within the Season. Remember that what we can do comes in seasons. If next year finds you healthy, super-organized, able to lavish most abundantly gifts on your children, bake fancy desserts, and go special places, then thanks be to God! Delight in it! It is a wonderful gift! And remember to ask Him to keep you as much in your season of prosperity as you've begged Him to do in your season of leanness.

With love,
Trisha


**Better small things done than big things planned.
~Peter Marshall