"God didn't make all Daniels"

This week I met with a dear friend from our new church who has become a mentor to me. She is at a later stage in life than I, and has a lot of wisdom about raising children and being a woman in ministry. We were talking about our children, and she made the comment with which I titled this post. It really struck home for me. I want my boys to be Daniels, who follow God no matter what the cost. However, God didn't make all Daniels. He made the Jonahs, who whither under the pressure to do right, and the Jacobs who connive their way through life until God gets ahold of them. He made the Peters who love God ferociously, but lose sight of Him when the going gets tough, and the Samsons who fall prey to what the world offers, depending on their own strength instead of God's. And the list could go on and on. But while these biblical men all failed in one way or another, they also all were used by God in a mighty way...in spite of their weaknesses. I am reminded anew that in our weakness, God is strong, and He has a plan and a purpose for my children which far surpasses anything I might dream for them. To God be the glory...and may I have the patience to see them through to the end!

I'm Vintage!

I have been having fun lately looking at vintage items on Etsy and Ebay. I'm looking for some large tupperware containers in which to store my flour and sugar, etc., and am really wishing my mom kept all her old stuff...that's what's vintage and collectible now! I just have to laugh when I see pictures of the things I grew up with labeled "vintage"...I just don't feel that old yet! I'll let you know if I win any of my current high bids!

TravelingMom.com

If you love to travel, as I do, then you must check out this new website. It is all about traveling with kids and families, and is written by moms who have "been there, done that." The message boards have some great threads with everything from car seats in airplanes to potty training to when you should go to Disney World with a 2 year old to what people pack in ziploc bags when they travel. It's really a neat place to look around and get some interesting and informative tidbits. There is also a section on what to see when you go places that is being written by moms about their own hometowns! Check it out!

Etsy-ing

My new favorite pastime at night is to browse Etsy for unique and different handcrafted items. If you have not visited this site yet, you really must do so. I am just amazed at the creativeness of so many people, and their willingness to share it (for a fee!) with the world. I have found that the prices are usually very reasonable for the time and effort that was put into creating the items. My favorites list grows nightly as I peruse the stores and their merchandise. So far I have only purchased twice...my first purchase was from a Chilean woman in the northern city of Antofagasta (where my youngest sister and her family are going to be missionaries) who creates handstamped items and had just opened her store the day I found it--I figured "what's the likelihood of that happening" and decided to be her first customer! I'm still waiting for my cards to arrive from Chile, but when they do, I will post a picture of them. My second purchase was of two vintage black and white postcards with photos of little girls on them...they were just too cute to pass up. I want to frame them and hang them in my workspace downstairs for inspiration. While they are not uniquely homemade items, I have found many vintage things on Etsy that people use in altered, creative ways. So when you have some extra time on your hands and you want to be inspired, check out Etsy and all it has to offer...and if you find any favorite stores, pass along the information! (BTW, I'm not being paid for this commercial!)

"My Husband Rocks!"

While at our church's women's retreat this past weekend, I noticed the title of this post very tastefully and attractively printed on a lady's t-shirt. I know her husband, and I thought it was a very cool way to show her love and respect for him. Of course, the way she, a personal trainer and runner, looked in the t-shirt and I, a person in need of a personal trainer, would look in the t-shirt, are two different things. So instead of wearing a t-shirt, I am announcing to the world, or at least those in the world who read my blog, that my husband rocks. He had his one year evaluation meeting at work yesterday and was told by his boss that he already meets or exceeds all of his benchmarks. This means a little more raise and bonus then we were expecting, for which we are grateful to the Lord. It also means that Dave is right where he should be for now, and we are grateful for that, too. I'm proud of you, honey! You rock!

Pooh's Thoughtful Spot

I love Winnie the Pooh...always have and always will. Fortunately, I now have a son who loves him as well...and all the other characters, of course! When we are home in the mornings, part of our routine is watching "My Friends Tigger and Pooh" on The Disney Channel. Benjamin laughs out loud at Tigger's antics and voices his concern when Piglet feels left out or Pooh is unnecessarily concerned about something. So when we were at Disney and found a little slice of the 100 Acre Woods, of course we had to take a break there! Here are some really cool photos of Benjamin in Pooh's house. Enjoy!

I'm Baaack!

I know I have myself tricked into thinking that a lot of people visit my blog to see if I've written anything (b/c that's what I do with other people's blogs!) and that they miss me when I'm gone. For those people...I'm back! I was away for a few days at a Women's Retreat sponsored by our church here in Lebanon. It was very refreshing, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally...not so much physically! I was tired when I got home, but it was a good tired. I'll post more about what I learned at the retreat later. While I was gone, Dave survived with the four boys, and even made it to the second service on Sunday...I had had my doubts that he would make it to church at all! Many thanks to my dear friend, Sharon Metzger, for babysitting on Friday night while Dave worked. She loves our kids like her own grandkids, and I know they enjoyed being with her. This week I'm pretty busy with a couple of trips to Lancaster (more about that later, too), my women's Bible study, and a PTF meeting. Never a dull moment! But I promise to continue my new year's resolution of daily journaling here on my blog...stay tuned!