I have made my Quiet Time Basket and love it! I used an large cosmetic bag (Vera Bradley of course) that holds my Bible, my favorite pen, and three little note books (I use these and one is for scripture, one is for prayer request, and one is for distractions). Great idea, Kristy, and it has helped me greatly!!
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Think of your QT like a salad, the Bible is the lettuce and Prayer is the dressing...but you may add extra ingredients to give it umph!
Here are things in my basket currently: a zippered pouch with all my writing utensils and highlighters plus sticky notes; note-cards; kleenex; a notebook to jot down ideas or lists so as not to keep "interrupting" yourself; a journal for writing down prayers and a way to respond to what you read; a folder that you can put bulletin inserts or articles to read in, for those times when you have a few extra minutes and can "catch-up" on some reading; note cards for putting down verses to memorize or quotes from books you may be reading.
Some book ideas I shared this morning: if you're just starting out - 15 Minutes Alone With God by Emilie Barnes;
Want to grab a partner and inspire each other - The One Year Book of Inspiration for Girlfriends juggling often-crazy, but Gloriously Real Lives by Ellen Miller; if you want to really dig-in and become a better student of the word - How to Study Your Bible by Kay Arthur; Studies that are life-changing - Character Makeover by Katie Brazelton and Shelley Leith and Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver; Needing a love note from God - Come Away My Beloved by Frances Roberts; and an excellent resource for dealing with your food issues - Made to Crave - Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, not Food by Lysa Terkeurst.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Welcome Malachi Joseph!
Introducing…
July 18, 2011
The date had been circled on our calendar for nine months: July 15, 2011.
When that long-awaited Friday morning sun broke the horizon, I went for a walk on a most stunning day. The sky was the most vivid blue, the air was crisp and light, the corn was deep green, and the hay waited in golden piles for the bailer. I thought, “What a brilliant day for our son to be born!” and walked with a smile on my face. Shortly into my walk, I began having contractions that I knew were finally the real thing. When I returned home, I still felt pleasant and excited. We began writing the times on an index card and I called my mom to let her know she should probably get on the road.
By the time Ryan’s parents arrived to take the girls for the day, the contractions were 4 minutes apart, but only painful enough to make me, ahem, a little bit snippy.
(This is us… just before Ryan and I left for the hospital.)
When we arrived at the hospital, the construction workers told us we could park in a far lot and ride a golf cart back to the emergency room entrance. A golf cart. Right. But, I can’t complain, because it could have been the bumping along that got me to a whopping 6 cm. by the time I arrived at Labor and Delivery.
I was shocked that I was 6 cm. with virtually no chaos or debilitating pain. This was so extraordinary for me and a true blessing from God since I had been praying about having a med-free delivery. Just look how happy this woman is… even though she is approaching transition! Wow.
I tried out the hot tub (hot tubs? golf carts? You’d think natural childbirth is like staying at a five-star resort!), tried out some contraction-alleviating holds with Ryan, and basically had a cake-walk to 8 cm.
Happy, happy mother-to-be.
And then the doc broke my water.
I have no more photos to show you of that happy, happy woman. Let’s just say, she no longer looked like that. In fact, for one hour, she transformed into a roaring, writhing, yelling, spitting, insulting, desperate creature. All I remember is being in so much pain that I really truly thought my only plausible escape would be for the doctor to cut my head off. In retrospect, I’m very glad that I didn’t have the energy to suggest that solution verbally, but I day-dreamed about it with each contraction. I was lost in an excruciating haze of fervent prayers, desperation, and survival.
At any rate, the whole shebang ended with a primal scream. I thought “primal screaming” was a myth, but as it turns out, it’s very much a reality. At the last most painful moment, a scream rose up from the depths of my being and went on and on… for a good 15- 20 seconds. (Which ends up being a fantastic experience because I’ve been wanting to work on my old habit of internalizing pain. Primal screams are great for forcing a girl to express how she really feels.)
And then, as the chaos of pain suddenly subsided, the room grew strangely peaceful, I looked down, and met our son, Malachi Joseph.
He was warm, and heavy, and here.
Beautiful, precious, and delicious, yes. But also, present, and earthy, and whole.
And we had that feeling they call love at first sight.
We had those thoughts that call forth psalms and hymns… When the heart cries, Bless the Lord, Oh my soul and all that is within me bless His holy name!
Weighing in at 8 lbs. 14 ounces and stretching out 23 inches, he is a mighty son. Our prayer is that he may be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
Welcome, Malachi Joseph.
July 18, 2011
The date had been circled on our calendar for nine months: July 15, 2011.
When that long-awaited Friday morning sun broke the horizon, I went for a walk on a most stunning day. The sky was the most vivid blue, the air was crisp and light, the corn was deep green, and the hay waited in golden piles for the bailer. I thought, “What a brilliant day for our son to be born!” and walked with a smile on my face. Shortly into my walk, I began having contractions that I knew were finally the real thing. When I returned home, I still felt pleasant and excited. We began writing the times on an index card and I called my mom to let her know she should probably get on the road.
By the time Ryan’s parents arrived to take the girls for the day, the contractions were 4 minutes apart, but only painful enough to make me, ahem, a little bit snippy.
(This is us… just before Ryan and I left for the hospital.)
When we arrived at the hospital, the construction workers told us we could park in a far lot and ride a golf cart back to the emergency room entrance. A golf cart. Right. But, I can’t complain, because it could have been the bumping along that got me to a whopping 6 cm. by the time I arrived at Labor and Delivery.
I was shocked that I was 6 cm. with virtually no chaos or debilitating pain. This was so extraordinary for me and a true blessing from God since I had been praying about having a med-free delivery. Just look how happy this woman is… even though she is approaching transition! Wow.
I tried out the hot tub (hot tubs? golf carts? You’d think natural childbirth is like staying at a five-star resort!), tried out some contraction-alleviating holds with Ryan, and basically had a cake-walk to 8 cm.
Happy, happy mother-to-be.
And then the doc broke my water.
I have no more photos to show you of that happy, happy woman. Let’s just say, she no longer looked like that. In fact, for one hour, she transformed into a roaring, writhing, yelling, spitting, insulting, desperate creature. All I remember is being in so much pain that I really truly thought my only plausible escape would be for the doctor to cut my head off. In retrospect, I’m very glad that I didn’t have the energy to suggest that solution verbally, but I day-dreamed about it with each contraction. I was lost in an excruciating haze of fervent prayers, desperation, and survival.
At any rate, the whole shebang ended with a primal scream. I thought “primal screaming” was a myth, but as it turns out, it’s very much a reality. At the last most painful moment, a scream rose up from the depths of my being and went on and on… for a good 15- 20 seconds. (Which ends up being a fantastic experience because I’ve been wanting to work on my old habit of internalizing pain. Primal screams are great for forcing a girl to express how she really feels.)
And then, as the chaos of pain suddenly subsided, the room grew strangely peaceful, I looked down, and met our son, Malachi Joseph.
He was warm, and heavy, and here.
Beautiful, precious, and delicious, yes. But also, present, and earthy, and whole.
And we had that feeling they call love at first sight.
We had those thoughts that call forth psalms and hymns… When the heart cries, Bless the Lord, Oh my soul and all that is within me bless His holy name!
Weighing in at 8 lbs. 14 ounces and stretching out 23 inches, he is a mighty son. Our prayer is that he may be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
Welcome, Malachi Joseph.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Two families could use help by you providing a meal to them!
Kinsey Family - Lisa Kinsey, a MOPS mom, has been in the hospital for 12 days now with severe pain. The doctors have not been able to diagnose the problem. Please send a meal to her husband, Andrew, and two kids at home.
http://www.takethemameal.com/
If you have any trouble with any of these links, just let us know!
If you have any trouble with any of these links, just let us know!
Lifted Hands Summer Camps
Lifted Hands Summer Camps
814-571-6032
suzierothgeb@comcast.net
Age 7-10
$55/child
9:30am-12pm
Houserville House of Hope
Come join us for a fun-filled week of games, crafts and lots and lots of dancing! In addition to ballet,
improvisation and lyrical dance, the children will get to try different styles of dance from around the
world. Each day will feature a different country as we see that the earth is filled with God’s praise!
Kaleidoscope: Exploring Colors in the Bible - August 8-12
Age 6-8
$50/child
9:30am-11:30am
Houserville House of Hope
Our God is a God of beauty and color, just look around at His vibrant creation! Children will discover
some of the meanings of colors and how we can use those colors in dance and drama. Each day will
include a craft, ballet and lyrical dance and creative movement.
Age 6-8
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