Gary and I are friends with a very nice couple from our church...We never have done much outside of church activities (choir, women's groups, family camp) but we consider them church family nonetheless and they are great people. He is always kind to the kids and seeks us out, she makes beautiful bead jewelry and has a knack for decorating...Well, yesterday they were dealt a terrible blow. Their 18 year old son was involved in a horrific car accident that left him and his 17 year old passenger dead instantly.
There are not even words adequate enough to express our grief for them at this time. There is nothing that makes me feel quite as inadequate as mortality...My instinct is to soothe and calm, to fix it, to make things right - yet situations like this make that impossible.
Wright Family, our adamant and constant prayers are with you at this time...
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
A ha moment!
Mayhaps the reason I haven't had any comments is because I hadn't enabled any comments to be left?? Hmmmm, interesting! I think I got that figured out and now I'm hoping to hear from folks - sorry for the confusion :)
Now...can anybody help me with my picture posting issues? I still can't seem to get my pictures to upload!
Now...can anybody help me with my picture posting issues? I still can't seem to get my pictures to upload!
Smoke and mirrors...
I knew it was too good to be true. The whole "you can have it all" mentality of our culture. There has always been a part of me that knew I was not meant to be a wife, mother, committee chairperson, business person, community leader and great artist...I'm just glad that I've finally admitted it and given in. I don't have to be all those things. All I have to be is the Sara that God intends me to be and keep my eyes on my own paper.
Isn't that the hardest part sometimes? Not comparing ourselves to our neighbors, coworkers, the people on TV who are supposed to represent the "common man"? I think I'm doing well until I look to see what culture says I should be doing...If I stop there I get caught in the myth that if I just work hard enough and long enough I can do everything and still have time to take a bubble bath - HA! Lies, I tell you...If I look beyond the shiny veneer of success so many women are wearing I can see their tattered marriages, their neglected relationships and the ferocity with which they hold together all the things that really matter (children, parents, friendships, husbands) while they relentlessly pursue an illusion of success. It's exhausting and I can't do it any more! Thankfully, I don't have to...God gave me permission to stop playing that game - Amen!
I'm reading a great book called "Passionate Housewives Desperate for God" by Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald. Here are some of my favorite snippets:
We need to let go of the strange notion that the only way to be a good Christian is to project an image of sinless perfection and hide our struggles and shortcomings. And so we come to the incredible paradox of the Gospel that we'll touch on many times in this book : "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Cor 12:9).
================================================================
Instead of worrying what others think about us, we need to care about what God thinks of us, measuring ourselves by the unchanging standard of God's word rather than comparing ourselves to others. Instead of looking to modern-day "experts" for answers, we need to return to the "old paths" of Scripture, where there is "rest for our souls" (Jer 6:16). Instead of seeking to make a name for ourselves or be "important", we need to thankfully embrace the fact that God works through humble people, small steps, and what the world considers insignificant and often thankless work.
==================================================================
Isn't that the hardest part sometimes? Not comparing ourselves to our neighbors, coworkers, the people on TV who are supposed to represent the "common man"? I think I'm doing well until I look to see what culture says I should be doing...If I stop there I get caught in the myth that if I just work hard enough and long enough I can do everything and still have time to take a bubble bath - HA! Lies, I tell you...If I look beyond the shiny veneer of success so many women are wearing I can see their tattered marriages, their neglected relationships and the ferocity with which they hold together all the things that really matter (children, parents, friendships, husbands) while they relentlessly pursue an illusion of success. It's exhausting and I can't do it any more! Thankfully, I don't have to...God gave me permission to stop playing that game - Amen!
I'm reading a great book called "Passionate Housewives Desperate for God" by Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald. Here are some of my favorite snippets:
We need to let go of the strange notion that the only way to be a good Christian is to project an image of sinless perfection and hide our struggles and shortcomings. And so we come to the incredible paradox of the Gospel that we'll touch on many times in this book : "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Cor 12:9).
================================================================
Instead of worrying what others think about us, we need to care about what God thinks of us, measuring ourselves by the unchanging standard of God's word rather than comparing ourselves to others. Instead of looking to modern-day "experts" for answers, we need to return to the "old paths" of Scripture, where there is "rest for our souls" (Jer 6:16). Instead of seeking to make a name for ourselves or be "important", we need to thankfully embrace the fact that God works through humble people, small steps, and what the world considers insignificant and often thankless work.
==================================================================
Monday, July 28, 2008
Woo Hoo! I'm on a roll ~
Alright, so I'm a little behind on my posting and that's okay because at least it's only been one week and not 2 years! Baby steps...
What have I been up to you ask?
What have I been up to you ask?
- I spent last Friday night and Saturday day in beautiful downtown Modesto at the convention center. I was there for the Valley Home Educators convention and it was terrific. I learned so much from the speakers and was very pleased to have had the opportunity to here from my new hero. She even signed my copy of her book and took a few minutes to chat with me about home education and her schedule. It might be worth looking into booking her for an HSLG event if possible...maybe I'll mention it to my friend Liz.
- Today, the kids and I had a park playdate with some friends...then we went swimming and came home to make dinner...Tonight one of my favorite shows is on! It's my secret shame and yet I can't seem to tear myself away from it...If I were 20 years (okay, maybe even TEN years) younger I would SO be auditioning....My other favorite show is this.
- I'm debating whether to make something out of a Paula D. cookbook for dessert...it normally wouldn't be much of a debate, however, I'm not sure I want to invest that much butter at this time :)
- I officially debuted the Stafford children "chore chart" and it was received with great enthusiasm! I'm not sure how much longer they'll be fighting over who gets to clean the litter box so I've got to strike while the iron's hot! [Note to self: Never mention litter boxes and hot irons in the same sentence, it's just yucky!]
Monday, July 21, 2008
Arg! What's WITH technology anyway??
Alright, so I don't know what I'm doing wrong but I can't seem to upload any pictures to this blog. It's strange because it says it's doing it...but it's not really. What it's really doing is taking a long time and frustrating me to no end!
Maybe I just need to cut and paste? Maybe my pictures aren't the right kind of files? Maybe my computer is pokey and my skills are weak in this area? I don't know for sure but as soon as I find out there will be pictures on this blog...Oh yes, there will be...
Off to swimming lessons ~
Maybe I just need to cut and paste? Maybe my pictures aren't the right kind of files? Maybe my computer is pokey and my skills are weak in this area? I don't know for sure but as soon as I find out there will be pictures on this blog...Oh yes, there will be...
Off to swimming lessons ~
Friday, July 18, 2008
Family Camp: Lake Mendocino 2008
This was our fourth year attending Castro Valley First Baptist Church's annual family camp and we had a blast! Every year our camp gets a little more livable and pleasant...or it would be if not for the blistering 112 degree heat....and haze from surrounding fires...and ginormous beetles the size of my entire thumb, but I digress.
The first year it was just the little ones and I paving the way for future family fun. We had a little tent, a box of granola bars, a gallon of milk and sunblock. Let's just say I wasn't the most prepared camper and never claimed to have been a Girl Scout in any way, shape or form. I must admit, however, that I was regretting that fact that first year. We managed by having meals with a kind and generous family (Thank you Henrys!) and learned a LOT.
Now we actually have our camping things in totes that we can store when not in use - we have two air mattresses - our tent was huge and easy to put up - our food was pretty good if I do say so myself and we all managed to get by the week without any bug bites or fights!
Lake Mendocino is just north of Ukiah on 101 and it's beautiful. I like these camp grounds because there are clean, well-stocked bathrooms and a relatively new play area for the little ones...it's outdoorsy enough for this city girl to feel like she's "getting away from it all" meaning there is no TV, you can pretend there's no cell phone reception and you actually have to TALK to each other (or read quietly to yourself which is also lovely).
Can't wait for next year's adventures ~
The first year it was just the little ones and I paving the way for future family fun. We had a little tent, a box of granola bars, a gallon of milk and sunblock. Let's just say I wasn't the most prepared camper and never claimed to have been a Girl Scout in any way, shape or form. I must admit, however, that I was regretting that fact that first year. We managed by having meals with a kind and generous family (Thank you Henrys!) and learned a LOT.
Now we actually have our camping things in totes that we can store when not in use - we have two air mattresses - our tent was huge and easy to put up - our food was pretty good if I do say so myself and we all managed to get by the week without any bug bites or fights!
Lake Mendocino is just north of Ukiah on 101 and it's beautiful. I like these camp grounds because there are clean, well-stocked bathrooms and a relatively new play area for the little ones...it's outdoorsy enough for this city girl to feel like she's "getting away from it all" meaning there is no TV, you can pretend there's no cell phone reception and you actually have to TALK to each other (or read quietly to yourself which is also lovely).
Can't wait for next year's adventures ~
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