• Feb. 21, 2007
One bite at a time...
That would be the answer to "How do you eat an elephant?" That seems to be my life lately...
I am taking life one day and one bite at a time. Some of you know I have been very ill for the past week or so. The kids were sick last week and I got sneezed on one too many times and "vvvwalla" I got it by Friday of last week. I managed to cough myself into a muscle spasmed tizzy and by Monday I could not move my neck to look side to side. I made it to the doctor as he wanted to make sure I did not have meningitis (the whole stiff neck thing with fever and headache). After an exam and x-rays to rule out neck injury of a more severe nature he prescribed muscle relaxers and told me to take it easy and use a heating pad on my back and neck. I hurried home to go back to bed and did not emerge until sometime around 6:45am this morning with a new lease on life. I am still a bit stiff but had a wonderful rest and the house is not in too much of a shambles over it all. I am still not going to school tonight because they do not let sick people touch food and washing dishes is not good for my neck and back at this juncture.
Other than the whole epidemic in our home of some crazy coughing virus we also had a birthday last Saturday. Our only daughter turned 9. That precious child agreed to let me bake her cake with her once I was well again so we will be doing a cake this weekend instead. In the meantime Dan "made" her a takeout pizza and a chocolate pie from Furr's Cafeteria. LOL She loves the decorating part of cake baking more than the eating part anyway. She has never been much of a sweets eater.
Our oldest has been selected the best student in math in 7th grade for this 6 weeks and is being rewarded for that by his teacher. He is doing so awesome in public school! He has all-region jazz tryouts coming up in a few weeks, too. He loves being with his dad, too. We are delighted and comforted in the fact that he talks to us about all the things he is doing. He is also a new patrol leader in Boy Scouts and has shown some very promising leadership skills in all of this. We are so pleased with the way he lets God shape his character. We pray for this boy CONSTANTLY!!! God is so faithful to answer our prayers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The "little" boys are not so little anymore. Our 6 year old is reading like crazy and taking more responsibility around the home with chores and such. He LOVES Tiger Cubs and schooling at home. The baby will be 3 - hear that? THREE YEARS OLD in June!!!!! Where is the time going??? He is so independent and wants to be a "big boy" all the time. He is dressing himself and we will be potty training him as the weather gets warmer. (we potty train in the summers for ease of getting pants and such off) I realized a very long time ago that they are just not really ready until THEY are ready. All of our children have been ready somewhere between 3 and 3 1/2 years old. So, we wait on them... ;)
We also have some events coming up this next two weekends. I am going to Flower Show School tomorrow and Friday. That is basically teaching me what good flower arranging and basic horticulture looks like. I will be taking the test on Saturday to become eligible to judge flower shows locally. What fun!!! I am a member of our local chapter for Texas Garden Club. I also have a function for the Cub Scouts in which I am making a Hawaiian Tropical Fruit tray and fondu. It is a chance to practice all that I am learning from school in the Garde Manger class. I also have a Boy Scout Baden-Powell banquet to make a cake for next weekend. One of the chefs and an assistant from school have agreed to help me through this process. It will be the first sheet cake I have ever made. How exciting!!!
I must say that I am not busier than I was before but more focused. I can see how God is shaping all that I am learning with some things that He is leading me into. I am so excited to watch as He is growing and changing me in all of this. I love what is happening even though it is very hard some days - it is so exciting!!!
In my study time I have completed Romans and had my toes thoroughly trampled in the process. I am in 1 Corinthians now and have almost finished Acts. I am getting some really good historical perspective as I go, too. Paul has so much to say to living a Christ-centered life. I am also continuing in the Spiritual Disciplines books...
Lent, by the way, is not just a Catholic idea. My aunt and uncle are Lutheran and celebrate it too as do some other denominations. Over the past few years I have been studying up on this idea and have kind of shaped it into something that I can use in my own life. There is always something good about focusing on Jesus and scripture. I have been taking it as a season of study and growth in preparation for the time of Passover and Resurrection Sunday. Since I have already backed way off of the computer I am taking this opportunity to examine the writings of Paul in the New Testament and will continue in the study of disciplines to understand Jesus perspective in all that I am reading. I am a big girl and know that other than the Bible everything is interpretive and, as the Bereans, I must seek out what God says on any and all of the things I am reading.
What am I giving up? I have never really been into this concept because I do this throughout the year as God leads. I have already set aside the trappings of the computer and the internet quite a bit. I have put aside television for the majority of my week. I am way down on eating sugar and bad for me foods because of my weight loss (which is now 13 pounds, btw). See what I mean? I think the only thing to give up is more time for study and prayer. I will be getting up a bit earlier after this illness is passed and I am off pain meds this week to start study time a little earlier to go a little longer. I am also in need of a private prayer place. Now that the weather is turning warmer I may have to build a place in the yard for early morning prayer after exercise.
Again, none of this gets me to heaven. I never want you guys to misunderstand that. My salvation lies totally in the fact that Jesus gave up His life for me (and you). There is nothing I (or you) can do to earn salvation. I do all of this out of gratitude for the love and ultimate sacrifice He showed on that cross. The response on my behalf is all personal and things that God has convicted me of. We are all at a different place in the journey. The key is to be obedient to what God is calling you to do. Obedience is what He wants more than anything else! All He wants is for us to really KNOW HIM.... That is the MOST important thing in all of life!!!
Much love,
~Leann
Comments
• Feb. 21, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by Dana
this post just made me ALL AROUND HAPPY
i love a good newsy blog.
• Feb. 21, 2007
Get well prayers!
Posted by crickl's nest
Oh Leanne! You've been so sick. I pray that the Lord will heal this virus in you and your family and that you'll have new strength to play catch up and renewed gratefulness for your health. I'm so sorry you've had it so bad!
My 17 yr old came home after church tonight and is all clogged up and fell into bed, probably with a fever, but she won't let anyone touch her, so there's no telling.
{{hugs}}
Christie
http://www.angelfire.com/art2/crickl/view/
• Feb. 22, 2007
Wow
Posted by Anonymous
I could have written your post in many ways. I work full-time (you homeschool), I'm in college part-time to finish my business degree (you're in cooking school), I am, 3 weeks later, still trying to get totally over the yucky virus (you're on the mend), I'm mom (you're mom), I have been slacking in my Bible study (oh wait, this is where we part)! You have encouraged me to be more diligent in my daily study of God's word and prayer time. No more justifying the lack of discipline on not having enough time. Thank you for the gentle reminder.
From your lurker friend,
Donna
• Feb. 23, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
so glad you are feeling better. It's awesome how good your son is doing in public school. I know that has to make you feel better about your decision to send him. Sounds like he is in his element there. The kids certainly do grow up quickly - cherish this time. As the song goes...."these are the good old days."
• Feb. 23, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
so glad you are feeling better. It's awesome how good your son is doing in public school. I know that has to make you feel better about your decision to send him. Sounds like he is in his element there. The kids certainly do grow up quickly - cherish this time. As the song goes...."these are the good old days."
Perri
