There is No Place Like Nebraska...

Saturday September 26, 2009 - the date of Isaiah's first Husker game.

He had the most fun with Jack Walker, my dad's good friend from college - John Walker's son. Jack is 12 and is Isaiah's new hero. He entertained him during tailgating.

Isaiah was "bored of this" before kick off while the band was playing, and I think a little overwhelmed by all the noise, but he had fun once he settled in.

He was quite appalled at the amount of noise Grandma made, as she is normally so sweet and compliant. He didn't realize she turns into a college boy at football games with the shouting and clapping and high fiving and shouting and shouting.

Overall, it was a great game - Lousiana Lafayette got shut out, but we were glad Isaiah got to see the Huskers win. Go Big Red!

Write, Write, Write

Oh I feel like writing or making something tonight...which probably means, oh crap, I'm ovulating. This happens one or two times a month, which usually means I write a song, attempt something on my sewing machine, get our my journal and art supplies to make a mess, or get out all my scrapbooking crap.



Anyway, I was just thinking of a recent conversations I had with some of the people I love most in the world, a group of girlfriends I've had for 12-18 years. We were discussing how, growing up in a small town, life is very much about the relationships you have. They, who live in New York City, Kansas City, Dallas, St. Paul & Omaha, contrasted this to their city social lives which they said were much more about what they are doing, where they are going, and what they are wearing. They're all tired of it. We had a great weekend of rekindling our relationships sitting in a house wearing tshirts and sweat pants (we went out once in 5 days) . It was definitely refreshing for all of us. Even though I'm in a different season of life with kids, so I'm not doing a lot of the same things or going to a lot of the same types of places, and certainly not dressing as splendidly as they do, I can understand how they feel.

My perspectives are shifting - I'm believing world culture less and less. I'm starting to form my own solid opinions about families, marriage, cities, jobs, women and men, churches, parents, culture, attitudes, mainstreams, etc. etc. I guess this is called becoming an adult. Realizing that much of what the world tells us in text books, in media, that we say to each other just really really isn't true. It doesn't work. It causes destruction. It leads to despair.

So far I know - Small town life is for me. Close to my family and collective family living I like better than the individual all-about-me attitude of many Americans. I'm excited to work - but I don't need to work to feel fulfilled. I respect and submit to my husband, and I don't feel like less of a person because of it. I love my children, and it's okay that they drive me crazy.

Unfortunately fatigue has overcome my compulsions to write - must be hormones after all...no pithy conclusion. Just growing up I guess.

Encouragement to Share

This was an encouraging email that I received from Pastor Paul Shepherd of Enduring Truth Ministries in California. He is my favorite pastor to listen to on the radio, and I got this email on my blackberry right after my Grandpa's funeral. Jesus loves me so much- knows just when I need his touch.

"In the midst of your busy week ... I want to encourage you to be a "praiser." Wake up praising God. Go to bed praising God. Drive to work praising God. Throughout each day, find time to give God praise.
Here are seven reasons why we should praise God regularly:

1. We were created to praise God (1 Pet. 2:9).
2. God deserves our constant praise (Ps. 113:3).
3. Praise is the best way to approach God in prayer (Matt. 6:9).
4. Praise wards off heaviness and despair (Isa. 61:3).
5. It's the best response to the goodness of God (Ps. 103:2-5).
6. It's an offering that truly pleases God (Heb. 13:15).
7. Praise often leads to victory (2 Chron. 20:1-24).

No matter what your circumstance, God is worthy of our praise. What will you praise Him for today?"

God I praise you for Who You Are today. Circumstances, though full of blessing, are also sad in my life this week. So I fix my eyes on you, the author and perfector of my faith. Thank you Jesus for life, and death, and the opportunity to praise you during the short time we have on earth.

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety Jig

I'm sitting on the couch with my wonderful husband after a great weekend in Keystone, Co with 5 of my best girlfriends from high school. I had a wonderful trip; but a ten minute hug from my 1 year old son, and a "Mommy! I missed you!" " Mom, I love you so much" from my 4 year old - cannot be topped. I LOVE my boys. My husband was excited that I got home just in time to change a poopy diaper. Loved my trip, and a sweet homecoming can't be beat.